Read-only Memory Structures (rom), I.e., Nonvolatile Memory Structures (epo) Patents (Class 257/E21.662)

  • Publication number: 20100255647
    Abstract: There is provided a technology capable of improving the processing precision of memory cells forming a nonvolatile memory in a semiconductor device including the nonvolatile memory. A second polysilicon film is formed in such a manner as to cover a first polysilicon film and a dummy gate electrode. Thus, the second polysilicon film is formed reflecting the shapes of a step difference portion and a gap groove. Particularly, in the second polysilicon film covering the gap groove, a concave part is formed. Subsequently, over the second polysilicon film, an antireflection film is formed. Thus, the antireflection film having high flowability flows from the higher region to the lower region of the step difference portion, but is stored in a sufficient amount in the concave part. Accordingly, the antireflection film is supplied from the concave part so as to compensate for the amount of the antireflection film to flow out therefrom.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2010
    Publication date: October 7, 2010
    Inventors: Hideaki YAMAKOSHI, Hideyuki Yashima, Shinichiro Abe, Yasuhiro Taniguchi
  • Patent number: 7808034
    Abstract: In a non-volatile memory cell, charge is stored in a fully isolated substrate or floating bulk that forms a storage capacitor with a first poly strip and includes a second poly strip defining a control gate and a third poly strip coupled to a read transistor gate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2010
    Assignee: National Semiconductor Corporation
    Inventors: Jeff Babcock, Natasha Layrovskava, Yuri Mirgorodski, Saurahh Desai
  • Patent number: 7804118
    Abstract: A memory cell capacitor (C3) of a DRAM is formed by use of a MIM capacitor which uses as its electrode a metal wiring line of the same layer (M3) as metal wiring lines within a logic circuit (LOGIC), thereby enabling reduction of process costs. Higher integration is achievable by forming the capacitor using a high dielectric constant material and disposing it above a wiring layer in which bit lines (BL) are formed. In addition, using 2T cells makes it possible to provide a sufficient signal amount even when letting them operate with a low voltage. By commonizing the processes for fabricating capacitors in analog (ANALOG) and memory (MEM), it is possible to realize a semiconductor integrated circuit with the logic, analog and memory mounted together on one chip at low costs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2010
    Assignee: Renesas Technology Corp.
    Inventors: Satoru Akiyama, Takao Watanabe, Yuichi Matsui, Masahiko Hiratani
  • Publication number: 20100237346
    Abstract: A rectifier is formed by forming a first electrode layer, a semiconductor layer and a second electrode layer. A third electrode layer is formed between the first electrode layer and the semiconductor layer, or between the second electrode layer and the semiconductor layer. The semiconductor layer and the third electrode layer are formed as follows. First, a first layer made from amorphous silicon and including a p-type first semiconductor region and an n-type second semiconductor region is deposited. Next, a second layer made from a metal is deposited on an upper or lower layer of the first layer. The third electrode layer including a metal silicide as a material lattice-matched to polysilicon is formed by siliciding the second layer. Next, the first layer is crystallized. Subsequently, the semiconductor layer is formed by activating an impurity included in the first layer and restoring crystal imperfections included in the first layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2009
    Publication date: September 23, 2010
    Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
    Inventors: Hiroshi Kanno, Kenichi Murooka, Mitsuru Sato
  • Patent number: 7781816
    Abstract: A nonvolatile magnetic memory device including a magnetoresistance device having a recording layer formed of a ferromagnetic material for storing information by use of variation in resistance depending on the magnetization inversion state. The plan-view shape of the recording layer includes a pseudo-rhombic shape having four sides, at least two of the four sides each include a smooth curve having a central portion curved toward the center of the pseudo-rhombic shape. The easy axis of magnetization of the recording layer is substantially parallel to the longer axis of the pseudo-rhombic shape. The hard axis of magnetization of the recording layer is substantially parallel to the shorter axis of the pseudo-rhombic shape. The sides constituting the plan-view shape of the recording layer are smoothly connected to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Hajime Yamagishi
  • Publication number: 20100207194
    Abstract: A nonvolatile semiconductor memory device includes: a semiconductor substrate; a stacked body provided on the semiconductor substrate, the stacked body having electrode films and insulating films being alternately stacked; a first and second semiconductor pillars; and a first and second charge storage layers. The first and second semiconductor pillars are provided inside a through hole penetrating through the stacked body in a stacking direction of the stacked body. The through hole has a cross section of an oblate circle, when cutting in a direction perpendicular to the stacking direction. The first and second semiconductor pillars face each other in a major axis direction of the first oblate circle. The first and second semiconductor pillars extend in the stacking direction. The first and second charge storage layers are provided between the electrode film and the first and second semiconductor pillars, respectively.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2010
    Publication date: August 19, 2010
    Applicant: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Hiroyasu TANAKA, Hideaki AOCHI, Ryota KATSUMATA, Masaru KIDOH, Masaru KITO, Yoshiaki FUKUZUMI, Yosuke KOMORI, Megumi ISHIDUKI, Tomoko FUJIWARA, Junya MATSUNAMI, Ryouhei KIRISAWA
  • Publication number: 20100200900
    Abstract: A magnetoresistive element of an aspect of the present invention including a lower electrode provided on an insulating layer on a semiconductor substrate, a first ferromagnetic layer provided on the lower electrode, a first tunnel barrier layer provided on the first ferromagnetic layer, a second ferromagnetic layer provided on the first tunnel barrier layer, and an upper electrode provided on the second ferromagnetic layer, wherein the upper electrode has a hexagonal cross-sectional shape, and a maximum size of the upper electrode in a first direction is larger than a size of the first tunnel barrier layer in the first direction, the first direction being horizontal relative to a surface of the semiconductor substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2010
    Publication date: August 12, 2010
    Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
    Inventor: Masayoshi Iwayama
  • Publication number: 20100200908
    Abstract: Provided are a nonvolatile memory device having a vertical folding structure and a method of manufacturing the nonvolatile memory device. A semiconductor structure includes first and second portions that are substantially vertical. A plurality of memory cells are arranged along the first and second portions of the semiconductor structure and are serially connected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2010
    Publication date: August 12, 2010
    Inventors: Jung-hyun Lee, Young-eal Kim, Chang-soo Lee, Dong-joon Ma
  • Publication number: 20100200906
    Abstract: A nonvolatile semiconductor memory device includes: a semiconductor substrate; a multilayer structure; a semiconductor pillar; a third insulating film; and a fourth insulating film layer. The a multilayer structure is provided on the semiconductor substrate and including a plurality of constituent multilayer bodies stacked in a first direction perpendicular to a major surface of the semiconductor substrate. Each of the plurality of constituent multilayer bodies includes an electrode film provided parallel to the major surface, a first insulating film, a charge storage layer provided between the electrode film and the first insulating film, and a second insulating film provided between the charge storage layer and the electrode film. The semiconductor pillar penetrates through the multilayer structure in the first direction. The third insulating film is provided between the semiconductor pillar and the electrode film.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2010
    Publication date: August 12, 2010
    Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
    Inventors: Masaru KIDOH, Hiroyasu Tanaka, Tomoko Fujiwara, Megumi Ishiduki, Yosuke Komori, Masaru Kito, Yoshiaki Fukuzumi, Ryota Katsumata, Ryouhei Kirisawa, Junya Matsunami, Hideaki Aochi
  • Patent number: 7772102
    Abstract: A nonvolatile semiconductor memory that allows simultaneous implementation of high performance transistors in a low-voltage circuit region and transistors with high withstand voltages in a high-voltage circuit region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventor: Yasuhiko Matsunaga
  • Publication number: 20100190313
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a nonvolatile storage element that minimizes shape shift between an upper electrode and a lower electrode, and which includes: depositing, in sequence, a connecting electrode layer which is conductive, a lower electrode layer and a variable resistance layer which are made of a non-noble metal nitride and are conductive, an upper electrode layer made of noble metal, and a mask layer; forming the mask layer, into a predetermined shape; forming the upper electrode layer, the variable resistance layer, and the lower electrode layer into the predetermined shape by etching using the mask layer as a mask; and removing, simultaneously, the mask and a region of the connecting electrode layer that has been exposed by the etching.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2009
    Publication date: July 29, 2010
    Inventors: Yoshio Kawashima, Takumi Mikawa, Takeshi Takagi, Koji Arita
  • Patent number: 7764541
    Abstract: One time programmable memory devices are disclosed that are programmed using hot carrier induced degradation to alter one or more transistors characteristics. A one time programmable memory device is comprised of an array of transistors. Transistors in the array are selectively programmed using hot carrier induced changes in one or more transistor characteristics, such as changes to the saturation current, threshold voltage or both, of the transistors. The changes to the transistor characteristics are achieved in a similar manner to known hot carrier transistor aging principles. The disclosed one time programmable memory devices are small and programmable at low voltages and small current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2010
    Assignee: Agere Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Ross Alan Kohler, Richard Joseph McPartland, Ranbir Singh
  • Patent number: 7759715
    Abstract: Some embodiments include memory cells that contain a dynamic random access memory (DRAM) element and a nonvolatile memory (NVM) element. The DRAM element contains two types of DRAM nanoparticles that differ in work function. The NVM contains two types of NVM nanoparticles that differ in trapping depth. The NVM nanoparticles may be in vertically displaced charge-trapping planes. The memory cell contains a tunnel dielectric, and one of the charge-trapping planes of the NVM may be further from the tunnel dielectric than the other. The NVM charge-trapping plane that is further from the tunnel dielectric may contain larger NVM nanoparticles than the other NVM charge-trapping plane. The DRAM element may contain a single charge-trapping plane that has both types of DRAM nanoparticles therein. The memory cells may be incorporated into electronic systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2010
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Arup Bhattacharyya
  • Patent number: 7754565
    Abstract: A manufacturing method of a semiconductor device disclosed herein, comprises: forming a first member to be patterned on a semiconductor substrate; forming a second member to be patterned on the first member; forming a third member to be patterned on the second member; patterning the third member to form a first line pattern and a first connecting portion in the third member, the first line pattern having a plurality of parallel linear patterns and the first connecting portion connecting the linear patterns on at least one end side of the linear patterns of the first line pattern; etching the second member with the third member as a mask to form a second line pattern and a second connecting portion in the second member, the second line pattern being the same pattern as the first line pattern and the second connecting portion being the same pattern as the first connecting portion; removing the second connecting portion of the second member; and etching the first member with the second member as a mask.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2010
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventor: Hideyuki Kinoshita
  • Patent number: 7750394
    Abstract: A nonvolatile semiconductor memory device includes: a semiconductor substrate; and a memory cell. The memory cell includes: a source region and a drain region formed at a distance from each other on the semiconductor substrate; a tunnel insulating film formed on a channel region of the semiconductor substrate, the channel region being located between the source region and the drain region; a charge storage film formed on the tunnel insulating film; a charge block film formed on the charge storage film; and a control electrode that is formed on the charge block film. The control electrode includes a Hf oxide film or a Zr oxide film having at least one element selected from the first group consisting of V, Cr, Mn, and Tc added thereto, and having at least one element selected from the second group consisting of F, H, and Ta added thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Tatsuo Shimizu, Koichi Muraoka
  • Publication number: 20100155826
    Abstract: Provided are a non-volatile memory device and a method of fabricating the same. The non-volatile memory device may include a substrate and a plurality of semiconductor pillars on the substrate. A plurality of control gate electrodes may be stacked on the substrate and intersecting the plurality of semiconductor pillars. A plurality of dummy electrodes may be stacked adjacent to the plurality of control gate electrodes on the substrate, the plurality of dummy electrodes being spaced apart from the plurality of control gate electrodes. A plurality of via plugs may be connected to the plurality of control gate electrodes. A plurality of wordlines may be on the plurality of via plugs. Each of the plurality of via plugs may penetrate a corresponding one of the plurality of control gate electrodes and at least one of the plurality of dummy electrodes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2009
    Publication date: June 24, 2010
    Inventors: Xianyu Wenxu, Jung-hyun Lee, Dong-joon Ma, Yeon-hee Kim, Yong-young Park, Chang-soo Lee
  • Publication number: 20100155722
    Abstract: A memory device with band gap control is described. A memory cell can include a conductive oxide layer in contact with and electrically in series with an electronically insulating layer. A thickness of the electronically insulating layer is configured to increase from an initial thickness to a target thickness. The increased thickness of the electronically insulating layer can improve resistive memory effect, increase a magnitude of a read current during read operations, and lower barrier height with a concomitant reduction in band gap of the electronically insulating layer. The memory cell can include a memory element that comprises the conductive oxide layer and the electronically insulating layer and can optionally include a non-ohmic device (NOD). The memory cell can be positioned in a two-terminal cross-point array between a pair of conductive array lines across which voltages for data operations are applied. The memory cell and array can be fabricated BEOL.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2009
    Publication date: June 24, 2010
    Applicant: UNITY SEMICONDUCTOR CORPORATION
    Inventor: Rene Meyer
  • Publication number: 20100155812
    Abstract: A non-volatile memory of a semiconductor device has a tunnel insulation film provided on the active area; a floating gate electrode provided on the tunnel insulation film; a control gate electrode provided over the floating gate electrode; and an inter-electrode insulation film provided between the floating gate electrode and the control gate electrode, wherein, in a section of the non-volatile memory cell in a channel width direction, a dimension of a top face of the active area in the channel width direction is equal to or less than a dimension of a top face of the tunnel insulation film in the channel width direction, and the dimension of the top face of the tunnel insulation film in the channel width direction is less than a dimension of a bottom face of the floating gate electrode in the channel width direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2009
    Publication date: June 24, 2010
    Inventors: Mutsuo Morikado, Kiyomi Naruke, Hiroaki Tsunoda, Tohru Maruyama, Fumitaka Arai
  • Publication number: 20100140685
    Abstract: Nonvolatile memory devices and methods of manufacturing nonvolatile memory devices are provided. The method includes patterning a bulk substrate to form an active pillar; forming a charge storage layer on a side surface of active pillar; and forming a plurality of gates connected to the active pillar, the charge storage layer being disposed between the active pillar and the gates. Before depositing a gate, a bulk substrate is etched using a dry etching to form a vertical active pillar which is in a single body with a semiconductor substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2009
    Publication date: June 10, 2010
    Inventors: Pil-Kyu Kang, Daelok Bae, Jongwook Lee, Seungwoo Choi, Yong-Hoon Son, Jong-Hyuk Kang, Jung Ho Kim
  • Publication number: 20100144108
    Abstract: For enhancing the high performance of a non-volatile semiconductor memory device having an MONOS type transistor, a non-volatile semiconductor memory device is provided with MONOS type transistors having improved performance in which the memory cell of an MONOS non-volatile memory comprises a control transistor and a memory transistor. A control gate of the control transistor comprises an n-type polycrystal silicon film and is formed over a gate insulative film comprising a silicon oxide film. A memory gate of the memory transistor comprises an n-type polycrystal silicon film and is disposed on one of the side walls of the control gate. The memory gate comprises a doped polycrystal silicon film with a sheet resistance lower than that of the control gate comprising a polycrystal silicon film formed by ion implantation of impurities to the undoped silicon film.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2010
    Publication date: June 10, 2010
    Inventors: Takeshi SAKAI, Yasushi Ishii, Tsutomu Okazaki, Masaru Nakamichi, Toshikazu Matsui, Kyoya Nitta, Satoru Machida, Munekatsu Nakagawa, Yuichi Tsukada
  • Patent number: 7728390
    Abstract: A method for preventing arcing during deep via plasma etching is provided. The method comprises forming a first patterned set of parallel conductive lines over a substrate and forming a plurality of semiconductor pillars on the first patterned set of parallel conductive lines and extending therefrom, wherein a pillar comprises a first barrier layer, an antifuse layer, a diode, and a second barrier layer, wherein an electric current flows through the diode upon a breakdown of the antifuse layer. The method further comprises depositing a dielectric between the plurality of semiconductor pillars, and plasma etching a deep via recess through the dielectric and through the underlying layer after the steps of forming a plurality of semiconductor pillars and depositing a dielectric. An embodiment of the invention comprises a memory array device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hsiu-Lan Kuo, Kern-Huat Ang
  • Patent number: 7723757
    Abstract: A vertical nonvolatile memory cell with a charge storage structure includes a charge control structure with three nodes. Example embodiments include the individual memory cell, an array of such memory cells, methods of operating the memory cell or array of memory cells, and methods of manufacturing the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2010
    Assignee: Macronix International Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tien Fan Ou, Wen-Jer Tsai, Hsuan Ling Kao, Yi Ying Liao
  • Patent number: 7719047
    Abstract: A non-volatile memory device is capable of reducing an excessive leakage current due to a rough surface of a polysilicon and of realizing improved blocking function by forming the first oxide film including a silicon oxy-nitride (SiOxNy) layer using nitrous oxide (N2O) plasma, and by forming silicon-rich silicon nitride film, and a fabricating method thereof and a memory apparatus including the non-volatile memory device. Further, the non-volatile memory device can be fabricated on the glass substrate without using a high temperature process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2010
    Assignee: Samsung Mobile Display Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Byoung Deog Choi, Jun Sin Yi, Sung Wook Jung, Sung Hyung Hwang
  • Patent number: 7709323
    Abstract: Methods of forming a NAND-type nonvolatile memory device include: forming first common drains and first common sources alternatively in an active region which is defined in a semiconductor substrate and extends one direction, forming a first insulating layer covering an entire surface of the semiconductor substrate, patterning the first insulating layer to form seed contact holes which are arranged at regular distance and expose the active region, forming a seed contact structure filling each of the seed contact holes and a semiconductor layer disposed on the first insulating layer and contacting the seed contact structures, patterning the semiconductor layer to form a semiconductor pattern which extends in the one direction and is disposed over the active region, forming second common drains and second common sources disposed alternatively in the semiconductor pattern in the one direction, forming a second insulating layer covering an entire surface of the semiconductor substrate, forming a source line patte
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hoo-Sung Cho, Soon-Moon Jung, Won-Seok Cho, Jong-Hyuk Kim, Jae-Hun Jeong, Jae-Hoon Jang
  • Patent number: 7704825
    Abstract: A memory capable of reducing the memory cell size is provided. This memory includes a first conductive type first impurity region formed on a memory cell array region of the main surface of a semiconductor substrate for functioning as a first electrode of a diode included in a memory cell and a plurality of second conductive type second impurity regions, formed on the surface of the first impurity region at a prescribed interval, each functioning as a second electrode of the diode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2010
    Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kouichi Yamada
  • Publication number: 20100084702
    Abstract: A nonvolatile semiconductor memory device comprises a memory cell configured to store data and a resistor element provided around the memory cell. The memory cell includes a charge storage layer provided above a substrate, a first semiconductor layer formed on a top surface of the charge storage layer via an insulating layer, and a first low resistive layer formed on a top surface of the first semiconductor layer and having resistance lower than that of the first semiconductor layer. The resistor element includes a second semiconductor layer formed on the same layer as the first semiconductor layer, and a second low resistive layer formed on the same layer as the first low resistive layer and on a top surface of the second semiconductor layer, having resistance lower than that of the second semiconductor layer. The second semiconductor layer is formed to extend in a first direction parallel to the substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2009
    Publication date: April 8, 2010
    Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
    Inventors: Koichi Fukuda, Rieko Tanaka, Takumi Abe
  • Publication number: 20100078622
    Abstract: A nonvolatile memory device includes: a substrate; a stacked structure member including a plurality of dielectric films and a plurality of electrode films alternately stacked on the substrate and including a through-hole penetrating through the plurality of the dielectric films and the plurality of the electrode films in a stacking direction of the plurality of the dielectric films and the plurality of the electrode films; a semiconductor pillar provided in the through-hole; and a charge storage layer provided between the semiconductor pillar and each of the plurality of the electrode films. At least one of the dielectric films includes a film generating one of a compressive stress and a tensile stress, and at least one of the electrode films includes a film generating the other of the compressive stress and the tensile stress.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2009
    Publication date: April 1, 2010
    Inventors: Yasuhito Yoshimizu, Fumiki Aiso, Atsushi Fukumoto, Takashi Nakao
  • Publication number: 20100078703
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for making a non-volatile memory cell on a semiconductor substrate. A select gate structure is formed over the substrate. The control gate structure has a sidewall. An epitaxial layer is formed on the substrate in a region adjacent to the sidewall. A charge storage layer is formed over the epitaxial layer. A control gate is formed over the charge storage layer. This allows for in-situ doping of the epitaxial layer under the select gate without requiring counterdoping. It is beneficial to avoid counterdoping because counterdoping reduces charge mobility and increases the difficulty in controlling threshold voltage. Additionally there may be formed a recess in the substrate and the epitaxial layer is formed in the recess, and a halo implant can be performed, prior to forming the epitaxial layer, through the recess into the substrate in the area under the select gate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2008
    Publication date: April 1, 2010
    Inventors: Brian A. Winstead, Gowrishankar L. Chindalore, Konstantin V. Loiko, Horacio P. Gasquet
  • Publication number: 20100072538
    Abstract: A nonvolatile semiconductor memory device includes a plurality of memory strings, each of which has a plurality of electrically rewritable memory cells connected in series; and select transistors, one of which is connected to each of ends of each of the memory strings. Each of the memory strings is provided with a first semiconductor layer having a pair of columnar portions extending in a perpendicular direction with respect to a substrate, and a joining portion formed so as to join lower ends of the pair of columnar portions; a charge storage layer formed so as to surround a side surface of the columnar portions; and a first conductive layer formed so as to surround the side surface of the columnar portions and the charge storage layer, and configured to function as a control electrode of the memory cells.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2009
    Publication date: March 25, 2010
    Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
    Inventors: Masaru KITO, Yoshiaki FUKUZUMI, Ryota KATSUMATA, Masaru KIDOH, Hiroyasu TANAKA, Megumi ISHIDUKI, Yosuke KOMORI, Hideaki AOCHI
  • Publication number: 20100072534
    Abstract: A nonvolatile semiconductor memory device includes a gate insulating film formed on a semiconductor substrate, a first gate electrode corresponding to a memory cell transistor and a second gate electrode. The first gate electrode includes a floating gate electrode film, a first interelectrode insulating film and a control gate electrode film. The floating gate electrode film has a polycrystalline silicon film and the control gate electrode film having a silicide film. The second gate electrode includes a lower electrode film, a second interelectrode insulating film and an upper electrode film. The second interelectrode insulating film includes an opening. The lower electrode film includes a void below the opening of the second interelectrode insulating film. The upper electrode film includes a silicide film. The lower electrode film includes a polycrystalline silicon film and a silicide film which is located between the opening and the void.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2009
    Publication date: March 25, 2010
    Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
    Inventor: Hajime NAGANO
  • Patent number: 7683419
    Abstract: A memory cell capacitor (C3) of a DRAM is formed by use of a MIM capacitor which uses as its electrode a metal wiring line of the same layer (M3) as metal wiring lines within a logic circuit (LOGIC), thereby enabling reduction of process costs. Higher integration is achievable by forming the capacitor using a high dielectric constant material and disposing it above a wiring layer in which bit lines (BL) are formed. In addition, using 2T cells makes it possible to provide a sufficient signal amount even when letting them operate with a low voltage. By commonizing the processes for fabricating capacitors in analog (ANALOG) and memory (MEM), it is possible to realize a semiconductor integrated circuit with the logic, analog and memory mounted together on one chip at low costs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2010
    Assignee: Renesas Technology Corp.
    Inventors: Satoru Akiyama, Takao Watanabe, Yuichi Matsui, Masahiko Hiratani
  • Patent number: 7674679
    Abstract: A manufacturing method of a semiconductor device disclosed herein, comprises: forming a first member to be patterned on a semiconductor substrate; patterning the first member to form a plurality of parallel linear patterns and a connecting portion which connects the linear patterns on at least one end side of the linear patterns; and removing the connecting portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2010
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventor: Hideyuki Kinoshita
  • Publication number: 20100041206
    Abstract: According to a method of manufacturing a MONOS nonvolatile semiconductor memory device, a tunnel insulating film, a charge storage layer, a block insulating film containing a metal oxide and a control gate electrode are stacked on a semiconductor substrate. Heat treatment is carried out in an atmosphere containing an oxidizing gas after the tunnel insulating film, the charge storage layer and the block insulating film are stacked on the semiconductor substrate. Thereafter, the control gate electrode is formed on the block insulating film.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2009
    Publication date: February 18, 2010
    Inventors: Ryota Fujitsuka, Katsuyuki Sekine, Yoshio Ozawa
  • Patent number: 7663172
    Abstract: Method and apparatus are described for a memory cell includes a substrate, a body extending vertically from the substrate, a first gate having a vertical member and a horizontal member and a second gate comprising a vertical member and a horizontal member. The first gate is disposed laterally from the body and the second gate is disposed laterally from the first gate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2010
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Jun-Fei Zheng, Pranav Kalavade
  • Patent number: 7659566
    Abstract: Example embodiments relate to a method of fabricating a memory device and a memory device. The method of fabricating a memory device comprises forming a lower electrode and an oxide layer on a lower structure and radiating an energy beam on a region of the oxide layer. The memory device comprises a lower structure and an oxide layer and a lower structure formed on the lower structure, the oxide layer including an electron beam radiation region that received radiation from an electron beam source creating an artificially formed current path through the oxide layer to the lower electrode. A reset current of the memory device may be decreased and stabilized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2010
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Seung-eon Ahn, Hye-young Kim, Byoung-ho Park, Jung-bin Yun, You-seon Kim
  • Publication number: 20100019311
    Abstract: This semiconductor memory device comprises a semiconductor substrate, a plurality of tunnel insulator films formed on the semiconductor substrate along a first direction and a second direction orthogonal to the first direction with certain spaces in each directions, a plurality of charge accumulation layers formed on the plurality of tunnel insulator films, respectively, a plurality of element isolation regions formed on the semiconductor substrate, the plurality of element isolation regions including a plurality of trenches formed along the first direction between the plurality of tunnel insulator films, a plurality of element isolation films filled in the plurality of trenches, a plurality of inter poly insulator films formed over the plurality of element isolation regions and on the upper surface and side surfaces of the plurality of charge accumulation layer along the second direction in a stripe shape, a plurality of air gaps formed between the plurality of element isolation films filled in the plurality
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2009
    Publication date: January 28, 2010
    Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
    Inventors: Atsuhiro SATO, Fumitaka Arai
  • Publication number: 20100006919
    Abstract: A nonvolatile memory device is provided that includes; a first semiconductor layer extending in a first direction, a second semiconductor layer extending in parallel with and separated from the first semiconductor layer, an isolation layer between the first semiconductor layer and second semiconductor layer, a first control gate electrode between the first semiconductor layer and the isolation layer, a second control gate electrode between the second semiconductor layer and the isolation layer, wherein the second control gate electrode and first control gate electrode are respectively disposed at opposite sides of the isolation layer, a first charge storing layer between the first control gate electrode and the first semiconductor layer, and a second charge storing layer between the second control gate electrode and the second semiconductor layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2009
    Publication date: January 14, 2010
    Applicant: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Suk-pil KIM, Yoon-dong PARK, June-mo KOO, Tae-eung YOON
  • Publication number: 20100001338
    Abstract: A non-volatile semiconductor memory device includes a semiconductor substrate, a charge-storage layer that is formed above the semiconductor substrate, a first gate that is formed above the charge-storage layer, and that includes a first surface and a second surface, a second gate that is formed beside the first surface of the first gate, an insulating layer that is formed above the second surface of the first gate, a diffusion region that is formed on the semiconductor substrate at a position corresponding to the second surface of the first gate, and a silicide layer that is formed above the insulating layer and the diffusion region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2009
    Publication date: January 7, 2010
    Applicant: NEC ELECTRONICS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Kenichiro Nakagawa
  • Patent number: 7638387
    Abstract: A mask read-only memory (ROM) includes a dielectric layer formed on a substrate and a plurality of first conductive lines formed on the dielectric layer. A plurality of diodes are formed in the first conductive lines, and a plurality of final vias are formed for a first set of the diodes each representing a first type of memory cell, with no final via being formed for a second set of diodes each representing a second type of memory cell. Each of a plurality of second conductive lines is formed over a column of the diodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yong-Kyu Lee, Hee-Seog Jeon, Jeong-Uk Han, Young-Ho Kim, Myung-Jo Chun
  • Publication number: 20090302368
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a semiconductor device is provided. The method includes forming multiple conductive patterns 13a, forming an intermediate insulating film 16 on all of device isolation insulating films 6 and the conductive patterns 13a, forming a second conductive film 17 on the intermediate insulating film 16, patterning the second conductive film 17, the intermediate insulating film 16, and the multiple conductive patterns 13a, individually, to make the conductive patterns 13a into floating gates 13c and to make the second conductive film 17 into multiple strip-like control gates 17a. In the method, an edge, in a plan layout, of at least one of each of the conductive patterns 13a and each of the device isolation insulating films 6 is bent in a region between the control gates 17a adjacent in a row direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2009
    Publication date: December 10, 2009
    Applicant: FUJITSU MICROELECTRONICS LIMITED
    Inventor: Hiroki Sugawara
  • Publication number: 20090305491
    Abstract: A nonvolatile semiconductor memory fabrication method including forming a first insulating film and a floating gate electrode material on a semiconductor substrate; forming a gate insulating film and a floating gate electrode by etching the first insulating film and the floating gate electrode material, respectively, and forming a groove for an element isolation region by etching the semiconductor substrate; and forming an element region and the element isolation region by burying a second insulating film in the groove and planarizing the second insulating film.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2009
    Publication date: December 10, 2009
    Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
    Inventor: Yuji TAKEUCHI
  • Patent number: 7612401
    Abstract: A semiconductor device comprises a semiconductor substrate, and a non-volatile memory cell provided on the semiconductor substrate, the non-volatile memory cell comprising a tunnel insulating film having a film thickness periodically and continuously changing in a channel width direction of the non-volatile memory cell, a floating gate electrode provided on the tunnel insulating film, a control gate electrode provided above the floating gate electrode, and an interelectrode insulating film provided between the control gate electrode and the floating gate electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2009
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Yoshio Ozawa, Shigehiko Saida, Yuji Takeuchi, Masanobu Saito
  • Patent number: 7605434
    Abstract: A semiconductor memory device of this invention includes a first bank, a second bank, and a bank decoder that selects a bank to be activated from the first and second banks. When testing operations of first memory cells and second memory cells, the bank decoder simultaneously selects the first and second banks, and first and second write load circuits simultaneously write data in memory cells in first and second blocks, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2009
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventor: Tomohito Kawano
  • Publication number: 20090253257
    Abstract: A nonvolatile memory device includes a semiconductor substrate having a first well region of a first conductivity type, and at least one semiconductor layer formed on the semiconductor substrate. A first cell array is formed on the semiconductor substrate, and a second cell array formed on the semiconductor layer. The semiconductor layer includes a second well region of the first conductivity type having a doping concentration greater than a doping concentration of the first well region of the first conductivity type. As the doping concentration of the second well region is increased, a resistance difference may be reduced between the first and second well regions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2009
    Publication date: October 8, 2009
    Inventors: Young-Chul Jang, Ki-Nam Kim, Soon-Moon Jung, Jae-Hoon Jang
  • Publication number: 20090233405
    Abstract: Methods of forming a NAND-type nonvolatile memory device include: forming first common drains and first common sources alternatively in an active region which is defined in a semiconductor substrate and extends one direction, forming a first insulating layer covering an entire surface of the semiconductor substrate, patterning the first insulating layer to form seed contact holes which are arranged at regular distance and expose the active region, forming a seed contact structure filling each of the seed contact holes and a semiconductor layer disposed on the first insulating layer and contacting the seed contact structures, patterning the semiconductor layer to form a semiconductor pattern which extends in the one direction and is disposed over the active region, forming second common drains and second common sources disposed alternatively in the semiconductor pattern in the one direction, forming a second insulating layer covering an entire surface of the semiconductor substrate, forming a source line patte
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2009
    Publication date: September 17, 2009
    Inventors: Hoo-Sung Cho, Soon-Moon Jung, Won-Seok Cho, Jong-Hyuk Kim, Jae-Hun Jeong, Jae-Hoon Jang
  • Patent number: 7588960
    Abstract: Nanotube device structures and methods of fabrication. A method of making a nanotube switching element includes forming a first structure having at a first output electrode; forming second structure having a second output electrode; forming a conductive article having at least one nanotube, the article having first and second ends; positioning the conductive article between said first and second structures such that the first structure clamps the first and second ends of the article to the second structure, and such that the first and second output electrodes are opposite each other with the article positioned therebetween; providing at least one signal electrode in electrical communication with the conductive article; and providing at least one control electrode in spaced relation to the conductive article such that the control electrode may control the conductive article to form a conductive pathway between the signal electrode and the first output electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2009
    Assignee: Nantero, Inc.
    Inventors: Claude L. Bertin, Thomas Rueckes, Brent M. Segal
  • Patent number: 7585755
    Abstract: A method of fabricating a non-volatile memory device according to example embodiments may include forming a semiconductor layer on a substrate. A plurality of lower charge storing layers may be formed on a bottom surface of the semiconductor layer. A plurality of lower control gate electrodes may be formed on the plurality of lower charge storing layers. A plurality of upper charge storing layers may be formed on a top surface of the semiconductor layer. A plurality of upper control gate electrodes may be formed on the plurality of upper charge storing layers, wherein the plurality of lower and upper control gate electrodes may be arranged alternately.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2009
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Seung-hwan Song, Yoon-dong Park, June-mo Koo, Suk-pil Kim, Jae-woong Hyun, Choong-ho Lee, Tae-hun Kim
  • Patent number: 7550313
    Abstract: A method for forming a Phase Change Material (PCM) cell structure comprises forming both a lower electrode composed of a PCM layer and a conductive encapsulating upper electrode layer. The PCM is protected from damage by a conductive encapsulating layer. Electrical isolation between adjacent cells is provided by modifying the conductivity of both the PCM layer and the conductive encapsulating upper electrode layer subsequent to deposition thereof, thereby forming high electrical resistance regions between the cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2009
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: John Christopher Arnold, Tricia Breen Carmichael
  • Patent number: 7547940
    Abstract: Non-volatile memory devices according to embodiments of the present invention include an EEPROM transistor in a first portion of a semiconductor substrate, an access transistor in a second portion of the semiconductor substrate and an erase transistor in a third portion of the semiconductor substrate. The second portion of the semiconductor substrate extends adjacent a first side of the first portion of the semiconductor substrate and the third portion of the semiconductor substrate extends adjacent a second side of the first portion of the semiconductor substrate. The first and second sides of the first portion of the semiconductor substrate may be opposite sides of the first portion of the semiconductor substrate. The access transistor has a first source/drain terminal electrically connected to a first source/drain terminal of the EEPROM transistor and the erase transistor has a first source/drain terminal electrically connected to a second source/drain terminal of the access transistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2009
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yong-hoon Kim
  • Patent number: 7541654
    Abstract: In a memory cell array are arranged a plurality of cell units having memory cells and selection gate transistors to select the memory cell. A first selection gate line includes a control gate of the selection gate transistors. A second selection gate line is formed above the first selection gate line. The first selection gate line has a first gate electrode, a first inter-gate insulating film and a second gate electrode superimposed in this order. The first inter-gate insulating film has a first opening portion through which the first gate electrode and the second gate electrode come into contact with each other. A contact material is formed on the first selection gate line, and electrically connects the first selection gate line and the second selection gate line with each other. The contact material is arranged on the first selection gate line on which the first opening portion is not arranged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2009
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Fumitaka Arai, Makoto Sakuma