Vertical 1T1R RRAM Cell Layout for Higher Memory Density

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing 1T1R resistive random access memory has limited memory density due to the difficulty in reducing the area of the transistor, which restricts the miniaturization of the memory cell.

Innovation Solution

The 1T1R resistive random access memory design features a transistor with a channel layer, gate layer, and vertically distributed drain and source layers, reducing the transistor's footprint to 4F^2, and includes a resistance switching device connected to the drain layer and bit line, with a gate layer connected to the word line and source layer connected to the source line, along with additional dielectric and metal layers for electrical connections.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If a conventional planar transistor structure is used in 1T1R memory cell, then the transistor can be easily manufactured with standard processes, but the memory cell area becomes large which limits memory density

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransistor manufacturing easeVSAvoidmemory cell area
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from a planar transistor structure to a vertical transistor structure by stacking the source, channel, and drain layers in the vertical direction. This dimensional change allows the transistor to achieve its function in a smaller footprint area, directly resolving the contradiction between ease of manufacture and memory cell area reduction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The vertical transistor structure nests the channel layer between the source and drain layers in the vertical direction, creating a compact stacked configuration. This nesting arrangement enables the transistor components to occupy overlapping vertical space rather than horizontal space, reducing the overall memory cell footprint while maintaining manufacturability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Area of stationary object

If the transistor area is reduced to increase memory density, then memory density improves, but the transistor becomes difficult to manufacture with existing processes

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvememory cell areaVSAvoidtransistor manufacturing difficulty
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

By moving to a vertical stacking architecture, the patent achieves area reduction without compromising manufacturability. The vertical configuration uses standard thin-film deposition and etching processes to create stacked layers, making the reduced-footprint transistor as manufacturable as conventional planar transistors.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The transistor is segmented into distinct vertical layers (source layer, channel layer, drain layer) that can be independently formed using standard semiconductor manufacturing processes. This segmentation allows each layer to be optimized and manufactured separately, facilitating ease of production despite the compact vertical integration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3736865B11t1r resistive random access memory and manufacturing method therefor
Publication Date: 2023.11.08 SHENZHEN GOODIX TECH CO LTD
  • EP3736865B1 patent drawingFigure 1a
  • EP3736865B1 patent drawingFigure 1b
  • EP3736865B1 patent drawingFigure 1c~1d

AI summary

The present application provides a 1T1R resistive random access memory and a manufacturing method thereof, and a device. The 1T1R resistive random access memory includes includes: a memory cell array composed of multiple 1T1R resistive random access memory cells, each 1T1R resistive random access memory cell including a transistor and a resistance switching device (30). The transistor includes a channel layer (201), a gate layer (204) insulated from the channel layer (201), and a drain layer (203) and a source layer (202) disposed on the channel layer (201), and the drain layer (203) and the source layer (202) are vertically distributed on the channel layer (201). The resistance change device (30) is disposed near the drain layer (203). The application reduces the area of a transistor, thereby significantly improving the memory density of the resistive random access memory, and thus solving the problem of the existing 1T1R resistive random access memory that the memory density is limited due to that the area of the transistor cannot be reduced.