Abstract: A non-volatile memory device implements self-convergence during the normal erase cycle through control of physical aspects, such as thickness, width, area, etc., of the dielectric layers in the gate structure as well as of the overall gate structure. Self-convergence can also be aided during the normal erase cycle by ramping the erase voltage applied to the control gate during the erase cycle.

Abstract: A non-volatile memory device implements self-convergence during the normal erase cycle through control of physical aspects, such as thickness, width, area, etc., of the dielectric layers in the gate structure as well as of the overall gate structure. Self-convergence can also be aided during the normal erase cycle by ramping the erase voltage applied to the control gate during the erase cycle.

Abstract: A method for forming a non-volatile memory with inlaid floating gate is disclosed. The method comprises the following steps. A substrate having a pad dielectric layer and a first dielectric layer thereon is provided. Then a buried diffusion region is formed in the substrate. Next a second dielectric layer is formed over the substrate and the second dielectric layer and the pad dielectric layer are then etched back to expose the buried diffusion region and the first dielectric layer. Then a shallow trench isolation is formed into the expose the buried diffusion region and the substrate. Next a floating gate pattern is transferred into the first and second dielectric layers. Next the first dielectric layer is removed to expose the pad dielectric layer. Then the exposed pad dielectric layer is removed to expose the substrate. Next a tunnel dielectric layer is formed on the exposed substrate.

Abstract: A method for forming a buried diffusion layer with reducing topography in a surface of a semiconductor substrate is provided. A patterned first dielectric layer is formed on a semiconductor substrate for being used as a first hard mask. A thermal oxidation process is performed to form field oxides on the exposed potions of the semiconductor substrate. The patterned first dielectric layer is then removed. A second patterned dielectric layer is formed on the field oxides and the semiconductor substrate for being used as a second hard mask. An isotropic etching process is performed to etch the exposed portions of the field oxides and the semiconductor substrate. The patterned second dielectric layer and the underlying field oxides are removed to form a plurality of trenches on the surface of the semiconductor substrate. A buried diffusion layer is formed along surroundings of the trenches in the semiconductor substrate.

Abstract: A method for forming a non-volatile memory with inlaid floating gate is disclosed. The method comprises the following steps. A substrate having a pad dielectric layer and a first dielectric layer thereon is provided. Then a buried diffusion region is formed in the substrate. Next a second dielectric layer is formed over the substrate and the second dielectric layer and the pad dielectric layer are then etched back to expose the buried diffusion region and the first dielectric layer. Then a shallow trench isolation is formed into the expose the buried diffusion region and the substrate. Next a floating gate pattern is transferred into the first and second dielectric layers. Next the first dielectric layer is removed to expose the pad dielectric layer. Then the exposed pad dielectric layer is removed to expose the substrate. Next a tunnel dielectric layer is formed on the exposed substrate.

Abstract: A method for forming a buried diffusion layer with reducing topography in a surface of a semiconductor substrate is provided. A patterned first dielectric layer is formed on a semiconductor substrate for being used as a first hard mask. A thermal oxidation process is performed to form field oxides on the exposed potions of the semiconductor substrate. The patterned first dielectric layer is then removed. A second patterned dielectric layer is formed on the field oxides and the semiconductor substrate for being used as a second hard mask. An isotropic etching process is performed to etch the exposed portions of the field oxides and the semiconductor substrate. The patterned second dielectric layer and the underlying field oxides are removed to form a plurality of trenches on the surface of the semiconductor substrate. A buried diffusion layer is formed along surroundings of the trenches in the semiconductor substrate.

Abstract: A structure of a nonvolatile memory array with low source line sheet resistance is disclosed in this present invention. The key aspect of this present invention is employing a buried conductive region as the source line of a nonvolatile memory array. The topology of the above-mentioned buried conductive region is different from the source line in the prior art. Therefore, this invention can provide a nonvolatile memory array for reducing the source line sheet resistance and achieving the reliability and the operating performance of the nonvolatile memory array.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a flash memory cell is provided. After an ONO dielectric layer is formed on a first conductive layer over a tunnel oxide layer, a second conductive layer is formed on the ONO dielectric layer. Then, patterning the second conductive layer to form a periphery region comprising an exposed portion of a semiconductor substrate and a memory cell region comprising the left second conductive layer. During the present process, the ONO dielectric layer is protected from being exposed in various solvents and gases with the second conductive layer. Thus, a flash memory cell with a high-quality ONO gate dielectric layer, without increasing complexity of the process and additional masks, is obtained.

Abstract: A structure of a nonvolatile memory array with low source line sheet resistance is disclosed in this present invention. The key aspect of this present invention is employing a buried conductive region as the source line of a nonvolatile memory array. The topology of the above-mentioned buried conductive region is different from the source line in the prior art. Therefore, this invention can provide a nonvolatile memory array for reducing the source line sheet resistance and achieving the reliability and the operating performance of the nonvolatile memory array.

Abstract: A corner free structure of a nonvolatile memory is disclosed in this present invention. The key aspect of this present invention is employing a corner free structure for isolating a trench isolation device and a nonvolatile memory, and thus the reliability of the above-mentioned nonvolatile memory is improved. Furthermore, based on the definition of coupling ratio, as a result of the above-cited corner free structure, the effective channel area of the nonvolatile memory is modified, and thus the nonvolatile memory according to this present invention can achieve higher efficiency than the nonvolatile memory in the prior art. Therefore, this invention can not only improve the reliability of a nonvolatile memory, but also advance the efficiency of the nonvolatile memory.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a mask read-only-memory with diode cells is provided. A doped conductive layer with a first conductivity is formed on bit lines. Then, a photoresist layer with a mask ROM pattern is formed on an interlayer dielectric layer on the doped conductive layer for serving as an etching mask, thereby forming openings in the interlayer dielectric layer unto the exposed regions of the doped conductive layer. Performing ion implantation to form a diffusion region with a second conductivity opposite to the first conductivity in each exposed region of the doped conductive layer, so that the doped conductive layer and the diffusion regions formed therein constitute diode cells that are served as memory cells. A contact plug is formed in each opening unto the diode cell and a conductive layer is formed on the contact plug for serving as word lines.

Abstract: A method is described for manufacturing nonvolatile memory devices having reduced resistance diffusion regions. One embodiment of the method includes forming a multilayer structure over a substrate which includes a tunnel oxide layer, a polysilicon layer, and an etch stop layer. A photoresist masking process is performed on the multilayer structure to define gates of the nonvolatile memory device. A spacer layer is then deposited and etched back to form sidewall spacers adjacent the gates. The width of the sidewall spacers is used to define the width of the source and drain regions, and the width of trenches between the gates. Trenches are formed using a high selectivity etch which etches through the substrate faster than the sidewall spacers and the etch stop layer. A conductive layer is formed over the area of the device and etched to form the reduced resistance diffusion regions and the desired trench configuration. The trenches are then filled with an insulating material.