Use of selective epitaxial silicon growth in formation of floating gates
Apparatus utilizing epitaxial silicon growth on a base structure of a floating gate of a floating-gate memory cell to increase the available coupling area of the floating gate while reducing the spacing between adjacent memory cells. The epitaxial silicon growth facilitates a reduction in spacing between adjacent cells beyond the capability of the patterning technology, e.g., photolithography.
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This is a divisional application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/886,078 (the '078 application), titled “USE OF SELECTIVE EPITAXIAL SILICON GROWTH IN FORMATION OF FLOATING GATES”, filed Jul. 7, 2004 (pending), which application is assigned to the assignee of the present invention and the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention relates generally to integrated circuit devices and, in particular, to the use of selective epitaxial silicon growth in the formation of floating gates for floating-gate transistors.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONMemory devices are typically provided as internal storage areas in the computer. The term memory identifies data storage that comes in the form of integrated circuit chips. In general, memory devices contain an array of memory cells for storing data, and row and column decoder circuits coupled to the array of memory cells for accessing the array of memory cells in response to an external address.
One type of memory is a non-volatile memory known as Flash memory. A flash memory is a type of EEPROM (electrically-erasable programmable read-only memory) that generally can be erased and reprogrammed in blocks. Many modern personal computers (PCs) have their BIOS stored on a flash memory chip so that it can easily be updated if necessary. Such a BIOS is sometimes called a flash BIOS. Flash memory is also popular in wireless electronic devices because it enables the manufacturer to support new communication protocols as they become standardized and to provide the ability to remotely upgrade the device for enhanced features.
A typical flash memory comprises a memory array that includes a large number of memory cells arranged in row and column fashion. Each of the memory cells includes a floating-gate field-effect transistor capable of holding a charge. The cells are usually grouped into blocks. Each of the cells within a block can be electrically programmed by charging the floating gate. The charge can be removed from the floating gate by a block erase operation. The data in a cell is determined by the presence or absence of the charge in the floating gate.
Flash memory typically utilizes one of two basic architectures known as NOR flash and NAND flash. The designation is derived from the logic used to read the devices. In NOR flash architecture, a column of memory cells are coupled in parallel with each memory cell coupled to a bit line. In NAND flash architecture, a column of memory cells are coupled in series with only the first memory cell of the column coupled to a bit line.
Memory device fabricators are continuously seeking to increase productivity. One common approach is to place larger numbers of memory cells in a given amount of area, thus requiring smaller cells and/or closer spacing between cells. Smaller devices facilitate higher productivity and reduced power consumption. However, as device sizes become smaller, coupling area of the floating gate becomes increasingly critical. Additionally, it becomes increasingly difficult to reduce the spacing between adjacent floating gates.
For the reasons stated above, and for other reasons stated below which will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading and understanding the present specification, there is a need in the art for alternate methods and device structures for providing increased coupling area in a floating gate of a memory cell.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
In the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the inventions may be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that process or mechanical changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. The terms wafer and substrate used previously and in the following description include any base semiconductor structure. Both are to be understood as including silicon-on-sapphire (SOS) technology, silicon-on-insulator (SOI) technology, thin film transistor (TFT) technology, doped and undoped semiconductors, epitaxial layers of silicon supported by a base semiconductor, as well as other semiconductor structures well known to one skilled in the art. Furthermore, when reference is made to a wafer or substrate in the following description, previous process steps may have been utilized to form regions/junctions in the base semiconductor structure. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is defined only by the appended claims and their equivalents.
The sacrificial layers 110 and 115 will function as a hard mask during subsequent processing. For one embodiment, the first sacrificial layer 110 is an oxide layer. Oxide layer 110 could be formed, for example, through a thermal oxidation of a silicon-containing substrate 105. For one embodiment, the second sacrificial layer 115 is a silicon nitride layer. Silicon nitride layer 115 could be formed, for example, through a chemical vapor deposition (CVD) of a silicon nitride material.
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A base structure upon which nucleation for epitaxial silicon growth will be favored in then formed overlying the tunnel dielectric layer 130. This base structure is preferably a silicon-containing layer, e.g., polysilicon layer 135. However, other materials capable of storing a charge could be used provided epitaxial silicon growth on the base structure would be the predominant reaction over any growth on the isolation regions 125. For the embodiment depicted in
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Epitaxial deposition of silicon is a chemical vapor deposition (CVD) process. The process will replicate the structure of the silicon material upon which it is formed. For example, if the base structure is of monocrystalline silicon, the epitaxial growth will maintain the same monocrystalline structure. Similarly, if the base structure is of polycrystalline silicon (polysilicon), the epitaxial growth will likewise be polysilicon. Silicon precursors are transported to, and adsorbed on, the exposed silicon structures. Common silicon precursors for the production of epitaxial silicon include silicon tetrachloride (SiCl4), trichlorosilane (SiHCl3), dichlorosilane (SiH2Cl2) and silane (SiH4).
The process of epitaxial silicon growth is well understood in the art. Typical deposition temperatures range from about 600° C. to about 1250° C. Depth of the epitaxial growth is typically controlled through reaction time, or time that the silicon structures are exposed to the reactant gases and their reaction conditions. Typical reaction times may range from about 1 minute to about 15 minutes or more, depending upon the desired depth of deposition.
Selective epitaxial deposition occurs when silicon atoms having high surface mobility are deposited from the silicon source or precursor. These silicon atoms migrate to sites on exposed silicon structures, where nucleation is favored. Others have observed that silicon mobility is enhanced by the presence of halides in the reaction gases. Other factors recognized to enhance the selective nature of the silicon deposition include reduced reaction pressure, increased reaction temperature and decreased mole fraction of silicon in the reaction gases.
For one embodiment, the epitaxial silicon growth is undoped during formation. For another embodiment, the epitaxial silicon growth is doped during formation. Doping of the epitaxial silicon growth can be used to alter the conductive properties of the resulting silicon layer, to reduce the temperature of formation or to otherwise alter the properties of the resulting material. The dopants, or impurities, are added to the reaction gases during the epitaxial silicon growth. Doping epitaxial growth is typically carried out by adding hydrides of the dopant materials to the reaction gases. For example, diborane (B2H6) may be added to the reaction gases to form a boron-doped monocrystalline silicon.
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The formation and material guidance for the sacrificial layer 215 are generally the same as for the sacrificial layers 110 and 115 of
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Each memory cell is located at an intersection of a word line and a local bit line. The memory array 402 is arranged in rows and columns, with the rows arranged in blocks. A memory block is some discrete portion of the memory array 402. Individual word lines generally extend to only one memory block while bit lines may extend to multiple memory blocks. The memory cells generally can be erased in blocks. Data, however, may be stored in the memory array 402 separate from the block structure.
The memory array 402 is arranged in a plurality of addressable banks. In one embodiment, the memory contains four memory banks 404, 406, 408 and 410. Each memory bank contains addressable sectors of memory cells. The data stored in the memory can be accessed using externally provided location addresses received by address register 412 from processor 401 on address lines 413. The addresses are decoded using row address multiplexer circuitry 414. The addresses are also decoded using bank control logic 416 and row address latch and decode circuitry 418.
To access an appropriate column of the memory, column address counter and latch circuitry 420 couples the received addresses to column decode circuitry 422. Circuit 424 provides input/output gating, data mask logic, read data latch circuitry and write driver circuitry. Data is input through data input registers 426 and output through data output registers 428. This bi-directional data flow occurs over data (DQ) lines 443.
Command execution logic 430 is provided to control the basic operations of the memory device including memory read operations. A state machine 432 is also provided to control specific operations performed on the memory arrays and cells. A high voltage switch and pump circuit 445 is provided to supply higher voltages during erase and write operations. A status register 434 and an identification register 436 can also be provided to output data.
The memory device 400 can be coupled to an external memory controller, or processor 401, to receive access commands such as read, write and erase command. Other memory commands can be provided, but are not necessary to understand the present invention and are therefore not outlined herein. The memory device 400 includes power supply inputs Vss and Vcc to receive lower and upper voltage supply potentials.
As stated above, the flash memory device 400 has been simplified to facilitate a basic understanding of the features of the memory device. A more detailed understanding of flash memories is known to those skilled in the art. As is well known, such memory devices 400 may be fabricated as integrated circuits on a semiconductor substrate.
CONCLUSIONMethods and apparatus have been described utilizing epitaxial silicon growth on a base structure of a floating gate of a floating-gate memory cell to increase the available coupling area of the floating gate while reducing the spacing between adjacent memory cells. The epitaxial silicon growth facilitates a reduction in spacing between adjacent cells beyond the capability of the patterning technology, e.g., photolithography.
Although specific embodiments have been illustrated and described herein, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that any arrangement that is calculated to achieve the same purpose may be substituted for the specific embodiments shown. Many adaptations of the invention will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. Accordingly, this application is intended to cover any adaptations or variations of the invention. It is manifestly intended that this invention be limited only by the following claims and equivalents thereof.
Claims
1. An electronic system, comprising:
- a processor; and
- a memory device coupled to the processor, wherein the memory device comprises: an array of floating-gate memory cells, at least one memory cell comprising: a floating gate having an epitaxial silicon growth on a silicon-containing base layer; and circuitry for control and/or access of the array of floating-gate memory cells.
2. The electronic system of claim 1, wherein the epitaxial silicon growth is conductively doped during formation.
3. The electronic system of claim 1, wherein the silicon-containing base layer comprises polysilicon.
4. The electronic system of claim 1, wherein the silicon-containing base layer is conductively doped after formation.
5. The electronic system of claim 1, wherein the silicon-containing base layer and the epitaxial silicon growth are each conductively doped.
6. The electronic system of claim 5, wherein the silicon-containing base layer comprises conductively doped polysilicon.
7. The electronic system of claim 1, wherein the silicon-containing base layer further comprises a first polysilicon layer and a second polysilicon layer formed on the first polysilicon layer.
8. An electronic system, comprising:
- a processor; and
- a memory device coupled to the processor, wherein the memory device comprises: an array of floating-gate memory cells, at least one floating-gate memory cell comprising: a tunnel dielectric overlying a semiconductor substrate and interposed between two isolation regions; source/drain regions formed in the substrate between the isolation regions and at opposing ends of the tunnel dielectric; a floating gate overlying the tunnel dielectric; an intergate dielectric overlying the floating gate; a control gate overlying the intergate dielectric; and circuitry for control and/or access of the array of floating-gate memory cells; wherein the floating gate comprises a silicon-containing base layer and an extension of epitaxial silicon formed on the silicon-containing base layer.
9. The electronic system of claim 8, wherein the silicon-containing base layer extends above an upper surface of the isolation regions and the extension of epitaxial silicon extends past sidewalls of the isolation regions by a distance greater than the silicon-containing base layer extends past the sidewalls.
10. The electronic system of claim 9, wherein the silicon-containing base layer is substantially flush with the sidewalls of the isolation regions.
11. The electronic system of claim 8, wherein the silicon-containing base layer and the extension of epitaxial silicon are each conductively doped.
12. The electronic system of claim 1 1, wherein the silicon-containing base layer comprises conductively doped polysilicon.
13. The electronic system of claim 8, wherein the silicon-containing base layer further comprises a first polysilicon layer and a second polysilicon layer formed on the first polysilicon layer.
14. An electronic system, comprising:
- a processor; and
- a memory device coupled to the processor, wherein the memory device comprises: an array of floating-gate memory cells, at least one floating-gate memory cell comprising: a tunnel dielectric overlying a semiconductor substrate; source/drain regions formed in the substrate at opposing ends of the tunnel dielectric; a floating gate overlying the tunnel dielectric; an intergate dielectric overlying the floating gate; a control gate overlying the intergate dielectric; and circuitry for control and/or access of the array of floating-gate memory cells; wherein the floating gate comprises a silicon-containing conductive base layer and an extension of epitaxial silicon formed on the conductive base layer.
15. The electronic system of claim 14, wherein the extension of epitaxial silicon is conductively doped during formation.
16. The electronic system of claim 14, wherein the silicon-containing conductive base layer further comprises a polysilicon layer.
17. The electronic system of claim 16, wherein the silicon-containing conductive base layer is conductively doped after formation.
18. The electronic system of claim 14, wherein the silicon-containing conductive base layer further comprises a first polysilicon layer and a second polysilicon layer formed on the first polysilicon layer.
19. An electronic system, comprising:
- a processor; and
- a memory device coupled to the processor, wherein the memory device comprises: an array of floating-gate memory cells, at least one floating-gate memory cell comprising: a tunnel dielectric overlying a semiconductor substrate; source/drain regions formed in the substrate at opposing ends of the tunnel dielectric; a floating gate comprising: a polysilicon layer overlying the tunnel dielectric; and an epitaxial silicon growth overlying and adjoining the polysilicon layer; an intergate dielectric overlying the epitaxial silicon growth; a control gate overlying the intergate dielectric; and circuitry for control and/or access of the array of floating-gate memory cells.
20. The electronic system of claim 19, wherein the epitaxial silicon growth is a growth of conductively-doped epitaxial silicon.
21. The floating-gate memory cell of claim 20, wherein the polysilicon layer is a conductively-doped polysilicon layer.
22. An electronic system, comprising:
- a processor; and
- a memory device coupled to the processor, wherein the memory device comprises: an array of floating-gate memory cells, at least one floating-gate memory cell comprising: a tunnel dielectric overlying a semiconductor substrate; source/drain regions formed in the substrate at opposing ends of the tunnel dielectric; a floating gate comprising: a first polysilicon layer overlying the tunnel dielectric; a second polysilicon layer overlying an upper surface and sides of the first polysilicon layer; and an epitaxial silicon growth overlying and adjoining the second polysilicon layer; an intergate dielectric overlying the epitaxial silicon growth; a control gate overlying the intergate dielectric; and circuitry for control and/or access of the array of floating-gate memory cells.
23. An electronic system, comprising:
- a processor; and
- a memory device coupled to the processor, wherein the memory device comprises: an array of floating-gate memory cells, at least one floating-gate memory cell comprising: a tunnel dielectric layer overlying a semiconductor substrate and interposed between two isolation regions, the tunnel dielectric formed below an upper surface of the isolation regions; source/drain regions formed in the substrate at opposing ends of the tunnel dielectric and interposed between the isolation regions; a floating gate comprising: a polysilicon layer overlying the tunnel dielectric layer and extending above the upper surface of the isolation regions; and an extension of epitaxial silicon formed overlying and adjoining the polysilicon layer; an intergate dielectric overlying the extension of epitaxial silicon; a control gate overlying the intergate dielectric; and circuitry for control and/or access of the array of floating-gate memory cells.
24. The electronic system of claim 23, wherein the polysilicon layer extends past a sidewall of one of the isolation regions a first distance and the extension of epitaxial silicon extends past the sidewall of the isolation region a second distance greater than the first distance.
25. The electronic system of claim 24, wherein the polysilicon layer extends past a sidewall of the other isolation region a first distance and the extension of epitaxial silicon extends past the sidewall of that other isolation region a second distance greater than the first distance.
26. The electronic system of claim 23, wherein the polysilicon layer is substantially flush with sidewalls of the isolation regions and wherein the extension of epitaxial silicon extends across the upper surface of each isolation region some distance.
27. An electronic system, comprising:
- a processor; and
- a memory device coupled to the processor, wherein the memory device comprises: an array of floating-gate memory cells, at least one floating-gate memory cell comprising: a tunnel dielectric layer overlying a semiconductor substrate and interposed between two isolation regions, the tunnel dielectric formed below an upper surface of the isolation regions; source/drain regions formed in the substrate at opposing ends of the tunnel dielectric and interposed between the isolation regions; a floating gate comprising: a first polysilicon layer overlying the tunnel dielectric layer and extending above the upper surface of the isolation regions; a second polysilicon layer overlying the first polysilicon layer; an extension of epitaxial silicon formed overlying and adjoining the second polysilicon layer; an intergate dielectric overlying the extension of epitaxial silicon; a control gate overlying the intergate dielectric; and circuitry for control and/or access of the array of floating-gate memory cells.
28. The electronic system of claim 27, wherein the first polysilicon layer is substantially flush with sidewalls of the isolation regions, wherein the second polysilicon layer extends across the upper surface of each isolation region a first distance and wherein the extension of epitaxial silicon extends across the upper surface of each isolation region a second distance greater than the first distance.
Type: Application
Filed: May 3, 2006
Publication Date: Sep 7, 2006
Applicant:
Inventor: Roger Lindsay (Boise, ID)
Application Number: 11/416,830
International Classification: H01L 29/76 (20060101);