A phase change memory includes a phase change structure. There is a heater coupled to a first surface of the phase change structure. A first electrode is coupled to a second surface of the phase change structure. A second electrode coupled to a second surface of the heater. A third electrode is connected to a first lateral end of the phase change structure and a fourth electrode connected to a second lateral end of the phase change structure.

Techniques for controlling the programming current of a PCM-based AI device using an external resistor are provided. In one aspect, a PCM cell includes: a PCM stack, that has a bottom electrode; a heater disposed directly on the bottom electrode; a PCM unit including a first material disposed on the heater; a top electrode including a second material disposed on the PCM unit; and a resistor adjacent to the PCM stack, wherein the resistor includes a combination of the first material and the second material. A PCM device that includes at least one of the PCM cells, and a method of forming the PCM cell are also provided.

A phase change memory element including at least one phase change material layer, and a heater conductor, wherein at least a portion of the heater conductor is circumferentially surrounded by the at least one phase change material layer. The phase change memory element is symmetrical. The phase change memory element can include a top electrode circumferentially surrounding and connected to the at least one phase change material layer, and a bottom electrode in contact with the heater conductor. The phase change memory element can include at least one resistive liner in contact with the at least one phase change material layer.

A memory cell with a recessed bottom electrode and methods of forming the memory cell are described. A bottom electrode can be deposited on a layer of a structure. A first insulator and a second insulator can be deposited on top of the bottom electrode. The first insulator and the second insulator can be spaced apart from one another to form an opening on top of the bottom electrode. A recess can be etched in the bottom electrode. The recess can be etched in a portion of the bottom electrode that is underneath the opening. The recess and the opening can form a pore. Phase change material can be deposited in the pore to form a memory cell.

A phase change memory (PCM) device is provided. The PCM device includes a bottom electrode formed on a substrate, a heater electrode formed on the bottom electrode, the heater electrode having a tapered portion that becomes narrower in a direction away from the substrate. The PCM device also includes an interlayer dielectric (ILD) layer formed on the tapered portion of the heater electrode, the interlayer layer dielectric including an airgap that at least partially surrounds the tapered portion of the heater electrode. The PCM device also includes a phase change layer formed on the heater electrode, and a top electrode formed on the phase change layer.

A semiconductor device and formation thereof. The semiconductor device includes a memory device located on top of a first bottom interconnect, wherein the first bottom interconnect is embedded in a first dielectric layer. The semiconductor device further includes a second bottom interconnect embedded in the first dielectric layer, wherein the second bottom interconnect is adjacent to the first bottom interconnect. A top surface of the second bottom interconnect is recessed relative to a top surface of the first bottom interconnect.

A semiconductor device and formation thereof. The semiconductor device including: a first bottom interconnect formed within a first dielectric layer and located within a logic area of the semiconductor device; a second bottom interconnect formed within the first dielectric layer and located within a memory area of the semiconductor device; and a memory device formed on top of the second bottom interconnect located within the memory area of the semiconductor device, wherein: a first metal material used to form the first bottom interconnect located in the logic area is different than a second metal material used to form the second bottom interconnect located in the memory area.

The forming voltage of a resistance change element used in a non-volatile memory and the like is decreased, and repetition characteristics are improved. In an element structure in which a metal oxide film 12 is sandwiched between a lower electrode 11 and an upper electrode 14, an island/particle-like region of amorphous aluminum oxide or aluminum oxycarbide 13 is formed on the metal oxide film 12. Because an oxide deficiency, serving as the nucleus of a filament for implementing an on/off operation of the resistance change element, is formed from the beginning under the island- or particle-like aluminum oxide or the like, the conventional creation of an oxide deficiency by high-voltage application in the initial period of forming can be eliminated. Such a region can be fabricated using a small number of cycles of an ALD process.

The disclosure belongs to the technical field of microelectronic devices and memories, and discloses a three-dimensional stacked phase change memory and a preparation method thereof. The preparation method includes: preparing a multilayer structure in which horizontal electrode layers and insulating layers are alternately stacked, then performing etching to form trenches and separated three-dimensional strip electrodes, next filling the trenches with an insulating medium, and then forming small holes at the boundary region between the three-dimensional strip electrodes and the insulating medium, thereafter sequentially depositing a phase change material on the walls of the small holes, and filling the small holes with an electrode material to prepare vertical electrodes, so as to obtain a three-dimensional stacked phase change memory stacked in multiple layers. By improving the overall process of the preparation method, the disclosure realizes the establishment of a three-dimensional phase change memory array by using a vertical electrode structure.

A method includes forming a transistor having source and drain regions. The following are formed on the source/drain region: a first via, a first metal layer extending along a first direction on the first via, a second via overlapping the first via on the first metal layer, and a second metal extending along a second direction different from the first direction on the second via; and the following are formed on the drain/source region: a third via, a third metal layer on the third via, a fourth via overlapping the third via over the third metal layer, and a controlled device at a same height level as the second metal layer on the third metal layer.