公开(公告)号：US09343673B2

公开(公告)日：2016-05-17

申请号：US14598499

申请日：2015-01-16

Applicant: Intermolecular Inc. ,  Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba ,  SanDisk 3D LLC

Inventor： Dipankar Pramanik ,  Tony P. Chiang ,  Tim Minvielle ,  Takeshi Yamaguchi

IPC: H01L45/00 ,  H01L27/10 ,  H01L27/24

CPC classification number: H01L45/1253 ,  H01L27/101 ,  H01L27/2463 ,  H01L45/08 ,  H01L45/1233 ,  H01L45/146 ,  H01L45/16 ,  H01L45/1608

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention generally relate to memory devices and methods for fabricating such memory devices. In one embodiment, a method for fabricating a resistive switching memory device includes depositing a metallic layer on a lower electrode disposed on a substrate and exposing the metallic layer to an activated oxygen source while heating the substrate to an oxidizing temperature within a range from about 300° C. to about 600° C. and forming a metal oxide layer from an upper portion of the metallic layer during an oxidation process. The lower electrode contains a silicon material and the metallic layer contains hafnium or zirconium. Subsequent to the oxidation process, the method further includes heating the substrate to an annealing temperature within a range from greater than 600° C. to about 850° C. while forming a metal silicide layer from a lower portion of the metallic layer during a silicidation process.

公开(公告)号：US20160133691A1

公开(公告)日：2016-05-12

申请号：US14534816

申请日：2014-11-06

Applicant: Intermolecular, Inc.

Inventor： Prashant B. Phatak ,  Hanhong Chen ,  Tony P. Chiang ,  Chien-Lan Hsueh ,  Monica Mathur

IPC: H01L49/02 ,  H01L27/108

CPC classification number: H01L28/75 ,  H01L27/1085 ,  H01L28/40 ,  H01L28/60

Abstract: Steps are taken to ensure that the bulk dielectric layer exhibits a crystalline phase before the deposition of a second electrode layer. The crystalline phase of the bulk dielectric layer facilitates the crystallization of the second electrode layer at lower temperature during a subsequent anneal treatment. In some embodiments, one or more interface layers are inserted between the bulk dielectric layer and the first electrode layer and/or the second electrode layer. The interface layers may act as an oxygen sink, facilitate the crystallization of the electrode layer at lower temperature during a subsequent anneal treatment, or provide barriers to leakage current through the film stack.

Abstract translation: 采取步骤以确保在沉积第二电极层之前体积电介质层呈现结晶相。 在随后的退火处理期间，体电介质层的结晶相有助于在较低温度下第二电极层的结晶。 在一些实施例中，一个或多个界面层插入在体电介质层和第一电极层和/或第二电极层之间。 界面层可以充当氧气沉淀器，在随后的退火处理期间促进电极层在较低温度下的结晶，或者提供通过膜堆叠的漏电流的障碍。

公开(公告)号：US09275954B2

公开(公告)日：2016-03-01

申请号：US14507328

申请日：2014-10-06

Applicant: Intermolecular, Inc.

Inventor： Tony P. Chiang ,  Majid Keshavarz ,  David E. Lazovsky

IPC: H01L21/31 ,  H01L23/532 ,  B82Y30/00 ,  H01L21/768 ,  H01L29/06 ,  H01L49/02

CPC classification number: H01L23/5329 ,  B82Y30/00 ,  H01L21/31 ,  H01L21/76805 ,  H01L21/76814 ,  H01L21/76831 ,  H01L21/76843 ,  H01L21/76846 ,  H01L21/76849 ,  H01L21/76873 ,  H01L21/76879 ,  H01L28/65 ,  H01L29/06 ,  H01L2924/0002 ,  Y10T428/249953 ,  H01L2924/00

Abstract: Methods for sealing a porous dielectric are presented including: receiving a substrate, the substrate including the porous dielectric; exposing the substrate to an organosilane, where the organosilane includes a hydrolysable group for facilitating attachment with the porous dielectric, and where the organosilane does not include an alkyl group; and forming a layer as a result of the exposing to seal the porous dielectric. In some embodiments, methods are presented where the organosilane includes: alkynyl groups, aryl groups, flouroalkyl groups, heteroarlyl groups, alcohol groups, thiol groups, amine groups, thiocarbamate groups, ester groups, ether groups, sulfide groups, and nitrile groups. In some embodiments, method further include: removing contamination from the porous dielectric and a conductive region of the substrate prior to the exposing; and removing contamination from the conductive region after the forming.

公开(公告)号：US20150325788A1

公开(公告)日：2015-11-12

申请号：US14806263

申请日：2015-07-22

Applicant: Intermolecular Inc.

Inventor： Imran Hashim ,  Tony P. Chiang ,  Vidyut Gopal ,  Yun Wang

IPC: H01L45/00 ,  H01L27/24

CPC classification number: H01L45/1608 ,  G11C13/0007 ,  G11C13/0069 ,  G11C2213/32 ,  G11C2213/51 ,  G11C2213/52 ,  G11C2213/74 ,  G11C2213/79 ,  H01L27/2436 ,  H01L45/08 ,  H01L45/085 ,  H01L45/1233 ,  H01L45/1253 ,  H01L45/146

Abstract: Provided are nonvolatile memory assemblies each including a resistive switching layer and current steering element. The steering element may be a transistor connected in series with the switching layer. Resistance control provided by the steering element allows using switching layers requiring low switching voltages and currents. Memory assemblies including such switching layers are easier to embed into integrated circuit chips having other low voltage components, such as logic and digital signal processing components, than, for example, flash memory requiring much higher switching voltages. In some embodiments, provided nonvolatile memory assemblies operate at switching voltages less than about 3.0V and corresponding currents less than 50 microamperes. A memory element may include a metal rich hafnium oxide disposed between a titanium nitride electrode and doped polysilicon electrode. One electrode may be connected to a drain or source of the transistor, while another electrode is connected to a signal line.

Abstract translation: 提供了各自包括电阻式开关层和电流控制元件的非易失性存储器组件。 转向元件可以是与开关层串联连接的晶体管。 由转向元件提供的电阻控制允许使用需要低开关电压和电流的开关层。 包括这种开关层的存储器组件比例如需要高得多的开关电压的闪速存储器更容易嵌入到具有其它低电压组件（例如逻辑和数字信号处理组件）的集成电路芯片中。 在一些实施例中，所提供的非易失性存储器组件在小于约3.0V的开关电压和小于50微安的相应电流下工作。 存储元件可以包括设置在氮化钛电极和掺杂多晶硅电极之间的富含金属的氧化铪。 一个电极可以连接到晶体管的漏极或源极，而另一个电极连接到信号线。

公开(公告)号：US09178151B2

公开(公告)日：2015-11-03

申请号：US14078838

申请日：2013-11-13

Applicant: Intermolecular Inc. ,  Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba ,  SanDisk 3D LLC

Inventor： Yun Wang ,  Tony P. Chiang ,  Imran Hashim

IPC: H01L45/00 ,  H01L27/24

CPC classification number: H01L45/1608 ,  H01L27/2463 ,  H01L45/04 ,  H01L45/065 ,  H01L45/10 ,  H01L45/12 ,  H01L45/1233 ,  H01L45/146 ,  H01L45/16 ,  H01L45/1616 ,  H01L45/1633 ,  H01L45/1641

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention generally relate to a resistive switching nonvolatile memory device having an interface layer structure disposed between at least one of the electrodes and a variable resistance layer formed in the nonvolatile memory device, and a method of forming the same. Typically, resistive switching memory elements may be formed as part of a high-capacity nonvolatile memory integrated circuit, which can be used in various electronic devices, such as digital cameras, mobile telephones, handheld computers, and music players. In one configuration of the resistive switching nonvolatile memory device, the interface layer structure comprises a passivation region, an interface coupling region, and/or a variable resistance layer interface region that are configured to adjust the nonvolatile memory device's performance, such as lowering the formed device's switching currents and reducing the device's forming voltage, and reducing the performance variation from one formed device to another.

Abstract translation: 本发明的实施例一般涉及具有设置在至少一个电极和形成在非易失性存储器件中的可变电阻层之间的界面层结构的电阻式开关非易失性存储器件及其形成方法。 通常，电阻式开关存储器元件可以形成为可用于各种电子设备（例如数码相机，移动电话，手持式计算机和音乐播放器）的大容量非易失性存储器集成电路的一部分。 在电阻式开关非易失性存储器件的一种结构中，界面层结构包括钝化区域，界面耦合区域和/或可变电阻层接口区域，其被配置为调整非易失性存储器件的性能，例如降低形成 器件的开关电流并降低器件的成型电压，并降低从一个成形器件到另一个器件的性能变化。

公开(公告)号：US20150287616A1

公开(公告)日：2015-10-08

申请号：US14725192

申请日：2015-05-29

Applicant: Intermolecular, Inc.

Inventor： Thomas R. Boussie ,  Tony P. Chiang ,  Alexander Gorer ,  David E. Lazovsky

IPC: H01L21/67 ,  C23C16/455 ,  H01J37/32 ,  C23C16/46 ,  C23C16/52 ,  C23C16/44 ,  C23C16/458

CPC classification number: H01L21/67011 ,  C23C14/54 ,  C23C16/4412 ,  C23C16/45544 ,  C23C16/4557 ,  C23C16/45578 ,  C23C16/4583 ,  C23C16/46 ,  C23C16/52 ,  H01J37/32449 ,  H01J37/32513 ,  H01J37/32724 ,  H01J2237/166 ,  H01J2237/20228 ,  H01J2237/20235 ,  H01L21/6715 ,  H01L21/76849 ,  H01L22/20 ,  H01L2924/0002 ,  Y10S438/907 ,  Y10S438/913 ,  Y10T137/8593 ,  H01L2924/00

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and systems for discretized, combinatorial processing of regions of a substrate such as for the discovery, implementation, optimization, and qualification of new materials, processes, and process sequence integration schemes used in integrated circuit fabrication. A substrate having an array of differentially processed regions thereon is processed by delivering materials to or modifying regions of the substrate.

Abstract translation: 本发明提供了用于基板区域的离散化，组合处理的方法和系统，例如用于集成电路制造中使用的新材料，工艺和工艺顺序集成方案的发现，实现，优化和鉴定。 通过将材料输送到衬底或修改衬底的区域来处理其上具有差分处理区域阵列的衬底。

公开(公告)号：US20150179487A1

公开(公告)日：2015-06-25

申请号：US14135307

申请日：2013-12-19

Applicant: Intermolecular, Inc.

Inventor： Chen-An Chen ,  Tony P. Chiang ,  Frank Greer ,  Martin Romero ,  James Tsung

IPC: H01L21/677 ,  H01L21/02

CPC classification number: H01L21/02271 ,  C23C16/04 ,  C23C16/45529 ,  C23C16/45544 ,  C23C16/45574 ,  C23C16/4584 ,  C23C16/54 ,  H01L21/02274 ,  H01L21/0228 ,  H01L21/6719 ,  H01L21/67207

Abstract: In some embodiments, apparatus are provided that provide for flexible processing in high productivity combinatorial (HPC) system. The apparatus allow for interchangeable functionality that includes deposition, plasma treatment, ion beam treatment, in-situ annealing, and in-situ metrology. The apparatus are designed so that the functionality may be integrated within a single processing chamber for enhanced flexibility.

Abstract translation: 在一些实施例中，提供了在高生产率组合（HPC）系统中提供灵活处理的装置。 该装置允许可互换的功能，包括沉积，等离子体处理，离子束处理，原位退火和原位计量。 该设备被设计为使得功能可以集成在单个处理室内以增强灵活性。

公开(公告)号：US09054307B2

公开(公告)日：2015-06-09

申请号：US14317155

申请日：2014-06-27

Applicant: Intermolecular Inc. ,  Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba ,  SanDisk 3D LLC

Inventor： Yun Wang ,  Tony P. Chiang ,  Imran Hashim ,  Tim Minvielle ,  Dipankar Pramanik ,  Takeshi Yamaguchi

IPC: G11C13/00 ,  G11C7/00 ,  H01L45/00 ,  H01L27/24

CPC classification number: H01L45/1608 ,  G11C13/0002 ,  G11C13/0004 ,  G11C13/0007 ,  G11C13/003 ,  G11C2213/56 ,  G11C2213/76 ,  H01L27/2409 ,  H01L27/2463 ,  H01L45/04 ,  H01L45/08 ,  H01L45/12 ,  H01L45/1233 ,  H01L45/1253 ,  H01L45/145 ,  H01L45/146 ,  H01L45/16

Abstract: Provided are semiconductor devices, such as resistive random access memory (ReRAM) cells, that include current limiting layers formed from alloys of transition metals. Some examples of such alloys include chromium containing alloys that may also include nickel, aluminum, and/or silicon. Other examples include tantalum and/or titanium containing alloys that may also include a combination of silicon and carbon or a combination of aluminum and nitrogen. These current limiting layers may have resistivities of at least about 1 Ohm-cm. This resistivity level is maintained even when the layers are subjected to strong electrical fields and/or high temperature processing. In some embodiments, the breakdown voltage of a current limiting layer is at least about 8V. The high resistivity of the layers allows scaling down the size of the semiconductor devices including these layers while maintaining their performance.

Abstract translation: 提供了诸如电阻随机存取存储器（ReRAM）单元的半导体器件，其包括由过渡金属的合金形成的限流层。 这种合金的一些实例包括还可以包括镍，铝和/或硅的含铬合金。 其它实例包括也可以包括硅和碳的组合或铝和氮的组合的含钽和/或钛的合金。 这些限流层可具有至少约1欧姆 - 厘米的电阻率。 即使当这些层受到强电场和/或高温处理时，也保持该电阻率水平。 在一些实施例中，限流层的击穿电压为至少约8V。 层的高电阻率允许在保持其性能的同时缩小包括这些层的半导体器件的尺寸。

公开(公告)号：US20150155486A1

公开(公告)日：2015-06-04

申请号：US14619434

申请日：2015-02-11

Applicant: Intermolecular, Inc.

Inventor： Ronald J. Kuse ,  Tony P. Chiang ,  Imran Hashim

IPC: H01L45/00

CPC classification number: H01L45/146 ,  H01L27/2409 ,  H01L27/2481 ,  H01L45/085 ,  H01L45/10 ,  H01L45/1233 ,  H01L45/1253 ,  H01L45/145 ,  H01L45/1616 ,  H01L45/1641

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 translation: 描述了具有改进的开关特性的电阻式开关存储元件，包括具有第一电极和第二电极的存储元件，第一电极和第二电极之间的开关层，包括氧化铪并具有第一厚度，以及耦合层， 所述开关层和所述第二电极，所述耦合层包括包含金属钛并且具有小于所述第一厚度的25％的第二厚度的材料。

公开(公告)号：US20150123071A1

公开(公告)日：2015-05-07

申请号：US14598499

申请日：2015-01-16

Applicant: Intermolecular Inc. ,  Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba ,  SanDisk 3D LLC

Inventor： Dipankar Pramanik ,  Tony P. Chiang ,  Tim Minvielle ,  Takeshi Yamaguchi

IPC: H01L45/00

CPC classification number: H01L45/1253 ,  H01L27/101 ,  H01L27/2463 ,  H01L45/08 ,  H01L45/1233 ,  H01L45/146 ,  H01L45/16 ,  H01L45/1608

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention generally relate to memory devices and methods for fabricating such memory devices. In one embodiment, a method for fabricating a resistive switching memory device includes depositing a metallic layer on a lower electrode disposed on a substrate and exposing the metallic layer to an activated oxygen source while heating the substrate to an oxidizing temperature within a range from about 300° C. to about 600° C. and forming a metal oxide layer from an upper portion of the metallic layer during an oxidation process. The lower electrode contains a silicon material and the metallic layer contains hafnium or zirconium. Subsequent to the oxidation process, the method further includes heating the substrate to an annealing temperature within a range from greater than 600° C. to about 850° C. while forming a metal silicide layer from a lower portion of the metallic layer during a silicidation process.

Abstract translation: 本发明的实施例一般涉及用于制造这种存储器件的存储器件和方法。 在一个实施例中，一种用于制造电阻式开关存储器件的方法包括在设置在衬底上的下电极上沉积金属层，并将该金属层暴露于活性氧源，同时将衬底加热至约300 约600℃，并且在氧化过程中从金属层的上部形成金属氧化物层。 下部电极含有硅材料，金属层含有铪或锆。 在氧化处理之后，该方法还包括将衬底加热至大于600℃至约850℃的范围内的退火温度，同时在硅化期间从金属层的下部形成金属硅化物层 处理。