Using Structure Alterable To Conductive State (i.e., Antifuse) Patents (Class 438/131)
-
Patent number: 8710591Abstract: Provided are a semiconductor chip including a TSV passing through a transistor, and a stack module and a memory card using such a semiconductor chip. The semiconductor chip may include a semiconductor layer that has a first surface and a second surface opposite to each other. A conductive layer may be disposed on the first surface of the semiconductor layer. A TSV may pass through the semiconductor layer and the conductive layer. A side wall insulating layer may surround a side wall of the TSV in order to electrically insulate the semiconductor layer and the conductive layer from the TSV.Type: GrantFiled: August 25, 2010Date of Patent: April 29, 2014Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventors: Hyong-ryol Hwang, Ho-cheol Lee, Byong-wook Na
-
Patent number: 8686394Abstract: Some embodiments include methods of forming semiconductor constructions. Carbon-containing material is formed over oxygen-sensitive material. The carbon-containing material and oxygen-sensitive material together form a structure having a sidewall that extends along both the carbon-containing material and the oxygen-sensitive material. First protective material is formed along the sidewall. The first protective material extends across an interface of the carbon-containing material and the oxygen-sensitive material, and does not extend to a top region of the carbon-containing material. Second protective material is formed across the top of the carbon-containing material, with the second protective material having a common composition to the first protective material. The second protective material is etched to expose an upper surface of the carbon-containing material. Some embodiments include semiconductor constructions, memory arrays and methods of forming memory arrays.Type: GrantFiled: July 18, 2012Date of Patent: April 1, 2014Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.Inventors: Fabio Pellizzer, Cinzia Perrone
-
Patent number: 8674476Abstract: Disclosed are embodiments of a circuit and method for electroplating a feature (e.g., a BEOL anti-fuse device) onto a wafer. The embodiments eliminate the use of a seed layer and, thereby, minimize subsequent processing steps (e.g., etching or chemical mechanical polishing (CMP)). Specifically, the embodiments allow for selective electroplating metal or alloy materials onto an exposed portion of a metal layer in a trench on the front side of a substrate. This is accomplished by providing a unique wafer structure that allows a current path to be established from a power supply through a back side contact and in-substrate electrical connector to the metal layer. During electrodeposition, current flow through the current path can be selectively controlled. Additionally, if the electroplated feature is an anti-fuse device, current flow through this current path can also be selectively controlled in order to program the anti-fuse device.Type: GrantFiled: June 28, 2012Date of Patent: March 18, 2014Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Veeraraghavan S. Basker, Toshiharu Furukawa, William R. Tonti
-
Patent number: 8618628Abstract: A semiconductor device and a method for manufacturing the same are disclosed. A dummy pattern is formed between a fuse pattern and a semiconductor substrate so as to prevent the semiconductor substrate from being damaged, and a buffer pattern is formed between the dummy pattern and the semiconductor substrate, so that a dummy metal pattern primarily absorbs or reflects laser energy transferred to the semiconductor substrate during the blowing of the fuse pattern, and the buffer pattern secondarily reduces stress generated between the dummy pattern and the semiconductor substrate, resulting in the prevention of a defect such as a crack.Type: GrantFiled: October 5, 2011Date of Patent: December 31, 2013Assignee: Hynix Semiconductor Inc.Inventors: Ki Soo Choi, Do Hyun Kim
-
Patent number: 8610243Abstract: Disclosed herein is a metal e-fuse device that employs an intermetallic compound programming mechanism and various methods of making such an e-fuse device. In one example, a device disclosed herein includes a first metal line, a second metal line and a fuse element that is positioned between and conductively coupled to each of the first and second metal lines, wherein the fuse element is adapted to be blown by passing a programming current therethrough, and wherein the fuse element is comprised of a material that is different from a material of construction of at least one of the first and second metal lines.Type: GrantFiled: December 9, 2011Date of Patent: December 17, 2013Assignee: GLOBALFOUNDRIES Inc.Inventors: Jens Poppe, Andreas Kurz
-
Patent number: 8610245Abstract: An anti-fuse element that includes an insulation layer; a pair of electrode layers formed on upper and lower surfaces of the insulation layer; and an extraction electrode contacting a section of the electrode layers forming electrostatic capacitance with the insulation layer. The anti-fuse element is configured to create a structural change section that includes a short circuit section short-circuited such that the pair of electrode layers are fused mutually to engulf the insulation layer, and a dissipation section with the electrode layers and insulation layer dissipated by the engulfing of the insulation layer, when a voltage not less than the breakdown voltage of the insulation layer is applied. The maximum diameter of a section of the extraction electrode in contact with the electrode layer is larger than the maximum diameter of the structural change section.Type: GrantFiled: January 19, 2012Date of Patent: December 17, 2013Assignee: Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.Inventors: Shinsuke Tani, Toshiyuki Nakaiso
-
Patent number: 8569755Abstract: An antifuse has first and second semiconductor regions having one conductivity type and a third semiconductor region therebetween having an opposite conductivity type. A conductive region contacting the first region has a long dimension in a second direction transverse to the direction of a long dimension of a gate. An antifuse anode is spaced apart from the first region in the second direction and a contact is connected with the second region. Applying a programming voltage between the anode and the contact with gate bias sufficient to fully turn on field effect transistor operation of the antifuse heats the first region to drive a dopant outwardly, causing an edge of the first region to move closer to an edge of the second region and reduce electrical resistance between the first and second regions by an one or more orders of magnitude.Type: GrantFiled: September 13, 2012Date of Patent: October 29, 2013Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Yan Zun Li, Chandrasekharan Kothandaraman, Dan Moy, Norman W. Robson, John M. Safran
-
Publication number: 20130256773Abstract: In an embodiment of the invention, a method of fabricating a floating-gate PMOSFET (p-type metal-oxide semiconductor field-effect transistor) is disclosed. A silicide blocking layer (e.g. oxide, nitride) is used not only to block areas from being silicided but to also form an insulator on top of a poly-silicon gate. The insulator along with a top electrode (control gate) forms a capacitor on top of the poly-silicon gate. The poly-silicon gate also serves at the bottom electrode of the capacitor. The capacitor can then be used to capacitively couple charge to the poly-silicon gate. Because the poly-silicon gate is surrounded by insulating material, the charge coupled to the poly-silicon gate may be stored for a long period of time after a programming operation.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 21, 2013Publication date: October 3, 2013Applicant: Texas Instruments IncorporatedInventors: Shanjen Pan, Allan T. Mitchell, Weidong Tian
-
Patent number: 8530283Abstract: An electronic device can include a nonvolatile memory cell, wherein the nonvolatile memory cell can include an access transistor, a read transistor, and an antifuse component coupled to the access transistor and the read transistor. In an embodiment, the read transistor can include a gate electrode, and the antifuse component can include a first electrode and a second electrode overlying the first electrode. The gate electrode and the first electrode can be parts of the same gate member. In another embodiment, the access transistor can include a gate electrode, and the antifuse component can include a first electrode, an antifuse dielectric layer, and a second electrode. The electronic device can further include a conductive member overlying the antifuse dielectric layer and the gate electrode of the access transistor, wherein the conductive member is configured to electrically float. Processes for making the same are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 2011Date of Patent: September 10, 2013Assignee: Semiconductor Components Industries, LLCInventors: Moshe Agam, Thierry Coffi Herve Yao
-
Patent number: 8519508Abstract: A semiconductor device has a conventional NMOS transistor and an NMOS transistor functioning as an anti-fuse element and having an n type channel region. The conventional NMOS transistor is equipped with an n type extension region and a p type pocket region, while the anti-fuse element is not equipped with an extension region and a pocket region. This makes it possible to improve the performance of the transistor and at the same time improve the characteristics of the anti-fuse element after breakdown of its gate dielectric film.Type: GrantFiled: November 3, 2010Date of Patent: August 27, 2013Assignee: Renesas Electronics CorporationInventors: Yoshitaka Kubota, Hiroshi Tsuda, Kenichi Hidaka, Takuji Onuma, Hiromichi Takaoka
-
Patent number: 8507326Abstract: An approach is provided for semiconductor devices including an anti-fuse structure. The semiconductor device includes a first metallization layer including a first portion of a first electrode and a second electrode, the second electrode being formed in a substantially axial plane surrounding the first portion of the first electrode, with a dielectric material in between the two electrodes. An ILD is formed over the first metallization layer, a second metallization layer including a second portion of the first electrode is formed over the ILD, and at least one via is formed through the ILD, electrically connecting the first and second portions of the first electrode. Breakdown of the dielectric material is configured to enable an operating current to flow between the second electrode and the first electrode in a programmed state of the anti-fuse structure.Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 2011Date of Patent: August 13, 2013Assignee: Globalfoundries Inc.Inventors: Andreas Kurz, Jens Poppe
-
Patent number: 8501591Abstract: A method for manufacturing an electrically programmable non-volatile memory cell comprises forming a first electrode on a substrate, forming an inter-electrode layer of material on the first electrode having a property which is characterized by progressive change in response to stress, and forming a second electrode over the inter-electrode layer of material. The inter-electrode layer comprises a dielectric layer, such as ultra-thin oxide, between the first and second electrodes. A programmable resistance, or other property, is established by stressing the dielectric layer, representing stored data. Embodiments of the memory cell are adapted to store multiple bits of data per cell and/or adapted for programming more than one time without an erase process.Type: GrantFiled: November 21, 2005Date of Patent: August 6, 2013Assignee: Macronix International Co., Ltd.Inventors: Chih Chieh Yeh, Han Chao Lai, Wen Jer Tsai, Tao Cheng Lu, Chih Yuan Lu
-
Patent number: 8476691Abstract: A high voltage power semiconductor device includes high reliability-high voltage junction termination with a charge dissipation layer. An active device area is surrounded by a junction termination structure including one or more regions of a polarity opposite the substrate polarity. A tunneling oxide layer overlays the junction termination area surrounding the active device area in contact with the silicon substrate upper surface. A layer of undoped polysilicon overlays the tunneling oxide layer and spans the junction termination area, with connections to an outer edge of the junction termination structure and to a grounded electrode inside of the active area. The tunneling oxide layer has a thickness that permits hot carriers formed at substrate upper surface to pass through the tunneling oxide layer into the undoped polysilicon layer to be dissipated but sufficient to mitigate stacking faults at the silicon surface.Type: GrantFiled: February 18, 2011Date of Patent: July 2, 2013Assignee: Microsemi CorporationInventors: Dumitru Sdrulla, Duane Edward Levine, James M. Katana, Martin David Birch
-
Patent number: 8470645Abstract: A method for forming a memory cell including a selection transistor and an antifuse transistor, in a technological process adapted to the manufacturing of a first and of a second types of MOS transistors of different gate thicknesses, this method including the steps of: forming the selection transistor according to the steps of manufacturing of the N-channel transistor of the second type; and forming the antifuse transistor essentially according the steps of manufacturing of the N-channel transistor of the first type, by modifying the following step: instead of performing a P-type implantation in the channel region at the same time as in the N-channel transistors of the first type, performing an N-type implantation in the channel region at the same time as in the P-channel transistors of the first type.Type: GrantFiled: March 2, 2011Date of Patent: June 25, 2013Assignee: STMicroelectronics SAInventors: Philippe Candelier, Elise Le Roux
-
Publication number: 20130157420Abstract: Some embodiments include methods of forming graphene-containing switches. A bottom electrode may be formed over a base, and a first electrically conductive structure may be formed to extend upwardly from the bottom electrode. Dielectric material may be formed along a sidewall of the first electrically conductive structure, while leaving a portion of the bottom electrode exposed. A graphene structure may be formed to be electrically coupled with the exposed portion of the bottom electrode. A second electrically conductive structure may be formed on an opposing side of the graphene structure from the first electrically conductive structure. A top electrode may be formed over the graphene structure and electrically coupled with the second electrically conductive structure. The first and second electrically conductive structures may be configured to provide an electric field across the graphene structure.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 9, 2013Publication date: June 20, 2013Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.Inventor: Micron Technology, Inc.
-
Publication number: 20130153960Abstract: A device includes a substrate, isolation regions at a surface of the substrate, and a semiconductor region over a top surface of the isolation regions. A conductive feature is disposed over the top surface of the isolation regions, wherein the conductive feature is adjacent to the semiconductor region. A dielectric material is disposed between the conductive feature and the semiconductor region. The dielectric material, the conductive feature, and the semiconductor region form an anti-fuse.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 16, 2011Publication date: June 20, 2013Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.Inventor: Hsiao-Lan Yang
-
Patent number: 8455305Abstract: A semiconductor device has a programming circuit that includes an active device and a programmable electronic component. The programmable electronic component includes a carbon nanotube having a segment with an adjusted diameter. The programmable electronic component has a value that depends upon the adjusted diameter. The programming circuit also includes interconnects that couple the active device to the programmable electronic component. The active device is configured to control a current transmitted to the programmable electronic component.Type: GrantFiled: August 6, 2009Date of Patent: June 4, 2013Assignee: Texas Instruments IncorporatedInventors: Andrew Marshall, Tito Gelsomini, Harvey Edd Davis
-
Patent number: 8440535Abstract: A phase change memory may include an ovonic threshold switch formed over an cyanic memory. In one embodiment, the switch includes a chalcogenide layer that overlaps an underlying electrode. Then, edge damage, due to etching the chalcogenide layer, may be isolated to reduce leakage current.Type: GrantFiled: May 3, 2012Date of Patent: May 14, 2013Assignee: Ovonyx, Inc.Inventor: Charles H. Dennison
-
Patent number: 8441039Abstract: Techniques for incorporating nanotechnology into electronic fuse (e-fuse) designs are provided. In one aspect, an e-fuse structure is provided. The e-fuse structure includes a first electrode; a dielectric layer on the first electrode having a plurality of nanochannels therein; an array of metal silicide nanopillars that fill the nanochannels in the dielectric layer, each nanopillar in the array serving as an e-fuse element; and a second electrode in contact with the array of metal silicide nanopillars opposite the first electrode. Methods for fabricating the e-fuse structure are also provided as are semiconductor devices incorporating the e-fuse structure.Type: GrantFiled: October 16, 2012Date of Patent: May 14, 2013Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Satya N. Chakravarti, Dechao Guo, Huiming Bu, Keith Kwong Hon Wong
-
Patent number: 8426257Abstract: A method for fabricating a semiconductor device includes forming a fuse over a substrate, the fuse having a barrier layer, a metal layer, and an anti-reflective layer stacked, selectively removing the anti-reflective layer, forming an insulation layer over a whole surface of the resultant structure including the fuse, and performing repair-etching such that part of the insulation layer remains above the fuse.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2007Date of Patent: April 23, 2013Assignee: Hynix Semiconductor Inc.Inventors: Hyun-Sik Park, Hae-Jung Lee, Jae-Kyun Lee
-
Patent number: 8421186Abstract: A metal electrically programmable fuse (“eFuse”) includes a metal strip, having a strip width, of a metal line adjoined to wide metal line portions, having widths greater than the metal strip width, at both ends of the metal strip. The strip width can be a lithographic minimum dimension, and the ratio of the length of the metal strip to the strip width is greater than 5 to localize heating around the center of the metal strip during programming. Localization of heating reduces required power for programming the metal eFuse. Further, a gradual temperature gradient is formed during the programming within a portion of the metal strip that is longer than the Blech length so that electromigration of metal gradually occurs reliably at the center portion of the metal strip. Metal line portions are provides at the same level as the metal eFuse to physically block debris generated during programming.Type: GrantFiled: May 31, 2011Date of Patent: April 16, 2013Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Baozhen Li, Chunyan E. Tian, Chih-Chao Yang
-
Patent number: 8409933Abstract: The invention comprises methods of forming a conductive contact to a source/drain region of a field effect transistor, and methods of forming local interconnects. In one implementation, a method of forming a conductive contact to a source/drain region of a field effect transistor includes providing gate dielectric material intermediate a transistor gate and a channel region of a field effect transistor. At least some of the gate dielectric material extends to be received over at least one source/drain region of the field effect transistor. The gate dielectric material received over the one source/drain region is exposed to conditions effective to change it from being electrically insulative to being electrically conductive and in conductive contact with the one source/drain region. Other aspects and implementations are contemplated.Type: GrantFiled: November 22, 2011Date of Patent: April 2, 2013Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.Inventors: Cem Basceri, Gurtej S. Sandhu, H. Montgomery Manning
-
Patent number: 8399959Abstract: According to one exemplary embodiment, a programmable poly fuse includes a P type resistive poly segment forming a P-N junction with an adjacent N type resistive poly segment. The programmable poly fuse further includes a P side silicided poly line contiguous with the P type resistive poly segment and coupled to a P side terminal of the poly fuse. The programmable poly fuse further includes an N side silicided poly line contiguous with the N type resistive poly segment and coupled to an N side terminal of the poly fuse. During a normal operating mode, a voltage less than or equal to approximately 2.5 volts is applied to the N side terminal of the programmable poly fuse. A voltage higher than approximately 3.5 volts is required at the N side terminal of the poly fuse to break down the P-N junction.Type: GrantFiled: May 30, 2007Date of Patent: March 19, 2013Assignee: Broadcom CorporationInventor: Laurentiu Vasiliu
-
Patent number: 8394682Abstract: Some embodiments include methods of forming graphene-containing switches. A bottom electrode may be formed over a base, and a first electrically conductive structure may be formed to extend upwardly from the bottom electrode. Dielectric material may be formed along a sidewall of the first electrically conductive structure, while leaving a portion of the bottom electrode exposed. A graphene structure may be formed to be electrically coupled with the exposed portion of the bottom electrode. A second electrically conductive structure may be formed on an opposing side of the graphene structure from the first electrically conductive structure. A top electrode may be formed over the graphene structure and electrically coupled with the second electrically conductive structure. The first and second electrically conductive structures may be configured to provide an electric field across the graphene structure.Type: GrantFiled: July 26, 2011Date of Patent: March 12, 2013Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.Inventor: Gurtej S. Sandhu
-
Patent number: 8395232Abstract: A semiconductor device includes an antifuse element. The semiconductor device includes a first well of a first conductivity type disposed in a semiconductor substrate; a first insulating film on the first well; a first conductive film of the first conductivity type on the first insulating film; and an impurity-introduced region of the first conductivity type. The impurity-introduced region of the first conductivity type in the first well is higher in impurity concentration than the first well. The impurity-introduced region includes a first portion that faces toward the first conductive film through the first insulating film.Type: GrantFiled: July 14, 2010Date of Patent: March 12, 2013Assignee: Elpida Memory, Inc.Inventors: Shinichi Horiba, Nobuyuki Nakamura, Eiji Kitamura
-
Patent number: 8372730Abstract: An electric fuse includes: a first interconnect and a second interconnect, formed on a semiconductor substrate; a fuse link, formed on the semiconductor substrate and provided so that an end thereof is coupled to the first interconnect, the fuse link being capable of electrically cutting the second interconnect from the first interconnect; and an electric current inflow terminal and an electric current drain terminal for cutting the fuse link, formed on the semiconductor substrate and provided in one end and another end of the first interconnect, respectively.Type: GrantFiled: June 23, 2011Date of Patent: February 12, 2013Assignee: Renesas Electronics CorporationInventor: Takehiro Ueda
-
Patent number: 8367484Abstract: An antifuse structure and methods of forming contacts within the antifuse structure. The antifuse structure includes a substrate having an overlying metal layer, a dielectric layer formed on an upper surface of the metal layer, and a contact formed of contact material within a contact via etched through the dielectric layer into the metal layer. The contact via includes a metal material at a bottom surface of the contact via and an untreated or partially treated metal precursor on top of the metal material.Type: GrantFiled: January 27, 2012Date of Patent: February 5, 2013Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Terence L. Kane, Michael P. Tenney, Yun-Yu Wang, Keith Kwong Hon Wong
-
Patent number: 8367483Abstract: An antifuse structure and methods of forming contacts within the antifuse structure. The antifuse structure includes a substrate having an overlying metal layer, a dielectric layer formed on an upper surface of the metal layer, and a contact formed of contact material within a contact via etched through the dielectric layer into the metal layer. The contact via includes a metal material at a bottom surface of the contact via and an untreated or partially treated metal precursor on top of the metal material.Type: GrantFiled: January 27, 2012Date of Patent: February 5, 2013Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Terence L. Kane, Michael P. Tenney, Yun-Yu Wang, Keith Kwong Hon Wong
-
Patent number: 8368069Abstract: An antifuse structure and methods of forming contacts within the antifuse structure. The antifuse structure includes a substrate having an overlying metal layer, a dielectric layer formed on an upper surface of the metal layer, and a contact formed of contact material within a contact via etched through the dielectric layer into the metal layer. The contact via includes a metal material at a bottom surface of the contact via and an untreated or partially treated metal precursor on top of the metal material.Type: GrantFiled: January 27, 2012Date of Patent: February 5, 2013Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Terence L. Kane, Michael P. Tenney, Yun-Yu Wang, Keith Kwong Hon Wong
-
Publication number: 20130029460Abstract: Some embodiments include methods of forming graphene-containing switches. A bottom electrode may be formed over a base, and a first electrically conductive structure may be formed to extend upwardly from the bottom electrode. Dielectric material may be formed along a sidewall of the first electrically conductive structure, while leaving a portion of the bottom electrode exposed. A graphene structure may be formed to be electrically coupled with the exposed portion of the bottom electrode. A second electrically conductive structure may be formed on an opposing side of the graphene structure from the first electrically conductive structure. A top electrode may be formed over the graphene structure and electrically coupled with the second electrically conductive structure. The first and second electrically conductive structures may be configured to provide an electric field across the graphene structure.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 26, 2011Publication date: January 31, 2013Applicant: MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.Inventor: Gurtej S. Sandhu
-
Patent number: 8361886Abstract: A method for programming an anti-fuse element in which the ratio between current values before and after writing is increased to ensure accuracy in making a judgment about how writing has been performed on the anti-fuse element. The method for programming the anti-fuse element as a transistor includes the steps of applying a prescribed gate voltage to a gate electrode to break down a gate dielectric film, and moving the silicide material of a silicide layer formed on a surface of at least one of a first impurity diffusion region and a second impurity diffusion region, into the gate dielectric film in order to couple the gate electrode with at least the one of the first impurity diffusion region and the second impurity diffusion region electrically through the silicide material.Type: GrantFiled: December 2, 2010Date of Patent: January 29, 2013Assignee: Renesas Electronics CorporationInventors: Yoshitaka Kubota, Takuji Onuma
-
Patent number: 8350264Abstract: An antifuse is provided having a unitary monocrystalline semiconductor body including first and second semiconductor regions each having the same first conductivity type, and a third semiconductor region between the first and second semiconductor regions which has a second conductivity type opposite from the first conductivity type. An anode and a cathode can be electrically connected with the first semiconductor region. A conductive region including a metal, a conductive compound of a metal or an alloy of a metal can contact the first semiconductor region and extend between the cathode and the anode. The antifuse can further include a contact electrically connected with the second semiconductor region.Type: GrantFiled: July 14, 2010Date of Patent: January 8, 2013Assignee: International Businesss Machines CorporationInventors: Yan Zun Li, Chandrasekharan Kothandaraman, Dan Moy, Norman W. Robson, John M. Safran
-
Patent number: 8349663Abstract: In a first aspect, a method for forming a non-volatile memory cell is provided. The method includes (1) forming a metal-insulator-metal (MIM) antifuse stack including (a) a first metal layer; (b) a silicon dioxide, oxynitride or silicon nitride antifuse layer formed above the first metal layer; and (c) a second metal layer formed above the antifuse layer. The method also includes (2) forming a contiguous p-i-n diode above the MIM antifuse stack, the contiguous p-i-n diode comprising deposited semiconductor material; (3) forming a layer of a silicide, silicide-germanide, or germanide in contact with the deposited semiconductor material; and (4) crystallizing the deposited semiconductor material in contact with the layer of silicide, silicide-germanide, or germanide. The memory cell comprises the contiguous p-i-n diode and the MIM antifuse stack. Other aspects are provided.Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 2007Date of Patent: January 8, 2013Assignee: SanDisk 3D LLCInventors: S. Brad Herner, Tanmay Kumar
-
Patent number: 8344428Abstract: Techniques for incorporating nanotechnology into electronic fuse (e-fuse) designs are provided. In one aspect, an e-fuse structure is provided. The e-fuse structure includes a first electrode; a dielectric layer on the first electrode having a plurality of nanochannels therein; an array of metal silicide nanopillars that fill the nanochannels in the dielectric layer, each nanopillar in the array serving as an e-fuse element; and a second electrode in contact with the array of metal silicide nanopillars opposite the first electrode. Methods for fabricating the e-fuse structure are also provided as are semiconductor devices incorporating the e-fuse structure.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2009Date of Patent: January 1, 2013Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Satya N. Chakravarti, Dechao Guo, Huiming Bu, Keith Kwong Hon Wong
-
Patent number: 8338746Abstract: A set (50) of laser pulses (52) is employed to sever a conductive link (22) in a memory or other IC chip. The duration of the set (50) is preferably shorter than 1,000 ns; and the pulse width of each laser pulse (52) within the set (50) is preferably within a range of about 0.1 ps to 30 ns. The set (50) can be treated as a single “pulse” by conventional laser positioning systems (62) to perform on-the-fly link removal without stopping whenever the laser system (60) fires a set (50) of laser pulses (52) at each link (22). Conventional IR wavelengths or their harmonics can be employed.Type: GrantFiled: February 12, 2010Date of Patent: December 25, 2012Assignee: Electro Scientific Industries, Inc.Inventors: Yunlong Sun, Edward J. Swenson, Richard S. Harris
-
Patent number: 8329514Abstract: Methods are disclosed for forming an antifuse that includes first and second conductive regions having spaced-apart curved portions, with a first dielectric region therebetween, forming in combination with the curved portions a curved breakdown region adapted to switch from a substantially non-conductive initial state to a substantially conductive final state in response to a predetermined programming voltage. A sense voltage less than the programming voltage is used to determine the state of the antifuse as either OFF (high impedance) or ON (low impedance). A shallow trench isolation (STI) region is desirably provided adjacent the breakdown region to inhibit heat loss from the breakdown region during programming. Lower programming voltages and currents are observed compared to antifuses using substantially planar dielectric regions. In a further embodiment, a resistive region is inserted in one lead of the antifuse with either planar or curved breakdown regions to improve post-programming sense reliability.Type: GrantFiled: August 30, 2011Date of Patent: December 11, 2012Assignee: Freescale Semiconductor, Inc.Inventors: Won Gi Min, Geoffrey W. Perkins, Kyle D. Zukowski, Jiang-Kai Zuo
-
Patent number: 8313987Abstract: An anti-fuse memory cell having a variable thickness gate dielectric. The variable thickness dielectric has a thick portion and a thin portion, where the thin portion has at least one dimension less than a minimum feature size of a process technology. The thin portion can be rectangular in shape or triangular in shape. The anti-fuse transistor can be used in a two-transistor memory cell having an access transistor with a gate dielectric substantially identical in thickness to the thick portion of the variable thickness gate dielectric of the anti-fuse transistor.Type: GrantFiled: August 26, 2011Date of Patent: November 20, 2012Assignee: Sidense Corp.Inventors: Wlodek Kurjanowicz, Steven Smith
-
Patent number: 8304284Abstract: In some aspects, a method of fabricating a memory cell is provided that includes fabricating a steering element above a substrate, and fabricating a reversible-resistance switching element coupled to the steering element by fabricating a carbon nano-tube (“CNT”) seeding layer by depositing a silicon-germanium layer above the substrate, patterning and etching the CNT seeding layer, and selectively fabricating CNT material on the CNT seeding layer. Numerous other aspects are provided.Type: GrantFiled: March 25, 2009Date of Patent: November 6, 2012Assignee: SanDisk 3D LLCInventor: April D. Schricker
-
Patent number: 8288814Abstract: A semiconductor die includes a first set of metal lines and a second set of metal lines. The first set of metal lines and the second set of metal lines are placed in alternate planes and are orthogonal to each other. A via is used to connect a first metal line from the first set of metal lines with a second metal line from the second set of metal lines. The via location is offset such that a side of the first metal line is aligned with a side of the second metal line. Consequently, a metal line adjacent to the first metal line does not need to detour around the via.Type: GrantFiled: November 17, 2009Date of Patent: October 16, 2012Assignee: Freescale Semiconductor, Inc.Inventors: Pankaj K Jha, Rajesh Bansal, Chetan Verma
-
Patent number: 8278155Abstract: A reversible fuse structure in an integrated circuit is obtained through the implementation of a fuse cell having a short thin line of phase change materials in contact with via and line structures capable of passing current through the line of phase change material (fuse cell). The current is passed through the fuse cell in order to change the material from a less resistive material to a more resistive material through heating the phase change material in the crystalline state to the melting point then quickly quenching the material into the amorphous state. The reversible programming is achieved by passing a lower current through the fuse cell to convert the high resistivity amorphous material to a lower resistivity crystalline material. Appropriate sense-circuitry is integrated to read the information stored in the fuses, wherein said sense circuitry is used to enable or disable circuitry.Type: GrantFiled: May 4, 2011Date of Patent: October 2, 2012Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Geoffrey W. Burr, Chandrasekharan Kothandaraman, Chung Hon Lam, Xiao Hu Liu, Stephen M. Rossnagel, Christy S. Tyberg, Robert L. Wisnieff
-
Patent number: 8268679Abstract: In sophisticated integrated circuits, an electronic fuse may be formed such that an increased sensitivity to electromigration may be accomplished by including at least one region of increased current density. This may be accomplished by forming a corresponding fuse region as a non-linear configuration, wherein at corresponding connection portions of linear segments, the desired enhanced current crowding may occur during the application of the programming voltage. Hence, increased reliability and more space-efficient layout of the electronic fuses may be accomplished.Type: GrantFiled: October 15, 2009Date of Patent: September 18, 2012Assignee: Globalfoundries, Inc.Inventors: Oliver Aubel, Jens Poppe, Andreas Kurz, Roman Boschke
-
Patent number: 8268678Abstract: A method of making a non-volatile memory device includes providing a substrate having a substrate surface, and forming a non-volatile memory array over the substrate surface. The non-volatile memory array includes an array of semiconductor diodes, and each semiconductor diode of the array of semiconductor diodes is disposed substantially parallel to the substrate surface.Type: GrantFiled: November 18, 2010Date of Patent: September 18, 2012Assignee: SanDisk 3D LLCInventors: Steven Maxwell, Michael Konevecki, Mark H. Clark, Usha Raghuram
-
Patent number: 8242578Abstract: Disclosed are embodiments of a circuit and method for electroplating a feature (e.g., a BEOL anti-fuse device) onto a wafer. The embodiments eliminate the use of a seed layer and, thereby, minimize subsequent processing steps (e.g., etching or chemical mechanical polishing (CMP)). Specifically, the embodiments allow for selective electroplating metal or alloy materials onto an exposed portion of a metal layer in a trench on the front side of a substrate. This is accomplished by providing a unique wafer structure that allows a current path to be established from a power supply through a back side contact and in-substrate electrical connector to the metal layer. During electrodeposition, current flow through the current path can be selectively controlled. Additionally, if the electroplated feature is an anti-fuse device, current flow through this current path can also be selectively controlled in order to program the anti-fuse device.Type: GrantFiled: March 25, 2011Date of Patent: August 14, 2012Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Veeraraghavan S. Basker, Toshiharu Furukawa, William R. Tonti
-
Patent number: 8217304Abstract: A method and system for locally processing a predetermined microstructure formed on a substrate without causing undesirable changes in electrical or physical characteristics of the substrate or other structures formed on the substrate are provided. The method includes providing information based on a model of laser pulse interactions with the predetermined microstructure, the substrate and the other structures. At least one characteristic of at least one pulse is determined based on the information. A pulsed laser beam is generated including the at least one pulse. The method further includes irradiating the at least one pulse having the at least one determined characteristic into a spot on the predetermined microstructure. The at least one determined characteristic and other characteristics of the at least one pulse are sufficient to locally process the predetermined microstructure without causing the undesirable changes.Type: GrantFiled: March 27, 2002Date of Patent: July 10, 2012Assignee: GSI Group CorporationInventors: James J. Cordingley, Jonathan S. Ehrmann, David M. Filgas, Shepard D. Johnson, Joohan Lee, Donald V. Smart, Donald J. Svetkoff
-
Patent number: 8211755Abstract: A method for preventing arcing during deep via plasma etching is provided. The method comprises forming a first patterned set of parallel conductive lines over a substrate and forming a plurality of semiconductor pillars on the first patterned set of parallel conductive lines and extending therefrom, wherein a pillar comprises a first barrier layer, an antifuse layer, a diode, and a second barrier layer, wherein an electric current flows through the diode upon a breakdown of the antifuse layer. The method further comprises depositing a dielectric between the plurality of semiconductor pillars, and plasma etching a deep via recess through the dielectric and through the underlying layer after the steps of forming a plurality of semiconductor pillars and depositing a dielectric. An embodiment of the invention comprises a memory array device.Type: GrantFiled: May 5, 2010Date of Patent: July 3, 2012Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.Inventors: Hsiu-Lan Kuo, Kern-Huat Ang
-
Publication number: 20120164798Abstract: A method of forming a nonvolatile memory cell includes forming a first electrode and a second electrode of the memory cell. Sacrificial material is provided between the first second electrodes. The sacrificial material is exchanged with programmable material. The sacrificial material may additionally be exchanged with select device material.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 27, 2010Publication date: June 28, 2012Inventors: Scott E. Sills, Gurtej S. Sandhu
-
Patent number: 8193074Abstract: A method of making a semiconductor device includes forming a first conductivity type polysilicon layer over a substrate, forming an insulating layer over the first conductivity type polysilicon layer, where the insulating layer comprises an opening exposing the first conductivity type polysilicon layer, and forming an intrinsic polysilicon layer in the opening over the first conductivity type polysilicon layer. A nonvolatile memory device contains a first electrode, a steering element located in electrical contact with the first electrode, a storage element having a U-shape cross sectional shape located over the steering element, and a second electrode located in electrical contact with the storage element.Type: GrantFiled: November 21, 2008Date of Patent: June 5, 2012Assignee: SanDisk 3D LLCInventor: Yoichiro Tanaka
-
Patent number: 8183554Abstract: A crossbar structure includes a first layer or layers including first p-type regions and first n-type regions, a second layer or layers including second p-type regions and second n-type regions, and a resistance programmable material formed between the first layer(s) and the second layer(s), wherein the first layer(s) and the second layer(s) include first and second intersecting wiring portions forming a crossbar array.Type: GrantFiled: June 13, 2008Date of Patent: May 22, 2012Inventor: Blaise Laurent Mouttet
-
Publication number: 20120122280Abstract: An antifuse structure and methods of forming contacts within the antifuse structure. The antifuse structure includes a substrate having an overlying metal layer, a dielectric layer formed on an upper surface of the metal layer, and a contact formed of contact material within a contact via etched through the dielectric layer into the metal layer. The contact via includes a metal material at a bottom surface of the contact via and an untreated or partially treated metal precursor on top of the metal material.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 27, 2012Publication date: May 17, 2012Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATIONInventors: Terence L. Kane, Michael P. Tenney, Yun-Yu Wang, Keith Kwong Hon Wong
-
Patent number: 8178945Abstract: Structure and method for providing a programmable anti-fuse in a FET structure. A method of forming the programmable anti-fuse includes: providing a p? substrate with an n+ gate stack; implanting an n+ source region and an n+ drain region in the p? substrate; forming a resist mask over the n+ drain region, while leaving the n+ source region exposed; etching the n+ source region to form a recess in the n+ source region; and growing a p+ epitaxial silicon germanium layer in the recess in the n+ source region to form a pn junction that acts as a programmable diode or anti-fuse.Type: GrantFiled: February 2, 2010Date of Patent: May 15, 2012Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Ping-Chuan Wang, Robert C. Wong, Haining S. Yang