A method for setting memory elements in a plurality of states includes applying a set signal to a memory element to transition the memory element from a low-current state to a high-current state; applying a partial reset signal to the memory element to transition the memory element from the high-current state to a state between the high-current state and the low-current state; determining whether the state corresponds to a predetermined state; and applying one or more additional partial reset signals to the memory element until the state corresponds to the predetermined current state. The memory element may be coupled in series with a transistor, and a voltage control circuit may apply voltages to the transistor to set and partially reset the memory element.

A semiconductor device including a substrate that has a first region and a second region, a plurality of lower conductive patterns on the substrate, the plurality of lower conductive patterns including a first conductive pattern in the first region of the substrate and a second conductive pattern in the second region of the substrate, a magnetic tunnel junction on the first conductive pattern, a contact between the magnetic tunnel junction and the first conductive pattern, a through electrode on the second conductive pattern, and a plurality of upper conductive patterns on the magnetic tunnel junction and the through electrode. The contact includes a first contact on the lower conductive patterns, a second contact on the first contact, and a first barrier layer that covers a bottom surface and a lateral surface of the second contact.

A method of setting multi-state memory elements into at least one low-power state may include receiving a command to cause a memory element to transition into one of three or more states; applying a first signal to the memory element to transition the memory element into the one of the three or more states, where the three or more states are evenly spaced in a portion of an operating range of the memory element; receiving a command to cause a memory element to transition into a low-power state; applying a second signal to the memory element to transition the memory element into the low-power state, where the low-power state is outside of the portion of the operating range of the memory element by an amount greater than a space between each of the three or more states.

The present technology can detect potential labeling conflicts made during different labeling tasks when those tasks are checked in to ensure that a map database is free from conflicts that might interrupt publishing of a map. The present technology can determine whether a first labeled version of map portion is based on a most recent version for the map portion that is stored in the map database, and when it is determined that it is not, and there is an intervening version, the present technology can identify differences between the intervening version of the map portion and the first version of the map portion and identify differences between the second version of the map portion and the first version of the map portion. Based on the identified differences, the present technology can determine whether any of those differences are conflicting.

Methods, systems, and devices for operating memory cell(s) are described. A resistance of a storage element included in a memory cell may be programmed by applying a voltage to the memory cell that causes ion movement within the storage element, where the storage element remains in a single phase and has different resistivity based on a location of the ions within the storage element. In some cases, multiple of such storage elements may be included in a memory cell, where ions within the storage elements respond differently to electric pulses, and a non-binary logic value may be stored in the memory cell by applying a series of voltages or currents to the memory cell.

A method for setting memory elements in a plurality of states includes applying a set signal to a memory element to transition the memory element from a low-current state to a high-current state; applying a partial reset signal to the memory element to transition the memory element from the high-current state to a state between the high-current state and the low-current state; determining whether the state corresponds to a predetermined state; and applying one or more additional partial reset signals to the memory element until the state corresponds to the predetermined current state. The memory element may be coupled in series with a transistor, and a voltage control circuit may apply voltages to the transistor to set and partially reset the memory element.

A resistive random-access memory (ReRAM) device may include a thermally engineered layer that is positioned adjacent to an active layer and configured to act as a heat sink during filament formation in response to applied voltages. The thermally engineered layer may act as one of the electrodes on the ReRAM device and may be adjacent to any side of the active layer. The active layer may also include a plurality of individual active layers. Each of the active layers may be associated with a different dielectric constant, such that the middle active layer has a dielectric constant that is significantly higher than the other two surrounding active layers.

Disclosed are a switching atomic transistor with a diffusion barrier layer and a method of operating the same. By introducing a diffusion barrier layer in an intermediate layer having a resistance change characteristic, it is possible to minimize variation in the entire number of ions in the intermediate layer involved in operation of the switching atomic transistor or to eliminate the variation to maintain stable operation of the switching atomic transistor. In addition, it is possible to stably implement a multi-level cell of a switching atomic transistor capable of storing more information without increasing the number of memory cells. Also, disclosed are a vertical atomic transistor with a diffusion barrier layer and a method of operating the same. By producing an ion channel layer in a vertical structure, it is possible to significantly increase transistor integration.

A semiconductor device including a substrate that has a first region and a second region, a plurality of lower conductive patterns on the substrate, the plurality of lower conductive patterns including a first conductive pattern in the first region of the substrate and a second conductive pattern in the second region of the substrate, a magnetic tunnel junction on the first conductive pattern, a contact between the magnetic tunnel junction and the first conductive pattern, a through electrode on the second conductive pattern, and a plurality of upper conductive patterns on the magnetic tunnel junction and the through electrode. The contact includes a first contact on the lower conductive patterns, a second contact on the first contact, and a first barrier layer that covers a bottom surface and a lateral surface of the second contact.

A switching resistor has a low resistance state and a high resistance state. The switching resistor comprises a dielectric layer disposed between a first electrode and a second electrode. The switching resistor further comprises a textured boundary surface between the first electrode and the dielectric layer. The textured boundary surface promotes the formation of a conductive pathway in the dielectric layer between the first electrode and the second electrode.