Multi-State Electric Fuse Filament for High-Density Data Storage

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current electric fuses on semiconductor chips face challenges in increasing capacity while maintaining a compact form factor, as existing methods either require increased chip size, complex process changes, or struggle with accurate multi-value recording and reading.

Innovation Solution

The electric fuse incorporates a filament with a first and second conductive layer, allowing for at least three discernible resistive states by altering the combination of their states, enabling multi-value recording through controlled electric stresses and threshold value discrimination, thus enhancing capacity without area expansion.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If the number of electric fuses is increased to enhance capacity, then the information storage capacity is improved, but the chip area occupied is increased

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinformation storage capacityVSAvoidchip area

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple resistive states within a single electric fuse to store multiple bits of information. By utilizing the first conductive layer, second conductive layer, and their various combinations (including salicide EM states), one electric fuse can represent multiple information states, effectively merging multiple storage functions into a single device and reducing the number of fuses needed on the chip.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the resistance parameter of the electric fuse by controlling the states of the first and second conductive layers. Different resistance values correspond to different information states (0 or 1), allowing multi-value recording. This parameter-based encoding enables a single fuse to store multiple bits of information, increasing capacity without proportionally increasing chip area.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Quantity of substance

If multi-value recording is implemented using multiple electric fuses with different program characteristics, then information capacity is improved, but the circuit complexity is increased

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinformation capacityVSAvoidcircuit complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the functionality of multiple electric fuses with different program characteristics into a single electric fuse by stacking the first and second conductive layers. This single fuse can exhibit multiple resistive states through different layer combinations, eliminating the need for multiple separate fuses and their associated control circuits, thereby reducing overall circuit complexity while maintaining multi-value recording capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The electric fuse structure achieves multi-functionality by enabling a single device to perform multiple storage functions. The first conductive layer, second conductive layer, and their various states allow the fuse to represent multiple information values, making one fuse equivalent to multiple fuses in terms of information capacity, thus simplifying the overall system architecture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Ease of manufacture

If the filament structure is simplified to reduce manufacturing complexity, then the ease of manufacture is improved, but the ability to achieve accurate multi-value recording is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoidmulti-value recording accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a composite filament structure consisting of a first conductive layer and a second conductive layer. This composite structure enables multiple resistive states through different layer combinations and salicide EM effects, achieving accurate multi-value recording. The composite design maintains compatibility with existing manufacturing processes while providing the necessary precision for multi-bit storage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This configuration enables effective multi-value recording on a single electric fuse, increasing capacity in a space-saving manner and reducing peripheral circuit area, while maintaining compatibility with existing manufacturing processes.

Implementation Method 1

a predetermined electric current is caused to flow through a filament thereof, thereby generating a salicide EM (Electro Migration) or Si melting in the filament

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectro Migration:

Implementation Method 2

a predetermined electric current is caused to flow through a filament thereof, thereby generating a salicide EM (Electro Migration) or Si melting in the filament

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectJoule Heating: Joule Heating

Data Source

PatentUS8760905B2Electric fuse, semiconductor device, and information writing method of electric fuse

Publication Date: 2014.06.24 SONY GROUP CORP

AI summary

An electric fuse includes: a filament having a first conductive layer and a second conductive layer formed on the first conductive layer, wherein at least three discernible resistive states are generated in the filament by changing of a combination of a state of the first conductive layer and a state of the second conductive layer.