With Charge Trapping Gate Insulator, E.g., Mnos Transistor (epo) Patents (Class 257/E21.423)
  • Patent number: 11967557
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a substrate. A gate insulating film is formed on the surface of the substrate. A first gate electrode layer is formed on the gate insulating film. A second gate electrode layer is formed on the first gate electrode layer and electrically connected to the first gate electrode layer. A first contact extends through the second gate electrode layer to reach the first gate electrode layer. First and second impurity layers are formed on opposite sides of the first and second gate electrode layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2024
    Assignee: KIOXIA CORPORATION
    Inventor: Tomoya Inden
  • Patent number: 11968826
    Abstract: A three-dimensional memory device includes an alternating stack of insulating layers and electrically conductive layers, memory openings extending through the alternating stack, and memory opening fill structures located in the memory openings and containing a respective vertical semiconductor channel and a respective memory film. Each of the electrically conductive layers includes a tubular metallic liner in contact with a respective outer sidewall segment of a respective one of the memory opening fill structures, an electrically conductive barrier layer contacting the respective tubular metallic liner and two of the insulating layers, and a metallic fill material layer contacting the electrically conductive barrier layer, and not contacting the tubular metallic liner or any of the insulating layers. The memory opening fill structures are formed after performing a halogen outgassing anneal through the memory openings to reduce or eliminate the halogen outgassing damage in the layers of the memory film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2024
    Assignee: SANDISK TECHNOLOGIES LLC
    Inventors: Ramy Nashed Bassely Said, Raghuveer S. Makala, Senaka Kanakamedala, Rahul Sharangpani
  • Patent number: 11950404
    Abstract: A memory device includes: a word line stack including word lines that are alternately stacked vertically over a substrate, and having an edge portion; at least one supporter extending vertically in a direction that the word lines are stacked and supporting the edge portion of the word line stack; contact plugs that are electrically connected to the word lines at the edge portion of the word line stack; and active layers positioned between the word lines, and horizontally oriented in a direction intersecting with the word lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: SK hynix Inc.
    Inventor: Seung Hwan Kim
  • Patent number: 11877452
    Abstract: A memory device includes an alternating stack of insulating layers and electrically conductive layers located over a substrate, a memory opening vertically extending through the alternating stack, and a memory opening fill structure located in the memory opening and including a vertical semiconductor channel and a memory material layer. A vertical stack of insulating material portions can be provided at levels of the insulating layers to provide a laterally-undulating profile to the memory material layer. Alternatively, a combination of inner insulating spacers and outer insulating spacers can be employed to provide a laterally-undulating profile to the memory material layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignee: SANDISK TECHNOLOGIES LLC
    Inventors: Tatsuya Hinoue, Zhixin Cui
  • Patent number: 11830558
    Abstract: A memory device includes a first memory area including a first memory cell array having a plurality of first memory cells and a first peripheral circuit disposed below the first memory cell array; a second memory area including a second memory cell array having a plurality of second memory cells and a second peripheral circuit disposed below the second memory cell array; and a pad area including a power wiring. The first and second memory areas respectively include first and second local lockout circuits separately determining whether to lock out of each of the memory areas. The first and second memory areas are included in a single semiconductor chip to share the pad area, and the first and second memory areas operate individually. Accordingly, in the memory device, unnecessary data loss may be reduced by selectively stopping an operation of only a memory area requiring recovery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Inventors: Sangwon Shim, Sangwon Park, Bongsoon Lim, Yoonhee Choi
  • Patent number: 11825657
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a substrate having thereon at least one active area and at least one trench isolation region adjacent to the at least one active area. A charge trapping structure is disposed on the at least one active area and at least one trench isolation region. At least one divot is disposed in the at least one trench isolation region adjacent to the charge trapping structure. A silicon oxide layer is disposed in the at least one divot. A gate oxide layer is disposed on the at least one active area around the charge trapping structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: UNITED MICROELECTRONICS CORP.
    Inventor: Chia-Wen Wang
  • Patent number: 11823899
    Abstract: A high-temperature silicon carbide device, along with an integrated circuit including the device and method of fabricating the device are described. For example, the method includes forming one of a source region and a drain region of a silicon carbide metal-oxide-semiconductor device. The method may include forming a gate structure adjacent to either one of the source region and the drain region. The gate structure may include an insulating layer. The method may further include forming the insulating layer with a first growth step performed in a pure oxygen environment and with a second growth step performed in a nitrous oxide environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: CoolCAD Electronics, LLC
    Inventors: Neil Goldsman, Akin Akturk, Zeynep Dilli, Mitchell Adrian Gross, Aysanew Abate
  • Patent number: 11817387
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a cell semiconductor pattern disposed on a semiconductor substrate. A semiconductor dummy pattern is disposed on the semiconductor substrate. The semiconductor dummy pattern is co-planar with the cell semiconductor pattern. A first circuit is disposed between the semiconductor substrate and the cell semiconductor pattern. A first interconnection structure is disposed between the semiconductor substrate and the cell semiconductor pattern. A first dummy structure is disposed between the semiconductor substrate and the cell semiconductor pattern. Part of the first dummy structure is co-planar with part of the first interconnection structure. A second dummy structure not overlapping the cell semiconductor pattern is disposed on the semiconductor substrate. Part of the second dummy structure is co-planar with part of the first interconnection structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jang-Gn Yun, Jaesun Yun, Joon-Sung Lim
  • Patent number: 11751389
    Abstract: A three-dimensional (3D) memory device and a manufacturing method thereof are provided. The 3D memory device includes a substrate, insulation layers, gate material layers, and a vertical structure. The insulation layers and the gate material layers are disposed on the substrate and alternately stacked in a vertical direction. The vertical structure penetrates the gate material layers in the vertical direction. The vertical structure includes a semiconductor layer and a trapping layer. The semiconductor layer is elongated in the vertical direction. The trapping layer surrounds the semiconductor layer in a horizontal direction. The trapping layer includes trapping sections aligned in the vertical direction and separated from one another. The electrical performance of the 3D memory device may be improved by the trapping sections separated from one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: Yangtze Memory Technologies Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Qiguang Wang
  • Patent number: 11737262
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a nonvolatile semiconductor memory device includes a plurality of U-shaped memory strings, each of the plurality of U-shaped memory strings including a first columnar body, a second columnar body, and a conductive connection body. The conductive connection body connects the first columnar body and the second columnar body. A plurality of first memory cells are connected in series in the first columnar body and are composed of a plurality of first conductive layers, a first inter-gate insulating film, a plurality of first floating electrodes, a first tunnel insulating film, and a first memory channel layer. The plurality of first floating electrodes are separated from the plurality of first conductive layers by the first inter-gate insulating film. A plurality of second memory cells are connected in series in the second columnar body, similarly to the plurality of first memory cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: Kioxia Corporation
    Inventor: Keiichi Sawa
  • Patent number: 11723203
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a plurality of first gate electrodes sequentially stacked on a substrate, a second gate electrode on the plurality of first gate electrodes, a first channel structure extending through the plurality of first gate electrodes and a portion of the second gate electrode, a buried insulation pattern on a sidewall of the first channel structure, of which an upper surface is at a higher level than a top end of the first channel structure, a second channel structure extending through a remainder of the second gate electrode, the second channel structure connected to the first channel structure, and a buried conductive pattern on a sidewall of the second channel structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Eun Yeoung Choi, Hyung Joon Kim, Su Hyeong Lee, Yong Seok Cho
  • Patent number: 11706922
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a core insulating layer extending in a first direction, an etch stop layer disposed on the core insulating layer, a channel layer extending along a sidewall of the core insulating layer and a sidewall of the etch stop layer, conductive patterns each surrounding the channel layer and stacked to be spaced apart from each other in the first direction, and an impurity region formed in an upper end of the channel layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: SK hynix Inc.
    Inventors: In Su Park, Do Yeon Kim, Ki Hong Lee
  • Patent number: 11653499
    Abstract: A semiconductor device structure comprises stacked tiers each comprising at least one conductive structure and at least one insulating structure longitudinally adjacent the at least one conductive structure, at least one staircase structure having steps comprising lateral ends of the stacked tiers, and at least one opening extending through the stacked tiers and continuously across an entire length of the at least one staircase structure. The at least one conductive structure of each of the stacked tiers extends continuously from at least one of the steps of the at least one staircase structure and around the at least one opening to form at least one continuous conductive path extending completely across each of the stacked tiers. Additional semiconductor device structures, methods of forming semiconductor device structures, and electronic systems are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Eric N. Lee
  • Patent number: 11605645
    Abstract: Some embodiments include a NAND memory array having a vertical stack of alternating insulative levels and wordline levels. The wordline levels have primary regions of a first vertical thickness, and have terminal projections of a second vertical thickness which is greater than the first vertical thickness. The terminal projections include control gate regions. Charge-blocking regions are adjacent the control gate regions, and are vertically spaced from one another. Charge-storage regions are adjacent the charge-blocking regions and are vertically spaced from one another. Gate-dielectric material is adjacent the charge-storage regions. Channel material is adjacent the gate dielectric material. Some embodiments included methods of forming integrated assemblies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: John D. Hopkins, Shyam Surthi
  • Patent number: 11575023
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure may include one or more metal gates, one or more channels below the one or more metal gates, a gate dielectric layer separating the one or more metal gates from the one or more channels, and a high-k material embedded in the gate dielectric layer. Both the high-k material and the gate dielectric layer may be in direct contact with the one or more channels. The high-k material may provide threshold voltage variation in the one or more metal gates. The high-k material is a first high-k material or a second high-k material. The semiconductor structure may only include the first high-k material embedded in the gate dielectric layer. The semiconductor structure may only include the second high-k material embedded in the gate dielectric layer. The semiconductor structure may include both the first high-k material and the second high-k material embedded in the gate dielectric layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2023
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Clint Jason Oteri, Alexander Reznicek, Bahman Hekmatshoartabari, Jingyun Zhang, Ruilong Xie
  • Patent number: 11574918
    Abstract: A non-volatile memory (NVM) cell includes a semiconductor wire including a select gate portion and a control gate portion. The NVM cell includes a select transistor formed with the select gate portion and a control transistor formed with the control gate portion. The select transistor includes a gate dielectric layer disposed around the select gate portion and a select gate electrode disposed on the gate dielectric layer. The control transistor includes a stacked dielectric layer disposed around the control gate portion, a gate dielectric layer disposed on the stacked dielectric layer and a control gate electrode disposed on the gate dielectric layer. The stacked dielectric layer includes a first silicon oxide layer disposed on the control gate portion, a charge trapping layer disposed on the first silicon oxide, and a second silicon oxide layer disposed on the charge trapping layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2023
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yun-Chi Wu, Yu-Wen Tseng
  • Patent number: 11569254
    Abstract: An embodiment of a method of integration of a non-volatile memory device into a logic MOS flow is described. Generally, the method includes: forming a pad dielectric layer of a MOS device above a first region of a substrate; forming a channel of the memory device from a thin film of semiconducting material overlying a surface above a second region of the substrate, the channel connecting a source and drain of the memory device; forming a patterned dielectric stack overlying the channel above the second region, the patterned dielectric stack comprising a tunnel layer, a charge-trapping layer, and a sacrificial top layer; simultaneously removing the sacrificial top layer from the second region of the substrate, and the pad dielectric layer from the first region of the substrate; and simultaneously forming a gate dielectric layer above the first region of the substrate and a blocking dielectric layer above the charge-trapping layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: LONGITUDE FLASH MEMORY SOLUTIONS LTD.
    Inventors: Krishnaswamy Ramkumar, Bo Jin, Fredrick B. Jenne
  • Patent number: 11552100
    Abstract: A three-dimensional memory device includes a source contact layer overlying a substrate, an alternating stack of insulating layers and electrically conductive layers located overlying the source contact layer, and a memory opening fill structure located within a memory opening extending through the alternating stack and the source contact layer. The memory opening fill structure includes a composite semiconductor channel and a memory film laterally surrounding the composite semiconductor channel. The composite semiconductor channel includes a pedestal channel portion having controlled distribution of n-type dopants that diffuse from the source contact layer with a lower diffusion rate provided by carbon doping and smaller grain sizes, or has arsenic doping providing limited diffusion into the vertical semiconductor channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: SANDISK TECHNOLOGIES LLC
    Inventors: Zhixin Cui, Satoshi Shimizu, Yanli Zhang
  • Patent number: 11527550
    Abstract: A memory array comprises a vertical stack comprising alternating insulative tiers and wordline tiers. The wordline tiers comprise gate regions of individual memory cells. The gate regions individually comprise part of a wordline in individual of the wordline tiers. Channel material extends elevationally through the insulative tiers and the wordline tiers. The individual memory cells comprise a memory structure laterally between the gate region and the channel material. Individual of the wordlines comprise opposing laterally-outer longitudinal edges. The longitudinal edges individually comprise a longitudinally-elongated recess extending laterally into the respective individual wordline. Methods are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2022
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Changhan Kim, Richard J. Hill, John D. Hopkins, Collin Howder
  • Patent number: 11515321
    Abstract: Some embodiments include a memory cell having a conductive gate, and having a charge-blocking region adjacent the conductive gate. The charge-blocking region includes silicon oxynitride and silicon dioxide. A charge-storage region is adjacent the charge-blocking region. Tunneling material is adjacent the charge-storage region. Channel material is adjacent the tunneling material. The tunneling material is between the channel material and the charge-storage region. Some embodiments include memory arrays. Some embodiments include methods of forming assemblies (e.g., memory arrays).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Changhan Kim
  • Patent number: 11482538
    Abstract: A microelectronic device comprises a stack structure, cell pillar structures, an active body structure, digit line structures, and control logic devices. The stack structure comprises vertically neighboring tiers, each of the vertically neighboring tiers comprising a conductive structure and an insulative structure vertically neighboring the conductive structure. The cell pillar structures vertically extend through the stack structure and each comprise a channel material and an outer material stack horizontally interposed between the channel material and the stack structure. The active body structure vertically overlies the stack structure and is in contact with the channel material of the cell pillar structures. The active body structure comprises a metal material having a work function greater than or equal to about 4.7 electronvolts. The digit line structures vertically underlie the stack structure and are coupled to the cell pillar structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2022
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Haitao Liu, Kunal R. Parekh
  • Patent number: 10381345
    Abstract: Provided is a semiconductor device having an enhanced characteristic and a resistor structure satisfying a desired target resistor value of a resistor device. A semiconductor device includes: a lower interlayer insulating layer disposed on a substrate comprising a resistor area; a resistor structure comprising a resistor layer and an etch stop pattern sequentially stacked on the lower interlayer insulating layer of the resistor area; an upper interlayer insulating layer configured to cover the resistor structure and disposed on the lower interlayer insulating layer; a resistor contact structure configured to pass through the upper interlayer insulating layer and the etch stop pattern and contact the resistor layer; and a resistor contact spacer disposed between the upper interlayer insulating layer, the etch stop pattern, and the resistor contact structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hong-sik Shin, Do-hyoung Kim, Doo-young Lee, Hyon-wook Ra, Seo-bum Lee, Won-hyuk Lee
  • Patent number: 10366915
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a first gate structure disposed over a substrate. The first gate structure extends in a first direction. A second gate structure is disposed over the substrate. The second gate structure extends in the first direction. A dielectric material is disposed between the first gate structure and the second gate structure. An air gap is disposed within the dielectric material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2019
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Che-Cheng Chang, Chih-Han Lin
  • Patent number: 10134585
    Abstract: Surface pretreatment of SiGe or Ge surfaces prior to gate oxide deposition cleans the SiGe or Ge surface to provide a hydrogen terminated surface or a sulfur passivated (or S—H) surface. Atomic layer deposition (ALD) of a high-dielectric-constant oxide at a low temperature is conducted in the range of 25-200° C. to form an oxide layer. Annealing is conducted at an elevated temperature. A method for oxide deposition on a damage sensitive III-V semiconductor surface conducts in-situ cleaning of the surface with cyclic pulsing of hydrogen and TMA (trimethyl aluminum) at a low temperature in the range of 100-200° C. Atomic layer deposition (ALD) of a high-dielectric-constant oxide forms an oxide layer. Annealing is conducted at an elevated temperature. The annealing can create a silicon terminated interfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Kasra Sardashti, Tobin Kaufman-Osborn, Tyler Kent, Andrew Kummel, Shariq Siddiqui, Bhagawan Sahu, Adam Brand, Naomi Yoshida
  • Patent number: 9941300
    Abstract: A method for fabricating a fully depleted silicon on insulator (FDSOI) device is described. A charge trapping layer in a buried oxide layer is provided on a semiconductor substrate. A backgate well in the semiconductor substrate is provided under the charge trapping layer. A device structure including a gate structure, source and drain regions is disposed over the buried oxide layer. A charge is trapped in the charge trapping layer. The threshold voltage of the device is partially established by the charge trapped in the charge trapping layer. Different aspects of the invention include the structure of the FDSOI device and a method of tuning the charge trapped in the charge trapping layer of the FDSOI device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: GLOBALFOUNDRIES INC.
    Inventors: John Joseph Ellis-Monaghan, Terence B Hook, Kirk David Peterson
  • Patent number: 9755050
    Abstract: The semiconductor device including: a semiconductor layer extending in a first direction, the semiconductor layer including a pair of source/drain regions and a channel region, a gate extending on the semiconductor layer to cover the channel region, and a gate dielectric layer interposed between the channel region and the gate, a corner insulating spacer having a first surface and a second surface, the first surface extending in the second direction along a side wall of the gate, the first surface covering from a side portion of the gate dielectric layer to at least a portion of the side wall of the gate, and the second surface covering a portion of the semiconductor layer, and an outer portion insulating spacer covering the side wall of the gate above the corner insulating spacer, the outer portion insulating spacer having a smaller dielectric constant than the corner insulating spacer, may be provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Je-min Park
  • Patent number: 9666585
    Abstract: Semiconductor devices are provided. The semiconductor device includes a bit line contact plug and a storage node contact plug electrically connected to an active region of a substrate. A bit line structure is disposed on the bit line contact plug to extend in a first direction. The bit line structure is disposed in a trench pattern that intrudes into a side of the storage node contact plug. Related methods and systems are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignee: SK HYNIX INC.
    Inventors: Jin Ki Jung, Myoung Soo Kim
  • Patent number: 9620384
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a semiconductor structure, by depositing a dielectric layer is a dummy gate, or an existing gate structure, prior to the formation of gate spacers. Following the formation of spacers, and in some embodiments replacing a dummy gate with a final gate structure, oxygen is introduced to a gate dielectric through a diffusion process, using the deposited dielectric layer as a diffusion pathway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Inventors: Takashi Ando, Claude Ortolland, Kai Zhao
  • Patent number: 9449984
    Abstract: A three dimensional memory device including a substrate and a semiconductor channel. At least one end portion of the semiconductor channel extends substantially perpendicular to a major surface of the substrate. The device also includes at least one charge storage region located adjacent to semiconductor channel and a plurality of control gate electrodes having a strip shape extending substantially parallel to the major surface of the substrate. The plurality of control gate electrodes include at least a first control gate electrode located in a first device level and a second control gate electrode located in a second device level located over the major surface of the substrate and below the first device level. Each of the plurality of control gate electrodes includes a first edge surface which is substantially free of silicide, the first edge surface facing the semiconductor channel and the at least one charge storage region and a silicide located on remaining surfaces of the control gate electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: SANDISK TECHNOLOGIES LLC
    Inventors: Johann Alsmeier, Peter Rabkin
  • Patent number: 9041111
    Abstract: A flat panel detector includes a photoelectric conversion layer and a pixel detecting element disposed under the photoelectric conversion layer. The pixel detecting element includes: a pixel electrode for receiving charges, a storage capacitor for storing the received charges, and a thin film transistor for controlling outputting of the stored charges. The storage capacitor includes a first electrode and a second electrode. The first electrode includes an upper electrode and a bottom electrode that are disposed opposite to each other and electrically connected. A second electrode is sandwiched between the upper electrode and the bottom electrode. It is insulated between the upper electrode and the second electrode and between the second electrode and the bottom electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: BEIJING BOE OPTOELECTRONICS TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Zhenyu Xie
  • Patent number: 9035374
    Abstract: A non-volatile semiconductor storage device has a plurality of memory strings to each of which a plurality of electrically rewritable memory cells are connected in series. Each of the memory strings includes first semiconductor layers each having a pair of columnar portions extending in a vertical direction with respect to a substrate and a coupling portion formed to couple the lower ends of the pair of columnar portions; a charge storage layer formed to surround the side surfaces of the columnar portions; and first conductive layers formed to surround the side surfaces of the columnar portions and the charge storage layer. The first conductive layers function as gate electrodes of the memory cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
    Inventors: Yoshiaki Fukuzumi, Ryota Katsumata, Masaru Kidoh, Masaru Kito, Hiroyasu Tanaka, Yosuke Komori, Megumi Ishiduki, Hideaki Aochi
  • Patent number: 9013005
    Abstract: According to an embodiment, a semiconductor device includes a second semiconductor layer provided on a first semiconductor layer and including first pillars and second pillars. A first control electrode is provided in a trench of the second semiconductor layer and a second control electrode is provided on the second semiconductor layer and connected to the first control electrode. A first semiconductor region is provided on a surface of the second semiconductor layer except for a portion under the second control electrode. A second semiconductor region is provided on a surface of the first semiconductor region, the second semiconductor region being apart from the portion under the second control electrode and a third semiconductor region is provided on the first semiconductor region. A first major electrode is connected electrically to the first semiconductor layer and a second major electrode is connected electrically to the second and the third semiconductor region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Syotaro Ono, Wataru Saito, Shunji Taniuchi, Miho Watanabe, Hiroaki Yamashita, Toshiyuki Naka
  • Patent number: 9000510
    Abstract: A nonvolatile memory device includes: a channel layer extending in a vertical direction from a substrate; a plurality of interlayer dielectric layers and word lines alternately stacked along the channel layer over the substrate; a bit line formed under plurality of interlayer dielectric layers and word lines, coupled to the channel layer, and extending in a direction crossing the word lines; and a common source layer coupled to the channel layer and formed over the plurality of interlayer dielectric layers and word lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: SK Hynix Inc.
    Inventor: Young-Ok Hong
  • Patent number: 8981452
    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 also are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: SanDisk Corporation
    Inventors: Jian Chen, Xiangfeng Duan, Chao Liu, Madhuri Nallabolu, J. Wallace Parce, Srikanth Ranganathan
  • Patent number: 8969947
    Abstract: A memory device includes a substrate, a semiconductor column extending perpendicularly from the substrate and a plurality of spaced-apart charge storage cells disposed along a sidewall of the semiconductor column. Each of the storage cells includes a tunneling insulating layer disposed on the sidewall of the semiconductor column, a polymer layer disposed on the tunneling insulating layer, a plurality of quantum dots disposed on or in the polymer layer and a blocking insulating layer disposed on the polymer layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jae-goo Lee, Jung-dal Choi, Young-woo Park
  • Patent number: 8957471
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a semiconductor memory device includes a substrate, a stacked body, a conductive member, a semiconductor pillar, and a charge storage layer. The stacked body is provided above the substrate. The stacked body includes a plurality of insulating films stacked alternately with a plurality of electrode films. A plurality of terraces are formed in a stairstep configuration along only a first direction in an end portion of the stacked body on the first-direction side. The first direction is parallel to an upper face of the substrate. The plurality of terraces are configured with upper faces of the electrode films respectively. The conductive member is electrically connected to the terrace to connect electrically the electrode film to the substrate by leading out the electrode film in a second direction parallel to the upper face of the substrate and orthogonal to the first direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventor: Yoshiaki Fukuzumi
  • Patent number: 8956943
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a non-volatile memory is disclosed. A gate structure is formed on a substrate and includes a gate dielectric layer and a gate conductive layer. The gate dielectric layer is partly removed, thereby a symmetrical opening is formed among the gate conductive layer, the substrate and the gate dielectric layer, and a cavity is formed on end sides of the gate dielectric layer. A first oxide layer is formed on a sidewall and bottom of the gate conductive layer, and a second oxide layer is formed on a surface of the substrate. A nitride material layer is formed covering the gate structure, the first and second oxide layer and the substrate and filling the opening. An etching process is performed to partly remove the nitride material layer, thereby forming a nitride layer on a sidewall of the gate conductive layer and extending into the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: United Microelectronics Corporation
    Inventors: Chien-Hung Chen, Tzu-Ping Chen, Yu-Jen Chang
  • Patent number: 8951864
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a substrate; a storage element disposed over the substrate in a first region; a control gate disposed over the storage element; a high-k dielectric layer disposed on the substrate in a second region adjacent the first region; and a metal select gate disposed over the high-k dielectric layer and adjacent to the storage element and the control gate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yu-Hsiung Wang, Chih-Ren Hsieh, Tung-Sheng Hsiao
  • Patent number: 8946021
    Abstract: On a silicon substrate is formed a stacked body by alternately stacking a plurality of silicon oxide films and silicon films, a trench is formed in the stacked body, an alumina film, a silicon nitride film and a silicon oxide film are formed in this order on an inner surface of the trench, and a channel silicon crystalline film is formed on the silicon oxide film. Next, a silicon oxide layer is formed at an interface between the silicon oxide film and the channel silicon crystalline film by performing thermal treatment in an oxygen gas atmosphere.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventor: Yoshio Ozawa
  • Patent number: 8941171
    Abstract: Memory devices, methods for fabricating, and methods for adjusting flatband voltages are disclosed. In one such memory device, a pair of source/drain regions are formed in a semiconductor. A dielectric material is formed on the semiconductor between the pair of source/drain regions. A control gate is formed on the dielectric material. A charged species is introduced into the dielectric material. The charged species, e.g., mobile ions, has an energy barrier in a range of greater than about 0.5 eV to about 3.0 eV. A flatband voltage of the memory device can be adjusted by moving the charged species to different levels within the dielectric material, thus programming different states into the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Roy Meade
  • Patent number: 8928064
    Abstract: A method of forming a gate structure for a semiconductor device that includes forming a non-stoichiometric high-k gate dielectric layer on a semiconductor substrate, wherein an oxide containing interfacial layer can be present between the non-stoichiometric high-k gate dielectric layer and the semiconductor substrate. At least one gate conductor layer may be formed on the non-stoichiometric high-k gate dielectric layer. The at least one gate conductor layer comprises a boron semiconductor alloy layer. An anneal process is applied, wherein during the anneal process the non-stoichiometric high-k gate dielectric layer removes oxide material from the oxide containing interfacial layer. The oxide containing interfacial layer is thinned by removing the oxide material during the anneal process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Martin M. Frank, Isaac Lauer, Jeffrey W. Sleight
  • Patent number: 8912089
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a method for manufacturing a semiconductor device includes forming a stacked body on a substrate. The stacked body includes a plurality of first conductive layers including a metallic element as a main component and a plurality of second conductive layers including a metallic element as a main component provided respectively between the first conductive layers. The method includes making a hole to pierce the stacked body. The method includes making a slit to divide the stacked body. The method includes making a gap between the first conductive layers by removing the second conductive layers by etching via the slit or the hole. The method includes forming a memory film including a charge storage film at a side wall of the hole. The method includes forming a channel body on an inner side of the memory film inside the hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Seiichi Omoto, Yoshihiro Uozumi, Tadashi Iguchi, Osamu Yamane, Kazuyuki Masukawa, Yoshihiro Yanai
  • Patent number: 8900948
    Abstract: A method for fabricating a non-volatile memory device includes alternately stacking a plurality of inter-layer dielectric layers and a plurality of sacrificial layers over a substrate, forming at least a channel hole that exposes the substrate by selectively etching the inter-layer dielectric layers and the sacrificial layers, forming a protective layer on sidewalls of the sacrificial layers that are exposed through the channel hole, sequentially forming a memory layer and a channel layer on the sidewalls of the channel hole, forming slit holes that penetrate through the inter-layer dielectric layers and the sacrificial layers on both sides of the channel hole, removing the sacrificial layers that are exposed through the slit holes, removing the protective layer, and forming gate electrodes in space from which the sacrificial layers and the protective layer are removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: SK Hynix Inc.
    Inventors: Seok-Min Jeon, Sun-Kok Hwang
  • Patent number: 8901632
    Abstract: A method of making a semiconductor structure includes forming a select gate over a substrate in an NVM region and a first protection layer over a logic region. A control gate and a storage layer are formed over the substrate in the NVM region. The control gate has a top surface below a top surface of the select gate. The charge storage layer is under the control gate, along adjacent sidewalls of the select gate and control gate, and is partially over the top surface of the select gate. A second protection layer is formed over the NVM portion and the logic portion. The first and second protection layers are removed from the logic region. A portion of the second protection layer is left over the control gate and the select gate. A gate structure, formed over the logic region, has a high k dielectric and a metal gate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Freescale Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventors: Asanga H. Perera, Cheong Min Hong, Sung-Taeg Kang, Byoung W. Min, Jane A. Yater
  • Patent number: 8883624
    Abstract: Memory cells including embedded SONOS based non-volatile memory (NVM) and MOS transistors and methods of forming the same are described. Generally, the method includes: forming a gate stack of a NVM transistor in a NVM region of a substrate including the NVM region and a plurality of MOS regions; and depositing a high-k dielectric material over the gate stack of the NVM transistor and the plurality of MOS regions to concurrently form a blocking dielectric comprising the high-k dielectric material in the gate stack of the NVM transistor and high-k gate dielectrics in the plurality of MOS regions. In one embodiment, a first metal layer is deposited over the high-k dielectric material and patterned to concurrently form a metal gate over the gate stack of the NVM transistor, and a metal gate of a field effect transistor in one of the MOS regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Cypress Semiconductor Corporation
    Inventor: Krishnaswamy Ramkumar
  • Patent number: 8877587
    Abstract: A method for fabricating a nonvolatile memory device includes forming a stacked structure over a substrate defining a cell area and a peripheral area and having a source region, the stacked structure including interlayer dielectric layers and sacrifice layers, forming channel layers connected to the substrate through the stacked structure of the cell area, forming a first slit in the stacked structure of the cell area, forming a second slit in the stacked structure, the second slit including a first portion and a second portion, removing the sacrifice layers exposed through the first and second slits, forming conductive layers to fill spaces from which the sacrifice layers are removed, forming an insulating layer in the second slit, and forming a source contact by burying a conductive material in the first portion of the second slit having the insulating layer formed therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: SK Hynix Inc.
    Inventor: Yoo-Hyun Noh
  • Patent number: 8877568
    Abstract: Methods of making a logic transistor in a logic region and an NVM cell in an NVM region of a substrate include forming a conductive layer on a gate dielectric, patterning the conductive layer over the NVM region, removing the conductive layer over the logic region, forming a dielectric layer over the NVM region, forming a protective layer over the dielectric layer, removing the dielectric layer and the protective layer from the logic region, forming a high-k dielectric layer over the logic region and a remaining portion of the protective layer, and forming a first metal layer over the high-k dielectric layer. The first metal layer, the high-k dielectric, and the remaining portion of the protective layer are removed over the NVM region. A conductive layer is deposited over the remaining portions of the dielectric layer and over the first metal layer, and the conductive layer is patterned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Freescale Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventors: Mehul D. Shroff, Mark D. Hall
  • Patent number: 8871598
    Abstract: A method of making a semiconductor device includes forming a split gate memory gate structure on a memory region of a substrate, and protecting the split gate memory gate structure by depositing protective layers over the memory region including the memory gate structure and over a logic region of the substrate. The protective layers include a material that creates a barrier to diffusion of metal. The protective layers are retained over the memory region while forming a logic gate in the logic region. The logic gate includes a high-k dielectric layer and a metal layer. A spacer material is deposited over the logic gate. Spacers are formed on the memory gate structure and the logic gate. The spacer on the logic gate is formed of the spacer material and the spacer on the memory gate structure is formed with one of the protective layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Freescale Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventor: Asanga H. Perera
  • Patent number: 8872255
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a region in a semiconductor substrate having a top surface with a first charge storage layer on the top surface. A first conductive line is on the first charge storage layer. A second charge storage layer is on the top surface. A second conductive line is on the second charge storage layer. A third charge storage layer is on the top surface. A third conductive line is on the third charge storage layer. A fourth charge storage layer has a first side adjoining a first sidewall of the first conductive line and a second side adjoining a first sidewall of the second conductive line. A fifth charge storage layer has a first side adjoining a second sidewall of the second conductive line and a second side adjoining a first sidewall of the third conductive line. Source and drain regions are formed in the substrate on either side of the semiconductor device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Freescale Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark D. Hall, Mehul D. Shroff
  • Patent number: 8859410
    Abstract: A method of forming a gate structure for a semiconductor device that includes forming a non-stoichiometric high-k gate dielectric layer on a semiconductor substrate, wherein an oxide containing interfacial layer can be present between the non-stoichiometric high-k gate dielectric layer and the semiconductor substrate. At least one gate conductor layer may be formed on the non-stoichiometric high-k gate dielectric layer. The at least one gate conductor layer comprises a boron semiconductor alloy layer. An anneal process is applied, wherein during the anneal process the non-stoichiometric high-k gate dielectric layer removes oxide material from the oxide containing interfacial layer. The oxide containing interfacial layer is thinned by removing the oxide material during the anneal process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Martin M. Frank, Isaac Lauer, Jeffrey W. Sleight