Vertical Non-Volatile Memory Device Amorphous Oxynitride Charge Trap

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing non-volatile memory devices face challenges in preventing charge diffusion or leakage between cells, which limits their capacity and efficiency.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a vertical non-volatile memory device structure incorporating a charge trap layer with amorphous oxynitride, a charge blocking layer, and specific material compositions to reduce charge leakage, including a charge tunneling layer and channel layer, along with a pillar and gate electrodes, enhances charge storage efficiency and reduces diffusion.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional memory cell structures are used, then device simplicity is maintained, but charge diffusion or leakage between cells occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecharge retentionVSAvoidmemory cell structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The memory cell is divided into multiple functional layers including charge tunneling layer, charge trap layer, and charge blocking layer, each performing a specific function to prevent charge diffusion while maintaining overall device simplicity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The charge trap layer is surrounded by charge tunneling layer and charge blocking layer in a nested configuration, creating concentric functional zones that efficiently contain charges within the memory cell

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Reliability

If charge trap layer with amorphous oxynitride is implemented, then charge diffusion is reduced, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecharge isolationVSAvoidcharge trap layer fabrication
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The charge trap layer uses amorphous oxynitride with specific compositional parameters (x≥0.3, 0<y≤0.5, 0≤z≤0.7, x+y+z≤1.0) to achieve optimal charge isolation properties while maintaining manufacturability through controlled deposition processes

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The charge trap layer is formed as a composite amorphous oxynitride material combining oxygen and nitrogen in specific ratios to create a structure that simultaneously provides charge trapping capability and resistance to charge diffusion

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Reliability

If multiple layers are added to prevent charge leakage, then charge storage efficiency improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecharge storage efficiencyVSAvoidvertical layer structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from planar memory cell architecture to vertical stacking of functional layers (tunneling, trapping, blocking layers) to achieve improved charge storage efficiency while maintaining a compact footprint

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

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 effectively reduces charge diffusion between cells, increasing the memory device's capacity and efficiency while maintaining thermal stability and low power consumption.

Implementation Method 1

a charge trap layer surrounding a side surface of the charge tunneling layer and including an amorphous oxynitride

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectron trapping: Potential Well

Implementation Method 2

a charge tunneling layer surrounding a side surface of the channel layer

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectQuantum tunneling: Electron Beam

Data Source

PatentEP4398695A1Vertical non-volatile memory device and electronic apparatus including the same
Publication Date: 2024.07.10 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP4398695A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4398695A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4398695A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A vertical non-volatile memory device and an electronic apparatus including the vertical non-volatile memory device are provided. The vertical non-volatile memory device includes a pillar, a channel layer surrounding a side surface of the pillar, a charge tunneling layer surrounding a side surface of the channel layer, a charge trap layer surrounding a side surface of the charge tunneling layer and including an amorphous oxynitride, a charge blocking layer surrounding a side surface of the charge trap layer, and a plurality of separation layers and a plurality of gate electrodes surrounding a side surface of the charge blocking layer and alternately arranged along the side surface of the charge blocking layer.