A memory device includes a conductive segment, first and second rows of memory cells. The conductive segment receives a first reference voltage signal. The first row of memory cells is coupled to a first word line. The second row of memory cells is coupled to a second word line. The first row of memory cells includes first and second memory cells. The first memory cell is coupled to the conductive segment to receive the first reference voltage signal. The second row of memory cells includes third and fourth memory cells. The third memory cell is coupled to the conductive segment to receive the first reference voltage signal. The first and third memory cells share the conductive segment, and the third memory cell is arranged between the first and second memory cells. The second memory cell is arranged between the third and fourth memory cells.

SRAM arrays are provided. A SRAM array includes a plurality of SRAM cells and a plurality of well strap cells. Each of the SRAM cells arranged in the same column of the cell array includes a first transistor formed in a first P-type well region of a substrate, a second transistor formed in an N-type well region of the substrate, and a third transistor formed in a second P-type well region of the substrate. Each well strap cell is arranged on one of the columns in the cell array and includes a first P-well strap structure formed on the first P-type well region, a second P-well strap structure formed on the second P-type well region, and an N-well strap structure formed on the N-type well region. The first and second P-well strap structures and the N-well strap structure are separated from the SRAM cells by a dummy area.

Embodiments of the disclosure are in the field of advanced integrated circuit structure fabrication and, in particular, 10 nanometer node and smaller integrated circuit structure fabrication and the resulting structures. In an example, an integrated circuit structure includes a fin. A first isolation structure separates a first end of a first portion of the fin from a first end of a second portion of the fin, the first end of the first portion of the fin having a depth. A gate structure is over the top of and laterally adjacent to the sidewalls of a region of the first portion of the fin. A second isolation structure is over a second end of a first portion of the fin, the second end of the first portion of the fin having a depth different than the depth of the first end of the first portion of the fin.

A method of defining a pattern includes forming a plurality of cut shapes and a first plurality of openings within a first layer of a multi-layer hard mask to expose first portions of the second layer. A plurality of etch stops is formed by implanting an etch rate modifying species in a portion of the plurality of cut shapes. The first layer is directionally etched at the plurality of cut shapes such that the plurality of etch stops remain. A spacer layer is formed on the first layer and the first portions. A second plurality of openings is formed within the spacer layer to expose second portions of the second layer. The spacer layer is directionally etched to remove the spacer layer from sidewalls of the plurality of etch stops. Portions of the second layer exposed through the first plurality of openings and the second plurality of openings are etched.

Single gate and dual gate FinFET devices suitable for use in an SRAM memory array have respective fins, source regions, and drain regions that are formed from portions of a single, contiguous layer on the semiconductor substrate, so that STI is unnecessary. Pairs of FinFETs can be configured as dependent-gate devices wherein adjacent channels are controlled by a common gate, or as independent-gate devices wherein one channel is controlled by two gates. Metal interconnects coupling a plurality of the FinFET devices are made of a same material as the gate electrodes. Such structural and material commonalities help to reduce costs of manufacturing high-density memory arrays.

There are provided a semiconductor memory device and a manufacturing method thereof. The semiconductor memory device includes: a source layer; a channel structure extending in a first direction from within the source layer; a source-channel contact layer surrounding the channel structure on the source layer; a first select gate layer overlapping with the source-channel contact layer and surrounding the channel structure; a stack including interlayer insulating layers and conductive patterns that are alternately stacked in the first direction and surrounding the channel structure, the stack overlapping with the first select gate layer; and a first insulating pattern that is formed thicker between the first select gate layer and the channel structure than between the stack and the channel structure.

There are provided a semiconductor memory device and a manufacturing method thereof. The semiconductor memory device includes: a source layer; a channel structure extending in a first direction from within the source layer; a source-channel contact layer surrounding the channel structure on the source layer; a first select gate layer overlapping with the source-channel contact layer and surrounding the channel structure; a stack including interlayer insulating layers and conductive patterns that are alternately stacked in the first direction and surrounding the channel structure, the stack overlapping with the first select gate layer; and a first insulating pattern that is formed thicker between the first select gate layer and the channel structure than between the stack and the channel structure.

Gate patterns are formed on a semiconductor layer and a conductive film is formed on the semiconductor layer so as to cover the gate patterns. By performing a polishing process to the conductive film and patterning the polished conductive film, pad layers are formed between the gate patterns via sidewall spacers.

Provided is a simplified driving method of a synapse circuit. In a case where a first pre-spike pulse precedes a first post-spike pulse, a second pre-spike pulse from an input circuit 20a is used as a time window that allows writing of a coupling weight, and the first post-spike pulse from a neuron circuit 17 is used as a write pulse for controlling a write timing of the coupling weight. In a case where the first post-spike pulse precedes the first pre-spike pulse, a second post-spike pulse from the neuron circuit 17 is used as the time window, and the first pre-spike pulse from the input circuit 20a is used as the write pulse. The second pre-spike pulse and the second post-spike pulse are output in synchronization with the first pre-spike pulse and the first post-spike pulse, respectively.

A 3D semiconductor device including: a first single crystal layer with first transistors; overlaid by a first metal layer; a second metal layer overlaying the first metal layer and being overlaid by a third metal layer; a logic gates including at least the first metal layer interconnecting the first transistors; second transistors disposed atop the third metal layer; third transistors disposed atop the second transistors; a top metal layer disposed atop the third transistors; and a memory array including word-lines, and at least four memory mini arrays, where each of the memory mini arrays includes at least four rows by four columns of memory cells, where each of the memory cells includes at least one of the second transistors or third transistors, sense amplifier circuit(s) for each of the memory mini arrays, the second metal layer provides a greater current carrying capacity than the third metal layer.