Non-homogeneous Composition Insulator Layer (e.g., Graded Composition Layer Or Layer With Inclusions) Patents (Class 257/325)
  • Patent number: 8723249
    Abstract: A non-volatile memory includes a substrate, a gate dielectric layer, a gate conductive layer, a nitride layer, a spacer, a first oxide layer, and a second oxide layer. The gate conductive layer, substrate and gate dielectric layer cooperatively constitute a symmetrical opening thereamong. The nitride layer has an L-shape and formed with a vertical part extending along a sidewall of the gate conductive layer and a horizontal part extending into the opening, wherein the vertical part and the horizontal part are formed as an integral structure and a height of the vertical part is below a top surface of the gate conductive layer. The spacer is disposed on the substrate and the nitride layer. The first oxide layer is disposed among the gate conductive layer, the nitride layer and the gate dielectric layer. The second oxide layer is disposed among the gate dielectric layer, the nitride layer and the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: United Microelectronics Corp.
    Inventors: Chien-Hung Chen, Tzu-Ping Chen, Yu-Jen Chang
  • Patent number: 8723250
    Abstract: An electronic device includes a lower layer, a complex dielectric layer on the lower layer, and an upper layer on the complex dielectric layer. The complex dielectric layer includes an amorphous metal silicate layer and a crystalline metal-based insulating layer thereon. Related fabrication methods are also discussed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jong-cheol Lee, Ki-yeon Park, Chun-hyung Chung, Cha-young Yoo
  • Patent number: 8710581
    Abstract: A nonvolatile semiconductor memory device comprises: element isolation insulating films formed in a semiconductor substrate in a first direction; and element regions formed in a region sandwiched by the element isolation insulating film, with MONOS type memory cells. The MONOS type memory cell comprises: a tunnel insulating film disposed on the element region; a charge storage film disposed continuously on the element regions and the element isolation insulating films. The charge storage film comprises: a charge film disposed on the element region and having a certain charge trapping characteristic; and a degraded charge film disposed on the element isolation insulating film and having a charge trapping characteristic inferior to that of the charge film. The degraded charge film has a length of an upper surface thereof set shorter than a length of a lower surface thereof in a cross-section along the first direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventor: Ken Komiya
  • Publication number: 20140110775
    Abstract: Provided are a three-dimensional flash memory using a fringing effect and a method of manufacturing the same. A through hole is formed through a plurality of gate electrodes vertically stacked on a substrate, and the interior of the through hole is filled with a tunneling insulating layer or an active region. Therefore, a charge storage layer is not formed in the through hole, but is formed outside of the through hole. The charge storage layer is formed in an intercell insulating layer filling a gap between the gate electrodes. When a fringing electric field is applied, the electric charges of the active region are trapped in the charge storage layer through the intercell insulating layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2012
    Publication date: April 24, 2014
    Applicant: INDUSTRY-UNIVERSITY COOPERATION FOUNDATION HANYANG UNIVERSITY
    Inventor: Yun Heub Song
  • Publication number: 20140103419
    Abstract: A method for forming a non-volatile memory device includes: (a) forming an isolation structure on a circuit-forming surface of a semiconductor substrate to define an array of cell forming regions; (b) forming a gate structure array including a plurality of gate structures disposed above the cell forming regions and each having a first side and a second side; (c) performing ion implantation to form drain regions and a common source region; and (d) forming drain contacts to the drain regions, and a common source contact to the common source region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2013
    Publication date: April 17, 2014
    Inventors: Wen-Cheng LEE, Yi-Hsi CHEN, Yi-Der WU
  • Publication number: 20140097485
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a nonvolatile semiconductor memory device includes a first stacked structure body, a first semiconductor layer, a first organic film, a first semiconductor-side insulating film, and a first electrode-side insulating film. The first stacked structure body includes a plurality of first electrode films stacked along a first direction and a first inter-electrode insulating film provided between the first electrode films. The first semiconductor layer is opposed to side faces of the first electrode films. The first organic film is provided between the side faces of the first electrode films and the first semiconductor layer and containing an organic compound. The first semiconductor-side insulating film is provided between the first organic film and the first semiconductor layer. The first electrode-side insulating film provided between the first organic film and the side faces of the first electrode films.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2013
    Publication date: April 10, 2014
    Applicant: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Shigeki HATTORI, Reika ICHIHARA, Masaya TERAI, Hideyuki NISHIZAWA, Tsukasa TADA, Koji ASAKAWA, Hiroyuki FUKE, Satoshi MIKOSHIBA, Yoshiaki FUKUZUMI, Hideaki AOCHI
  • Patent number: 8686490
    Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for electronic devices such as non-volatile memory devices are described. The memory devices include a multi-layer control dielectric, such as a double or triple layer. The multi-layer control dielectric includes a combination of high-k dielectric materials such as aluminum oxide, hafnium oxide, and/or hybrid films of hafnium aluminum oxide. The multi-layer control dielectric provides enhanced characteristics, including increased charge retention, enhanced memory program/erase window, improved reliability and stability, with feasibility for single or multi state (e.g., two, three or four bit) operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: SanDisk Corporation
    Inventor: Jian Chen
  • Patent number: 8674430
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a control gate is formed on the semiconductor substrate and includes a cylindrical through hole. A block insulating film, a charge storage film, a tunnel insulating film, and a semiconductor layer are formed on a side surface of the control gate inside the through hole. The tunnel insulating film comprises a first insulating film having SiO2 as a base material and containing an element that lowers a band gap of the base material by being added. A density and a density gradient of the element monotonously increase from the semiconductor layer toward the charge storage film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Naoki Yasuda, Masaru Kito
  • Patent number: 8664640
    Abstract: A memory device can include an active layer that has a selectable lateral conductivity. The layer can include a plurality of nanoparticles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Moungi G. Bawendi, Vladimir Bulović, Seth A. Coe-Sullivan
  • Patent number: 8659071
    Abstract: The invention provides a SONOS structure, a manufacturing method thereof and a semiconductor device with the SONOS structure. The SONOS structure comprises: a first tunneling oxide layer formed on a substrate, a charge storage silicon nitride layer, a second silicon oxide layer, a thin graded silicon nitride layer having graded Si/N content formed on the second silicon oxide layer, a third silicon oxide layer formed on the thin graded silicon nitride layer, and a polysilicon control gate. The Si/N content ratio of the silicon nitride of the thin graded silicon nitride layer increases gradually, wherein the silicon nitride of the graded silicon nitride layer closer to the second silicon oxide layer contains higher nitride content, and the silicon nitride of the graded silicon nitride layer closer to the third silicon oxide layer contains higher silicon content.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: Shanghai Huali Microelectronics Corporation
    Inventor: Zhi Tian
  • Patent number: 8659069
    Abstract: A method of forming a gate structure includes forming a tunnel insulation layer pattern on a substrate, forming a floating gate on the tunnel insulation layer pattern, forming a dielectric layer pattern on the floating gate, the dielectric layer pattern including a first oxide layer pattern, a nitride layer pattern on the first oxide layer pattern, and a second oxide layer pattern on the nitride layer pattern, the second oxide layer pattern being formed by performing an anisotropic plasma oxidation process on the nitride layer, such that a first portion of the second oxide layer pattern on a top surface of the floating gate has a larger thickness than a second portion of the second oxide layer pattern on a sidewall of the floating gate, and forming a control gate on the second oxide layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jung-Hwan Kim, Sung-Ho Heo, Jae-Ho Choi, Hun-Hyeong Lim, Ki-Hyun Hwang, Woo-Sung Lee
  • Patent number: 8653518
    Abstract: A semiconductor device has a floating gate structure in which charge storage layers are stacked on a SiO2 layer formed on a substrate made of n-type Si. The charge storage layer has quantum dots made of undoped Si and an oxide layer that covers the quantum dots. The charge storage layer has quantum dots made of n+-Si and an oxide layer that covers the quantum dots. Electrons originally existing in the quantum dots migrate between the quantum dots and the quantum dots via tunnel junction and are distributed in the quantum dots and/or the quantum dots according to the voltage applied to a gate electrode via pads. The distribution is detected in the form of a current (ISD).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Hiroshima University
    Inventors: Katsunori Makihara, Seiichi Miyazaki, Seiichiro Higashi, Hideki Murakami
  • Patent number: 8648408
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a substrate, a gate structure disposed on the substrate and which includes a gate insulating layer and a gate electrode layer, a first nitride layer disposed on the substrate and the gate structure and which includes silicon, and a second nitride layer that is disposed on the first nitride layer and has an atomic percentage of silicon less than that of the first nitride layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yong-Kuk Jeong, Sang-Wook Park, Min-Hee Choi
  • Patent number: 8643083
    Abstract: Devices and systems for insulating integrated circuits from ultraviolet (“UV”) light are described. The device includes a conductive feature, a first and second UV blocking layer, a first and second insulating laver, and a conductive structure. The first insulating layer overlays the first UV blocking layer. A via opening extends through the first insulating layer and the first UV blocking layer. The second UV blocking layer overlays the first insulating laver. The second insulating layer overlays the second UV blocking layer. An interconnect trench is defined in the second insulating layer and second UV blocking layer. The conductive structure is electrically connected to the conductive feature and extends into the via opening and along the interconnect trench.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: Spansion LLC
    Inventors: Bryon K. Hance, Brian D. White, William Brennan, Joseph W. Wiseman, Allen Evans
  • Patent number: 8637921
    Abstract: A method for forming a tunneling layer of a nonvolatile trapped-charge memory device and the article made thereby. The method includes multiple oxidation and nitridation operations to provide a dielectric constant higher than that of a pure silicon dioxide tunneling layer but with a fewer hydrogen and nitrogen traps than a tunneling layer having nitrogen at the substrate interface. The method provides for an improved memory window in a SONOS-type device. In one embodiment, the method includes an oxidation, a nitridation, a reoxidation and a renitridation. In one implementation, the first oxidation is performed with O2 and the reoxidation is performed with NO.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: Cypress Semiconductor Corporation
    Inventors: Sagy Levy, Krishnaswamy Ramkumar, Fredrick B. Jenne
  • Patent number: 8633530
    Abstract: In a power feeding region of a memory cell (MC) in which a sidewall-shaped memory gate electrode (MG) of a memory nMIS (Qnm) is provided by self alignment on a side surface of a selection gate electrode (CG) of a selection nMIS (Qnc) via an insulating film, a plug (PM) which supplies a voltage to the memory gate electrode (MG) is embedded in a contact hole (CM) formed in an interlayer insulating film (9) formed on the memory gate electrode (MG) and is electrically connected to the memory gate electrode (MG). Since a cap insulating film (CAP) is formed on an upper surface of the selection gate electrode (CG), the electrical conduction between the plug (PM) and the selection gate electrode (CG) can be prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignee: Renesas Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Kota Funayama, Hiraku Chakihara, Yasushi Ishii
  • Patent number: 8614124
    Abstract: Scaling a nonvolatile trapped-charge memory device and the article made thereby. In an embodiment, scaling includes multiple oxidation and nitridation operations to provide a tunneling layer with a dielectric constant higher than that of a pure silicon dioxide tunneling layer but with a fewer hydrogen and nitrogen traps than a tunneling layer having nitrogen at the substrate interface. In an embodiment, scaling includes forming a charge trapping layer with a non-homogenous oxynitride stoichiometry. In one embodiment the charge trapping layer includes a silicon-rich, oxygen-rich layer and a silicon-rich, oxygen-lean oxynitride layer on the silicon-rich, oxygen-rich layer. In an embodiment, the method for scaling includes a dilute wet oxidation to density a deposited blocking oxide and to oxidize a portion of the silicon-rich, oxygen-lean oxynitride layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2013
    Assignee: Cypress Semiconductor Corporation
    Inventors: Fredrick B. Jenne, Sagy Charel Levy
  • Patent number: 8592892
    Abstract: A nonvolatile semiconductor memory device includes: a memory element, the memory element including: a semiconductor substrate; a first insulating film formed on a region in the semiconductor substrate located between a source region and a drain region, and having a stack structure formed with a first insulating layer, a second insulating layer, and a third insulating layer in this order, the first insulating layer including an electron trapping site, the second insulating layer not including the electron trapping site, and the third insulating layer including the electron trapping site, and the electron trapping site being located in a position lower than conduction band minimum of the first through third insulating layers while being located in a position higher than conduction band minimum of a material forming the semiconductor substrate; a charge storage film formed on the first insulating film; a second insulating film formed on the charge storage film; and a control gate electrode formed on the second i
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Yuichiro Mitani, Masahiro Koike, Yasushi Nakasaki, Daisuke Matsushita
  • Publication number: 20130307053
    Abstract: A semiconductor devices including non-volatile memories and methods of fabricating the same to improve performance thereof are provided. Generally, the device includes a memory transistor comprising a polysilicon channel region electrically connecting a source region and a drain region formed in a substrate, an oxide-nitride-nitride-oxide (ONNO) stack disposed above the channel region, and a high work function gate electrode formed over a surface of the ONNO stack. In one embodiment the ONNO stack includes a multi-layer charge-trapping region including an oxygen-rich first nitride layer and an oxygen-lean second nitride layer disposed above the first nitride layer. Other embodiments are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2012
    Publication date: November 21, 2013
    Applicant: CYPRESS SEMICONDUCTOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Igor POLISHCHUK, Sagy LEVY, Krishnaswamy RAMKUMAR
  • Publication number: 20130307052
    Abstract: A method of scaling a nonvolatile trapped-charge memory device and the device made thereby is provided. In an embodiment, the method includes forming a channel region including polysilicon electrically connecting a source region and a drain region in a substrate. A tunneling layer is formed on the substrate over the channel region by oxidizing the substrate to form an oxide film and nitridizing the oxide film. A multi-layer charge trapping layer including an oxygen-rich first layer and an oxygen-lean second layer is formed on the tunneling layer, and a blocking layer deposited on the multi-layer charge trapping layer. In one embodiment, the method further includes a dilute wet oxidation to densify a deposited blocking oxide and to oxidize a portion of the oxygen-lean second layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2012
    Publication date: November 21, 2013
    Applicant: CYPRESS SEMICONDUCTOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Fredrick JENNE, Sagy LEVY, Krishnaswamy RAMKUMAR
  • Patent number: 8558304
    Abstract: Methods for forming or patterning nanostructure arrays are provided. The methods involve formation of arrays on coatings comprising nanostructure association groups, formation of arrays in spin-on-dielectrics, solvent annealing after nanostructure deposition, patterning using resist, and/or use of devices that facilitate array formation. Related devices for forming nanostructure arrays are also provided, as are devices including nanostructure arrays (e.g., memory devices). Methods for protecting nanostructures from fusion during high temperature processing are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: SanDisk Corporation
    Inventors: Jian Chen, Xiangfeng Duan, Chao Liu, Madhuri Nallabolu, J. Wallace Parce, Srikanth Ranganathan
  • Publication number: 20130264632
    Abstract: The invention relates to a thin film transistor memory and its fabricating method, This memory using the substrate as the gate electrode from bottom to up includes a charge blocking layer, a charge storage layer, a charge tunneling layer, an active region of the device and source/drain electrodes. The charge blocking layer is the ALD grown Al2O3 film. The charge storage layer is the two layer metal nanocrystals which include the first layer metal nanocrystals, the insulting layer and the second layer metal nanocrystals grown by ALD method. in sequence from bottom to up. The charge tunneling layer is the symmetrical stack layer which includes the SiO2/HfO2/SiO2 or Al2O3/HfO2/Al2O3 film grown. by ALD method in sequence from bottom to up. The active region of the device is the IGZO film grown by the RF sputtering method, and it is formed by the standard lithography and wet etch method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2012
    Publication date: October 10, 2013
    Applicant: Fudan University
    Inventors: Shijin Ding, Sun Chen, Xingmei Cui, Pengfei Wang, Wei Zhang
  • Patent number: 8546872
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a memory device includes a semiconductor substrate, first, second, third and fourth fin-type stacked layer structures, each having memory strings stacked in a first direction perpendicular to a surface of the semiconductor substrate, and each extending to a second direction parallel to the surface of the semiconductor substrate, a first part connected to first ends in the second direction of the first and second fin-type stacked layer structures each other, a second part connected to first ends in the second direction of the third and fourth fin-type stacked layer structures each other, a third part connected to second ends in the second direction of the first and third fin-type stacked layer structures each other, and a fourth part connected to second ends in the second direction of the second and fourth fin-type stacked layer structures each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Kiwamu Sakuma, Atsuhiro Kinoshita
  • Patent number: 8546862
    Abstract: A memory cell (100) comprising a transistor, the transistor comprising a substrate (101), a first source/drain region (102), a second source/drain region (112), a gate (104) and a gate insulating layer (103) positioned between the substrate (101) and the gate (104), wherein the gate insulating layer (103) is in a direct contact with the substrate (101) and comprises charge traps (131) distributed over an entire volume of the gate insulating layer (101).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Dusan Golubovic
  • Patent number: 8546223
    Abstract: The characteristics of a semiconductor device including a trench-gate power MISFET are improved. The semiconductor device includes a substrate having an active region where the power MISFET is provided and an outer circumferential region which is located circumferentially outside the active region and where a breakdown resistant structure is provided, a pattern formed of a conductive film provided over the substrate in the outer circumferential region with an insulating film interposed therebetween, another pattern isolated from the pattern, and a gate electrode terminal electrically coupled to the gate electrodes of the power MISFET and provided in a layer over the conductive film. The conductive film of the pattern is electrically coupled to the gate electrode terminal, while the conductive film of another pattern is electrically decoupled from the gate electrode terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: Renesas Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroki Arai, Nobuyuki Shirai, Tsuyoshi Kachi
  • Publication number: 20130240977
    Abstract: A semiconductor device with a nonvolatile memory is provided which has improved electric performance. A memory gate electrode is formed over a semiconductor substrate via an insulating film. The insulating film is an insulating film having a charge storage portion therein, and includes a first silicon oxide film, a silicon nitride film over the first silicon oxide film, and a second silicon oxide film over the silicon nitride film. Metal elements exist between the silicon nitride film and the second silicon oxide film, or in the silicon nitride film at a surface density of 1×1013 to 2×1014 atoms/cm2.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2013
    Publication date: September 19, 2013
    Applicant: RENESAS ELECTRONICS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tatsunori Kaneoka, Takaaki Kawahara
  • Patent number: 8530950
    Abstract: A split gate memory cell comprising a substrate including semiconductor material and a first gate structure of the memory cell located over the substrate. The first gate structure includes a first side wall having a lower portion and an upper portion. The upper portion is inset from the lower portion. A charge storage structure of the memory cell is located laterally to the first side wall. A second gate structure is located over the substrate and over at least a portion of the charge storage structure. The second gate structure is located laterally to the first gate structure such that the first side wall is located between the first gate structure and the second gate structure. A dielectric structure located against the upper portion of the first side wall and has a portion located over the lower portion of the first side wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: Freescale Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventors: Sung-Taeg Kang, Cheong Min Hong
  • Patent number: 8525252
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a nonvolatile semiconductor memory device includes a semiconductor region, a tunnel insulator provided above the semiconductor region, a charge storage insulator provided above the tunnel insulator, a block insulator provided above the charge storage insulator, a control gate electrode provided above the block insulator, and an interface region including a metal element, the interface region being provided at one interface selected from between the semiconductor region and the tunnel insulator, the tunnel insulator and the charge storage insulator, the charge storage insulator and the block insulator, and the block insulator and the control gate electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Kenichiro Toratani, Masayuki Tanaka, Kazuhiro Matsuo
  • Patent number: 8519488
    Abstract: A hafnium oxide layer, between a III-V semiconductor layer and a metal oxide layer is used to prevent interaction between the III-V semiconductor layer and the metal oxide layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: National Chiao Tung University
    Inventors: Edward Yi Chang, Yueh-Chin Lin
  • Publication number: 20130214346
    Abstract: A first conductive layer and an underlying charge storage layer are patterned to form a control gate in an NVM region. A first dielectric layer is formed over the control gate. A sacrificial layer is formed over the first dielectric layer and planarized. A patterned masking layer is formed over the sacrificial layer which includes a first portion which defines a select gate location laterally adjacent the control gate in the NVM region and a second portion which defines a logic gate in a logic region. Exposed portions of the sacrificial layer are removed such that a first portion remains at the select gate location. A second dielectric layer is formed over the first portion and planarized to expose the first portion. The first portion is removed to result in an opening at the select gate location. A gate dielectric layer and a select gate are formed in the opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2012
    Publication date: August 22, 2013
    Inventors: Mark D. Hall, Mehul D. Shroff
  • Patent number: 8507976
    Abstract: A nonvolatile memory device includes a gate structure in which a plurality of interlayer dielectric layers and a plurality of gate electrodes are alternately stacked; a pass gate electrode lying under the gate structure; a sub channel hole defined in the pass gate electrode; a pair of main channel holes defined through the gate structure and communicating with the sub channel hole; a channel layer formed on inner walls of the pair of main channel holes and the sub channel hole; and a metallic substance layer contacting the channel layer in the sub channel hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: SK Hynix Inc.
    Inventor: Han-Soo Joo
  • Patent number: 8487373
    Abstract: Methods for forming a memory cell are disclosed. A method includes forming a source-drain structure in a semiconductor substrate where the source-drain structure includes a rounded top surface and sidewall surfaces. An oxide layer is formed on the top and sidewall surfaces of the source-drain structure. The thickness of the portion of the oxide layer that is formed on the top surface of the source-drain structure is greater than the thickness of the portion of the oxide layer that is formed on the sidewall surfaces of the source-drain structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: Spanion LLC
    Inventors: Shenqing Fang, Gang Xue, Wenmei Li, Inkuk Kang
  • Publication number: 20130175604
    Abstract: An embodiment of a nonvolatile charge trap memory device is described. In one embodiment, the device comprises a channel comprising silicon overlying a surface on a substrate electrically connecting a first diffusion region and a second diffusion region of the memory device, and a gate stack intersecting and overlying at least a portion of the channel, the gate stack comprising a tunnel oxide abutting the channel, a split charge-trapping region abutting the tunnel oxide, and a multi-layer blocking dielectric abutting the split charge-trapping region. The split charge-trapping region includes a first charge-trapping layer comprising a nitride closer to the tunnel oxide, and a second charge-trapping layer comprising a nitride overlying the first charge-trapping layer. The multi-layer blocking dielectric comprises at least a high-K dielectric layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2012
    Publication date: July 11, 2013
    Applicant: CYPRESS SEMICONDUCTOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Igor Polishchuk, Sagy Levy, Krishnaswamy Ramkumar
  • Patent number: 8481414
    Abstract: Methods of incorporating impurities into materials can be useful in non-volatile memory devices as well as other integrated circuit devices. Various embodiments provide for incorporating impurities into a material using a discontinuous mask.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Jaydeb Goswami
  • Patent number: 8476696
    Abstract: A nonvolatile semiconductor memory device comprises: element isolation insulating films formed in a semiconductor substrate in a first direction; and element regions formed in a region sandwiched by the element isolation insulating film, with MONOS type memory cells. The MONOS type memory cell comprises: a tunnel insulating film disposed on the element region; a charge storage film disposed continuously on the element regions and the element isolation insulating films. The charge storage film comprises: a charge film disposed on the element region and having a certain charge trapping characteristic; and a degraded charge film disposed on the element isolation insulating film and having a charge trapping characteristic inferior to that of the charge film. The degraded charge film has a length of an upper surface thereof set shorter than a length of a lower surface thereof in a cross-section along the first direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventor: Ken Komiya
  • Patent number: 8471326
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a semiconductor substrate includes a cell region and a peripheral circuit region, a first dielectric film is formed on the semiconductor substrate in the cell region and the peripheral circuit region, a first conductive film is formed on the first dielectric film in the cell region and the peripheral circuit region, a first inter-conductive-film dielectric film is formed on the first conductive film in the cell region, a second inter-conductive-film dielectric film is formed on the first conductive film in the peripheral circuit region and a film thickness thereof is larger than the first inter-conductive-film dielectric film, and a second conductive film is formed on the first inter-conductive-film dielectric film in the cell region and the second inter-conductive-film dielectric film in the peripheral circuit region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Koji Nakahara, Kazuhiro Matsuo, Masayuki Tanaka
  • Publication number: 20130153986
    Abstract: A metal oxide semiconductor (MOS) structure having a high dielectric constant gate insulator layer containing gold (Au) nano-particles is presented with methods for forming the layer with high step coverage of underlying topography, high surface smoothness, and uniform thickness. The transistor may form part of a logic device, a memory device, a persistent memory device, a capacitor, as well as other devices and systems. The insulator layer may be formed using atomic layer deposition (ALD) to reduce the overall device thermal exposure. The insulator layer may be formed of a metal oxide, a metal oxycarbide, a semiconductor oxide, or semiconductor oxide oxycarbide, and the gold nano-particles in insulator layer increase the work function of the insulator layer and affect the tunneling current and the threshold voltage of the transistor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2013
    Publication date: June 20, 2013
    Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Micron Technology, Inc.
  • Publication number: 20130113035
    Abstract: To provide a technique capable of improving reliability of a semiconductor device having a nonvolatile memory cell by suppressing the reduction of the drive force. A memory cell is configured by a selection pMIS having a selection gate electrode including a conductive film exhibiting a p-type conductivity and a memory pMIS having a memory gate electrode including a conductive film exhibiting a p-type conductivity, and at the time of write, hot electrons are injected into a charge storage layer from the side of a semiconductor substrate 1 and at the time of erase, hot holes are injected into the charge storage layer from the memory gate electrode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2012
    Publication date: May 9, 2013
    Applicant: RENESAS ELECTRONICS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Renesas Electronics Corporation
  • Patent number: 8436415
    Abstract: A memory string comprises: a first semiconductor layer including a columnar portion extending in a stacking direction on a substrate; a first charge storage layer surrounding the columnar portion; and a plurality of first conductive layers stacked on the substrate so as to surround the first charge storage layer. A select transistor comprises: a second semiconductor layer in contact with an upper surface of the columnar portion and extending in the stacking direction; a second charge storage layer surrounding the second semiconductor layer; and a second conductive layer deposited above the first conductive layer to surround the second charge storage layer. The second charge storage layer is formed from a layer downward of the second conductive layer to an upper end vicinity of the second conductive layer, and is not formed in a layer upward of the upper end vicinity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Masaru Kidoh, Ryota Katsumata, Masaru Kito, Yoshiaki Fukuzumi, Hiroyasu Tanaka, Yosuke Komori, Megumi Ishiduki, Tomoko Fujiwara, Hideaki Aochi, Ryouhei Kirisawa, Yoshimasa Mikajiri, Shigeto Oota
  • Patent number: 8436417
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, in a semiconductor memory device, a source region and a drain region are disposed away from each other in the semiconductor layer. A tunnel insulating film is formed between the source region and the drain region on the semiconductor layer. A charge accumulating film includes an oxide cluster and is formed on the tunnel insulating film. A block insulating film is formed on the charge accumulating film. A gate electrode is formed on the block insulating film. The oxide cluster includes either Zr or Hf, and further contains at least one element selected from Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Nb, Mo, Tc, Ru, Rh, Pd, Ag, Cd, Ta, W, Re, Os, Ir, Pt, Au and Hg.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Tatsuo Shimizu, Atsuhiro Kinoshita
  • Publication number: 20130105884
    Abstract: A non-volatile semiconductor memory device includes a substrate, a first gate formed on a first region of a surface of the substrate, a second gate formed on a second region of the surface of the substrate, a charge storage layer filled between the first gate and the second gate, a first diffusion region formed on a first side of the charge storage layer, and a second diffusion region formed opposite the charge storage layer from the first diffusion region. The first region and the second region are separated by a distance sufficient for forming a self-aligning charge storage layer therebetween.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 24, 2012
    Publication date: May 2, 2013
    Applicant: EMEMORY TECHNOLOGY INC.
    Inventor: eMemory Technology Inc.
  • Patent number: 8426906
    Abstract: A semiconductor charge storage device includes a semiconductor substrate having a surface region. The semiconductor substrate is characterized by a first conductivity type. A charge trapping material overlies and is in contact with at least a portion of the surface region of the semiconductor substrate. The charge trapping material is characterized by a first dielectric constant and by a first charge trapping capability. The first dielectric constant is higher than a dielectric constant associated with silicon oxide. A dielectric material overlies and is in contact with at least a portion of the charge trapping material. The dielectric material is formed using a conversion of a portion of the charge trapping material for providing a second charge trapping capability. The device also includes a conductive material overlying the second dielectric. The conductive material is capable of receiving an electrical signal to cause electrical charges being trapped in the semiconductor charge storage device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: Macronix International Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chao-I Wu
  • Patent number: 8410543
    Abstract: In a non-volatile memory in which writing/erasing is performed by changing a total charge amount by injecting electrons and holes into a silicon nitride film serving as a charge accumulation layer, in order to realize a high efficiency of a hole injection from a gate electrode, the gate electrode of a memory cell comprises a laminated structure made of a plurality of polysilicon films with different impurity concentrations, for example, a two-layered structure comprising a p-type polysilicon film with a low impurity concentration and a p+-type polysilicon film with a high impurity concentration deposited thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: Renesas Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Itaru Yanagi, Toshiyuki Mine, Hirotaka Hamamura, Digh Hisamoto, Yasuhiro Shimamoto
  • Patent number: 8405143
    Abstract: A semiconductor device including a substrate, a gate structure, a spacer and source/drain regions is provided. The gate structure is on the substrate, wherein the gate structure includes, from bottom to top, a high-k layer, a work function metal layer, a wetting layer and a metal layer. The spacer is on a sidewall of the gate structure. The source/drain regions are in the substrate beside the gate structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: United Microelectronics Corp.
    Inventors: Chun-Hsien Lin, Chao-Ching Hsieh
  • Patent number: 8405124
    Abstract: A complementary logic element including first and second transistor elements. The first and second gate electrodes of the two transistor elements are electrically parallel to form a common gate. Both the coupling layers of the first and the second transistor element include a resistance switching material, a conductivity of which may be altered by causing an ion concentration to alter if an electrical voltage signal of an appropriate polarity is applied. The first and second transistor elements also include an ion conductor layer that is capable of accepting ions from the coupling layer and of releasing ions into the coupling layer. The coupling layers and ion conductor layers are such that the application of an electrical signal of a given polarity to the gate enhances the electrical conductivity of the first coupling layer and diminishes the electrical conductivity of the second, or vice versa.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Siegfried Friedrich Karg, Gerhard Ingmar Meijer
  • Patent number: 8405142
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a semiconductor memory device includes a substrate, a multilayer body, a semiconductor member and a charge storage layer. The multilayer body is provided on the substrate, with a plurality of insulating films and electrode films alternately stacked, and includes a first staircase and a second staircase opposed to each other. The semiconductor member is provided in the multilayer body outside a region provided with the first staircase and the second staircase, and the semiconductor member extends in stacking direction of the insulating films and the electrode films. The charge storage layer is provided between each of the electrode films and the semiconductor member. The each of the electrode films includes a first terrace formed in the first staircase, a second terrace formed in the second staircase and a bridge portion connecting the first terrace and the second terrace.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Ryota Katsumata, Kazuyuki Higashi, Yoshiaki Fukuzumi
  • Patent number: 8406032
    Abstract: Memory devices and methods of operating the same. A memory cell of a memory device may include a ferroelectric layer and a semiconductor layer bonded to each other. The ferroelectric layer may be of a p-type and the semiconductor layer may be of an n-type. The memory cell may have a switching characteristic due to a depletion region that exists in a junction between the ferroelectric layer and the semiconductor layer. The memory device may be a device writing data using a polarization change of the ferroelectric layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Seung-eon Ahn, Young-bae Kim
  • Publication number: 20130062685
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a control gate is formed on the semiconductor substrate and includes a cylindrical through hole. A block insulating film, a charge storage film, a tunnel insulating film, and a semiconductor layer are formed on a side surface of the control gate inside the through hole. The tunnel insulating film comprises a first insulating film having SiO2 as a base material and containing an element that lowers a band gap of the base material by being added. A density and a density gradient of the element monotonously increase from the semiconductor layer toward the charge storage film.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2012
    Publication date: March 14, 2013
    Inventors: Naoki YASUDA, Masaru Kito
  • Patent number: 8389368
    Abstract: A method for producing a memory device with nanoparticles, including steps of: a) forming, in a substrate based on at least one semi-conductor, source and drain regions, and at least one first dielectric on at least one zone of the substrate arranged between the source and drain regions and intended to form a channel of the memory device, b) depositing of at least one ionic liquid that is an organic salt or mixture of organic salts in a liquid state, wherein nanoparticles of at least one electrically conductive material are suspended in the ionic liquid, said ionic liquid covering at least said first dielectric, c) forming a deposition of said nanoparticles at least on said first dielectric, d) removing the ionic liquid remaining on the first dielectric, and e) forming at least one second dielectric and at least one control gate on at least one part of the nanoparticles deposited on the first dielectric.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignees: Commissariat à l'énergie atomique et aux energies alternatives, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique
    Inventors: Simon Deleonibus, Jean-Marie Basset, Paul Campbell, Thibaut Gutel, Paul-Henri Haumesser, Gilles Marchand, Catherine Santini
  • Patent number: 8378410
    Abstract: A semiconductor device having a non-volatile memory and a method of manufacturing the same are provided. The semiconductor device includes a base material and a stack structure. The stack structure disposed on the base material at least includes a tunneling layer, a trapping layer and a dielectric layer. The trapping layer is disposed on the tunneling layer. The dielectric layer has a dielectric constant and is disposed on the trapping layer. The dielectric layer is transformed from a first solid state to a second solid state when the dielectric layer undergoes a process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Macronix International Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sheng-Chih Lai, Hang-Ting Lue