Abstract:
The invention relates to a high-capacitance capacitor which is monolithically integratable on a semiconductor substrate doped with a first type of dopant and accommodating a diffusion well which is doped with a second type of dopant and has a first active region formed therein. A layer of gate oxide is deposited over the diffusion well which is covered with a first layer of polycrystalline silicon and separated from a second layer of polycrystalline silicon by an interpoly dielectric layer. Advantageously, the high-capacitance capacitor of the invention includes a first elementary capacitor having the first and second layers of polycrystalline silicon as its conductive plates, and the interpoly dielectric layer as the isolation dielectric, and a second elementary capacitor having the first layer of polycrystalline silicon and the diffusion well as its conductive plates and the gate oxide layer as the isolation dielectric.
Abstract:
A method for erasing an electrically programmable and erasable non-volatile memory cell having a control electrode, an electrically-insulated electrode and a first electrode. The method provides for coupling the control electrode to a first voltage supply and coupling the first electrode to a second voltage supply. The first voltage supply and the second voltage supply are suitable to cause tunneling of electric charges between the electrically-insulated electrode and the first electrode. The method also provides for a constant current to flow between the second voltage supply and the first electrode of the memory cell for at least part of an erasing time of the memory cell, the constant current having a prescribed value.
Abstract:
A phase change memory cell has first and second electrodes having phase change material there-between. The phase change memory cell is devoid of heater material as part of either of the first and second electrodes and being devoid of heater material between either of the first and second electrodes and the phase change material. A method of forming a memory cell having first and second electrodes having phase change material there-between includes lining elevationally inner sidewalls of an opening with conductive material to comprise the first electrode of the memory cell. Elevationally outer sidewalls of the opening are lined with dielectric material. Phase change material is formed in the opening laterally inward of and electrically coupled to the conductive material in the opening. Conductive second electrode material is formed that is electrically coupled to the phase change material. Other implementations are disclosed.
Abstract:
In a process for the fabrication of integrated resistive elements with protection from silicidation, at least one active area (15) is delimited in a semiconductor wafer (10). At least one resistive region (21) having a predetermined resistivity is then formed in the active area (15). Prior to forming the resistive region (21), however, a delimitation structure (20) for delimiting the resistive region (21) is obtained on top of the active area (15). Subsequently, protective elements (25) are obtained which extend within the delimitation structure (20) and coat the resistive region (21).
Abstract:
A cell array is formed by a plurality of cells each including a selection bipolar transistor and a storage component. The cell array is formed in a body including a common collector region of P type; a plurality of base regions of N type, overlying the common collector region; a plurality of emitter regions of P type formed in the base regions; and a plurality of base contact regions of N type and a higher doping level than the base regions, formed in the base regions, wherein each base region is shared by at least two adjacent bipolar transistors.
Abstract:
A process for manufacturing phase change memory cells includes the step of forming a heater element in a semiconductor wafer and a storage region of a phase change material on and in contact with the heater element. In order to form the heater element and the phase change storage region a heater structure is first formed and a phase change layer is deposited on and in contact with the heater structure. Then, the phase change layer and the heater structure are defined by subsequent self-aligned etch steps.
Abstract:
The present invention proposes a Field Programmable Gate Array device comprising a plurality of configurable electrical connections, a plurality of controlled switches, each one adapted to activating/de-activating at least one respective electrical connection in response to a switch control signal and a control unit including an arrangement of a plurality of control cells. Each control cells controls at least one of said controlled switches by the respective switch control signal, each control cell including a volatile storage element adapted to storing in a volatile way a control logic value corresponding to a preselected status of the at least one controlled switch, and providing to the controlled switch said switch control signal corresponding to the stored logic value. Each control cell further includes a non-volatile storage element coupled to the volatile storage element, the non-volatile storage element being adapted to storing in a non-volatile way the control logic value.
Abstract:
A fuse device has a fuse element provided with a first terminal and a second terminal and an electrically breakable region, which is arranged between the first terminal and the second terminal and is configured to undergo breaking as a result of the supply of a programming electrical quantity, thus electrically separating the first terminal from the second terminal. The electrically breakable region is of a phase-change material, in particular a calcogenic material, for example GST.
Abstract:
A process forms a phase change memory cell using a resistive element and a memory region of a phase change material. The resistive element has a first thin portion having a first sublithographic dimension in a first direction; and the memory region has a second thin portion having a second sublithographic dimension in a second direction transverse to the first dimension. The first thin portion and the second thin portion are in direct electrical contact and define a contact area of sublithographic extension. The second thin portion is delimited laterally by oxide spacer portions surrounded by a mold layer which defines a lithographic opening. The spacer portions are formed after forming the lithographic opening, by a spacer formation technique.
Abstract:
A process forms a phase change memory cell using a resistive element and a memory region of a phase change material. The resistive element has a first thin portion having a first sublithographic dimension in a first direction; and the memory region has a second thin portion having a second sublithographic dimension in a second direction transverse to the first dimension. The first thin portion and the second thin portion are in direct electrical contact and define a contact area of sublithographic extension. The second thin portion is delimited laterally by oxide spacer portions surrounded by a mold layer which defines a lithographic opening. The spacer portions are formed after forming the lithographic opening, by a spacer formation technique.