With Charge Trapping Gate Insulator (e.g., Mnos-memory Transistors) (epo) Patents (Class 257/E29.309)
  • Patent number: 8569828
    Abstract: A nonvolatile semiconductor storage device including a number of memory cells formed on a semiconductor substrate, each of the memory cells has a tunnel insulating film, a charge storage layer, a block insulating film, and a gate electrode which are formed in sequence on the substrate. The gate electrode is structured such that at least first and second gate electrode layers are stacked. The dimension in the direction of gate length of the second gate electrode layer, which is formed on the first gate electrode layer, is smaller than the dimension in the direction of gate length of the first gate electrode layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventor: Toshitake Yaegashi
  • Patent number: 8569825
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a manufacturing method of a nonvolatile semiconductor storage device, includes: forming a plurality of structures above a semiconductor substrate, each of the plurality of structures being such that in a stacked film where a plurality of first semiconductor films and a plurality of second semiconductor films are stacked alternately at least the second semiconductor films are held by a semiconductor or conductor pillar member via a gate dielectric film; selectively removing the first semiconductor films from the stacked film while maintaining a state where the second semiconductor films are held by the pillar member for each of the structures; oxidizing an exposed surface for each of the structures after removing the first semiconductor films; and embedding an inter-layer dielectric film between the plurality of structures in which the exposed surface is oxidized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventor: Toshihiko Iinuma
  • Patent number: 8569827
    Abstract: Three-dimensional (3D) nonvolatile memory devices include a substrate having a well region of second conductivity type (e.g., P-type) therein and a common source region of first conductivity type (e.g., N-type) on the well region. A recess is provided, which extends partially (or completely) through the common source region. A vertical stack of nonvolatile memory cells are provided on the substrate. This vertical stack of nonvolatile memory cells includes a vertical stack of spaced-apart gate electrodes and a vertical active region, which extends on sidewalls of the vertical stack of spaced-apart gate electrodes and on a sidewall of the recess. Gate dielectric layers are provided, which extend between respective ones of the vertical stack of spaced-apart gate electrodes and the vertical active region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Changhyun Lee, Byoungkeun Son, Hyejin Cho
  • Patent number: 8564042
    Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention is directed to a memory cell. The memory cell includes a first charge storage element and a second charge storage element, wherein the first and second charge storage elements include nitrides. The memory cell further includes an insulating layer formed between the first and second charge storage elements. The insulating layer provides insulation between the first and second charge storage elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: Spansion LLC
    Inventors: Fred Cheung, Hiroyuki Kinoshita, Chungho Lee, Yu Sun, Chi Chang
  • Patent number: 8564045
    Abstract: Memory arrays and methods of their formation are disclosed. One such memory array has memory-cell strings are formed adjacent to separated substantially vertical, adjacent semiconductor structures, where the separated semiconductor structures couple the memory cells of the respective strings in series. For some embodiments, two dielectric pillars may be formed from a dielectric formed in a single opening, where each of the dielectric pillars has a pair of memory-cell strings adjacent thereto and where at least one memory cell of one of the strings on one of the pillars and at least one memory cell of one of the strings on the other pillar are commonly coupled to an access line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Zengtao Liu
  • Patent number: 8557661
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device comprises forming memory cells on a memory cell region, alternately forming a sacrificial layer and an insulating interlayer on a connection region for providing wirings configured to electrically connect the memory cells, forming an etching mask pattern including etching mask pattern elements on a top sacrificial layer, forming blocking sidewalls on either sidewalls of each of the etching mask pattern element, forming a first photoresist pattern selectively exposing a first blocking sidewall furthermost from the memory cell region and covering the other blocking sidewalls, etching the exposed top sacrificial layer and an insulating interlayer to expose a second sacrificial layer, forming a second photoresist pattern by laterally removing the first photoresist pattern to the extent that a second blocking sidewall is exposed, and etching the exposed top and second sacrificial layers and the insulating interlayers to form a staircase shaped side edge portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Han-Geun Yu, Gyung-Jin Min, Seong-Soo Lee, Suk-Ho Joo, Yoo-Chul Kong, Dae-Hyun Jang
  • Publication number: 20130264633
    Abstract: A first conductive layer and an underlying charge storage layer are patterned to form a control gate in an NVM region. A first dielectric layer and barrier layer are formed over the control gate. A sacrificial layer is formed over the barrier layer and planarized. A first patterned masking layer is formed over the sacrificial layer and control gate in the NVM region which defines a select gate location laterally adjacent the control gate in the NVM region. A second masking layer is formed in the logic region which defines a logic gate location. Exposed portions of the sacrificial layer are removed such that a first portion remains at the select gate location. A second dielectric layer is formed over the first portion and planarized to expose the first portion. The first portion is removed to result in an opening at the select gate location which exposes the barrier layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2012
    Publication date: October 10, 2013
    Inventors: MARK D. HALL, MEHUL D. SHROFF
  • Publication number: 20130264631
    Abstract: A three dimensional memory device including a substrate and a semiconductor channel. At least one end portion of the semiconductor channel extends substantially perpendicular to a major surface of the substrate. The device also includes at least one charge storage region located adjacent to semiconductor channel and a plurality of control gate electrodes having a strip shape extending substantially parallel to the major surface of the substrate. The plurality of control gate electrodes include at least a first control gate electrode located in a first device level and a second control gate electrode located in a second device level. Each of the plurality of control gate electrodes includes a first edge surface which is substantially free of silicide, the first edge surface facing the semiconductor channel and the at least one charge storage region and a silicide located on remaining surfaces of the control gate electrode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2012
    Publication date: October 10, 2013
    Applicant: SanDisk Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Johann Alsmeier, Peter Rabkin
  • Patent number: 8552537
    Abstract: A semiconductor device according to an embodiment, includes a dielectric film and an Si semiconductor part. The dielectric film is formed by using one of oxide, nitride and oxynitride. The Si semiconductor part is arranged below the dielectric film, having at least one element of sulfur (S), selenium (Se), and tellurium (Te) present in an interface with the dielectric film, and formed by using silicon (Si).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Tatsuo Shimizu, Satoshi Itoh, Hideyuki Nishizawa
  • Patent number: 8546870
    Abstract: A semiconductor device and a method of fabricating the same are provided. The semiconductor device includes a first dielectric pattern, a data storage pattern and a second dielectric pattern, which are sequentially stacked on a semiconductor substrate. A first conductive pattern is provided on the second dielectric pattern. A second conductive pattern having a greater width than the first conductive pattern is provided on the first conductive pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ju-Hyung Kim, Chang-Seok Kang, Sung-Il Chang, Young-Woo Park, Jung-Dal Choi
  • Patent number: 8546872
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a memory device includes a semiconductor substrate, first, second, third and fourth fin-type stacked layer structures, each having memory strings stacked in a first direction perpendicular to a surface of the semiconductor substrate, and each extending to a second direction parallel to the surface of the semiconductor substrate, a first part connected to first ends in the second direction of the first and second fin-type stacked layer structures each other, a second part connected to first ends in the second direction of the third and fourth fin-type stacked layer structures each other, a third part connected to second ends in the second direction of the first and third fin-type stacked layer structures each other, and a fourth part connected to second ends in the second direction of the second and fourth fin-type stacked layer structures each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Kiwamu Sakuma, Atsuhiro Kinoshita
  • Patent number: 8546867
    Abstract: A technique capable of improving the reliability of a non-volatile memory semiconductor device is provided and, in particular, a technique capable of supplying electricity without fail to a memory gate electrode of split gate transistor is provided. One end of an electricity supply line ESL is arranged over a terminal end TE1 and the other end thereof is arranged over a terminal end TE2, and further, the central portion of the electricity supply line ESL is arranged over a dummy part DMY. That is, the terminal end TE1, the terminal end TE2, and the dummy part DMY have substantially the same height, and therefore, most of the electricity supply line ESL arranged from over the terminal end TE1 to over the terminal end TE2 via the dummy part DMY is formed so as to have the same height.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: Renesas Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Hiraku Chakihara, Tsutomu Okazaki
  • Patent number: 8546226
    Abstract: A method for fabricating a silicon-oxide-nitride-oxide-silicon (SONOS) non-volatile memory cell, wherein the method comprises steps as following: a pad oxide layer and a first hard mask layer are sequentially formed on a substrate. The pad oxide layer and the first hard mask layer are then etched through to form an opening exposing a portion of the substrate. Subsequently, an oxide-nitride-oxide (ONO) structure with a size substantially less than or equal to the opening is formed to coincide with the portion of the substrate exposed from the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: United Microelectronics Corp.
    Inventors: Chih-Ming Wang, Ping-Chia Shih, Chun-Sung Huang, Chi-Cheng Huang, Hsiang-Chen Lee, Chih-Hung Lin, Yau-Kae Sheu
  • Patent number: 8546868
    Abstract: A MONOS type non-volatile semiconductor memory device which is capable of electrically writing, erasing, reading and retaining data, the memory device including source/drain regions, a first gate insulating layer, a first charge trapping layer formed on the first gate insulating layer, a second gate insulating layer formed on the first charge trapping layer, and a controlling electrode formed on the second gate insulating layer. The first charge trapping layer includes an insulating film containing Al and O as major elements and having a defect pair formed of a complex of an interstitial O atom and a tetravalent cationic atom substituting for an Al atom, the insulating film also having electron unoccupied levels within the range of 2 eV-6 eV as measured from the valence band maximum of Al2O3.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Yasushi Nakasaki, Koichi Muraoka, Naoki Yasuda, Shoko Kikuchi
  • Patent number: 8546224
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a twin bit cell structure with an aluminum oxide material includes forming a gate dielectric layer overlying a semiconductor substrate and a polysilicon gate structure overlying the gate dielectric layer. An undercut region is formed in each side of the gate dielectric layer underneath the polysilicon gate structure. Thereafter, an oxidation process is performed to form a first silicon oxide layer on a peripheral surface of the polysilicon gate structure and a second silicon oxide layer on an exposed surface of the semiconductor substrate. Then, an aluminum oxide material is deposited over the first and second silicon oxide layers including the undercut region and the gate dielectric layer. The aluminum oxide material is selectively etched to form an insert region in a portion of the undercut region. A sidewall spacer is formed to isolate and protect the exposed aluminum oxide material and the polysilicon gate structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignees: Semiconductor Manufacturing International (Shanghai) Corporation, Semiconductor Manufacturing International (Beijing) Corporation
    Inventor: Mieno Fumitake
  • Patent number: 8546866
    Abstract: A nonvolatile semiconductor memory device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention including, a first gate electrode formed above a semiconductor substrate via a first insulating film, having a projecting part which projects in upper direction with a certain width; a second gate electrode formed beside a side surface of the first gate electrode via a second insulating film; two side walls having insulation properties formed on a side surface of the second gate electrode and a side surface of the projecting part respectively; and a silicide layer formed on an upper surface of the projecting part and a part of a surface of the second gate electrode, wherein a width of the projecting part is smaller than a width of the first gate electrode below the projecting part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: Renesas Electronics Corporation
    Inventor: Takaaki Nagai
  • Publication number: 20130248975
    Abstract: A non-volatile semiconductor memory device includes a peripheral circuit having multilayer wirings. Above this peripheral circuit, a plurality of memory strings is formed. The memory strings include a plurality of memory cells and a back gate transistor connected in series. Multiple back gate layers are formed to function as a control electrode of the back gate transistor. A first connection part composed of semiconductor films connects a lower surface of one of the back gate layers and an upper surface of the uppermost wiring layer of the multilayer wirings, and a barrier metal film is disposed above the uppermost wiring layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2012
    Publication date: September 26, 2013
    Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
    Inventors: Tomoo HISHIDA, Yoshihisa Iwata
  • Publication number: 20130240975
    Abstract: A read only memory including a substrate, a source region and a drain region, a charge storage structure, a gate, and a local extreme doping region is provided. The source region and the drain region are disposed in the substrate, the charge storage structure is located on the substrate between the source region and the drain region, and the gate is configured on the charge storage structure. The local extreme doping region is located in the substrate between the source region and the drain region and includes a low doping concentration region and at least one high doping concentration region. The high doping concentration region is disposed between the low doping concentration region and one of the source region and the drain region, and a doping concentration of the high doping concentration region is three times or more than three times a doping concentration of the low doping concentration region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2012
    Publication date: September 19, 2013
    Applicant: MACRONIX INTERNATIONAL CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Chih-Chieh Cheng, Cheng-Hsien Cheng, Wen-Jer Tsai
  • Patent number: 8536640
    Abstract: A nonvolatile charge trap memory device with deuterium passivation of charge traps and method of manufacture. Deuterated gate layer, deuterated gate cap layer and deuterated spacers are employed in various combinations to encapsulate the device with deuterium sources proximate to the interfaces within the gate stack and on the surface of the gate stack where traps may be present.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: Cypress Semiconductor Corporation
    Inventors: Krishnaswamy Ramkumar, Fredrick B. Jenne, William W. Koutny
  • Publication number: 20130234231
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a nonvolatile semiconductor memory device includes a stacked body, a second insulating layer, a select gate, a memory hole, a memory film, a channel body, a first semiconductor layer, and a second semiconductor layer. The select gate is provided on the second insulating layer. The memory film is provided on an inner wall of the memory hole. The channel body is provided inside the memory film. The first semiconductor layer is provided on an upper surface of the channel body. The second semiconductor layer is provided on the first semiconductor layer. The first semiconductor layer contains silicon germanium. The second semiconductor layer contains silicon germanium doped with a first impurity. A boundary between the first semiconductor layer and the second semiconductor layer is provided above a position of an upper end of the select gate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2012
    Publication date: September 12, 2013
    Applicant: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Jun FUJIKI, Yoshiaki Fukuzumi, Hideaki Aochi
  • Patent number: 8530952
    Abstract: Memory cells and methods for programming and erasing a memory cell by utilizing a buried select line are described. A voltage potential may be generated between a source-drain region and the buried select line region of the memory cell to store charge in a storage region between the source-drain and buried select line regions. The generated voltage potential causes electrons to either tunnel towards the buried storage region to store electrical charge or away from the buried storage region to discharge electrical charge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Badih El-Kareh
  • Patent number: 8530959
    Abstract: Provided are three-dimensional semiconductor devices. A device includes an electrode structure including conductive patterns sequentially stacked on a substrate, a semiconductor pattern penetrating the electrode structure and including channel regions adjacent to the conductive patterns and vertical adjacent regions between the channel regions, and a semiconductor connecting layer extending from an outer sidewall of the semiconductor pattern to connect the semiconductor pattern to the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sung-Il Chang, Youngwoo Park, Kwang Soo Seol
  • Patent number: 8530957
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a nonvolatile semiconductor memory device is provided in which memory strings, which are formed by providing a plurality of transistors having gate electrode films on sides of columnar semiconductor films in a height direction of the columnar semiconductor films via charge storage layers, are substantially perpendicularly arranged in a matrix shape on a substrate. A coupling section made of a semiconductor material that connects lower portions of the columnar semiconductor films forming a pair of the memory strings adjacent to each other in a predetermined direction is provided. Each of the columnar semiconductor films is formed of a generally single-crystal-like germanium film or silicon germanium film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Ichiro Mizushima, Shinji Mori, Yoshiaki Fukuzumi, Fumiki Aiso
  • Patent number: 8530954
    Abstract: Non-volatile memory devices include a tunnel insulating layer on a channel region of a substrate, a charge-trapping layer pattern on the tunnel insulating layer and a first blocking layer pattern on the charge-trapping layer pattern. Second blocking layer patterns are on the tunnel insulating layer proximate sidewalls of the charge-trapping layer pattern. The second blocking layer patterns are configured to limit lateral diffusion of electrons trapped in the charge-trapping layer pattern. A gate electrode is on the first blocking layer pattern. The second blocking layer patterns may prevent lateral diffusion of the electrons trapped in the charge-trapping layer pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Dong-Hyun Kim, Chang-Jin Kang
  • Patent number: 8525252
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a nonvolatile semiconductor memory device includes a semiconductor region, a tunnel insulator provided above the semiconductor region, a charge storage insulator provided above the tunnel insulator, a block insulator provided above the charge storage insulator, a control gate electrode provided above the block insulator, and an interface region including a metal element, the interface region being provided at one interface selected from between the semiconductor region and the tunnel insulator, the tunnel insulator and the charge storage insulator, the charge storage insulator and the block insulator, and the block insulator and the control gate electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Kenichiro Toratani, Masayuki Tanaka, Kazuhiro Matsuo
  • Patent number: 8525250
    Abstract: According to certain embodiments, a non-volatile memory device on a semiconductor substrate having a semiconductor surface layer comprises a channel region that extends in a first direction between the source and drain regions. The gate is disposed near the channel region and the memory element is disposed in between the channel region and the gate. The channel region is disposed within a beam-shaped semiconductor layer, with the beam-shaped semiconductor layer extending in the first direction between the source and drain regions and having lateral surfaces extending parallel to the first direction. The memory element comprises a charge-trapping stack so as to embed therein the beam-shaped semiconductor layer in a U-shaped form.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: NXP B.V.
    Inventors: Robertus T. F. Van Schaijk, Francois Neuilly, Michiel J. Van Duuren
  • Publication number: 20130221424
    Abstract: A method for fabricating a semiconductor device is described. A stacked gate dielectric is formed over a substrate, including a first dielectric layer, a second dielectric layer and a third dielectric layer from bottom to top. A conductive layer is formed on the stacked gate dielectric and then patterned to form a gate conductor. The exposed portion of the third and the second dielectric layers are removed with a selective wet cleaning step. S/D extension regions are formed in the substrate with the gate conductor as a mask. A first spacer is formed on the sidewall of the gate conductor and a portion of the first dielectric layer exposed by the first spacer is removed. S/D regions are formed in the substrate at both sides of the first spacer. A metal silicide layer is formed on the S/D regions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2012
    Publication date: August 29, 2013
    Applicant: UNITED MICROELECTRONICS CORP.
    Inventors: Ko-Chi Chen, Ping-Chia Shih, Chih-Ming Wang, Chi-Cheng Huang, Hsiang-Chen Lee
  • Patent number: 8519472
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes stacked-gate structures including a plurality of cell gate patterns and insulating patterns alternately stacked on a semiconductor substrate and extending in a first direction. Active patterns and gate dielectric patterns are disposed in the stacked-gate structures. The active patterns penetrate the stacked-gate structures and are spaced apart from each other in a second direction intersecting the first direction, and the gate dielectric patterns are interposed between the cell gate patterns and the active patterns and extend onto upper and lower surfaces of the cell gate patterns. The active patterns share the cell gate patterns in the stacked-gate structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jaehun Jeong, Ju-Young Lim, Hansoo Kim, Jaehoon Jang, Sunil Shim, Jae-Joo Shim
  • Publication number: 20130214346
    Abstract: A first conductive layer and an underlying charge storage layer are patterned to form a control gate in an NVM region. A first dielectric layer is formed over the control gate. A sacrificial layer is formed over the first dielectric layer and planarized. A patterned masking layer is formed over the sacrificial layer which includes a first portion which defines a select gate location laterally adjacent the control gate in the NVM region and a second portion which defines a logic gate in a logic region. Exposed portions of the sacrificial layer are removed such that a first portion remains at the select gate location. A second dielectric layer is formed over the first portion and planarized to expose the first portion. The first portion is removed to result in an opening at the select gate location. A gate dielectric layer and a select gate are formed in the opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2012
    Publication date: August 22, 2013
    Inventors: Mark D. Hall, Mehul D. Shroff
  • Publication number: 20130207177
    Abstract: The nonvolatile memory device includes a semiconductor layer including trenches formed in a first direction, isolation layers filling the trenches, and active regions divided by the isolation layer, first insulating patterns formed on the semiconductor substrate in a second direction crossing the first direction, charge storage layer patterns formed over the respective active regions between the first insulating patterns, and second insulating patterns formed on the isolation layers between the charge storage layer patterns.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2012
    Publication date: August 15, 2013
    Applicant: SK hynix Inc.
    Inventor: Jong Man KIM
  • Publication number: 20130207178
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes word lines and interlayer insulating layers alternately stacked over a substrate, vertical channel layers protruding from the substrate and passing through the word lines and the interlayer insulating layers, a tunnel insulating layer surrounding each of the vertical channel layers, a charge trap layer surrounding the tunnel insulating layer, wherein first regions of the charge trap layer between the tunnel insulating layer and the word lines have a thickness smaller than a thickness of second regions thereof between the tunnel insulating layer and the interlayer insulating layers, and first charge blocking layer patterns surrounding the first regions of the charge trap layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2012
    Publication date: August 15, 2013
    Inventors: Ki Hong Lee, Seung Ho Pyi, Hyun Soo Shon
  • Patent number: 8507340
    Abstract: A lamination pattern having a control gate electrode, a first insulation film thereover, and a second insulation film thereover is formed over a semiconductor substrate. A memory gate electrode is formed adjacent to the lamination pattern. A gate insulation film is formed between the control gate and the semiconductor substrate. A fourth insulation film, including a lamination film of a silicon oxide film, a silicon nitride film, and another silicon oxide film, is formed between the memory gate electrode and the semiconductor substrate and between the lamination pattern and the memory gate electrode. At the sidewall on the side of the lamination pattern adjacent to the memory gate electrode, the first insulation film is retreated from the control gate electrode and the second insulation film, and the upper end corner portion of the control gate electrode is rounded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: Renesas Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Hiraku Chakihara, Yasushi Ishii
  • Patent number: 8508047
    Abstract: An integrated circuit system includes providing a semiconductor substrate and forming buried word lines in the semiconductor substrate with the buried word lines including vertical charge-trapping dielectric layers. The system further includes forming bit lines further comprising forming in-substrate portions in the semiconductor substrate, and forming above-substrate portions over the semiconductor substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: Spansion LLC
    Inventor: Michael Brennan
  • Patent number: 8507973
    Abstract: A non-volatile memory device includes a channel that extends from a substrate in a vertical direction and includes a first portion including an impurity doped region and a second portion disposed under the first portion; and a plurality of memory cells and a selection transistor that are stacked over the substrate along the channel, where the impurity doped region includes a second impurity doped region that forms a side surface and an upper surface of the first portion and a first impurity doped region that covers the second impurity doped region, and a bandgap energy of the second impurity doped region is lower than a bandgap energy of the first impurity doped region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: Hynix Semiconductor Inc.
    Inventor: Byung-In Lee
  • Patent number: 8507974
    Abstract: A FinFET device and method for fabricating a FinFET device is disclosed. An exemplary FinFET device includes a semiconductor substrate; an insulator layer disposed over the semiconductor substrate; a fin structure disposed over the insulator layer, the fin structure having a source region, a drain region, and a channel region disposed between the source region and the drain region; a gate structure disposed adjacent to the channel region of the fin structure; and a doped region disposed in the semiconductor substrate below the channel region of the fin structure. The gate structure includes a first gate dielectric layer disposed adjacent to the fin structure, a second gate dielectric layer, a charge storing layer disposed between the first gate dielectric layer and the second gate dielectric layer, and a gate electrode layer disposed adjacent to the second gate dielectric layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Po-Wei Liu
  • Patent number: 8507972
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a nonvolatile semiconductor memory device includes a stacked structural unit, a semiconductor pillar, a memory layer, an inner insulating film, an outer insulating film and a cap insulating film. The unit includes a plurality of electrode films stacked alternately in a first direction with a plurality of inter-electrode insulating films. The pillar pierces the stacked structural unit in the first direction. The memory layer is provided between the electrode films and the semiconductor pillar. The inner insulating film is provided between the memory layer and the semiconductor pillar. The outer insulating film is provided between the memory layer and the electrode films. The cap insulating film is provided between the outer insulating film and the electrode films, and the cap insulating film has a higher relative dielectric constant than the outer insulating film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Shigeto Oota, Yoshimasa Mikajiri, Masaru Kito, Ryouhei Kirisawa
  • Patent number: 8503234
    Abstract: A nonvolatile semiconductor memory device including a memory cell array of memory cells arranged in a matrix, each of which includes a selecting transistor and a memory cell transistor; a column decoder controlling the potential of bit lines; a voltage application circuit controlling the potential of the first word lines; a first row decoder controlling the potential of the second word lines; and a second row decoder controlling the potential of the source line. The column decoder is formed of a circuit whose withstand voltage is lower than the voltage application circuit and the second row decoder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Fujitsu Semiconductor Limited
    Inventors: Satoshi Torii, Kazuhiro Mizutani, Toshio Nomura, Masayoshi Asano, Ikuto Fukuoka, Hiroshi Mawatari, Motoi Takahashi
  • Patent number: 8502300
    Abstract: An dielectric film is formed above the semiconductor substrate. A first conductive layer is formed in the dielectric film and extending in a first direction. The first conductive layer is connected to a first select transistor. A second conductive layer formed in the dielectric film and extending in the first direction. The second conductive layer is connected to a second select transistor. A semiconductor layer is connected to both the first and second conductive layers and functioning as a channel layer of a memory transistor. A gate-insulating film is formed on the semiconductor layer. The gate-insulating film includes a charge accumulation film as a portion thereof. A third conductive layer is surrounded by the gate-insulating film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Ryo Fukuda, Yoshihisa Iwata
  • Patent number: 8501609
    Abstract: A method for generating three-dimensional (3D) non-volatile memory (NVM) arrays includes forming multiple parallel horizontally-disposed mono-crystalline silicon beams that are spaced apart and arranged in a vertical stack (e.g., such that an elongated horizontal air gap is defined between each adjacent beam in the stack), forming separate charge storage layers on each of the mono-crystalline silicon beams such that each charge storage layer includes a high-quality thermal oxide layer that entirely covers (i.e., is formed on the upper, lower and opposing side surfaces of) each of the mono-crystalline silicon beams, and then forming multiple vertically-disposed poly-crystalline silicon wordline structures next to the stack such that each wordline structure is connected to each of the bitline structures in the stack by way of corresponding portions of the separate charge storage layers. The memory cells are accessed during read/write operations by way of the corresponding wordline and bitline structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Tower Semiconductor Ltd.
    Inventors: Yakov Roizin, Avi Strum
  • Publication number: 20130193506
    Abstract: A method for forming a semiconductor device includes forming a first plurality of nanocrystals over a surface of a substrate having a first region and a second region, wherein the first plurality of nanocrystals is formed in the first region and the second region and has a first density; and, after forming the first plurality of nanocrystals, forming a second plurality of nanocrystals over the surface of the substrate in the second region and not the first region, wherein the first plurality of nanocrystals together with the second plurality of nanocrystals in the second region result in a second density, wherein the second density is greater than the first density.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2012
    Publication date: August 1, 2013
    Inventors: SUNG-TAEG KANG, GOWRISHANKAR L. CHINDALORE, BRIAN A. WINSTEAD, JANE A. YATER
  • Publication number: 20130193503
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes: vertical channel layers; a pipe channel layer configured to connect lower ends of the vertical channel layers; and a pipe gate surrounding the pipe channel layer and including a first region, which is in contact with the pipe channel layer and includes a first-type impurity, and remaining second regions including a second-type impurity different from the first type impurity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2012
    Publication date: August 1, 2013
    Applicant: SK HYNIX INC.
    Inventors: Ki Hong LEE, Seung Ho PYI, Hyun Soo SHON
  • Patent number: 8497547
    Abstract: Provided is a semiconductor device having, over a semiconductor substrate, a control gate electrode and a memory gate electrode which are adjacent to each other and constitute a nonvolatile memory. The height of the memory gate electrode is lower than the height of the control gate electrode. A metal silicide film is formed over the upper surface of the control gate electrode, but not formed over the upper surface of the memory gate electrode. The memory gate electrode has, over the upper surface thereof, a sidewall insulating film made of silicon oxide. This sidewall insulating film is formed in the same step as that for the formation of respective sidewall insulating films over the sidewalls of the memory gate electrode and the control gate electrode. The present invention makes it possible to improve the production yield and performance of the semiconductor device having a nonvolatile memory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2013
    Assignee: Renesas Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Koichi Toba, Yasushi Ishii, Yoshiyuki Kawashima, Satoru Machida, Munekatsu Nakagawa, Takashi Hashimoto
  • Patent number: 8497533
    Abstract: An embodiment is directed to a method of fabricating a semiconductor memory device, the method including preparing a substrate having a cell array region and a contact region, forming a thin film structure on the substrate, including forming sacrificial film patterns isolated horizontally by a lower isolation region, the lower isolation region traversing the cell array region and the contact region, and forming sacrificial films sequentially stacked on the sacrificial film patterns, and forming an opening that penetrates the thin film structure to expose the lower isolation region of the cell array region, the opening being restrictively formed in the cell array region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2013
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sungwoo Hyun, Byeongchan Lee, Sunghil Lee
  • Patent number: 8497555
    Abstract: A vertical memory device may include a substrate, a first selection line on the substrate, a plurality of word lines on the first selection line, a second selection line on the plurality of word lines, and a semiconductor channel. The first selection line may be between the plurality of word lines and the substrate, and the plurality of word lines may be between the first and second selection lines. Moreover, the first and second selection lines and the plurality of word lines may be spaced apart in a direction perpendicular with respect to a surface of the substrate. The semiconductor channel may extend away from the surface of the substrate adjacent sidewalls of the first and second selection lines and the plurality of word lines. In addition, portions of the semiconductor channel adjacent the second selection line may be doped with indium and/or gallium. Related methods are also discussed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2013
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jin-Gyun Kim, Ki-Hyun Hwang, Sung-Hae Lee, Ji-Hoon Choi
  • Publication number: 20130181277
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate having a first opening and a second opening adjacent thereto. A first dielectric layer is disposed in a lower portion of the first opening. A charge-trapping dielectric layer is disposed in an upper portion of the first opening to cover the first dielectric layer. A doping region of a predetermined conductivity type is formed in the semiconductor substrate adjacent to the first opening and the second opening, wherein the doping region of the predetermined conductivity type has a polarity which is different from that of the charges trapped in the charge-trapping dielectric layer. A gate electrode is disposed in a lower portion of the second opening. A method for fabricating the semiconductor device is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2012
    Publication date: July 18, 2013
    Applicant: NANYA TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tieh-Chiang Wu, Chin-Ling Huang
  • Publication number: 20130181278
    Abstract: Provided is a non-volatile memory device that includes a substrate including a plurality of active regions extending in a first direction and a plurality of element isolation trenches disposed between the active regions, a plurality of tunnel insulating layer patterns and a plurality of storage layer patterns sequentially disposed on the substrate, a plurality of blocking insulating layers and a plurality of gate electrodes disposed on the storage layer patterns and extending in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, and first insulating layers including air gaps disposed between the active regions on the element isolation trenches and extending in the first direction, wherein the active regions include first active regions and second active regions adjacent to the first active regions, wherein a width of first air gaps is different from a width of second air gaps.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2012
    Publication date: July 18, 2013
    Inventors: Sung-Hun LEE, Sung-Hoi Hur, Jong-Ho Park
  • Patent number: 8487364
    Abstract: A nonvolatile semiconductor memory device according to embodiment includes: a semiconductor substrate having an upper portion being partitioned into a plurality of semiconductor portions extending in a first direction; a charge storage film provided on the semiconductor portion; a word-line electrode provided on the semiconductor substrate and extending in a second direction intersecting with the first direction; and a pair of selection gate electrodes provided on both sides of the word-line electrode in the first direction on the semiconductor substrate and extending in the second direction, a shortest distance between a corner portion of each of the semiconductor portions and each of the selection gate electrodes being longer than a shortest distance between the corner portion of the semiconductor portion and the word-line electrode in a cross section parallel to the second direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Takayuki Okamura, Noboru Ooike, Wataru Sakamoto, Takashi Izumida
  • Patent number: 8487366
    Abstract: A device having thin-film transistor (TFT) metal-oxide-nitride-oxide-semiconductor (MONOS) or semiconductor-oxide-nitride-oxide-semiconductor (SONOS) memory cell structures includes a substrate, a dielectric layer on the substrate, and one or more source or drain regions being embedded in the dielectric layer. The dielectric layer is associated with a first surface. Each of the one or more source or drain regions includes an N+ polysilicon layer on a diffusion barrier layer which is on a conductive layer. The N+ polysilicon layer has a second surface substantially co-planar with the first surface. Additionally, the device includes a P? polysilicon layer overlying the co-planar surface, an oxide-nitride-oxide (ONO) layer overlying the P? polysilicon layer; and at least one control gate overlying the ONO layer. The control gate may be made of a metal layer or a P+ polysilicon layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: Semiconductor Manufacturing International (Shanghai) Corporation
    Inventor: Mieno Fumitake
  • Patent number: 8487365
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a semiconductor device includes a substrate, a lower gate layer, a stacked body, a dummy electrode layer, an insulating film, and a channel body. The lower gate layer is provided above the substrate. The stacked body includes a plurality of insulating layers and a plurality of electrode layers alternately stacked above the lower gate layer. The dummy electrode layer is provided between the lower gate layer and the stacked body, made of the same material as the electrode layer, and thicker than each of the electrode layers. The insulating film includes a charge storage film provided on a side wall of a hole formed to penetrate through the stacked body and the dummy electrode layer. The channel body is provided on an inside of the insulating film in the hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Toshiyuki Sasaki, Noriko Sakurai, Tokuhisa Ohiwa, Katsunori Yahashi
  • Publication number: 20130175598
    Abstract: The technology relates to a damascene word line for a three dimensional array of nonvolatile memory cells. Conductive lines such as silicon are formed over stacked nonvolatile memory structures. Word line trenches separate neighboring ones of the silicon lines. The silicon lines separated by the word line trenches are oxidized, making insulating surfaces in the word line trenches. Word lines are made in the word line trenches.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2012
    Publication date: July 11, 2013
    Applicant: Macronix International Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shih-Hung Chen, Hang-Ting Lue, Yen-Hao Shih