Abstract: A memory device may include a substrate, a first dielectric layer formed over the substrate and a charge storage element formed over the first dielectric layer. The memory device may also include a second dielectric layer formed over the charge storage element and a control gate formed over the second dielectric layer. The memory device may further include an interlayer dielectric formed over the control gate and the substrate, where the interlayer dielectric includes a material that is substantially opaque to ultraviolet radiation.

Abstract: A method includes forming a group of disposable hard mask structures on a semiconductor device that includes a group of memory cells. The method further includes using the disposable hard mask structures to precisely control a junction profile of the memory cells.

Abstract: According to one exemplary embodiment, a method comprises a step of etching a trench in an ILD layer, said trench having sidewalls and a bottom surface. The method further comprises determining a height of the sidewalls of the trench. The method further comprises filling the trench with interconnect metal such the interconnect metal extends above the trench. According to this exemplary embodiment, the method further comprises performing a CMP process to remove a portion of the interconnect metal. In the present invention, the height of the sidewalls of the trench is utilized to control an amount of polishing performed in the CMP process. The remaining portion of interconnect metal in the trench forms an interconnect line, where the thickness of the interconnect line is controlled by utilizing the height of the sidewalls of the trench to control the amount of polishing in the CMP process.

Abstract: A core memory array having a plurality of charge trapping dielectric memory devices. The core memory array can include a substrate having a first semiconductor bit line and a second semiconductor bit line formed therein and a body region interposed between the first and the second bit lines. Over the body region can be formed a first dielectric layer disposed, a dielectric charge trapping layer and a second dielectric layer. At least one word line can be disposed over the second dielectric layer, which defines a channel within the body region. Each bit line can include a bit line contact assembly having a locally metalized portion of the bit line and a conductive via traversing a dielectric region.