Abstract: A method of manufacturing a nano-crystalline silicon dot layer is provided. A silicon layer is formed over a substrate. The silicon layer includes crystalline silicon region and amorphous silicon region. An oxidation process is performed to oxidize the amorphous silicon region and the surfaces of the crystalline silicon region to form a silicon oxide layer containing nano-crystalline silicon dots.

Abstract: On a silicon substrate is formed a stacked body by alternately stacking a plurality of silicon oxide films and silicon films, a trench is formed in the stacked body, an alumina film, a silicon nitride film and a silicon oxide film are formed in this order on an inner surface of the trench, and a channel silicon crystalline film is formed on the silicon oxide film. Next, a silicon oxide layer is formed at an interface between the silicon oxide film and the channel silicon crystalline film by performing thermal treatment in an oxygen gas atmosphere.

Abstract: Provided are a non-volatile memory device and a method of fabricating the same. The non-volatile memory device comprises: a control gate region formed by doping a semiconductor substrate with second impurities; an electron injection region formed by doping the semiconductor substrate with first impurities, where a top surface of the electron injection region includes a tip portion at an edge; a floating gate electrode covering at least a portion of the control gate region and the tip portion of the electron injection region; a first tunnel oxide layer interposed between the floating gate electrode and the control gate region; a second tunnel oxide layer interposed between the floating gate electrode and the electron injection region; a trench surrounding the electron injection region in the semiconductor substrate; and a device isolation layer pattern filled in the trench.

Abstract: A method used during semiconductor device fabrication comprises forming at least two types of transistors. A first transistor type may comprise a CMOS transistor comprising gate oxide and having a wide active area and/or a long channel, and the second transistor type may comprise a NAND comprising tunnel oxide and having a narrow active area and/or short gate length. The transistors are exposed to a nitridation ambient. Various process embodiments and completed structures are disclosed.

Abstract: A semiconductor storage element includes: a semiconductor layer constituted of a line pattern with a predetermined width formed on a substrate; a quantum dot forming an electric charge storage layer formed on the semiconductor layer through a first insulating film serving as a tunnel insulating film; an impurity diffusion layer formed in a surface layer of the semiconductor layer so as to sandwich the quantum dot therebetween; and a control electrode formed on the quantum dot through a second insulating film.

Abstract: In a magnetic random access memory (MRAM) having a transistor and a magnetic tunneling junction (MTJ) layer in a unit cell, the MTJ layer includes a lower magnetic layer, an oxidation preventing layer, a tunneling oxide layer, and an upper magnetic layer, which are sequentially stacked. The tunneling oxide layer may be formed using an atomic layer deposition (ALD) method. At least the oxidation preventing layer may be formed using a method other than the ALD method.

Abstract: A first dielectric plug is formed in a portion of a trench that extends into a substrate of a memory device so that an upper surface of the first dielectric plug is recessed below an upper surface of the substrate. The first dielectric plug has a layer of a first dielectric material and a layer of a second dielectric material formed on the layer of the first dielectric material. A second dielectric plug of a third dielectric material is formed on the upper surface of the first dielectric plug.

Abstract: Nonvolatile memory devices and methods of making the same are described. A nonvolatile memory device includes a string selection transistor, a plurality of memory cell transistors, and a ground selection transistor electrically connected in series to the string selection transistor and to the pluralities of memory cell transistors. Each of the transistors includes a channel region and source/drain regions. First impurity layers are formed at boundaries of the channels and the source/drain regions of the memory cell transistors. The first impurity layers are doped with opposite conductivity type impurities relative to the source/drain regions of the memory cell transistors. Second impurity layers are formed at boundaries between a channel and a drain region of the string selection transistor and between a channel and a source region of the ground selection transistor.

Abstract: A semiconductor integrated circuit device includes a substrate, a nonvolatile memory device formed in a memory cell region of the substrate, and a semiconductor device formed in a device region of the substrate. The nonvolatile memory device has a multilayer gate electrode structure including a tunnel insulating film and a floating gate electrode formed thereon. The floating gate electrode has sidewall surfaces covered with a protection insulating film. The semiconductor device has a gate insulating film and a gate electrode formed thereon. A bird's beak structure is formed of a thermal oxide film at an interface of the tunnel insulating film and the floating gate electrode, the bird's beak structure penetrating into the floating gate electrode along the interface from the sidewall faces of the floating gate electrode, and the gate insulating film is interposed between the substrate and the gate electrode to have a substantially uniform thickness.

Abstract: A nonvolatile memory device includes an active region defined by a device isolation layer in a semiconductor substrate, a word line passing over the active region and a charge storage region defined by a crossing of the active region and the word line and disposed between the active region and the word line. The charge storage region is disposed at an oblique angle with respect to the word line.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a tunnel insulating layer in a flash memory device and a method of forming the same, the method according to the present invention comprises the steps of forming a first oxide layer on a semiconductor substrate through a first oxidation process; forming a nitride layer on an interface between the semiconductor substrate and the first oxide layer through a first nitridation process; forming a second nitride layer on the first oxide layer through a second nitridation process; forming a second oxide layer on the second nitride layer through a second oxidation process; and forming a third nitride layer on the second oxide layer through a third nitridation process.

Abstract: Methods for forming a gate using quantum dots are disclosed. More particularly, the present invention relates to a method for forming quantum dots for fabrication of an ultrafine semiconductor device includes a gate with quantum dots. The present invention is capable of forming quantum dots in uniform sizes and at uniform intervals so as to achieve an electrically stable device.

Abstract: Example embodiments relate to a non-volatile semiconductor memory device and a method of manufacturing the same. A semiconductor device includes an isolation layer protruding from a substrate, a spacer, a tunnel insulation layer, a floating gate, a dielectric layer pattern and a control gate. The spacer may be formed on a sidewall of a protruding portion of the isolation layer. The tunnel insulation layer may be formed on the substrate between adjacent isolation layers. The floating gate may be formed on the tunnel insulation layer. The floating gate contacts the spacer and has a width that gradually increases from a lower portion toward an upper portion. The dielectric layer pattern and the control gate may be sequentially formed on the floating gate.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a non-volatile memory device at least comprises steps as follows. First, a substrate on which a bottom dielectric layer is formed is provided. Then, impurities are introduced through the bottom dielectric layer to the substrate, so as to form a plurality of spaced doped regions on the substrate. The structure is thermally annealed for pushing the spaced doped regions to diffuse outwardly. After annealing, a charge trapping layer is formed on the bottom dielectric layer, and a top dielectric layer is formed on the charge trapping layer. Finally, a gate structure (such as a polysilicon layer and a silicide) is formed on the top dielectric layer.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a nonvolatile semiconductor memory device includes the steps of: (a) forming a layered dielectric film on the semiconductor substrate; (b) forming a first conductive film on the layered dielectric film; (c) forming a first dielectric film on the first conductive film; (d) patterning the first dielectric film and the first conductive film to form a layered pattern composed of first dielectric films and first conductive films; and (e) implanting a first impurity along a direction having an inclination angle to a normal direction to a principal plane of the semiconductor substrate by using the layered pattern as a mask to form a first impurity diffusion layer being the same in conductivity type as the semiconductor substrate, wherein, step (d) includes patterning the first dielectric film to form the first dielectric films having a shape with a width narrower in an upper surface than in a lower surface.

Abstract: A string of nonvolatile memory cells are formed with control gates extending between floating gates, control gates and floating gates separated by tunnel dielectric layers. Electron tunneling between control gates and floating gates is used for programming. A process for forming a memory array forms odd numbered floating gates from a first layer and even numbered floating gates from a second layer.

Abstract: A method of forming a semiconductor device having an offset spacer may include forming a gate electrode on a semiconductor substrate. An etch stop layer including a nitride may be formed on the entire surface of the semiconductor substrate having the gate electrode. First spacers may be formed on the sidewalls of the gate electrode. The first spacers may be formed of a material layer having an etch selectivity with respect to the etch stop layer. The etch stop layer may be exposed on the semiconductor substrate on both sides of the gate electrode. Lightly-doped drain (LDD) regions may be formed in the semiconductor substrate using the gate electrode and the first spacers as an ion implantation mask. Second spacers may be formed on the first spacers. Accordingly, a semiconductor device having an offset spacer may be provided.

Abstract: A non-volatile memory device includes an upwardly protruding fin disposed on a substrate and a control gate electrode crossing the fin. A floating gate is interposed between the control gate electrode and the fin and includes a first storage gate and a second storage gate. The first storage gate is disposed on a sidewall of the fin, and the second storage gate is disposed on a top surface of the fin and is connected to the first storage gate. A first insulation layer is interposed between the first storage gate and the sidewall of the fin, and a second insulation layer is interposed between the second storage gate and the top surface of the fin. The second insulation layer is thinner than the first insulation layer. A blocking insulation pattern is interposed between the control gate electrode and the floating gate.

Abstract: Electronic circuitry is described having a first transistor having a first gate dielectric located between an electrically floating gate and a semiconductor substrate. The first injection current flows through the first gate dielectric to establish a first amount of electrical charge on the gate electrode. The electronic circuitry also includes a second transistor having a second gate dielectric located between the gate electrode and the semiconductor substrate. A band-to-band tunneling current flows between valence and conduction bands of the second transistor to create a second injection current that flows through the second gate dielectric to establish the first amount of electrical charge on the gate electrode. Non-volatile memory cell circuits having the above described circuitry are also described.

Abstract: A nonvolatile memory device and method for fabricating the same are provided. The nonvolatile memory device includes an active region; a source region formed in the active region; a source line formed on the source region and electrically connected with the source region, to cross over the active region; word lines aligned at each sidewall of the source line to cross over the active region in parallel with the source line; and a charge storage layer interposed between the word lines and the active region. Since the word lines are formed at both sides of the source line using an anisotropic etch-back process, without photolithography, the area of a unit cell can be reduced.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a flash memory device includes the steps of forming trenches by forming a tunnel oxide layer and a conductive layer for a floating gate over a semiconductor substrate, and then etching a portion of the conductive layer, the tunnel oxide layer and the semiconductor substrate to form the trenches, filling the trenches with an insulating layer to form isolation layers projecting above the floating gate, forming spacers on sidewalls of the isolation layers projecting above the floating gate, etching the conductive layer using the spacers as a mask, thereby forming a U-shaped conductive layer, removing the spacers, etching the top surface of the isolation layers, thereby controlling an Effective Field Height (EFH) of the isolation layer, and forming a dielectric layer and a conductive layer for a control gate on the resulting surface.

Abstract: A non-volatile memory device (e.g., a split gate type device) and a method of manufacturing the same are disclosed. The memory device includes an active region on a semiconductor substrate, a pair of floating gates above the active region, a charge storage insulation layer between each floating gate and the active region, a pair of wordlines over the active region and partially overlapping the floating gates, respectively, and a gate insulation film between each wordline and the active region. The method may prevent or reduce the incidence of conductive stringers on the active region between the floating gates, to thereby improve reliability of the memory devices and avoid the active region resistance from being increased due to the stringer.

Abstract: A semiconductor memory having charge trapping memory cells and fabrication method thereof. The direction of current flow of each channel region of the memory transistors runs transversely with respect to the relevant word line, the bit lines are arranged on the top side of the word lines and in a manner electrically insulated from the latter, and electrically conductive local interconnects of source-drain regions are present, which are arranged in sections in interspaces between the word lines and in a manner electrically insulated from the latter and connected to the bit lines, wherein gate electrodes are arranged in trenches at least partly formed in the memory substrate.

Abstract: A field effect transistor in which at least one vertically arranged semiconductor column, with a diameter in the nanometer range, is located between a source and a contact and has an annular surround of a gate contact with retention of an insulation gap. A simplified production method is disclosed and the transistor produced thus is embodied such that the semiconductor columns are embedded in a first and a second insulation layer, between which a metal layer, running to the outside as a gate contact, is arranged, the ends of which, extending upwards through the second insulation layer, are partly converted into an insulator, or removed and replaced by an insulation material.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device includes forming a pillar-shaped active region by etching a portion of a semiconductor substrate, forming a blocking film selectively exposing a sidewall of a lower portion of the pillar-shaped active region, and forming a bit-line selectively on the exposed sidewall of the lower portion of the pillar-shaped active region.

Abstract: A semiconductor device comprises a semiconductor substrate, and a non-volatile memory cell provided on the semiconductor substrate, the non-volatile memory cell comprising a tunnel insulating film having a film thickness periodically and continuously changing in a channel width direction of the non-volatile memory cell, a floating gate electrode provided on the tunnel insulating film, a control gate electrode provided above the floating gate electrode, and an interelectrode insulating film provided between the control gate electrode and the floating gate electrode.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a non-volatile memory device forming a first polysilicon film over a semiconductor substrate; forming a mitigation film over the first polysilicon film; forming a mask film over the mitigation film; etching the mask film, the mitigation film, and the first polysilicon film to form a first trench that defines first and second floating gates; forming an interlayer film over the mask film, the interlayer film filling the first trench to form a vertical structure; anisotropically etching the vertical structure of the interlayer film to form second and third trenches, the second trench being provided between the first floating gate and the etched vertical structure, the third trench being provided between the second floating gate the and etched vertical structure; forming a dielectric film over the first and second floating gate and the vertical structure, the dielectric film coating sidewalls of the second and third trenches; and forming a control gate layer over the dielectric film, the c

Abstract: A non-volatile memory device includes a buffer oxide film on a substrate; a polysilicon layer on the buffer oxide film; a silicon oxy-nitride (SiON) layer on the polysilicon layer, a first insulator layer on the SiON layer, a nitride film on the first insulator, a second insulator layer on the nitride film, an electrode on the second insulator, and a source/drain in the polysilicon layer.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device including word lines of memory cells and a pair of select gate lines. A first insulating film, a first conductive film, a second insulating film, and a first resist are sequentially formed above a semiconductor substrate. The first resist includes first patterns formed in a first region above the second insulating film and having almost the same width and interval as those of the word lines, and second patterns formed in a second region adjacent to the first region above the second insulating film with a width substantially equal to the sum of the widths of the select gate lines and the interval of the select gate lines. The second and the first conductive films are patterned to form the word lines. A second resist is used to pattern the second insulating film and the first conductive film to form the select gate lines.

Abstract: A multi bits flash memory device and a method of operating the same are disclosed.

Abstract: Distance ?m between a floating gate and a drain contact of a floating gate transistor forming a memory cell is set to be greater than a distance ? determined based on a minimum design dimension between a control gate and a contact of a peripheral transistor. Data retention characteristics of a programmable memory which stores data in accordance with the amount of accumulated charges in the floating gate can be ensured without being affecting by mask misalignment or the like.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a silicon-oxide-nitride-oxide-silicon (SONOS) memory is provided herein. In the method, a bottom silicon oxide layer is formed over a substrate. A patterned mask layer having a trench therein is formed over the bottom silicon oxide layer. A charge-trapping layer is formed over the substrate covering the surface of the trench. The charge-trapping layer is etched back to form a pair of charge storage spacers on the sidewalls of the trench. After removing the mask layer, a top silicon oxide layer is formed over the substrate covering the charge storage spacers and the bottom silicon oxide layer. A gate corresponding to the pair of charge storage spacers is formed on the top silicon oxide layer. A source/drain region is formed in the substrate on each side of the gate.

Abstract: In a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device such as a SONOS type semiconductor device, a trench is formed on a substrate. An isolation layer protruding from the substrate is formed to fill the trench. After a first layer is formed on the substrate, a preliminary second layer pattern is formed on the first layer. The preliminary second layer pattern has an upper face substantially lower than or substantially equal to an upper face of the isolation layer. A third layer is formed on the preliminary second layer and the isolation layer. A fourth layer is formed on the third layer. The fourth layer, the third layer, the preliminary second layer pattern and the first layer are partially etched to form a gate structure on the substrate. Source/drain regions are formed at portions of the substrate adjacent to the gate structure.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a flash memory device. Parallel mask patterns are formed on a substrate. The substrate is etched using the mask patterns to form trenches. An insulating layer pattern is formed in the trenches and an area between the mask patterns. The mask patterns are removed to expose an upper sidewall of the insulating layer pattern that protrudes away from a top surface of the substrate. The insulating layer pattern is isotropically etched to form sloped sidewalls that protrude away from the top surface of the substrate.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a memory unit capable of storing multibits binary information. A gate is formed on a dielectric layer over a semiconductor substrate. Next, a first etching is performed to etch the semiconductor substrate by using the gate acting as an etching mask to remove exposed surface of the dielectric layer. Subsequently, a first oxide layer is conformally formed on the gate and the semiconductor substrate. An charge-trapping layer is conformally formed on the first oxide layer, and subsequently a second oxide layer is conformally formed on the isolating layer. Next, a second etching is performed to etch the second oxide layer and the charging-trapping layer to form sandwich spacers composed of the second oxide layer/the isolating layer/the first oxide layer on the substrate and the gate sidewall.

Abstract: Memory devices and methods of programming and forming the same are disclosed. In one embodiment, a memory device has memory cells contained within dielectric isolation structures to isolate them from at least those memory cells in communication with other bit lines, such as to facilitate forward-bias write operations. The dielectric isolation structures contain an upper well having a first conductivity type and a buried well having a second conductivity type. By forward biasing the junction from the buried well to the upper well, electrons can be injected into charge-storage nodes of memory cells that are contained within the dielectric isolation structures.

Abstract: In a non-volatile memory device with a buried control gate, the effective channel length of the control gate is increased to restrain punchthrough, and a region for storing charge is increased for attaining favorably large capacity. A method of fabricating the memory device includes forming the control gate within a trench formed in a semiconductor substrate, and forming charge storing regions in the semiconductor substrate on both sides of the control gate in a self-aligning manner, thereby allowing for multi-level cell operation.

Abstract: Flash memory devices are provided including an integrated circuit substrate and a stack gate structure on the integrated circuit substrate. A trench isolation region is provided on the integrated circuit substrate adjacent the stack gate structure. A portion of the stack gate structure adjacent a trench sidewall of the trench isolation region may include a first nitrogen doped layer.

Abstract: A method includes removing a portion of a substrate to define an isolation trench; forming a first dielectric layer on exposed surfaces of the substrate in the trench; forming a second dielectric layer on at least the first dielectric layer, the second dielectric layer containing a different dielectric material than the first dielectric layer; depositing a third dielectric layer to fill the trench; removing an upper portion of the third dielectric layer from the trench and leaving a lower portion covering a portion of the second dielectric layer; oxidizing the lower portion of the third dielectric layer after removing the upper portion; removing an exposed portion of the second dielectric layer from the trench, thereby exposing a portion of the first dielectric layer; and forming a fourth dielectric layer in the trench covering the exposed portion of the first dielectric layer.

Abstract: A semiconductor memory device having nonvolatile memory cells each formed of a MISFET having both a floating gate and a control gate and first and second semiconductor regions serving as the source and drain regions, respectively. In accordance with the method of manufacture thereof, an impurity, for example, arsenic, is introduced to form both the first and second semiconductor regions but with the second semiconductor region having a lower dose thereof so that the first semiconductor region formed attains a junction depth greater than that of the second semiconductor region, and both the first and second semiconductor regions have portions thereof extending under the floating gate electrode. The device and method therefor further feature the formation of MISFETs of peripheral circuits.

Abstract: According to embodiments of the invention, an inverted “T” shaped gate can be formed for transistor flash memory cells to reduce feature sizes, to reduce pitch size, to increase gate coupling ratio and/or to reduce parasitic capacitive effects between adjacent flash cells or cell floating gates, such as with optimization of control gate distance between field gates. Such feature sizes include channel width; isolation region width; width of a portion of a gate electrode and/or half-pitch distance between adjacent cells or rows of transistors (e.g., cells).

Abstract: A plurality of mesas are formed in the substrate. Each pair of mesas forms a trench. A plurality of diffusion areas are formed in the substrate. A mesa diffusion area is formed in each mesa top and a trench diffusion area is formed under each trench. A vertical, non-volatile memory cell is formed on each sidewall of the trench. Each memory cell is comprised of a fixed threshold element located vertically between a pair of non-volatile gate insulator stacks. In one embodiment, each gate insulator stack is comprised of a tunnel insulator formed over the sidewall, a deep trapping layer, and a charge blocking layer. In another embodiment, an injector silicon rich nitride layer is formed between the deep trapping layer and the charge blocking layer.

Abstract: A flash memory cell and a method of forming the same are described. The flash memory cell may include a substrate having a source and a drain, a gate element, and a dielectric layer between the substrate and the gate element. The dielectric layer includes a dielectric material having a dielectric constant that is greater than that of silicon dioxide.

Abstract: A manufacturing method and a device of an EEPROM cell are provided. The method includes the following steps. First, a tunnel layer and an inter-gate dielectric layer are formed over a surface of a substrate respectively, and a doped region is formed in the substrate under the inter-gate dielectric layer and used as a control gate. Thereafter, a floating gate is formed over the inter-gate dielectric layer and the tunnel layer. Thereafter, a source region and a drain region are formed in the substrate beside two sides of the floating gate under the tunnel layer. Especially, the manufacturing method of the memory cell can be integrated with the manufacturing process of high operation voltage component and low operation voltage component.

Abstract: To manufacture a memory device, a gate dielectric layer is formed over a semiconductor body and a gate electrode layer is formed over the gate dielectric layer. The gate electrode layer is structured to form a gate electrode with sidewalls. An etching process is performed to remove parts of the gate dielectric layer from beneath the gate electrode on opposite sides of the gate electrode. Boundary layers, e.g., oxide layers, are formed on an upper surface of the semiconductor body and a lower surface of the gate electrode adjacent where the gate dielectric has been removed thereby leaving spaces. Charge-trapping layer material can then be deposited to fill the spaces. Source and drain regions are then formed in the semiconductor body adjacent the gate electrode.

Abstract: A semiconductor memory device having nonvolatile memory cells each formed of a MISFET having both a floating gate and a control gate and first and second semiconductor regions serving as the source and drain regions, respectively. In accordance with the method of manufacture thereof, an impurity, for example, arsenic, is introduced to form both the first and second semiconductor regions but with the second semiconductor region having a lower dose thereof so that the first semiconductor region formed attains a junction depth greater than that of the second semiconductor region, and both the first and second semiconductor regions have portions thereof extending under the floating gate electrode. The device and method therefor further feature the formation of MISFETs of peripheral circuits.

Abstract: A nonvolatile memory device includes a semiconductor substrate, a device isolation layer, a tunnel insulation layer, a floating gate, a buried floating gate, and a control gate. A trench is in the substrate that defines an active region of the substrate adjacent to the trench. A device isolation layer is on the substrate along the trench. A tunnel insulation layer is on the active region of the substrate. A floating gate is on the tunnel insulation layer opposite to the active region of the substrate. A buried floating gate is on the device isolation layer in the trench. An intergate dielectric layer is on and extends across the floating gate and the buried floating gate. A control gate is on the intergate dielectric layer and extends across the floating gate and the buried floating gate.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a substrate having a pair of first diffused regions, and a gate including an oxide film provided on the substrate, and a charge storage layer provided on the oxide film, the charge storage layer being an electrical insulator capable of storing charges in bit areas. The oxide film has first portions related to the bit areas and a second portion that is located between the bit areas and is thicker than the first potions. The first portions serve as tunneling oxide portions, while the second portion allows reduced tunneling.

Abstract: A method for forming a non-volatile memory with inlaid floating gate is disclosed. The method comprises the following steps. A substrate having a pad dielectric layer and a first dielectric layer thereon is provided. Then a buried diffusion region is formed in the substrate. Next a second dielectric layer is formed over the substrate and the second dielectric layer and the pad dielectric layer are then etched back to expose the buried diffusion region and the first dielectric layer. Then a shallow trench isolation is formed into the expose the buried diffusion region and the substrate. Next a floating gate pattern is transferred into the first and second dielectric layers. Next the first dielectric layer is removed to expose the pad dielectric layer. Then the exposed pad dielectric layer is removed to expose the substrate. Next a tunnel dielectric layer is formed on the exposed substrate.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a floating gate memory device comprises using a buried diffusion oxide that is below the floating gate thereby producing an increased step height between the floating gate and the buried diffusion oxide. The increased step height can produce a higher GCR, while still allowing decreased cell size using a virtual ground array design.