A memory cell includes a bottom electrode, a first dielectric layer, a variable resistance layer, and a top electrode. The first dielectric layer laterally surrounds the bottom electrode. A top surface of the bottom electrode is located at a level height lower than that of a top surface of the first dielectric layer. The variable resistance layer is disposed on the bottom electrode and the first dielectric layer. The variable resistance layer contacts the top surface of the bottom electrode and the top surface of the first dielectric layer. The top electrode is disposed on the variable resistance layer.

An semiconductor device may include a first conductive line; a second conductive line disposed to be spaced apart from the first conductive line; a variable resistance layer disposed between the first conductive line and the second conductive line; and an electrode layer which is disposed at least one of a first location between the first conductive lines and the variable resistance layer, or a second location between the variable resistance layer and the second conductive lines and includes a thickness dependent metal-insulator transition (TDMIT) material that exhibits an electrical resistance depending on a thickness of the TDMIT material.

A method for fabricating an integrated circuit is provided. The method includes depositing a dielectric layer over a conductive feature; etching an opening in the dielectric layer to expose the conductive feature, such that the dielectric layer has a tapered sidewall surrounding the opening; depositing a bottom electrode layer into the opening in the dielectric layer; depositing a resistance switch layer over the bottom electrode layer; patterning the resistance switch layer and the bottom electrode layer respectively into a resistance switch element and a bottom electrode, in which a sidewall of the bottom electrode is landing on the tapered sidewall of the dielectric layer.

A method of fabricating an electronic device including a semiconductor memory includes forming a first conductive structure extending in a first direction and having a closed-loop shape, forming a second conductive structure extending in a second direction and having a closed-loop shape, the second direction intersecting the first direction, forming a memory cell located at an intersection of the first conductive structure and the second conductive structure, forming first conductive patterns extending in the first direction by etching an end portion of the first conductive structure, forming second conductive patterns extending in the second direction by etching an end portion of the second conductive structure, forming a first protective layer on an etched surface of each of the first conductive patterns and the second conductive patterns, and forming a gap-fill layer on the first protective layer.

Systems, methods, and apparatus related to spike current suppression in a memory array. In one approach, a memory device includes a memory array having a cross-point memory architecture. The memory array has access lines (e.g., word lines and/or bit lines) configured to access memory cells of the memory array. Each access line has left and right portions. A conductive layer is positioned in the access line between the left and right portions. The conductive layer is formed in a socket that has been etched or otherwise formed in the access line to provide an opening. This opening is filled by the conductive layer. The conductive layer electrically connects the left and right portions of the access line to a via. A driver is electrically connected to the via for generating a voltage on the access line for accessing one or more memory cells. To reduce electrical discharge associated with current spikes, a first resistive film is formed in the access line between the left portion and the conductive layer, and a second resistive film is formed in the access line between the right portion and the conductive layer.

Semiconductor devices and methods of manufacturing the same are provided in which memory cells are manufactured with a double sided word line structure. In embodiments a first word line is located on a first side of the memory cells and a second word line is located on a second side of the memory cells opposite the first side.

The invention disclosed a method to make an implanted hard mask with ultra-small dimensions for fabricating integrated nonvolatile random access memory. Instead of directly depositing hard mask material on top of the memory film stack element, we first make ultra-small VIA holes on a pattern transfer molding (PTM) layer using a reverse memory mask, then fill in the hard mask material into the VIA holes within the PTM material. Ultra-small hard mask pillars are formed after removing the PTM material. To improve the adhesion of the hard mask pillars with the underneath memory stack element, a hard mask sustaining element (HMSE) is added below PTM. Due to a better materials adhesion between HMSE and the hard mask, a stronger hard mask array can be formed.

A variable resistance memory device is provided including a plurality of lower electrodes disposed on a substrate. A plurality of variable resistors are disposed on the plurality of lower electrodes. A plurality of upper electrodes are disposed on the plurality of variable resistors. An interlayer insulating layer fills a space in the plurality of variable resistors. An anti-oxidation layer is disposed between the plurality of variable resistors and the interlayer insulating layer. The anti-oxidation layer covers side surfaces of the plurality of variable resistors, and the anti-oxidation layer comprises silicon and/or carbon.

A semiconductor device includes a base structure comprising a semiconductor substrate, a first conductive structure disposed on the base structure, and extending in a first direction, the first conductive structure including lower layers, and at least one among the lower layers including carbon, and a data storage pattern disposed on the first conductive structure. The semiconductor device further includes an intermediate conductive pattern disposed on the data storage pattern, and including intermediate layers, at least one among the intermediate layers including carbon, a switching pattern disposed on the intermediate conductive pattern, and a switching upper electrode pattern disposed on the switching pattern, and including carbon. The semiconductor device further includes a second conductive structure disposed on the switching upper electrode pattern, and extending in a second direction intersecting the first direction, and a hole spacer disposed on a side surface of the data storage pattern.

A method of fabricating a variable resistance memory device that includes forming a plurality of memory cells on a substrate. Each of the plurality of memory cells in a switching device and a variable resistance pattern. A capping structure is formed that commonly covers lateral side surfaces of the plurality of memory cells. An insulating gapfill layer is formed that covers the capping structure and fills a region between adjacent memory cells of the plurality of memory cells. The forming of the capping structure includes forming a second capping layer including silicon oxide that covers the lateral side surfaces of the plurality of memory cells. At least a partial portion of the second capping layer is nitrided by performing a first decoupled plasma process to form a third capping layer that includes silicon oxynitride.