Abstract: Bridging testing method between adjacent semiconductor devices includes forming patterned diffusion region on semiconductor substrate, and forming first conductive layer over diffusion region. First conductive layer is patterned in same pattern as patterned diffusion region. Second conductive layer formed extending in first direction over first conductive layer. Second conductive layer is patterned to form opening extending in first direction in central region of second conductive layer exposing portion of first conductive layer. First conductive layer exposed portion is removed exposing portion of diffusion region. Source/drain region is formed over exposed portion of diffusion region, and dielectric layer is formed over source/drain region. Third conductive layer is formed over dielectric layer. End portions along first direction of second conductive layer removed to expose first and second end portions of first conductive layer.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes first and second voltage device regions and a deep well common to the first and second voltage device regions. An operation voltage of electronic devices in the second voltage device region is higher than that of electronic devices in the first voltage device region. The deep well has a first conductivity type. The first voltage device region includes a first well having the second conductivity type and a second well having the first conductivity type. The second voltage region includes a third well having a second conductivity type and a fourth well having the first conductivity type. A second deep well having the second conductivity type is formed below the fourth well. The first, second and third wells are in contact with the first deep well, and the fourth well is separated by the second deep well from the first deep well.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes an erase gate electrode, an erase gate dielectric, first and second floating gate electrodes, first and second control gate electrodes, a first select gate electrode, a second select gate electrode, a common source strap, and a silicide pad. The erase gate electrode is over a first portion of a substrate. The common source strap is over a second portion of the substrate, in which the common source strap and the erase gate electrode are arranged along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. The silicide pad is under the common source strap and in the second portion of the substrate, wherein a top surface of the silicide pad is flatter than a bottom surface of the erase gate dielectric.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a substrate, an isolation feature, a floating gate, and a control gate. The substrate has a protruding portion. The isolation feature surrounds the protruding portion of the substrate. The floating gate is over the protruding portion of the substrate, in which a sidewall of the floating gate is aligned with a sidewall of the protruding portion of the substrate. The control gate is over the floating gate.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present application are directed to an integrated circuit (IC) comprising a floating gate test device with a cell-like top layout, as well as a method for forming the IC. In some embodiments, the IC comprises a semiconductor substrate and the floating gate test device. The floating gate test device is on the semiconductor substrate, and comprises a floating gate electrode and a control gate electrode overlying the floating gate electrode. The floating gate electrode and the control gate electrode partially define an array of islands, and further partially define a plurality of bridges interconnecting the islands. The islands and the bridges define the cell-like top layout and may, for example, prevent process-induced damage to the floating gate test device.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes an erase gate electrode, an erase gate dielectric, first and second floating gate electrodes, first and second control gate electrodes, a first select gate electrode, a second select gate electrode, a common source strap, and a silicide pad. The erase gate electrode is over a first portion of a substrate. The common source strap is over a second portion of the substrate, in which the common source strap and the erase gate electrode are arranged along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. The silicide pad is under the common source strap and in the second portion of the substrate, wherein a top surface of the silicide pad is flatter than a bottom surface of the erase gate dielectric.

Abstract: A method includes forming a shallow trench isolation (STI) region in a semiconductor substrate, the STI region bordering an active region in the semiconductor substrate; forming a plurality of gate structures over the semiconductor substrate; and forming a plurality of conductive contacts between the gate structures and in contact with the STI region, wherein a portion of the active region is between the conductive contacts.

Abstract: A memory device includes a semiconductor fin, a floating gate, a control gate, a source region, an erase gate, and a select gate. The floating gate is above and conformal to the semiconductor fin. The control gate is above the floating gate. The source region is in the semiconductor fin. The erase gate is above the source region and adjacent the control gate. The select gate is above the semiconductor fin. The control gate is between the erase gate and the select gate.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a semiconductor device is provided. The method includes forming a first isolation feature in a peripheral region of a substrate; recessing the cell region of the substrate after forming the first isolation feature; forming a second isolation feature in a cell region of the substrate after recessing the cell region of the substrate; forming a plurality of control gates over the cell region of the substrate; and forming a gate stack over the peripheral region of the substrate.

Abstract: In a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device, an isolation region is formed in a substrate, such that the isolation region surrounds an active region of the substrate in plan view. A first dielectric layer is formed over the active region. A mask layer is formed on a gate region of the first dielectric layer. The gate region includes a region where a gate electrode is to be formed. The mask layer covers the gate region, but does not entirely cover the first dielectric layer. The first dielectric layer not covered by the mask layer is removed such that a source-drain region of the active region is exposed. After that, the mask layer is removed. A second dielectric layer is formed so that a gate dielectric layer is formed. The gate electrode is formed over the gate dielectric layer.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present application are directed to an embedded memory boundary structure with a boundary sidewall spacer, and associated forming methods. In some embodiments, an isolation structure is disposed in a semiconductor substrate to separate a memory region from a logic region. A memory cell structure is disposed on the memory region and a cell boundary structure is formed on the isolation structure including a boundary sidewall spacer. A protecting dielectric layer is disposed on a top surface of the boundary sidewall spacer. The boundary sidewall spacer and the protecting dielectric layer provide a smooth boundary sidewall that is not subject to damage during formation of the logic device structure and, hence, is not subject to trapping high ? etch residue during formation of the logic device structure with HKMG technology.

Abstract: An integrated circuit device includes a semiconductor substrate having a memory area and a logic area. A memory cell in the memory area includes a select gate separated from a floating gate by a floating gate spacer. A select gate spacer is formed on a side of the select gate opposite the floating gate. The select gate spacer has a uniform thickness over most of the select gate. The first layer of the select gate spacer may be formed by oxidizing the select gate electrode. A second layer of the select gate spacer may be formed by atomic layer deposition. the memory area may be covered by a protective layer while spacers are formed adjacent logic gates in the logic region.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the present application are directed towards an integrated circuit (IC). The integrated circuit includes a semiconductor substrate having a peripheral region and a memory cell region separated by an isolation structure. The isolation structure extends into a top surface of the semiconductor substrate and comprises dielectric material. A logic device is arranged on the peripheral region. A memory device is arranged on the memory region. The memory device includes a gate electrode and a memory hardmask over the gate electrode. An anti-dishing structure is disposed on the isolation structure. An upper surface of the anti-dishing structure and an upper surface of the memory hardmask have equal heights as measured from the top surface of the semiconductor substrate.

Abstract: An integrated circuit includes a substrate, a first isolation feature, and a plurality of memory cells. The substrate has a cell region, a peripheral region, and a transition region between the cell region and the peripheral region. A top surface of the cell region is lower than a top surface of the peripheral region, and the substrate includes at least one protrusion portion in the transition region. The first isolation feature is in the transition region and covers the protrusion portion of the substrate. The memory cells are over the cell region of the substrate.

Abstract: Bridging testing method between adjacent semiconductor devices includes forming patterned diffusion region on semiconductor substrate, and forming first conductive layer over diffusion region. First conductive layer is patterned in same pattern as patterned diffusion region. Second conductive layer formed extending in first direction over first conductive layer. Second conductive layer is patterned to form opening extending in first direction in central region of second conductive layer exposing portion of first conductive layer. First conductive layer exposed portion is removed exposing portion of diffusion region. Source/drain region is formed over exposed portion of diffusion region, and dielectric layer is formed over source/drain region. Third conductive layer is formed over dielectric layer. End portions along first direction of second conductive layer removed to expose first and second end portions of first conductive layer.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the present application are directed towards an integrated circuit (IC). The integrated circuit includes a semiconductor substrate having a peripheral region and a memory cell region separated by an isolation structure. The isolation structure extends into a top surface of the semiconductor substrate and comprises dielectric material. A logic device is arranged on the peripheral region. A memory device is arranged on the memory region. The memory device includes a gate electrode and a memory hardmask over the gate electrode. An anti-dishing structure is disposed on the isolation structure. An upper surface of the anti-dishing structure and an upper surface of the memory hardmask have equal heights as measured from the top surface of the semiconductor substrate.

Abstract: In a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device, the semiconductor device includes a non-volatile memory formed in a memory cell area and a ring structure area surrounding the memory cell area. In the method, a protrusion of a substrate is formed in the ring structure area. The protrusion protrudes from an isolation insulating layer. A high-k dielectric film is formed, thereby covering the protrusion and the isolation insulating layer. A poly silicon film is formed over the high-k dielectric film. The poly silicon film and the high-k dielectric film are patterned. Insulating layers are formed over the patterned poly silicon film and high-k dielectric film, thereby sealing the patterned high-k dielectric film.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes first and second voltage device regions and a deep well common to the first and second voltage device regions. An operation voltage of electronic devices in the second voltage device region is higher than that of electronic devices in the first voltage device region. The deep well has a first conductivity type. The first voltage device region includes a first well having the second conductivity type and a second well having the first conductivity type. The second voltage region includes a third well having a second conductivity type and a fourth well having the first conductivity type. A second deep well having the second conductivity type is formed below the fourth well. The first, second and third wells are in contact with the first deep well, and the fourth well is separated by the second deep well from the first deep well.

Abstract: Bridging testing method between adjacent semiconductor devices includes forming patterned diffusion region on semiconductor substrate, and forming first conductive layer over diffusion region. First conductive layer is patterned in same pattern as patterned diffusion region. Second conductive layer formed extending in first direction over first conductive layer. Second conductive layer is patterned to form opening extending in first direction in central region of second conductive layer exposing portion of first conductive layer. First conductive layer exposed portion is removed exposing portion of diffusion region. Source/drain region is formed over exposed portion of diffusion region, and dielectric layer is formed over source/drain region. Third conductive layer is formed over dielectric layer. End portions along first direction of second conductive layer removed to expose first and second end portions of first conductive layer.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present application are directed to a method of forming an integrated circuit (IC). An isolation structure is formed between a logic region and a memory region of a substrate. A dummy structure is formed on the isolation structure and defines a dummy sidewall of the dummy structure facing the logic region. A boundary sidewall spacer is formed covering the dummy structure and at least partially defines a boundary sidewall of the boundary sidewall spacer facing the logic region. A protecting dielectric layer is formed on a top surface of the boundary sidewall spacer by converting an uppermost portion of the boundary sidewall spacer to the protecting dielectric layer. The protecting dielectric layer is removed, and a logic device structure is formed on the logic region.