A stacked phase change memory structure having a cross-point architecture is provided. The stacked phase change memory structure includes at least two phase change material element-containing structures stacked one atop the other. Each phase change material element-containing structure of the plurality of phase change material element-containing structures has a cross-point architecture and includes, from bottom to top, at least one bottom electrode, a phase change material element, and a top electrode.

A variable resistance memory device includes a substrate, a first conductive line on the substrate, the first conductive line extending in a first horizontal direction, a second conductive line extending on the first conductive line in a second horizontal direction perpendicular to the first horizontal direction, and a memory cell at an intersection between the first conductive line and the second conductive line, the memory cell having a selection element layer, an intermediate electrode layer, and a variable resistance layer, and the variable resistance layer having a shape of stairs with a concave center.

A method includes forming a bottom electrode, forming a dielectric layer, forming a Phase-Change Random Access Memory (PCRAM) region in contact with the dielectric layer, and forming a top electrode. The dielectric layer and the PCRAM region are between the bottom electrode and the top electrode. A filament is formed in the dielectric layer. The filament is in contact with the dielectric layer.

An array of memory cells includes a layer of nonpatterned storage material, in accordance with embodiment. In one embodiment, a circuit includes an array of memory cells. The array of memory cells includes first conductive electrodes. The array includes a layer of storage material including a nonpatterned region disposed over the first conductive electrodes. The array includes second conductive electrodes disposed over the nonpatterned region of the storage material. A given memory cell of the array is located where one of the second conductive electrodes overlaps one of the first conductive electrodes across the nonpatterned region of storage material.

Disclosed are a switching atomic transistor with a diffusion barrier layer and a method of operating the same. By introducing a diffusion barrier layer in an intermediate layer having a resistance change characteristic, it is possible to minimize variation in the entire number of ions in the intermediate layer involved in operation of the switching atomic transistor or to eliminate the variation to maintain stable operation of the switching atomic transistor. In addition, it is possible to stably implement a multi-level cell of a switching atomic transistor capable of storing more information without increasing the number of memory cells. Also, disclosed are a vertical atomic transistor with a diffusion barrier layer and a method of operating the same. By producing an ion channel layer in a vertical structure, it is possible to significantly increase transistor integration.

A memory cell comprising a threshold switching material over a first electrode on a substrate. The memory cell includes a second electrode over the threshold switching material and at least one dielectric material between the threshold switching material and at least one of the first electrode and the second electrode. A memory material overlies the second electrode. The dielectric material may directly contact the threshold switching material and each of the first electrode and the second electrode. Memory cells including only one dielectric material between the threshold switching material and an electrode are disclosed. A memory device including the memory cells and methods of forming the memory cells are also described.

A plurality of memory cells in a cross-point array with improved endurance is disclosed. Each memory cell, disposed between first and second conductors, includes a switch in series with a pillar of phase change material. The pillar has a Te-rich material at one end proximal to the second conductor, and an Sb-rich material at the other end proximal to the first conductor, wherein the current direction is from the first conductor to the second conductor.

Subject matter disclosed herein may relate to fabrication of a correlated electron material (CEM) such as in a CEM device capable of switching between and/or among impedance states. In particular embodiments, a CEM may be formed from one or more transition metal oxides (TMOs), one or more post transition metal oxides (PTMOs) or one or more post transition metal chalcogenides (PTMCs), or a combination thereof.

A semiconductor device and a method of forming the same are provided. The semiconductor device including a first conductive line on a substrate, memory cell structures stacked on the first conductive line, a second conductive line between the memory cell structures; and a third conductive line on the memory cell structures may be provided. Each of the plurality of memory cell structures includes a data storage material pattern, a switching material pattern, and a plurality of electrode patterns, at least one of the electrode patterns includes at least one of carbon material layer or a carbon-containing material layer, and the at least one of the electrode patterns includes a first region doped with a nitrogen and a second region that is not doped with the nitrogen, or is doped with the nitrogen at a first concentration lower than a second concentration of the nitrogen in the first region.

An electronic device including a semiconductor memory is provided. The semiconductor memory includes an interlayer dielectric layer disposed over a substrate, and having a recess which exposes a portion of the substrate; a bottom contact partially filling the recess; and a resistance variable element including a bottom layer which fills at least a remaining space of the recess over the bottom contact, and a remaining layer which is disposed over the bottom layer and protrudes out of the interlayer dielectric layer.