Abstract: An asymmetric non-volatile memory bitcell is described. The bitcell comprises source and drain regions comprising carriers of the same conductivity type. A floating gate rests on top of the well, and extends over a channel region, and at least a portion of the source and drain regions. The drain region comprises additional carriers of a second conductivity type, allowing band to band tunneling. The source region comprises additional carriers of a first conductivity type, thereby increasing source-gate capacitance. Thus, the bitcell incorporates a select device, thereby decreasing the overall size of the bitcell. The bitcell may be created without any additional CMOS process steps, or through the addition of a single extra mask step.

Abstract: A nonvolatile semiconductor storage device including a first transistor comprising a first gate electrode including a charge storage layer, an interelectrode insulating film, and a control electrode layer; a second transistor comprising a second gate electrode including a lower electrode, an upper electrode, and an upper silicide portion above the upper electrode; and a third transistor comprising a third gate electrode including a lower electrode, an upper electrode, and an upper silicide portion above the upper electrode; wherein the lower electrodes of the second and the third gate electrodes have a first side and a second side taken along a length direction of the second and the third gate electrodes, the lower electrodes of the second and the third gate electrodes including a lower silicide portion in which at least the first side of the lower electrodes are partially silicided.

Abstract: A process for fabricating a charge storage layer comprising metal particles of a memory cell, said layer consisting of an organic layer comprising, on the surface, said metal particles, said process comprising the following steps: (a) a step of grafting, onto a metallic, semiconductor or electrically insulating substrate, an organic layer comprising, on the surface, groups capable of complexing at least one metallic element in cationic form; (b) a step of bringing said layer into contact with a solution comprising said metallic element in cationic form, by means of which said metallic element is complexed by said abovementioned groups; and (c) a step of reducing said complexed metallic element to the metallic element in oxidation state 0, by means of which metal particles are obtained.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate and at least a first gate structure disposed on the semiconductor substrate. Furthermore, a spacer only disposed at a side of the first gate structure, and a material of the spacer does not comprise nitride.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a non-volatile semiconductor memory device of an embodiment includes: forming, on a semiconductor substrate, an element isolation region to be filled with a first insulating film; forming memory cell gate electrodes on element regions; etching the first insulating film so that the first insulating film remains in the element isolation region of a region in which a select gate electrode is to be formed; forming a second insulating film on the memory cell gate electrodes so that an air gap is created between the memory cell gate electrodes; forming two select gate electrodes; forming carbon side walls on the select gate electrodes; implanting ions of an impurity between the two select gate electrodes with the side walls as a mask; and removing the carbon side walls.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a semiconductor device includes the following steps. At first, a semiconductor substrate is provided. A gate stack layer is formed on the semiconductor substrate, and the gate stack layer further includes a cap layer disposed thereon. Furthermore, two first spacers surrounding sidewalls of the gate stack layer is further formed. Subsequently, the cap layer is removed, and two second spacers are formed on a part of the gate stack layer. Afterwards, a part of the first spacers and the gate stack layer not overlapped with the two second spacers are removed to form two gate stack structures.

Abstract: A semiconductor memory device includes a first conductive line, a second conductive line crossing over the first conductive line, a resistance variation part disposed at a position in which the second conductive line intersects with the first conductive line and electrically connected to the first conductive line and the second conductive line and a mechanical switch disposed between the resistance variation part and the second conductive line. The mechanical switch includes a nanotube.

Abstract: Methods of forming air gaps in memory arrays and memory arrays with air gaps thus formed are disclosed. One such method may include forming an isolation region, having a first dielectric, through a charge-storage structure that is over a semiconductor, the isolation region extending into the semiconductor; forming a second dielectric over the isolation region and charge-storage structure; and forming an air gap in the isolation region so that the air gap passes through the charge-storage structure and so that a thickness of the first dielectric is between the air gap and the second dielectric.

Abstract: Semiconductor structures including a high k gate dielectric material that has at least one surface threshold voltage adjusting region located within 3 nm or less from an upper surface of the high k gate dielectric are provided. The at least one surface threshold voltage adjusting region is formed by a cluster beam implant step in which at least one threshold voltage adjusting impurity is formed directly within the high k gate dielectric or driven in from an overlying threshold voltage adjusting material which is subsequently removed from the structure following the cluster beam implant step.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a multi-transistor element including a substrate, a first floating gate disposed on the substrate, a second floating gate disposed on the substrate and coupled to the first floating gate, and a first active region disposed in the substrate and coupled to the first and second floating gates.

Abstract: A nonvolatile semiconductor storage device includes a semiconductor substrate on which an element isolation groove is formed, memory cells each including a gate electrode having a charge storage layer, an interelectrode insulating film, and a control electrode, that is formed on the semiconductor substrate via a tunnel insulating film, and an insulating film disposed in the element isolation groove. The interelectrode insulating film is formed to have a first portion above the insulating film that is separated from one of the insulating film and the control electrode by an air gap and a second portion above the charge storage layer that is separated from the charge storage layer by a cavity.

Abstract: An array of vertically stacked tiers of non-volatile cross point memory cells includes a plurality of horizontally oriented word lines within individual tiers of memory cells. A plurality of horizontally oriented global bit lines having local vertical bit line extensions extend through multiple of the tiers. Individual of the memory cells comprise multi-resistive state material received between one of the horizontally oriented word lines and one of the local vertical bit line extensions where such cross, with such ones comprising opposing conductive electrodes of individual memory cells where such cross. A plurality of bit line select circuits individually electrically and physically connects to individual of the local vertical bit line extensions and are configured to supply a voltage potential to an individual of the global horizontal bit lines. Other embodiments and aspects are disclosed.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a non-volatile memory device is provided. The method includes sequentially forming a tunnel insulation layer and a first polysilicon layer on a substrate, patterning the first polysilicon layer and the tunnel insulation layer, forming a dielectric layer to cover the patterned first polysilicon layer and the patterned tunnel insulation layer, forming a gate insulation layer on the substrate where the substrate is exposed, forming a second polysilicon layer to cover the dielectric layer, and forming a first floating gate and a second floating gate a fixed distance apart from each other, the forming of the first and second floating gates including etching middle portions of the second polysilicon layer, the dielectric layer, the patterned first polysilicon layer, and the patterned tunnel insulation layer, and separating the etched layers into two parts.

Abstract: A nonvolatile semiconductor memory includes a memory cell transistor including a first floating gate electrode layer formed on a first tunneling insulating film, a first inter-gate insulating film, first and second control gate electrode layers, and a first metallic silicide film; a high voltage transistor including a high voltage gate electrode layer formed on a high voltage gate insulating film, a second inter-gate insulating film having an aperture, third and fourth control gate electrode layers, and a second metallic silicide film; a low voltage transistor including a second floating gate electrode layer formed on a second tunneling insulating film, a third inter-gate insulating film having an aperture, fifth and sixth control gate electrode layers, and a third metallic silicide film; and a liner insulating film directly disposed on source and drain regions of each of the memory cell transistor, the low voltage transistor, and the high voltage transistor.

Abstract: A semiconductor device according to an embodiment, includes a plurality of gate structures; a first dielectric film; and a second dielectric film. The first dielectric film crosslinks adjacent gate structures of the plurality of gate structures so as to form a cavity each above and below in a position between the adjacent gate structures. The second dielectric film is formed as if to cover the cavity above the first dielectric film between the adjacent gate structures.

Abstract: The present invention provides method of fabricating an erasable programmable single-poly nonvolatile memory, comprising steps of: defining a first area and a second area in a first type substrate; forming a second type well region in the first area; forming a first gate oxide layer and a second gate oxide layer covered on a surface of the first area, wherein the second gate oxide layer is extended to and is adjacent to the second area; forming a DDD region in the second area; etching a portion of the second gate oxide layer above the second area; forming two polysilicon gates covered on the first and the second gate oxide layers; and defining a second type doped region in the DDD region and a first type doped regions in the second type well region.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a semiconductor storage device comprises a memory cell transistor including a first insulating film, a first floating gate, a second insulating film, a second floating gate, a third insulating film and a control gate which are sequentially formed on a substrate, and a select transistor including a fourth insulating film, a first electrode layer, a fifth insulating film, a second electrode layer, a sixth insulating film and a third electrode layer which are sequentially formed on the substrate. Openings are provided in at least parts of the fifth insulating film and the sixth insulating film. The first electrode layer, the second electrode layer and the third electrode layer are electrically connected via the openings.

Abstract: A method for forming a device is presented. A substrate prepared with a feature having first and second adjacent surfaces is provided. A device layer is formed on the first and second adjacent surfaces of the feature. A first portion of the device layer over the first adjacent surface includes nano-crystals, whereas a second portion of the device layer over the second adjacent surface is devoid of nano-crystals.

Abstract: A method of forming a memory device. The method provides a semiconductor substrate having a surface region. A first dielectric layer is formed overlying the surface region of the semiconductor substrate. A bottom wiring structure is formed overlying the first dielectric layer and a second dielectric material is formed overlying the top wiring structure. A bottom metal barrier material is formed to provide a metal-to-metal contact with the bottom wiring structure. The method forms a pillar structure by patterning and etching a material stack including the bottom metal barrier material, a contact material, a switching material, a conductive material, and a top barrier material. The pillar structure maintains a metal-to-metal contact with the bottom wiring structure regardless of the alignment of the pillar structure with the bottom wiring structure during etching. A top wiring structure is formed overlying the pillar structure at an angle to the bottom wiring structure.

Abstract: A memory device is fabricated through the integration of embedded non-volatile memory (eNVM) with replacement metal gate (RMG) and high-k/metal gate (HKMG) modules. Embodiments include forming two substrate portions having upper surfaces at different heights, forming non-volatile gate stacks over the substrate portion with the lower upper surface, and forming high-voltage gate stacks and logic gate stacks over the other substrate portion. Embodiments include the upper surfaces of the non-voltage gate stacks, the high-voltage gate stacks, and the logic gate stacks being substantially coplanar.

Abstract: A semiconductor device and a method for manufacturing the same are provided. The semiconductor device includes a gate pattern formed by patterning a tunnel insulating layer, a conductive film for a floating gate, a dielectric film, a conductive film for a control gate, and a gate metal film sequentially formed on a semiconductor substrate; a first barrier film formed on side walls of the gate metal film; and a second barrier film formed on an upper surface of the gate metal film.

Abstract: Some embodiments include memory cells including a memory component having a first conductive material, a second conductive material, and an oxide material between the first conductive material and the second conductive material. A resistance of the memory component is configurable via a current conducted from the first conductive material through the oxide material to the second conductive material. Other embodiments include a diode comprising metal and a dielectric material and a memory component connected in series with the diode. The memory component includes a magnetoresistive material and has a resistance that is changeable via a current conducted through the diode and the magnetoresistive material.

Abstract: A memory module includes multiple memory devices mounted to a substrate and one or more discrete heating elements disposed in thermal contact with the memory devices. Each of the memory devices includes charge-storing memory cells subject to operation-induced defects that degrade ability of the memory cells to store data. The discrete heating elements, or single discrete heating element, heats the memory devices to a temperature that anneals the defects.

Abstract: Semiconductor structures including a high k gate dielectric material that has at least one surface threshold voltage adjusting region located within 3 nm or less from an upper surface of the high k gate dielectric are provided. The at least one surface threshold voltage adjusting region is formed by a cluster beam implant step in which at least one threshold voltage adjusting impurity is formed directly within the high k gate dielectric or driven in from an overlying threshold voltage adjusting material which is subsequently removed from the structure following the cluster beam implant step.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a memory device includes a substrate, a tunneling oxide, a silicide nanocrystal floating gate, and a control oxide. The tunneling oxide is positioned upon a first surface of the substrate, the silicide nanocrystal floating gate is positioned upon the tunneling oxide, and the control oxide positioned upon the nanocrystal floating gate.

Abstract: In a manufacturing method of a flash memory structure with a stress area, a better stress effect can be achieved by controlling the manufacturing process of a tunneling oxide layer formed in a gate structure and contacted with a silicon substrate, so that an L-shaped spacer (or a first stress area) and a contact etch stop layer (or a second stress area) of each L-shaped spacer are formed between two gate structures and aligned towards each other to enhance the carrier mobility of the gate structure, so as to achieve the effects of improving a read current, obtaining the required read current by using a lower read voltage, reducing the possibility of having a stress-induced leakage current, and enhancing the data preservation of the flash memory.

Abstract: A non-volatile memory device includes a source region, a drain region, and a channel region therebetween. The channel region has a length extending from the source region to the drain region and a channel width in the direction perpendicular to the channel length direction. The device includes a floating gate positioned between the source and the drain in the channel length direction. The width of the floating gate is less than the channel width. A control gate covers a top surface and a side surface of the floating gate. The control gate also overlies an entirety of the channel region. Erasure of the cell is accomplished by Fowler-Nordheim tunneling from the floating gate to the control gate. Programming is accomplished by electrons migrating through an electron concentration gradient from a channel region underneath the control gate into a channel region underneath the floating gate and then injecting into the floating gate.

Abstract: A nonvolatile memory device, and method of forming the same, discloses a semiconductor device including floating gates that each have a first region that overlaps with a corresponding junction and that each have a second region that does not overlap the corresponding junction. The first region and the second region have different work functions.

Abstract: A semiconductor device and a method of forming it are disclosed in which at least two adjacent conductors have an air-gap insulator between them which is covered by nanoparticles of insulating material being a size which prevent the nanoparticles from substantially entering into the air-gap.

Abstract: A memory array comprising transistors having isolated inter-gate dielectric regions with respect to one another. Transistors are formed such that each of the transistors in the array has a charge storage region such as a floating gate, a control gate and an inter-gate dielectric layer therebetween. The inter-gate dielectric layer for each transistor is isolated from the inter-gate dielectric of each of the other transistors in the array.

Abstract: A method for forming a field effect transistor (FET) device includes forming a dielectric layer on a substrate, forming a first metal layer on the dielectric layer, removing a portion of the first metal layer to expose a portion of the dielectric layer, forming a second metal layer on the dielectric layer and the first metal layer, and removing a portion of the first metal layer and the second metal layer to define a boundary region between a first FET device and a second FET device.

Abstract: Semiconductor devices are provided. The semiconductor devices may include a plurality of gate structures disposed on a semiconductor substrate, each of the gate structures including a floating gate, an inter-gate dielectric layer, and a control gate. The semiconductor devices may also include liners on opposing sidewalls of adjacent ones of the gate structures. The liners may define a gap. A first width of the gap may be less than a second width of the gap.

Abstract: A high dielectric constant (high-k) gate dielectric for a field effect transistor (FET) and a high-k tunnel dielectric for a non-volatile random access memory (NVRAM) device are simultaneously formed on a semiconductor substrate. A stack of at least one conductive material layer, a control gate dielectric layer, and a disposable material layer is subsequently deposited and lithographically patterned. A planarization dielectric layer is deposited and patterned, and disposable material portions are removed. A remaining portion of the control gate dielectric layer is preserved in the NVRAM device region, but is removed in the FET region. A conductive material is deposited in gate cavities to provide a control gate for the NVRAM device and a gate portion for the FET. Alternately, the control gate dielectric layer may replaced with a high-k control gate dielectric in the NVRAM device region.

Abstract: Forming an NVM structure includes forming a floating gate layer; forming a first dielectric layer over the floating gate layer; forming a plurality of nanocrystals over the first dielectric layer; etching the first dielectric layer using the plurality of nanocrystals as a mask to form dielectric structures, wherein the floating gate layer is exposed between adjacent dielectric structures; etching a first depth into the floating gate layer using the plurality of dielectric structures as a mask to form a plurality of patterned structures, wherein the first depth is less than a thickness of the floating gate layer; patterning the floating gate layer to form a floating gate; forming a second dielectric layer over the floating gate, wherein the second dielectric layer is formed over the patterned structures and on the floating gate layer between adjacent patterned structures; and forming a control gate layer over the second dielectric layer.

Abstract: A semiconductor device is manufactured by, inter alia: forming second gate lines, arranged at wider intervals than each of first gate lines and first gate lines, over a semiconductor substrate; forming a multi-layered insulating layer over the entire surface of the semiconductor substrate including the first and the second gate lines; etching the multi-layered insulating layer so that a part of the multi-layered insulating layer remains between the first gate lines and the first and the second gate lines; forming mask patterns formed on the respective remaining multi-layered insulating layers and each formed to cover the multi-layered insulating layer between the second gate lines; and etching the multi-layered insulating layers remaining between the first gate lines and between the first and the second gate lines and not covered by the mask patterns so that the first and the second gate lines are exposed.

Abstract: A semiconductor device of the present invention has a first insulating film formed between a control gate electrode and a semiconductor substrate and a second insulating film formed between a memory gate electrode and the semiconductor substrate and between the control gate electrode and the memory gate electrode, the second insulating film having a charge accumulating part therein. The second insulating film has a first film, a second film serving as a charge accumulating part disposed on the first film, and a third film disposed on the second film. The third film has a sidewall film positioned between the control gate electrode and the memory gate electrode and a deposited film positioned between the memory gate electrode and the semiconductor substrate. In this structure, the distance at a corner part of the second insulating film can be increased, and electric-field concentration can be reduced.

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.

Abstract: An array of vertically stacked tiers of non-volatile cross point memory cells includes a plurality of horizontally oriented word lines within individual tiers of memory cells. A plurality of horizontally oriented global bit lines having local vertical bit line extensions extend through multiple of the tiers. Individual of the memory cells comprise multi-resistive state material received between one of the horizontally oriented word lines and one of the local vertical bit line extensions where such cross, with such ones comprising opposing conductive electrodes of individual memory cells where such cross. A plurality of bit line select circuits individually electrically and physically connects to individual of the local vertical bit line extensions and are configured to supply a voltage potential to an individual of the global horizontal bit lines. Other embodiments and aspects are disclosed.

Abstract: Methods for fabricating control gates in non-volatile storage are disclosed. When forming stacks for floating gate memory cells and transistor control gates, a sacrificial material may be formed at the top of the stacks. After insulation is formed between the stacks, the sacrificial material may be removed to reveal openings. In some embodiments, cutouts are then formed in regions in which control gates of transistors are to be formed. Metal is then formed in the openings, which may include the cutout regions. Therefore, floating gate memory cells having at least partially metal control gates and transistors having at least partially metal control gates may be formed in the same process. A barrier layer may be formed prior to depositing the metal in order to prevent silicidation of polysilicon in the control gates.

Abstract: In a nonvolatile semiconductor memory device, a floating gate is formed on a semiconductor substrate through a gate insulating film, and has a first portion contacting the gate insulating film and a second portion extending upwardly from a part of a surface of the first portion. A first diffusion layer is formed in the semiconductor substrate to have a plane parallel to a surface of the semiconductor substrate. A second diffusion layer is formed in the semiconductor substrate, to have the plane. A control gate is provided near the floating gate above a channel region in the semiconductor substrate and is formed on a first side of the first portion. A conductive film is connected with the first diffusion layer and is formed on a second side of the first portion and a first side of the second portion through the first insulating film.

Abstract: A nonvolatile memory element including a resistance variable element configured to reversibly change between a low-resistance state and a high-resistance state in response to electric signals with different polarities; and a current controlling element configured such that when a current flowing when a voltage whose absolute value is a first value which is larger than 0 and smaller than a predetermined voltage value and whose polarity is a first polarity is applied is a first current and a current flowing when a voltage whose absolute value is the first value and whose polarity is a second polarity is applied is a second current, the first current is higher than the second current, and the resistance variable element is connected with the current controlling element such that the first polarity voltage is applied to the current controlling element when the resistance variable element changes from the low-resistance to the high-resistance state.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a nonvolatile semiconductor memory device includes: a substrate; a memory unit provided on the substrate; and a non-memory unit provided on the substrate. The memory unit includes: a first stacked body including a plurality of first electrode films and a first inter-electrode insulating film, the plurality of first electrode films being stacked along a first axis perpendicular to the major surface, the first inter-electrode insulating film being provided between two of the first electrode films mutually adjacent along the first axis; a first semiconductor layer opposing side surfaces of the first electrode films; a first memory film provided between the first semiconductor layer and the first electrode films; and a first conductive film provided on the first stacked body apart from the first stacked body. The non-memory unit includes a resistance element unit of the same layer as the conductive film.

Abstract: Various embodiments include apparatuses and methods of forming the same. One such apparatus can include a first dielectric material and a second dielectric material, and a conductive material between the first dielectric material and the second dielectric material. A charge storage element, such as a floating gate or charge trap, is between the first dielectric material and the second dielectric material and adjacent to the conductive material. The charge storage element has a first surface and a second surface. The first and second surfaces are substantially separated from the first dielectric material and the second dielectric material, respectively, by a first air gap and a second air gap. Additional apparatuses and methods are disclosed.

Abstract: A non-volatile memory device according to an aspect of the present disclosure includes a substrate, a plurality of word lines stacked over the substrate and having a stepwise pattern, wherein the plurality of word lines each have a pad region, and a plurality of contact plugs coupled to the respective pad regions of the word lines, wherein a width of a pad region of a first one of the plurality of word lines is greater than a width of a pad region of a second word line lower than the first word line.

Abstract: A split gate-type non-volatile semiconductor memory device includes a floating gate having an acute-angled portion between a side surface and an upper surface above a semiconductor substrate; a control gate provided apart from the floating gate to oppose to the acute-angled portion; and an insulating portion provided on the floating gate. A side surface of the insulating portion on a side of the control gate is inclined to a direction apart from the control gate with respect to a vertical line to the semiconductor substrate.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are various methods of forming metal-containing insulating material regions on a metal layer of a gate structure of a semiconductor device. In one example, the method includes forming a gate structure of a transistor, the gate structure comprising at least a first metal layer, and forming a first metal-containing insulating material region in the first metal layer by performing a gas cluster ion beam process using to implant gas molecules into the first metal layer.

Abstract: Methods of forming multi-tiered semiconductor devices are described, along with apparatuses that include them. In one such method, a silicide is formed in a tier of silicon, the silicide is removed, and a device is formed at least partially in a void that was occupied by the silicide. One such apparatus includes a tier of silicon with a void between tiers of dielectric material. Residual silicide is on the tier of silicon and/or on the tiers of dielectric material and a device is formed at least partially in the void. Additional embodiments are also described.

Abstract: An electronic device includes a conductive channel defining a crystal structure and having a length and a thickness tC; and a dielectric film of thickness tg in contact with a surface of the channel. Further, the film comprises a material that exerts one of a compressive or a tensile force on the contacted surface of the channel such that electrical mobility of the charge carriers (electrons or holes) along the channel length is increased due to the compressive or tensile force in dependence on alignment of the channel length relative to the crystal structure. Embodiments are given for chips with both hole and electron mobility increased in different transistors, and a method for making such a transistor or chip.

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.

Abstract: A split gate memory cell is fabricated with a dielectric spacer comprising a high-k material between the word gate and the memory gate stack. Embodiments include memory cells with a dielectric spacer comprising low-k and high-k layers. Other embodiments include memory cells with an air gap between the word gate and the memory gate stack.