Abstract: A memory system includes a semiconductor storage device including a plurality of blocks of memory cells, each memory cell storing data in a non-volatile state, a controller configured to issue commands to the semiconductor storage device to perform various operations, including a read operation, a write operation, an erase operation, and a dummy operation. The read operation is an operation in which the semiconductor storage device reads data from a memory cell of a block in the semiconductor storage device, and outputs the read data to the controller, and the dummy operation is an operation in which the semiconductor storage device reads data from a memory cell of a block in the semiconductor storage device and does not output the read data to the controller and does not write the data to any of the memory cells of the blocks in the semiconductor storage device.

Abstract: A memory system includes a semiconductor storage device including a plurality of blocks of memory cells, each memory cell storing data in a non-volatile state, a controller configured to issue commands to the semiconductor storage device to perform various operations, including a read operation, a write operation, an erase operation, and a dummy operation. The read operation is an operation in which the semiconductor storage device reads data from a memory cell of a block in the semiconductor storage device, and outputs the read data to the controller, and the dummy operation is an operation in which the semiconductor storage device reads data from a memory cell of a block in the semiconductor storage device and does not output the read data to the controller and does not write the data to any of the memory cells of the blocks in the semiconductor storage device.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes bit lines provided in a semiconductor substrate; an ONO film that is provided along the surface of the semiconductor substrate and is made of a tunnel oxide film, a trap layer, and a top oxide film; and an oxide film that is provided on the surface of the semiconductor substrate in the middle between the bit lines and contacts the side face of the ONO film, in which the film thickness of the oxide film is larger than the sum of the thicknesses of the tunnel oxide film and the top oxide film, and smaller than the thickness of the ONO film.

Abstract: A semiconductor memory device of the embodiments includes a first conductivity type semiconductor layer extending in a first direction and including a plurality of projecting regions on the surface thereof, a first insulating film provided on the projecting regions, a charge storage layer provided on the first insulating film, a second insulating film provided on the charge storage layer, and a control gate provided on the second insulating film.

Abstract: A nonvolatile semiconductor memory device, includes a memory cell array, and a control circuit configured to control voltage applied to the memory cell array. The memory cell array includes: a plurality of first wiring lines extending in a first direction, a plurality of second wiring lines extending in a second direction intersecting with the first direction, and memory cells arranged in respective intersecting portions between the plurality of first wiring lines and the plurality of second wiring lines. The control circuit changes voltages applied to the plurality of first wiring lines and/or times during which voltages are applied to the plurality of first wiring lines independently in each of predetermined spatial periods.

Abstract: A silicon nitride film, which is a second hard mask, is dry etched to be removed completely. The silicon nitride film, which is formed on a sidewall of a silicon nitride film used as a first hard mask, has a relatively low etching rate. Therefore, if the silicon nitride film is continued etching until the corresponding portion thereof is removed, polysilicon is etched in a direction of depth in trench shape. Then, floating gates in adjacent cells are separated and a step portion of the polysilicon is formed. Consequently, a remaining portion of the silicon nitride film used as the first hard mask is removed, an ONO film is laminated on a whole surface of the poly silicon having the step portion on an edge that has been etched, and then, a polysilicon for a control gate is laminated on the ONO film.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a semiconductor device according to an embodiment, includes forming a silicon (Si) film containing carbon (C) in an upper portion thereof above a semiconductor substrate, performing element isolation of the Si film and the semiconductor substrate to make a width dimension of the Si film narrow in a first region and a width dimension of the Si film wide in a second region, after the element isolation, exposing a side face of the Si film in at least the first region, and diffusing boron (B) into the Si film from the side face of the Si film in the first region.

Abstract: A semiconductor device in accordance with one embodiment of the invention can include a semiconductor substrate having a groove, a bit line, a pocket implantation region, a bottom insulating membrane, and a charge accumulation region. The bit line is formed on a side of the groove in the semiconductor substrate and acts as a source and a drain. The pocket implantation region is formed to touch (or contact) the bit line, has a similar conductivity type as the semiconductor substrate, and has a dopant concentration higher than that of the semiconductor substrate. The bottom insulating membrane is formed on and touches (or contacts) a side surface of the groove. The charge accumulation layer is formed on and touches (or contacts) a side surface of the bottom insulating membrane.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes bit lines provided in a semiconductor substrate; an ONO film that is provided along the surface of the semiconductor substrate and is made of a tunnel oxide film, a trap layer, and a top oxide film; and an oxide film that is provided on the surface of the semiconductor substrate in the middle between the bit lines and contacts the side face of the ONO film, in which the film thickness of the oxide film is larger than the sum of the thicknesses of the tunnel oxide film and the top oxide film, and smaller than the thickness of the ONO film.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes bit lines provided in a semiconductor substrate; an ONO film that is provided along the surface of the semiconductor substrate and is made of a tunnel oxide film, a trap layer, and a top oxide film; and an oxide film that is provided on the surface of the semiconductor substrate in the middle between the bit lines and contacts the side face of the ONO film, in which the film thickness of the oxide film is larger than the sum of the thicknesses of the tunnel oxide film and the top oxide film, and smaller than the thickness of the ONO film.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a semiconductor device according to an embodiment, includes forming a silicon (Si) film containing carbon (C) in an upper portion thereof above a semiconductor substrate, performing element isolation of the Si film and the semiconductor substrate to make a width dimension of the Si film narrow in a first region and a width dimension of the Si film wide in a second region, after the element isolation, exposing a side face of the Si film in at least the first region, and diffusing boron (B) into the Si film from the side face of the Si film in the first region.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a semiconductor device, the method including: forming a bit line in a semiconductor substrate; forming a plurality of word lines which intersect with the bit line at predetermined intervals on the semiconductor substrate; eliminating a portion of the plurality of word lines; forming an interlayer insulating film on the semiconductor substrate; and forming a metal plug which penetrates through the interlayer insulating film and is coupled to the bit line in a region where the portion of the plurality of word lines was eliminated.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a bit line that is provided in a semiconductor substrate, a silicide layer that has side faces and a bottom face surrounded by the bit line and is provided within the bit line, an ONO film that is provided on the semiconductor substrate, and sidewalls that are in contact with the side faces of a trapping layer in the ONO film over the portions of the bit line located on both sides of the silicide layer, the sidewalls being formed with silicon oxide films including phosphorus.

Abstract: A semiconductor device is disclosed. The semiconductor device includes a plurality of memory cells provided in a matrix and having a charge storage layer, a plurality of word lines provided on the charge storage layer, and an application section. When reading data from a selected memory cell selected from the plurality of memory cells, the application section applies a voltage having an opposite polarity to the voltage applied to a selected word line to non-selected word lines arranged on both adjacent sides of the selected word line.

Abstract: A semiconductor device is disclosed. The semiconductor device includes a plurality of memory cells provided in a matrix and having a charge storage layer, a plurality of word lines provided on the charge storage layer, and an application section. When reading data from a selected memory cell selected from the plurality of memory cells, the application section applies a voltage having an opposite polarity to the voltage applied to a selected word line to non-selected word lines arranged on both adjacent sides of the selected word line.

Abstract: A silicon nitride film, which is a second hard mask, is dry etched to be removed completely. The silicon nitride film, which is formed on a sidewall of a silicon nitride film used as a first hard mask, has a relatively low etching rate. Therefore, if the silicon nitride film is continued etching until the corresponding portion thereof is removed, polysilicon is etched in a direction of depth in trench shape. Then, floating gates in adjacent cells are separated and a step portion of the polysilicon is formed. Consequently, a remaining portion of the silicon nitride film used as the first hard mask is removed, an ONO film is laminated on a whole surface of the poly silicon having the step portion on an edge that has been etched, and then, a polysilicon for a control gate is laminated on the ONO film.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a semiconductor device, the method including: forming a bit line in a semiconductor substrate; forming a plurality of word lines which intersect with the bit line at predetermined intervals on the semiconductor substrate; eliminating a portion of the plurality of word lines; forming an interlayer insulating film on the semiconductor substrate; and forming a metal plug which penetrates through the interlayer insulating film and is coupled to the bit line in a region where the portion of the plurality of word lines was eliminated.

Abstract: A semiconductor device in accordance with one embodiment of the invention can include a semiconductor substrate having a groove, a bit line, a pocket implantation region, a bottom insulating membrane, and a charge accumulation region. The bit line is formed on a side of the groove in the semiconductor substrate and acts as a source and a drain. The pocket implantation region is formed to touch (or contact) the bit line, has a similar conductivity type as the semiconductor substrate, and has a dopant concentration higher than that of the semiconductor substrate. The bottom insulating membrane is formed on and touches (or contacts) a side surface of the groove. The charge accumulation layer is formed on and touches (or contacts) a side surface of the bottom insulating membrane.

Abstract: A semiconductor device which includes two trenches formed in a semiconductor substrate, a charge storage layer as an insulator formed on each side surface of the trenches, and separated on a bottom surface thereof, and a bit line formed below the bottom surface of the trenches in the semiconductor substrate. A channel region is formed in the semiconductor substrate from a side surface of one of the two trenches to that of the other trench via an upper surface of a protruding portion between those two trenches. A method for manufacturing the semiconductor device is also provided.

Abstract: A semiconductor device in accordance with one embodiment of the invention can include a semiconductor substrate having a groove, a bit line, a pocket implantation region, a bottom insulating membrane, and a charge accumulation region. The bit line is formed on a side of the groove in the semiconductor substrate and acts as a source and a drain. The pocket implantation region is formed to touch (or contact) the bit line, has a similar conductivity type as the semiconductor substrate, and has a dopant concentration higher than that of the semiconductor substrate. The bottom insulating membrane is formed on and touches (or contacts) a side surface of the groove. The charge accumulation layer is formed on and touches (or contacts) a side surface of the bottom insulating membrane.