The invention relates to heterostructures including a layer of a two-dimensional material placed on a multiferroic layer. An ordered array of differing polarization domains and surface charges in the multiferroic layer produces corresponding domains having differing properties in the two-dimensional material. When the multiferroic layer is ferroelectric, the ferroelectric polarization domains in the layer produce local electric fields that penetrate the two-dimensional material. The local electric fields and surface charges can control the structural phase of the two-dimensional material, which in turn determines whether the two-dimensional material layer is insulating or metallic, has a band gap or no band gap, and whether it is magnetic or non-magnetic. Methods for producing the heterostructures are provided. Devices incorporating the heterostructures are also provided.

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.

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 silicon on insulator substrate includes a semiconductor bulk handle wafer, an insulating layer on said semiconductor bulk handle wafer and a semiconductor film on said insulating layer. An opening extends completely through the semiconductor film and insulating layer to expose a surface of the semiconductor bulk handle wafer. Epitaxial material fills the opening and extends on said semiconductor film, with the epitaxial material and semiconductor film forming a thick semiconductor film. A trench isolation surrounds a region of the thick semiconductor film to define an electrical contact made to the semiconductor bulk handle wafer through the opening.