Methods and structures for fabricating a semiconductor device that includes a reduced programming current phase change memory (PCM) are provided. The method includes forming a bottom electrode. The method further includes forming a PCM and forming a conductive bridge filament in a dielectric to serve as a heater for the PCM. The method also includes forming a top electrode.

A method for forming a semiconductor structure includes following operations. A first conductive layer is formed. A first dielectric layer is formed over the first conductive layer, and the first dielectric layer includes at least one trench exposing the first conductive layer. A second conductive layer is formed in the trench. A third conductive layer is formed in the trench, and a resistivity of the third conductive layer is greater than a resistivity of the second conductive layer. A second dielectric layer is formed over the third conductive layer. A phase change material is formed over the first dielectric layer.

An integrated circuit is provided. The integrated circuit includes a transistor, a first metallization layer above the transistor and electrically connected to the transistor, and a phase change switch. At least a part of the phase change switch is provided below the first metallization layer. The first metallization layer is provided laterally adjacent to the phase change switch. Moreover, a method is provided for manufacturing an integrated circuit. Further provided is a wafer for manufacturing an integrated circuit, and a method for manufacturing a wafer for manufacturing an integrated circuit.

A reactive material erasure element comprising a reactive material is located between PCM cells and is in close proximity to the PCM cells. The reaction of the reactive material is trigger by a current applied by a bottom electrode which has a small contact area with the reactive material erasure element, thereby providing a high current density in the reactive material erasure element to ignite the reaction of the reactive material. Due to the close proximity of the PCM cells and the reactive material erasure element, the heat generated from the reaction of the reactive material can be effectively directed to the PCM cells to cause phase transformation of phase change material elements in the PCM cells, which in turn erases data stored in the PCM cells.

A phase-change memory (PCM) device includes a first electrode, a second electrode, a memory layer, and a heater. The memory layer includes a phase-change material and is electrically coupled between the first electrode and the second electrode. The heater is arranged near the memory layer and is configured to heat a programming region of the memory layer in response to an electric current that passes through the heater. The heater is coupled to a power source via an electric current path that does not pass through the memory layer.

A radio frequency (RF) switch includes a phase-change material (PCM), a heating element underlying an active segment of the PCM and extending outward and transverse to the PCM, a capacitive RF terminal, and an ohmic RF terminal. The capacitive RF terminal can include a first trench metal liner situated on a first passive segment of the PCM, and a dielectric liner separating the first trench metal liner from a first trench metal plug. The ohmic RF terminal can include a second trench metal liner situated on a second passive segment of the PCM, and a second trench metal plug ohmically connected to the second trench metal liner. Alternatively, the capacitive RF terminal and the ohmic RF terminal can include lower metal portions and upper metal portions. A MIM capacitor can be formed by the upper metal portion of the capacitive RF terminal, an insulator, and a patterned top plate.

The system and method for a metal meta-material embedded with a phase change material to form an optically induced phase change material. A metal doped polymer domain within the optically induced phase change material provides electric-field enhancement at the interface with a semiconductor domain and provides a thermal heat sink, to provide rapid thermal dissipation away from the semiconductor domain during the optical process.

Memory devices and methods of forming the same are provided. A memory device includes a substrate, a first conductive layer, a phase change layer, a selector layer and a second conductive layer. The first conductive layer is disposed over the substrate. The phase change layer is disposed over the first conductive layer. The selector layer is disposed between the phase change layer and the first conductive layer. The second conductive layer is disposed over the phase change layer. In some embodiments, at least one of the phase change layer and the selector layer has a narrow-middle profile.

A memory device and a programming method of the memory device are provided. The memory device includes a bottom electrode, a heater, a phase change layer and a top electrode. The heater is disposed on the bottom electrode, and includes heat conducting materials different from one another in terms of electrical resistivity. A first one of the heat conducting materials has a periphery wall portion and a bottom plate portion connected to and surrounded by the periphery wall portion. A second one of the heat conducting materials is disposed on the bottom plate portion of the first one of the heat conducting materials, and laterally surrounded by the periphery wall portion of the first one of the heat conducting materials. The phase change layer is disposed on the heater and in contact with the heat conducting materials. The top electrode is disposed on the phase change layer.

A phase change material switch includes a phase change layer disposed on a metal liner. A gate dielectric layer is disposed on the phase change layer. A metal gate liner is disposed on the gate dielectric layer.