Abstract: A photo key has a plurality of first regions spaced apart from one another on a semiconductor substrate, and a second region surrounding the first regions, and one of the first regions and the second region constitutes a plurality of photo key regions spaced apart from one another. Each of the photo key regions includes a plurality of first conductive patterns spaced apart from one another; and a plurality of second conductive patterns interposed between the first conductive patterns.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device is provided. A pattern layer is formed on a substrate defined to include a main pattern region and a dummy pattern region. A preliminary main pattern and a preliminary dummy pattern may be formed by patterning the pattern layer so that an upper surface area of the preliminary dummy pattern facing away from a surface of the substrate is less than an entire area of the dummy pattern region that is be subjected to subsequent planarization. The preliminary main pattern and the preliminary dummy pattern are partially etched to form a main pattern and a dummy pattern.

Abstract: A conductive structure includes a contact plug extending through an insulating layer on a substrate, and first and second conductive lines extending alongside one another on the insulating layer. The first conductive line extends on the contact plug. A connecting line on the insulating layer extends between and electrically connects the first and second conductive lines. Related integrated circuit devices and fabrication methods are also discussed.

Abstract: Methods of fabricating a semiconductor device is provided. The methods include forming an interlayer insulating layer on a semiconductor substrate having a first region and a second region. First contact plugs may be formed on a portion of the second region to fill a plurality of first contact holes. A plurality of first contact mask layers and a plurality of first dummy mask layers may be formed on the interlayer insulating layer. The first contact mask layers may be formed in the first region. The first dummy mask layers may be formed in the second region. A plurality of second contact mask layers may be formed between two adjacent first contact mask layers. A plurality of second dummy mask layers may be formed between two adjacent first dummy mask layers. The interlayer insulating layer may be etched using the first contact mask layers and the second contact mask layers as etch stop layers to form a plurality of second contact holes through the interlayer insulating layer formed in the first region.

Abstract: A photo key has a plurality of first regions spaced apart from one another on a semiconductor substrate, and a second region surrounding the first regions, and one of the first regions and the second region constitutes a plurality of photo key regions spaced apart from one another. Each of the photo key regions includes a plurality of first conductive patterns spaced apart from one another; and a plurality of second conductive patterns interposed between the first conductive patterns.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a non-volatile memory integrated circuit device and a non-volatile memory integrated circuit device fabricated by using the method are provided. A device isolation region is formed in a substrate to define a cell array region and a peripheral circuit region. A plurality of first and second pre-stacked gate structures is formed in the cell array region, and each has a structure in which a lower structure, a conductive pattern and a first sacrificial layer pattern are stacked. Junction regions are formed in the cell array region. Spacers are formed on side walls of the first and second pre-stacked gate structures. A second sacrificial layer pattern filling each space between the second pre-stacked gate structures is formed. The first sacrificial layer pattern is removed from each of the first and second pre-stacked gate structures.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a non-volatile memory integrated circuit device and a non-volatile memory integrated circuit device fabricated by using the method are provided. A device isolation region is formed in a substrate to define a cell array region and a peripheral circuit region. A plurality of first and second pre-stacked gate structures is formed in the cell array region, and each has a structure in which a lower structure, a conductive pattern and a first sacrificial layer pattern are stacked. Junction regions are formed in the cell array region. Spacers are formed on side walls of the first and second pre-stacked gate structures. A second sacrificial layer pattern filling each space between the second pre-stacked gate structures is formed. The first sacrificial layer pattern is removed from each of the first and second pre-stacked gate structures.

Abstract: In a reliable semiconductor device and a method of fabricating the semiconductor device, a difference in height between upper surfaces of a cell region and a peripheral region (also referred to as a level difference) is minimized by optimizing dummy gate parts. The semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate including a cell region and a peripheral region surrounding the cell region, a plurality of dummy active regions surrounded by a device isolating region and formed apart from each other, and a plurality of dummy gate parts formed on the dummy active regions and on the device isolating regions located between the dummy active regions, wherein each of the dummy gate parts covers two or more of the dummy active regions.

Abstract: Mask patterns used for forming patterns or trenches may include first mask patterns, which may be formed by a typical photolithography process, and second mask patterns, which may be formed in a self-aligned manner between adjacent first mask patterns. A sacrificial layer may be deposited and planarized such that the tops of the first mask patterns and the second mask patterns have planar surfaces. After the planarization of the sacrificial layer, the remaining the sacrificial layer may be removed by an ashing process.

Abstract: Methods of fabricating a semiconductor device is provided. The methods include forming an interlayer insulating layer on a semiconductor substrate having a first region and a second region. First contact plugs may be formed on a portion of the second region to fill a plurality of first contact holes. A plurality of first contact mask layers and a plurality of first dummy mask layers may be formed on the interlayer insulating layer. The first contact mask layers may be formed in the first region. The first dummy mask layers may be formed in the second region. A plurality of second contact mask layers may be formed between two adjacent first contact mask layers. A plurality of second dummy mask layers may be formed between two adjacent first dummy mask layers. The interlayer insulating layer may be etched using the first contact mask layers and the second contact mask layers as etch stop layers to form a plurality of second contact holes through the interlayer insulating layer formed in the first region.

Abstract: In a method of chemically and mechanically polishing a layer, a substrate on which the layer having stepped portions is formed is prepared. The layer is primarily chemically and mechanically polished at a temperature of about 30° C. to about 80° C. to remove the stepped portions of the layer. The layer is secondarily chemically and mechanically polished without the stepped portions at a temperature of about 5° C. to about 25° C. to form a flat layer having a desired thickness. Thus, the stepped portions may be rapidly removed in an initial period so that the method may have an improved throughput.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a non-volatile memory integrated circuit device and a non-volatile memory integrated circuit device fabricated by using the method are provided. A device isolation region is formed in a substrate to define a cell array region and a peripheral circuit region. A plurality of first and second pre-stacked gate structures is formed in the cell array region, and each has a structure in which a lower structure, a conductive pattern and a first sacrificial layer pattern are stacked. Junction regions are formed in the cell array region. Spacers are formed on side walls of the first and second pre-stacked gate structures. A second sacrificial layer pattern filling each space between the second pre-stacked gate structures is formed. The first sacrificial layer pattern is removed from each of the first and second pre-stacked gate structures.

Abstract: Mask patterns used for forming patterns or trenches may include first mask patterns, which may be formed by a typical photolithography process, and second mask patterns, which may be formed in a self-aligned manner between adjacent first mask patterns. A sacrificial layer may be deposited and planarized such that the tops of the first mask patterns and the second mask patterns have planar surfaces. After the planarization of the sacrificial layer, the remaining the sacrificial layer may be removed by an ashing process.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for semiconductor device planarization. The semiconductor manufacturing method includes a memory region and a logic device region, comprising steps of: a) forming first patterns on each regions of the memory and the logic device, respectively; b) forming a first interlayer insulating layer on the memory region and on the logic device region, respectively; c) forming a second pattern on the first inter-layer insulating layer in the memory region; d) forming a second interlayer insulating layer on the memory region and on the logic device region, respectively; e) polishing the second interlayer insulating layer; f) forming a planarization insulating layer on the memory region and on the logic device region; g) removing the planarization insulating layer on the memory region through a selectively etching process; and h) planarizing the memory region and the logic device region through a polishing process.