Abstract: A reticle inspection system and related method are disclosed. The system includes a concave spherical mirror positioned adjacent a side of the reticle that is configured to reflect inspection light transmitted through the reticle back towards and through the reticle. A sensor is configured to create at least one of: a first inspection image representative of a circuit pattern of the reticle based on transmission of the inspection light through the first side of the reticle and a reflection thereof by the concave spherical mirror through the second side of the reticle, and a second inspection image representative of the circuit pattern of the reticle based on the reflection of the inspection light from the first side of the reticle. A controller is configured to identify a defect in the reticle based on at least one of the first inspection image and the second inspection image.

Abstract: A reticle inspection system and related method are disclosed. The system includes a concave spherical mirror positioned adjacent a side of the reticle that is configured to reflect inspection light transmitted through the reticle back towards and through the reticle. A sensor is configured to create at least one of: a first inspection image representative of a circuit pattern of the reticle based on transmission of the inspection light through the first side of the reticle and a reflection thereof by the concave spherical mirror through the second side of the reticle, and a second inspection image representative of the circuit pattern of the reticle based on the reflection of the inspection light from the first side of the reticle. A controller is configured to identify a defect in the reticle based on at least one of the first inspection image and the second inspection image.

Abstract: A method of forming dummy structures and an overlay mark protection zone over an active layer zone based on the shape of an overlay mark and the resulting device are provided. Embodiments include determining a size and a shape of an overlay mark; determining a size and a shape of an overlay mark protection zone based on the shape of the overlay mark; determining a shape of a plurality of dummy structures based on the shape of the overlay mark; determining a size and a shape of an active layer zone based on the size and the shape of the overlay mark and the plurality of dummy structures; forming the active layer zone in an active layer of a semiconductor substrate; forming the overlay mark and the plurality of dummy structures over the active layer zone in a poly layer of the semiconductor substrate; and planarizing the poly layer.

Abstract: A method of forming dummy structures and an overlay mark protection zone over an active layer zone based on the shape of an overlay mark and the resulting device are provided. Embodiments include determining a size and a shape of an overlay mark; determining a size and a shape of an overlay mark protection zone based on the shape of the overlay mark; determining a shape of a plurality of dummy structures based on the shape of the overlay mark; determining a size and a shape of an active layer zone based on the size and the shape of the overlay mark and the plurality of dummy structures; forming the active layer zone in an active layer of a semiconductor substrate; forming the overlay mark and the plurality of dummy structures over the active layer zone in a poly layer of the semiconductor substrate; and planarizing the poly layer.

Abstract: A method of forming dummy structures and an overlay mark protection zone over an active layer zone based on the shape of an overlay mark and the resulting device are provided. Embodiments include determining a size and a shape of an overlay mark; determining a size and a shape of an overlay mark protection zone based on the shape of the overlay mark; determining a shape of a plurality of dummy structures based on the shape of the overlay mark; determining a size and a shape of an active layer zone based on the size and the shape of the overlay mark and the plurality of dummy structures; forming the active layer zone in an active layer of a semiconductor substrate; forming the overlay mark and the plurality of dummy structures over the active layer zone in a poly layer of the semiconductor substrate; and planarizing the poly layer.

Abstract: A method of forming dummy structures and an overlay mark protection zone over an active layer zone based on the shape of an overlay mark and the resulting device are provided. Embodiments include determining a size and a shape of an overlay mark; determining a size and a shape of an overlay mark protection zone based on the shape of the overlay mark; determining a shape of a plurality of dummy structures based on the shape of the overlay mark; determining a size and a shape of an active layer zone based on the size and the shape of the overlay mark and the plurality of dummy structures; forming the active layer zone in an active layer of a semiconductor substrate; forming the overlay mark and the plurality of dummy structures over the active layer zone in a poly layer of the semiconductor substrate; and planarizing the poly layer.

Abstract: An intermediate semiconductor structure in fabrication includes a silicon semiconductor substrate, a hard mask of silicon nitride (SiN) over the substrate and a sacrificial layer of polysilicon or amorphous silicon over the hard mask. The sacrificial layer is patterned into sidewall spacers for mandrels of a filler material substantially different in composition from the sidewall spacers, such as a flowable oxide. The mandrels are removed such that the sidewall spacers have vertically tapered inner and outer sidewalls providing a rough triangular shape. The rough triangular sidewall spacers are used as a hard mask to pattern the SiN hard mask below.

Abstract: An intermediate semiconductor structure in fabrication includes a silicon semiconductor substrate, a hard mask of silicon nitride (SiN) over the substrate and a sacrificial layer of polysilicon or amorphous silicon over the hard mask. The sacrificial layer is patterned into sidewall spacers for mandrels of a filler material substantially different in composition from the sidewall spacers, such as a flowable oxide. The mandrels are removed such that the sidewall spacers have vertically tapered inner and outer sidewalls providing a rough triangular shape. The rough triangular sidewall spacers are used as a hard mask to pattern the SiN hard mask below.

Abstract: A method for making a nonvolatile memory device includes the following steps. A conductive structure is formed, wherein the conductive structure has a first top portion. The first top portion is converted into a second top portion having a domed surface.

Abstract: A method for making a nonvolatile memory device includes the following steps. A conductive structure is formed, wherein the conductive structure has a first top portion. The first top portion is converted into a second top portion having a domed surface.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a charge trapping memory device includes providing a substrate; forming a first oxide layer on the substrate; forming a number of BD regions in the substrate; nitridizing the interface of the first oxide layer and the substrate via a process; forming a charge trapping layer on the first oxide layer; and forming a second oxide layer on the charge trapping layer.

Abstract: An integrated circuit with improved intrinsic gettering ability is described, having a bulk micro-defect (BMD) density of 3.85×105-3.38×109/cm3 through first and second annealing steps. The first annealing step is performed at a first temperature in an atmosphere containing at least one of oxygen gas and nitrogen gas. The second annealing step is performed at a second temperature higher than the first temperature in the atmosphere.

Abstract: Memory cells comprising: a semiconductor substrate having at least two source/drain regions separated by a channel region; a charge-trapping structure disposed above the channel region; and a gate disposed above the charge-trapping structure; wherein the charge-trapping structure comprises a bottom insulating layer, a first charge-trapping layer, and a second charge-trapping layer, wherein an interface between the bottom insulating layer and the substrate has a hydrogen concentration of less than about 3×1011/cm?2, and methods for forming such memory cells.

Abstract: Memory cells including a semiconductor layer having at least two source/drain regions disposed below a surface of the semiconductor layer and separated by a channel region; a lower insulating layer disposed above the channel region; a charge storage layer disposed above the lower insulating layer; an upper insulating multi-layer structure disposed above the charge storage layer, wherein the upper insulating multi-layer structure comprises a polysilicon material layer interposed between a first dielectric layer and a second dielectric layer; and a gate disposed above the upper insulating multi-layer structure are described along with arrays thereof and methods of operation.

Abstract: Memory cells comprising: a semiconductor substrate having at least two source/drain regions separated by a channel region; a charge-trapping structure disposed above the channel region; and a gate disposed above the charge-trapping structure; wherein the charge-trapping structure comprises a bottom insulating layer, a first charge-trapping layer, and a second charge-trapping layer, wherein an interface between the bottom insulating layer and the substrate has a hydrogen concentration of less than about 3×1011/cm?2, and methods for forming such memory cells.

Abstract: An integrated circuit with improved intrinsic gettering ability is described, having a bulk micro-defect (BMD) density of 3.85×105-3.38×109/cm3 through first and second annealing steps. The first annealing step is performed at a first temperature in an atmosphere containing at least one of oxygen gas and nitrogen gas. The second annealing step is performed at a second temperature higher than the first temperature in the atmosphere.

Abstract: A method of improving the intrinsic gettering ability of a wafer is described. A first annealing step is performed to the wafer at a first temperature in an atmosphere containing at least one of oxygen gas and nitrogen gas. A second annealing step is performed to the wafer, at a second temperature higher than the first temperature, in the atmosphere.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a charge trapping memory device includes providing a substrate; forming a first oxide layer on the substrate; forming a number of BD regions in the substrate; nitridizing the interface of the first oxide layer and the substrate via a process; forming a charge trapping layer on the first oxide layer; and forming a second oxide layer on the charge trapping layer.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a charge trapping memory device includes providing a substrate; forming a first oxide layer on the substrate; forming a number of BD regions in the substrate; nitridizing the interface of the first oxide layer and the substrate via a process; forming a charge trapping layer on the first oxide layer; and forming a second oxide layer on the charge trapping layer.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a non-volatile memory of the invention includes providing a substrate, and a tunnel layer is formed on the substrate. A charge-trapping layer is formed on the tunnel layer using silane (SiH4), nitrous oxide (N2O), and ammonia (NH3) as a reactant gas. The charge-trapping layer has a refractive index greater than or equal to 1.49 but less than 1.96 at a wavelength of 633 nm. A top layer is formed on the charge-trapping layer. A gate is formed on the top layer.