Abstract: A silicon-oxide-nitride-oxide-silicon (SONOS) memory cell for FinFET includes a fin, a control gate and a selective metal gate. The fin is on a top surface of a substrate, wherein the fin has two sidewalls and a top surface, and the fin includes a memory region and a logic region. The control gate is disposed over the fin of the memory region and covers the two sidewalls and the top surface of the fin, wherein the control gate includes a charge trapping layer and a control electrode, wherein the charge trapping layer is sandwiched by the fin and the control electrode. The selective metal gate is disposed over the fin adjacent to the control gate and covers the two sidewalls and the top surface of the fin. The present invention also provides a method of forming said silicon-oxide-nitride-oxide-silicon (SONOS) memory cell.

Abstract: Structures for a split gate flash memory cell and methods of forming a structure for a split gate flash memory cell. A trench is formed in a semiconductor substrate. First and second source/drain regions are formed in the semiconductor substrate. A first gate is laterally positioned between the trench and the second source/drain region, and a second gate includes a portion inside the trench. The first source/drain region is located in the semiconductor substrate beneath the trench. A dielectric layer is positioned between the portion of the second gate inside the trench and the semiconductor substrate.

Abstract: A memory device includes a semiconductor column extending above a substrate, a first conductive layer on a first side of the semiconductor column, a second conductive layer on a second side of the semiconductor column, opposite to the first conductive layer, a third conductive layer above or below the first conductive layer and on the first side of the semiconductor column, a fourth conductive layer on the second side of the semiconductor column, opposite to the third conductive layer, and a bit line connected to the semiconductor column. During reading in which a positive voltage is applied to the bit line, first, second, third, and fourth voltages applied to the first, second, third, and fourth conductive layers, respectively, wherein the first voltage and the third voltage are higher than each of the second voltage and the fourth voltage, and the third voltage is higher than the first voltage.

Abstract: A method of fabricating layered structure is disclosed. A basal layer is formed. A laminate is formed on the basal layer, and the laminate includes a device layer, a sacrificial layer and a protection layer stacked in sequence. The device layer, the sacrificial layer and the protection layer are etched to obtain a patterned laminate. A first dielectric layer covering a lateral surface of the patterned laminate is formed. Part of the first dielectric layer and part of the protection layer are removed by polishing. The protection layer of the patterned laminate is etched to expose the sacrificial layer. A through hole in the first dielectric layer is formed to expose the basal layer. The sacrificial layer of the patterned laminate is etched to form an opening in the first dielectric layer, and the opening exposes a top surface of the device layer.

Abstract: A storage device includes a semiconductor substrate, a control gate, a word line, a dielectric layer, a charge storage nitride layer, and a blocking layer. The semiconductor substrate has a source region and a drain region. The control gate and a word line are disposed over the semiconductor substrate and located between the source and drain regions. The dielectric layer is in contact with the semiconductor substrate and disposed between the semiconductor substrate, the control gate, and the word line. The charge storage nitride layer is disposed between the dielectric layer and the control gate. The blocking layer is disposed between the charge storage nitride layer and the control gate.

Abstract: A memory structure including a substrate, a first gate structure, a second gate structure, a first spacer, a second spacer, and a third spacer is provided. The first gate structure includes a first gate and a charge storage layer. The charge storage layer is disposed between the first gate and the substrate. The second gate structure is disposed on the substrate. The second gate structure includes a second gate. A height of the first gate is higher than a height of the second gate. The first spacer and the second spacer are respectively disposed on one sidewall and the other sidewall of the first gate structure. The first spacer is located between the first gate structure and the second gate structure. The third spacer is disposed on a sidewall of the first spacer and covers a portion of a top surface of the second gate.

Abstract: A device having at least one memory cell over a substrate is provided. The at least one memory cell includes a source region and a drain region in the substrate, and a first gate and a second gate over the substrate. The first and second gates are arranged between the source region and the drain region. The first and second gate are separated by an intergate dielectric. The first gate is configured as a select gate and erase gate of the at least one memory cell, and the second gate is configured as a storage gate of the at least one memory cell. The second gate comprises a floating gate and a control gate over the floating gate. The device further includes source/drain (S/D) contacts extending from the source region and the drain region. The source region and the drain region are coupled to either one of a source line (SL) or a bit line (BL) through the S/D contacts.

Abstract: A semiconductor device according to an embodiment includes a semiconductor layer having a first plane and a second plane; a first and a second electrode; first, second, and third semiconductor regions; first and second gate electrodes in the semiconductor layer; first and second gate insulating films; and an insulating layer provided between the first and second gate electrodes and the first electrode. The first electrode has a first region and a second region. The first region contacts the semiconductor layer. The first region is located between the second region and the first semiconductor region. A first part of the first region is located between the first gate electrode and the second gate electrode. A second part of the first region is interposed between a first portion and a second portion of the insulating layer. The second part of the first region has an inverse tapered shape.

Abstract: A semiconductor device including a first conductivity type substrate, a first conductivity type carrier store layer formed on an upper surface side of the substrate, a second conductivity type channel dope layer formed on the carrier store layer, a first conductivity type emitter layer formed on the channel dope layer, a gate electrode in contact with the emitter layer, the channel dope layer and the carrier store layer via a gate insulating film, and a second conductivity type collector layer formed on a lower surface side of the substrate, wherein the gate insulating film has a first part in contact with the emitter layer and the channel dope layer, a second part in contact with the carrier store layer, and a third part in contact with the substrate, and at least a part of the second part is thicker than the first part and the third part.

Abstract: A method comprises forming a control gate structure over a substrate, depositing a memory gate layer over the substrate, applying a first etching process to the memory gate layer to form a memory gate structure, wherein, after applying the first etching process, a remaining portion of the memory gate layer is an L-shaped structure, forming a first spacer along a sidewall of the memory gate structure and forming a second spacer over the memory gate structure.

Abstract: A memory device including a silicon substrate having a planar upper surface in a memory cell area and an upwardly extending silicon fin in a logic device area. The silicon fin includes side surfaces extending up and terminating at a top surface. The logic device includes spaced apart source and drain regions with a channel region extending there between (along the top surface and the side surfaces), and a conductive logic gate disposed over the top surface and laterally adjacent to the side surfaces. The memory cell includes spaced apart source and drain regions with a second channel region extending there between, a conductive floating gate disposed over one portion of the second channel region, a conductive word line gate disposed over another portion of the second channel region, a conductive control gate disposed over the floating gate, and a conductive erase gate disposed over the source region.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a self-aligned split gate memory cell, and an associated method. The self-aligned split gate memory cell has a memory gate with a flat top surface. A memory gate spacer is arranged directly above the memory gate having a lateral dimension smaller than that of the memory gate. The memory gate spacer has an inner sidewall disposed along an upper portion of a charge trapping layer and an outer sidewall recessed back laterally relative to an outer sidewall of the memory gate. In some embodiments, a dielectric liner is continuously lined the outer sidewall of the memory gate, extending on a portion of the top surface of the memory gate not covered by the memory gate spacer, and extending upwardly along the outer sidewall of the memory gate spacer.

Abstract: An aspect of the invention includes a freestanding spacer having a sub-lithographic dimension for a sidewall image transfer process. The freestanding spacer comprises: a first spacer layer having a first portion disposed on the semiconductor layer; and a second spacer layer having a first surface disposed on the first portion of the first spacer layer, wherein the first spacer layer has a first dielectric constant and the second spacer layer has a second dielectric constant, the first dielectric constant being greater than the second dielectric constant, and wherein a dimension of each of the first and second spacer layers collectively determine the sub-lithographic lateral dimension of the freestanding spacer.

Abstract: A nonvolatile memory is organized into blocks as erase units and physical pages as read/write units. A host addresses data by logical pages, which are storable in corresponding physical pages. Groups of logical pages may be further aggregated into logical groups as addressing units. The memory writes host data in either first or second write streams, writing to respective blocks either logical-group by logical-group or logical-page by logical-page in order to reduce the size of logical-to-physical-address maps that are cached in a controller random-access memory (RAM). A group-level map may be used to track logical groups. A page-level map may be used to track logical pages. Only one block at a time needs be open in the second stream to accept logical pages from multiple logical groups that are active. Garbage collection is performed on the blocks from each write stream independently without data copying between the two streams.

Abstract: At a pressure sensor region, a pressure sensor including a fixed electrode, a vacuum chamber and a movable electrode is formed at a pressure sensor region, whereas a memory cell transistor and a field effect transistor are formed at a MOS region. An etching hole communicating with the vacuum chamber is sealed by a first sealing film and the like. The vacuum chamber is formed by removing a portion of a film identical to the film of a gate electrode of the memory cell transistor.

Abstract: A memory device has first and second memory cells in and over a substrate. A first doped region is in a first active region. A top surface of the first active region is substantially coplanar with a top surface of the first doped region. A control gate is over the first doped region and extends over a first side of the first doped region and over a second side of the first doped region. A charge storage layer is between the first control gate and the first active region including between the first select gate and the first doped region. A first select gate is over the first active region on the first side of the first doped region and adjacent to the control gate. A second select gate is over the first active region on the second side of the first doped region and adjacent to the control gate.

Abstract: There are provided a semiconductor device structure and a method for manufacturing the same. The method comprises: forming at least one continuous gate line on a semiconductor substrate; forming a gate spacer surrounding the gate line; forming source/drain regions in the semiconductor substrate on both sides of the gate line; forming a conductive spacer surrounding the gate spacer; and performing inter-device electrical isolation at a predetermined region, wherein isolated portions of the gate line form gates of respective unit devices, and isolated portions of the conductive spacer form contacts of respective unit devices. Embodiments of the present disclosure are applicable to manufacture of contacts in integrated circuits.

Abstract: A nonvolatile memory device includes a memory gate including a memory layer provided over a substrate and a gate electrode provided over the memory layer, the memory gate having first and second opposing sidewalls disposed on first and second sides of the memory gate, respectively; first and second select gates disposed on the first and second sidewalls of the memory gate; a source region formed in the substrate proximate to the first side of the memory gate; a drain region formed in the substrate proximate to the second side of the memory gate; and a gate contact coupled to the gate electrode of the memory gate and to the first select gate, or the second select gate, or both.

Abstract: At a pressure sensor region, a pressure sensor including a fixed electrode, a void and a movable electrode is formed. At a CMOS region, a memory cell transistor and a field effect transistor are formed. An etching hole communicating with the void is closed by a first sealing film. The void is formed by removing a region of a film identical to the film of a gate electrode of the memory cell transistor. The movable electrode is formed of a film identical to the film of a gate electrode.

Abstract: Fabrication of a slim split gate cell and the resulting device are disclosed. Embodiments include forming a first gate on a substrate, the first gate having an upper surface and a hard-mask covering the upper surface, forming an interpoly isolation layer on side surfaces of the first gate and the hard-mask, forming a second gate on one side of the first gate, with an uppermost point of the second gate below the upper surface of the first gate, removing the hard-mask, forming spacers on exposed vertical surfaces, and forming a salicide on exposed surfaces of the first and second gates.

Abstract: A method for processing a carrier accordance with various embodiments may include: forming a structure over the carrier, the structure including at least two adjacent structure elements arranged at a first distance between the same; depositing a spacer layer over the structure, wherein the spacer layer may be deposited having a thickness greater than half of the first distance, wherein the spacer layer may include electrically conductive spacer material; removing a portion of the spacer layer, wherein spacer material of the spacer layer may remain in a region between the at least two adjacent structure elements; and electrically contacting the remaining spacer material.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a device includes a fin type active area on a semiconductor substrate, the active area having an upper surface with a taper shape, having a width in a first direction, and extending in a second direction intersect with the first direction, a first insulating layer on the active area, a charge storage layer on the first insulating layer, the charge storage layer having an upper surface with a taper shape, a second insulating layer covering the upper surface of the charge storage layer, and a control gate electrode on the second insulating layer, the control gate electrode extending in the first direction.

Abstract: Methods for forming a string of memory cells and apparatuses having a vertical string of memory cells are disclosed. One such string of memory cells can be formed at least partially in a stack of materials comprising a plurality of alternating levels of control gate material and insulator material. A memory cell of the string can include floating gate material adjacent to a level of control gate material of the levels of control gate material. The memory cell can also include tunnel dielectric material adjacent to the floating gate material. The level of control gate material and the tunnel dielectric material are adjacent opposing surfaces of the floating gate material. The memory cell can include metal along an interface between the tunnel dielectric material and the floating gate material. The memory cell can further include a semiconductor material adjacent to the tunnel dielectric material.

Abstract: A memory comprises a substrate, a plurality of bit line stacks of alternate semiconductor layers and first insulating layers, a memory layer, a plurality of second insulating layers, and a plurality of string select structures. The bit line stacks are disposed over the substrates and arranged in parallel. Each of the bit line stacks has two opposite sidewalls. The memory layer is disposed on the sidewalls of the bit line stacks. The second insulating layers are disposed on the bit line stacks, respectively. The string select structures are disposed correspondingly to the bit line stacks. Each of the string select structures comprises a first conductive layer and two liners, the semiconductor layer is disposed on a corresponding second insulating layer, and the two liners are disposed respectively along the two opposite sidewalls of a corresponding bit line stack and connected the first conductive layer.

Abstract: The disclosure is related to a band engineered semiconductor device comprising a substrate and a protruding structure that is formed in a recess in the substrate. The protruding structure extends above the recess and has a buried portion and an extended portion. At least the extended portion comprises a semiconductor material having an inverted ‘V’ band gap profile with a band gap value increasing gradually from a first value at lateral edges of the structure to a second value, higher than the first value, in a center of the structure. The disclosure is also related to the method of manufacturing of such a band engineered semiconductor device.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a semiconductor device includes the following steps. At least a first gate stack layer and at least a second gate stack layer protruding from a conductive layer on a substrate are provided. Subsequently, two spacers and a protective layer are formed on the conductive layer, and the two spacers and the protective layer jointly surround the protruded first gate stack layer and the protruded second gate stack layer. The two spacers and the protective layer are used as a mask to remove a part of the conductive layer. Afterwards, the two spacers and the protective layer are removed.

Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed for gate dimension control in multi-gate structures for integrated circuit devices. Processing steps for formation of one or more subsequent gate structures are adjusted based upon dimensions determined for one or more previously formed gate structures. In this way, one or more features of the resulting multi-gate structures can be controlled with greater accuracy, and variations between a plurality of multi-gate structures can be reduced. Example multi-gate features and/or dimensions that can be controlled include overall gate length, overlap of gate structures, and/or any other desired features and/or dimensions of the multi-gate structures. Example multi-gate structures include multi-gate NVM (non-volatile memory) cells for NVM systems, such as for example, split-gate NVM cells having select gates (SGs) and control gates (CGs).

Abstract: A semiconductor memory device and a fabrication method thereof capable of improving electric contact characteristic between an access device and a lower electrode are provided. The semiconductor memory device includes an access device formed in a pillar shape on a semiconductor substrate, a first conductive layer formed over the access device, a protection layer formed on an edge of the first conductive layer to a predetermined thickness, and a lower electrode connected to the first conductive layer.

Abstract: A device comprises a control gate structure over a substrate, a memory gate structure over the substrate, wherein a charge storage layer formed between the control gate structure and the memory gate structure, a first spacer along a sidewall of the memory gate structure, a second spacer over a top surface of the memory gate structure, a first drain/source region formed in the substrate and adjacent to the memory gate structure and a second drain/source region formed in the substrate and adjacent to the control gate structure.

Abstract: A device comprises a control gate structure over a substrate, a memory gate structure over the substrate, wherein the memory gate structure comprises a memory gate electrode and a memory gate spacer, and wherein the memory gate electrode is an L-shaped structure, a charge storage layer formed between the control gate structure and the memory gate structure, a first spacer along a sidewall of the memory gate structure, a second spacer over a top surface of the memory gate structure, a first drain/source region formed in the substrate and adjacent to the memory gate structure and a second drain/source region formed in the substrate and adjacent to the control gate structure.

Abstract: A method of making a semiconductor device includes depositing a layer of polysilicon in a non-volatile memory (NVM) region and a logic region of a substrate. The layer of polysilicon is patterned into a gate in the NVM region while the layer of polysilicon remains in the logic region. A memory cell is formed including the gate in the NVM region while the layer of polysilicon remains in the logic region. The layer of polysilicon in the logic region is removed and the substrate is implanted to form a well region in the logic region after the memory cell is formed. A layer of gate material is deposited in the logic region. The layer of gate material is patterned into a logic gate in the logic region.

Abstract: Split-gate non-volatile memory (NVM) cells having gap protection zones are disclosed along with related manufacturing methods. After formation of a gate for a split-gate NVM cell over a substrate, a doped region is formed adjacent the gate. A first portion of the doped region is then removed to leave a second portion of the doped region that forms a gap protection zone adjacent the select gate. For some disclosed embodiments, a select gate is formed before a control gate for the split-gate NVM cell. For other disclosed embodiments, the control gate is formed before the select gate for the split-gate NVM cell. The gap protection zones can be formed, for example, using an etch processing step to remove the desired portions of the doped region, and a spacer can also be used to protect the gap protection zone during this etch processing step. Related NVM systems are also disclosed.

Abstract: The disclosure is related to a band engineered semiconductor device comprising a substrate, a protruding structure that is formed in a recess in the substrate and is extending above the recess having a buried portion and an extended portion, and wherein at least the extended portion comprises a semiconductor material having an inverted ‘V’ band gap profile with a band gap value increasing gradually from a first value at lateral edges of the structure to a second value, higher than the first value, in a center of the structure. The disclosure is also related to the method of manufacturing of such band engineered semiconductor device.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a substrate; a storage element disposed over the substrate in a first region; a control gate disposed over the storage element; a high-k dielectric layer disposed on the substrate in a second region adjacent the first region; and a metal select gate disposed over the high-k dielectric layer and adjacent to the storage element and the control gate.

Abstract: Disclosed is a semiconductor structure which includes a semiconductor substrate and a wiring layer on the semiconductor substrate. The wiring layer includes a plurality of fin-like structures comprising a first metal; a first layer of a second metal on each of the plurality of fin-like structures wherein the first metal is different from the second metal, the first layer of the second metal having a height less than each of the plurality of fin-like structures; and an interlayer dielectric (ILD) covering the plurality of fin-like structures and the first layer of the second metal except for exposed edges of the plurality of fin-like structures at predetermined locations, and at locations other than the predetermined locations, the height of the plurality of fin-like structures has been reduced so as to be covered by the ILD.

Abstract: A method comprises: forming a tensile SSOI layer on a buried oxide layer on a bulk substrate; forming a plurality of fins in the SSOI layer; removing a portion of the fins; annealing remaining portions of the fins to relax a tensile strain of the fins; and merging the remaining portions of the fins.

Abstract: A method includes forming a first conductive layer over a substrate in a first region and second region of the substrate; patterning the first conductive layer to form a select gate in the first region and to remove the first conductive layer from the second region; forming a charge storage layer over the select gate and the substrate in the first region and over the substrate in the second region; forming a second conductive layer over the charge storage layer in the first and second regions; and patterning the second conductive layer and charge storage layer to form a control gate overlapping the select gate in the first region, wherein a first portion of the charge storage layer remains between the select gate and control gate, and to form an electrode in the second region, wherein a second portion of the charge storage layer remains between the electrode and substrate.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods of forming a self-aligned contact and related apparatus. In some embodiments, the method forms a plurality of gate lines interspersed between a plurality of dielectric lines, wherein the gate lines and the dielectric lines extend in a first direction over an active area. One or more of the plurality of gate lines are into a plurality of gate line sections aligned in the first direction. One or more of the plurality of dielectric lines are cut into a plurality of dielectric lines sections aligned in the first direction. A dummy isolation material is deposited between adjacent dielectric sections in the first direction and between adjacent gate line sections in the first direction. One or more self-aligned metal contacts are then formed by replacing a part of one or more of the plurality of dielectric lines over the active area with a contact metal.

Abstract: In a semiconductor storage device a select gate electrode is arranged into a ring shape so as to surround the second impurity regions, and is electrically connected to a word line. A first control gate electrode is arranged into a ring shape on the outer peripheral side of the select gate electrode, and a second control gate electrode is arranged into a ring shape on the inner peripheral side of the select gate electrode. A pair of first and second bit lines corresponding to every row are placed on the memory cells of the device, a first bit line is electrically connected to one of first impurity regions that are adjacent along the row direction, and a second bit line is electrically connected to the other of the first impurity regions that are adjacent along the row direction.

Abstract: A method of making a non-volatile double-gate memory cell. A gate of the control transistor is formed with a relief on a substrate. A control gate of the memory transistor is formed with a layer of a semiconductor material covering relief. The method includes chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) so as to strip, above the relief another layer and part of the layer of a semiconductor material; stripping of the remaining other layer on both sides of the relief, etching of the layer of a semiconductor material so as to strip this material above the relief and to leave only a pattern on at least one sidewall of the relief.

Abstract: Methods for forming a string of memory cells and apparatuses having a vertical string of memory cells are disclosed. One such string of memory cells can be formed at least partially in a stack of materials comprising a plurality of alternating levels of control gate material and insulator material. A memory cell of the string can include floating gate material adjacent to a level of control gate material of the levels of control gate material. The memory cell can also include tunnel dielectric material adjacent to the floating gate material. The level of control gate material and the tunnel dielectric material are adjacent opposing surfaces of the floating gate material. The memory cell can include metal along an interface between the tunnel dielectric material and the floating gate material. The memory cell can further include a semiconductor material adjacent to the tunnel dielectric material.

Abstract: A non-volatile memory device includes a substrate and a charge storage layer. The charge storage layer comprises a bottom layer of oxide, a layer of discrete charge storage elements on the bottom layer of oxide, and a top layer of oxide on the charge storage elements. A control gate is on the top layer of oxide. A surface of the top layer of oxide facing a surface of the control gate is substantially planar.

Abstract: Methods for fabrication of nanopillar field effect transistors are described. These transistors can have high height-to-width aspect ratios and be CMOS compatible. Silicon nitride may be used as a masking material. These transistors have a variety of applications, for example they can be used for molecular sensing if the nanopillar has a functionalized layer contacted to the gate electrode. The functional layer can bind molecules, causing an electrical signal in the transistor.

Abstract: A non-volatile memory including a substrate of a first conductivity type with first and second spaced apart regions formed therein of a second conductivity type with a channel region therebetween. A polysilicon metal gate word line is positioned over a first portion of the channel region and spaced apart therefrom by a high K dielectric layer. The metal portion of the word line is immediately adjacent to the high K dielectric layer. A polysilicon floating gate is immediately adjacent to and spaced apart from the word line, and positioned over and insulated from another portion of the channel region. A polysilicon coupling gate is positioned over and insulated from the floating gate. A polysilicon erase gate is positioned on another side of and insulated from the floating gate, positioned over and insulated from the second region, and immediately adjacent to but spaced apart from another side of the coupling gate.

Abstract: Some embodiments include memory arrays. The memory arrays may have digit lines under vertically-oriented transistors, with the digit lines interconnecting transistors along columns of the array. Each individual transistor may be directly over only a single digit line, with the single digit line being entirely composed of one or more metal-containing materials. The digit lines can be over a deck, and electrically insulative regions can be directly between the digit lines and the deck. Some embodiments include methods of forming memory arrays. A plurality of linear segments of silicon-containing material may be formed to extend upwardly from a base of the silicon-containing material. The base may be etched to form silicon-containing footings under the linear segments, and the footings may be converted into metal silicide. The linear segments may be patterned into a plurality of vertically-oriented transistor pedestals that extend upwardly from the metal silicide footings.

Abstract: A method of making a non-volatile double-gate memory cell. The gate of the control transistor is formed with a relief of a semiconductor material on a substrate. The control gate of the memory transistor is formed with a sidewall of the relief of a semiconductor material configured to store electrical charge. A first layer is deposited so as to cover the stack of layers. The first layer is etched so as to form a first pattern juxtaposed on the relief. A second layer is formed on the first pattern. The second layer is etched so as to form on the first pattern a second pattern having a substantially plane upper face.

Abstract: A method for defining patterns in an integrated circuit comprises defining a plurality of features in a first photoresist layer using photolithography over a first region of a substrate. The method further comprises using pitch multiplication to produce at least two features in a lower masking layer for each feature in the photoresist layer. The features in the lower masking layer include looped ends. The method further comprises covering with a second photoresist layer a second region of the substrate including the looped ends in the lower masking layer. The method further comprises etching a pattern of trenches in the substrate through the features in the lower masking layer without etching in the second region. The trenches have a trench width.

Abstract: In one aspect, a disclosed method of fabricating a split gate memory device includes forming a gate dielectric layer overlying an channel region of a semiconductor substrate and forming an electrically conductive select gate overlying the gate dielectric layer. The method further includes forming a counter doping region in an upper region of the substrate. A proximal boundary of the counter doping region is laterally displaced from a proximal sidewall of the select gate. The method further includes forming a charge storage layer comprising a vertical portion adjacent to the proximal sidewall of the select gate and a lateral portion overlying the counter doping region and forming an electrically conductive control gate adjacent to the vertical portion of the charge storage layer and overlying the horizontal portion of the charge storage layer.

Abstract: The improvement of the reliability of a semiconductor device having a split gate type MONOS memory is implemented. An ONO film and a second polysilicon film are sequentially formed so as to fill between a first polysilicon film and a dummy gate electrode. Then, the dummy gate electrode is removed. Then, the top surfaces of the first and second polysilicon films are polished, thereby to form a memory gate electrode formed of the second polysilicon film at the sidewall of a control gate electrode formed of the first polysilicon film via the ONO film. As a result, the memory gate electrode high in perpendicularity of the sidewall, and uniform in film thickness is formed.

Abstract: A semiconductor structure including a substrate and a gate structure disposed on the substrate is disclosed. The gate structure includes a gate dielectric layer disposed on the substrate, a gate material layer disposed on the gate dielectric layer and an outer spacer with a rectangular cross section. The top surface of the outer spacer is lower than the top surface of the gate material layer.