Abstract: A method for manufacturing a memory device that includes using a gap-filling material that inhibits charge coupling between memory devices. A semiconductor material is provided that has an active region and an isolation region. A charge trapping structure is formed over the active region and a layer of semiconductor material is formed over the charge trapping structure and the isolation region. A masking structure having sidewalls is formed on the layer of semiconductor material. Spacers are formed adjacent the sidewalls and the layer of semiconductor material is etched to form one or more conductive strips having opposing sides. The one or more conductive strips are formed over the active region. A dielectric material is formed adjacent to the opposing sides of each conductive strip. The dielectric material serves as a gap-filling material. A layer of semiconductor material is formed over the one or more conductive strips.

Abstract: Dual storage node memory devices and methods for fabricating dual storage node memory devices have been provided. In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, a method includes the steps of etching a plurality of trenches in a semiconductor substrate and forming a layered structure within the trenches. The layered structure includes a tunnel dielectric layer and a charge storage layer. Bit lines are formed within the semiconductor substrate and a layer of conductive material is deposited overlying the layered structure.

Abstract: A method and device for avoiding oxide gouging in shallow trench isolation (STI) regions of a semiconductor device. A trench may be etched in an STI region and filled with insulating material. An anti-reflective coating (ARC) layer may be deposited over the STI region and extend beyond the boundaries of the STI region. A portion of the ARC layer may be etched leaving a remaining portion of the ARC layer over the STI region and extending beyond the boundaries of the STI region. A protective cap may be deposited to cover the remaining portion of the ARC layer as well as the insulating material. The protective cap may be etched back to expose the ARC layer. However, the protective cap still covers and protects the insulating material. By providing a protective cap that covers the insulating material, gouging of the insulating material in STI regions may be avoided.

Abstract: A method for performing a bit line implant is disclosed. The method includes forming a group of structures on an oxide-nitride-oxide stack of a semiconductor device. Each structure of the group of structures includes a polysilicon portion and a hard mask portion. A first structure of the group of structures is separated from a second structure of the group of structures by less than 100 nanometers. The method further includes using the first structure and the second structure to isolate a portion of the semiconductor device for the bit line implant.

Abstract: A contact structure in a semiconductor device includes a layer of dielectric material and a via formed through the dielectric material. The contact structure further includes a spacer formed on sidewalls of the via using atomic layer deposition (ALD) and a metal deposited in the via.

Abstract: The present invention facilitates dual bit memory devices and operation of dual bit memory device by providing systems and methods that employ a relatively thin undoped TEOS liner during fabrication, instead of a relatively thick TEOS layer that is conventionally used. Employment of the relatively thin liner facilitates dual bit memory device operation by mitigating charge loss and contact resistance while providing protection against unwanted dopant diffusion. The present invention includes utilizing a relatively thin undoped TEOS liner that is formed on wordlines and portions of a charge trapping dielectric layer. The relatively thin undoped TEOS liner is formed with a thickness of less than about 400 Angstroms so that contact resistance and charge loss are improved and yet providing suitable protection for operation of the device. Additionally, the present invention includes foregoing with an undoped TEOS liner altogether.

Abstract: A method for forming a memory device is provided. A nitride layer is formed over a substrate. The nitride layer and the substrate are etched to form a trench. The nitride layer is trimmed on opposite sides of the trench to widen the trench within the nitride layer. The trench is filled with an oxide material. The nitride layer is stripped from the memory device, forming a mesa above the trench.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate, an ONO film that is provided on the semiconductor substrate and has a contact hole, and an interlayer insulating film that is provided directly on the ONO film and contains phosphorus. The interlayer insulating film contains 4.5 wt % of phosphorus or more in an interface portion that interfaces with the ONO film. The interlayer insulating film comprises a first portion that contacts the ONO film, and a second portion provided on the first portion. The first portion has a phosphorus concentration more than that of the second portion.

Abstract: The present invention provides a flash memory device and method for making the same having a floating gate structure with a semiconductor substrate and shallow trench isolation (STI) structure formed in the substrate. A first polysilicon layer is formed over the substrate and the STI structure. The recess formed within the first polysilicon layer is over the STI structure and extends through the first polysilicon layer to the STI structure. An oxide fill is provided within the recess and is etched back. ONO (oxide-nitride-oxide) layer conformally covers the oxide fill and the first polysilicon layer. The second polysilicon layer covers the ONO layer. The oxide fill within the recess provides a minimum spacing between the second polysilicon layer and the corner of the STI regions, thereby avoiding the creation of a weak spot and reducing the risk of gate breakdown, gate leakage, and improving device reliability.

Abstract: Semiconductor devices with improved data retention are formed by depositing an undoped oxide liner on spaced apart transistors followed by in situ deposition of a BPSG layer. Embodiments include depositing an undoped silicon oxide liner derived from TEOS, as at a thickness of 400 ? to 600 ?, on transistors of a non-volatile semiconductor device, as by sub-atmospheric chemical vapor deposition, followed by depositing the BPSG layer in the same deposition chamber.

Abstract: A method and system for providing a semiconductor device is described. The semiconductor includes a core and a periphery. The method and system include providing a plurality of core gate stacks in the core, a plurality of sources in the core and a plurality of periphery gate stacks in the periphery. Each of the plurality of core gate stacks includes a first polysilicon gate and a WSi layer above the first polysilicon gate. The plurality of sources resides between a portion of the plurality of core gate stacks. Each of the plurality of periphery gate stacks includes a second polysilicon gate and a CoSi layer on the second polysilicon gate.

Abstract: A system and methodology are disclosed for forming a passive layer on a conductive layer, such as can be done during fabrication of an organic memory cell, which generally mitigates drawbacks inherent in conventional inorganic memory devices. The passive layer includes a conductivity facilitating compound, such as copper sulfide (Cu2S), which is generated from an upper portion of a conductive material. The conductive material can serve as a bottom electrode in the memory cell, and the upper portion of the conductive material can be transformed into the passive layer via treatment with a plasma generated from fluorine (F) based gases.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a semiconductor device. Specifically, a method that includes forming a source and drain region in a periphery transistor, exhibiting a channel width between the source and drain regions suitable for operation at predetermined voltages. After forming the source and drain regions, to eliminate diffusion of lightly doped drain regions resulting from a later formation of the source and drain regions, forming the lightly doped drain regions adjacent to the source and drain regions of the periphery transistor. After forming the lightly doped drain regions in the periphery transistor, the method includes forming a source region and a drain region in a core memory cell, independent of forming the source and drain regions in the periphery transistor.

Abstract: According to one exemplary embodiment, a floating gate memory cell comprises a stacked gate structure situated on a substrate and situated over a channel region in the substrate. The floating gate memory cell further comprises a recess formed in the substrate adjacent to the stacked gate structure, where the recess has a sidewall, a bottom, and a depth. According to this exemplary embodiment, the floating gate memory cell further comprises a source situated adjacent to the sidewall of the recess and under the stacked gate structure. The floating gate memory cell further comprises a Vss connection region situated under the bottom of the recess and under the source, where the Vss connection region is connected to the source. The Vss connection region being situated under the bottom of the recess causes the source to have a reduced lateral diffusion in the channel region.

Abstract: Planarized STI with minimized topography is formed by selectively etching back the dielectric trench fill with respect to the polish stop film prior to removing the polish stop film. Embodiments include etching back a silicon oxide trench filled to a depth of about 200 ? to about 1,500 ?, and then stripping a silicon nitride polish stop layer leaving a substantially planarized surface, thereby improving the accuracy of subsequent gate electrode patterning and reducing stringers.

Abstract: According to one exemplary embodiment, a structure comprises a substrate. The structure further comprises at least one memory cell situated on the substrate. The at least one memory cell may be, for example, a SONOS flash memory cell. The structure further comprises an interlayer dielectric layer situated over at least one memory cell and over the substrate. The structure further comprises a first antireflective coating layer situated over the interlayer dielectric layer. According to this exemplary embodiment, the structure further comprises a second antireflective coating layer situated directly over the first anti reflective coating layer. Either the first antireflective coating layer or second antireflective coating layer must be a silicon-rich layer. The first antireflective coating layer and the second antireflective coating may form a UV radiation blocking layer having a UV transparency less than approximately 1.0 percent, for example.

Abstract: Semiconductor devices with improved data retention are formed by depositing an undoped oxide liner on spaced apart transistors followed by in situ deposition of a BPSG layer. Embodiments include depositing an undoped silicon oxide liner derived from TEOS, as at a thickness of 400 ? to 600 ?, on transistors of a non-volatile semiconductor device, as by sub-atmospheric chemical vapor deposition, followed by depositing the BPSG layer in the same deposition chamber.

Abstract: According to one exemplary embodiment, a structure comprises a substrate. The structure further comprises at least one memory cell situated on the substrate. The at least one memory cell may be, for example, a flash memory cell, such as a SONOS flash memory cell and may include a gate situated over an ONO stack. The structure further comprises an interlayer dielectric layer situated over the at least one memory cell and over the substrate. According to this exemplary embodiment, the structure further comprises a UV radiation blocking layer situated directly over the interlayer dielectric layer, where the UV radiation blocking layer is selected from the group consisting of silicon-rich oxide and silicon-rich nitride. The UV radiation blocking layer may have a thickness of between approximately 1500.0 Angstroms and approximately 2000.0 Angstroms, for example.

Abstract: One aspect of the invention relates to a method of removing a hard mask from a surface, especially a silicon surface. The hard mask is removed by first applying a sacrificial coating and then plasma etching. The sacrificial material fills pattern gaps formed using the hard mask and protects insulators, such as oxides, within those pattern gaps. The sacrificial material is removed together with the hard mask by the plasma etching. The invention provides a process for removing hard masks from silicon layers without significantly damaging either the silicon layer or any exposed oxides and can be applied in a variety of integrated circuit device manufacturing processes, such as patterning the floating gate layer of a flash memory device.

Abstract: According to one exemplary embodiment, a structure comprises a substrate. The structure further comprises at least one memory cell situated on the substrate. The at least one memory cell may be, for example, a flash memory cell, such as a SONOS flash memory cell. The structure further comprises an interlayer dielectric layer situated over the at least one memory cell and over the substrate. According to this exemplary embodiment, the structure further comprises a UV radiation blocking layer which comprises silicon-rich TCS nitride. Further, an oxide cap layer is situated over the UV radiation blocking layer. The structure might further comprise an antireflective coating layer over the oxide cap layer. The interlayer dielectric may comprise BPSG and the oxide cap layer may comprise TEOS oxide.