Abstract: A semiconductor memory device including a device isolation layer in a substrate to define first and second active portions, a first contact on the substrate, first and second memory cells spaced apart from the first contact in a first direction by first and second distances, respectively, first and second conductive lines connected to the first and second memory cells, respectively, and extending in a second direction, and first and second selection transistors respectively connected to the first and second conductive lines. A length of a bottom surface of a first gate electrode of the first selection transistor overlapping the first active portion in a third direction may be different from a length of a bottom surface of a second gate electrode of the second selection transistor overlapping the second active portion in the third direction.

Abstract: A memory cell includes a transistor including a memory film extending along a word line; a channel layer extending along the memory film, wherein the memory film is between the channel layer and the word line; a source line extending along the memory film, wherein the memory film is between the source line and the word line; a first contact layer on the source line, wherein the first contact layer contacts the channel layer and the memory film; a bit line extending along the memory film, wherein the memory film is between the bit line and the word line; a second contact layer on the bit line, wherein the second contact layer contacts the channel layer and the memory film; and an isolation region between the source line and the bit line.

Abstract: An integrated circuit structure includes a first semiconductor fin extending horizontally in a length direction and including a bottom portion and a top portion above the bottom portion, a bottom transistor associated with the bottom portion of the first semiconductor fin, a top transistor above the bottom transistor and associated with the top portion of the first semiconductor fin, and a first vertical diode. The first vertical diode includes: a bottom region associated with at least the bottom portion of the first semiconductor fin, the bottom region including one of n-type and p-type dopant; a top region associated with at least the top portion of the first semiconductor fin, the top region including the other of n-type and p-type dopant; a bottom terminal electrically connected to the bottom region; and a top terminal electrically connected to the top region at the top portion of the first semiconductor fin.

Abstract: Technologies relating to crossbar array circuits with parallel grounding lines are disclosed. An example crossbar array circuit includes: a word line; a bit line; a first selector line, a grounding line; a first transistor including a first source terminal, a first drain terminal, a first gate terminal, and a first body terminal; and an RRAM device connected in series with the first transistor. The grounding line is connected to the first body terminal and is grounded and the grounding line parallel to the bit line. The first selector line is connected to the first gate terminal. In some implementations, the RRAM device is connected between the first transistor via the first drain terminal and the word line, and the first source terminal is connected to the bit line.

Abstract: A 3D memory array has data storage structures provided at least in part by one or more vertical films that do not extend between vertically adjacent memory cells. The 3D memory array includes conductive strips and dielectric strips, alternately stacked over a substrate. The conductive strips may be laterally indented from the dielectric strips to form recesses. A data storage film may be disposed within these recesses. Any portion of the data storage film deposited outside the recesses may have been effectively removed, whereby the data storage film is essentially discontinuous from tier to tier within the 3D memory array. The data storage film within each tier may have upper and lower boundaries that are the same as those of a corresponding conductive strip. The data storage film may also be made discontinuous between horizontally adjacent memory cells.

Abstract: A nonvolatile memory device according to an embodiment includes a substrate, a resistance change layer disposed over the substrate, a gate insulation layer disposed on the resistance change layer, a gate electrode layer disposed on the gate insulation layer, and a first electrode pattern layer and a second electrode pattern layer that are disposed respectively over the substrate and disposed to contact a different portion of the resistance change layer.

Abstract: A switch device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a first electrode; a second electrode opposed to the first electrode; and a switch layer including selenium (Se), at least one kind of germanium (Ge) or silicon (Si), boron (B), carbon (C), (Ga), and arsenic (As), and provided between the first electrode and the second electrode.

Abstract: A memory device includes a bottom electrode above a substrate, a first switching layer on the bottom electrode, a second switching layer including aluminum on the first switching layer, an oxygen exchange layer on the second switching layer and a top electrode on the oxygen exchange layer. The presence of the second switching layer including aluminum on the first switching layer enables a reduction in electro-forming voltage of the memory device.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are selector devices and related devices and techniques. For example, in some embodiments, a selector device may include a first electrode, a second electrode, and a selector material stack between the first electrode and the second electrode. The selector material stack may include a dielectric material layer between a first conductive material layer and a second conductive material layer. A first material layer may be present between the first electrode and the first conductive material layer, and a second material layer may be present between the first conductive material layer and the dielectric layer. The first material layer and the second material layer may be diffusion barriers, and the second material layer may be a weaker diffusion barrier than the first material layer.

Abstract: Integrated circuits with an array of programmable resistive switch elements are provided. A programmable resistive switch element may include two non-volatile resistive memory elements connected in series and two varistors. A first of the two varistors is used to program a top resistive memory element in the resistive switch element, whereas a second of the two varistors is used to program a bottom resistive memory element in the resistive switch element. Row and column drivers implemented using only thin gate oxide transistors are used to program a selected resistive switch in the array without violating a maximum voltage level that satisfies predetermined defects per million (DPM) reliability criteria.

Abstract: A memory device includes a substrate including active areas and isolation areas, trenches in the isolation areas, active patterns in the active areas, the active patterns protruding from the substrate, isolation layers filling the trenches, gate trenches crossing the active patterns and the isolation layers, and gate line stacks filling the gate trenches, a first width of the gate trench in the isolation layer being greater than a second width of the gate trench in the active pattern.

Abstract: Resistive-switching memory elements having improved switching characteristics are described, including a memory element having a first electrode and a second electrode, a switching layer between the first electrode and the second electrode, the switching layer comprising a first metal oxide having a first bandgap greater than 4 electron volts (eV), the switching layer having a first thickness, and a coupling layer between the switching layer and the second electrode, the coupling layer comprising a second metal oxide having a second bandgap greater the first bandgap, the coupling layer having a second thickness that is less than 25 percent of the first thickness.

Abstract: Resistive-switching memory elements having improved switching characteristics are described, including a memory element having a first electrode and a second electrode, a switching layer between the first electrode and the second electrode comprising hafnium oxide and having a first thickness, and a coupling layer between the switching layer and the second electrode, the coupling layer comprising a material including metal titanium and having a second thickness that is less than 25 percent of the first thickness.

Abstract: Memory cells and memory cell structures having a number of phase change material gradients, devices utilizing the same, and methods of forming the same are disclosed herein. One example of forming a memory cell includes forming a first electrode material, forming a phase change material gradient on the first electrode material, and forming a second electrode material on the phase change material gradient.

Abstract: A resistive memory device and a fabrication method thereof are provided. The resistive memory device includes a variable resistive layer formed on a semiconductor substrate in which a bottom structure is formed, a lower electrode formed on the variable resistive layer, a switching unit formed on the lower electrode, and an upper electrode formed on the switching unit.

Abstract: Resistive-switching memory elements having improved switching characteristics are described, including a memory element having a first electrode and a second electrode, a switching layer between the first electrode and the second electrode, the switching layer comprising a first metal oxide having a first bandgap greater than 4 electron volts (eV), the switching layer having a first thickness, and a coupling layer between the switching layer and the second electrode, the coupling layer comprising a second metal oxide having a second bandgap greater the first bandgap, the coupling layer having a second thickness that is less than 25 percent of the first thickness.

Abstract: The memory cell includes a memory area which is formed in a phase-change material pattern based on chalcogenide. An electric p/n-type junction is series-connected between electrodes. The p/n junction is formed in a crystalline area by the interface between first and second doped areas of the phase-change material pattern. The memory area is formed in one of the two doped areas, at a distance from the junction.

Abstract: A switching device includes a substrate; a first electrode formed over the substrate; a second electrode formed over the first electrode; a switching medium disposed between the first and second electrode; and a nonlinear element disposed between the first and second electrodes and electrically coupled in series to the first electrode and the switching medium. The nonlinear element is configured to change from a first resistance state to a second resistance state on application of a voltage greater than a threshold.

Abstract: Disclosed is a semiconductor device including a resistive change element between a first wiring and a second wiring, which are arranged in a vertical direction so as to be adjacent to each other, with an interlayer insulation film being interposed on a semiconductor substrate. The resistive change element includes a lower electrode, a resistive change element film made of a metal oxide and an upper electrode. Since the upper electrode on the resistive change element film is formed as part of a plug for the second wiring, a structure in which a side surface of the upper electrode is not in direct contact with the side surface of the metal oxide or the lower electrode is provided so that it is possible to realize excellent device characteristics, even when a byproduct is adhered to the side wall of the metal oxide or the lower electrode in the etching thereof.

Abstract: A memory device includes a substrate and a memory array on the substrate. The memory array includes memory cells including stressed phase change materials in a layer of encapsulation materials. The memory cells may include memory cell structures such as mushroom-type memory cell structures, bridge-type memory cell structures, active-in-via type memory cell structures, and pore-type memory cell structures. The stressed phase change materials may comprise GST (GexSbxTex) materials in general and Ge2Sb2Te5 in particular. To manufacture the memory device, a substrate is first fabricated. Memory cells including phase change materials in a layer of encapsulation materials are formed on a front side of the substrate. A tensile or compressive stress is induced into the phase change materials on the front side of the substrate.

Abstract: Non-volatile resistive-switching memories are described, including a memory element having a first electrode, a second electrode, a metal oxide between the first electrode and the second electrode. The metal oxide switches using bulk-mediated switching, has a bandgap greater than 4 electron volts (eV), has a set voltage for a set operation of at least one volt per one hundred angstroms of a thickness of the metal oxide, and has a leakage current density less than 40 amps per square centimeter (A/cm2) measured at 0.5 volts (V) per twenty angstroms of the thickness of the metal oxide.

Abstract: Provided is a semiconductor device. The semiconductor device includes a lower active region on a semiconductor substrate. A plurality of upper active regions protruding from a top surface of the lower active region and having a narrower width than the lower active region are provided. A lower isolation region surrounding a sidewall of the lower active region is provided. An upper isolation region formed on the lower isolation region, surrounding sidewalls of the upper active regions, and having a narrower width than the lower isolation region is provided. A first impurity region formed in the lower active region and extending into the upper active regions is provided. Second impurity regions formed in the upper active regions and constituting a diode together with the first impurity region are provided. A method of fabricating the same is provided as well.

Abstract: A resistive memory device and a fabrication method thereof are provided. The resistive memory device includes a variable resistive layer formed on a semiconductor substrate in which a bottom structure is formed, a lower electrode formed on the variable resistive layer, a switching unit formed on the lower electrode, and an upper electrode formed on the switching unit.

Abstract: A structure for a variable-resistance element using an electrochemical reaction. The structure limits a position at which metal cross-linking breaks to a position most preferred for cross-linking break: namely, a part of an ion conduction layer closest to a first electrode. Also provided is a method for manufacturing the variable-resistance element, which has a first electrode serving as a source for a metal ion(s), a second electrode which is less ionizable (i.e. has a higher redox potential) than the first electrode, and an ion conduction layer which is interposed between the first and second electrodes and can conduct the metal ion(s). There is a first region in the ion conduction layer, adjacent to the first electrode, having a diffusion coefficient that increases continuously towards the first electrode right upto contacting the first electrode.

Abstract: A vertical chain memory includes two-layer select transistors having first select transistors which are vertical transistors arranged in a matrix, and second select transistors which are vertical transistors formed on the respective first select transistors, and a plurality of memory cells connected in series on the two-layer select transistors. With this configuration, the adjacent select transistors are prevented from being selected by respective shared gates, the plurality of two-layer select transistors can be selected, independently, and a storage capacity of a non-volatile storage device is prevented from being reduced.

Abstract: A Zinc Oxide (ZnO) layer deposited using Atomic Layer Deposition (ALD) over a phase-change material forms a self-selected storage device. The diode formed at the ZnO/GST interface shows both rectification and storage capabilities within the PCM architecture.

Abstract: A memory array including a plurality of memory cells. Each word line is electrically coupled to a set of memory cells, a gate contact and a pair of dielectric pillars positioned parallel to the word line with a spacer of electrically insulating material surrounding the gate contact. Also a method to prevent a gate contact from electrically connecting to a source contact for a plurality of memory cells on a substrate. The method includes depositing and etching gate material to partially fill a space between the pillars and to form a word line for the memory cells, etching a gate contact region for the word line between the pair of pillars, forming a spacer of electrically insulating material in the gate contact region, and depositing a gate contact between the pair of pillars to be in electrical contact with the gate material such that the spacer surrounds the gate contact.

Abstract: The purpose of the present invention is to improve a rewriting transmission rate and reliability of a phase change memory. To attain the purpose, a plurality of phase change memory cells (SMC or USMC) which are provided in series between a word line (2) and a bit line (3) and have a selection element and a storage element that are parallel connected with each other are entirely set, and after that, a part of the cells corresponding to a data pattern is reset. Alternatively, the reverse of the operation is carried out.

Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention sets forth an embedded resistive memory cell that includes a first stack of deposited layers, a second stack of deposited layers, a first electrode disposed under a first portion of the first stack, and a second electrode disposed under a second portion of the first stack and extending from under the second portion of the first stack to under the second stack. The second electrode is disposed proximate to the first electrode within the embedded resistive memory cell. The first stack of deposited layers includes a dielectric layer, a high-k dielectric layer disposed above the dielectric layer, and a metal layer disposed above the high-k dielectric layer. The second stack of deposited layers includes a high-k dielectric layer formed simultaneously with the high-k dielectric layer included in the first stack, and a metal layer disposed above the high-k dielectric layer.

Abstract: Phase-change memory structures are formed with ultra-thin heater liners and ultra-thin phase-change layers, thereby increasing heating capacities and lowering reset currents. Embodiments include forming a first interlayer dielectric (ILD) over a bottom electrode, removing a portion of the first ILD, forming a cell area, forming a u-shaped heater liner within the cell area, forming an interlayer dielectric structure within the u-shaped heater liner, the interlayer dielectric structure including a protruding portion extending above a top surface of the first ILD, forming a phase-change layer on side surfaces of the protruding portion and/or on the first ILD surrounding the protruding portion, and forming a dielectric spacer surrounding the protruding portion.

Abstract: A memory cell described herein includes a memory element comprising programmable resistance memory material overlying a conductive contact. An insulator element includes a pipe shaped portion extending from the conductive contact into the memory element, the pipe shaped portion having proximal and distal ends and an inside surface defining an interior, the proximal end adjacent the conductive contact. A bottom electrode contacts the conductive contact and extends upwardly within the interior from the proximal end to the distal end, the bottom electrode having a top surface contacting the memory element adjacent the distal end at a first contact surface. A top electrode is separated from the distal end of the pipe shaped portion by the memory element and contacts the memory element at a second contact surface, the second contact surface having a surface area greater than that of the first contact surface.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes at least first and second electrodes, and a layer including a transition metal oxide layer sandwiched between the first and second electrodes. The transition metal oxide layer includes first and second transition metal oxide layers formed of different first and second transition metals, respectively. The first transition metal oxide layer is provided on the first electrode side, the second transition metal oxide layer is provided on the second electrode side, the first transition metal oxide layer and the second transition metal oxide layer are in contact with each other, the first transition metal oxide layer has an oxygen concentration gradient from the interface between the first transition metal oxide layer and the second transition metal oxide layer toward the first electrode side, and the oxygen concentration at the interface is greater than the oxygen concentration on the first electrode side.

Abstract: Selector devices that can be suitable for memory device applications can have low leakage currents at low voltages to reduce sneak current paths for non selected devices, and high leakage currents at high voltages to minimize voltage drops during device switching. In some embodiments, the selector device can include a first electrode, a tri-layer dielectric layer, and a second electrode. The tri-layer dielectric layer can include a high leakage dielectric layer sandwiched between two lower leakage dielectric layers. The low leakage layers can function to restrict the current flow across the selector device at low voltages. The high leakage dielectric layer can function to enhance the current flow across the selector device at high voltages.

Abstract: Method for a memory including a first, second, third and fourth cells include applying a read, program, or erase voltage, the first and second cells coupled to a first top interconnect, the third and fourth cells coupled to a second top interconnect, the first and third cells coupled to a first bottom interconnect, the second and fourth cells are to a second bottom interconnect, each cell includes a switching material overlying a non-linear element (NLE), the resistive switching material is associated with a first conductive threshold voltage, the NLE is associated with a lower, second conductive threshold voltage, comprising applying the read voltage between the first top and the first bottom electrode to switch the NLE of the first cell to conductive, while the NLEs of the second, third, and the fourth cells remain non-conductive, and detecting a read current across the first cell in response to the read voltage.

Abstract: An integrated circuit including vertically oriented diode structures between conductors and methods of fabricating the same are provided. Two-terminal devices such as passive element memory cells can include a diode steering element in series with an antifuse and/or other state change element. The devices are formed using pillar structures at the intersections of upper and lower sets of conductors. The height of the pillar structures are reduced by forming part of the diode for each pillar in a rail stack with one of the conductors. A diode in one embodiment can include a first diode component of a first conductivity type and a second diode component of a second conductivity type. A portion of one of the diode components is divided into first and second portions with one on the portions being formed in the rail stack where it is shared with other diodes formed using pillars at the rail stack.

Abstract: Atomic layer deposition (ALD) can be used to form a dielectric layer of zirconium oxide for use in a variety of electronic devices. Forming the dielectric layer includes depositing zirconium oxide using atomic layer deposition. A method of atomic layer deposition to produce a metal-rich metal oxide comprises the steps of providing a silicon substrate in a reaction chamber, pulsing a zirconium precursor for a predetermined time to deposit a first layer, and oxidizing the first layer with water vapor to produce the metal-rich metal oxide. The metal-rich metal oxide has superior properties for non-volatile resistive-switching memories.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device includes forming a flash memory cell in a first region, forming a first electrode of a capacitor in a second region, forming a first silicon oxide film, a silicon nitride film, and a second silicon oxide film in this order as a second insulating film, removing the silicon nitride film and the second silicon oxide film in a partial region of the first electrode, wet-etching a first insulating film and the second insulating film in the third region, forming a second electrode of the capacitor, and etching and removing the first silicon oxide film in the partial region.

Abstract: An integrated circuit device may include a semiconductor substrate including an active region and a transistor in the active region. The transistor may include first and second spaced apart source/drain regions in the active region of the semiconductor substrate, and a semiconductor channel region between the first and second source/drain regions. The semiconductor channel region may include a plurality of channel trenches therein between the first and second source/drain regions. A gate insulating layer may be provided on the channel region including sidewalls of the plurality of channel trenches, and a gate electrode may be provided on the gate insulating layer so that the gate insulating layer is between the gate electrode and the semiconductor channel region including the plurality of channel trenches. Related methods are also discussed.

Abstract: A non-volatile solid state resistive device that includes a first electrode, a p-type poly-silicon second electrode, and a non-crystalline silicon nanostructure electrically connected between the electrodes. The nanostructure has a resistance that is adjustable in response to a voltage being applied to the nanostructure via the electrodes. The nanostructure can be formed as a nanopillar embedded in an insulating layer located between the electrodes. The first electrode can be a silver or other electrically conductive metal electrode. A third (metal) electrode can be connected to the p-type poly-silicon second electrode at a location adjacent the nanostructure to permit connection of the two metal electrodes to other circuitry. The resistive device can be used as a unit memory cell of a digital non-volatile memory device to store one or more bits of digital data by varying its resistance between two or more values.

Abstract: A method of forming a phase-change random access memory (PRAM) cell, and a structure of a phase-change random access memory (PRAM) cell are disclosed. The PRAM cell includes a bottom electrode, a heater resistor coupled to the bottom electrode, a phase change material (PCM) thrilled over and coupled to the heater resistor, and a top electrode coupled to the phase change material. The phase change material contacts a portion of a vertical surface of the heater resistor and a portion of a horizontal surface of the heater resistor to form an active region between the heater resistor and the phase change material.

Abstract: Variable-resistance memory material cells are contacted by vertical bottom spacer electrodes. Variable-resistance material memory spacer cells are contacted along the edge by electrodes. Processes include the formation of the bottom spacer electrodes as well as the variable-resistance material memory spacer cells. Devices include the variable-resistance memory cells.

Abstract: The present invention provides a castle-like shaped protect or a periphery protect or a DC chop mask for forming staggered data line patterns in semiconductor devices so as to shift the adjacent data lines from one another so as to print contacts with larger areas at one end of each data line.

Abstract: Electronic apparatus, systems, and methods can include a resistive memory cell having a structured as an operably variable resistance region between two electrodes and a metallic barrier disposed in a region between the dielectric and one of the two electrodes. The metallic barrier can have a structure and a material composition to provide oxygen diffusivity above a first threshold during program or erase operations of the resistive memory cell and oxygen diffusivity below a second threshold during a retention state of the resistive memory cell. Additional apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed.

Abstract: A semiconductor structure with improved capacitance of bit lines includes a substrate, a stacked memory structure, a plurality of bit lines, a first stair contact structure, a first group of transistor structures and a first conductive line. The first stair contact structure is formed on the substrate and includes conductive planes and insulating planes stacked alternately. The conductive planes are separated from each other by the insulating planes for connecting the bit lines to the stacked memory structure by stairs. The first group of transistor structures is formed in a first bulk area where the bit lines pass through and then connect to the conductive planes. The first group of transistor structures has a first gate around the first bulk area. The first conductive line is connected to the first gate to control the voltage applied to the first gate.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention set forth a nonvolatile memory element with a novel variable resistance layer and methods of forming the same. The novel variable resistance layer includes a metal-rich host oxide that operates with a reduced switching voltage and current and requires significantly reduced forming voltage when manufactured. In some embodiments, the metal-rich host oxide is deposited using a modified atomic layer deposition (ALD) process. In other embodiments, the metal-rich host oxide is formed by depositing a metal-containing coupling layer on a host oxide and thermally processing both layers to create a metal-rich composite host oxide with a higher concentration of oxygen vacancies.

Abstract: A phase change memory element and method of forming the same. The memory element includes a phase change material layer electrically coupled to first and second conductive material layers. A energy conversion layer is formed in association with the phase change material layer, and electrically coupled to a third conductive material layer. An electrically isolating material layer is formed between the phase change material layer and the energy conversion layer.

Abstract: The present invention proposes a semiconductor device structure and a method for manufacturing the same, and relates to the semiconductor manufacturing industry. The method comprises: providing a semiconductor substrate; forming gate electrode lines on the semiconductor substrate; forming sidewall spacers on both sides of the gate electrode lines; forming source/drain regions on the semiconductor substrates at both sides of the gate electrode lines; forming contact holes on the gate electrode lines or on the source/drain regions; and cutting off the gate electrode lines to form electrically isolated gate electrodes after formation of the sidewall spacers but before completion of FEOL process for a semiconductor device structure. The embodiments of the present invention are applicable for manufacturing integrated circuits.

Abstract: Provided are semiconductor memory devices and the methods of fabricating the same. The method may include forming a plurality of diode patterns in each of a plurality of first trenches, each of the plurality of first trenches including at least two active regions, the plurality of diode patterns occupying a plurality of spaces, treating the plurality of diode patterns to form a plurality of semiconductor patterns in each of the plurality of spaces, removing portions of the plurality of semiconductor patterns to form a recess in each of the plurality of spaces, treating the of the plurality of semiconductor patterns to form a plurality of diodes in each of the plurality of spaces, forming a bottom electrode on each of the plurality of diodes, forming a plurality of memory elements on each of the bottom electrodes, and forming a plurality of upper interconnection lines on the plurality of memory elements.

Abstract: Resistance variable memory cells having a plurality of resistance variable materials and methods of operating and forming the same are described herein. As an example, a resistance variable memory cell can include a plurality of resistance variable materials located between a plug material and an electrode material. The resistance variable memory cell also includes a first conductive material that contacts the plug material and each of the plurality of resistance variable materials and a second conductive material that contacts the electrode material and each of the plurality of resistance variable materials.

Abstract: Memory cells and memory cell structures having a number of phase change material gradients, devices utilizing the same, and methods of forming the same are disclosed herein. One example of forming a memory cell includes forming a first electrode material, forming a phase change material gradient on the first electrode material, and forming a second electrode material on the phase change material gradient.