A semiconductor memory cell comprising an electrically floating body having two stable states is disclosed. A method of operating the memory cell is disclosed.

Some embodiments include apparatuses and methods of operating such apparatuses. One of such apparatuses includes a data line, a conductive region, and a memory cell including a first transistor and a second transistor. The first transistor includes a first channel region coupled to the data line and the conductive region, a charge storage structure, and a first gate. The second transistor includes a second channel region coupled to the data line and the charge storage structure, and a second gate. The first gate is electrically separated from the second gate and opposite from the second gate in a direction from the first channel region to the second channel region.

An integrated circuit including a link or string of semiconductor memory cells, wherein each memory cell includes a floating body region for storing data. The link or string includes at least one contact configured to electrically connect the memory cells to at least one control line, and the number of contacts in the string or link is the same as or less than the number of memory cells in the string or link.

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.

An N.sup.+ layer 11a and N.sup.+ layers 13a to 13d that are disposed on both ends of Si pillars 12a to 12d standing on a substrate 10 in a vertical direction, a TiN layer 18a that surrounds a gate HfO.sub.2 layer 17a surrounding the Si pillars 12a to 12d and that extends between the Si pillars 12a and 12b, a TiN layer 18b that surrounds the gate HfO.sub.2 layer 17a and that extends between the Si pillars 12c and 12d, a TiN layer 26a that surrounds a gate HfO.sub.2 layer 17b surrounding the Si pillars 12a to 12d and that extends between the Si pillars 12a and 12b, and a TiN layer 26b that surrounds the gate HfO.sub.2 layer 17b and that extends between the Si pillars 12c and 12d are formed. Voltages applied to the N.sup.+ layers 11a and 13a to 13d and the TiN layers 18a, 18b, 26a, and 26b are controlled to perform a data write operation of retaining, inside the Si pillars 12a to 12d, a group of positive holes generated by an impact ionization phenomenon and a data erase operation of discharging the group of positive holes from the inside of the Si pillars 12a to 12d.

A 3D semiconductor device, the device including: a first level including a plurality of first metal layers; a second level, where the second level overlays the first level, where the second level includes at least one single crystal silicon layer, where the second level includes a plurality of transistors, where each transistor of the plurality of transistors includes a single crystal channel, where the second level includes a plurality of second metal layers, where the plurality of second metal layers include interconnections between the transistors of the plurality of transistors, where the second level is overlaid by a first isolation layer; and a connective path between the plurality of transistors and the plurality of first metal layers, where the connective path includes a via disposed through at least the single crystal silicon layer, and where at least one of the plurality of transistors includes a gate all around structure.

A memory device according to the present invention includes memory cells, each of the memory cells includes a semiconductor base material that is formed on a substrate and that stands on the substrate in a vertical direction, voltages applied to a first gate conductor layer, a second gate conductor layer, a first impurity layer, and a second impurity layer in each of the memory cells are controlled to perform a write operation of retaining, inside a channel semiconductor layer, a group of positive holes generated by an impact ionization phenomenon or by a gate-induced drain leakage current, and the voltages applied to the first gate conductor layer, the second gate conductor layer, the first impurity layer, and the second impurity layer are controlled to perform an erase operation of discharging the group of positive holes from inside the channel semiconductor layer. The first gate conductor layer partially surrounds a side surface of the semiconductor base material, and the second gate conductor layer entirely surrounds the side surface of the semiconductor base material.

A method for producing a 3D semiconductor device including: providing a first level including a first single crystal layer; forming peripheral circuitry in and/or on the first level, and includes first single crystal transistors; forming a first metal layer on top of the first level; forming a second metal layer on top of the first metal layer; forming second level disposed on top of the second metal layer; performing a first lithography step; forming a third level on top of the second level; performing a second lithography step; processing steps to form first memory cells within the second level and second memory cells within the third level, where the plurality of first memory cells include at least one second transistor, and the plurality of second memory cells include at least one third transistor; and deposit a gate electrode for second and third transistors simultaneously.

A method for producing a 3D memory device, the method including: providing a first level including a first single crystal layer and control circuits; forming at least one second level above the first level; performing a first etch step including etching holes within the second level; forming at least one third level above the at least one second level; performing a second etch step including etching holes within the third level; and performing additional processing steps to form a plurality of first memory cells within the second level and a plurality of second memory cells within the third level, where each of the first memory cells include one first transistor, where each of the second memory cells include one second transistor, where at least one of the first or second transistors has a channel, a source, and a drain having a same doping type.

A method for producing a 3D memory device including: providing a first level including a single crystal layer and control circuits, where the control circuits include a plurality of first transistors; forming at least one second level above the first level; performing a first etch step including etching holes within the second level; performing processing steps to form a plurality of first memory cells within the second level, where each of the first memory cells include one of a plurality of second transistors, where the control circuits include memory peripheral circuits, where at least one first memory cell is at least partially atop a portion of the memory peripheral circuits, and where fabrication processing of the first transistors accounts for a temperature and time associated with processing the second level and the plurality of second transistors by adjusting a process thermal budget of the first level accordingly.