Abstract: The present invention relates generally to semiconductor memory devices and more particularly to multi-bit flash electrically erasable programmable read only memory (EEPROM) devices that employ charge trapping within a floating gate to indicate a 0 or 1 bit state. A memory device is provided, according to an aspect of the invention, comprising a floating gate transistor having dual polysilicon floating gates with an isolation opening between floating gates. Processes for making the memory device according to the invention are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a semiconductor structure includes growing regions of oxide on a first structure, to form bit-line regions; wherein said semiconductor structure includes a semiconducting substrate, a patterned ONO layer on said substrate, wherein said patterned ONO layer comprises regions of ONO and exposed regions of said semiconducting substrate, a patterned hard mask layer on said regions of ONO, and a patterned photoresist layer on said patterned hard mask layer.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a semiconductor structure includes growing regions of oxide on a first structure, to form bit-line regions; wherein said semiconductor structure includes a semiconducting substrate, a patterned ONO layer on said substrate, wherein said patterned ONO layer comprises regions of ONO and exposed regions of said semiconducting substrate, a patterned hard mask layer on said regions of ONO, and a patterned photoresist layer on said patterned hard mask layer.

Abstract: A process for fabricating an ONO floating-gate electrode in a two-bit EEPROM device includes the formation of a top oxide layer using a high-temperature-oxide (HTO) deposition process in which the HTO process is carried out at a temperature of about 700 to about 800° C. by either an LPCVD or RTCVD deposition processor. The process further includes the sequential formation of a silicon nitride layer and a top oxide layer using an in-situ LPCVD or RTCVD deposition process in which the silicon nitride layer is not exposed to ambient atmosphere prior to the formation of the top oxide layer. The formation of the top oxide layer using an HTO deposition process provides an improved two-bit EEPROM memory device by reducing charge leakage in the ONO floating-gate electrode.

Abstract: A process for fabricating a MONOS device having a buried bit-line includes providing a semiconductor substrate and forming an ONO structure to overlie the semiconductor substrate. Thereafter, a thin mask layer is formed to overlie the ONO structure to protect the ONO structure during a selective etch of a thick mask layer. The thick mask layer is formed to overlie the thin mask layer to protect the ONO structure during boron and arsenic implants. Thereafter, an etch process is performed in the ONO structure and a silicon oxide layer is formed to fill the etched area. A chemical-mechanical-polishing process is performed to planarize the silicon oxide layer and to form a planar surface continuous with an upper surface of the thick mask layer. The planarized silicon oxide layer functions as a bit-line oxide layer.

Abstract: A process for fabricating an ONO floating-gate electrode in a two-bit EEPROM device includes providing a semiconductor substrate and thermally growing a first silicon oxide layer overlying the semiconductor substrate. A thermal anneal is performed after growing the first silicon oxide layer in an ambient atmosphere of at least one of nitric oxide, nitrous oxide and ammonia. In this regard, nitrogen is incorporated into the first silicon oxide layer which leads to a better performance and a higher quality of the ONO structure. A silicon nitride layer is formed to overlie the first silicon oxide layer; and a second layer of silicon oxide is formed to overlie the silicon nitride layer to complete the ONO structure.

Abstract: A process for fabricating a MONOS device having a buried bit-line includes providing a semiconductor substrate and forming an ONO structure overlying the semiconductor substrate. Thereafter, a hard mask layer is formed to overlie ONO structure, the hard mask layer having an upper surface. To form a trench for the buried bit-line, an etch process is performed on the ONO structure. Thereafter, silicon dioxide is deposited to fill the trench. To control a thickness of the deposited silicon dioxide, a chemical-mechanical-polishing process is performed to planarize the silicon dioxide and form a planar surface continuous with the upper surface of the hard mask layer. Finally, the hard mask layer is removed and the remaining silicon dioxide forms a uniform bit-line oxide layer.

Abstract: A process for fabricating an ONO structure for a MONOS type Flash cell includes growing a first silicon oxide layer over a semiconductor substrate. Thereafter, a silicon nitride layer is formed to overlie the first silicon oxide layer, and a polycrystalline silicon layer is deposited to overlie the silicon nitride layer. By utilizing the polycrystalline silicon layer as the top layer of the ONO structure, a resist layer can be cleaned more aggressively than if the top layer of the ONO structure were an oxide layer. A second silicon oxide layer overlies the polycrystalline layer, of the ONO structure. Since the second silicon oxide layer is deposited on top of polycrystalline silicon after the resist material is cleaned, some resist material can remain on the polycrystalline layer without degrading the performance of the MONOS type cell.

Abstract: In a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device, there are comprised the steps of forming an oxidation preventing layer on a surface of a semiconductor substrate, forming a first window in the oxidation preventing layer, placing the semiconductor substrate in a first atmosphere in which an oxygen gas and a first amount of a chlorine gas are flown through and then heating the semiconductor substrate at a first temperature such that a first selective oxide film is to grown by thermally oxidizing the surface of the semiconductor substrate exposed from the first window, forming a second window by patterning the oxidation preventing layer, and placing the semiconductor substrate in a second atmosphere in which the oxygen gas and a second amount, which is larger than the first amount, of the chlorine gas are flown through and then heating the semiconductor substrate at a second temperature such that a second selective oxide film is formed and that a thickness of the first selective oxide film formed below the f

Abstract: In a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device, there are comprised the steps of forming an oxidation preventing layer on a surface of a semiconductor substrate, forming first window in the oxidation preventing layer, placing the semiconductor substrate in a first atmosphere in which an oxygen gas and a first amount of a chlorine gas are supplied through and then heating the semiconductor substrate at a first temperature such that a first selective oxide film is to grown by thermally oxidizing the surface of the semiconductor substrate exposed from the first window, forming a second window by patterning the oxidation preventing layer, and placing the semiconductor substrate in a second atmosphere in which the oxygen gas and a second amount, which is larger than the first amount, of the chlorine gas are supplied through and then heating the semiconductor substrate at a second temperature such that a second selective oxide film is formed and that a thickness of the first selective oxide film formed below t

Abstract: A process for fabricating an ONO structure for a MONOS type Flash cell having a core and a periphery includes providing a semiconductor substrate. A first silicon oxide layer is grown overlying the semiconductor substrate, and a silicon nitride layer is deposited overlying the silicon oxide layer. Before depositing a second silicon oxide layer of the ONO structure, a bit-line mask is performed for forming at least one bit-line at the core. Thereafter, an ONO mask is formed to protect the ONO structure during an etch of the periphery. After depositing and cleaning the masks for the bit-line formation and the periphery etch, the second silicon oxide layer is deposited to overlie the silicon nitride layer using an HTO deposition process. By depositing the second silicon oxide layer after forming the ONO and bit-line masks, degradation of the second silicon oxide layer is prevented, and the top silicon oxide layer maintains a high quality.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to obtain a vacuum chucking which can vacuum suck a wafer even if dusts attach thereon. The main body of vacuum chuck (101) has a plurality of block grooves (125) on the surface on which the wafer (1) is sucked and fixed, in which vacuum evacuation paths (105) each for vacuum evacuating each block groove (125) are provided for each block groove (125). When the wafer (1) is sucked and fixed under low pressure, even if the degree of vacuum in one of the block grooves (125) decreases due to attachment of dusts on part of the suction surface, or the like, the wafer (1) can surely be sucked and held.

Abstract: A semiconductor device is fabricated by the step of forming a first device isolation film in a peripheral circuit region by the use of a first pattern and a second device isolation film in a memory cell region by the use of a second pattern; forming a first conducting film processed by the use of a third pattern having a pattern-to-be-removed in a peripheral edge of the memory cell region; the step of forming an insulation film covering the memory cell region and processed by the use of a fourth pattern whose peripheral edge is positioned on the pattern-to-be-removed of the third pattern; and the step of forming a second conducting film processed by a fifth pattern.

Abstract: The present invention provides a thin wide bandwidth electromagnetic wave absorbing material capable of absorbing electromagnetic waves in both the semi-microwave band and the semi-millimeter and millimeter wave band. The present electromagnetic wave absorbing material comprises: a first layer composed of a conductive material; a second layer comprising a particle of a metal oxide magnetic material and a matrix of a binder, being applied on the first layer; and a third layer comprising a particle of a metal magnetic material and a matrix of a binder, being applied on the second layer.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to obtain a vacuum chucking which can vacuum suck a wafer even if dusts attach thereon. The main body of vacuum chuck (101) has a plurality of block grooves (125) on the surface on which the wafer (1) is sucked and fixed, in which vacuum evacuation paths (105) each for vacuum evacuating each block groove (125) are provided for each block groove (125). When the wafer(1) is sucked and fixed under low pressure, even if the degree of vacuum in one of the block grooves (125) decreases due to attachment of dusts on part of the suction surface, or the like, the wafer (1) can surely be sucked and held.