A semiconductor device includes a diffusion barrier structure, a bottom electrode, a top electrode over the bottom electrode, a switching layer and a capping layer. The bottom electrode is over the diffusion barrier structure. The top electrode is over the bottom electrode. The switching layer is between the bottom electrode and the top electrode, and configured to store data. The capping layer is between the top electrode and the switching layer. A thermal conductivity of the diffusion barrier structure is greater than approximately 20 W/mK.

A method for manufacturing a semiconductor device includes forming a first pattern structure having a first opening on a lower structure comprising a semiconductor substrate. The first pattern structure includes a stacked pattern and a first spacer layer covering at least a side surface of the stacked pattern. A first flowable material layer including a SiOCH material is formed on the first spacer layer to fill the first opening and cover an upper portion of the first pattern structure. A first curing process including supplying a gaseous ammonia catalyst into the first flowable material layer is performed on the first flowable material layer to form a first cured material layer that includes water. A second curing process is performed on the first cured material layer to form a first low-k dielectric material layer. The first low-k dielectric material layer is planarized to form a planarized first low-k dielectric material layer.

A phase change memory (PCM) structure configured for performing a gradual reset operation includes first and second electrodes and a phase change material layer disposed between the first and second electrodes. The PCM structure further includes a thermal insulation layer disposed on at least sidewalls of the first and second electrodes and phase change material layer. The thermal insulation layer is configured to provide non-uniform heating of the phase change material layer. Optionally, the thermal insulation layer may be formed as an air gap. The PCM structure may be configured having the first and second electrodes aligned in a vertical or a lateral arrangement.

A semiconductor device includes a diffusion barrier structure, a bottom electrode, a top electrode, a switching layer and a capping layer. The bottom electrode is over the diffusion barrier structure. The top electrode is over the bottom electrode. The switching layer is between the bottom electrode and the top electrode, and configured to store data. The capping layer is between the switching layer and the top electrode. The diffusion barrier structure includes a multiple-layer structure. A thermal conductivity of the diffusion barrier structure is greater than approximately 20 W/mK.

Memory devices having electrode structures that increase in resistivity with thermal cycling, and associated systems and methods, are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, a memory device includes a memory element and an electrode structure electrically coupled to the memory element. The electrode structure can include a material comprising a composition of tungsten, silicon, and germanium.

A non-volatile memory includes a first semiconductor layer vertically stacked on a second semiconductor layer and including a first memory group, a second memory group, a third memory group and a fourth memory group. The second semiconductor layer includes a first region, a second region, a third region and a fourth region respectively underlying the first memory group, second memory group, third memory group and fourth memory group. The first region includes one driving circuit connected to memory cells of one of the second memory group, third memory group and fourth memory group through a first word line, and another driving circuit connected to memory cells of the first memory group through a first bit line, wherein the first word line and first bit line extend in the same horizontal direction.

An approach to form a semiconductor structure with a multiple layer phase change material stack and four electrodes that functions as an integrated switch device. The semiconductor structure includes a sidewall spacer that is on two opposing sides of the multiple layer phase change material stack contacting an edge of each layer of the multiple layer phase change material stack. The semiconductor structure includes a pair of a first type of electrode, where each of the pair of the first type of electrode abuts each of the sidewall spacers on the two opposing sides of the multiple layer phase change material stack. A pair of a second type of electrode, where each of the second type of electrode abuts each of two other opposing sides of the multiple layer phase change material stack and contacts a heater material on outside portions of the multiple layer phase change material stack.

A phase change memory includes a substrate, a plurality of first phase change elements on the substrate, a plurality of electrodes on the plurality of first phase change elements, and a second phase change element connecting the plurality of electrodes and disposed between the plurality of first phase change elements.

Provided are a memory cell and a method of forming the same. The memory cell includes a first dielectric pattern, a second dielectric pattern, a first bottom electrode, a first storage pattern, and a first top electrode. The first bottom electrode is disposed between the first dielectric pattern and the second dielectric pattern, and the first bottom electrode interfaces a first sidewall of the first dielectric pattern and a sidewall of the second dielectric pattern. The first storage pattern is disposed on the first dielectric pattern, the second dielectric pattern and the first bottom electrode, wherein the first storage pattern is electrically connected to the first bottom electrode. The first storage pattern is between the first bottom electrode and the first top electrode. A semiconductor die including a memory array is also provided.

A method of forming a memory device includes the following operations. A first conductive plug is formed within a first dielectric layer over a substrate. A treating process is performed to transform a portion of the first conductive plug into a buffer layer, and the buffer layer caps the remaining portion of the first conductive plug. A phase change layer and a top electrode are sequentially formed over the buffer layer. A second dielectric layer is formed to encapsulate the top electrode and the underlying phase change layer. A second conductive plug is formed within the second dielectric layer and in physical contact with the top electrode. A filamentary bottom electrode is formed within the buffer layer.