Abstract: A processing apparatus is provided. The processing apparatus includes a processing portion, an actuator, a casing, a preload mechanism, a force sensor, and a detection unit. The processing portion includes a cutting edge. The actuator is configured to cause the processing portion to vibrate microscopically. The casing is configured to accommodate the actuator. The preload mechanism is disposed inside the casing and configured to impart a preload to the actuator. The force sensor is disposed between the cutting edge and the preload mechanism. The detection unit detects a cutting force of the processing portion based on an output of the force sensor.

Abstract: Provided is a tunneling insulating layer, a flash memory device including the same that increases a program/erase operation speed of the flash memory device and has improved data retention in order to increase reliability of the flash memory device, a memory card and system including the flash memory device, and methods of manufacturing the same. A tunneling insulating layer may include a first region and a second region on the first region, wherein the first region has a first nitrogen atomic percent, the second region has a second nitrogen atomic percent, and the second nitrogen atomic percent is less than the first nitrogen atomic percent.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate having a surface, buried isolation regions protruding from the surface of the semiconductor substrate, and a first insulating layer on the surface of the semiconductor substrate between the isolation regions and including a fluorine, nitrogen, and/or heavy hydrogen impurity. A floating electrode is on the first insulating layer, a second insulating layer is on the floating electrode and the isolation regions, and a control gate electrode is on the second insulating layer. Related methods of forming semiconductor devices are also disclosed.

Abstract: Methods of forming an insulating film include forming an insulating film on a substrate. A first impurity is injected into the insulating film using a thermal process under a first set of processing conditions to form a first impurity concentration peak in a lower portion of the insulating film. A second impurity is injected into the insulating film using the thermal process under a second set of processing conditions, different from the first set of processing conditions, to form a second impurity concentration peak in an upper portion of the insulating film. Injecting the first impurity and injecting the second impurity may be carried out without using plasma and the first impurity concentration peak may be higher than the second impurity concentration peak.

Abstract: Fabrication of a nonvolatile memory device includes sequentially forming a tunnel oxide layer, a first conductive layer, and a nitride layer on a semiconductor substrate. A stacked pattern is formed from the tunnel oxide layer, the first conductive layer, and the nitride layer and a trench is formed in the semiconductor substrate adjacent to the stacked pattern. An oxidation process is performed to form a sidewall oxide layer on a sidewall of the trench and the first conductive layer. Chlorine is introduced into at least a portion of the stacked pattern subjected to the oxidation process. Introducing Cl into the stacked pattern may at least partially cure defects that are caused therein during fabrication of the structure.

Abstract: In a method of forming a thin-film structure employed in a non-volatile semiconductor device, an oxide film is formed on a substrate. An upper nitride film is formed on the oxide film by nitrifying an upper portion of the oxide film through a plasma nitration process. A lower nitride film is formed between the substrate and the oxide film by nitrifying a lower portion of the oxide film through a thermal nitration process. A damage to the thin-film structure generated in the plasma nitration process may be at least partially cured in the thermal nitration process, and/or may be cured in a post-thermal treatment process.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a non-volatile memory device, includes forming a tunnel isolation layer comprising an oxynitride on a substrate by a simultaneous oxidation and nitridation treatment in which an oxidation process and a nitridation process are simultaneously performed using a processing gas including oxygen and nitrogen. The method further includes performing first and second heat treatments to remove defect sites from the tunnel isolation layer in gas atmospheres including nitrogen (N) and chlorine (Cl), respectively and forming a gate structure on the tunnel isolation layer after the second heat treatment, and forming source/drain regions at surface portions of the substrate adjacent to the gate structure.

Abstract: Methods of manufacturing non-volatile memory devices are disclosed which may at least partially cure etch damage and may at least partially remove defect sites in gate structures of the devices caused during manufacturing of the devices. An exemplary method of manufacturing a non-volatile memory device includes forming a gate structure on a substrate, the gate structure including a control gate electrode, a blocking layer pattern, a floating gate electrode, and a tunnel insulating layer pattern. An oxidation process is performed that at least partially cures damage caused to the substrate and to the gate structure during formation of the gate structure. A first heat treatment is performed under a gas atmosphere including nitrogen to at least partially remove defect sites on the gate structure caused by the oxidation process. A second heat treatment is performed under a gas atmosphere including chlorine to at least partially remove remaining defect sites on the gate structure caused by the oxidation process.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate having a surface, buried isolation regions protruding from the surface of the semiconductor substrate, and a first insulating layer on the surface of the semiconductor substrate between the isolation regions and including a fluorine, nitrogen, and/or heavy hydrogen impurity. A floating electrode is on the first insulating layer, a second insulating layer is on the floating electrode and the isolation regions, and a control gate electrode is on the second insulating layer. Related methods of forming semiconductor devices are also disclosed.

Abstract: In a method of forming an insulation structure, at least one oxide layer is formed on an object by at least one oxidation process, and then at least one nitride layer is formed from the oxide layer by at least one nitration process. An edge portion of the insulation structure may have a thickness substantially the same as that of a central portion of the insulation structure so that the insulation structure may have a uniform thickness and improved insulation characteristics. When the insulation structure is employed as a tunnel insulation layer of a semiconductor device, the semiconductor device may have enhanced endurance and improved electrical characteristics because a threshold voltage distribution of cells in the semiconductor device may become uniform.

Abstract: In a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device for use in such applications as a flash memory device, a field insulating pattern defines an opening that exposes an active region of a semiconductor substrate. The field insulating pattern includes a first portion protruding from the substrate and a second portion buried in the substrate. An oxide layer is formed on the active region by an oxidation process using a reactive plasma including an oxygen radical and a conductive layer is then formed on the oxide layer to sufficiently fill up the opening. The oxide layer is formed by an oxidation reaction of a surface portion of the active region with the oxygen radical having a relatively low activation energy, resulting in an improved thickness uniformity of the oxide layer. As a result, various performance characteristics of the semiconductor device when used in flash memory and similar applications are improved.

Abstract: In a semiconductor device and a method of manufacturing the semiconductor device, preliminary isolation regions having protruded upper portions are formed on a substrate to define an active region. After an insulation layer is formed on the active region, a first conductive layer is formed on the insulation layer. The protruded upper portions of the preliminary isolation regions are removed to form isolation regions on the substrate and to expose sidewalls of the first conductive layer, and compensation members are formed on edge portions of the insulation layer. The compensation members may complement the edge portions of the insulation layer that have thicknesses substantially thinner than that of a center portion of the insulation layer, and may prevent deterioration of the insulation layer. Furthermore, the first conductive layer having a width substantially greater than that of the active region may enhance a coupling ratio of the semiconductor device.

Abstract: In a method of forming a thin-film structure employed in a non-volatile semiconductor device, an oxide film is formed on a substrate. An upper nitride film is formed on the oxide film by nitrifying an upper portion of the oxide film through a plasma nitration process. A lower nitride film is formed between the substrate and the oxide film by nitrifying a lower portion of the oxide film through a thermal nitration process. A damage to the thin-film structure generated in the plasma nitration process may be at least partially cured in the thermal nitration process, and/or may be cured in a post-thermal treatment process.