A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor body comprising a first surface and an edge surface, a contact electrode formed on the first surface and comprising an outer edge side, and a passivation layer section conformally covering the outer edge side of the contact electrode. The passivation layer section is a multi-layer stack comprising a first layer, a second layer, and a third layer. Each of the first, second and third layers include outer edge sides facing the edge surface and opposite facing inner edge sides. The outer edge side of the contact electrode is disposed laterally between the inner edge sides and the outer edge sides of each layer.

Semiconductor memory cells, array and methods of operating are disclosed. In one instance, a memory cell includes a bi-stable floating body transistor and an access device; wherein the bi-stable floating body transistor and the access device are electrically connected in series.

Semiconductor memory cells, array and methods of operating are disclosed. In one instance, a memory cell includes a bi-stable floating body transistor and an access device; wherein the bi-stable floating body transistor and the access device are electrically connected in series.

A semiconductor memory cell includes a floating body region configured to be charged to a level indicative of a state of the memory cell selected from at least first and second states. A first region of the memory cell is in electrical contact with the floating body region. A second region of the memory cell is spaced apart from the first region and is also in electrical contact with the floating body region. A gate is positioned between the first and second regions. A back-bias region is configured to generate impact ionization when the memory cell is in one of the first and second states, and the back-bias region is configured so as not to generate impact ionization when the memory cell is in the other of the first and second states.

A semiconductor memory cell includes a floating body region configured to be charged to a level indicative of a state of the memory cell selected from at least first and second states. A first region of the memory cell is in electrical contact with the floating body region. A second region of the memory cell is spaced apart from the first region and is also in electrical contact with the floating body region. A gate is positioned between the first and second regions. A back-bias region is configured to generate impact ionization when the memory cell is in one of the first and second states, and the back-bias region is configured so as not to generate impact ionization when the memory cell is in the other of the first and second states.

A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor body comprising a first surface and an edge surface, a contact electrode formed on the first surface and comprising an outer edge side, and a passivation layer section conformally covering the outer edge side of the contact electrode. The passivation layer section is a multi-layer stack comprising a first layer, a second layer, and a third layer. Each of the first, second and third layers comprise outer edge sides facing the edge surface and opposite facing inner edge sides. The outer edge side of the contact electrode is disposed laterally between the inner edge sides and the outer edge sides of each layer. The inner and outer edge sides of the third layer are closer to the outer edge side of the electrode than the respective inner and outer edge sides of the first and second layer.

A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor body comprising a first surface and an edge surface, a contact electrode formed on the first surface and comprising an outer edge side, and a passivation layer section conformally covering the outer edge side of the contact electrode. The passivation layer section is a multi-layer stack comprising a first layer, a second layer, and a third layer. Each of the first, second and third layers comprise outer edge sides facing the edge surface and opposite facing inner edge sides. The outer edge side of the contact electrode is disposed laterally between the inner edge sides and the outer edge sides of each layer. The inner and outer edge sides of the third layer are closer to the outer edge side of the electrode than the respective inner and outer edge sides of the first and second layer.

A semiconductor memory cell includes a floating body region configured to be charged to a level indicative of a state of the memory cell selected from at least first and second states. A first region of the memory cell is in electrical contact with the floating body region. A second region of the memory cell is spaced apart from the first region and is also in electrical contact with the floating body region. A gate is positioned between the first and second regions. A back-bias region is configured to generate impact ionization when the memory cell is in one of the first and second states, and the back-bias region is configured so as not to generate impact ionization when the memory cell is in the other of the first and second states.

A semiconductor memory cell includes a floating body region configured to be charged to a level indicative of a state of the memory cell selected from at least first and second states. A first region of the memory cell is in electrical contact with the floating body region. A second region of the memory cell is spaced apart from the first region and is also in electrical contact with the floating body region. A gate is positioned between the first and second regions. A back-bias region is configured to generate impact ionization when the memory cell is in one of the first and second states, and the back-bias region is configured so as not to generate impact ionization when the memory cell is in the other of the first and second states.

A semiconductor memory cell includes a floating body region configured to be charged to a level indicative of a state of the memory cell selected from at least first and second states. A first region of the memory cell is in electrical contact with the floating body region. A second region of the memory cell is spaced apart from the first region and is also in electrical contact with the floating body region. A gate is positioned between the first and second regions. A back-bias region is configured to generate impact ionization when the memory cell is in one of the first and second states, and the back-bias region is configured so as not to generate impact ionization when the memory cell is in the other of the first and second states.