Abstract: According to one embodiment, a nonvolatile semiconductor memory device includes a stacked body, a second insulating layer, a select gate, a memory hole, a memory film, a channel body, a first semiconductor layer, and a second semiconductor layer. The select gate is provided on the second insulating layer. The memory film is provided on an inner wall of the memory hole. The channel body is provided inside the memory film. The first semiconductor layer is provided on an upper surface of the channel body. The second semiconductor layer is provided on the first semiconductor layer. The first semiconductor layer contains silicon germanium. The second semiconductor layer contains silicon germanium doped with a first impurity. A boundary between the first semiconductor layer and the second semiconductor layer is provided above a position of an upper end of the select gate.

Abstract: There is provided a semiconductor device including bit lines (14) formed in a semiconductor substrate (10), insulating film lines (18) located on the bit lines (14) to successively run in a length direction of the bit lines (14), gate electrodes (16) located above the semiconductor substrate (10) between the bit lines (14), and word lines (20) located on the gate electrodes (18) to run in a width direction of the bit lines (14), a trench region (22) formed between the bit lines (14) and the between word lines (20) in the semiconductor substrate, and there is also provided a fabrication method therefor. According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a semiconductor device where elements can be isolated between the word lines (14) and memory cells can be miniaturized, and to provide a fabrication method therefor.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a nonvolatile semiconductor memory device includes a memory cell array part, a first contact part, and a peripheral circuit part. The first contact part is juxtaposed with the memory cell array part in a first plane. The peripheral circuit part is juxtaposed with the memory cell array part in the first plane. The memory cell array part includes a first stacked body, a first semiconductor layer, and a memory film. The first contact part includes a first contact part insulating layer, and a plurality of first contact electrodes. The peripheral circuit part includes a peripheral circuit, a structure body, a peripheral circuit part insulating layer, and a peripheral circuit part contact electrode. A width along an axis perpendicular to the first axis of the peripheral circuit part insulating layer is smaller than a diameter of the first particle.

Abstract: A non-volatile memory device including a memory string including a plurality of memory cells coupled in series. The non-volatile memory device includes the memory string including a first semiconductor layer and a second conductive layer with a memory gate insulation layer therebetween, a first selection transistor comprising a second semiconductor layer coupled with one end of the first semiconductor layer, a second selection transistor comprising a third semiconductor layer coupled with the other end of the first semiconductor layer, and a fourth semiconductor layer contacting the first semiconductor layer in a region where the second conductive layer is not disposed.

Abstract: A non-volatile memory device includes a dielectric layer between a charge storage layer and a substrate. Free bonds of the dielectric layer can be reduced to reduce/prevent charges from leaking through the free bonds and/or from being trapped by the free bonds. As a result, data retention properties and/or durability of a non-volatile memory device may be enhanced.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a semiconductor device is described. A stacked gate dielectric is formed over a substrate, including a first dielectric layer, a second dielectric layer and a third dielectric layer from bottom to top. A conductive layer is formed on the stacked gate dielectric and then patterned to form a gate conductor. The exposed portion of the third and the second dielectric layers are removed with a selective wet cleaning step. S/D extension regions are formed in the substrate with the gate conductor as a mask. A first spacer is formed on the sidewall of the gate conductor and a portion of the first dielectric layer exposed by the first spacer is removed. S/D regions are formed in the substrate at both sides of the first spacer. A metal silicide layer is formed on the S/D regions.

Abstract: A device having thin-film transistor (TFT) silicon-aluminum oxide-silicon (SAS) memory cell structures is provided. The device includes a substrate, a dielectric layer on the substrate, and one or more source or drain regions being embedded in the dielectric layer. the dielectric layer being associated with a first surface. Each of the one or more source or drain regions includes an N+ polysilicon layer on a diffusion barrier layer which is on a conductive layer. The N+ polysilicon layer has a second surface substantially co-planar with the first surface. Additionally, the device includes a P? polysilicon layer overlying the co-planar surface, an aluminum oxide layer overlying the P? polysilicon layer; and at least one control gate overlying the aluminum oxide layer. In a specific embodiment, the control gate is made of highly doped P+ polysilicon. A method for making the TFT SAS memory cell structure is provided and can be repeated to integrate the structure three-dimensionally.

Abstract: Embodiments of a method of integration of a non-volatile memory device into a MOS flow are described. Generally, the method includes: forming a dielectric stack on a surface of a substrate, the dielectric stack including a tunneling dielectric overlying the surface of the substrate and a charge-trapping layer overlying the tunneling dielectric; forming a cap layer overlying the dielectric stack; patterning the cap layer and the dielectric stack to form a gate stack of a memory device in a first region of the substrate and to remove the cap layer and the charge-trapping layer from a second region of the substrate; and performing an oxidation process to form a gate oxide of a MOS device overlying the surface of the substrate in the second region while simultaneously oxidizing the cap layer to form a blocking oxide overlying the charge-trapping layer. Other embodiments are also disclosed.

Abstract: An integrated circuit system includes providing a semiconductor substrate and forming buried word lines in the semiconductor substrate with the buried word lines including vertical charge-trapping dielectric layers. The system further includes forming bit lines further comprising forming in-substrate portions in the semiconductor substrate, and forming above-substrate portions over the semiconductor substrate.

Abstract: An dielectric film is formed above the semiconductor substrate. A first conductive layer is formed in the dielectric film and extending in a first direction. The first conductive layer is connected to a first select transistor. A second conductive layer formed in the dielectric film and extending in the first direction. The second conductive layer is connected to a second select transistor. A semiconductor layer is connected to both the first and second conductive layers and functioning as a channel layer of a memory transistor. A gate-insulating film is formed on the semiconductor layer. The gate-insulating film includes a charge accumulation film as a portion thereof. A third conductive layer is surrounded by the gate-insulating film.

Abstract: A method for forming a semiconductor device includes forming a first plurality of nanocrystals over a surface of a substrate having a first region and a second region, wherein the first plurality of nanocrystals is formed in the first region and the second region and has a first density; and, after forming the first plurality of nanocrystals, forming a second plurality of nanocrystals over the surface of the substrate in the second region and not the first region, wherein the first plurality of nanocrystals together with the second plurality of nanocrystals in the second region result in a second density, wherein the second density is greater than the first density.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes: vertical channel layers; a pipe channel layer configured to connect lower ends of the vertical channel layers; and a pipe gate surrounding the pipe channel layer and including a first region, which is in contact with the pipe channel layer and includes a first-type impurity, and remaining second regions including a second-type impurity different from the first type impurity.

Abstract: In a semiconductor device, and a method of manufacturing thereof, the device includes a substrate of single-crystal semiconductor material extending in a horizontal direction and a plurality of interlayer dielectric layers on the substrate. A plurality of gate patterns are provided, each gate pattern being between a neighboring lower interlayer dielectric layer and a neighboring upper interlayer dielectric layer. A vertical channel of single-crystal semiconductor material extends in a vertical direction through the plurality of interlayer dielectric layers and the plurality of gate patterns, a gate insulating layer being between each gate pattern and the vertical channel that insulates the gate pattern from the vertical channel.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate having a first opening and a second opening adjacent thereto. A first dielectric layer is disposed in a lower portion of the first opening. A charge-trapping dielectric layer is disposed in an upper portion of the first opening to cover the first dielectric layer. A doping region of a predetermined conductivity type is formed in the semiconductor substrate adjacent to the first opening and the second opening, wherein the doping region of the predetermined conductivity type has a polarity which is different from that of the charges trapped in the charge-trapping dielectric layer. A gate electrode is disposed in a lower portion of the second opening. A method for fabricating the semiconductor device is also disclosed.

Abstract: An embodiment of a method of integrating a non-volatile memory device into a logic MOS flow is described. Generally, the method includes: forming in a first region of a substrate a channel of a memory device from a semiconducting material overlying a surface of the substrate, the channel connecting a source and a drain of the memory device; forming a charge trapping dielectric stack over the channel adjacent to a plurality of surfaces of the channel, wherein the charge trapping dielectric stack includes a blocking layer on a charge trapping layer over a tunneling layer; and forming a MOS device over a second region of the substrate.

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.

Abstract: Embodiments of a non-planar memory device including a split charge-trapping region and methods of forming the same are described. Generally, the device comprises: a channel formed from a thin film of semiconducting material overlying a surface on a substrate connecting a source and a drain of the memory device; a tunnel oxide overlying the channel; a split charge-trapping region overlying the tunnel oxide, the split charge-trapping region including a bottom charge-trapping layer comprising a nitride closer to the tunnel oxide, and a top charge-trapping layer, wherein the bottom charge-trapping layer is separated from the top charge-trapping layer by a thin anti-tunneling layer comprising an oxide. Other embodiments are also disclosed.

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.

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.

Abstract: A method of forming an NVM cell and a logic transistor uses a semiconductor substrate. A metal select gate of the NVM cell is formed over an NVM work function setting metal, the NVM work function setting metal is on a high-k dielectric, and a metal logic gate of a logic transistor is similarly formed over work function setting and high-k dielectric materials. The logic transistor is formed while portions of the metal select gate of the NVM cell are formed. The logic transistor is protected while the NVM cell is then formed including forming a charge storage region using nanocrystals and a metal control gate over a portion of the metal select gate and a portion of the charge storage region over the substrate. The charge storage region is etched to be aligned to the metal control gate.

Abstract: Devices, memory arrays, and methods are disclosed. In an embodiment, one such device has a source/drain zone that has first and second active regions, and an isolation region and a dielectric plug between the first and second active regions. The dielectric plug may extend below upper surfaces of the first and second active regions and may be formed of a dielectric material having a lower removal rate than a dielectric material of the isolation region for a particular isotropic removal chemistry.

Abstract: The present invention provides a charge trapping non-volatile semiconductor memory device and a method of making the device. The charge trapping non-volatile semiconductor memory device comprises a semiconductor substrate, a source region, a drain region, and, consecutively formed over the semiconductor substrate, a channel insulation layer, a charge trapping layer, a blocking insulation layer, and a gate electrode. The drain region includes a P-N junction, and the source region includes a metal-semiconductor junction formed between the semiconductor substrate and a metal including titanium, cobalt, nickel, platinum or one of their various combinations. The charge trapping non-volatile semiconductor memory device according to the present disclosure has low programming voltage, fast programming speed, low energy consumption, and relatively high device reliability.

Abstract: A method includes forming a gate dielectric over a substrate in an NVM region and a logic region; forming a first conductive layer over the gate dielectric in the NVM region and the logic region; patterning the first conductive layer in the NVM region to form a select gate; forming a charge storage layer over the select gate in the NVM region and the first conductive layer in the logic region; forming a second conductive layer over the charge storage layer in the NVM region and the logic region; removing the second conductive layer and the charge storage layer from the logic region; patterning the first conductive layer in the logic region to form a first logic gate; and after forming the first logic gate, patterning the second conductive layer in the NVM region to form a control gate which overlaps a sidewall of the select gate.

Abstract: A manufacturing method for a memory array includes first forming a multilayer stack of dielectric material on a plurality of semiconductor strips, and then exposing the multilayer stack in switch transistor regions. The multilayer stacks exposed in the switch transistor regions are processed to form gate dielectric structures that are different than the dielectric charge trapping structures. Word lines and select lines are then formed. A 3D array of dielectric charge trapping memory cells includes stacks of NAND strings of memory cells. A plurality of switch transistors are coupled to the NAND strings, the switch transistors including gate dielectric structures wherein the gate dielectric structures are different than the dielectric charge trapping structures.

Abstract: A memory array includes a plurality of bit lines and a plurality of word lines, a gate region, and a charge trapping layer. The charge trapping layer is wider than a word line; the charge trapping layer is extended beyond the edge of the gate region to facilitate capturing and removing charges.

Abstract: A semiconductor memory device includes a substrate, a conductive layer provided on a major surface of the substrate, a stacked body, a memory film, and a channel body. The stacked body includes multiple insulating layers alternately stacked with multiple electrode layers on the conductive layer. The memory film includes a charge storage film provided on side walls of holes made to pierce the stacked body. The channel body includes a pair of columnar portions and a linking portion. The pair of columnar portions is provided on an inner side of the memory film inside the holes. The linking portion is provided inside the conductive layer to link lower ends of the pair of columnar portions. The electrode layers are tilted with respect to the major surface of the substrate. The columnar portions of the channel body and the memory film pierce the tilted portion of the electrode layers.

Abstract: A memory structure having a memory cell including a first dielectric layer, a gate, a semiconductor layer, a first doped region, a second doped region and a charge storage layer is provided. The first dielectric layer is on the substrate. The gate includes a base portion on the first dielectric layer and a protruding portion disposed on the base portion and partially exposing the base portion. The semiconductor layer is conformally disposed on the gate, and includes a top portion over the protruding portion, a bottom portion over the base portion exposed by the protruding portion and a side portion located at a sidewall of the protruding portion and connecting the top and bottom portions. The first and second doped regions are respectively in the top and bottom portions. The side portion serves as a channel region. The charge storage layer is between the gate and the semiconductor layer.

Abstract: A 3D non-volatile memory device including a substrate that includes a first region and a second region; a pipe channel film that is formed on the substrate in the first region; a pipe gate that substantially encloses the pipe channel film; and a driving gate that is formed on the substrate in the second region and has at least one dummy pattern.

Abstract: The device includes plural control gates stacked on a substrate, plural first channels, configured to penetrate the control gates, and plural memory layer patterns, each located between the control gate and the first channel, configured to respectively surround the first channel, wherein the memory layer patterns are isolated from one another.

Abstract: A non-volatile memory and a manufacturing method thereof are provided. A first oxide layer having a protrusion is formed on a substrate. A pair of doped regions is formed in the substrate at two sides of the protrusion. A pair of charge storage spacers is formed on the sidewalls of the protrusion. A second oxide layer is formed on the first oxide layer and the charge storage spacers. A conductive layer is formed on the second oxide layer.

Abstract: A power layout of an integrated circuit includes at least one power grid cell. Each power gird cell includes at least one first power layer configured to be coupled to a high power supply voltage and at least one second power layer configured to be coupled to a lower power supply voltage. The at least one first power layer has conductive lines in at least two different directions. The at least one second power layer has conductive lines in at least two different directions.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes: a semiconductor substrate; a silicon pillar provided perpendicularly to a main surface of the semiconductor substrate; a gate dielectric film that covers a portion of a side surface of the silicon pillar; an insulator pillar that covers remaining portions of the side surface of the silicon pillar; a gate electrode that covers the silicon pillar via the gate dielectric film and the insulator pillar; an interlayer dielectric film provided above the silicon pillar, the gate dielectric film, the insulator pillar, and the gate electrode; and a gate contact plug embedded in a contact hole provided in the interlayer dielectric film, and in contact with the gate electrode and the insulator pillar. A film thickness of the insulator pillar in a lateral direction is thicker than a film thickness of the gate dielectric film in a lateral direction.

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: A device and method employing a polyoxide-based charge trapping component. A charge trapping component is patterned by etching a layered stack that includes a tunneling layer positioned on a substrate, a charge trapping layer positioned on the tunneling layer, and an amorphous silicon layer positioned on the charge trapping layer. An oxidation process grows a gate oxide layer from the substrate and converts the amorphous silicon layer into a polyoxide layer.

Abstract: A method of making a logic transistor in a logic region of a substrate and a non-volatile memory cell in an NVM region of the substrate includes forming a gate dielectric layer on the substrate. A first polysilicon layer is formed on the gate dielectric. The first polysilicon layer is formed over the NVM region and removing the first polysilicon layer over the logic region. A dielectric layer is formed over the NVM region including the first polysilicon layer and over the logic region. A protective layer is formed over the dielectric layer. The dielectric layer and the protective layer are removed from the logic region to leave a remaining portion of the dielectric layer and a remaining portion of the protective layer over the NVM region. A high-k dielectric layer is formed over the logic region and the remaining portion of the protective layer. A first metal layer is formed over the high K dielectric layer.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a method of manufacturing a semiconductor memory device is provided. In the method, a laminated body in which a first silicon layer, a first sacrificial layer, a second silicon layer, and a second sacrificial layer are laminated in turn is formed. A first insulating film is formed on the laminated body. A trench is formed in the laminated body and the first insulating film. A third sacrificial layer is formed into the trench. The third sacrificial layer is etched by wet etching to be retreated from a top surface of the third sacrificial layer, thereby etching end faces of the first sacrificial layer and the second sacrificial layer.

Abstract: Methods of forming vertical nonvolatile memory devices may include forming an electrically insulating layer, which includes a composite of a sacrificial layer sandwiched between first and second mold layers. An opening extends through the electrically insulating layer and exposes inner sidewalls of the first and second mold layers and the sacrificial layer. A sidewall of the opening may be lined with an electrically insulating protective layer and a first semiconductor layer may be formed on an inner sidewall of the electrically insulating protective layer within the opening. At least a portion of the sacrificial layer may then be selectively etched from between the first and second mold layers to thereby define a lateral recess therein, which exposes an outer sidewall of the electrically insulating protective layer.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a semiconductor memory device includes a stacked body, a semiconductor pillar, an insulating film, and a charge storage film. The stacked body includes a plurality of electrode films stacked with an inter-layer insulating film provided between the electrode films. The semiconductor pillar pierces the stacked body. The insulating film is provided between the semiconductor pillar and the electrode films on an outer side of the semiconductor pillar with a gap interposed. The charge storage film is provided between the insulating film and the electrode films. The semiconductor pillar includes germanium. An upper end portion of the semiconductor pillar is supported by an interconnect provided above the stacked body.

Abstract: A method for improving the reliability of a high-k gate dielectric layer comprises incorporating a noble metal into a transistor gate stack that contains the high-k gate dielectric layer and annealing the transistor gate stack in a molecular hydrogen or deuterium containing atmosphere. The annealing process drives at least a portion of the molecular hydrogen or deuterium toward the high-k gate dielectric layer. When the molecular hydrogen or deuterium contacts the noble metal, it is converted into atomic hydrogen or deuterium that is able to treat the high-k gate dielectric layer and improve its reliability.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a nonvolatile semiconductor memory includes a semiconductor layer, a first insulating layer on the semiconductor layer, a charge storage layer on the first insulating layer, a second insulating layer on the charge storage layer, and a control gate electrode on the second insulating layer. The second insulating layer comprises a stacked structure provided in order of a first lanthanum aluminate layer, a lanthanum aluminum silicate layer and a second lanthanum aluminate layer from the charge storage layer side to the control gate electrode side.

Abstract: Semiconductor devices, and methods of fabricating the same, include forming a trench between a plurality of patterns on a substrate to be adjacent to each other, forming a first sacrificial layer in the trench, forming a first porous insulation layer having a plurality of pores on the plurality of patterns and on the first sacrificial layer, and removing the first sacrificial layer through the plurality of pores of the first porous insulation layer to form a first air gap between the plurality of patterns and under the first porous insulation layer.

Abstract: A charge storage layer interposed between a memory gate electrode and a semiconductor substrate is formed shorter than a gate length of the memory gate electrode or a length of insulating films so as to make the overlapping amount of the charge storage layer and a source region to be less than 40 nm. Therefore, in the write state, since the movement in the transverse direction of the electrons and the holes locally existing in the charge storage layer decreases, the variation of the threshold voltage when holding a high temperature can be reduced. In addition, the effective channel length is made to be 30 nm or less so as to reduce an apparent amount of holes so that coupling of the electrons with the holes in the charge storage layer decreases; therefore, the variation of the threshold voltage when holding at room temperature can be reduced.

Abstract: A non-volatile memory device includes a plurality of gate electrodes stacked over a semiconductor substrate and stretched in a first direction along the semiconductor substrate and a plurality of junction layers having a first region protruding from the semiconductor substrate and crossing the gate electrodes and a second region formed between the gate electrodes.

Abstract: Electronic apparatus and methods of forming the electronic apparatus include a silicon oxynitride layer on a semiconductor device for use in a variety of electronic systems. The silicon oxynitride layer may be structured to control strain in a silicon channel of the semiconductor device to modify carrier mobility in the silicon channel, where the silicon channel is configured to conduct current under appropriate operating conditions of the semiconductor device.

Abstract: Apparatuses, such as memory devices, memory cell strings, and electronic systems, and methods of forming such apparatuses are shown. One such apparatus includes a channel region that has a minority carrier lifetime that is lower at one or more end portions, than in a middle portion. Other apparatuses and methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: A semiconductor device of the present invention has a first interconnect layer formed over the semiconductor substrate, and a semiconductor element; the first interconnect layer has an insulating layer, and a first interconnect filled in a surficial portion of the insulating layer; the semiconductor element has a semiconductor layer, a gate insulating film, and a gate electrode; the semiconductor layer is positioned over the first interconnect layer; the gate insulating film is positioned over or below semiconductor layer; and the gate electrode is positioned on the opposite side of the semiconductor layer while placing the gate insulating film in between.

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.

Abstract: The semiconductor device includes an insulating substrate, a channel layer over the insulating substrate, a gate at least partially extending from an upper surface of the channel layer into the channel layer, a source and a drain respectively at opposing sides of the gate on the channel layer, a gate insulating layer surrounding, the gate and electrically insulating the gate from the channel layer, the source, and the drain, and a variable resistance material layer between the insulating substrate and the gate.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a silicon-oxide-nitride-oxide-silicon (SONOS) non-volatile memory cell, wherein the method comprises steps as following: a pad oxide layer and a first hard mask layer are sequentially formed on a substrate. The pad oxide layer and the first hard mask layer are then etched through to form an opening exposing a portion of the substrate. Subsequently, an oxide-nitride-oxide (ONO) structure with a size substantially less than or equal to the opening is formed to coincide with the portion of the substrate exposed from the opening.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a semiconductor device, the method including forming on a substrate a transistor that includes a gate electrode and a source and drain region, forming an interlayer insulating film on the transistor, forming a contact hole in the interlayer insulating film to expose a top surface of the source and drain region, and a thin film is formed at an interface between the contact hole and the exposed top surface of the source and drain region. The method further including selectively removing at least a portion of the thin film by performing an etching process in a non-plasma atmosphere, forming an ohmic contact film on the source and drain region where at least a portion of the thin film was selectively removed, and forming a contact plug by filling the contact hole with a conductive material.