Abstract:
A switching element for resistive-switching memory (ReRAM) provides a controllable, consistent filament break-point at an abrupt structural discontinuity between a layer of high-k high-ionicity variable-resistance (VR) material and a layer of low-k low-ionicity VR material. The high-ionicity layer may be crystalline and the low-ionicity layer may be amorphous. The consistent break-point and characteristics of the low-ionicity layer facilitate lower-power operation. The defects (e.g., oxygen or nitrogen vacancies) that constitute the filament originate either in the high-ionicity VR layer or in a source electrode. The electrode nearest to the low-ionicity layer may be intrinsically inert or may be rendered effectively inert. Some electrodes are rendered effectively inert by the creation of the low-ionicity layer over the electrode.
Abstract:
Resistive memory having confined filament formation is described herein. One or more method embodiments include forming an opening in a stack having a silicon material and an oxide material on the silicon material, and forming an oxide material in the opening adjacent the silicon material, wherein the oxide material formed in the opening confines filament formation in the resistive memory cell to an area enclosed by the oxide material formed in the opening.
Abstract:
A varied multilayer memristive device includes a first memristive device stacked on a second memristive device. The physical parameters of the second memristive device differ from physical parameters of the first memristive to account for thermal budgeting differences present during formation processes for the memristive devices to reach specified performance parameters.
Abstract:
Some embodiments include memory cells. A memory cell may contain a switching region and an ion source region between a pair of electrodes. The switching region may be configured to reversibly retain a conductive bridge, with the memory cell being in a low resistive state when the conductive bridge is retained within the switching region and being in a high resistive state when the conductive bridge is not within the switching region. The memory cell may contain an ordered framework extending across the switching region to orient the conductive bridge within the switching region, with the framework remaining within the switching region in both the high resistive and low resistive states of the memory cell.
Abstract:
A resistive RAM device, comprising a first electrode, a second electrode, an electrolyte layer located between the first electrode and the second electrode. The first electrode has a central region surrounded by a peripheral region in a plane parallel to the electrolyte layer, and the first electrode comprises a protrusion extending into the electrolyte layer by a greater extent in the central region than in the peripheral region so that the electrolyte layer is thinner in the central region than in the peripheral region.
Abstract:
Methods of forming conductive elements, such as interconnects and electrodes, for semiconductor structures and memory cells. The methods include forming a first conductive material and a second conductive material comprising silver in a portion of at least one opening and performing a polishing process to fill the at least one opening with at least one of the first and second conductive materials. An annealing process may be performed to form a mixture or an alloy of the silver and the material. The methods enable formation of silver containing conductive elements having reduced dimensions (e.g., less than about 20 nm). The resulting conductive elements have a desirable resistivity. The methods may be used, for example, to form interconnects for electrically connecting active devices and to form electrodes for memory cells. A semiconductor structure and a memory cell including such a conductive structure are also disclosed.