Abstract: In a case of achievement of a neural network circuit using a plurality of nonvolatile memory cells, a technique capable of accurately reading information recorded in the plurality of nonvolatile memory cells is provided. A semiconductor device includes: a plurality of nonvolatile memory cells; a plurality of reference-current cells; and a sense amplifier comparing an electric current flowing in each of the plurality of nonvolatile memory cells and an electric current flowing in each of the plurality of reference-current cells. In this case, each cross-sectional structure of the plurality of reference-current cells is the same as each cross-sectional structure of the plurality of nonvolatile memory cells. The writing operation or the erasing operation is also performed to each of the plurality of reference-current memory cells when the writing operation or the erasing operation is performed to each of the plurality of nonvolatile memory cells.

Abstract: A binder composition includes a dispersion medium and a group of binder particles. The group of binder particles is dispersed in the dispersion medium. The group of binder particles include a polymer material. The polymer material includes a constitutional unit originated from vinylidene difluoride. The group of binder particles has a number-based particle size distribution. The particle size distribution satisfies the following conditions: “0.19?X?0.26”, “0.69?Y?0.76”, and “0?Z?0.05”. Here, “X” represents a frequency of particles each having a particle size of less than or equal to 40 ?m. “Y” indicates a frequency of particles each having a particle size of more than 40 ?m and less than or equal to 110 ?m. “Z” indicates a frequency of particles each having a particle size of more than 110 ?m and less than or equal to 250 ?m.

Abstract: In a memory region, a memory-region first portion in which no raised epitaxial layer is formed, a memory-region second portion in which a first raised epitaxial layer is formed, and a memory-region third portion in which a second raised epitaxial layer is formed are defined. In the memory-region first portion, a first-diffusion-layer first portion of a memory transistor and a second-diffusion-layer first portion of a select transistor are formed. A first-diffusion-layer second portion of the memory transistor is formed in the first raised epitaxial layer. A second-diffusion-layer second portion of the select transistor is formed in the second raised epitaxial layer.

Abstract: To improve a reliability of a nonvolatile memory cell including a ferroelectric film. The nonvolatile memory cell MC includes a paraelectric film IL formed on a semiconductor substrate SUB, the ferroelectric film FE formed on the paraelectric film IL, a gate electrode GE formed on the ferroelectric film FE, a high dielectric constant film HK formed on the ferroelectric film FE such that the high dielectric constant film HK cover side surfaces of the gate electrode GE, and a source region SR and a drain region DR formed in an upper surface of the semiconductor substrate SUB such that the ferroelectric film FE is sandwiched between the source region SR and the drain region DR. A relative dielectric constant of the high dielectric constant film HK is higher than a relative dielectric constant of the ferroelectric film FE.

Abstract: A first gate electrode is formed on a semiconductor substrate via a first insulating film containing a metal element. A sidewall insulating film is formed on a side surface of the first gate electrode. A second gate electrode is formed on the semiconductor substrate via a second insulating film. The second gate electrode is formed so as to adjacent to the first gate electrode via the second insulating film. The second insulating film is made of a stacked film having a third insulating film, a fourth insulating film having a charge accumulating function, and a fifth insulating film. The third insulating film is formed on the semiconductor substrate as a result of an oxidation of a portion of the semiconductor substrate, and formed on the side surface of the first gate electrode as a result of an oxidation of the sidewall insulating film, by the thermal oxidation treatment.

Abstract: A semiconductor device has a split-gate type MONOS structure using a FinFET, and it includes a source and a drain each formed of an n-type impurity diffusion layer, a first channel forming layer which is formed under a control gate and is formed of a semiconductor layer doped with a p-type impurity, and a second channel forming layer which is formed under a memory gate and is formed of a semiconductor layer doped with an n-type impurity. Further, the semiconductor device includes a p-type semiconductor layer which is formed under the second channel forming layer and has an impurity concentration higher than an impurity concentration of a semiconductor substrate.

Abstract: A memory cell which is a non-volatile memory cell includes a gate insulating film having a charge storage layer capable of retaining charge and a memory gate electrode formed on the gate insulating film. The charge storage layer includes a first insulating film containing hafnium and silicon and a second insulating film formed on the first insulating film and containing hafnium and silicon. Here, a hafnium concentration of the first insulating film is lower than a hafnium concentration of the second insulating film, and a bandgap of the first insulating film is larger than a bandgap of the second insulating film.

Abstract: In a case of achievement of a neural network circuit using a plurality of nonvolatile memory cells, a technique capable of accurately reading information recorded in the plurality of nonvolatile memory cells is provided. A semiconductor device includes: a plurality of nonvolatile memory cells; a plurality of reference-current cells; and a sense amplifier comparing an electric current flowing in each of the plurality of nonvolatile memory cells and an electric current flowing in each of the plurality of reference-current cells. In this case, each cross-sectional structure of the plurality of reference-current cells is the same as each cross-sectional structure of the plurality of nonvolatile memory cells. The writing operation or the erasing operation is also performed to each of the plurality of reference-current memory cells when the writing operation or the erasing operation is performed to each of the plurality of nonvolatile memory cells.

Abstract: A plurality of non-volatile memory cells are used to realize synapses in a neural network circuit. A semiconductor device includes a memory cell array in which a plurality of non-volatile memory cells are arranged in an array. Each of the plurality of non-volatile memory cells has: a control gate electrode and a memory gate electrode that extend in a Y direction; a drain region; and a source region. Each of the plurality of drain regions is electrically connected to a bit line extending in a Y direction, and each of the plurality of source regions is electrically connected to a source line extending in an X direction.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a memory cell which is configured of a FinFET having a split-gate type MONOS structure, the FinFET has a plurality of source regions formed in a plurality of fins, and the plurality of source regions are commonly connected by a source line contact. Further, the FinFET has a plurality of drain regions formed in the plurality of fins, the plurality of drain regions are commonly connected by a bit line contact, and the FinFET constitutes a memory cell of 1 bit.

Abstract: Fins lined up in a Y direction, a control gate electrode and a memory gate electrode each extending in the Y direction so as to straddle the fins, a plurality of first plugs electrically connected with a drain region formed in each of the fins, and a plurality of second plugs electrically connected with a source region formed in each of the fins are formed. Here, a N-th plug of the plurality of first plugs lined up in the Y direction is coupled with each of (2N?1)-th and 2N-th fins in the Y direction. Also, a N-th plug of the plurality of second plugs lined up in the Y direction is coupled with each of 2N-th and (2N+1)-th fins in the Y direction.

Abstract: A memory cell, which is a nonvolatile memory cell, includes a gate dielectric film having charge storage layer capable of holding charges, and a memory gate electrode formed on the gate dielectric film. The charge storage layer includes an insulating film containing hafnium, silicon, and oxygen, an insertion layer formed on the insulating film and containing aluminum, and an insulating film formed on the insertion layer and containing hafnium, silicon, and oxygen.

Abstract: A second gate dielectric film material and a memory gate electrode material are formed on a semiconductor substrate. The memory gate electrode material and the second gate dielectric film material formed in a peripheral circuit forming region are removed, and a part of each of the memory gate electrode material and the second gate dielectric film material is left in the memory cell forming region. Thereafter, in a state that the semiconductor substrate in the memory cell forming region is covered with a part of each of the memory gate electrode material and the second gate dielectric film material, heat treatment is performed to the semiconductor substrate to form a third gate dielectric film on the semiconductor substrate located in the peripheral circuit forming region. Thereafter, a memory gate electrode and a second gate dielectric film are formed.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a memory cell which is configured of a FinFET having a split-gate type MONOS structure, the FinFET has a plurality of source regions formed in a plurality of fins, and the plurality of source regions are commonly connected by a source line contact. Further, the FinFET has a plurality of drain regions formed in the plurality of fins, the plurality of drain regions are commonly connected by a bit line contact, and the FinFET constitutes a memory cell of 1 bit.

Abstract: A semiconductor device has a split-gate type MONOS structure using a FinFET, and it includes a source and a drain each formed of an n-type impurity diffusion layer, a first channel forming layer which is formed under a control gate and is formed of a semiconductor layer doped with a p-type impurity, and a second channel forming layer which is formed under a memory gate and is formed of a semiconductor layer doped with an n-type impurity. Further, the semiconductor device includes a p-type semiconductor layer which is formed under the second channel forming layer and has an impurity concentration higher than an impurity concentration of a semiconductor substrate.

Abstract: A second gate dielectric film material and a memory gate electrode material are formed on a semiconductor substrate. The memory gate electrode material and the second gate dielectric film material formed in a peripheral circuit forming region are removed, and a part of each of the memory gate electrode material and the second gate dielectric film material is left in the memory cell forming region. Thereafter, in a state that the semiconductor substrate in the memory cell forming region is covered with a part of each of the memory gate electrode material and the second gate dielectric film material, heat treatment is performed to the semiconductor substrate to form a third gate dielectric film on the semiconductor substrate located in the peripheral circuit forming region. Thereafter, a memory gate electrode and a second gate dielectric film are formed.

Abstract: This invention is to improve a performance of a semiconductor device. The semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate, a p-type well region formed in the semiconductor substrate, a first insulating layer formed over the p-type well region, a semiconductor layer formed over the first insulating layer, a second insulating layer formed over the semiconductor layer, and a conductor layer formed over the second insulating layer. A first capacitive element is comprised of the semiconductor layer, the second insulating layer, and the conductor layer, while a second capacitive element is comprised of the p-type well region, the first insulating layer, and the semiconductor layer, in which each of the semiconductor substrate and the semiconductor layer includes a single crystal silicon layer.

Abstract: A part of the semiconductor substrate is processed to form fins protruding from the upper surface of the semiconductor substrate. Next, an interlayer insulating film is formed on the semiconductor substrate including the fin FA, and an opening is formed in the interlayer insulating film. Next, a dummy pattern including the dummy material and the insulating film is formed in the opening in a self-aligned manner. Thereafter, the dummy pattern is replaced with a memory gate electrode, a control gate electrode, and the like.

Abstract: Fins lined up in a Y direction, a control gate electrode and a memory gate electrode each extending in the Y direction so as to straddle the fins, a plurality of first plugs electrically connected with a drain region formed in each of the fins, and a plurality of second plugs electrically connected with a source region formed in each of the fins are formed. Here, a N-th plug of the plurality of first plugs lined up in the Y direction is coupled with each of (2N?1)-th and 2N-th fins in the Y direction. Also, a N-th plug of the plurality of second plugs lined up in the Y direction is coupled with each of 2N-th and (2N+1)-th fins in the Y direction.