Abstract: A memory cell (110) has a plurality of floating gates (120L, 120R). The channel region (170) comprises a plurality of sub-regions (220L, 220R) adjacent to the respective floating gates, and a connection region (210) between the floating gates. The connection region has the same conductivity type as the source/drain regions (160) to increase the channel conductivity. Therefore, the floating gates can be brought closer together even though the inter-gate dielectric (144) becomes thick between the floating gates, weakening the control gate's (104) electrical field in the channel.

Abstract: A dynamically variable source resistance is provided for each sector of a NOR-type Flash memory device. The variable source resistance of a given sector is set to a relatively low value (i.e., close to zero) during read operations. The variable source resistance is set to a relatively high impedance value (i.e., close to being an open circuit) during flash erase operations. The variable source resistance is set to a first intermediate resistance value at least during soft-programming where the first intermediate resistance value is one that raises VS and thus drives VGS below local threshold even for over-erased transistors of the sector that have a VGoff de-assertion voltage applied to their control gates for purpose of turning those transistors off. In one embodiment, the variable source resistance is set to a second intermediate resistance value during a testing mode that tests the extent to which the corresponding sector has been over-erased.

Abstract: A floating gate memory cell's channel region (104) is at least partially located in a fin-like protrusion (110P) of a semiconductor substrate. The floating gate's top surface may come down along at least two sides of the protrusion to a level below the top (110P-T) of the protrusion. The control gate's bottom surface may also comes down to a level below the top of the protrusion. The floating gate's bottom surface may comes down to a level below the top of the protrusion by at least 50% of the protrusion's height. The dielectric (120) separating the floating gate from the protrusion can be at least as thick at the top of the protrusion as at a level (L2) which is below the top of the protrusion by at least 50% of the protrusion's height. A very narrow fin or other narrow feature in memory and non-memory integrated circuits can be formed by providing a first layer (320) and then forming spacers (330) from a second layer without photolithography on sidewalls of features made from the first layer.

Abstract: A floating gate memory cell's channel region (104) is at least partially located in a fin-like protrusion (110P) of a semiconductor substrate. The floating gate's top surface may come down along at least two sides of the protrusion to a level below the top (110P-T) of the protrusion. The control gate's bottom surface may also comes down to a level below the top of the protrusion. The floating gate's bottom surface may comes down to a level below the top of the protrusion by at least 50% of the protrusion's height. The dielectric (120) separating the floating gate from the protrusion can be at least as thick at the top of the protrusion as at a level (L2) which is below the top of the protrusion by at least 50% of the protrusion's height. A very narrow fin or other narrow feature in memory and non-memory integrated circuits can be formed by providing a first layer (320) and then forming spacers (330) from a second layer without photolithography on sidewalls of features made from the first layer.

Abstract: A floating gate memory cell's channel region (104) is at least partially located in a fin-like protrusion (110P) of a semiconductor substrate. The floating gate's top surface may come down along at least two sides of the protrusion to a level below the top (110P-T) of the protrusion. The control gate's bottom surface may also comes down to a level below the top of the protrusion. The floating gate's bottom surface may comes down to a level below the top of the protrusion by at least 50% of the protrusion's height. The dielectric (120) separating the floating gate from the protrusion can be at least as thick at the top of the protrusion as at a level (L2) which is below the top of the protrusion by at least 50% of the protrusion's height. A very narrow fin or other narrow feature in memory and non-memory integrated circuits can be formed by providing a first layer (320) and then forming spacers (330) from a second layer without photolithography on sidewalls of features made from the first layer.

Abstract: A flash memory cell and a method of forming the same are described. The flash memory cell may include a substrate having a source and a drain, a gate element, and a dielectric layer between the substrate and the gate element. The dielectric layer includes a dielectric material having a dielectric constant that is greater than that of silicon dioxide.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for determining program and erase states in flash memory devices. Specifically, one embodiment of the present invention discloses a method for minimizing false detection of states in an array of non-volatile floating gate memory cells. A plurality of word lines are arranged in a plurality of rows. A plurality of bit lines are arranged in a plurality of columns. The method begins by determining a selected bit line that is associated with a column of memory cells. Then, the method continues by biasing a group of word lines at a negative voltage. The group of word lines are electrically coupled to the associated memory cells. The application of negative voltage to the group of word lines limits leakage current contributions from the associated memory cells in the column of memory cells when performing a verify operation.

Abstract: A memory cell (110) has a plurality of floating gates (120L, 120R). The channel region (170) comprises a plurality of sub-regions (220L, 220R) adjacent to the respective floating gates, and a connection region (210) between the floating gates. The connection region has the same conductivity type as the source/drain regions (160) to increase the channel conductivity. Therefore, the floating gates can be brought closer together even though the inter-gate dielectric (144) becomes thick between the floating gates, weakening the control gate's (104) electrical field in the channel.

Abstract: A window blind includes a transmission mechanism for lifting and lowering and/or tilting the slats of a Venetian blind. The mechanism includes a manually operated or motorized driving unit, and at least one cord roll-up unit. In the manually operated configuration, a single independent operating device is connectable to one or more driving force inputs of the mechanism. Also disclosed is a method for controlling a blind.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a semiconductor device having improved short channel effects is disclosed. The method includes operations such as, forming a hard mask layer on the surface of a semiconductor substrate, printing a photoresist mask above the hard mask layer, performing an etch of trenches in the semiconductor substrate and removing the hard mask layer and the photoresist mask. Moreover, the method includes forming a first polysilicon layer, etching the first polysilicon layer, forming a spacer layer and forming a second polysilicon layer. In addition, the method includes performing a stacked gate etch on the second polysilicon layer, performing an SAS etch, performing a shallow source implant and forming the spacer between the first polysilicon layer and the second polysilicon layer. A silicide line is subsequently formed to connect device source regions.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a semiconductor device having a triple LDD (lateral diffused dopants) structure is disclosed. This fabrication method requires a single implant process, leading to reduction in fabrication costs and fabrication time. Moreover, this fabrication method increases the surface area of the gate structure of the semiconductor device that is available for silicide to be formed, leading to lower gate resistance.

Abstract: A method is provided for erasing a memory cell having a substrate, a control gate, a floating gate, a source region and a drain region. The method includes pre-programming the memory cell to raise a threshold voltage of the memory cell to a first predetermined level, wherein pre-programming the memory cell does not include a verification process for ensuring that the threshold voltage of the memory cell has been raised to the first predetermined level. The memory cell may be erased to lower the threshold voltage of the memory cell to a second predetermined level.

Abstract: An electromagnetic clutch-controlled electric blind is constructed to include a blind body formed of a headrail defining a receiving chamber, a set of slats, and a bottom rail, a power drive, the power drive including a reversible motor and electromagnetic clutch apparatus connectable to the motor, an amplitude modulation set coupled to the motor for rotation with the motor to lift/lower the slats to the desired elevation, a frequency modulation set coupled to the motor through the electromagnetic clutch apparatus and adapted for controlling tilting angle of the slats.

Abstract: A method of erasing bits in a multi-level cell flash memory array is described. The method includes applying over-erase verification after each erase pulse. If cells verify as over-erased, a ramped over-erase correction pulse is applied. The voltage of each over-erase correction pulse is incrementally greater than the previous pulse, until all bits in all cells pass the over-erase verification. In this way, the widths of the threshold voltage distributions of the erased bits are kept to a minimum.

Abstract: In a first aspect of the present invention, a method of fabricating a flash memory device is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of providing a portion of a dual gate oxide in a periphery area of the memory device and then simultaneously providing a dual gate oxide in a core area of the memory device and completing the dual gate oxide in the periphery area. Finally, a nitridation process is provided in both the core and periphery areas subsequent to the previous steps. In a second aspect of the present invention, a flash memory device is disclosed. The flash memory device comprises core area having a plurality of memory transistors comprising an oxide layer, a first poly layer, an interpoly dielectric layer, and a second poly layer. The flash memory device further comprises a periphery area having a plurality of transistors comprising an oxide layer, a portion of the first poly layer, and the second poly layer.

Abstract: An exemplary sensing circuit for sensing the current drawn by a target memory cell comprises a first transistor connected across a first node and a second node, a load connected across the second node and a third node, and a voltage boosting circuit coupled to a supply voltage, wherein the voltage boosting circuit supplies a voltage at the third node which is greater than the supply voltage.

Abstract: According to one exemplary embodiment, a method for fabricating a floating gate memory array comprises a step of removing a dielectric material from an isolation region situated in a substrate to expose a trench, where the trench is situated between a first source region and a second source region, where the trench defines sidewalls in the substrate. The method further comprises implanting an N type dopant in the first source region, the second source region, and the sidewalls of the trench, where the N type dopant forms an N+ type region. The method further comprises implanting a P type dopant in the first source region, the second source region, and the sidewalls of the trench, where the P type dopant forms a P type region, and where the P type region is situated underneath the N+ type region.

Abstract: In the present method of undertaking a self aligned source etch of a semiconductor structure, a substrate has oxide thereon. First and second adjacent stacked gate structures are provided on the substrate. Oxide spacers are provided on the respective first and second adjacent sides of the first and second gate stacked structures, and polysilicon spacers are provided on the respective oxide spacers. A self aligned source etch is undertaken using the gate structures, oxide spacers, and polysilicon spacers as a mask. The polysilicon spacers are then removed, and metal, for example cobalt, is provided on the substrate, using the oxide spacers as a mask. A silicidation step is undertaken to form metal silicide common source line on the substrate.

Abstract: The present invention is a method for fabricating a flash memory device. In one embodiment, a gate structure comprising a tunnel oxide layer, a floating gate layer, an oxide layer, and a control gate layer is fabricated on a semiconductor substrate. A rapid thermal oxidation (RTO) process is then performed to repair the tunnel oxide layer.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a semiconductor device having a triple LDD (lateral diffused dopants) structure is disclosed. This fabrication method requires a single implant process, leading to reduction in fabrication costs and fabrication time. Moreover, this fabrication method increases the surface area of the gate structure of the semiconductor device that is available for silicide to be formed, leading to lower gate resistance.