Abstract: A semiconductor memory device includes a semiconductor substrate, a memory cell provided on the semiconductor substrate and having a stacked gate structure formed by sequentially stacking a tunnel insulation film, a charge storage layer, a block insulation film, and a control gate electrode, a first transistor having a first gate electrode provided on the semiconductor substrate via a gate insulation film, and a resistor element provided on the semiconductor substrate and formed of polysilicon. The control gate electrode is entirely formed of a silicide layer. An upper portion of the first gate electrode partially includes a silicide layer.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for nanoenabled memory devices and anisotropic charge carrying arrays are described. In an aspect, a memory device includes a substrate, a source region of the substrate, and a drain region of the substrate. A population of nanoelements is deposited on the substrate above a channel region, the population of nanolements in one embodiment including metal quantum dots. A tunnel dielectric layer is formed on the substrate overlying the channel region, and a metal migration barrier layer is deposited over the dielectric layer. A gate contact is formed over the thin film of nanoelements. The nanoelements allow for reduced lateral charge transfer. The memory device may be a single or multistate memory device.

Abstract: A nonvolatile semiconductor memory device includes a tunnel insulating film, a floating gate electrode, an inter-electrode insulating film, and a control gate electrode. The tunnel insulating film is formed on a selected part of a surface of a semiconductor substrate. The floating gate electrode is formed on the tunnel insulating film. At least that interface region of the floating gate electrode, which is opposite to the substrate, is made of n-type Si or metal-based conductive material. The inter-electrode insulating film is formed on the floating gate electrode and made of high-permittivity material. The control gate electrode is formed on the inter-electrode insulating film. At least that interface region of the control gate electrode, which is on the side of the inter-electrode insulating film, is made of a p-type semiconductor layer containing at least one of Si and Ge.

Abstract: A nonvolatile memory device may include a substrate having a cell region, and a cell device isolation layer on the cell region of the substrate to define a cell active region. A floating gate may include a lower floating gate and an upper floating gate sequentially stacked on the cell active region, and a tunnel insulation pattern may be between the floating gate and the cell active region. A control gate electrode may be on the floating gate, and a blocking insulation pattern may be between the control gate electrode and the floating gate. More particularly, the upper floating gate may include a flat portion on the lower floating gate and a pair of wall portions extending upward from both edges of the flat portion adjacent to the cell device isolation layer. Moreover, a width of an upper portion of a space surrounded by the flat portion and the pair of wall portions may be larger than a width of a lower portion of the space. Related methods are also discussed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a memory device including at least two of a first dielectric on a semiconductor substrate; a floating gates corresponding to each of the at least two gate oxides; a second dielectric on the floating gates; a control gate conductor formed atop the second gate oxide; source and drain regions present in portions of the semiconducting substrate that are adjacent to each portion of the semiconducting substrate that is underlying the at least two of the first gate oxide, wherein the source and drain regions define a length of a channel positioned therebetween; and a low-k dielectric material that is at least present between adjacent floating gates of the floating gates corresponding to each of the at least two gate oxides, wherein the low-k dielectric material is present along a direction perpendicular to the length of the channel positioned therebetween.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a substrate having a first area and a second area, a first transistor in the first area, a second transistor in the second area, an isolation layer between the first area and the second area, and at least one buried shield structure on the isolation layer.

Abstract: The present invention provides a semiconductor device, which includes a substrate and a sensing memory device. The substrate includes a metal-oxide-semiconductor transistor having a gate. The sensing memory device is disposed on the gate of the metal-oxide-semiconductor transistor and includes followings. The second conductive layer is covering the first conductive layer. The charge trapping layer is disposed between the first conductive layer and the second conductive layer, wherein the first conductive layer has a sensing region therein when charges stored in the charge trapping layer, and the sensing region is adjacent to the charge trapping layer. The first dielectric layer and the second dielectric layer are respectively disposed between the charge trapping layer and the first conductive layer and between the charge trapping layer and the second conductive layer, wherein a third dielectric layer is disposed between the gate and the sensing memory device.

Abstract: A 2-bit FinFET flash memory cell capable of storing 2 bits and a method of forming the same are provided. The memory cell includes a semiconductor fin on a top surface of a substrate, a gate insulation film on the top surface and sidewalls of a channel section of the semiconductor fin, a gate electrode on the gate insulation film, and two charge-trapping regions along opposite sides of the gate electrode, wherein each charge-trapping region is separated from the gate electrode and the semiconductor fin by a tunneling layer. The memory cell further includes a protective layer on the charge-trapping regions. Each of the two charge-trapping regions is capable of storing one bit. The memory cell can be operated by applying different bias voltages to the source, the drain, and the gate of the memory cell.

Abstract: An EEPROM device includes a device isolation layer disposed at a predetermined region of a semiconductor substrate to define active regions, a pair of control gates crossing the device isolation layers and an active region, a pair of selection gates interposed between the control gates to cross the device isolation layers and the active region and a floating gate and an intergate dielectric pattern stacked sequentially between the control gates and the active region The EEPROM device further includes a gate insulation layer of a memory transistor interposed between the floating gate and the active region and a tunnel insulation layer thinner than the gate insulation layer of the memory transistor and a gate insulation layer of a selection transistor interposed between the selection gates and the active region. The tunnel insulation layer is aligned at one side adjacent to the floating gate.

Abstract: Floating-gate memory cells having a split floating gate facilitate decreased sensitivity to localized defects in the tunnel dielectric and/or the intergate dielectric. Such memory cells also permit storage of more than one bit per cell. Methods of the various embodiments facilitate fabrication of floating gate segments having dimensions less than the capabilities of the lithographic processed used to form the gate stacks.

Abstract: An EEPROM flash memory device having a floating gate electrode enabling a reduced erase voltage and method for forming the same, the floating gate electrode including an outer edge portion including multiple charge transfer pointed tips.

Abstract: A non-volatile semiconductor memory device, which is intended to prevent data destruction by movements of electric charges between floating gates and thereby improve the reliability, includes element isolation/insulation films buried into a silicon substrate to isolate stripe-shaped element-forming regions. Formed on the substrate area floating gate via a first gate insulating film and further a control gate via a second gate insulating film. Source and drain diffusion layers are formed in self-alignment with control gates. The second gate insulating film on the floating gate is divided and separated together with the floating gate by slits above the element isolation/insulation films into discrete portions of individual memory cells.

Abstract: A coupling oxide film is formed on a silicon substrate, a polysilicon film is further formed thereupon, and a low-temperature oxide film is deposited to a thickness of 10 nm, for example. Next, a silicon nitride film is formed on this low-temperature oxide film, and selectively removed by dry etching. At this time, the low-temperature oxide film serves as an etching stopper film, so the low-temperature oxide film and polysilicon film are not over-etched. Subsequently, the polysilicon film is dry-etched, forming a recess. A floating gate is then formed of the polysilicon film.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are a semiconductor device and a method for manufacturing the same. A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device includes forming a tunnel insulating layer, a first conductive layer, a dielectric layer, a second conductive layer and a gate electrode layer on a semiconductor substrate; patterning the gate electrode layer to expose the second conductive layer; forming a protective layer on a side wall of the gate electrode layer; and etching the exposed second conductive layer, the dielectric layer, and the first conductive layer to form a gate pattern.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a flash memory device in which the distribution of threshold voltage is significantly reduced and the durability is improved even though a floating gate has a micro- or nano-size length. It comprises a tunneling insulation film formed on a semiconductor substrate; a multilayer floating gate structure comprising a first thin storage electrode, a second thick storage electrode, and a third thin storage electrode, defined in that order on the tunneling insulation film; an interelectrode insulation film and a control electrode formed in that order on the floating gate structure; and a source/drain provided in the semiconductor substrate below the opposite sidewalls of the floating gate structure. The novel flash memory device can be readily fabricated at a high yield through a process compatible with a conventional one.

Abstract: A semiconductor memory element includes: a tunnel insulating film formed on a semiconductor substrate; a HfON charge storage film with Bevan clusters formed on the tunnel insulating film; a blocking film formed on the HfON charge storage film; and a gate electrode formed on the blocking film.

Abstract: A flash memory structure having an enhanced capacitive coupling coefficient ratio (CCCR) may be fabricated in a self-aligned manner while using a semiconductor substrate that has an active region that is recessed within an aperture with respect to an isolation region that surrounds the active region. The flash memory structure includes a floating gate that does not rise above the isolation region, and that preferably consists of a single layer that has a U shape. The U shape facilitates the enhanced capacitive coupling coefficient ratio.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a semiconductor device that includes a semiconductor substrate (10) having source/drain diffusion regions (14) formed therein and control gates (20) formed thereon, with grooves (18) being formed on the surface of the semiconductor substrate (10) and being located below the control gates (20) and between the source/drain diffusion regions (14). The grooves (18) are separated from the source/drain diffusion regions (14), thereby increasing the effective channel length to maintain a constant channel length for charge accumulation while enabling the manufacture of smaller memory cells. The present invention also provides a method of manufacturing the semiconductor device.

Abstract: A two-transistor non-volatile memory cell is formed in a semiconductor body. A memory-transistor well is disposed within the semiconductor body. A switch-transistor well is disposed within the semiconductor body and is electrically isolated from the memory transistor well. A memory transistor including spaced-apart source and drain regions is formed within the memory-transistor well. A switch transistor including spaced-apart source and drain regions is formed within the switch-transistor well region. A floating gate is insulated from and self aligned with the source and drain regions of the memory transistor and switch transistor. A control gate is disposed above and aligned to the floating gate and with the source and drain regions of the memory transistor and the switch transistor.

Abstract: Non-volatile memory devices and a method of manufacturing the same, wherein data storage of two bits per cell is enabled and the devices can pass the limit in terms of layout, whereby channel length can be controlled. The non-volatile memory device includes gate lines formed in one direction on a semiconductor substrate in which trenches are formed, wherein the gate lines gap-fill the trenches, a dielectric layer formed between the semiconductor substrate and the gate lines, bit separation insulating layers formed between the semiconductor substrate and the dielectric layer under the trenches, and isolation structures formed by etching the trenches, and the dielectric layer and the semiconductor substrate between the trenches in a line form vertical to the gate lines and gap-filling an insulating layer.

Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes a memory cell in a first region and a logic MOS device in a second region of a semiconductor substrate. The memory cell includes a first gate electrode over the semiconductor substrate; a first gate spacer on a sidewall of the first gate electrode, wherein the first gate spacer comprises a storage on a tunneling layer; and a first lightly-doped source or drain (LDD) region and a first pocket region adjacent to the first gate electrode. The logic MOS device includes a second gate electrode on the semiconductor substrate; a second gate spacer on a sidewall of the second gate electrode; a second LDD region and a second pocket region adjacent the second gate electrode, wherein at least one of the first LDD region and the first pocket region has a higher impurity concentration than a impurity concentration of the respective second LDD region and the second pocket region.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are non-volatile cells and methods of manufacturing the same. The nonvolatile memory cells include a high voltage device, a low voltage device, and a memory cell formed on a semiconductor substrate. The high voltage device, low voltage device, and memory cell are all self-aligned by using the gates associated with each of the devices as a mask during formation of the respective sources and drains.

Abstract: A non-volatile memory device includes a substrate, an active region, an isolation layer, a tunnel insulation layer, a floating gate, a dielectric layer and a control gate. The active region includes an upper active region having a first width, and a lower active region beneath the upper active region and having a second width substantially larger than the first width. The isolation layer is adjacent to the active region. The tunnel insulation layer is on the upper active region. The floating gate is on the tunnel insulation layer and has a third width substantially larger than the first width. The dielectric layer is on the floating layer. The control gate is on the dielectric layer.

Abstract: One embodiment of the invention comprises a first semiconductor structure in electrical contact with a first contact region, a second semiconductor structure in electrical contact with a second contact region, the first semiconductor structure and the second semiconductor structure being in electrical contact with each-other along an interface, a modulating section configured to modulate the conductivity in at least one of the semiconductor structures, so that the conductivity varies along the interface, in such a way that if current flows across the interface, the current can flow only at a predetermined position along the interface, and substantially no current can flow at either side of the predetermined position.

Abstract: A flash memory device may include a memory cell array having a plurality of word lines, bit lines, and memory cells. Each memory cell may be arranged at an intersection of a corresponding word line and a corresponding bit line. The device may include a bit line voltage setting circuit for setting a voltage on a bit line of a given memory cell to be programmed to a variable bit line voltage or to a ground voltage. A variable bit line voltage generating circuit may be provided in the flash memory device for generating the variable bit line voltage. To facilitating programming of the device, a bit line voltage of a given memory cell to be programmed may be set based on a supply voltage of the device, so as to maintain a voltage difference based on the set bit line voltage above a given threshold voltage.

Abstract: A nonvolatile (e.g., flash) memory device includes a substrate having a plurality of isolation areas and active areas; a trench formed on the isolation area; a first electrode layer formed on an inner wall of the trench; a first gate oxide layer formed between the inner wall of the trench and the first electrode layer; a junction area formed on the active area; a second gate oxide layer formed on the entire surface of the substrate including the first electrode layer, the first gate oxide layer, the trench and the junction area; a tunnel oxide layer formed on a part of the second gate oxide layer corresponding to the active area; and a second electrode layer formed on the active area and in the trench.

Abstract: A flash memory device may include a lower tunnel insulation layer disposed on a substrate, an upper tunnel insulation layer disposed on the lower tunnel insulation layer, a floating gate disposed on the upper tunnel insulation layer, an intergate insulation layer disposed on the floating gate; and a control gate disposed on the intergate insulation layer.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a memory cell including forming nanodots over a first dielectric layer and forming a second dielectric layer over the nanodots, where the second dielectric layer encases the nanodots. In addition, an intergate dielectric layer is formed over the second dielectric layer. To form sidewalls of the memory cell, a portion of the intergate dielectric layer and a portion of the second dielectric layer are removed with a dry etch, where the sidewalls include a location where a nanodot has been deposited. A spacing layer is formed over the sidewalls to cover the location where a nanodot has been deposited and the remaining portion of the second dielectric layer and the nanodots can be removed with an isotropic etch selective to the second dielectric layer.

Abstract: A nanodot material including nanodots formed on silicon oxide, and a method of manufacturing the same, is provided. The nanodot material includes a substrate, a silicon oxide layer, and a plurality of nanodots on the silicon oxide layer.

Abstract: A P-channel non-volatile memory is described. The P-channel non-volatile memory includes a substrate, a first memory cell, and second memory cell. An N-well is disposed over the substrate, and the first cell and the second cell are disposed over the N-well. The first memory cell includes a first gate, a first charge storage structure, a first doped region and a second doped region. The first doped region and the second doped region are disposed in the substrate on the respective sides of the first gate. The second cell includes a second gate, a second charge storage structure, a third doped region, and the second doped region. The third doped region and the second doped region are disposed in the substrate on the respective sides of the second gate. The second cell and the first cell share the second doped region.

Abstract: A method of forming a semiconductor device includes forming a first dielectric layer over a semiconductor substrate, forming a plurality of discrete storage elements over the first dielectric layer, thermally oxidizing the plurality of discrete storage elements to form a second dielectrics over the plurality of discrete storage elements, and forming a gate electrode over the second dielectric layer, wherein a significant portion of the gate electrode is between pairs of the plurality of discrete storage elements. In one embodiment, portions of the gate electrode is in the spaces between the discrete storage elements and extends to more than half of the depth of the spaces.

Abstract: A nonvolatile semiconductor memory device includes: a semiconductor substrate; and a memory cell. The memory cell includes: a source region and a drain region formed at a distance from each other on the semiconductor substrate; a tunnel insulating film formed on a channel region of the semiconductor substrate, the channel region being located between the source region and the drain region; a charge storage film formed on the tunnel insulating film; a charge block film formed on the charge storage film; and a control electrode that is formed on the charge block film. The control electrode includes a Hf oxide film or a Zr oxide film having at least one element selected from the first group consisting of V, Cr, Mn, and Tc added thereto, and having at least one element selected from the second group consisting of F, H, and Ta added thereto.

Abstract: A flash memory device and method of fabricating thereof. In accordance with the method of the invention, a tunnel dielectric layer and an amorphous first conductive layer are formed over a semiconductor substrate. An annealing process to change the amorphous first conductive layer to a crystallized first conductive layer is performed. A second conductive layer is formed on the crystallized first conductive layer. A first etch process to pattern the second conductive layer is performed. A second etch process to remove an oxide layer on the crystallized first conductive layer is performed. A third etch process to pattern the amorphous first conductive layer is performed.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a tunnel insulating layer in a flash memory device and a method of forming the same, the method according to the present invention comprises the steps of forming a first oxide layer on a semiconductor substrate through a first oxidation process; forming a nitride layer on an interface between the semiconductor substrate and the first oxide layer through a first nitridation process; forming a second nitride layer on the first oxide layer through a second nitridation process; forming a second oxide layer on the second nitride layer through a second oxidation process; and forming a third nitride layer on the second oxide layer through a third nitridation process.

Abstract: A nonvolatile memory device includes a semiconductor substrate, a tunneling insulation layer on the semiconductor substrate, a charge storage layer on the tunneling insulation layer, an inter-electrode insulation layer on the charge storage layer, and a control gate electrode on the inter-electrode insulation layer. The inter-electrode insulation layer includes a high-k dielectric layer having a dielectric constant greater than that of a silicon nitride, and an interfacial layer between the charge storage layer and the high-k dielectric layer. The interfacial layer includes a silicon oxynitride layer.

Abstract: A NOR flash memory has a plurality of memory cell transistors, wherein each memory cell transistor shares the source diffusion layer with another memory cell transistor adjacent thereto on one side thereof in the column direction and shares the drain diffusion layer with another memory cell transistor adjacent thereto on the other side thereof in the column direction, and the width of the source diffusion layer in the column direction is narrower than the width of the drain diffusion layer in the column direction.

Abstract: A conductor-filter system, a conductor-insulator system, and a charge-injection system are provided. The conductor-filter system provides band-pass filtering function, charge-filtering function, voltage-divider function, and mass-filtering function to charge-carriers flows. The conductor-insulator system provides Image-Force barrier lowering effect to collect charge-carriers. The charge-injection system includes the conductor-filter system and the conductor-insulator system, wherein the filter of the conductor-filter system contacts the conductor of the conductor-insulator system. Method and apparatus on charges filtering, injection, and collection are provided for semiconductor device and nonvolatile memory device. Additionally, method and apparatus on charges injection using piezo-ballistic-charges injection mechanism are provided to the charge-injection system and devices operation. Memory cells and array architectures and manufacturing method thereof are provided.

Abstract: Disclosed are a semiconductor device and a method for manufacturing the same. The method includes forming a gate layer on a semiconductor substrate; forming a first oxide layer on the semiconductor substrate; forming a second oxide layer on the first oxide layer; exposing the first oxide layer by removing the second oxide layer other than on side surfaces of the gate layer by etching using a photoresist as a mask; and forming junctions in source/drain regions by implanting a high concentration of N-type ions and/or a high concentration of P-type ions using the second oxide layer as a sidewall mask.

Abstract: A non-volatile memory device and methods of manufacturing and operating the same are provided. In a method of manufacturing a non-volatile memory device, a substrate having a stepped portion that may include a first horizontal face, a second horizontal face lower than the first horizontal face, and a vertical face connected between the first and second horizontal faces may be prepared. A first impurity region may be formed under the first horizontal face. A tunnel insulation layer may be continuously formed on the vertical face and the second horizontal face. A floating gate electrode having a tip higher than the first horizontal face may be formed on the tunnel insulation layer. A dielectric layer may be formed on the floating gate electrode. The floating gate electrode may be covered with a control gate electrode. A second impurity region horizontally spaced apart from the floating gate electrode may be formed under the second horizontal face.

Abstract: A semiconductor memory devices and a method of fabricating the same includes sequentially stacking a tunnel insulating layer, a first nano-grain film, a conductive layer for a floating gate, and a second nano-grain film over a semiconductor substrate, forming a trench by etching the second nano-grain film, the conductive layer for the floating gate, the first nano-grain film, the tunnel insulating layer, and the semiconductor substrate, gap-filling the trench with an insulating layer, thus forming an isolation layer, and forming a third nano-grain film on sidewalls of the conductive layer for the floating gate.

Abstract: In a nonvolatile memory, the tunnel dielectric (150) has a surface in physical contact with the charge trapping dielectric (160) and also has a surface in physical contact with a semiconductor region providing the active area (120, 130, 140). Under the vacuum level, the bottom edge of the conduction band of the tunnel dielectric (150) is higher at the surface contacting the charge-trapping dielectric (160) than at the surface contacting the active area.

Abstract: A nonvolatile memory device and a method of forming a nonvolatile memory device are provided. The nonvolatile memory device includes an active region of a semiconductor substrate defined by a device isolation layer, a tunnel insulating structure disposed on the active region, and a charge storage structure disposed on the tunnel insulating structure. The nonvolatile memory device also includes a gate interlayer dielectric layer disposed on the charge storage structure, and a control gate electrode disposed on the gate interlayer dielectric layer. The charge storage structure includes an upper charge storage structure and a lower charge storage structure, and the upper charge storage structure has a higher impurity concentration than the lower charge storage structure.

Abstract: A flash memory device, and a manufacturing method thereof, having advantages of protecting sidewalls of a floating gate and a control gate and preventing a recess of an active area of a source region are provided. The method includes forming a tunneling oxide layer on an active region of a semiconductor substrate, forming a floating gate, a gate insulation layer, and a control gate on the tunneling oxide layer, forming insulation sidewall spacers on sides of the floating gate and the control gate, and removing at least portions of the tunneling oxide layer and the device isolation layer so as to expose the active region.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a tunnel insulating film formed on a semiconductor substrate, a floating gate electrode formed on the tunnel insulating film, an inter-electrode insulating film formed on the floating gate electrode, and a control gate electrode formed on the inter-electrode insulating film, wherein the inter-electrode insulating film includes a main insulating film and a plurality of nano-particles in the main insulating film.

Abstract: A two-transistor non-volatile memory cell is formed in a semiconductor body. A memory-transistor well is disposed within the semiconductor body. A switch-transistor well is disposed within the semiconductor body and is electrically isolated from the memory transistor well. A memory transistor including spaced-apart source and drain regions is formed within the memory-transistor well. A switch transistor including spaced-apart source and drain regions is formed within the switch-transistor well region. A floating gate is insulated from and self aligned with the source and drain regions of the memory transistor and switch transistor. A control gate is disposed above and aligned to the floating gate and with the source and drain regions of the memory transistor and the switch transistor.

Abstract: A semiconductor integrated circuit device includes a substrate, a nonvolatile memory device formed in a memory cell region of the substrate, and a semiconductor device formed in a device region of the substrate. The nonvolatile memory device has a multilayer gate electrode structure including a tunnel insulating film and a floating gate electrode formed thereon. The floating gate electrode has sidewall surfaces covered with a protection insulating film. The semiconductor device has a gate insulating film and a gate electrode formed thereon. A bird's beak structure is formed of a thermal oxide film at an interface of the tunnel insulating film and the floating gate electrode, the bird's beak structure penetrating into the floating gate electrode along the interface from the sidewall faces of the floating gate electrode, and the gate insulating film is interposed between the substrate and the gate electrode to have a substantially uniform thickness.

Abstract: A two-transistor non-volatile memory cell is formed in a semiconductor body. A memory-transistor well is disposed within the semiconductor body. A switch-transistor well is disposed within the semiconductor body and is electrically isolated from the memory transistor well. A memory transistor including spaced-apart source and drain regions is formed within the memory-transistor well. A switch transistor including spaced-apart source and drain regions is formed within the switch-transistor well region. A floating gate is insulated from and self aligned with the source and drain regions of the memory transistor and switch transistor. A control gate is disposed above and aligned to the floating gate and with the source and drain regions of the memory transistor and the switch transistor.

Abstract: A non-volatile memory device may include a semiconductor substrate and an isolation layer on the semiconductor substrate wherein the isolation layer defines an active region of the semiconductor substrate. A tunnel insulation layer may be provided on the active region of the semiconductor substrate, and a charge storage pattern may be provided on the tunnel insulation layer. An interface layer pattern may be provided on the charge storage pattern, and a blocking insulation pattern may be provided on the interface layer pattern. Moreover, the block insulation pattern may include a high-k dielectric material, and the interface layer pattern and the blocking insulation pattern may include different materials. A control gate electrode may be provided on the blocking insulating layer so that the blocking insulation pattern is between the interface layer pattern and the control gate electrode. Related methods are also discussed.

Abstract: The nonvolatile memory device includes a semiconductor substrate, and a device isolation layer defining an active region in the semiconductor substrate. The device isolation layer includes a top surface lower than a top surface of the semiconductor substrate, such that a side-upper surface of the active region is exposed. A sense line crosses both the active region and the device isolation layer, and a word line, spaced apart from the sense line, crosses both the active region and the device isolation layer.

Abstract: A nonvolatile memory device includes a substrate, a device isolation region disposed in the substrate and abutting a sidewall of an active region defined in the substrate, the device isolation region having a recessed portion and a word line crossing the active region and the recessed portion of the device isolation region and conforming to the sidewall adjacent the recessed portion of the device isolation region. The nonvolatile memory device may further include a sense line crossing the active region and the device isolation region parallel to the word line, the sense line overlying a portion of the device isolation region having a top surface at substantially the same level as a top surface of the active region. An edge of the active region adjacent the sidewall may be rounded.