Abstract:
Provided are resistive switching cells and methods of using such cells for controlling operation of liquid crystal display (LCD) cells in LCD devices. A resistive switching cell has two electrodes formed from transparent conductive oxides, such as indium oxide, indium tin oxide, or zinc oxide. One electrode may be connected to a LCD cell thereby forming an in series connection between the resistive switching cell and LCD cell. The other electrode may be used to power the LCD cell through the resistive switching cell. The resistive switching cell also includes a resistive switching layer disposed between the two electrodes. When the resistive switching layer is in its low resistive state, the LCD cell is subjected to an operating potential and produces light. However, when the resistive switching layer is in its high resistive state, the LCD cell is not subjected to the operating potential and does not produce light.
Abstract:
Embodiments of the invention generally include a method of forming a nonvolatile memory device that contains a resistive switching memory element that has an improved device switching performance and lifetime, due to the addition of a current limiting component disposed therein. In one embodiment, the current limiting component comprises at least one layer of resistive material that is configured to improve the switching performance and lifetime of the formed resistive switching memory element. The electrical properties of the formed current limiting layer, or resistive layer, are configured to lower the current flow through the variable resistance layer during the logic state programming steps (i.e., “set” and “reset” steps) by adding a fixed series resistance in the formed resistive switching memory element found in the nonvolatile memory device. 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.
Abstract:
A metal silicon oxide barrier layer between a nitride electrode containing the same metal and an oxide variable-resistance layer in a ReRAM cell prevents the metal from diffusing into the variable-resistance layer and prevents oxygen from diffusing into and oxidizing the electrode. Compound oxides of the same metal and silicon with varying stoichiometries and metal/silicon ratios may optionally replace part or all of the variable-resistance layer, a defect-reservoir layer, or both. The metal nitride electrode may include a metal silicon nitride current-limiting portion. Optionally, all the layers sharing the common metal may be formed in-situ as part of a single unit process, such as atomic layer deposition.
Abstract:
Provided are resistive random access memory (ReRAM) cells and methods of fabricating thereof. The resistive switching nonvolatile memory cells may include a first layer disposed. The first layer may be operable as a bottom electrode. The resistive switching nonvolatile memory cells may also include a second layer disposed over the first layer. The second layer may be operable as a resistive switching layer that is configured to switch between a first resistive state and a second resistive state. The resistive switching nonvolatile memory cells may include a third layer disposed over the second layer. The third layer may be operable as a resistive layer that is configured to determine, at least in part, an electrical resistivity of the resistive switching nonvolatile memory element. The third layer may include a semi-metallic material. The resistive switching nonvolatile memory cells may include a fourth layer that may be operable as a top electrode.
Abstract:
A metal silicon oxide barrier layer between a nitride electrode containing the same metal and an oxide variable-resistance layer in a ReRAM cell prevents the metal from diffusing into the variable-resistance layer and prevents oxygen from diffusing into and oxidizing the electrode. Compound oxides of the same metal and silicon with varying stoichiometries and metal/silicon ratios may optionally replace part or all of the variable-resistance layer, a defect-reservoir layer, or both. The metal nitride electrode may include a metal silicon nitride current-limiting portion. Optionally, all the layers sharing the common metal may be formed in-situ as part of a single unit process, such as atomic layer deposition.
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:
Provided are resistive random access memory (ReRAM) cells having extended conductive layers operable as electrodes of other devices, and methods of fabricating such cells and other devices. A conductive layer of a ReRAM cell extends beyond the cell boundary defined by the variable resistance layer. The extended portion may be used a source or drain region of a FET that may control an electrical current through the cell or other devices. The extended conductive layer may be also operable as electrode of another resistive-switching cell or a different device. The extended conductive layer may be formed from doped silicon. The variable resistance layer of the ReRAM cell may be positioned on the same level as a gate dielectric layer of the FET. The variable resistance layer and the gate dielectric layer may have the same thickness and share common materials, though they may be differently doped.
Abstract:
Provided are resistive random access memory (ReRAM) cells and methods of fabricating thereof The ReRAM cells may include a first layer operable as a bottom electrode. The ReRAM cells may also include a second layer operable as a variable resistance layer configured to switch between at least a first resistive state and a second resistive state. The ReRAM cells may further include a third layer formed over the second layer. The third layer may have a substantially constant electrical resistivity. Moreover, the third layer may include a ternary metal-silicon nitride having a ratio of metal to silicon that is between about 1:1 and 1:4. Furthermore, the ternary metal-silicon nitride may include a metal that has an atomic weight that is greater than 90. The ReRAM cells may further include a fourth layer operable as a top electrode.
Abstract:
Provided are resistive random access memory (ReRAM) cells and methods of fabricating thereof. The ReRAM cells may include a first layer operable as a bottom electrode and a second layer operable to switch between at least a first resistive state and a second resistive state. The ReRAM cells may include a third layer including a first oxygen getter material and a fourth layer including a metal silicon nitride. The ReRAM cells may further include a fifth layer including a second oxygen getter material. The first oxygen getter material and the second oxygen getter material may be more reactive with oxygen than the metal silicon nitride. A work function of the first oxygen getter material and a work function of the second oxygen getter material may be substantially lower than a work function of the metal silicon nitride. The ReRAM cells may include a sixth layer operable as a top electrode.
Abstract:
Embodiments of the invention generally include a method of forming a nonvolatile memory device that contains a resistive switching memory element that has an improved device switching performance and lifetime, due to the addition of a current limiting component disposed therein. In one embodiment, the current limiting component comprises at least one layer of resistive material that is configured to improve the switching performance and lifetime of the formed resistive switching memory element. The electrical properties of the formed current limiting layer, or resistive layer, are configured to lower the current flow through the variable resistance layer during the logic state programming steps (i.e., “set” and “reset” steps) by adding a fixed series resistance in the formed resistive switching memory element found in the nonvolatile memory device. 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.