The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Nov. 09, 2004
Filed:
Nov. 27, 2002
David Novosel, New Wilmington, PA (US);
Gary S. Craig, Carnegie, PA (US);
Novocell Semiconductor, Inc., Pittsburgh, PA (US);
Abstract
A method and related embedded memories are disclosed for utilizing voltage gradients to guide dielectric breakdowns for non-volatile memory elements. Non-volatile memory cells and associated programming methods are also disclosed that allow for the integration of non-volatile memory with other intergrated curcuitry utilizing the standard CMOS processing used to manufacture the CMOS circuitry. The non-volatile memory cell includes an antifuse element having a programming node and a capacitor coupled to the programming node. The antifuse element includes a MOS transistor having its source and drain connected to one or more voltage levels, having a gate that provides the programming node, and having a dielectric layer that provides an antifuse function by breaking down when subjected to a plurality of voltage pulses applied through the capacitor element. To guide the breakdown locations within the dielectric, one or more voltage gradients are generated within the antifuse element to concentration current flow.