IP Library Granted Patent US 7,812,333
Granted Patent B2
US 7,812,333 · App. 11/770,064 · Granted Oct 12, 2010

Integrated circuit including resistivity changing material having a planarized surface

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,812,333
App. No.
11/770,064
Granted
Oct 12, 2010
Kind
B2
Abstract

An integrated circuit includes a first electrode and a first resistivity changing material coupled to the first electrode. The first resistivity changing material has a planarized surface. The integrated circuit includes a second resistivity changing material contacting the planarized surface of the first resistivity changing material and a second electrode coupled to the second resistivity changing material. A cross-sectional width of the first resistivity changing material is less than a cross-sectional width of the second resistivity changing material.

Claims (53)

1. A system comprising:

a host; and

a memory device communicatively coupled to the host, the memory device comprising:

a dielectric material;

a first electrode;

a first resistivity changing material coupled to the first electrode, the first resistivity changing material having a planarized surface and defined by an opening etched in the dielectric material;

a second resistivity changing material contacting the planarized surface of the first resistivity changing material, the second resistivity changing material comprising a phase change material; and

a second electrode coupled to the second resistivity changing material,

wherein a cross-sectional width of the first resistivity changing material is less than a cross-sectional width of the second resistivity changing material, and

wherein the second resistivity changing material has a lower thermal conductivity than the first resistivity changing material.

2. The system of claim 1 ,

wherein the cross-sectional width of the second resistivity changing material is equal to a cross-sectional width of the second electrode.

3. The system of claim 1 , wherein the opening comprises a pore.

4. The system of claim 1 , wherein the opening comprises a trench.

5. The system of claim 1 , wherein the opening comprises tapered sidewalls.

6. The system of claim 1 , wherein the opening comprises parallel sidewalls.

7. The system of claim 1 , wherein the first resistivity changing material comprises a first phase change material.

8. The system of claim 1 , wherein the memory device comprises:

a sense circuit configured to sense a resistance of the first resistivity changing material;

a write circuit configured to program the first resistivity changing material; and

a controller configured to control the sense circuit and the write circuit.

9. A memory comprising:

a dielectric material;

a first electrode;

a first phase change material coupled to the first electrode, the first phase change material defined by a pore etched into the dielectric material;

a second electrode; and

a second phase change material configured to thermally insulate the second electrode from the first phase change material,

wherein a cross-sectional width of the first phase change material is less than a cross-sectional width of the second phase change material, and

wherein the second phase change material has a lower thermal conductivity than the first phase change material.

10. The memory of claim 9 , wherein the first phase change material comprises a planarized surface contacting the second phase change material.

11. An integrated circuit comprising:

a first electrode;

a first resistivity changing material coupled to the first electrode, the first resistivity changing material having a planarized surface;

a second resistivity changing material contacting the planarized surface of the first resistivity changing material; and

a second electrode coupled to the second resistivity changing material,

wherein a cross-sectional width of the first resistivity changing material is less than a cross-sectional width of the second resistivity changing material,

wherein the first resistivity changing material is doped with N, and

wherein the second resistivity changing material is doped with one of SiN and SiO 2 .

12. The integrated circuit of claim 11 , wherein the cross-sectional width of the second resistivity changing material is equal to a cross-sectional width of the second electrode.

13. The integrated circuit of claim 11 , wherein the first resistivity changing material comprises tapered sidewalls.

14. The integrated circuit of claim 11 , wherein the first resistivity changing material comprises a first phase change material, and

wherein the second resistivity changing material comprises a second phase change material.

15. An integrated circuit comprising:

a first electrode;

a first resistivity changing material coupled to the first electrode, the first resistivity changing material having a planarized surface;

a second resistivity changing material contacting the planarized surface of the first resistivity changing material; and

a second electrode coupled to the second resistivity changing material,

wherein a cross-sectional width of the first resistivity changing material is less than a cross-sectional width of the second resistivity changing material,

wherein the second resistivity changing material has a lower thermal conductivity than the first resistivity changing material.

16. The integrated circuit of claim 15 , wherein the cross-sectional width of the second resistivity changing material is equal to a cross-sectional width of the second electrode.

17. The integrated circuit of claim 15 , wherein the first resistivity changing material comprises tapered sidewalls.

18. The integrated circuit of claim 15 , wherein the first resistivity changing material comprises a first phase change material, and

wherein the second resistivity changing material comprises a second phase change material.

Assignments (4)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Dec 9, 2015
From: INFINEON TECHNOLOGIES AG
To: POLARIS INNOVATIONS LIMITED
Reel/Frame 037254/0782 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 8, 2015
From: QIMONDA AG
To: INFINEON TECHNOLOGIES AG
Reel/Frame 035623/0001 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Apr 15, 2011
From: QIMONDA NORTH AMERICA CORP
To: QIMONDA AG
Reel/Frame 026138/0613 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Nov 15, 2007
From: PHILIPP, JAN BORIS; HAPP, THOMAS
To: QIMONDA NORTH AMERICA CORP.
Reel/Frame 020118/0524 →