Abstract: A method of forming high germanium content silicon germanium alloy fins with controlled insulator layer recessing is provided. A silicon germanium alloy (SiGe) layer having a first germanium content is provided on a surface of an insulator layer using a first condensation process. Following the formation of a hard mask layer portion on the SiGe layer, a second condensation process is performed to convert a portion of the SiGe layer into a SiGe fin of a second germanium content that is greater than the first germanium content and other portions of the SiGe layer into a shell oxide structure located on sidewalls of the SiGe fin. After forming a fin placeholder material, a portion of each shell oxide structure is removed, while maintaining a lower portion of each shell oxide structure at the footprint of the SiGe fin.

Abstract: A semiconductor memory device is disclosed. The device may include a stack including gate electrodes stacked on a substrate in a vertical direction and insulating patterns interposed between the gate electrodes, vertical channels passing through the stack and connected to the substrate, a tunnel insulating layer enclosing each of the vertical channels, charge storing patterns provided between the tunnel insulating layer and the gate electrodes and spaced apart from each other in the vertical direction, blocking insulating patterns provided between the charge storing patterns and the gate electrodes and spaced apart from each other in the vertical direction, and a bit line crossing the stack and connected to the vertical channels. The blocking insulating patterns may have a vertical thickness that is greater than that of the gate electrodes.

Abstract: Data storage is provided which includes a nonvolatile memory device including a plurality of memory blocks divided into a first region being an over provisioning region and a second region, and a storage controller allocating at least one memory block, corresponding to an unconcerned sector, from among memory blocks of the second region to the first region. It may be possible to adjust the number of reserved memory blocks in the over provisioning region.

Abstract: A memory device is described. Generally, the memory device includes a tunnel oxide layer overlying a channel connecting a source and a drain of the memory device formed in a substrate, a multi-layer charge storing layer overlying the tunnel oxide layer and a high-temperature-oxide (HTO) layer overlying the multi-layer charge storing layer. The multi-layer charge storing layer includes an oxygen-rich, first layer comprising a nitride on the tunnel oxide layer in which a composition of the first layer results in it being substantially trap free, and an oxygen-lean, second layer comprising a nitride on the first layer in which a composition of the second layer results in it being trap dense. The HTO layer includes an oxidized portion of the second layer. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure describe methods, apparatus, and system configurations for NAND memory arrays with mismatched cell and bitline pitch. Other embodiments may be described and claimed. The bitline pitch is the distance between bitlines. The cell pitch is the distance between cells. The mismatch is bitline spacing that is different from cell spacing.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for quantum point contacts. In an arrangement, a quantum point contact device includes at least one well region in a portion of a semiconductor substrate and doped to a first conductivity type; a gate structure disposed on a surface of the semiconductor substrate; the gate structure further comprising a quantum point contact formed in a constricted area, the constricted area having a width and a length arranged so that a maximum dimension is less than a predetermined distance equal to about 35 nanometers; a drain/source region in the well region doped to a second conductivity type opposite the first conductivity type; a source/drain region in the well region doped to the second conductivity type; a first and second lightly doped drain region in the at least one well region. Additional methods and apparatus are disclosed.

Abstract: Multi-port semiconductor memory cells including a common floating body region configured to be charged to a level indicative of a memory state of the memory cell. The multi-port semiconductor memory cells include a plurality of gates and conductive regions interfacing with said floating body region. Arrays of memory cells and method of operating said memory arrays are disclosed for making a memory device.

Abstract: A semiconductor device and a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device, the device including an active fin protruding from a substrate and extending in a first direction, a first device isolation region disposed at a sidewall of the active fin and extending in a second direction, the second direction crossing the first direction, a normal gate electrode crossing the active fin, a first dummy gate electrode having an undercut portion on the first device isolation region, the first dummy gate electrode extending in the second direction, and a first filler filling the undercut portion on the first device isolation region, wherein the undercut portion is disposed at a lower portion of the first dummy gate electrode.

Abstract: This technology relates to an image sensor. The image sensor may include a substrate including a photoelectric conversion element; a pillar formed over the photoelectric conversion element and having a concave-convex sidewall; a channel film formed along a surface of the pillar and for having at least one end coupled to the photoelectric conversion element; and a transfer gate formed over the channel film.

Abstract: A semiconductor structure and a manufacturing method of the same are provided. The semiconductor structure includes a substrate, a plurality of conductive layers, a plurality of insulating layers, a first vertical memory structure, a second vertical memory structure, and an isolation trench. The conductive layers and the insulating layers are interlaced and stacked on the substrate. The first vertical memory structure and the second memory structure penetrate the conductive layers and the insulating layers are formed on the substrate. The first vertical memory structure has a first horizontal C shaped cross-section, and the second vertical memory structure has a second horizontal C shaped cross-section. The isolation trench is formed between the first vertical memory structure and the second vertical memory structure.

Abstract: A recess channel semiconductor non-volatile memory (NVM) device is disclosed. The recess channel MOSFET devices by etching into the silicon substrate for the device channel have been applied to advanced DRAM process nodes. The same etching process of the recess channel MOSFET device is applied to form the recess channel semiconductor NVM device. The tunneling oxides are grown on silicon surface after the recess channel hole etching process. The storing material is deposited into the recess channel holes with coupling dielectrics on top of the storing material. The gate material is then deposited and etched to form the control gate. Owing to the recess channel embedded below the silicon substrate, the scaling challenges such as gate channel length, floating gate interference, high aspect ratio for gate stack etching, and the mechanical stability of gate formation for the semiconductor NVM device can be significantly reduced.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a flash memory includes providing a substrate, a memory gate on the substrate, a hard mask on the memory gate, a spacer on a sidewall of the memory gate, and a select gate disposed on a sidewall of the spacer. A first silicon oxide layer is formed to conformally cover the memory gate, the hard mask, the spacer, and the select gate. A thickness of the first silicon oxide layer is smaller than 0.54 of a thickness of the hard mask. Later, the first silicon oxide layer is thinned by a dry etching process. After that, the first silicon oxide layer and the hard mask are entirely removed by a wet etching process.

Abstract: A semiconductor memory includes a plurality of stripe-like active areas formed by stacking, in a direction perpendicular to a substrate, a plurality of layers extending parallel to the substrate, a first gate electrode formed on first side surfaces of the active areas, the first side surfaces being perpendicular to the substrate, a second gate electrode formed on second side surfaces of the active areas, the second side surfaces being perpendicular to the substrate. The layers are patterned in self-alignment with each other, intersections of the active areas and the first gate electrode form a plurality of memory cells, and the plurality of memory cells in an intersecting plane share the first gate electrode.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing an integrated circuit includes following steps. A substrate including a memory region and a core region is provided. At least two semiconductor word lines, two memory cells in between the two semiconductor word lines, and a semiconductor gate in between the two memory cells are formed in the memory region. A transistor device including a dummy gate is formed in the core region, and a height of the dummy gate is larger than a height of the semiconductor word lines. A protecting layer is formed on the semiconductor word lines, the memory cells, the semiconductor gate and the transistor device. A portion of the protecting layer is removed to expose the dummy gate and followed be removing the dummy gate to form a gate trench in the transistor device. Then a metal gate is formed in the gate trench.

Abstract: Non-planar semiconductor devices having doped sub-fin regions and methods of fabricating non-planar semiconductor devices having doped sub-fin regions are described. For example, a method of fabricating a semiconductor structure involves forming a plurality of semiconductor fins above a semiconductor substrate. A solid state dopant source layer is formed above the semiconductor substrate, conformal with the plurality of semiconductor fins. A dielectric layer is formed above the solid state dopant source layer. The dielectric layer and the solid state dopant source layer are recessed to approximately a same level below a top surface of the plurality of semiconductor fins, exposing protruding portions of each of the plurality of semiconductor fins above sub-fin regions of each of the plurality of semiconductor fins. The method also involves driving dopants from the solid state dopant source layer into the sub-fin regions of each of the plurality of semiconductor fins.

Abstract: A memory cell includes a source region and a drain region disposed in a semiconductor body. A channel region is disposed in the semiconductor body between the source region and the drain region. A floating gate is disposed between the semiconductor body and the control gate. The floating gate includes a protruding portion that is located over the channel region between the source and drain regions and spaced therefrom. The protruding portion is separated from the channel region by a first insulating layer that is thinner than a second insulating layer that separates remaining portions of the floating gate from the channel region.

Abstract: A semiconductor memory device includes a stack of word lines and insulating patterns. Cell pillars extend vertically through the stack of word lines and insulating patterns with memory cells being formed at the junctions of the cell pillars and the word lines. A ratio of the thickness of the word lines to the thickness of immediately neighboring insulating patterns is different at different locations along one or more of the cell pillars. Related methods of manufacturing and systems are also disclosed.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a compound power transistor device including a first semiconductor substrate including a first semiconductor material, a second semiconductor substrate including a second semiconductor material different from the first semiconductor material, and a power transistor formed in or on the second semiconductor substrate. In certain embodiments, the second semiconductor substrate is micro-transfer printed on and secured to the first semiconductor substrate.

Abstract: MOS-gated devices, related methods, and systems for vertical power and RF devices including an insulated trench and a gate electrode. A body region is positioned so that a voltage bias on the gate electrode will cause an inversion layer in the body region. Permanent electrostatic charges are included in said insulation material. A conductive shield layer is positioned above the insulated trench, to reduce parasitic capacitances.

Abstract: Provided herein is a semiconductor device. The semiconductor device may include conductive layers each including a line, and a pad which is coupled with the line and has a thickness greater than that of the line, the conductive layers being stacked such that the pads are exposed; insulating layers interposed between the conductive layers; first spacers each of which is interposed between the pad of the corresponding upper conductive layer and the pad of the corresponding low conductive layer; and second spacers covering the respective first spacers.

Abstract: A three-dimensional (3D) semiconductor memory device includes a CMOS circuit structure including a plurality of column blocks each comprising a plurality of page buffer circuits, and a lower wiring structure and a memory structure sequentially stacked over the CMOS circuit structure. The memory structure overlaps a first circuit region of the CMOS circuit structure and does not overlap a second circuit region of the CMOS circuit structure, and the plurality of column blocks are contained within the first circuit region of the CMOS circuit structure.

Abstract: A memory includes a memory cell including a memory transistor in which electric charges are stored in an electric charge storage layer when data is written to the memory cell, and a controller configured to control a voltage to be applied to the memory transistor in a predetermined hold time until an amount of electric charges stored in the electric charge storage layer decreases to an amount of electric charges corresponding to a state where the data is erased from the memory cell.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device includes forming a laminated structure including sacrificial layers and a select gate layer on a substrate, forming a penetration region penetrating the laminated structure, forming a select gate insulating layer on a sidewall of the select gate layer exposed by the penetration region, and forming an active pattern in the penetration region. The method also includes exposing a portion of the active pattern by removing the sacrificial layers and forming an information storage layer on the exposed portion of the active pattern.

Abstract: A non-volatile semiconductor storage device has a plurality of memory strings to each of which a plurality of electrically rewritable memory cells are connected in series. Each of the memory strings includes first semiconductor layers each having a pair of columnar portions extending in a vertical direction with respect to a substrate and a coupling portion formed to couple the lower ends of the pair of columnar portions; a charge storage layer formed to surround the side surfaces of the columnar portions; and first conductive layers formed to surround the side surfaces of the columnar portions and the charge storage layer. The first conductive layers function as gate electrodes of the memory cells.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a nonvolatile semiconductor memory device includes a plurality of U-shaped memory strings, each of the plurality of U-shaped memory strings including a first columnar body, a second columnar body, and a conductive connection body. The conductive connection body connects the first columnar body and the second columnar body. A plurality of first memory cells are connected in series in the first columnar body and are composed of a plurality of first conductive layers, a first inter-gate insulating film, a plurality of first floating electrodes, a first tunnel insulating film, and a first memory channel layer. The plurality of first floating electrodes are separated from the plurality of first conductive layers by the first inter-gate insulating film. A plurality of second memory cells are connected in series in the second columnar body, similarly to the plurality of first memory cells.

Abstract: A semiconductor device, including: a semiconductor substrate having a first well region; an insulating layer formed on a first portion of the semiconductor substrate, and contacted with the first well region; a semiconductor layer formed on the insulating layer; an element isolation region reaching to an inside of the first well region, in a cross-sectional view; a first gate electrode layer formed on a first portion of the semiconductor layer via a first gate insulating film; a second gate electrode layer formed on both a second portion of the semiconductor layer via a second gate insulating film and a first portion of the element isolation region; an interlayer insulating film covering the first gate electrode layer, the second gate electrode layer and a second portion of the element isolation region; a first plug conductor layer formed in the interlayer insulating film.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a semiconductor memory, device and a method of forming a semiconductor memory device. The method of manufacturing a semiconductor memory device, includes forming a tunnel insulation layer and a floating gate on a semiconductor substrate of an active region, forming a trench in the semiconductor substrate of an isolation region, forming, in the trench, a sacrificial layer having an upper surface positioned higher than a surface of the semiconductor substrate, forming a capping layer over the sacrificial layer, and forming an air gap by removing the sacrificial layer without removing the capping layer.

Abstract: Non-volatile memory including rows and columns of memory cells, the columns of memory cells including pairs of twin memory cells including a common selection gate. According to the disclosure, two bitlines are provided per column of memory cells. The adjacent twin memory cells of the same column are not connected to the same bitline while the adjacent non-twin memory cells of the same column are connected to the same bitline.

Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention is an identification circuit for generating an identification number (ID). The identification circuit includes a plurality of identification cells each comprising a latch having a first output and a second output that are opposite to each other. The first output and the second output are a function of process variations of the identification circuit. A first buffer and a second buffer are provided on both sides of the latch and connected to the first output and the second output of the latch, respectively.

Abstract: Socket structures that are configured to use area efficiently, and methods for providing socket regions that use area efficiently, are provided. The staircase type contact area or socket region includes dielectric layers between adjacent planar electrodes that partially cover a portion of a planar electrode that does directly underlie an adjacent planar electrode. The portion of a dielectric layer between adjacent planar electrodes can be sloped, such that it extends from an edge of an overlying planar electrode to a point between the edge of an underlying planar electrode and a point corresponding to an edge of the overlying planar electrode.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing an integrated circuit includes following steps. A substrate including a memory region and a core region is provided. At least two semiconductor word lines, two memory cells in between the two semiconductor word lines, and a semiconductor gate in between the two memory cells are formed in the memory region. A transistor device including a dummy gate is formed in the core region, and a height of the dummy gate is larger than a height of the semiconductor word lines. A protecting layer is formed on the semiconductor word lines, the memory cells, the semiconductor gate and the transistor device. A portion of the protecting layer is removed to expose the dummy gate and followed be removing the dummy gate to form a gate trench in the transistor device. Then a metal gate is formed in the gate trench.

Abstract: A device includes a semiconductor region in a semiconductor chip, a gate dielectric layer over the semiconductor region, and a gate electrode over the gate dielectric. A drain region is disposed at a top surface of the semiconductor region and adjacent to the gate electrode. A gate spacer is on a sidewall of the gate electrode. A dielectric layer is disposed over the gate electrode and the gate spacer. A conductive field plate is over the dielectric layer, wherein the conductive field plate has a portion on a drain side of the gate electrode. A conductive via is disposed in the semiconductor region. A source electrode is underlying the semiconductor region, wherein the source electrode is electrically shorted to the conductive field plate through the conductive via.

Abstract: Semiconductor memory cells, array and methods of operating are disclosed. In one instance, a memory cell includes a bi-stable floating body transistor and an access device; wherein the bi-stable floating body transistor and the access device are electrically connected in series.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a substrate, a tunnel insulation pattern on the substrate, a charge storage pattern on the tunnel insulation pattern, a dielectric pattern having a width smaller than a width of the charge storage pattern on the charge storage pattern, a control gate having a width greater than the width of the dielectric pattern on the dielectric pattern, and a metal-containing gate on the control gate.

Abstract: Resistance of a FINFET is reduced while performance of an element is prevented from being deteriorated due to an increase in stress, thereby performance of a semiconductor device is improved. When a memory cell formed on an upper side of a first fin and an n transistor formed on an upper side of a second fin are mounted on the same semiconductor substrate, the surface of the first fin having a source/drain region of the memory cell is covered with a silicide layer, and part of a source/drain region of the n transistor is formed of an epitaxial layer covering the surface of the second fin.

Abstract: Semiconductor devices are provided. A semiconductor device includes a peripheral circuit region and a first memory region that are side by side on a substrate. Moreover, the semiconductor device includes a second memory region that is on the peripheral circuit region and the first memory region. Related methods of programming semiconductor devices are also provided.

Abstract: Provided is a FinFET device including a substrate having at least one fin, a gate stack, a spacer, a strained layer and a composite etching stop layer. The gate stack is across the at least one fin. The spacer is on a sidewall of the gate stack. The strained layer is in the substrate aside the gate stack. The composite etching stop layer is on the spacer and on the strained layer. Besides, the composite etching stop layer is thicker on the spacer but thinner on the strained layer.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an integrated circuit (IC) that includes a high-k metal gate (HKMG) non-volatile memory (NVM) device and that provides small scale and high performance, and a method of formation. In some embodiments, the integrated circuit includes a logic region and an embedded memory region disposed adjacent to the logic region. The logic region has a logic device disposed over a substrate and including a first metal gate disposed over a first high-k gate dielectric layer. The memory region has a non-volatile memory (NVM) device including a second metal gate disposed over a second high-k gate dielectric layer. By having HKMG structures in both the logic region and the memory region, IC performance is improved and further scaling becomes possible in emerging technology nodes.

Abstract: Devices and methods for forming a device are disclosed. A transistor is formed on the substrate. The transistor includes a gate, a source and a drain. An insulation layer is formed on the substrate. The insulation layer is partially disposed on the gate and a sidewall of the gate. The drain is offset from the gate by the insulation layer. An overlayer is formed on the substrate covering the transistor and insulation layer. A field plate in the form of a field plate contact is formed in the overlayer. The field plate contact is disposed on and coupled to the insulation layer for mitigating the formation of electric field adjacent to drain side of the gate.

Abstract: A neuron and synapse implementation is disclosed which incorporates a circuit element that includes first and second nanomagnets and first and second fixed magnets. The first nanomagnet is inductively coupled to a first current carrying element, and is configured to change polarity responsive to current in the first current carrying element. In one example, the first current carrying element includes a spin Hall effect substrate. The second nanomagnet is magnetically coupled to the first nanomagnet, and is inductively coupled to a second current carrying element. The first fixed magnet is disposed on the second nanomagnet and has a first fixed polarity, and second fixed magnet disposed on the second nanomagnet and has a second fixed polarity.

Abstract: A method for fabricating memory device includes the steps of: providing a substrate; forming a tunnel oxide layer on the substrate; forming a first gate layer on the tunnel oxide layer; forming a negative capacitance (NC) insulating layer on the first gate layer; and forming a second gate layer on the NC insulating layer. Preferably, the second gate layer further includes a work function metal layer on the NC insulating layer and a low resistance metal layer on the work function metal layer.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a semiconductor device includes forming a device isolation layer in a substrate to define an active region, forming a gate insulating layer covering at least a portion of the active region, forming a gate electrode on the gate insulating layer, and forming an interlayer insulating layer on the gate electrode. The gate insulating layer includes a first portion overlapping with the active region and a second portion overlapping with the device isolation layer. The forming of the gate insulating layer includes etching at least a part of the second portion of the gate insulating layer to thin the part of the second portion of the gate insulating layer.

Abstract: An embodiment is a semiconductor device comprising a first gate structure over a semiconductor substrate, a first etch stop layer (ESL) over the semiconductor substrate and the first gate, the first ESL having a curved top surface, and a first inter-layer dielectric (ILD) on the first ESL, the first ILD having a curved top surface. The semiconductor device further comprises a second ESL on the first ILD, the second ESL having a curved top surface, and a second ILD on the second ESL.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are semiconductor devices and methods for fabricating a semiconductor device. In an embodiment, a method of fabricating a semiconductor device comprises providing a substrate. The method further comprises forming, on the substrate, an array region having a first height, a peripheral region having a second height greater than the first height, and a border region, the border region separating the array region from the peripheral region. The method further comprises forming a plurality of alternating insulative and conductive layers over at least a portion of the array region and the border region. The method further comprises forming a trench through the plurality of alternating insulative and conductive layers in at least a portion of the border region, the trench having sloping sidewalls.

Abstract: According to an embodiment, a semiconductor memory device includes a substrate, at least one stacked body, and a first insulating film. The stacked body includes a first end portion positioned at an end in at least one of a first direction and a second direction that crosses the first direction along a surface of the substrate, the plurality of electrode layers being formed into stairs in the first end portion, each of the plurality of electrode layers having a step in the first end portion. The first insulating film is provided on the substrate and includes first and second surfaces, the first and second surfaces surrounding the first end portion, the first surface being crossing a direction that the steps are formed, the second surface being positioned along the direction that the steps are formed.

Abstract: Some embodiments include an integrated assembly with a semiconductor channel material having a boundary region where a more-heavily-doped region interfaces with a less-heavily-doped region. The more-heavily-doped region and the less-heavily-doped region have majority carriers of the same conductivity type. The integrated assembly includes a gating structure adjacent the semiconductor channel material and having a gating region and an interconnecting region of a common and continuous material. The gating region has a length extending along a segment of the more-heavily-doped region, a segment of the less-heavily-doped region, and the boundary region. The interconnecting region extends laterally outward from the gating region on a side opposite the semiconductor channel region, and is narrower than the length of the gating region. Some embodiments include methods of forming integrated assemblies.

Abstract: 3D NAND memory structures and related method are provided. In some embodiments such structures can include a control gate material and a floating gate material disposed between a first insulating layer and a second insulating layer, an interpoly dielectric (IPD) layer disposed between the floating gate material and control gate material such that the IPD layer electrically isolates the control gate material from the floating gate material, and a tunnel dielectric material deposited on the floating gate material opposite the control gate material.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a semiconductor photosensitive unit and a semiconductor photosensitive unit array thereof, including a floating gate transistor, a gating MOS transistor and a photodiode that are disposed on a semiconductor substrate. An anode or a cathode of the photodiode is connected to a floating gate of the floating gate transistor through the gating MOS transistor, and the corresponding cathode or anode of the photodiode is connected to a drain of the floating gate transistor or connected to an external electrode. After the gating MOS transistor is switched on, the floating gate is charged or discharged through the photodiode; and after the gating MOS transistor is switched off, charges are stored in the floating gate of the floating gate transistor. Advantages like a small unit area, low surface noise, long charge storage time of the floating gate, and large dynamic range of an operating voltage are achieved.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a semiconductor device structure including a non-volatile memory (NVM) device structure in and above a first region of a semiconductor substrate and a logic device formed in and above a second region of the semiconductor substrate different from the first region. The NVM device structure includes a floating-gate, a first select gate and at least one control gate. The logic device includes a logic gate disposed on the second region and source/drain regions provided in the second region adjacent to the logic gate. The control gate extends over the floating-gate and the first select gate is laterally separated from the floating-gate by an insulating material layer portion. Upon forming the semiconductor device structure, the floating gate is formed before forming the control gate and the logic device.

Abstract: Non-volatile memory device channel boosting methods in which at least two strings are connected to one bit line, the channel boosting methods including applying an initial channel voltage to channels of strings in a selected memory block, floating inhibit strings each having an un-programmed cell among the strings, and boosting channels of the floated inhibit strings.