IP Library Granted Patent US 8,921,154
Granted Patent B1
US 8,921,154 · App. 14/468,687 · Granted Dec 30, 2014

Method of forming anneal-resistant embedded resistor for non-volatile memory application

Inventors: Mihir Tendulkar (Mountain View, CA); David Chi (Los Altos, CA)
Assignees: Intermolecular, Inc.; Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba; SanDisk 3D LLC
H01L45/1616H01L28/24H01L45/146H01L21/28506
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,921,154
App. No.
14/468,687
Granted
Dec 30, 2014
Kind
B1
Abstract

Embodiments of the invention include a nonvolatile memory device that contains nonvolatile resistive random access memory device with improved device performance and lifetime. In some embodiments, nonvolatile resistive random access memory device includes a diode, a metal silicon nitride embedded resistor, and a resistive switching layer disposed between a first electrode layer and a second electrode layer. In some embodiments, the method of forming a resistive random access memory device includes forming a diode, forming a metal silicon nitride embedded resistor, forming a first electrode layer, forming a second electrode layer, and forming a resistive switching layer disposed between the first electrode layer and the second electrode layer.

Claims (22)

1. A method comprising:

forming a resistive switching layer;

forming an embedded resistor over the resistive switching layer,

the embedded resistor comprising a metal, silicon, and nitrogen,

wherein the metal of the embedded resistor is hafnium;

forming an electrode over the embedded resistor; and

annealing a stack comprising the resistive switching layer, the embedded resistor, and the electrode at a temperature greater than 700° C.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the stack is annealed at the temperature of 750° C. for 60 seconds.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the stack is annealed at the temperature of greater than 900° C.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the embedded resistor comprises one or more elements from columns 4 through 7 of the periodic table.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the metal, silicon, and nitrogen of the embedded resistor form a silicon rich metal nitride material.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein a concentration of silicon in the embedded resistor is between about 5% atomic and 40% atomic.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein a material of the embedded resistor is amorphous after the annealing.

8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the embedded resistor further comprises aluminum.

9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the resistive switching layer comprises one of HfxOy, TaxOy, AlxOy, LaxOy, YxOy, DyxOy, YbxOy, or ZrxOy.

10. The method of claim 1 , wherein the resistive switching layer is formed using atomic layer deposition, wherein the atomic layer deposition comprises supplying tetrakis(dimethylamino)hafnium and an oxygen containing precursor into a deposition chamber.

11. The method of claim 10 , wherein the atomic layer deposition is performed at a temperature of about 250° C., and wherein the oxygen containing precursor is water vapor.

12. The method of claim 1 , wherein the embedded resistor has a thickness of between about 50 Angstroms and 500 Angstroms.

13. The method of claim 1 , wherein the embedded resistor is formed using physical vapor deposition.

14. The method of claim 13 , wherein the physical vapor deposition sputtering comprises a target, wherein the target comprises the metal and silicon, and wherein the target is sputtered in a nitrogen containing atmosphere.

15. The method of claim 14 , wherein the nitrogen containing atmosphere comprises between about 20% and 50% by volume of nitrogen.

16. The method of claim 1 , wherein the electrode comprises titanium nitride, and wherein the electrode directly interfaces the embedded resistor.

Assignments (4)
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Apr 25, 2025
From: SANDISK TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
To: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 071050/0001 →
PARTIAL RELEASE OF SECURITY INTERESTS Recorded Apr 25, 2025
From: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS AGENT
To: SANDISK TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
Reel/Frame 071382/0001 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Dec 31, 2024
From: SANDISK TECHNOLOGIES LLC
To: SANDISK TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
Reel/Frame 069796/0423 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Oct 17, 2016
From: SANDISK 3D LLC
To: SANDISK TECHNOLOGIES LLC
Reel/Frame 040381/0032 →
Continuity (1)
Continuation 13692850 · Dec 3, 2012