Abstract: The present invention provides a bipolar transistor located on a semiconductor wafer substrate. The bipolar transistor may comprise a collector located in the semiconductor wafer substrate, a base located in the collector, and an emitter located on the base and in contact with at least a portion of the base, wherein the emitter has a low K layer located therein. The low K layer may be, for example, located proximate a side of the emitter, or it may be located proximate opposing sides of the emitter. In all embodiments, however, the low K layer does not interfere with the proper functioning of the bipolar transistor, and substantially reduces the emitter-base capacitance typically associated with conventional bipolar transistors.

Abstract: In a nonvolatile memory, a floating gate (124) is covered with ONO (98), and a control gate polysilicon layer (124) is formed on the ONO. After the control gate is patterned, the control gate sidewalls are oxidized to form a protective layer (101) of silicon dioxide. This oxide protects the control gate polysilicon during a subsequent etch of the silicon nitride portion (98.2) of the ONO. Therefore, the silicon nitride can be removed with an isotropic etch. A potential damage to the substrate isolation dielectric (210) is therefore reduced. Other embodiments are also provided.