Abstract: Semiconductor devices with improved transistor performance are fabricated by forming a composite oxide/nitride liner under a gate electrode sidewall spacer. Embodiments include depositing a conformal oxide layer by decoupled plasma deposition, depositing a conformal nitride layer by decoupled plasma deposition, depositing a spacer layer and then etching.

Abstract: The present invention provides a flash memory integrated circuit and a method of fabricating the same. A tunnel dielectric in an erasable programmable read only memory (EPROM) device is nitrided with a hydrogen-bearing compound, particularly ammonia. Hydrogen is thus incorporated into the tunnel dielectric, along with nitrogen. The gate stack is etched and completed, including protective sidewall spacers and dielectric cap, and the stack lined with a barrier to hydroxyl and hydrogen species. Though the liner advantageously reduces impurity diffusion through to the tunnel dielectric and substrate interface, it also reduces hydrogen diffusion in any subsequent hydrogen anneal. Hydrogen is provided to the tunnel dielectric, however, in the prior exposure to ammonia.

Abstract: A split gate FET wordline electrode structure and method for forming the same including an improved polysilicon etching process including providing a semiconductor wafer process surface comprising first exposed polysilicon portions and adjacent oxide portions; forming a first oxide layer on the exposed polysilicon portions; blanket depositing a polysilicon layer on the first exposed polysilicon portions and adjacent oxide portions; forming a hardmask layer on the polysilicon layer; carrying out a multi-step reactive ion etching (RIE) process to etch through the hardmask layer and etch through a thickness portion of the polysilicon layer to form second polysilicon portions adjacent the oxide portions having upward protruding outer polysilicon fence portions; contacting the semiconductor wafer process surface with an aqueous HF solution; and, carrying out a downstream plasma etching process to remove polysilicon fence portions.

Abstract: According to embodiments of the present invention, methods of manufacturing a semiconductor device, and semiconductor devices manufactured thereby, are provided. A field region is formed that defines active regions in a semiconductor substrate. Spaced apart gates are formed on the active regions in the semiconductor substrate. The gates have sidewalls that extend away from the semiconductor substrate. First spacers are formed on the sidewalls of the gates. Second spacers are formed on the first spacers and opposite to the gates. Ion impurities are implanted into the active regions in the semiconductor substrate, adjacent to the gates, using the first and second spacers as an ion implantation mask. A portion of the second spacers is removed to widen the gaps between the gates. A dielectric layer is formed on the semiconductor substrate in the gaps between the gates.

Abstract: A semiconductor device and method of production are disclosed, the method including forming a preliminary gate electrode on a semiconductor substrate, the preliminary gate electrode including a gate oxide layer pattern and a conductive layer pattern stacked on the gate oxide layer pattern, and performing a re-oxidation process for curing damage of the semiconductor substrate and/or a sidewall of the conductive layer pattern, when the preliminary gate electrode is formed by forming an oxide layer on an outer surface of the preliminary gate electrode and on the semiconductor substrate, by supplying an oxygen gas and a chlorine-including gas while restraining a thickness of the gate oxide layer pattern from being increased; and the semiconductor device comprising a preliminary gate electrode formed on a semiconductor substrate, the preliminary gate electrode including a gate oxide layer pattern and a conductive layer pattern stacked on the gate oxide layer pattern, and a re-oxidized semiconductor substrate and/o

Abstract: A method of fabricating a non-volatile memory device includes the steps of forming a lower conductive layer on a substrate, forming a lower and an upper sacrificial patterns on the substrate with the lower conductive layer, wherein the lower and upper sacrificial patterns include a trench exposing the lower conductive layer, forming mask spacers on sidewalls of the upper and lower sacrificial patterns, using the mask spacers and the upper sacrificial pattern as an etch mask, etching the exposed lower conductive layer to form a lower conductive pattern exposing the substrate, forming a plug conductive layer covering an entire surface of a substrate with the lower conductive pattern, and planarizingly etching the plug conductive layer until the lower sacrificial pattern is exposed, thereby forming a source plug in a gap region between the mask spacers that is connected to the substrate.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for forming, in a substrate (1) having a first type of conductivity, a MOS transistor, comprising the following steps: a) forming on the substrate an insulated gate (3); b) implanting a doping agent having a second type of conductivity; c) forming on the edges of the gate silicon nitride spacers; d) simultaneously oxidising the apparent surfaces of the substrate, the gate and the spacers; and e) drain and source implantation.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a non-volatile memory is provided. A stacked structure including a tunneling layer, a trapping layer, a barrier layer, and a control gate is formed on a substrate. A source region and a drain region are formed beside the stacked structure in the substrate. A silicon oxide spacer is formed on the sidewalls of the stacked structure. An ultraviolet-resistant lining layer is formed on the surfaces of the substrate and the stacked structure to prevent the ultraviolet light from penetrating into the trapping layer. A dielectric layer is formed on the ultraviolet-resistant lining layer. A contact being electrically connected to the control gate is formed in the dielectric layer. A conducting line electrically connected to the contact is formed on the dielectric layer. A lost-surface-charge lining layer is formed on the surfaces of the dielectric layer and the conducting line to reduce the antenna effect.

Abstract: A memory cell including a substrate having a source region; a floating gate structure disposed over the substrate and associated with the source region; and a source coupling enhancement structure covering an exposed portion of the floating gate structure and extending to the source region. The flash memory cell can be fabricated in a method including the steps of forming the floating gate structure over a substrate; forming the source coupling enhancement structure on an exposed portion of the floating gate structure; and forming the source region in the substrate.

Abstract: A floating gate and fabrication method thereof. A semiconductor substrate is provided, on which an oxide layer, a first conducting layer, and a patterned hard mask layer having an opening are sequentially formed. A spacer is formed on the sidewall of the opening. A second conducting layer is formed on the hard mask layer. The second conducting layer is planarized to expose the surface of the patterned hard mask layer. The surface of the second conducting layer is oxidized to form an oxide layer. The patterned hard mask layer and the oxide layer and the first conducting layer underlying the patterned hard mask layer are removed.

Abstract: A disclosed method for forming a non-volatile memory cell includes forming a component stack including an electron trapping layer on a substrate surface. A dielectric layer is formed over the component stack, and a portion is removed such that a remainder of the dielectric layer exists substantially along sidewalls of the component stack. An oxide layer is formed over a bit line in the substrate adjacent to the component stack, and an electrically conductive layer is formed over the component stack and the oxide layer. A described non-volatile memory cell includes a component stack on a substrate surface, the component stack including an electron trapping layer. Multiple dielectric spacers are positioned along sidewalls of the component stack. An oxide layer is positioned over a bit line in the substrate adjacent to the component stack, and an electrically conductive layer is positioned over the component stack and the oxide layer.

Abstract: According to embodiments of the present invention, methods of manufacturing a semiconductor device, and semiconductor devices manufactured thereby, are provided. A field region is formed that defines active regions in a semiconductor substrate. Spaced apart gates are formed on the active regions in the semiconductor substrate. The gates have sidewalls that extend away from the semiconductor substrate. First spacers are formed on the sidewalls of the gates. Second spacers are formed on the first spacers and opposite to the gates. Ion impurities are implanted into the active regions in the semiconductor substrate, adjacent to the gates, using the first and second spacers as an ion implantation mask. A portion of the second spacers is removed to widen the gaps between the gates. A dielectric layer is formed on the semiconductor substrate in the gaps between the gates.

Abstract: A nonvolatile semiconductor memory device that can be miniaturized is provided. A method of manufacturing the nonvolatile semiconductor memory device includes the steps of: forming an interlayer insulating film covering a stacked structure and a sidewall insulating film and having a top surface approximately parallel to a main surface; forming a resist pattern as a mask layer on the top surface of the interlayer insulating film; forming a groove as an opening in the interlayer insulating film to be positioned between the sidewall insulating films formed at the adjacent stacked structures; and forming a source region extending along a plurality of floating gate electrodes by implanting impurity ions from the groove to the main surface.

Abstract: The invention includes methods of forming field effect transistors. In one implementation, a method of forming a field effect transistor having a gate comprising a conductive metal or metal compound received over conductively doped semiconductive material includes forming transistor gate semiconductive material into a gate line over a semiconductive material channel region. The gate line includes semiconductive material sidewalls. The semiconductive material sidewalls of the gate line are oxidized. After the oxidizing, at least one of a conductive metal or metal compound is formed in electrical connection with the transistor gate semiconductive material to comprise a substantially coextensive elongated portion of a final construction of the gate line of the field effect transistor being formed.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing a dual charge storage location electrically programmable memory cell that includes the steps of forming a central insulated gate over a semiconductor substrate; forming physically separated charge-confining layers stack portions of a dielectric-charge trapping material-dielectric layers stack at the sides of the central gate, the charge trapping material layer in each charge-confining layers stack portion forming a charge storage element; forming side control gates over each of the charge-confining layers stack portions; forming memory cell source/drain regions laterally to the side control gates; and electrically connecting the side control gates to the central gate. Each of the charge-confining layers stack portions at the sides of the central gate is formed with an “L” shape, with a base charge-confining layers stack portion lying on the substrate surface and an upright charge-confining layers stack portion lying against a respective side of the insulated gate.

Abstract: Methods of manufacturing are provided. In one aspect, a method of manufacturing is provided that includes forming first and second gate stacks on a substrate and forming an insulating layer on the substrate. The insulating layer has portions adjacent to the first stack and portions adjacent to the second gate stack. A first pair of insulating structures is formed adjacent to the first gate stack and a second pair of insulating structures is formed adjacent to the second gate stack. The first pair of insulating structures is removed. The portions of the insulating layer adjacent to the first gate stack are thickened while the second pair of insulating structures prevents thickening of the portions of the insulating film adjacent to the second gate stack. Differential insulating layer thickness for different gate devices is permitted to enable reduction in leakage currents for selected devices without harming speed performance for others.

Abstract: A method is provided for forming a non-volatile memory device. The method includes forming a stacked structure including a tunnel oxide layer, a floating gate, a thin oxide layer, and a control gate on a semiconductor substrate. Etching is used to define the sidewalls of the stacked structure. Dopants are implanted into exposed areas of the substrate to form source and drain regions within the substrate adjacent to the stacked structure. A liner dielectric layer is formed on the sidewalls of the stacked structure to patch the etching damage. Thereafter, a nitride barrier layer is formed on the liner dielectric layer, and an oxide spacer is formed on the nitride barrier layer. The nitride barrier layer can trap negative charge and thus act as a relatively high barrier at the tunneling oxide edge. Therefore, the threshold voltage difference between the initial erase of the memory device and the erase after many cycles is reduced.

Abstract: A multi-bit split-gate (MSG) flash cell with multi-shared source/drain and making of the same are disclosed. The MSG is formed with N+1 stacked gates comprising floating gates and control gates, separated by N select gates, all sharing the same source/drain between a pair of bit lines. With the disclosed MSG, a multiplicity of N+1 bit programming can be accomplished bit by bit where the programmed bits are selected by word line, bit line and control gate. In the erase operation, erased bits are selected by word line, while in the read operation, operations similar to write operation are performed. Thus, it is disclosed here that a plurality of N+1 bits or cells, where N is any integer, can be formed between two bit lines and along the same word line.

Abstract: A non-volatile memory device and fabrication method thereof are provided. A floating region is formed on an active region on a substrate. Trenches define the active region. The floating region is made of an ONO layer. A gate electrode is formed on the floating region. A mask is formed on the gate electrode. A thermal oxidation is performed to make a sidewall oxide and a trench oxide on the sidewall of the gate electrode and the trench, respectively. As a result, the widths of the gate electrode and the active region become less than the width of the floating region, thereby forming protrusions at ends of the floating region. Isolation regions are formed in the trenches and include the sidewall oxide and the trench oxide. The isolation regions surround the protrusions. As a result, electric field induced on the sidewall of the floating region is decreased. Moreover, the thermal oxidation cures any damage to the sidewalls of the floating region.

Abstract: A split gate structure is disclosed for improved programming and erasing efficiency. Source/drain regions are equally spaced along the active regions and are electrically connected by source/drain towers that run perpendicular to the active regions. Floating gate towers are situated between each pair of source/drain towers. A floating gate tower has insulating layers separating floating gates, which exist only over active regions crossed by the floating gate tower, from a semiconductor region. An insulating layer separates the floating gates from a top gate and an insulating layer is disposed over the top gate. Insulator spacers are disposed over the sidewalls. Programming injectors, in electrical contact with the semiconductor region, are disposed against the sidewalls of the floating gate towers except where there are source/drain towers and taper to a sharp edge at a height so that they face the floating gates. Selected gates are disposed over the active regions.

Abstract: The invention includes methods of forming field effect transistors. In one implementation, a method of forming a field effect transistor having a gate comprising a conductive metal or metal compound received over conductively doped semiconductive material includes forming transistor gate semiconductive material into a gate line over a semiconductive material channel region. The gate line includes semiconductive material sidewalls. The semiconductive material sidewalls of the gate line are oxidized. After the oxidizing, at least one of a conductive metal or metal compound is formed in electrical connection with the transistor gate semiconductive material to comprise a substantially coextensive elongated portion of a final construction of the gate line of the field effect transistor being formed.

Abstract: A method for fabricating floating gates having improved coupling ratios. The method includes forming a tunneling dielectric layer, a conductive layer and an insulation layer sequentially on a semiconductor substrate, defining and etching the tunneling dielectric layer, the conductive layer, the insulation layer and the semiconductor substrate to form two trenches, filling the two trenches with insulation material to a level lower than the conductive layer, thereby forming shallow trench isolation structures, removing the insulation layer, and forming a pair of conductive spacers on the two sidewalls of the conductive layer, such that the tops of the conductive spacers are lower than the surface of the conductive layer, with the conductive spacers and the conductive layer form the floating gate.

Abstract: A split-gate flash memory cell having a spacer-like floating gate is disclosed as well as a method of forming the same. This is accomplished by defining a floating area opening in a structure layer over a substrate, and forming polysilicon spacers along the vertical walls of the opening. Then an intergate oxide is formed over the spacer-like floating gates followed by the forming of individual control gates. Thus, a flash memory is formed having two independent cells with their own spacer floating gates and control gates sharing one source with the capability of being shrunk in size much more readily than conventionally possible.

Abstract: There are provided a gate electrode formed on a semiconductor substrate of one conductivity type via a gate insulating film, ion-implantation controlling films formed on both side surfaces of the gate electrode and having a space between the gate electrode and an upper surface of the semiconductor substrate, first and second impurity diffusion regions of opposite conductivity type formed in the semiconductor substrate on both sides of the gate electrode and serving as source/drain, a channel region of one conductivity type formed below the gate electrode between the first and second impurity diffusion regions of opposite conductivity type, and pocket regions of one conductivity type connected to end portions of the impurity diffusion regions of opposite conductivity type in the semiconductor substrate below the gate electrode and having an impurity concentration of one conductivity type higher than the channel region.

Abstract: A wafer has a substrate defined with a first region and a second region. An ONO layer, a first silicon layer, and a silicon nitride layer are formed on the substrate in sequence. Then the ONO layer, the first silicon layer, and the silicon nitride layer disposed on the second region are removed. At least one gate oxide layer is formed on the second region and a second silicon layer is deposited on the wafer. After that, a photo-etching process is performed to remove the second silicon layer and the silicon nitride layer on the first region. At least a third silicon layer is formed on the wafer. Photo-etching processes and a plurality of ion implantation processes are then performed to form a gate, a drain, and a source of each MOS transistor on the substrate.

Abstract: A process for a semiconductor device includes the following steps applied to a silicon substrate wherein a floating gate electrode having sidewalls is formed above the semiconductor substrate with a tunnel oxide film intervened and wherein active regions are arranged in places adjoining both sides of floating gate electrode, as seen from above, and arsenic is injected into said active regions as an impurity: the lamp annealing step of carrying out a heat treatment in the atmosphere of a first gas mixture which includes nitrogen and oxygen; and the oxygen film formation step of carrying out a heat treatment in the atmosphere of a second gas mixture which includes oxygen so as to form an oxide film on sidewalls of floating gate electrode after the lamp annealing step.

Abstract: A manufacturing method for fabricating flash memory semiconductor devices is disclosed.

Abstract: Semiconductor power device including a semiconductor layer of a first type of conductivity, wherein a body region of a second type of conductivity including source regions of the first type of conductivity is formed, a gate oxide layer superimposed to the semiconductor layer with an opening over the body region, polysilicon regions superimposed to the gate oxide layer, and regions of a first insulating material superimposed to the polysilicon regions. The device includes regions of a second insulating material situated on a side of both the polysilicon regions and the regions of a first insulating material and over zones of the gate oxide layer situated near the opening on the body region, oxide regions interposed between the polysilicon regions and the regions of a second insulating material, oxide spacers superimposed to the regions of a second insulating material.

Abstract: A non-volatile memory device having a MONOS (Metal-oxide-nitride-oxide-semiconductor) gate structure is provided. This device includes a selection transistor and a cell transistor including a cell gate insulation layer formed in a cell array area and a low-voltage MOS transistor having a low-voltage gate insulation layer and a high-voltage MOS transistor having a high-voltage gate insulation layer formed in a peripheral circuit area. The low-voltage gate insulation layer is thinner than the high-voltage gate insulation layer. The low-voltage gate insulation layer can also be thinner than the equivalent thickness of the cell gate insulation layer.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a semiconductor device including a non-volatile memory device and a resistance element including a resistance conductive layer is provided. The method comprises the following steps: a step of pattering a stopper layer and a first conductive layer to form a gate layer; a step of patterning the stopper layer, a dielectric layer and the first conductive layer to form a resistance conductive layer; a step of forming sidewall-like control gates on both side surfaces of the gate layer through ONO films at least within a memory region; a step of forming a second conductive layer above the gate layer and the resistance conductive layer; a step of forming a word line by patterning the second conductive layer; and a step of forming a word gate by patterning the gate layer.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a method that includes forming a selection transistor and a cell transistor that includes a cell gate insulation layer in a cell array area. The method also includes forming a low-voltage MOS transistor having a low-voltage gate insulation layer and a high-voltage MOS transistor having a high-voltage gate insulation layer in a peripheral circuit area. The low-voltage gate insulation layer is formed thinner than the high-voltage gate insulation layer. The low voltage gate insulation layer may also be formed thinner than the equivalent thickness of the cell gate insulation layer.

Abstract: A ROM device is fabricated by forming a first conductive layer pattern including a sidewall, on an insulating layer on an integrated circuit substrate. Ions are implanted into the integrated circuit substrate using the first conductive layer pattern as an implantation mask. At least a portion of the integrated circuit substrate, and at least a portion of the sidewall are thermally oxidized, to form a thermal oxide layer on at least a portion of the integrated circuit substrate and on the sidewall, and to form a buried doping layer from the implanted ions beneath the thermal oxide layer. A second conductive layer pattern is then formed on at least a portion of the thermal oxide layer and on at least a portion of the first conductive layer pattern.

Abstract: In a method for manufacturing a flash memory device, a first gate insulating film, a first gate conductive film, and a second insulating film are sequentially formed on a semiconductor substrate. A region where a first gate is to be formed is defined by etching the second insulating film to expose an upper portion of the first gate conductive film. Second conductive film spacers are formed along sidewalls of the etched second insulating film. An oxide film is formed on the exposed surface of the second conductive film spacers and the first gate conductive film. Silicon insulating spacers are formed on the sidewalls of the etched second insulating film. A source junction contact hole is formed by etching the first gate conductive film and the first gate insulating film by using the second insulating film and the silicon insulating film spacers as a mask. A source junction contact fill is formed filling the source junction contact hole.

Abstract: Bridging between nickel silicide layers on a gate electrode and source/drain regions along silicon nitride sidewall spacers is prevented by treating the exposed surfaces of the silicon nitride sidewall spacers with a nitrogen oxide plasma to create a surface region having reduced free silicon. Embodiments include treating the silicon nitride sidewall spacers with a nitrogen plasma to reduce the refractive index of the surface region to less than about 1.95.

Abstract: A fabrication method for a flash memory device with a split floating gate is described. The method provides a substrate, wherein an oxide layer and a patterned sacrificial layer are sequentially formed on the substrate. Ion implantation is then conducted to form source/drain regions with lightly doped source/drain regions in the substrate beside the sides of the patterned sacrificial layer using the patterned sacrificial layer as a mask. Isotropic etching is further conducted to remove a part of the patterned sacrificial layer, followed by forming two conductive spacers on the sidewalls of the patterned sacrificial layer. The patterned sacrificial layer and oxide layer that is exposed by the two conductive spacers are then removed to form two floating gates. Subsequently, a dielectric layer and a control gate are formed on the substrate.

Abstract: According to the present invention, a method for manufacturing a nonvolatile semiconductor storage device is provided in which an element separating layer and first gate insulating layer are respectively formed onto a silicon base, followed by layering and patterning of a first polysilicon layer. A second gate insulating layer for forming an ONO structure and a second polysilicon layer are then sequentially formed and patterned. After formation of a gate oxide layer, a third polysilicon layer is layered and patterned to form a gate electrode. The second and first polysilicon layers are then patterned to respectively form control gate and floating gate.

Abstract: A floating gate and fabrication method thereof. A semiconductor substrate is provided, on which a gate dielectric layer, a conducting layer, and a patterned hard mask layer are sequentially formed. The surface of the conducting layer is covered by the patterned hard mask layer to form a gate. The conducting layer is etched to a predetermined depth to form an indentation using the patterned hard mask layer as a mask. The conducting layer is oxidized to form an oxide layer on the surface of the conducting layer. The oxide layer and the conducting layer are etched to form multiple tips using the patterned hard mask layer as a mask.

Abstract: A process of forming fine repetitive geometries using a mask having large mask dimensions. The pitch of the masking pattern on the mask is divided by the process to obtain a smaller pitch in the fine repetitive geometries. At least two working materials are used one of which can be etched without etching a substrate. In one embodiment the two working materials and the substrate are each etched independently. In other embodiments, the substrate and one working material have similar etch rates while the other material is etched independently. Pedestals are formed having an initial pitch. First sidewalls are formed around the pedestals. The pedestals are removed and a second and third sidewall are formed on the inside and outside surfaces of the first sidewall having spaces there-between. The first sidewall is removed generating another space between the second and third sidewall.

Abstract: A semiconductor device and method of production are disclosed, the method including forming a preliminary gate electrode on a semiconductor substrate, the preliminary gate electrode including a gate oxide layer pattern and a conductive layer pattern stacked on the gate oxide layer pattern, and performing a re-oxidation process for curing damage of the semiconductor substrate and/or a sidewall of the conductive layer pattern, when the preliminary gate electrode is formed by forming an oxide layer on an outer surface of the preliminary gate electrode and on the semiconductor substrate, by supplying an oxygen gas and a chlorine-including gas while restraining a thickness of the gate oxide layer pattern from being increased; and the semiconductor device comprising a preliminary gate electrode formed on a semiconductor substrate, the preliminary gate electrode including a gate oxide layer pattern and a conductive layer pattern stacked on the gate oxide layer pattern, and a re-oxidized semiconductor substrate and/o

Abstract: A method for producing a non-volatile semiconductor memory cell with a separate tunnel window cell includes the step of forming a tunnel zone in a late implantation step by performing a tunnel implantation with the aid of a tunnel window cell as a mask. The resulting memory cell has a small area requirement and a high number of program/clear cycles.

Abstract: A non-volatile memory cell includes a MOS transistor having a ring arrangement and comprising a floating gate, a center electrode at a center of the ring arrangement and surrounding the floating gate, and at least one peripheral electrode along a periphery of the ring arrangement.

Abstract: A method is taught for forming shallow LDD diffusions using polysilicon sidewalls as a diffusion source. The polysilicon sidewalls are formed along side squared-off silicon nitride sidewall spacers which have an essentially rectangular cross section and are in direct contact with the subjacent silicon wherein the shallow LDD elements are formed. The method is applied to the formation of a p-channel MOSFET with salicide contacts wherein the polysilicon sidewalls can be made full size because the essentially flat tops of the nearly rectangular silicon nitride sidewalls provide ample gate-to-source drain spacing to prevent silicide bridging and thereby reduce gate-to-source/drain shorts. In addition, the squared-off silicon nitride sidewalls are formed with parallel vertical sides. This permits improved control of their width, reduced lateral encroachment of boron dopant under the gate, and reduced gate-to-source drain silicide bridging.

Abstract: A new method is provided for the removal of liner oxide from the surface of a gate electrode during the creation of the gate electrode. A layer of gate oxide is formed over the surface of a substrate, a layer of gate electrode such as polyimide is deposited over the layer of gate oxide. The gate electrode and the layer of gate oxide are patterned. A layer of liner oxide is deposited, gate spacers are formed over the liner oxide, exposing surfaces of the liner oxide. The created structure is nitrided by a plasma stream containing N2/H2, reducing the etch rate of the exposed liner oxide. The liner oxide is then removed by applying a wet etch, contact regions to the gate electrode are salicided.

Abstract: A scalable flash EEPROM cell having a semiconductor substrate with a drain and a source and a channel therebetween. A select gate is positioned over a portion of the channel and is insulated therefrom. A floating gate is a spacer having a bottom surface positioned over a second portion of the channel and is insulated therefrom. The floating gate has two side surfaces extending from the bottom surface. A control gate is over the floating gate and includes a first portion that is adjacent the floating gate first side surface, and a second portion adjacent the floating gate second side surface.

Abstract: This invention discloses a method of making a nonvolatile memory device, wherein the capacitance between the floating gate and the substrate is reduced to result in a high capacitive coupling ratio. First, a substrate with shallow trench isolation (STI) structures protruding above the substrate and a conductive layer confined between the STI structures is provided. The conductive layer is recessed below the STI structures to leave a recess. A spacer is formed on the sidewalls of the recess to serve as an oxidation mask for the underlying conductive layer. A thermal oxide layer is grown on the conductive layer where it is not covered by the spacer, and the spacer is then removed. An opening is etched through the conductive layer using the thumal oxide layer as an etch mask to define a floating gate. After removing the oxide layer, a thin inter-gate dielectric layer and a control gate layer are sequentially formed.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing a dual charge storage location electrically programmable memory cell that includes the steps of forming a central insulated gate over a semiconductor substrate; forming physically separated charge-confining layers stack portions of a dielectric-charge trapping material-dielectric layers stack at the sides of the central gate, the charge trapping material layer in each charge-confining layers stack portion forming a charge storage element; forming side control gates over each of the charge-confining layers stack portions; forming memory cell source/drain regions laterally to the side control gates; and electrically connecting the side control gates to the central gate. Each of the charge-confining layers stack portions at the sides of the central gate is formed with an “L” shape, with a base charge-confining layers stack portion lying on the substrate surface and an upright charge-confining layers stack portion lying against a respective side of the insulated gate.

Abstract: Bridging between nickel silicide layers on a gate electrode and source/drain regions along silicon nitride sidewall spacers is prevented by employing composite silicon nitride sidewall spacers comprising an outer layer having reduced free silicon. Embodiments include forming composite silicon nitride sidewall spacers comprising an inner silicon nitride layer, having a refractive index of about 1.95 to about 2.05 and a thickness of about 450 Å to about 550 Å, on the side surfaces of the gate electrode and an outer silicon nitride layer, having a refractive index to less than about 1.95 and a thickness of about 350 Å to about 450 Å.

Abstract: This invention discloses a method of making a nonvolatile memory device, wherein the capacitance between the floating gate and the substrate is reduced to result in a high capacitive coupling ratio. First, a substrate with shallow trench isolation (STI) structures protruding above the substrate and a conductive layer confined between the STI structures is provided. The conductive layer is recessed below the STI structures to leave a recess. A spacer is formed on the sidewalls of the recess to serve as an oxidation mask for the underlying conductive layer. A thermal oxide layer is grown on the conductive layer where it is not covered by the spacer, and the spacer is then removed. An opening is etched through the conductive layer using the oxide layer as an etch mask to define a floating gate. After removing the oxide layer, a thin inter-gate dielectric layer and a control gate layer are sequentially formed.

Abstract: An improved method of fabricating a non-volatile semiconductor device having a BPTEOS oxide film is provided. The present method utilizes the step of performing a RTA at a temperature of about 800° C. immediately after the deposition of the BPTEOS film so as to densify and stabilize the same. Then, a CMP step is performed so as to planarize the BPTEOS film.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method of forming a word line, more particularly, to the method of forming a word line in an embedded dynamic random access memory (eDRAM). The present invention uses a sandwich structure in silicon (Si)/tungsten silicon (WSi)/buffer layer to be the structure of the word line in the embedded dynamic random access memory to keep the enough thickness of the nitride layer, which is on the gate, and to proceed the self-aligned contact process in the embedded dynamic random access memory region in the following process to increase the efficiency of the process. The gate, which is formed by using the present invention method and is proceed the metal salicide process in the logic region that is in the embedded dynamic random access memory, will keep the low resistance of the word line and will increase the efficiency of the embedded dynamic random access memory.