Semiconductor device
First Claim
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1. A semiconductor memory array comprising:
- a plurality of memory cells arranged in a matrix of rows and columns, the plurality of memory cells include a first memory cell and a second memory cell, wherein the first and second memory cells each include at least a transistor to constitute the memory cell and wherein the transistor includes;
a source region;
a drain region;
a body region disposed between the source region and the drain region, wherein the body region is electrically floating; and
a gate disposed over the body region; and
wherein each memory cell includes;
a first data state representative of a first charge in the body region; and
a second data state representative of a second charge in the body region wherein the second charge is substantially provided by removing charge from the body region through the source region; and
wherein the source region of the transistor of the first memory cell and the source region of the transistor of the second memory cell are the same region.
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Abstract
A semiconductor device, such as a memory device or radiation detector, is disclosed, in which data storage cells are formed on a substrate. Each of the data storage cells includes a field effect transistor having a source, drain, and gate, and a body arranged between the source and drain for storing electrical charge generated in the body. The magnitude of the net electrical charge in the body can be adjusted by input signals applied to the transistor, and the adjustment of the net electrical charge by the input signals can be at least partially cancelled by applying electrical voltage signals between the gate and the drain and between the source and the drain.
352 Citations
36 Claims
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1. A semiconductor memory array comprising:
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a plurality of memory cells arranged in a matrix of rows and columns, the plurality of memory cells include a first memory cell and a second memory cell, wherein the first and second memory cells each include at least a transistor to constitute the memory cell and wherein the transistor includes;
a source region;
a drain region;
a body region disposed between the source region and the drain region, wherein the body region is electrically floating; and
a gate disposed over the body region; and
wherein each memory cell includes;
a first data state representative of a first charge in the body region; and
a second data state representative of a second charge in the body region wherein the second charge is substantially provided by removing charge from the body region through the source region; and
wherein the source region of the transistor of the first memory cell and the source region of the transistor of the second memory cell are the same region. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A semiconductor memory array comprising:
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a plurality of memory cells arranged in a matrix of rows and columns, the plurality of memory cell include a first memory cell and a second memory cell, wherein the first and second memory cells each include at least a transistor to constitute the memory cell wherein the transistor includes;
a source region having impurities to provide a first conductivity type;
a drain region having impurities to provide the first conductivity type;
a body region disposed between the source region and the drain region wherein the body region is electrically floating and includes impurities to provide a second conductivity type wherein the second conductivity type is different than the first conductivity type;
a gate disposed over the body region; and
wherein each memory cell includes;
a first data state representative of a first charge in the body region wherein the first charge is substantially provided by impact ionization; and
a second data state representative of a second charge in the body region wherein the second charge is substantially provided by removing charge from the body region through the source region; and
wherein the source region of the transistor of the first memory cell and the source region of the transistor of the second memory cell are the same region. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. A semiconductor memory array comprising:
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a plurality of memory cells, arranged in a matrix of rows and columns, including a first memory cell and a second memory cell, wherein the first and second memory cells each include at least a transistor to constitute the memory cell wherein the transistor includes;
a source region having impurities to provide a first conductivity type;
a drain region having impurities to provide the first conductivity type;
a body region disposed between the source region and the drain region wherein the body region is electrically floating and includes impurities to provide a second conductivity type wherein the second conductivity type is different than the first conductivity type;
a gate spaced apart from, and capacitively coupled to, the body region; and
wherein each memory cell includes;
a first data state representative of a first charge in the body; and
a second data state representative of a second charge in the body region wherein the second charge is substantially provided by removing charge from the body region through the source region; and
wherein the source region of the transistor of the first memory cell and the source region of the transistor of the second memory cell are the same source region. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36)
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Specification