公开(公告)号：US20140042384A1

公开(公告)日：2014-02-13

申请号：US14058518

申请日：2013-10-21

Applicant: Intermolecular Inc.

Inventor： Pragati Kumar ,  Sean Barstow ,  Tony P. Chiang ,  Sandra G. Malhotra

IPC: H01L45/00

CPC classification number: H01L45/1253 ,  G11C13/0007 ,  G11C13/003 ,  G11C2213/32 ,  G11C2213/51 ,  G11C2213/52 ,  G11C2213/56 ,  G11C2213/71 ,  G11C2213/72 ,  G11C2213/74 ,  G11C2213/76 ,  G11C2213/79 ,  H01L27/2409 ,  H01L27/2463 ,  H01L29/861 ,  H01L45/04 ,  H01L45/1233 ,  H01L45/145 ,  H01L45/146 ,  H01L45/1608 ,  H01L45/165

Abstract: Nonvolatile memory elements including resistive switching metal oxides may be formed in one or more layers on an integrated circuit. Each memory element may have a first conductive layer, a metal oxide layer, and a second conductive layer. Electrical devices such as diodes may be coupled in series with the memory elements. The first conductive layer may be formed from a metal nitride. The metal oxide layer may contain the same metal as the first conductive layer. The metal oxide may form an ohmic contact or a Schottky contact with the first conductive layer. The second conductive layer may form an ohmic contact or Schottky contact with the metal oxide layer. The first conductive layer, the metal oxide layer, and the second conductive layer may include sublayers. The second conductive layer may include an adhesion or barrier layer and a workfunction control layer.

Abstract translation: 包括电阻开关金属氧化物的非易失性存储元件可以形成在集成电路上的一个或多个层中。 每个存储元件可以具有第一导电层，金属氧化物层和第二导电层。 诸如二极管的电气设备可以与存储器元件串联耦合。 第一导电层可以由金属氮化物形成。 金属氧化物层可以包含与第一导电层相同的金属。 金属氧化物可以与第一导电层形成欧姆接触或肖特基接触。 第二导电层可以与金属氧化物层形成欧姆接触或肖特基接触。 第一导电层，金属氧化物层和第二导电层可以包括子层。 第二导电层可以包括粘合或阻挡层和功函数控制层。

公开(公告)号：US08633039B2

公开(公告)日：2014-01-21

申请号：US13932640

申请日：2013-07-01

Applicant: Intermolecular, Inc.

Inventor： Gaurav Verma ,  Tony P. Chiang ,  Imran Hashim ,  Sandra G. Malhotra ,  Prashant B. Phatak ,  Kurt H. Weiner

IPC: H01L21/00

CPC classification number: G01R31/2831 ,  G01R31/2834 ,  H01L22/34

Abstract: In embodiments of the current invention, methods of combinatorial processing and a test chip for use in these methods are described. These methods and test chips enable the efficient development of materials, processes, and process sequence integration schemes for semiconductor manufacturing processes. In general, the methods simplify the processing sequence of forming devices or partially formed devices on a test chip such that the devices can be tested immediately after formation. The immediate testing allows for the high throughput testing of varied materials, processes, or process sequences on the test chip. The test chip has multiple site isolated regions where each of the regions is varied from one another and the test chip is designed to enable high throughput testing of the different regions.

Abstract translation: 在本发明的实施例中，描述了用于这些方法的组合处理方法和测试芯片。 这些方法和测试芯片能够有效地开发用于半导体制造工艺的材料，工艺和工艺顺序集成方案。 通常，这些方法简化了在测试芯片上形成器件或部分形成的器件的处理顺序，使得器件可以在形成后立即进行测试。 即时测试允许测试芯片上各种材料，工艺或工艺顺序的高通量测试。 测试芯片具有多个位置隔离区域，其中每个区域彼此变化，并且测试芯片被设计为能够实现不同区域的高通量测试。

公开(公告)号：US20140014892A1

公开(公告)日：2014-01-16

申请号：US14028281

申请日：2013-09-16

Applicant: Intermolecular, Inc.

Inventor： Tony P. Chiang ,  Chi-I Lang ,  Prashant B. Phatak

IPC: H01L45/00

CPC classification number: H01L45/1608 ,  H01L27/2409 ,  H01L27/2463 ,  H01L45/10 ,  H01L45/1233 ,  H01L45/1253 ,  H01L45/14 ,  H01L45/148 ,  H01L45/149 ,  H01L45/1616 ,  H01L45/1641

Abstract: A resistive-switching memory element is described. The memory element includes a first electrode, a porous layer over the first electrode including a point defect embedded in a plurality of pores of the porous layer, and a second electrode over the porous layer, wherein the nonvolatile memory element is configured to switch between a high resistive state and a low resistive state.

Abstract translation: 描述电阻式切换存储元件。 所述存储元件包括第一电极，所述第一电极上的多孔层，包括嵌入所述多孔层的多个孔中的点缺陷，以及位于所述多孔层上的第二电极，其中所述非易失性存储元件构造成在 高电阻状态和低电阻状态。

公开(公告)号：US20130334491A1

公开(公告)日：2013-12-19

申请号：US13972515

申请日：2013-08-21

Applicant: Intermolecular Inc.

Inventor： Zhi-Wen Wen Sun ,  Tony P. Chiang ,  Chi-I Lang ,  Jinhong Tong

IPC: H01L45/00

CPC classification number: H01L45/1253 ,  H01L45/04 ,  H01L45/1233 ,  H01L45/146 ,  H01L45/1608 ,  H01L45/1616

Abstract: Methods for forming a NiO film on a substrate for use with a resistive switching memory device are presenting including: preparing a nickel ion solution; receiving the substrate, where the substrate includes a bottom electrode, the bottom electrode utilized as a cathode; forming a Ni(OH)2 film on the substrate, where the forming the Ni(OH)2 occurs at the cathode; and annealing the Ni(OH)2 film to form the NiO film, where the NiO film forms a portion of a resistive switching memory element. In some embodiments, methods further include forming a top electrode on the NiO film and before the forming the Ni(OH)2 film, pre-treating the substrate. In some embodiments, methods are presented where the bottom electrode and the top electrode are a conductive material such as: Ni, Pt, Ir, Ti, Al, Cu, Co, Ru, Rh, a Ni alloy, a Pt alloy, an Ir alloy, a Ti alloy, an Al alloy, a Cu alloy, a Co alloy, a Ru alloy, and an Rh alloy.

Abstract translation: 在电阻式切换存储装置使用的基板上形成NiO膜的方法包括：制备镍离子溶液; 接收衬底，其中衬底包括底部电极，用作阴极的底部电极; 在衬底上形成Ni（OH）2膜，其中在阴极处形成Ni（OH）2; 并且还原Ni（OH）2膜以形成NiO膜，其中NiO膜形成电阻式开关存储元件的一部分。 在一些实施例中，方法还包括在NiO膜上形成顶部电极，并且在形成Ni（OH）2膜之前，预处理衬底。 在一些实施例中，呈现了底部电极和顶部电极为导电材料的方法，例如：Ni，Pt，Ir，Ti，Al，Cu，Co，Ru，Rh，Ni合金，Pt合金，Ir 合金，Ti合金，Al合金，Cu合金，Co合金，Ru合金和Rh合金。

公开(公告)号：US20130260508A1

公开(公告)日：2013-10-03

申请号：US13909324

申请日：2013-06-04

Applicant: Intermolecular Inc.

Inventor： Nitin Kumar ,  Tony P. Chiang ,  Chi-I Lang ,  Zhi-Wen Wen Sun ,  Jinhong Tong

IPC: H01L45/00

CPC classification number: H01L45/145 ,  H01L27/2409 ,  H01L27/2463 ,  H01L45/04 ,  H01L45/1233 ,  H01L45/1253 ,  H01L45/146 ,  H01L45/1633

Abstract: Resistive switching memory elements are provided that may contain electroless metal electrodes and metal oxides formed from electroless metal. The resistive switching memory elements may exhibit bistability and may be used in high-density multi-layer memory integrated circuits. Electroless conductive materials such as nickel-based materials may be selectively deposited on a conductor on a silicon wafer or other suitable substrate. The electroless conductive materials can be oxidized to form a metal oxide for a resistive switching memory element. Multiple layers of conductive materials can be deposited each of which has a different oxidation rate. The differential oxidization rates of the conductive layers can be exploited to ensure that metal oxide layers of desired thicknesses are formed during fabrication.

公开(公告)号：US20130217200A1

公开(公告)日：2013-08-22

申请号：US13829378

申请日：2013-03-14

Applicant: Intermolecular Inc.

Inventor： Pragati KUMAR ,  Sean Barstow ,  Tony P. Chiang ,  Sandra G. Malhotra

IPC: H01L45/00

CPC classification number: H01L45/1253 ,  G11C13/0007 ,  G11C13/003 ,  G11C2213/32 ,  G11C2213/51 ,  G11C2213/52 ,  G11C2213/56 ,  G11C2213/71 ,  G11C2213/72 ,  G11C2213/74 ,  G11C2213/76 ,  G11C2213/79 ,  H01L27/2409 ,  H01L27/2463 ,  H01L29/861 ,  H01L45/04 ,  H01L45/1233 ,  H01L45/145 ,  H01L45/146 ,  H01L45/1608 ,  H01L45/165

Abstract: Nonvolatile memory elements are provided that have resistive switching metal oxides. The nonvolatile memory elements may be formed in one or more layers on an integrated circuit. Each memory element may have a first conductive layer, a metal oxide layer, and a second conductive layer. Electrical devices such as diodes may be coupled in series with the memory elements. The first conductive layer may be formed from a metal nitride. The metal oxide layer may contain the same metal as the first conductive layer. The metal oxide may form an ohmic contact or a Schottky contact with the first conductive layer. The second conductive layer may form an ohmic contact or Schottky contact with the metal oxide layer. The first conductive layer, the metal oxide layer, and the second conductive layer may include sublayers. The second conductive layer may include an adhesion or barrier layer and a workfunction control layer.

Abstract translation: 提供具有电阻开关金属氧化物的非易失性存储元件。 非易失性存储元件可以形成在集成电路上的一个或多个层中。 每个存储元件可以具有第一导电层，金属氧化物层和第二导电层。 诸如二极管的电气设备可以与存储器元件串联耦合。 第一导电层可以由金属氮化物形成。 金属氧化物层可以包含与第一导电层相同的金属。 金属氧化物可以与第一导电层形成欧姆接触或肖特基接触。 第二导电层可以与金属氧化物层形成欧姆接触或肖特基接触。 第一导电层，金属氧化物层和第二导电层可以包括子层。 第二导电层可以包括粘合或阻挡层和功函数控制层。

公开(公告)号：US20130217179A1

公开(公告)日：2013-08-22

申请号：US13829194

申请日：2013-03-14

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

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

IPC: H01L45/00

CPC classification number: H01L45/1608 ,  H01L27/2409 ,  H01L27/2436 ,  H01L27/2463 ,  H01L45/065 ,  H01L45/08 ,  H01L45/10 ,  H01L45/12 ,  H01L45/1226 ,  H01L45/1233 ,  H01L45/1253 ,  H01L45/145 ,  H01L45/146 ,  H01L45/1616 ,  H01L45/1625

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：US09397141B2

公开(公告)日：2016-07-19

申请号：US14294519

申请日：2014-06-03

Applicant: Intermolecular, Inc.

Inventor： Imran Hashim ,  Venkat Ananthan ,  Tony P. Chiang ,  Prashant B. Phatak

IPC: H01L45/00 ,  H01L47/00 ,  H01L27/24 ,  H01L29/872

CPC classification number: H01L27/2418 ,  H01L27/2409 ,  H01L29/872 ,  H01L45/10

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 translation: 可适用于存储器件应用的选择器器件可在低电压下具有低漏电流，以减少非选定器件的漏电流路径，以及高电压下的高泄漏电流，以最大限度地减少器件切换期间的电压降。 在一些实施例中，选择器装置可以包括第一电极，三层电介质层和第二电极。 三层电介质层可以包括夹在两个较低的漏电介质层之间的高泄漏电介质层。 低泄漏层可以起到限制低电压下选择器装置的电流的作用。 高泄漏电介质层可以用于在高电压下增强选择器装置上的电流。

公开(公告)号：US09362231B2

公开(公告)日：2016-06-07

申请号：US14885002

申请日：2015-10-16

Applicant: Intermolecular Inc.

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

IPC: H01L21/768 ,  H01L23/532 ,  B82Y30/00 ,  H01L21/31 ,  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, fluoroalkyl groups, heteroaryl 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：US09178147B2

公开(公告)日：2015-11-03

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 ,  H01L47/00 ,  H01L27/01 ,  H01L29/739 ,  H01L27/24

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.