The present disclosure relates to the technical field of memories, in particular, to a semiconductor structure and a storage circuit.
A Magnetoresistive Random Access Memory (MRAM) is a non-volatile magnetic random access memory with characteristics of high read-write speed, high integration, and high number of repeated reads and writes, which has a wide application prospect.
However, the structure of the MRAM in the related art cannot be effectively combined with a Dynamic Random Access Memory (DRAM) fabrication platform.
The present disclosure provides a semiconductor structure and a storage circuit that implements the storage structure of a MRAM based on a DRAM fabrication platform.
The present disclosure provides a semiconductor structure. The semiconductor structure includes: multiple first active regions that are separate from one another and located in a substrate; connection pads, each connection pad connects the ends of adjacent first active regions; and magnetic tunnel junctions, each magnetic tunnel junction is connected with a respective connection pad.
The present disclosure further provides a storage circuit. The storage circuit includes a bit line and a word line; a first transistor and a second transistor, the first transistor and the second transistor are connected with the word line respectively; a magnetic tunnel junction, one end of the magnetic tunnel junction is connected with the bit line, and another end of the magnetic tunnel junction is connected with one end of the first transistor and one end of the second transistor, respectively; and a first selection line and a second selection line, the first selection line and the second selection line are connected with another end of the first transistor and another end of the second transistor, respectively.
To explain the embodiments of the present disclosure more clearly, references will now be made briefly to the accompanying drawings required for the embodiments. It will be apparent that the accompanying drawings in the following description are only some of the embodiments of the present disclosure, and other drawings may be obtained to those skilled in the art based on these accompanying drawings without involving any inventive efforts.
The technical solutions in the embodiments of the present disclosure will be described clearly and completely below with the reference of the accompanying drawings in the embodiments of the present disclosure. It will be apparent that the embodiments described herein are only a part of the embodiments of the present disclosure, rather than all the embodiments of the present disclosure. Based on the embodiments in present disclosure, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without involving inventive effort shall fall within the scope of the present disclosure.
The terms “first”, “second”, “third”, and “fourth”, etc. (if present) in the description and claims of the present disclosure and the above-mentioned accompanying drawings are used to distinguish similar objects, and are not necessarily used to describe a specific sequence or order. It should be understood that data used in this way may be interchangeable under appropriate cases so that the embodiments of the present disclosure described herein can be implemented, for example, in an order other than those illustrated or described herein. In addition, the terms “include” and “have” as well as any variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusions. For example, processes, methods, systems, products, or devices that include a series of steps or units are not necessarily limited to those steps or units clearly listed, but may include other steps or units that are not clearly listed or are inherent to these processes, methods, products, or devices.
The present disclosure provides a semiconductor structure. The semiconductor structure includes multiple first active regions that are separate from one another and located in a substrate; connection pads, each connection pad connects ends of adjacent first active regions; and magnetic tunnel junctions, each magnetic tunnel junction is connected with a respective connection pad. The semiconductor structure provided by the present disclosure can be fabricated based on a DRAM fabrication platform, so that fabricating a DRAM and a MRAM on the same platform becomes more easily, and the production cost is reduced.
In order to facilitate illustrating the structure of the semiconductor structure 1, any one rectangular region 10 in the semiconductor structure 1 is taken as an example in
Optionally, as illustrated in
Optionally, the connection pads 102 are in an elongated shape, and each connection pad 102 connects ends of the adjacent first active regions 101 respectively. Specifically, each connection pad 102 may be connected with the ends of two adjacent active regions located in different columns. As illustrated in
Each MTJ 103 may be connected with the respective connection pad 102. For example, the MTJs 103 in the semiconductor structure 1 correspond to the connection pads 102 one by one. Each MTJ 103 is disposed on the corresponding connection pad 102. In
For the MTJs 103 in the semiconductor structure 1, each MTJ may be connected with the ends of two adjacent first active regions 101 to which a respective connection pad 102 is connected by this respective connection pad 102. The end of each first active region 101 may be the source or drain of a transistor (for example, the transistor may be an N-channel Metal Oxide Semiconductor (NMOS)). For example, the sources or drains of two adjacent first active regions 101 may be connected with one MTJ 103 by the respective connection pad 102 to implement that two transistors jointly drive one MTJ 103.
Optionally, the semiconductor structure 1 further includes first word lines, bit lines, selection lines, and other structures. The layered design structure of the semiconductor structure 1 provided by the embodiments of the present disclosure is described below in conjunction with
First layer (D1):
Second layer (D2):
Optionally, the first word lines 104 are used to control the transistors connected with the respective MTJ 103. For example, the first word lines 104 of the layer D2 may be arranged above the layer D1. In another example, the first word lines 104 of the layer D2 may also be disposed in a manner of passing through the first active regions 101 of the layer D1. For each single first active region 101, it may be divided into two ends and one middle part by two adjacent first word lines 104. Specifically, each first active region 101 and the two first word lines 104 passing the first active region 101 form two transistors (MOS). The two transistors use the same source. The middle part of the first active region 101 is a common source of the two transistors, and the two ends of the first active region 101 are the drains of the two transistors respectively. Or, the two transistors use the same drain. The middle part of the first active region 101 is a common drain of the two transistors, and the two ends of the first active region 101 are the sources of the two transistors respectively. In an example, the first word lines 104 may be buried gate lines.
Third layer (D3):
Fourth layer (D4):
Optionally, each connection pad 102 is connected with the ends of adjacent first active regions 101.
Fifth layer (D5):
Sixth layer (D6):
Optionally,
Optionally, each selection line 105 may be connected with the respective first active regions 101 by the respective first plugs.
Optionally, in combination with
Optionally, each first active region 101 connected with the respective connection pad 102 is located in a first region of a substrate 11. The semiconductor structure of another embodiment provided by the present disclosure further includes the second active regions 201 located in a second region of the substrate 11; and the capacitor storage structures 109, each capacitor storage structure 109 may be connected with an end of a respective second active region 201 by a capacitor contact plug. Specifically, as illustrated in
Optionally, the first active regions 101 have same size, the shape, and the arrangement pattern as that of the second active regions 201. Specifically, the first active regions 101 and the second active regions 201 are both in an elongated shape. The lengths and the widths of the first active regions 101 and the second active regions 201 are the same. The extending directions of the first active regions 101 and the second active regions 201 are the same. The spacings of the first active regions 101 and the spacings of the second active regions 201 are the same. The first active regions 101 and the second active regions 201 are arranged in arrays.
Optionally, the first active regions 101 and the second active regions 201 are formed in the same process step. Specifically, the first active regions 101 and the second active regions 201 may be formed within the substrate 11 by the same photoetching and etching steps under the same photoetching conditions and etching conditions. For example, the photoetching process is performed with the same light mask plate, and the etching is performed with the same etching material.
Optionally, the semiconductor structure further includes the second word lines 204. Each second active region 201 is passed by two second word lines 204. For each second active region 201, it may be divided into two ends and one middle part by two adjacent second word lines 204. Specifically, each second active region 201 and the two respective first word lines 204 passing this second active region 201 form two transistors (MOS). The two transistors use the same source, the middle part of the second active region 201 is a common source of the two transistors, and the two ends of the second active region 201 are the drains of the two transistors respectively. Or, the two transistors use the same drain, the middle part of the second active region 201 is a common drain of the two transistors, and the two ends of the second active region 201 are the sources of the two transistors respectively. In an example, the second word line 204 may be a buried gate line. In other examples, the second word lines 204 may be located above the second active regions 201.
Optionally, the first word lines 104 and the second word lines 204 are formed in the same process step. Specifically, the first word lines 104 and the second word lines 204 have the same size, the shape, and the arrangement pattern. For example, the widths of the first word lines 104 and the widths of the second word lines 204 are the same. The spacings of the first word lines 104 and the spacings of the second word lines 204 are the same. The first word lines 104 and the second word lines 204 have the same extending direction, and extend in the third direction C. As such, the first word lines 104 and the second word lines 204 may be formed in the same process step. Specifically, the first word lines 104 and the second word lines 204 may be formed by using the same photoetching process and the same etching process.
Optionally, the first word lines 104 pass through the first active regions 101 and the second active regions 201. Specifically, the ends of first active regions 101 are connected with the respective MTJs, and the ends of second active regions 201 are connected with the respective capacitor storage structures. Each first active region 101 and second active region 201 are passed by the respective first word line 104 so that each MTJ and the respective capacitor storage structure can be simultaneously controlled by the same word line to improve the control capability for the information storage.
Specifically,
Another embodiment of the present disclosure provides a storage circuit. As illustrated in
Optionally, the storage circuit further includes a third transistor (MOS3). One end of the third transistor (MOS3) is connected with a capacitor storage structure (Capacitor), and another end of the third transistor (MOS3) is connected with a capacitor storage bit line (CBL). The CBL is used to read data from or write data to the Capacitor. The third transistor (MOS3) is further connected with the word line (WL), and the WL is used to control the first transistor (MOS1), the second transistor (MOS2) and the third transistor (MOS3).
Another embodiment of the present disclosure further provides a storage circuit. As illustrated in
Optionally, as illustrated in
The above various embodiments are only used to describe the technical solutions of the present disclosure, and not intended to limit the present disclosure. Although the present disclosure has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those ordinarily skilled in the art should understand that they can still modify the technical solutions described in all the foregoing embodiments, or equivalently replace some or all of the technical features, and these modifications or replacements do not depart the essences of the corresponding technical solutions from the spirit and scope of the technical solutions of all the embodiments of the present disclosure.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
202011475739.X | Dec 2020 | CN | national |
This application is a continuation of International Application No. PCT/CN2021/095596, filed on May 24, 2021, which is based upon and claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 202011475739.X, filed on Dec. 15, 2020 in China Patent Office and entitled “Semiconductor Structure and Storage Circuit”. The contents of International Application No. PCT/CN2021/095596 and Chinese Patent Application No. 202011475739.X are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.
Number | Name | Date | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
6649953 | Cha | Nov 2003 | B2 |
6855564 | Cha | Feb 2005 | B2 |
7843718 | Koh | Nov 2010 | B2 |
8542519 | Asao | Sep 2013 | B2 |
8879314 | Mani | Nov 2014 | B2 |
9570138 | Toh | Feb 2017 | B2 |
9620190 | Lee et al. | Apr 2017 | B2 |
10008537 | Li | Jun 2018 | B2 |
10170185 | Manipatruni et al. | Jan 2019 | B2 |
10332890 | Lee | Jun 2019 | B2 |
20020140016 | Cha | Oct 2002 | A1 |
20040061156 | Cha | Apr 2004 | A1 |
20070296007 | Park | Dec 2007 | A1 |
20080308887 | Asao | Dec 2008 | A1 |
20090027955 | Koh | Jan 2009 | A1 |
20110044093 | Koh | Feb 2011 | A1 |
20110215382 | Asao et al. | Sep 2011 | A1 |
20110254112 | Yamanaka | Oct 2011 | A1 |
20120099363 | Inaba | Apr 2012 | A1 |
20120286339 | Asao | Nov 2012 | A1 |
20140021520 | Asao | Jan 2014 | A1 |
20140063891 | Asao | Mar 2014 | A1 |
20140117477 | Park | May 2014 | A1 |
20140306277 | Asao | Oct 2014 | A1 |
20150035097 | Asao | Feb 2015 | A1 |
20150043272 | Zhou | Feb 2015 | A1 |
20150070982 | Miyakawa | Mar 2015 | A1 |
20150255506 | Asao | Sep 2015 | A1 |
20150294695 | Lee | Oct 2015 | A1 |
20160071906 | Asao | Mar 2016 | A1 |
20160225429 | Toh | Aug 2016 | A1 |
20160300612 | Manipatruni | Oct 2016 | A1 |
20180158871 | Lee | Jun 2018 | A1 |
20190305210 | Tahmasebi et al. | Oct 2019 | A1 |
20220190028 | Ping | Jun 2022 | A1 |
20220320422 | Ping | Oct 2022 | A1 |
20230026502 | Wang | Jan 2023 | A1 |
Number | Date | Country |
---|---|---|
1385905 | Dec 2002 | CN |
100407410 | Jul 2008 | CN |
103794716 | May 2014 | CN |
104733036 | Jun 2015 | CN |
104978991 | Oct 2015 | CN |
105321949 | Feb 2016 | CN |
108155147 | Jun 2018 | CN |
110323247 | Oct 2019 | CN |
111489777 | Aug 2020 | CN |
212136451 | Dec 2020 | CN |
5315940 | Oct 2013 | JP |
2019005129 | Jan 2019 | WO |
Entry |
---|
Supplementary Partial European Search Report in the European application No. 21772655.3, dated Jul. 14, 2022, 9 pgs. |
International Search Report in the international application No. PCT/CN2021/095596, dated Jun. 17, 2021, 2 pgs. |
International Search Report in the international application No. PCT/CN2021/095445, dated Jun. 22, 2021, 2 pgs. |
Supplementary European Search Report in the European application No. 21843572.5, dated Dec. 9, 2022, 6 pgs. |
Supplementary European Search Report in the European application No. 21772655.3, dated Oct. 18, 2022. 9 pages. |
English translation of the Written Opinion of the International Search Authority in the international application No. PCT/CN2021/095596, dated Jun. 18, 2021. 4 pages. |
English translation of the Written Opinion of the International Search Authority in the international application No. PCT/CN2020/128161, dated Mar. 30, 2021. 5 pages. |
International Search Report in the international application No. PCT/CN2020/128161, dated Mar. 30, 2021. 2 pages. |
Supplementary European Search Report in the European application No. 20925004.2, dated May 31, 2022. 6 pages. |
Notice of Allowance of the U.S. Appl. No. 17/310,366, dated Jul. 3, 2023. 30 pages. |
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
20220190028 A1 | Jun 2022 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
Parent | PCT/CN2021/095596 | May 2021 | US |
Child | 17392394 | US |