With Additional, Non-memory Control Electrode Or Channel Portion (e.g., Accessing Field Effect Transistor Structure) Patents (Class 257/326)
  • Patent number: 8022469
    Abstract: The invention provides a semiconductor device and its manufacturing method in which a memory transistor and a plurality of thin film transistors that have gate insulating films with different thicknesses are fabricated over a substrate. The invention is characterized by the structural difference between the memory transistor and the plurality of thin film transistors. Specifically, the memory transistor and some of the plurality of thin film transistors are provided to have a bottom gate structure while the other thin film transistors are provided to have a top gate structure, which enables the reduction of characteristic defects of the transistor and simplification of its manufacturing process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tamae Takano, Tetsuya Kakehata, Shunpei Yamazaki
  • Patent number: 8017992
    Abstract: Disclosed here in is a flash memory device and a method of fabricating the same. In accordance with one aspect of the invention, a flash memory device includes first contact plugs formed over a semiconductor substrate between gate patterns. Second contact plugs are formed over the semiconductor substrate between gate patterns and disposed alternately with the first contact plugs. The second contact plugs having a height greater than the first contact plugs. First and second conductive pads are connected to the first contact plugs. First and second pad contact plugs are formed on extended edge portions of the first and second conductive pads. First bit lines are connected to the first and second pad contact plugs, and second bit lines are connected to the second contact plugs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: Hynix Semiconductor Inc.
    Inventor: Jae Heon Kim
  • Patent number: 8017993
    Abstract: A nonvolatile semiconductor memory device includes: a stacked body with a plurality of insulating films and electrode films alternately stacked therein, through which a through hole extending in the stacking direction is formed; a semiconductor pillar buried inside the through hole; and a charge storage layer located on both sides of each of the electrode films in the stacking direction and insulated from the electrode film and the semiconductor pillar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Masaru Kidoh, Hiroyasu Tanaka, Yosuke Komori, Megumi Ishiduki, Ryota Katsumata, Masaru Kito, Yoshiaki Fukuzumi, Hideaki Aochi
  • Publication number: 20110215395
    Abstract: The invention relates to a multi-transistor, e.g.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2009
    Publication date: September 8, 2011
    Applicant: NXP B.V.
    Inventor: Dusan Golubovic
  • Publication number: 20110210387
    Abstract: A nonvolatile semiconductor memory device includes a charge storage layer on a first insulating film, a second insulating film which is provided on the charge storage layer, formed of layers, and a control gate electrode on the second insulating film. The second insulating film includes a bottom layer (A) provided just above the charge storage layer, a top layer (C) provided just below the control gate electrode, and a middle layer (B) provided between the bottom layer (A) and the top layer (C). The middle layer (B) has higher barrier height and lower dielectric constant than both the bottom layer (A) and the top layer (C). The average coordination number of the middle layer (B) is smaller than both the average coordination number of the top layer (C) and the average coordination number of the bottom layer (A).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2011
    Publication date: September 1, 2011
    Inventor: Naoki YASUDA
  • Patent number: 8008732
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Masahiro Kiyotoshi, Akihito Yamamoto, Yoshio Ozawa, Fumitaka Arai, Riichiro Shirota
  • Patent number: 8008710
    Abstract: A memory string has a semiconductor layer with a joining portion that is formed to join a plurality of columnar portions extending in a vertical direction with respect to a substrate and lower ends of the plurality of columnar portions. First conductive layers are formed in a laminated fashion to surround side surfaces of the columnar portions and an electric charge storage layer, and function as control electrodes of memory cells. A second conductive layer is formed around the plurality of columnar portions via a gate insulation film, and functions as control electrodes of selection transistors. Bit lines are formed to be connected to the plurality of columnar portions, respectively, with a second direction orthogonal to a first direction taken as a longitudinal direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Yoshiaki Fukuzumi, Ryota Katsumata, Masaru Kito, Masaru Kidoh, Hiroyasu Tanaka, Megumi Ishiduki, Yosuke Komori, Hideaki Aochi
  • Publication number: 20110204433
    Abstract: A nonvolatile semiconductor storage device is disclosed. The nonvolatile semiconductor storage device includes a semiconductor substrate including a surface layer; an element isolation insulating film isolating the surface layer of the semiconductor device into a plurality of active regions; a first gate insulating film formed above the active regions; a charge storing layer formed above the first gate insulating film and including a silicon layer containing an upper layer selectively doped with carbon; a second gate insulating film formed above the charge storing layer; and a control gate electrode formed above the second gate insulating film.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2010
    Publication date: August 25, 2011
    Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
    Inventors: Junya FUJITA, Masayuki TANAKA, Shunsuke DOI
  • Publication number: 20110198687
    Abstract: Provided a flash memory cell stack, a flash memory cell stack string, a cell stack array, and a method of fabricating thereof. A flash memory cell stack includes a semiconductor substrate; a control electrode provided in a vertical pillar shape on a surface of the semiconductor substrate; an insulating film provided between the control electrode and the semiconductor substrate; a gate stack provided on a side surface of the control electrode; a plurality of first insulating films provided as layers on a side surface of the gate stack; a plurality of second doping semiconductor areas provided as layers on a side surface of the gate stack; and a first doping semiconductor area provided on side surfaces of the first insulating films and the second doping semiconductor areas, wherein the first insulating films and the second doping semiconductor areas are alternately provided as layers on the side surface of the gate stack.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2009
    Publication date: August 18, 2011
    Applicant: SNU R & DB FOUNDATION
    Inventor: Jong-Ho Lee
  • Publication number: 20110198686
    Abstract: A method for making a nitride read only memory device with buried diffusion spacers is disclosed. An oxide-nitride-oxide (ONO) layer is formed on top of a silicon substrate, and a polysilicon gate is formed over the ONO layer. The polysilicon gate is formed less than a length of the ONO layer. Two buried diffusion spacers are formed beside two sidewalls of the polysilicon gate and over the ONO layer. Two buried diffusion regions are implanted on the silicon substrate next to the two buried diffusion spacers. The two buried diffusion regions are then annealed such that the approximate interfaces of the buried diffusion regions are under the sidewalls of the polysilicon gate. The structure of a nitride read only memory device with buried diffusion spacers is also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2011
    Publication date: August 18, 2011
    Applicant: MACRONIX INTERNATIONAL CO., LTD.
    Inventor: CHIEN HUNG LIU
  • Patent number: 7999307
    Abstract: A nonvolatile memory device and method of making the same are provided. Memory cells may be provided in a cell area wherein each memory cell has an insulative structure including a tunnel insulating layer, a floating trap layer and a blocking layer, and a conductive structure including an energy barrier layer, a barrier metal layer and a low resistance gate electrode. A material having a lower resistivity may be used as the gate electrode so as to avoid problems associated with increased resistance and to allow the gate electrode to be made relatively thin. The memory device may further include transistors in the peripheral area, which may have a gate dielectric layer, a lower gate electrode of poly-silicon and an upper gate electrode made of metal silicide, allowing an improved interface with the lower gate electrode without diffusion or reaction while providing a lower resistance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ju-Hyung Kim, Jung-Dal Choi, Jang-Hyun You
  • Publication number: 20110193156
    Abstract: The electrically erasable programmable memory and its manufacturing method of the present invention forms above the floating gate the polysilicon spacer regions that are extended from the central part of the source region; the insulating part between the polysilicon spacer region and the floating gate has a smaller thickness to increase the capacitance between the floating gate and the polysilicon spacer region and further increasing the voltage coupled to the floating gate. Therefore, the present invention can effectively increase the coupling capacitance at the drain terminal, and has an advantage of low cost and easy production.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2008
    Publication date: August 11, 2011
    Applicant: GRACE SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yaoqi Dong
  • Patent number: 7994565
    Abstract: A non-volatile storage device is disclosed that includes a set of connected non-volatile storage elements formed on a well, a bit line contact positioned in the well, a source line contact positioned in the well, a bit line that is connected to the bit line contact, and a source line that is connected to the source line contact and the well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: SanDisk Technologies Inc.
    Inventor: Masaaki Higashitani
  • Patent number: 7994564
    Abstract: An integrated circuit device includes a substrate; a bottom electrode over the substrate wherein the bottom electrode is in or over a lowest metallization layer over the substrate; a blocking layer over the bottom electrode; a charge-trapping layer over the blocking layer; an insulation layer over the charge-trapping layer; a control gate over the insulation layer; a tunneling layer over the control gate; and a top electrode over the tunneling layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Shih Wei Wang
  • Publication number: 20110182123
    Abstract: A flash memory and a manufacturing method and an operating method thereof are provided. The flash memory includes a substrate, a charge-trapping structure, a first gate, a second gate, a third gate, a first doped region and a second doped region. The substrate has a protrusion portion. The charge-trapping structure is disposed over the substrate. The first gate and the second gate are disposed respectively over the charge-trapping structure at two sides of the protrusion portion. The top surfaces of the first gate and the second gate are lower than the top surface of the charge-trapping structure located on the top of the protrusion portion. The third gate is disposed over the charge-trapping structure located on the top of the protrusion portion. The first doped region and the second doped region are disposed respectively in the substrate at two sides of the protrusion portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2010
    Publication date: July 28, 2011
    Applicant: MACRONIX International Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: GUAN-WEI WU, I-Chen Yang, Yao-Wen Chang, Tao-Cheng Lu
  • Publication number: 20110175159
    Abstract: Each of the memory blocks includes: a first conductive layer expanding in parallel to the substrate over the first area, n layers of the first conductive layers being formed in a lamination direction and shared by the plurality of memory strings; a first semiconductor layer; and an electric charge accumulation layer. The memory strings are arranged with m columns in a second direction for each of the memory blocks. The wiring layers are arranged in the second direction, formed to extend to the vicinity of one end of the first conductive layer in the first direction from one side of the memory block, and connected via contact plugs to the first conductive layers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2009
    Publication date: July 21, 2011
    Applicant: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Kiyotaro Itagaki, Yoshihisa Iwata, Hiroyasu Tanaka, Masaru Kidoh, Ryota Katsumata, Masaru Kito, Hideaki Aochi, Akihiro Nitayama
  • Patent number: 7982261
    Abstract: A nonvolatile semiconductor memory device includes a first stacked body on a silicon substrate, and a second stacked body is provided thereon. The first stacked body includes a plurality of insulating films alternately stacked with a plurality of electrode films, and a first portion of a through-hole extending in a stacking direction is formed. The second stacked body includes a plurality of insulating films alternately stacked with a plurality of electrode films, and a second portion of the through-hole is formed. A memory film is formed on an inner face of the through-hole, and a silicon pillar is buried in an interior of the through-hole. A central axis of the second portion of the through-hole is shifted from a central axis of the first portion, and a lower end of the second portion is positioned lower than an upper portion of the first portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Masaru Kidoh, Hiroyasu Tanaka, Ryota Katsumata, Masaru Kito, Yosuke Komori, Megumi Ishiduki, Hideaki Aochi, Yoshiaki Fukuzumi
  • Patent number: 7982260
    Abstract: The semiconductor device includes a substrate having a conductive layer formed on its surface. The conductive layer has a columnar semiconductor formed thereon. The columnar semiconductor has an insulating layer formed therearound. The insulating layer has an electrode film formed therearound. The electrode film functions as an gate electrode of a transistor. The electrode film includes an laminate of two or more conductive films having different work functions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Yoshiaki Fukuzumi, Hideaki Aochi, Ryota Katsumata
  • Publication number: 20110169071
    Abstract: A memory string is formed to surround the side surface of a columnar portion and a charge storing layer, and includes plural first conductive layers functioning as gates of memory transistors, and a first protecting layer stacked to protect an upper portion of the plural first conductive layers. The plural first conductive layers constitute a first stairway portion formed stepwise such that their ends are located at different positions. Each first conductive layer constitutes a step of the first stairway portion. A top surface of a first portion of the first stairway portion is covered with the first protecting layer including a first number of layers, and A tope surface of a second portion of the first stairway portion located at a lower level than the first portion is covered with the first protecting layer including a second number of layers fewer than the first number of layers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2010
    Publication date: July 14, 2011
    Applicant: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Tsuneo Uenaka, Kazuyuki Higashi
  • Patent number: 7977733
    Abstract: A non-volatile semiconductor storage device includes: a memory cell area in which a plurality of electrically rewritable memory cells are formed; and a peripheral circuit area in which transistors that configure peripheral circuits to control the memory cells are formed. The memory cell area has formed therein: a semiconductor layer formed to extend in a vertical direction to a semiconductor substrate; a plurality of conductive layers extending in a parallel direction to, and laminated in a vertical direction to the semiconductor substrate; and a property-varying layer formed between the semiconductor layer and the conductive layers and having properties varying depending on a voltage applied to the conductive layers. The peripheral circuit area has formed therein a plurality of dummy wiring layers that are formed on the same plane as each of the plurality of conductive layers and that are electrically separated from the conductive layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Shiino, Atsuhiro Sato, Takeshi Kamigaichi, Fumitaka Arai
  • Patent number: 7973356
    Abstract: A nonvolatile semiconductor memory device includes: a semiconductor substrate; a first gate electrode formed on the semiconductor substrate through a gate insulating film; a second gate electrode formed in a side direction of the first gate electrode and electrically insulated from the first gate electrode; and an insulating film formed at least between the semiconductor substrate and the second gate electrode to trap electric charge, as an electric charge trapping film. The first gate electrode comprises a lower portion contacting the gate insulating film and an upper portion above the lower portion of the first gate electrode, and a distance between the upper portion of the first gate electrode and the second gate electrode is longer than a distance between the lower portion of the first gate electrode and the second gate electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignee: Renesas Electronics Corporation
    Inventor: Takeshi Kikuchi
  • Patent number: 7973357
    Abstract: Non-volatile memory devices are provided including a control gate electrode on a substrate; a charge storage insulation layer between the control gate electrode and the substrate; a tunnel insulation layer between the charge storage insulation layer and the substrate; a blocking insulation layer between the charge storage insulation layer and the control gate electrode; and a material layer between the tunnel insulation layer and the blocking insulation layer, the material layer having an energy level constituting a bottom of a potential well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hyun-Suk Kim, Sun-Il Shim, Chang-Seok Kang, Won-Cheol Jeong, Jung-Dal Choi, Jae-Kwan Park, Seung-Hyun Lim, Sun-Jung Kim
  • Publication number: 20110156132
    Abstract: A nonvolatile semiconductor memory device according to an embodiment includes memory strings which have a plurality of transistors including gate electrode films formed over sides of columnar semiconductor films on gate dielectric films in a height direction of the semiconductor films, and which are arranged in a matrix shape substantially perpendicularly above a substrate. The gate electrode films of the transistors at same height of the memory strings arranged in a first direction are connected to one another. A distance between the semiconductor films at least in a forming position of the transistor at an uppermost layer of the memory strings adjacent to each other in the first direction is smaller than double of thickness of the gate dielectric films.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2010
    Publication date: June 30, 2011
    Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
    Inventor: Masahiro Kiyotoshi
  • Patent number: 7968935
    Abstract: A reconfigurable semiconductor device is disclosed. The semiconductor device includes a substrate, a first insulating material formed on the substrate, two channels having different polarities, a plurality of terminal electrodes formed on the insulating material and coupled in common with the channels at their opposite ends, a second insulating material formed on the terminal electrodes, and a control gate formed on the second insulating material. The channels have different polarity and a charge storage layer is formed inside the second insulating material. The control gate is applied with a forward bias or a reverse bias and then the bias is cut off. The voltage-current characteristics of the semiconductor device are changed according to an electrical charge created in the charge storage layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Assignee: Seoul National University Research & Development Business Foundation
    Inventors: Seunghun Hong, Sung Myung, Kwang Heo
  • Publication number: 20110147827
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to the fabrication of non-volatile memory. In at least one embodiment, the present disclosure relates to forming a layered blocking dielectric which has a portion thereof removed in the wordline direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2009
    Publication date: June 23, 2011
    Inventors: Fatma Arzum Simsek-Ege, Sanh Tang, Nirmal Ramaswamy, Thomas M. Graettinger, Kyu S. Min, Tejas Krishnamohan, Srivardhan Gowda
  • Patent number: 7964909
    Abstract: A plurality of mesas are formed in the substrate. Each pair of mesas forms a trench. A plurality of diffusion areas are formed in the substrate. A mesa diffusion area is formed in each mesa top and a trench diffusion area is formed under each trench. A vertical, non-volatile memory cell is formed on each sidewall of the trench. Each memory cell is comprised of a fixed threshold element located vertically between a pair of non-volatile gate insulator stacks. In one embodiment, each gate insulator stack is comprised of a tunnel insulator formed over the sidewall, a deep trapping layer, and a charge blocking layer. In another embodiment, an injector silicon rich nitride layer is formed between the deep trapping layer and the charge blocking layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2011
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Arup Bhattacharyya
  • Patent number: 7956408
    Abstract: A nonvolatile semiconductor memory device relating to one embodiment of this invention includes a substrate, a plurality of memory strings formed on said substrate, said memory string having a first select gate transistor, a plurality of memory cells and a second select gate transistor, said first select gate transistor having a first pillar semiconductor, a first gate insulation layer formed around said first pillar semiconductor and a first gate electrode being formed around said first gate insulation layer; said memory cell having a second pillar semiconductor, a first insulation layer formed around said second pillar semiconductor, a storage layer formed around said first insulation layer, a second insulation layer formed around said storage layer and first to nth electrodes (n is a natural number 2 or more) being formed around said second insulation layer, said first to nth electrodes being spread in two dimensions respectively, said second select gate transistor having a third pillar semiconductor, a se
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Toshiyuki Enda, Hirosyoshi Tanimoto, Takashi Izumida
  • Publication number: 20110127600
    Abstract: A semiconductor device and a method of fabricating thereof, including preparing a substrate including a first and second region; forming first and second conductive lines on the first and second region, respectively, the first conductive lines being spaced apart at a first interval and the second conductive lines being spaced apart at a second interval wider than the first interval; forming a dielectric layer in spaces between the first and second conductive lines; etching the dielectric layer until a top surface thereof is lower than top surfaces of the first conductive lines and the second conductive lines; forming a spacer on the etched dielectric layer such that the spacer covers an entire top surface of the etched dielectric layer between the first conductive lines and exposes portions of the etched dielectric layer between the second conductive lines; and removing portions of the etched dielectric layer between the second conductive lines.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2010
    Publication date: June 2, 2011
    Inventors: Honggun KIM, YongSoon CHOI, Ha-Young YI, Eunkee HONG
  • Patent number: 7952136
    Abstract: According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a nonvolatile semiconductor storage apparatus including: a substrate; a columnar semiconductor disposed perpendicular to the substrate; a charge storage laminated film disposed around the columnar semiconductor; a first conductor layer that is in contact with the charge storage laminated film and that has a first end portion having a first end face; a second conductor layer that is in contact with the charge storage laminated film, that is separated from the first conductor layer and that has a second end portion having a second end face; a first contact plug disposed on the first end face; and a second contact plug disposed on the second end face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Masaru Kito, Hirofumi Inoue
  • Publication number: 20110121382
    Abstract: Over the top of a semiconductor substrate, a lamination pattern having a control gate electrode, a first insulation film thereover, and a second insulation film thereover is formed. Over the top of the semiconductor substrate, a memory gate electrode adjacent to the lamination pattern is formed. Between the control gate electrode and the semiconductor substrate, a third insulation film for gate insulation film is formed. Between the memory gate electrode and the semiconductor substrate, and between the lamination pattern and the memory gate electrode, a fourth insulation film including a lamination film of a silicon oxide film, a silicon nitride film, and another silicon oxide film is formed. At the sidewall on the side of the lamination pattern adjacent to the memory gate electrode, the first insulation film is retreated from the control gate electrode and the second insulation film, and the upper end corner portion of the control gate electrode is rounded.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2010
    Publication date: May 26, 2011
    Inventors: Hiraku CHAKIHARA, Yasuhi Ishii
  • Patent number: 7948026
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a non-volatile semiconductor memory device including previously forming a recess in a first peripheral region on a semiconductor substrate, forming a first gate insulator having a first thickness in the recess, forming a second gate insulator having a second thickness less than the first thickness in an array region and a second peripheral region on the semiconductor substrate, successively depositing first and second gate electrode films and first and second mask insulators on each of the first and second gate insulators, forming an isolation trench on a surface of the semiconductor substrate to correspond to each position between the array region and the first and second regions of the peripheral region, depositing a buried insulator on the entire surface, and polishing an upper surface of the buried insulator so that the upper surface can be planarized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventor: Eiji Kamiya
  • Publication number: 20110101438
    Abstract: Nonvolatile memory devices include a tunnel insulating layer on a substrate and a charge storing layer on the tunnel insulating layer. A charge transfer blocking layer is provided on the charge storing layer. The charge transfer blocking layer is formed as a composite of multiple layers, which include a first oxide layer having a thickness of about 1 ? to about 10 ?. This first oxide layer is formed directly on the charge storing layer. The charge transfer blocking layer includes a first dielectric layer on the first oxide layer. The charge transfer blocking layer also includes a second oxide layer on the first dielectric layer and a second dielectric layer on the second oxide layer. The first and second dielectric layers have a higher dielectric constant relative to the first and second oxide layers, respectively. The memory cell includes an electrically conductive electrode on the charge transfer blocking layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2010
    Publication date: May 5, 2011
    Inventors: Dong-Chul Yoo, Byong-Ju Kim, Han-Mei Choi, Ki-Hyun Hwang
  • Patent number: 7936004
    Abstract: A nonvolatile semiconductor memory device includes a plurality of the memory strings, in which a plurality of electrically programmable memory cells is connected in series. The memory strings comprise a pillar shaped semiconductor; a first insulation film formed around the pillar shaped semiconductor; a charge storage layer formed around the first insulation film; a second insulation film formed around the charge storage layer; and first or nth electrodes formed around the second insulation film (n is natural number more than 1). The first or nth electrodes of the memory string and the first to nth electrodes of at least two other memory strings which are adjacent to the memory string in two directions are shared as first to nth conductor layers spread in two dimensions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2011
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Masaru Kito, Hideaki Aochi, Ryota Katsumata, Akihiro Nitayama, Masaru Kidoh, Hiroyasu Tanaka, Yoshiaki Fukuzumi, Yasuyuki Matsuoka, Mitsuru Sato
  • Patent number: 7928504
    Abstract: A semiconductor memory device and a method for manufacturing the same are disclosed, which reduce parasitic capacitance generated between a storage node contact and a bit line of a high-integration semiconductor device. A method for manufacturing a semiconductor memory device includes forming a buried word line in an active region of a cell region, forming an insulation layer in the cell region and a lower electrode layer of a gate in a peripheral region so that a height of the insulation layer is substantially equal to that of the lower electrode layer, and providing a first conductive layer over the cell region and the peripheral region to form a bit line layer and an upper electrode layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: Hynix Semiconductor Inc.
    Inventor: Woong Choi
  • Patent number: 7919806
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a nonvolatile semiconductor memory device, including a memory transistor. The memory transistor has a channel formation region defined between two source and drain regions formed on a semiconductor substrate a bottom insulating film, a charge storage film and a top insulating film formed in order at least on the channel formation region, the charge storage film having a charge storage function, and a gate electrode formed on the top insulating film. The bottom insulating film is formed from a plurality of films containing nitrogen such that the content of nitrogen of a lowermost one of the films which contacts with the channel formation region and an uppermost one of the films which contacts with the gate electrode is higher than that of the other one or ones of the films which exist between the uppermost and lowermost films.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2011
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Ichiro Fujiwara, Hiroshi Aozasa
  • Publication number: 20110073937
    Abstract: A method for fabricating a charge trapping memory device includes providing a substrate; forming a first oxide layer on the substrate; forming a number of BD regions in the substrate; nitridizing the interface of the first oxide layer and the substrate via a process; forming a charge trapping layer on the first oxide layer; and forming a second oxide layer on the charge trapping layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2010
    Publication date: March 31, 2011
    Applicant: MACRONIX INTERNATIONAL CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yen-Hao Shih, Chi-Pin Lu, Jung-Yu Hsieh
  • Publication number: 20110073866
    Abstract: In a vertical-type non-volatile memory device, an insulation layer pattern is provided on a substrate, the insulation layer pattern having a linear shape. Single-crystalline semiconductor patterns are provided on the substrate to make contact with both sidewalls of the insulation layer pattern, the single-crystalline semiconductor patterns having a pillar shape that extends in a vertical direction relative to the substrate. A tunnel oxide layer is provided on the single-crystalline semiconductor pattern. A lower electrode layer pattern is provided on the tunnel oxide layer and on the substrate. A plurality of insulation interlayer patterns is provided on the lower electrode layer pattern, the insulation interlayer patterns being spaced apart from one another by a predetermined distance along the single-crystalline semiconductor pattern. A charge-trapping layer and a blocking dielectric layer are sequentially formed on the tunnel oxide layer between the insulation interlayer patterns.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2010
    Publication date: March 31, 2011
    Inventors: Young-Hoo Kim, Hyo-San Lee, Sang-Won Bae, Bo-Un Yoon, Kun-Tack Lee
  • Patent number: 7915603
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for storing information are provided, including using a transistor having a channel, a gate oxide layer, a gate electrode, and a modifiable gate stack layer. The on-resistance of the transistor is changed by causing a non-charge-storage based physical change in the modifiable gate stack layer, to store information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignee: Qimonda AG
    Inventor: Franz Kreupl
  • Patent number: 7915664
    Abstract: A non-volatile storage system in which a sidewall insulating layer of a floating gate is significantly thinner than a thickness of a bottom insulating layer, and in which raised source/drain regions are provided. During programming or erasing, tunneling occurs predominantly via the sidewall insulating layer and the raised source/drain regions instead of via the bottom insulating layer. The floating gate may have a uniform width or an inverted T shape. The raised source/drain regions may be epitaxially grown from the substrate, and may include a doped region above an undoped region so that the channel length is effectively extended from beneath the floating gate and up into the undoped regions, so that short channel effects are reduced. The ratio of the thicknesses of the sidewall insulating layer to the bottom insulating layer may be about 0.3 to 0.67.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignee: SanDisk Corporation
    Inventors: Henry Chien, Takashi Orimoto, George Matamis, James Kai, Vinod R. Purayath
  • Patent number: 7915669
    Abstract: An NROM flash memory cell is implemented in an ultra-thin silicon-on-insulator structure. In a planar device, the channel between the source/drain areas is normally fully depleted. An oxide layer provides an insulation layer between the source/drain areas and the gate insulator layer on top. A control gate is formed on top of the gate insulator layer. In a vertical device, an oxide pillar extends from the substrate with a source/drain area on either side of the pillar side. Epitaxial regrowth is used to form ultra-thin silicon body regions along the sidewalls of the oxide pillar. Second source/drain areas are formed on top of this structure. The gate insulator and control gate are formed on top.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Leonard Forbes
  • Patent number: 7910981
    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: September 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Assignee: Macronix International Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sheng-Chih Lai, Hang-Ting Lue
  • Patent number: 7910973
    Abstract: A non-volatile semiconductor storage device has: a plurality of memory strings with a plurality of electrically rewritable memory cells connected in series; and a capacitor element area including capacitor elements. Each of the memory strings includes: a plurality of first conductive layers laminated on a substrate; and a plurality of first interlayer insulation layers formed between the plurality of first conductive layers. The capacitor element area includes: a plurality of second conductive layers laminated on a substrate and formed in the same layer as the first conductive layers; and a plurality of second interlayer insulation layers formed between the plurality of second conductive layers and formed in the same layer as the first interlayer insulation layers. A group of the adjacently-laminated second conductive layers is connected to a first potential, while another group thereof is connected to a second potential.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Takeshi Sakaguchi, Hiroyuki Nitsuta
  • Patent number: 7910432
    Abstract: Each of the memory strings includes: a first columnar semiconductor layer extending in a vertical direction to a substrate; a plurality of first conductive layers formed to sandwich an insulation layer with a charge trap layer and expand in a two-dimensional manner; a second columnar semiconductor layer formed in contact with the top surface of the first columnar semiconductor layer and extending in a vertical direction to the substrate; and a plurality of second conductive layers formed to sandwich an insulation layer with the second columnar semiconductor layer and formed in a stripe pattern extending in a first direction orthogonal to the vertical direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Hiroyasu Tanaka, Masaru Kidoh, Ryota Katsumata, Masaru Kito, Yoshiaki Fukuzumi, Hideaki Aochi, Yasuyuki Matsuoka
  • Patent number: 7902593
    Abstract: In a memory device and a method of manufacturing the memory device, a source contact connected to a common source line may be formed on a drain region instead of a source region. A transistor having a negative threshold voltage may be formed between the source region and the drain region. A channel of the transistor may be formed. Because the source contact is formed on the drain region, the size of the source region may be reduced. An integration degree of the memory device may be improved. A control gate may linearly extend in a second direction because the source contact is not formed on the source region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2011
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Wook-Hyoung Lee
  • Publication number: 20110049611
    Abstract: In a memory cell portion, a stacked structure, in which dielectric layers and semiconductor layers are alternately stacked, is arranged in a fin shape on a semiconductor substrate, and in a peripheral circuit portion, a gate electrode is arranged on the semiconductor substrate via a gate dielectric film so that a height of an upper surface of the gate electrode is set to be substantially equal to a height of an upper surface of the stacked structure in which the dielectric layers and the semiconductor layers are alternately stacked.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2010
    Publication date: March 3, 2011
    Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
    Inventors: Masahiro Kiyotoshi, Atsuhiro Kinoshita, Kiwamu Sakuma, Koichi Muraoka, Ichiro Mizushima
  • Publication number: 20110049612
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a nonvolatile semiconductor memory device including a semiconductor layer with a main surface, a first insulating layer formed on the main surface of the semiconductor layer, a charge storage layer formed on the first insulating layer, a second insulating layer formed on the charge storage layer, and a control gate electrode formed on the second insulating layer. At least one inelastic scattering film that reduces energy of electrons by scattering is contained in at least one of the charge storage layer and second insulating layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2010
    Publication date: March 3, 2011
    Inventors: Masaaki HIGUCHI, Yoshio Ozawa, Katsuyuki Sekine, Ryota Fujitsuka
  • Publication number: 20110042736
    Abstract: Semiconductor memory having both volatile and non-volatile modes and methods of operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2010
    Publication date: February 24, 2011
    Inventor: Yuniarto Widjaja
  • Patent number: 7893473
    Abstract: The present invention is to provide a semiconductor memory device capable of providing excellent storage properties, scaling and high integration and a method of fabricating the same. A semiconductor memory device has a multiferroic film exhibiting ferroelectricity and ferromagnetism, a channel region on an interface of a semiconductor substrate below the multiferroic film, source and drain regions formed on both sides of the channel region, a gate electrode (data write electrode) applying gate voltage to the multiferroic film to write data in such a way that the orientation of magnetization is changed as corresponding to the orientation of dielectric polarization, and source and drain electrodes (data read electrodes) that read data based on a deviation in a flow of the carrier, the deviation caused by applying the Lorentz force to the carrier flowing in the channel region from a magnetic field occurring in the channel region because of magnetization.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventors: Kenji Maruyama, Masao Kondo, Keisuke Sato
  • Patent number: 7888219
    Abstract: Methods of forming a non-volatile memory device may include forming a tunnel insulating layer on a semiconductor substrate and forming a charge-trap layer on the tunnel insulating layer. A trench may then be formed extending through the tunnel insulating layer and the charge-trap layer and into the semiconductor substrate so that portions of the charge-trap layer and the tunnel insulating layers remain on opposite sides of the trench. A device isolation layer may be formed in the trench, and a blocking insulating layer may be formed on the device isolation layer and on remaining portions of the charge-trap layer. A gate electrode may be formed on the blocking insulating layer, and the blocking insulating layer and remaining portions of the charge-trap layer may be patterned to provide a blocking insulating pattern and a charge-trap pattern between the gate electrode and the semiconductor substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2011
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jae-Sung Sim, Jung-Dal Choi, Chang-Seok Kang
  • Publication number: 20110024826
    Abstract: A nonvolatile semiconductor memory device includes a first columnar protrusion and a second columnar protrusion formed to be spaced out on a surface of a semiconductor substrate, and the first and the second columnar protrusions each include a split gate nonvolatile memory cell in which a first source/drain region and a second source/drain region are formed at a surrounding part and an extremity, and in which a first layered structure, in which a charge accumulating film and a memory gate line are layered, and a second layered structure, in which a gate oxide film and a control gate line are layered, are formed on a surface of a sidewall between the surrounding part and the extremity. The first layered structure is also formed between the first and second columnar protrusions, whereby the memory gate line of the first columnar protrusion and the second columnar protrusion is connected each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2010
    Publication date: February 3, 2011
    Applicant: NEC ELECTRONICS CORPORATION
    Inventors: HIROAKI MIZUSHIMA, FUMIHIKO HAYASHI