Abstract:
A three-dimensional memory is formed as an array of memory elements across multiple layers positioned at different distances above a semiconductor substrate. Cylindrical stacks of memory elements are formed where a cylindrical opening has read/write material deposited along its wall, and a cylindrical vertical bit line formed along its central axis. Memory elements formed on either side of such a cylinder may include sheet electrodes that extend into the read/write material.
Abstract:
A vertical switching layer of a 3D memory device serves to switch a set of vertical local bit lines to a corresponding set of global bit lines, the vertical switching layer being a 2D array of TFT channels of vertical thin-film transistors (TFTs) aligned to connect to an array of local bit lines, each TFT switching a local bit line to a corresponding global bit line. The TFTs in the array have a separation of lengths Lx and Ly along the x- and y-axis respectively such that a gate material layer forms a surround gate around each TFT in an x-y plane and has a thickness that merges to form a row select line along the x-axis while maintaining a separation of length Ls between individual row select lines. The surround gate improves the switching capacity of the TFTs.
Abstract:
A 3D nonvolatile memory has memory elements arranged in a three-dimensional pattern defined by rectangular coordinates having x, y and z-directions and with a plurality of parallel planes stacked in the z-direction over a semiconductor substrate. It has vertical local bit lines and a plurality of staircase word lines. Each staircase word line has a series of alternating segments and risers elongated respectively in the x-direction and z-direction traversing across the plurality of planes in the z-direction with a segment in each plane. Methods of forming a slab of multi-plane memory with staircase word lines include processes with one masking and with two maskings for forming each plane.
Abstract:
Some embodiments include memory cell structures. The structures include a vertical transistor having a bottom source/drain region electrically coupled to a first access/sense line, and having a gate comprised by a second access/sense line. The structures also include programmable material over the vertical transistor and electrically coupled with a top source/drain region of the vertical transistor, with the programmable material having at least two compositionally different regions. The structures also include an electrically conductive material over and directly against the programmable material. Some embodiments include memory arrays.
Abstract:
Embodiments according to the present invention relate to a 3-dimensional non-volatile memory device and a method of manufacturing same. The 3-dimensional non-volatile memory device according to an embodiment includes: a plurality of conductive lines spaced apart from each other in parallel; a plurality of flat plates crossing the plurality of conductive lines, and being spaced apart from each other in parallel; and non-volatile information storage layer patterns respectively disposed between intersecting areas of the plurality of conductive lines and the plurality of conductive flat plates.
Abstract:
A three-dimensional memory is formed as an array of memory elements that are formed across multiple layers of planes positioned at different distances above a semiconductor substrate. The memory elements reversibly change a level of electrical conductance in response to a voltage difference being applied across them. The three-dimensional array includes a two-dimensional array of pillar lines acting as local vertical bit lines through the multiple layers of planes which together with arrays of word lines on each plane are used to access the memory elements. The three-dimensional memory is formed over a CMOS substrate with an intermediate pillar select layer. The pillar select layer is formed with a plurality of pillar select devices which are vertical switching transistors formed outside the CMOS and serve to switch selected rows of pillar lines to corresponding metal lines on the substrate.