Intermolecular, Inc.

Wayne R French

Prashant B Phatak

Tony P Chiang

Pragati Kumar

Sandra Guy Malhotra

Sunil Shanker

Sean Barstow

Venkat Ananthan

Wen Wu

A combination of deposition processes can be used to evaluate layer properties using a combinatorial workflow. The processes can include a base ALD process and another process, such as a PVD process. The high productivity combinatorial technique can provide an evaluation of the material properties for given ALD base layer and PVD additional elements. An ALD process can then be developed to provide the desired layers, replacing the ALD and PVD combination.

Dielectric doping using high productivity combinatorial methods

Nonvolatile memory elements that are based on resistive switching memory element layers are provided. A nonvolatile memory element may have a resistive switching metal oxide layer. The resistive switching metal oxide layer may have one or more layers of oxide. A resistive switching metal oxide may be doped with a dopant that increases its melting temperature and enhances its thermal stability. Layers may be formed to enhance the thermal stability of the nonvolatile memory element. An electrode for a nonvolatile memory element may contain a conductive layer and a buffer layer.

Nonvolatile memory elements

This disclosure provides a method of fabricating a semiconductor device layer and an associated memory cell. Empirical data may be used to generate a hysteresis curve associated with deposition for a metal-insulator-metal structure, with curve measurements reflecting variance of an electrical property as a function of cathode voltage used during a sputtering process. By generating at least one voltage level to be used during the sputtering process, where the voltage reflects a suitable value for the electrical property from among the values obtainable in mixed-mode deposition, a semiconductor device layer may be produced with improved characteristics and durability. A multistable memory cell or array of such cells manufactured according to this process can, for a set of given materials, be fabricated to have minimal leakage or 'off' current characteristics (Ior I, respectively) or a maximum ratio of 'on' current to &#x201c;off&#x201d; current (I/I).

Closed loop sputtering controlled to enhance electrical characteristics in deposited layer

This disclosure provides a method of fabricating a semiconductor device layer and an associated memory cell. Empirical data may be used to generate a hysteresis curve associated with metal oxide deposition for a metal-insulator-metal structure, with curve measurements reflecting variance of a desired electrical property as a function of cathode voltage used during a sputtering process that uses a biased target. By generating at least one voltage level to be used during the sputtering process, where the voltage reflects a suitable value for the electrical property from among the values obtainable in mixed-mode deposition, a semiconductor device layer may be produced with improved characteristics and durability. A multistable memory cell or array of such cells manufactured according to this process can, for a set of given materials (e.g., metals and oxygen source), be fabricated to have minimal leakage or 'off' current characteristics (Ior I, respectively) or a maximum ratio of 'on' current to &#x201c;off&#x201d; current (I/I).

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San Jose, CA, United States of America

Wayne R French