Controlled pulse operations in non-volatile memory

A passive element memory device is provided that includes memory cells comprised of a state change element in series with a steering element. Controlled pulse operations are used to perform resistance changes associated with set and reset operations in an array of memory cells. Selected memory cells in an array are switched to a target resistance state in one embodiment by applying a positive voltage pulse to selected first array lines while applying a negative voltage pulse to selected second array lines. An amplitude of voltage pulses can be increased while being applied to efficiently and safely switch the resistance of cells having different operating characteristics. The cells are subjected to reverse biases in embodiments to lower leakage currents and increase bandwidth. The amplitude and duration of voltage pulses are controlled, along with the current applied to selected memory cells in some embodiments. These controlled pulse-based operations can be used to set memory cells to a lower resistance state or reset memory cells to a higher resistance state in various embodiments.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The following related applications, filed on even date herewith, are cross-referenced and incorporated by reference herein in their entirety:

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/496,984, entitled “Method for Using a Multi-Use Memory Cell and Memory Array,” by Roy E. Scheuerlein and Tanmay Kumar;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/497,021, entitled “Method for Using a Mixed-Use Memory Array with Different Data States,” by Roy E. Scheuerlein and Christopher J. Petti;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/461,339 entitled “Passive Element Memory Array Incorporating Reversible Polarity Word Line and Bit Line Decoders,” by Luca G. Fasoli, Christopher J. Petti, and Roy E. Scheuerlein;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/461,364 entitled “Method for Using a Passive Element Memory Array Incorporating Reversible Polarity Word Line and Bit Line Decoders,” by Luca G. Fasoli, Christopher J. Pefti, and Roy E. Scheuerlein;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/461,369 entitled “Method for Using Dual Data-Dependent Busses for Coupling Read/Write Circuits to a Memory Array,” by Roy E. Scheuerlein and Luca G. Fasoli;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/461,372 entitled “Method for Using Two Data Busses for Memory Array Block Selection,” by Roy E. Scheuerlein, Luca G. Fasoli, and Christopher J. Petti;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/461,362 entitled “Hierarchical Bit Line Bias Bus for Block Selectable Memory Array,” by Roy E. Scheuerlein and Luca G. Fasoli; and

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/461,376 entitled “Method for Using a Hierarchical Bit Line Bias Bus for Block Selectable Memory Array,” by Roy E. Scheuerlein and Luca G. Fasoli.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

Embodiments in accordance with the present disclosure are directed to integrated circuits containing non-volatile memory cell arrays and particularly those arrays incorporating passive element memory cells.

2. Description of the Related Art

Materials having a detectable level of change in state, such as a resistance or phase change, are used to form various types of non-volatile semiconductor based memory devices. For example, simple antifuses are used for binary data storage in one time field-programmable (OTP) memory arrays by assigning a lower resistance initial physical state of a memory cell to a first logical state such as logical ‘0,’ and assigning a higher resistance physical state of the cell to a second logical state such as logical ‘1.’ Some materials can have their resistance switched back in the direction of their initial resistance. These types of materials can be used to form re-writable memory cells. Multiple levels of detectable resistance in materials can further be used to form multi-state devices which may or may not be re-writable.

Materials having a memory effect such as a detectable level of resistance are often placed in series with a steering element to form a memory cell. Diodes or other devices having a non-linear conduction current are typically used as the steering element. The memory effect of the cell is often referred to as the state change element. In many implementations, a set of word lines and bit lines are arranged in a substantially perpendicular configuration with a memory cell at the intersection of each word line and bit line. Two-terminal memory cells can be constructed at the intersections with one terminal (e.g., terminal portion of the cell or separate layer of the cell) in contact with the conductor forming the respective word line and another terminal in contactor with the conductor forming the respective bit line. Such cells are sometimes referred to as passive element memory cells.

In some cases, bias conditions during read and write operations are an important consideration when implementing non-volatile memory arrays having passive element memory cells comprising switchable resistance materials or phase change materials as the state change element. High bias conditions applied to program these cells can restrict the endurance of the steering element. High leakage currents, program disturbances, read disturbances, etc. can pose difficulties when attempting to produce a memory device comprising one or more arrays of passive element memory cells that can be reliably fabricated, programmed, and read. Moreover, slight differences between individual memory cells can pose difficulty when attempting to program multiple cells individually or concurrently.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A passive element memory device is provided that includes memory cells comprised of a state change element in series with a steering element. Controlled pulse operations are used to perform resistance changes associated with set and reset operations in an array of memory cells. Selected memory cells in an array are switched to a target resistance state in one embodiment by applying a positive voltage pulse to selected first array lines while applying a negative voltage pulse to selected second array lines. An amplitude of voltage pulses can be increased while being applied to efficiently and safely switch the resistance of cells having different operating characteristics. The cells are subjected to reverse biases in embodiments to lower leakage currents and increase bandwidth. The amplitude and duration of voltage pulses are controlled, along with the current applied to selected memory cells in some embodiments. These controlled pulse-based operations can be used to set memory cells to a lower resistance state or reset memory cells to a higher resistance state in various embodiments.

A reverse bias can be applied to a memory cell to switch it from a first resistance state to a second resistance state in one embodiment. The amount of reverse bias can be increased for a selected set of memory cells to account for variances in the erase behavior of particular memory cells. One or more gradually increasing voltage pulses can be applied to selected word lines and/or bit lines to allow different cells to reset at various levels of applied reverse bias. Damage to cells that reset earlier is avoided while providing sufficient bias for harder to reset cells. Retry pulses can be incorporated in one or more embodiments but are not required.

In one embodiment, a method of changing data states in a non-volatile memory integrated circuit is provided that includes applying at least one voltage pulse to a non-volatile memory cell including a steering element in series with a state change element, changing an amplitude of the at least one voltage pulse during the applying to increase an amount of bias applied to the non-volatile memory cell, and changing a resistance of the non-volatile memory cell from a first resistance state to a second resistance state by applying the at least one voltage pulse.

A method of changing data states in a non-volatile memory integrated circuit is provided in one embodiment that includes reverse biasing a non-volatile memory cell having a resistance change element in series with a steering element, and changing a resistance of the resistance change element by applying at least one positive voltage pulse at a first terminal portion of the memory cell while applying at least one negative voltage pulse at a second terminal portion of the memory cell with the memory cell reverse biased.

In another embodiment, a method of changing data states in non-volatile memory is provided that includes applying at least one voltage pulse to a non-volatile memory cell including a steering element in series with a state change element to reverse bias the non-volatile memory cell, controlling the at least one voltage pulse during the applying to provide a predetermined amplitude and duration of the pulse, controlling a current applied to the non-volatile memory cell to a predetermined level when applying the at least one voltage pulse, and changing a resistance of the non-volatile memory cell from a first resistance state to a second resistance state by applying and controlling the at least one voltage pulse.

A non-volatile memory device is provided in one embodiment that includes a plurality of first array lines, a plurality of second array lines substantially perpendicular to the plurality of first array lines, and a plurality of non-volatile memory cells including a steering element in series with a state change element. Each memory cell is arranged between one of the first array lines and one of the second array lines. The plurality of memory cells include a subset of memory cells arranged between selected first array lines and selected second array lines and subjected to a bias during an operation to switch the subset of memory cells from a first resistance state to a second resistance state. The operation includes at least one voltage pulse having an amplitude that changes to increase the bias for the subset of memory cells.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1depicts an exemplary structure for a non-volatile memory cell that can be used in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. A two-terminal memory cell100as depicted inFIG. 1includes a first terminal portion connected to a first conductor110and a second terminal portion connected to a second conductor112. The memory cell includes a steering element102in series with a state change element104and an anti-fuse106to provide non-volatile date storage. The steering element can take the form of any suitable device exhibiting a nonlinear conduction current characteristic such as a simple diode. The state change element will vary by embodiment and can include numerous types of materials to store data through representative physical states. State change element104can include resistance change materials, phase change resistive materials, etc. For example, a semiconductor or other material having at least two levels of detectable resistance change (e.g., low to high and high to low) is used in one embodiment to form a passive storage element100. By assigning logical data values to the various levels of resistance that can be set and read from resistance change element104, memory cell100can provide reliable data read/write capabilities. Anti-fuse106can further provide resistance state change abilities that can be exploited for non-volatile data storage. An anti-fuse is manufactured in a high resistance state and can be popped or fused to a lower resistance state. An anti-fuse is typically non-conductive in its initial state and exhibits high conductivity with low resistance in its popped or fused state. As a discreet device or element may have a resistance and different resistance states, the terms resistivity and resistivity state are used to refer to the properties of materials themselves. Thus, while a resistance change element or device may have resistance states, a resistivity change material may have resistivity states.

Anti-fuse106can provide benefits to memory cell100beyond its state change ability. For example, an anti-fuse can serve to set the on-resistance of the memory cell in at an appropriate level relative to the read-write circuitry associated with the cell. These circuits are typically used to pop the anti-fuse and have an associated resistance. Because these circuits drive the voltages and current levels to pop the anti-fuse, the anti-fuse tends to set the memory cell in an appropriate on-resistance state for these same circuits during later operations.

It will be appreciated that other types of two-terminal non-volatile memory cells can be used in embodiments. For example, one embodiment does not have an anti-fuse106and merely includes state change element104and steering element102. Other embodiments may include additional state change elements in place of or in addition to the anti-fuse. Various types of suitable memory cells are described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,034,882 entitled “Vertically Stacked Field Programmable Non-volatile Memory and Method of Fabrication.” Various other types of cells may be used, including those described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,420,215 and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/897,705 entitled “Three-Dimensional Memory Array Incorporating Serial Chain Diode Stack” filed on Jun. 29, 2001, and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/560,626 entitled “Three-Dimensional Memory Array and Method of Fabrication” filed on Apr. 28, 2000, all hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

A variety of materials exhibit resistivity change behavior suitable for implementing state change element104in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. Examples of suitable materials for resistance state change element104include, but are not limited to doped semiconductors (e.g., polycrystalline silicon, more commonly polysilicon), transition metal oxides, complex metal oxides, programmable metallization connections, phase change resistive elements, organic material variable resistors, carbon polymer films, doped chalcogenide glass, and Schottky barrier diodes containing mobile atoms that change resistance. The resistivity of these materials in some cases may only be set in a first direction (e.g., high to low), while in others, the resistivity may be set from a first level (e.g., higher resistance) to a second level (e.g., lower resistance), and then reset back to the first resistivity level.

A range of resistance values can be assigned to a physical data state to accommodate differences amongst devices as well as variations within devices after set and reset cycling. The terms set and reset are typically used, respectively, to refer to the process of changing an element from a high resistance physical state to a low resistance physical state (set) and changing an element from a low resistance physical state to a higher resistance physical state (reset). Embodiments in accordance with the present disclosure can be used to set memory cells to a lower resistance state or to reset memory cells to a higher resistance state. While specific examples may be provided with respect to set or reset operations, it will be appreciated that these are mere examples and that the disclosure is not so limited.

Conductors110and112are typically orthogonal to one another and form array terminal lines for accessing an array of memory cells100. The array terminal lines (also called array lines) at one layer may be termed word lines or X-lines. The array lines at a vertically adjacent layer may be termed bit lines or Y-lines. A memory cell can be formed at the projected intersection of each word line and each bit line, and connected between the respective intersecting word line and bit line as shown for the formation of memory cell100. A three-dimensional memory array which has at least two levels of memory cells (i.e., two memory planes) may utilize more than one layer of word lines and/or more than one layer of bit lines. A monolithic three dimensional memory array is one in which multiple memory levels are formed above a single substrate, such as a wafer, with no intervening substrates.

FIGS. 2A and 2Bare more detailed depictions of exemplary memory cells that may be used in various embodiments. InFIG. 2A, memory cell120is formed between first and second metal conductive layers110and112. The memory cell includes a p-i-n type diode having a heavily doped n-type region122, intrinsic region124, and a heavily doped p-type region126. In other embodiment, region122can be p-type and region126n-type. Region124is intrinsic, or not intentionally doped, though in some embodiments it may be lightly doped. Undoped regions may not be perfectly electrically neutral, resulting from defects, contaminants, etc. that may cause it to behave as if slightly n-doped or p-doped. Such a diode is still considered a p-i-n type diode having an intrinsic middle layer. Other types of diodes such as p-n junction diodes can also be used.

Between doped p-type region126and conductor110is an anti-fuse128. Anti-fuse128exhibits substantially non-conductive properties in its initial state and substantially conductive properties in its set state. Various types of anti-fuses can be used in accordance with embodiments. In typically fabricated anti-fuses, a large bias applied across the anti-fuse will fuse the forming material causing the anti-fuse to become substantially conductive. This operation is typically referred to as popping the anti-fuse.

Memory cell120further includes a state change element that is formed from one or more layers of the diode. It has been discovered that materials used to form the diodes in some memory cells themselves exhibit resistive change abilities. For example, in one embodiment the intrinsic region of the diode is formed of polysilicon which has demonstrated abilities to be set from a higher resistivity state to a lower resistivity state, and then reset back to a higher resistivity state from the lower resistivity state. Accordingly, the diode itself, or a portion thereof, may also form the state change element104as illustrated inFIG. 1. In other embodiments, one or more additional layers may be included in memory cell120to form a state change element as shown inFIG. 1. For example, an additional layer of polysilicon, transition metal oxide, etc. as described above may be included in the cell to provide a state change memory effect. This additional layer may be included between the diode and conductor112, between the diode and the anti-fuse128, or between the anti-fuse and conductor110.

FIG. 2Billustrates a simple memory cell configuration where an anti-fuse128is not present. Memory cell140simply includes heavily doped n-type region142, intrinsic region144, and heavily doped p-type region146. One or more layers of the diode formed from these regions serves as the memory effect for the cell as described above. Memory cell140could also include other layers to form an additional state change element for the cell in one embodiment.

FIGS. 3A-3Bdepict a portion of an exemplary monolithic three-dimensional memory array as can be used in one embodiment. However, other memory structures can be used in accordance with various embodiments, including two-dimensional memory structures manufactured on, above, or within a semiconductor substrate. Both the word line and bit line layers are shared between memory cells in the structure depicted in the perspective view ofFIG. 3A. This configuration is often referred to as a fully mirrored structure. A plurality of substantially parallel and coplanar conductors form a first set of bit lines162at a first memory level L0. Memory cells152at level L0are formed between these bit lines and adjacent word lines164. In the arrangement ofFIGS. 3A-3B, word lines164are shared between memory layers L0and L1and thus, further connect to memory cells170at memory level L1. A third set of conductors form the bit lines174for these cells at level L1. These bit lines174are in turn shared between memory levels L1and memory level L2, depicted in the cross-sectional view ofFIG. 3B. Memory cells178are connected to bit lines174and word lines176to form the third memory level L2, memory cells182are connected to word lines176and bit lines180to form the fourth memory level L3, and memory cells186are connected to bit lines180and word lines184to form the fifth memory level L5. The arrangement of the diodes' polarity and the respective arrangement of the word lines and bit lines can vary by embodiment. Additionally, more or less than five memory levels can be used.

If p-i-n diodes are used as steering elements for the memory cells in the embodiment ofFIG. 3A, the diodes of memory cells170can be formed upside down relative to the p-i-n diodes of the first level of memory cells152. For example, if cells152include a bottom heavily doped region that is n-type and a top heavily doped region that is p-type, then in the second level of cells170, the bottom heavily doped region may be p-type while the top heavily doped region is n-type.

In an alternative embodiment, an inter-level dielectric can be formed between adjacent memory levels. No conductors are shared between memory levels. This type of structure for three-dimensional monolithic storage memory is often referred to as a non-mirrored structure. In some embodiments, adjacent memory levels that share conductors and adjacent memory levels that do not share conductors can be stacked in the same monolithic three dimensional memory array. In other embodiments, some conductors are shared while others are not. For example, only the word lines or only the bit lines can be shared in some configurations. A first memory level L0can include memory cells between a bit line level BL0and word line level WL0. The word lines at level WL0can be shared to form cells at a memory level L1that connect to a second bit line level BL1. The bit line layers are not shared so the next layer can include an interlayer dielectric to separate bit lines BL1from the next level of conductors. This type of configuration is often referred to as half-mirrored. Memory levels need not all be formed having the same type of memory cell. If desired, memory levels using resistive change materials can alternate with memory levels using other types of memory cells, etc.

In one embodiment as described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,054,219, entitled, “Transistor Layout Configuration for Tight Pitched Memory Array Lines,” word lines are formed using word line segments disposed on different word line layers of the array. The segments can be connected by a vertical connection to form an individual word line. A group of word lines, each residing on a separate layer and substantially vertically-aligned (notwithstanding small lateral offsets on some layers), may be collectively termed a row. The word lines within a row preferably share at least a portion of the row address. Similarly, a group of bit lines, each residing on a separate layer and substantially vertically-aligned (again, notwithstanding small lateral offsets on some layers), may be collectively termed a column. The bit lines within a column preferably share at least a portion of the column address.

FIG. 4is a block diagram of an integrated circuit including a memory array202. The array terminal lines of memory array202include the various layer(s) of word lines organized as rows, and the various layer(s) of bit lines organized as columns. The integrated circuit200includes row control circuitry220whose outputs208are connected to respective word lines of the memory array202. The row control circuitry receives a group of M row address signals and one or more various control signals, and typically may include such circuits as row decoders222, array terminal drivers224, and block select circuitry226for both read and write (i.e., programming) operations. The integrated circuit200also includes column control circuitry210whose input/outputs206are connected to respective bit lines of the memory array202. The column control circuitry206receives a group of N column address signals and one or more various control signals, and typically may include such circuits as column decoders212, array terminal receivers or drivers214, block select circuitry216, as well as read/write circuitry, and I/O multiplexers. Circuits such as the row control circuitry220and the column control circuitry210may be collectively termed control circuitry or array terminal circuits for their connection to the various array terminals of the memory array202.

Integrated circuits incorporating a memory array usually subdivide the array into a sometimes large number of sub-arrays or blocks. Blocks can be further grouped together into bays that contain, for example, 16, 32, or a different number of blocks. As frequently used, a sub-array is a contiguous group of memory cells having contiguous word and bit lines generally unbroken by decoders, drivers, sense amplifiers, and input/output circuits. This is done for any of a variety of reasons. For example, the signal delays traversing down word lines and bit lines which arise from the resistance and the capacitance of such lines (i.e., the RC delays) may be very significant in a large array. These RC delays may be reduced by subdividing a larger array into a group of smaller sub-arrays so that the length of each word line and/or each bit line is reduced. As another example, the power associated with accessing a group of memory cells may dictate an upper limit to the number of memory cells which may be accessed simultaneously during a given memory cycle. Consequently, a large memory array is frequently subdivided into smaller sub-arrays to decrease the number of memory cells which are simultaneously accessed. Nonetheless, for ease of description, an array may also be used synonymously with sub-array to refer to a contiguous group of memory cells having contiguous word and bit lines generally unbroken by decoders, drivers, sense amplifiers, and input/output circuits. An integrated circuit may include one or more than one memory array.

FIG. 5is a graph depicting the distribution of resistance for the states of a set of memory cells in a non-volatile memory system in accordance with one embodiment. The exemplary memory system depicted inFIG. 5utilizes four resistance states, although embodiments in accordance with the present disclosure can be used with systems utilizing a different number and/or combination of resistance states. The virgin (or initial) state of the set of memory cells is depicted by line250. The distribution of resistance for these cells in their initial states after fabrication is shown as a probability function based on the cell's conduction current under a selected voltage bias (e.g., 2V). The virgin state of the cells after fabrication is a higher resistance state, having a conduction current of about 10−10A to 10−9A under the selected voltage.

A popped state of the device is depicted at line252. State252corresponds to a lowest resistance state of the device. The devices in state252exhibit a conduction current of about 10−5A under the applied voltage level of 2V depicted inFIG. 5. Memory cells can be set from their highest resistance initial state to the lowest resistance popped state by popping an anti-fuse in one embodiment. In other embodiments, a resistivity of a resistance change material such as polysilicon or a metal oxide can be switched to set cells into this lower resistance state. In one embodiment, popping an anti-fuse to set devices into a popped state as depicted at line252includes applying a large forward bias to the cells, such as about 8V. Other techniques, bias conditions, and/or voltage levels can also be used for these operations.

Line254depicts the distribution of resistance for the set of memory cells after being reset to a higher resistance reset state from the lower resistance state depicted at line252. Memory cells in this reset state exhibit a conduction current of about 10−8A to 10−7A under the applied 2V voltage level. The reset state is at a lower resistance than the higher resistance initial state but in other embodiments could be at a higher resistance. A reverse bias reset operation as described hereinafter can be used in one embodiment to reset the resistance of the memory cells from state252to state254. For example, the resistivity of a resistivity change material in each cell can be increased by subjecting the memory cells to a reverse bias voltage on the order of about −10V to −12V in one embodiment.

Line256depicts a set state of the memory cells. Memory cells may be set from their higher resistance reset state254to a lower resistance set state256. Memory cells in set state256have a conduction current of about 10−6A under the applied 2V voltage level. The resistance of cells in set state256is higher than that of the cells when in popped state254, but lower than that of the cells in reset state254. A forward bias of about +8V can be used in one embodiment to switch the resistance of a memory cell from reset state254to set state256. In other embodiments, other bias conditions and/or voltage levels can be used for setting the memory cells.

The four resistance states depicted inFIG. 5can be used to form a variety of types of memory systems. In one embodiment, the reset state transition is used for a field-programming operation in a one-time programmable memory array. A memory cell incorporating a resistance change element is factory-set to lower resistance state252from initial state250. The memory array including the memory cell is then provided to an end-user. The lower resistance state obtained by setting the cell from its higher resistance initial state during manufacturing corresponds to a formatted or unprogrammed state of the cell. Circuitry is provided with the memory array to reset selected memory cells to higher resistance state254in accordance with data received from an end-user or host device in communication with the memory cell.

The four resistance states are used to form a multi-state memory system in another embodiment. Memory cells can be programmed from initial state250to any of states252,254, or256(or left in state250) in accordance with user data. Each cell can store 2 bits of data in one such embodiment. A re-writable memory system can be formed in another embodiment. Cells can be set to state256and then reset back to state254multiple times to form a one bit re-writable array. Other types of memory systems can also be used in accordance with embodiments, including by way of non-limiting example, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/496,985, entitled “Multi-Use Memory Cell and Memory Array,” U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/496,874, entitled “Mixed-Use Memory Array,” U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/496,870, entitled “Mixed-Use Memory Array with Different Data States,” and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/496,986, entitled Method For Using A Memory Cell Comprising Switchable Semiconductor Memory Element with Trimmable Resistance.” Biasing arrays of two-terminal memory cells for reading, setting, or resetting states can give rise to program disturbances, read disturbances, as well as high leakage currents that can affect power consumption as well as the reliability of the read and programming operations. For example, when selecting particular memory cells within an array for particular operations, the bias conditions may cause inadvertent leakage currents through unselected memory cells. These leakage currents may be present despite the use of steering elements within the memory array. The diodes of unselected memory cells may conduct small amounts of current when subjected to small positive or negative bias conditions.

Consider a forward bias reset operation implemented in some two-terminal memory arrays as an erase operation, for example. With the steering elements configured from bit line to word line, a large positive bias is created by applying a large voltage to a selected bit line and a low voltage or ground condition to a selected word line. Unselected bit lines may be at a small positive bias and unselected word lines at a large positive bias. With the memory array biased in this manner, unacceptable levels of leakage currents through the half-selected cells along the selected word line or bit line as well as through the unselected cells along an unselected word line and bit line may be present in some cases. Likewise, unacceptable levels of leakage currents may occur during a forward bias set operation as may be used for programming an array of memory cell. The cumulative effect of small leakage currents through unselected cells limits the numbers of selected memory cells that can be operated upon at one time.

It has been discovered that a reverse bias can be applied to memory cells with resistance change elements to alter a detectable resistance of the cell. Materials such as metal oxides, polysilicon, etc. described above, can be reset from a lower resistivity state to a higher resistivity state, for example, by subjecting the material to a voltage pulse that creates a reverse bias across the material. A reverse bias is applied during a reset operation in one embodiment to minimize leakage currents through the memory array. An essentially zero bias can be provided to certain unselected memory cells in some implementations. Because the leakage currents are minimized, a larger number of memory cells can be selected for reset operations. This provides an improvement to operational specifications by decreasing programming and/or erase times. Moreover, the low leakage currents can facilitate more reliable operations by normalizing device performance within expected levels. U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/461,339 entitled “Passive Element Memory Array Incorporating Reversible Polarity Word Line and Bit Line Decoders,” discloses a reverse bias operation that can be used to minimize leakage currents through unselected and half-selected memory cells.

A reset operation is used in one exemplary embodiment to switch selected memory cells from a lower resistivity set state to a higher resistivity initial state. In one embodiment, the reset operation can be used to erase the selected memory cells as may be applicable in a re-writable memory cell, while in another embodiment the reset operation can be used to program the selected memory cells, as may be applicable in a write-once memory implementation such as that described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/461,410, entitled, “High Bandwidth One Time Field-Programmable Memory.”

FIG. 6is a circuit diagram of a portion of a memory array during a reverse bias operation in accordance with one embodiment. The reverse bias conditions can be used to set memory cells to a low resistance state or reset memory cells to a high resistance state. Specific reference to a reset operation may be made hereinafter for convenience but is not meant as a limitation on application of the disclosed biases and techniques. One or more selected word lines are at a positive bias and one or more selected bit lines are at a negative bias. For example, the selected word lines may receive a reset voltage signal VWRof +½VRR, while the selected bit lines are driven at a negative bias of about −½VRRthrough reset voltage signal VBR. VRRis the amount of reverse bias (or negative voltage) needed to reset the memory and can vary by embodiment. In one exemplary implementation VRRis about 12V such that the selected word lines receive +6V and the selected bit lines receive −6V to create the 12V reverse bias level. The unselected word lines and bit lines are both grounded. The steering elements for the selected memory cells (denoted S) are reverse biased, passing a reverse current through the resistance change material for the selected cells. Under this reverse bias condition, the resistance change material switches from a first resistance state to a second resistance state.

The bias conditions depicted inFIG. 6advantageously provide a zero bias condition for the unselected cells (denoted U). Thus, low leakage currents through unselected and half-selected memory cells during program operations can be achieved. F denotes a half selected memory cell along a selected bit line and H denotes a half-selected memory cell along a selected word line. Additionally, the selected levels of +/−½VRRfor the selected array lines provide less load on the driver circuitry necessary to generate the voltage level for the reverse bias reset operation. By splitting the bias using positive and negative voltage levels across the array lines, the driver circuitry need only generate half the overall voltage level required in some implementations.

Other bias conditions may also be used to reverse bias the selected memory cells for a reset operation. In one embodiment for example, a positive voltage bias (e.g., VRR) can be applied to the selected word line and the selected bit line grounded. The unselected word and bit lines each can receive +½VRR. This bias scenario will also provide a reverse bias to the selected memory cells that can be used to switch the cells' resistance. More information regarding reverse bias operations can be found in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/461,339 entitled “Passive Element Memory Array Incorporating Reversible Polarity Word Line and Bit Line Decoders.”

Because the leakage currents are reduced under the reverse bias conditions depicted inFIG. 6, an increased number of cells may be selected during the set or reset operations. For example, in one embodiment including 32 sense amplifiers connected to a block of cells by source selection buses where each bay includes 16 blocks, one (or in other cases more than one) block from each bay of many bays in the memory (e.g., 16 to 2048 bays or more) may be selected during a reset operation while maintaining reasonable levels of reverse current leakage. U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/461,359 entitled “Memory Array Incorporating Two Data Busses for Memory Array Block Selection,” and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/461,362 entitled “Hierarchical Bit Line Bias Bus for Block Selectable Memory Array,” describe techniques for increased parallel access to a memory array such as array302.

FIG. 7Adepicts an embodiment of a portion of row control circuitry220that can be used to apply the reverse bias conditions ofFIG. 6. Row decoder422corresponds to a selected word line during the set or reset operation and outputs ground to the NMOS/PMOS word line driver circuitry (e.g.,224inFIG. 4). The ground input for the driver circuitry turns on the upper PMOS devices402and404. The ground input causes the driver circuitry to pass the reverse source selection bus signals VWRand GND to the selected word line and each half-selected word line associated with decoder422, respectively. Each row decoder423corresponding to an unselected word line outputs VWRto its respective driver circuitry, as depicted inFIG. 7B. The positive bias of VWRturns on the NMOS devices416and418of the driver circuitry of the unselected word lines. Accordingly, the source selection bus levels (all GND) are selected and driven on each corresponding unselected word line. In one embodiment, the word line reverse voltage VWRis equal to about +½VRRas previously described. VWRcan provide other voltage levels as well. For example, one or more reverse voltage pulses having a sloped pulse (e.g., beginning at +½VRRand increasing thereafter) as described hereinafter can be provided for the operation.

FIGS. 8A and 8Bare circuit diagrams of a portion of column control circuitry210that can be used to apply the bias conditions for the reverse set or reset operation. Column decoder512controls a selected bit line driver to provide the selected bit line voltage pulse VBR. VBRprovides a voltage pulse of −½VRRin one embodiment. Column decoder512can be shared across multiple bit line drivers (e.g.,24) and also connect the half-selected bit lines to ground bias just prior to application of the pulses. The half-selected bit lines float near ground during the application of the pulse. The large number of unselected cells on half-selected bit lines provide a leakage current that keeps half-selected bit lines near ground. The memory cells sharing a column decoder with the selected bit line may be half-selected memory cells during an operation in one embodiment. The cells may connect to the selected word line during the operation for example. The selected column decoder512outputs GND to the input of the driver circuitry for the column decoder. The GND input at the NMOS/PMOS pair of the driver circuitry will turn on the lower NMOS device506. The reverse source selection bus level VBRis passed to the selected bit line. Unselected row decoder513provides VBRto the gates of its respective driver circuitry, which selects the PMOS devices at the top of each driver pair. The source selection bus signal levels (all at GND) are provided to each unselected word line corresponding to decoder513.

More details regarding driver and control circuitry for controlling a memory array, including a dual bus architecture suitable for implementing data dependent selection of both selected and unselected word and/or bit lines in one embodiment, can be found in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/461,352 entitled “Dual Data-Dependent Busses for Coupling Read/Write Circuits to a Memory Array,” by Roy E. Scheuerlein and Luca G. Fasoli.

Differences in device characteristics can affect the erase behavior of individual memory cells within memory array302during the set and reset operations. Memory cells may have different dimensions that result from the fabrication process. The material compositions, for example polysilicon material, between devices may lack certain uniformity. This results in some cells that may switch resistance at a lower voltage bias and other cells that may switch resistance at a higher voltage bias, when compared with the nominal level of an average cell in the array. To adequately set or reset an array of memory cells in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure, including variances among individual memory cells, at least one voltage pulse applied to the selected memory cells of the array during a set or reset operation has an amplitude with a changing slope to gradually increase the bias applied to the selected memory cells. A voltage pulse having a changing amplitude can be applied under a forward bias or a reverse bias in embodiments. Cells requiring a larger reset voltage level will reset at the higher reverse bias after the amplitude of the voltage pulse has changed while cells only requiring a lower reset voltage level will reset at a smaller level of reverse bias.

This technique accommodates variances between devices while also providing an efficient process that will not damage the devices being reset. Because a single reset voltage pulse can be applied to create a range of bias conditions, time-consuming verify operations are avoided or minimized. The single pulse can be applied across each cell while the amplitude changes to increase the bias. When switching cells from low resistance to high resistance, cells that reset at lower values of the reset voltage pulse will automatically turn-off when they reset to the higher resistance state. The higher resistance after reset will decrease or stop the current flow through these devices, ensuring that they are not damaged by the higher values of reset voltage.

FIGS. 9A-9Bdepict voltage signals in accordance with one embodiment that can be applied to selected word lines and bit lines, respectively, during a reverse bias operation as shown inFIG. 6. A word line voltage signal VWRis depicted inFIG. 9Athat rises to a maximum value of about +½VRR(e.g., +6V) for the duration of the portion of the operation depicted. A bit line voltage signal VBRis depicted inFIG. 9Bhaving a starting value of −½VRRfor each reset voltage pulse. The signal on the bit line has an amplitude that changes according to a substantially constant slope. InFIG. 9B, the bit line voltage signal increases from an initial value of about −½VRRto an ending value of about −(½VRR+2V). The magnitude of the amplitude for each negative bit line pulse increases by about 2V (to −8V for example) to gradually increase the reverse bias applied across the selected portion of the array. The amplitude of the VBRpulse is limited to the VBRbias level shown by the dotted line inFIG. 9Bby the output of a charge pump circuit as shown inFIG. 10B. The VBRbias level returns to its initial value between application of the VBRpulses by controlling counter712inFIG. 10B.

With the diodes of each memory cell aligned as shown inFIG. 6from bit line to word line, the constant value of the word line reset voltage signal and the increasing negative voltage of the bit line reset voltage signal increases the reverse bias applied to each memory cell along the selected bit line and selected word line. Multiple pulses are shown for the bit line reset voltage signal as may be used to individually reset smaller portions of the array. For example, a first reset voltage pulse may be applied to one bit line in each of several selected blocks (sub-arrays) and a second pulse applied to a second bit line in each of the several selected blocks. More reset pulses are applied to yet more bit lines until all the data supplied by the user is encoded. This technique may require 16 to 64 or more reset voltage pulses inversely dependent on how many blocks are used to store a page of user data. Other selection and grouping schemes can be used which will require different numbers of reset voltage pulses. WhileFIGS. 9A-9Bare described with respect to a reverse bias operation, they can be applied in a forward bias scenario. For example, if the orientation of the steering element from bit line to word line inFIG. 6were reversed, a forward bias could be applied to the cells using these pulses. In another embodiment, the polarity of one or more of the pulses can be changed to provide a forward bias.

The starting and ending values for VBRcan vary by implementation. In one embodiment, statistical data or experimentation is used to select the optimal starting and ending values for each pulse. For example, the initial value of the pulse may be chosen to create a reverse bias determined to be the minimum any cell will need before resetting from the lower resistance state to the higher resistance state. The ending value of each pulse may be chosen to create the largest reverse bias typically needed to reset any cell of the array. By gradually applying an increasing reverse bias, the memory cells that reset at a lower reset reverse bias level can avoid being damaged at the increased reverse bias levels. When a memory cell resets to the higher resistance reset state, it will conduct less current and behave in a self-limiting manner. It will turn itself off or stop conducting to a sufficient extent when it has successfully reset. This self-limiting cutoff will avoid damage under the reverse bias conditions. It is noted that gradually increasing the amplitude of a reset pulse from a starting value to a larger ending value to thereby increase the reverse bias for selected memory cells does not have the same electrical effects as applying a constant pulse with a larger starting value. A pulse having a larger starting value may damage the material forming the resistance change element or cause a permanent shift in resistance. Therefore, one embodiment of the disclosed technology utilizes a sloped reverse reset pulse to successfully and safely erase memory cells having different device characteristics.

A portion of row control circuitry and column control circuitry that can provide the voltage signals ofFIGS. 9A-9Bare depicted inFIGS. 10A and 10B, respectively. A charge pump706inFIG. 10Aprovides the reverse reset VWRbias level through row circuitry including a reverse source selection bus pulse generator to the reverse source selection bus (e.g., bus430inFIGS. 7A-8B) and directly to row decoder circuits (e.g., decoder222inFIG. 4). Reference voltage generator702receives a supply voltage VCCand provides a reference voltage Vrefto charge pump controller704. Using a feedback signal from the output of charge pump706, the controller can provide a starting VWRbias level of about ½VRRas needed.

The column control circuitry depicted inFIG. 10Butilizes a counter712and digital to analog converter714to generate the bit line reset voltage VBRbias level having a negative sloped pulse output (negative level and slope). Counter712receives a pulse start time and using a clock signal, provides a pulsed input to DAC714to generate a analog sloped pulse output. DAC714receives the digital input and provides voltage levels to the charge pump controller. Charge pump718generates a negative bit line reset voltage VBRbias level that increases according to a substantially constant and negative slope produced from the counter. The amplitude of the negative voltage VBRbias level increases according the defined slope to gradually increase the reverse bias applied across the memory array.

An alternative set of voltage signals for applying the reverse bias ofFIG. 6is depicted inFIGS. 11A and 11B. A positive voltage pulse VWRis applied to the selected word line(s) and increased according to a positive slope. A negative bit line voltage pulse VBRis applied on the selected bit line(s). Each word line voltage pulse begins at a starting value of about +5V and increases by 2V to around +7V. The magnitude of the VWRpulse is limited to the VWRbias level from the output of the charge pump circuit and is shown by the dotted line inFIG. 11A. The combination of the word line and bit line reset pulses will provide an increasing reverse bias across each selected memory cell. Additional bit line reset voltage pulses are depicted as may be used to set or reset additional groupings of bit lines. As withFIGS. 9A-9B, the pulses ofFIGS. 11A-11Bcan be used to create a forward bias in some embodiments. In another embodiment, the pulses are not sloped. For example, a first voltage pulse having a negative polarity can be applied to a first array line and a second voltage pulse having a positive polarity applied to a second array line to create a reverse bias. This arrangement can also switch the resistance of the memory cells, but does not include a slope on the pulses or a resulting shift in the bias applied.

The embodiment ofFIGS. 11A and 11Bincludes a retry technique using a slightly higher reset pulse level determined by the VWRbias level for memory cells that do not switch under application of the initial voltage pulse. For example, the results of resetting a selected portion of the array can be verified after applying the last reset voltage pulses804and814. A verify operation can include reading back the resistive state of the memory cell and comparing it with the predefined level for the reset state. Any columns or bit lines that are not reset can be subjected to a retry pulse at a higher level. The starting value of the word line voltage pulse806is increased to 7V and increases to a level of 9V. The value of any retry pulse may vary by embodiment and can be selected based on statistical data and/or testing as previously described. InFIGS. 11A and 11B, the retry pulse is applied to each bit line of the array that fails to verify for a reset state. In other embodiment, a retry pulses (or multiple pulses) can be applied after individual applications of the initial reset voltage pulses. If a column or other grouping of cells fails to verify for the target resistive state after a retry pulse (or multiple retry pulses), they can be handled using error correction control techniques or replaced with redundant memory cells.

FIGS. 12A and 12Bdepict portions of the row and column control circuitry that can be used to provide the pulses ofFIGS. 11A and 11Bin accordance with one embodiment. The selected word lines provide a positive signal in this embodiment having an amplitude that increases according to a positive slope. A counter904and digital to analog converter906are utilized when driving charge pump controller908. Controller908uses the analog output of DAC906and creates a positively sloped VWRbias level via charge pump910. The output of charge pump910is applied directly to the word line decoders and through reverse source selection bus pulse generation circuitry to the reverse source selection bus line. A portion of the column control circuitry210for providing the negative VBRbias level is depicted inFIG. 12B. A reference voltage generator914delivers a reference voltage Vrefto charge pump controller916. The controller utilizes a feedback loop from the output of charge pump918to maintain a steady value of VBRbias level for the bit line voltage signal.

FIG. 13depicts an exemplary circuit topology850as can be used for setting or resetting memory cells. In a reverse bias reset operation, for example, circuit850applies the reverse reset VBRBias Level through current limiting devices858and856to a reverse source selection bus pulse generator860and on to the reverse source selection bus532. In this circuit850, the pulse amplitude, pulse width (duration) and current limit for the selected bit line are controlled to particular values. In some embodiments, the pulse generator860includes snapback prevention series devices to allow the pulse control while the VBRBias Level is at high voltage. A diode current bias signal859coupled to NMOS transistor858provides the desired current limit on the selected bit line. A precharge device856functions to precharge the selection path to enhance performance, responsive to an BLP precharge signal857. An analogous circuit supplies the voltage denoted “Set Bias Level” and current to the bit line for the set operations. The dual bit line source selection buses sometimes referred to as SELB and SELN are described in more detail in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/461,352 entitled “Dual Data-Dependent Busses for Coupling Read/Write Circuits to a Memory Array.”

Also as shown inFIG. 13, the reset voltage VWRBias Level drives the reverse source selection bus pulse generator870for word lines208. In some embodiments the pulse generator comprises snapback prevention series devices to allow the pulse control while the VWRBias Level is at high voltage. The output of the pulse generator drives the reverse source selection bus for word lines430, which drives the selected word line208through the word line driver circuitry224as prviously described. Both the pulse height and pulse width of the VWRpulse for the selected word line are controlled to particular values.

FIG. 14is a flowchart of a sloped pulse reverse bias reset operation in accordance with one embodiment. The method of claim14can also be used to provide a reverse bias set operation in one embodiment. The row and column control circuitry receive control signals as well as row and column address information, respectively, at step950. The control circuitry selects a portion of the cells to be reset in some implementations rather than erasing a large section of selected memory cells at once. For example, some implementations may reset the memory cells of one or a few rows within one sub-array from each bay in the memory device. In other implementations, other selected sets of memory cells can be erased, including every memory cell in a sub-array, for example.

A first bit line reset voltage pulse VBRand/or word line reset voltage pulse VWRis applied at step952. Terminal driver circuitry and block selector(s) in the control circuitry drive the appropriate levels on the selected and unselected lines at step952. If reset voltage pulse signals VWRand VBRas shown inFIGS. 9A and 9Bare used, the increasing selected word line positive voltage pulse will increase the reverse bias applied across each selected memory cell. Step954depicts the increasing reverse bias applied to the selected memory cells by virtue of the increasing magnitude of the reset voltage pulse(s). At step956, it is determined if additional portions of the array are to receive an initial reset voltage pulse. If so, another pulse is applied at step952to the selected array lines.

If each designated cell has undergone an application of the reverse bias reset voltage provided by the selected word and bit line bias, the method proceeds to step958where a verification operation can be performed for each group of memory cells. Each memory cell can be read back for the designated reset state using current, voltage, or other sensing techniques. U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/461,343 entitled “Apparatus for Reading a Multi-Level Passive Element Memory Cell Array,” describes suitable reading techniques that may be used for a read back operation to verify the reset state. If any cells are not adequately reset (e.g. at a large enough resistance) as determined at step960, their corresponding block can be flagged for application of a retry pulse at step964. A single retry pulse is applied at an increased level at964in one embodiment. Multiple retry pulses can be used in other embodiments. Either the bit line reset voltage VBRbias level or the word line reset voltage VWRbias level can be increased to provide a larger reverse bias across the memory cells receiving the retry pulse. After applying the retry pulse at964, an additional verification can optionally be performed at step966. Error correction codes or redundancy can be used at step968for any cells that fail to reset after application of the retry pulse. In other embodiments, additional retry pulses may be applied at even higher levels for cells that continue to fail to reset. In some embodiments, no retry pulses are used. After verifying at step960and966, or handling unverified cells at step968, the method is complete at step962.

In one or more embodiments, the method ofFIG. 14can be modified according to various implementation considerations. In one embodiment, the pulses applied at step952include a positive voltage on a first selected array line and a negative voltage on a corresponding second selected array line. These pulses may or may not have a sloped pulse. In another embodiment, the polarity of the pulses or the arrangement of the steering elements of a memory cell can be modified to a provide a forward bias operation according to the described method.