Charge Trapping Insulator Nonvolatile Memory Structures (epo) Patents (Class 257/E21.679)
  • Patent number: 11956974
    Abstract: The invention discloses a memory fabrication method. The memory fabrication method includes forming a plurality of gate electrode lines to respectively form a plurality of gates of a plurality of data storage cells, and forming a plurality of conductive lines. The plurality of data storage cells are arranged in an array. Each of the plurality of conductive lines is coupled to two of the plurality of gate electrode lines. Each of the plurality of conductive lines at least partially overlaps the two gate electrode lines of the plurality of gate electrode lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: UNITED MICROELECTRONICS CORP.
    Inventors: Kuo-Hsing Lee, Sheng-Yuan Hsueh
  • Patent number: 11956966
    Abstract: A silicon-oxide-nitride-oxide-silicon (SONOS) memory cell includes a memory gate, a dielectric layer, two charge trapping layers and two selective gates. The memory gate is disposed on a substrate. The two charge trapping layers are at two ends of the dielectric layer, and the charge trapping layers and the dielectric layer are sandwiched by the substrate and the memory gate. The two selective gates are disposed at two opposite sides of the memory gate, thereby constituting a two bit memory cell. The present invention also provides a method of forming said silicon-oxide-nitride-oxide-silicon (SONOS) memory cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: UNITED MICROELECTRONICS CORP.
    Inventor: Chia-Ching Hsu
  • Patent number: 11917827
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a semiconductor memory device includes a stacked body including a plurality of electrode members and a plurality of insulating members, each of the electrode members and each of the insulating members being stacked alternately in a first direction on the substrate. The semiconductor memory device also includes a memory hole that extends in the stacked body in the first direction and a semiconductor member that is disposed to extend in the memory hole in the first direction. The semiconductor memory device also includes a memory member that is disposed between the semiconductor member and the plurality of electrode members. The plurality of electrode members including a first electrode member and a second electrode member, a thickness of the memory member at the position of the first electrode member being greater than a thickness of the memory member at the position of the second electrode member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: Kioxia Corporation
    Inventor: Naoki Yasuda
  • Patent number: 11862696
    Abstract: A semiconductor storage device relating to one embodiment includes: a stacked body in which electrode films and insulating films are alternately stacked in a first direction; a first and a second charge storage films that are arranged away from each other in the first direction inside the stacked body and each face one of the electrode films; and a tunnel insulating film that extends in the first direction inside the stacked body and is in contact with the first and the second charge storage films. The first and the second charge storage films each include a first film that is in contact with the electrode film and contains a High-k material, and a second film that is provided between the first film and the tunnel insulating film and contains silicon nitride.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: Kioxia Corporation
    Inventors: Shunsuke Okada, Tomonori Aoyama, Tatsunori Isogai, Masaki Noguchi
  • Patent number: 11844221
    Abstract: A 3D flash memory device such as a 3D AND flash memory device is provided. The 3D flash memory device includes a substrate, a conductive layer, a 3D flash memory array, and through-array vias (TAVs). The substrate includes a memory cell region and a passive device region. The conductive layer is formed on the substrate, and the conductive layer includes: a first circuit disposed at the memory cell region and a second circuit of a passive device disposed at the passive device region. The 3D flash memory array is formed on the first circuit of the memory cell region. The TAVs are respectively formed on the second circuit of the passive device disposed at the passive device region and connected to at least one end of the second circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Assignee: MACRONIX INTERNATIONAL CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Li-Yen Liang, Teng-Hao Yeh
  • Patent number: 11818902
    Abstract: A vertical 3D memory device may comprise: a substrate including a plurality of conductive contacts each coupled with a respective one of a plurality of digit lines; a plurality of word line plates separated from one another with respective dielectric layers on the substrate, the plurality of word line plates including at least a first set of word lines separated from at least a second set of word lines with a dielectric material extending in a serpentine shape and at least a third set of word lines separated from at least a fourth set of word lines with a dielectric material extending in a serpentine shape; at least one separation layer separating the first set of word lines and the second set of word lines from the third set of word lines and the fourth set of word lines, wherein the at least one separation layer is parallel to both a digit line and a word line; and a plurality of storage elements each formed in a respective one of a plurality of recesses such that a respective storage element is surrounded
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Paolo Fantini, Corrado Villa, Paolo Tessariol
  • Patent number: 11758731
    Abstract: A three-dimensional (3D) memory device includes a peripheral device, a plurality of memory strings, a layer between the peripheral device and the plurality of memory strings, and a contact. The layer includes a conduction region and an isolation region. The contact extends through the isolation region of the layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: YANGTZE MEMORY TECHNOLOGIES CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Zongliang Huo, Zhiliang Xia, Li Hong Xiao, Jun Chen
  • Patent number: 11758729
    Abstract: Embodiments of three-dimensional (3D) memory devices having a shielding layer and methods for forming the 3D memory devices are disclosed. In an example, a method for forming a 3D memory device is disclosed. A peripheral device is formed on a first substrate. A first interconnect layer including first interconnect structures are formed above the peripheral device on the first substrate. A shielding layer including a conduction region is formed above the first interconnect layer on the first substrate. The conduction region of the shielding layer covers substantially an area of the first interconnect structures in the first interconnect layer. An alternating conductor/dielectric stack and memory strings each extending vertically through the alternating conductor/dielectric stack are formed on a second substrate. A second interconnect layer including second interconnect structures is formed above the plurality of memory strings on the second substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: YANGTZE MEMORY TECHNOLOGIES CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Zongliang Huo, Zhiliang Xia, Li Hong Xiao, Jun Chen
  • Patent number: 11742435
    Abstract: Integrated capacitor including a first electrode structure, a second electrode structure, and an interposed dielectric layer structure. The dielectric layer structure includes a layer combination having an SiO2 layer, an Si3N4 layer, and an SixNy layer. The SixNy layer includes a non-stoichiometric silicon nitride material with an increased proportion of silicon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Förderung der angewandten Forschung e.V.
    Inventors: Norman Böttcher, Tobias Erlbacher
  • Patent number: 11723194
    Abstract: An integrated circuit read only memory (ROM) structure includes a first ROM transistor with a first gate electrode, a first source, and a first drain, and a second ROM transistor with a second gate electrode, a second source, and a second drain. A drain conductive line is over the first drain and the second drain, and is between the first drain and the second drain. The first drain, the drain conductive line and the second drain are between the first gate electrode and the second gate electrode, and a first trench isolation structure electrically isolates the first drain from the first source is below the first gate electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Geng-Cing Lin, Ze-Sian Lu, Meng-Sheng Chang, Chia-En Huang, Jung-Ping Yang, Yen-Huei Chen
  • Patent number: 11723201
    Abstract: Three-dimensional (3D) NAND memory devices and methods are provided. In one aspect, a 3D NAND memory device includes a substrate, a layer stack over the substrate, a first epitaxial layer, a second epitaxial layer, first array common sources (ACS's), and second ACS's. The layer stack includes first stack layers and second stack layers that are alternately stacked. The first epitaxial layer is deposited on a side portion of a channel layer that extends through the layer stack. The second epitaxial layer is deposited on the substrate. The first ACS's and a portion of the layer stack are between the second ACS's.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: YANGTZE MEMORY TECHNOLOGIES CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Linchun Wu
  • Patent number: 11456303
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes a substrate including a substrate including a first surface, a first doped region disposed under the first surface, a second doped region disposed under the first surface, and a recess indented into the substrate and disposed between the first doped region and the second doped region; a control gate structure disposed over the first doped region and electrically connected to a control bit line; a fuse gate structure disposed over the second doped region and electrically connected to a fuse bit line; and a buried word to line disposed between the control gate structure and the fuse gate structure, wherein the buried word line is disposed within the recess of the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2022
    Assignee: NANYA TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventor: Shian-Jyh Lin
  • Patent number: 11444095
    Abstract: A semiconductor device with integrated memory devices and metal-oxide-semiconductor (MOS) devices, including a substrate with a first area and a second area, multiple double-diffused metal-oxide-semiconductor (DMOS) devices on the first area, wherein the double-diffused metal-oxide-semiconductor (DMOS) device includes a field oxide on the substrate, a first gate dielectric layer adjacent to the field oxide, and a first polysilicon gate on the field oxide and the first gate dielectric layer, and multiple memory units on the second area, wherein the memory unit includes an oxide-nitride-oxide (ONO) tri-layer and a second polysilicon gate on the oxide-nitride-oxide (ONO) tri-layer, wherein a top surface of the second polysilicon gate of the memory unit in the second area and a top surface of the first polysilicon gate of the double-diffused metal-oxide-semiconductor (DMOS) in the first area are on the same level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Assignee: UNITED MICROELECTRONICS CORP.
    Inventors: Wang Xiang, Chia-Ching Hsu, Shen-De Wang, Weichang Liu
  • Patent number: 11367481
    Abstract: A semiconductor inference device that has a non-volatile memory (NVM) array including NVM cells arranged in rows and columns, in which each NVM cell comprises a charge trapping transistor configured to store one of N×analog values corresponding to N×levels of its drain current (ID) or threshold voltage (VT) levels, representing N×weight values for multiply accumulate (MAC) operations. The semiconductor inference device also includes digital-to-analog (DAC) function and multiplexor (mux) function configured to generate an analog MAC result based on the digital inputs converted results and the weight values read results, and analog-to-digital (ADC) function configured to convert the analog MAC result of the mux function to a digital value. Other embodiments of the semiconductor inference device and related methods and systems are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2022
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Venkataraman Prabhakar, Krishnaswamy Ramkumar, Vineet Agrawal, Long Hinh, Swatilekha Saha, Santanu Kumar Samanta, Michael Amundson, Ravindra M. Kapre
  • Patent number: 11139311
    Abstract: A memory device is provided, which includes a substrate, a first memory cell, and a second memory cell. The first memory cell is arranged over the substrate and the second memory cell is arranged adjacent to the first memory cell. The first and second memory cells include a shared doped region arranged between the first and second memory cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2021
    Assignee: GLOBALFOUNDRIES Singapore Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: Yongshun Sun, Eng Huat Toh, Shyue Seng Tan, Kiok Boone Elgin Quek
  • Patent number: 10608006
    Abstract: A semiconductor memory device includes a memory gate disposed on a main surface of a substrate. The memory has a first sidewall and a second sidewall opposite to the first sidewall. A control gate is in proximity to the memory gate. The control gate has a third sidewall directly facing the second sidewall, and a fourth sidewall opposite to the third sidewall. A gap is provided between the second sidewall of the memory gate and the third sidewall of the control gate. A first single spacer structure is disposed on the first sidewall of the memory gate. A second single spacer structure is disposed on the fourth sidewall of the control gate. A gap-filling layer is deposited into the gap and fills up the gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignee: UNITED MICROELECTRONICS CORP.
    Inventors: Wen-Jen Wang, Chun-Hung Cheng, Chuan-Fu Wang
  • Patent number: 10593687
    Abstract: A semiconductor device whose performance is improved is disclosed. In the semiconductor device, an offset spacer formed in a memory cell is formed by a laminated film of a silicon oxide film and a silicon nitride film, and the silicon oxide film is particularly formed to directly contact the sidewall of a memory gate electrode and the side end portion of a charge storage film; on the other hand, an offset spacer formed in a MISFET is formed by a silicon nitride film. Particularly in the MISFET, the silicon nitride film directly contacts both the sidewall of a gate electrode and the side end portion of a high dielectric constant film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: Renesas Electronics Corporation
    Inventor: Tamotsu Ogata
  • Patent number: 10199392
    Abstract: A semiconductor material is patterned to define elongated fins insulated from an underlying substrate. A polysilicon semiconductor material is deposited over and in between the elongated fins, and is patterned to define elongated gates extending to perpendicularly cross over the elongated fins at a transistor channel. Sidewall spacers are formed on side walls of the elongated gates. Portions of the elongated fins located between the elongated gates are removed, along with the underlying insulation, to expose the underlying substrate. One or more semiconductor material layers are then epitaxially grown from the underlying substrate at locations between the elongated gates. The one or more semiconductor material layers may include an undoped epi-layer and an overlying doped epi-layer. The epitaxial material defines a source or drain of the transistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2019
    Assignee: STMICROELECTRONICS, INC.
    Inventors: Ronald K. Sampson, Nicolas Loubet
  • Patent number: 9947669
    Abstract: A dynamic random access memory (DRAM) includes a substrate, a plurality of isolation structures, a plurality of conductive structure sets, a plurality of bit-line structures, and a plurality of spacers. The substrate has a plurality of active areas. The isolation structures are located in the substrate and extending along a first direction. Each of the isolation structures is disposed between two adjacent active areas. The conductive structure sets are disposed in parallel along the first direction and on the substrate. The bit-line structures are disposed in parallel along a second direction and on the substrate. The bit-line structures penetrate through the conductive structure sets. The spacers are disposed in parallel along the second direction and on sidewalls of the bit-line structures, so as to electrically isolate the bit-line structures from the conductive structure sets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: Winbond Electronics Corp.
    Inventors: Kazuaki Takesako, Yoshinori Tanaka
  • Patent number: 9947658
    Abstract: In a method for manufacturing a semiconductor device, a doped layer doped with a first dopant is formed in a substrate. A semiconductor layer is formed on the doped layer. A fin structure is formed by patterning at least the semiconductor layer and the doped layer such that the fin structure comprises a channel region including the semiconductor layer, and a well region including the doped layer. An isolation insulating layer is formed such that the channel region of the fin structure protrudes from the isolation insulating layer and the well region of the fin structure is embedded in the isolation insulating layer. A gate structure is formed over a part of the fin structure and the isolation insulating layer. The semiconductor layer is at least one of a doped silicon layer or a non-doped silicon layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yu-Sheng Wu, Chen Hua Tsai, Hou-Yu Chen, Chia-Wei Soong, Chih-Pin Tsao
  • Patent number: 9935101
    Abstract: Fabrication of a semiconductor structure includes forming a set of two or more fins on a source/drain region formed on a substrate. A first mask layer and a second mask layer are formed on each fin. A spacer layer is formed on the source/drain region and between each fin, and a dielectric layer is formed on the spacer layer and along an exterior of each fin. A plurality of gate metal portions is created each having a thickness about equal to a target thickness. The first mask layer and an exposed portion of the dielectric layer are removed from each fin. An interlayer dielectric is deposited on the semiconductor structure. Portions of the interlayer dielectric and the gate metal are removed to a top of the second mask layer. The gate metal portions are each recessed to substantially the same depth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Kangguo Cheng, Xin Miao, Wenyu Xu, Chen Zhang
  • Patent number: 9881921
    Abstract: A dual gate CMOS structure including a semiconductor substrate; a first channel structure including a first semiconductor material and a second channel structure including a second semiconductor material on the substrate. The first semiconductor material including SixGe1-x where x=0 to 1 and the second semiconductor material including a group III-V compound material. A first gate stack on the first channel structure includes: a first native oxide layer as an interface control layer, the first native oxide layer comprising an oxide of the first semiconductor material; a first high-k dielectric layer; a first metal gate layer. A second gate stack on the second channel structure includes a second high-k dielectric layer; a second metal gate layer. The interface between the second channel structure and the second high-k dielectric layer is free of any native oxides of the second semiconductor material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Lukas Czornomaz, Veeresh Vidyadhar Deshpande, Vladimir Djara, Jean Fompeyrine
  • Patent number: 9853166
    Abstract: A semiconductor device including a plurality of suspended nanowires and a gate structure that is present on a channel region portion of the plurality of suspended nanowires. The gate structure includes a uniform length extending from an upper surface of the gate structure to the base of the gate structure. A dielectric spacer having a graded composition is present in direct contact with the gate structure. The dielectric spacer having a uniform length extending from an upper surface of the gate structure to the base of the gate structure. Source and drain regions are present on source and drain region portions of the plurality of suspended nanowires.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Kangguo Cheng, Pouya Hashemi, Ali Khakifirooz, Alexander Reznicek
  • Patent number: 9741803
    Abstract: A charge trap memory device is provided. In one embodiment, the charge trap memory device includes a semiconductor material structure having a vertical channel extending from a first diffusion region formed in a semiconducting material to a second diffusion region formed over the first diffusion region, the vertical channel electrically connecting the first diffusion region to the second diffusion region. A tunnel dielectric layer is disposed on the vertical channel, a multi-layer charge-trapping region including a first deuterated layer disposed on the tunnel dielectric layer, a first nitride layer disposed on the first deuterated layer, and a second nitride layer comprising a deuterium-free trap-dense, oxygen-lean nitride disposed on the first nitride layer. The second nitride layer includes a majority of charge traps distributed in the multi-layer charge-trapping region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignee: Cypress Semiconductor Corporation
    Inventors: Sagy Levy, Fredrick Jenne, Krishnaswamy Ramkumar
  • Patent number: 9704975
    Abstract: A non-volatile memory device includes a semiconductor substrate, a well region situated on the semiconductor substrate, a floating gate situated on the well region, a floating gate channel region, a control gate situated on both sides of the floating gate, a control gate channel region, and an ion implantation area for regulating a program threshold voltage integrally formed between an area underneath of the floating gate and the control gate and a foreside of the well region, wherein a doping concentration of the ion implantation area for regulating a program threshold voltage is greater than a doping concentration of the well region. Therefore, the non-volatile memory device of examples integrally forms an ion implantation area for regulating a program threshold voltage irrespective of a channel region of a floating gate and a control gate so as to guarantee durability of a non-volatile memory device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignee: Magnachip Semiconductor, Ltd.
    Inventors: Doo Yeol Ryu, Jeong Ho Cho, Kyung Ho Lee
  • Patent number: 9583502
    Abstract: After forming a first film over the main surface of a semiconductor substrate, the first film is patterned, thereby forming a control gate electrode for a non-volatile memory, a dummy gate electrode, and a first film pattern. Subsequently, a memory gate electrode for the non-volatile memory adjacent to the control gate electrode is formed. Then, the first film pattern is patterned thereby forming a gate electrode and a dummy gate electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: Renesas Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroshi Nishikizawa, Takuro Homma, Hiraku Chakihara, Mitsuhiro Noguchi
  • Patent number: 9570581
    Abstract: A stack gate structure for a non-volatile memory array has a semiconductor substrate having a plurality of substantially parallel spaced apart active regions, with each active region having an axis in a first direction. A first insulating material is between each stack gate structure in the second direction perpendicular to the first direction. Each stack gate structure has a second insulating material over the active region, a charge holding gate over the second insulating material, a third insulating material over the charge holding gate, and a first portion of a control gate over the third insulating material. A second portion of the control gate is over the first portion of the control gate and over the first insulating material adjacent thereto and extending in the second direction. A fourth insulating material is over the second portion of the control gate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2017
    Assignee: Silicon Storage Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Willem-Jan Toren, Xian Liu, Gerhard Metzger-Brueckl, Nhan Do, Stephan Wege, Nadia Miridi, Chieng-Sheng Su, Cecile Bernardi, Liz Cuevas, Florence Guyot, Yueh-Hsin Chen, Henry Om'mani, Mandana Tadayoni
  • Patent number: 9553088
    Abstract: A method for fabricating a semiconductor device comprises forming active regions on a semiconductor substrate, forming a gate stack over the active regions and regions adjacent to the active regions, depositing a layer of conductive material over the active regions and the substrate, patterning a first mask over the conductive material, etching to remove exposed portions of the conductive material and form conductive contacts, patterning a second mask over portions of the gate stacks and conductive contacts, and etching to remove exposed portions of the gate stack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Veeraraghavan S. Basker, Kangguo Cheng, Theodorus Standaert, Junli Wang
  • Patent number: 9536880
    Abstract: Methods of fabricating devices (e.g., FDSOI devices) having multiple threshold voltages are described. One method includes providing a first fixed charge region proximate to an interface of an insulating (e.g., buried oxide (BOX) layer) and a semiconductor substrate for a first device. The first charge region has a first configuration of fixed charges. The method also includes providing a second fixed charge region proximate to the interface of the insulating layer and the semiconductor substrate for the second device. The second charge region has a second configuration of fixed charges that is different than the first configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: BROADCOM CORPORATION
    Inventors: Qintao Zhang, Aimin Xing
  • Patent number: 9466497
    Abstract: The invention provides a method for fabricating a silicon-oxide-nitride-oxide-silicon (SONOS) non-volatile memory cell, comprising: (S1) forming a pad oxide pattern on a silicon substrate having a recess exposing a tunnel region of the silicon substrate; (S2) forming a bottom oxide layer, a nitride layer, a top oxide layer covering the recess and the pad oxide pattern to form a first ONO structure; (S3) forming a photoresist on the first ONO structure covering the recess and a peripheral region of the pad oxide pattern; (S4) removing a part of the first ONO structure exposed by the photoresist to form an U-shaped ONO structure; (S5) trimming the photoresist to exposed a part of the U-shaped ONO structure above the recess; (S6) removing the part of the U-shaped ONO structure; (S7) removing the photoresist; (S8) removing the pad oxide pattern and the top oxide layer; and (S9) forming a gate structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: UNITED MICROELECTRONICS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kuo-Lung Li, Ping-Chia Shih, Hsiang-Chen Lee, Yu-Chun Chang, Chia-Wen Wang, Meng-Chun Chen, Chih-Yang Hsu
  • Patent number: 9412443
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a processor system includes a variable capacity memory. The memory includes a memory cell array including basic units, each of the basic units including one cell transistor and one variable resistance element, a mode selector switching between first and second modes, a read/write of one bit executed in 2n basic units (n is an integer) among the basic units in the first mode, the read/write of the one bit executed in 2m basic units (m is an integer, m?n) among the basic units in the second mode, and a control circuit which controls the switching between the first and second modes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
    Inventors: Hiroki Noguchi, Shinobu Fujita, Keiko Abe
  • Patent number: 9330922
    Abstract: A stack gate structure for a non-volatile memory array has a semiconductor substrate having a plurality of substantially parallel spaced apart active regions, with each active region having an axis in a first direction. A first insulating material is between each stack gate structure in the second direction perpendicular to the first direction. Each stack gate structure has a second insulating material over the active region, a charge holding gate over the second insulating material, a third insulating material over the charge holding gate, and a first portion of a control gate over the third insulating material. A second portion of the control gate is over the first portion of the control gate and over the first insulating material adjacent thereto and extending in the second direction. A fourth insulating material is over the second portion of the control gate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: Silicon Storage Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Willem-Jan Toren, Xian Liu, Gerhard Metzger-Brueckl, Nhan Do, Stephan Wege, Nadia Miridi, Chien-Sheng Su, Cecile Bernardi, Liz Cuevas, Florence Guyot, Yueh-Hsin Chen, Henry Om'mani, Mandana Tadayoni
  • Patent number: 9312139
    Abstract: A semiconductor element and a manufacturing method of the same are provided. The semiconductor element includes a substrate, a plurality of doping strips, a memory material layer, a plurality of conductive damascene structures, and a dielectric structure. The doping strips are formed in the substrate. The memory material layer is formed on the substrate, and the memory material layer comprises a memory area located on two sides of the doping strips. The conductive damascene structures are formed on the memory material layer. The dielectric structure is formed on the doping strips and between the conductive damascene structures. The conductive damascene structures are extended in a direction perpendicular to a direction which the doping strips are extended in.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2016
    Assignee: MACRONIX INTERNATIONAL CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Ching-Hung Wang, Jyun-Siang Huang, Chien-Hung Liu, Chia-Wen Cheng, Ying-Tso Chen
  • Patent number: 8945997
    Abstract: Integrated circuits and methods for fabricating integrated circuits are provided. An exemplary method for fabricating an integrated circuit having a split-gate nonvolatile memory device includes forming a charge storage structure overlying a semiconductor substrate and having a first sidewall and a second sidewall and forming an interior cavity. The method forms a control gate in the interior cavity. Further, the method forms a first select gate overlying the semiconductor substrate and adjacent the first sidewall. A first memory cell is formed by the control gate and the first select gate. The method also forms a second select gate overlying the semiconductor substrate and adjacent the second sidewall. A second memory cell is formed by the control gate and the second select gate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: GLOBALFOUNDRIES Singapore Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: Zufa Zhang, Khee Yong Lim, Elgin Quek
  • Patent number: 8916432
    Abstract: Methods of forming memory cells including non-volatile memory (NVM) and MOS transistors are described. In one embodiment the method includes: depositing and patterning a gate layer over a dielectric stack on a substrate to form a gate of a NVM transistor, the dielectric stack including a tunneling layer overlying a surface of the substrate, a charge-trapping layer overlying the tunneling layer and a blocking layer overlying the charge-trapping layer; forming a mask exposing source and drain (S/D) regions of the NVM transistor; etching the dielectric stack through the mask to thin the dielectric stack by removing the blocking layer and at least a first portion of the charge-trapping layer in S/D regions of the NVM transistor; and implanting dopants into S/D regions of the NVM transistor through the thinned dielectric stack to form a lightly-doped drain adjacent to the gate of the NVM transistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: Cypress Semiconductor Corporation
    Inventors: Krishnaswamy Ramkumar, Venkatraman Prabhakar
  • Patent number: 8895386
    Abstract: A method of forming a semiconductor structure is provided. A substrate having a cell area and a periphery area is provided. An oxide material layer and a first conductive material layer are sequentially formed on the substrate in the cell and periphery areas. A patterning step is performed to form first and second stacked structures on the substrate respectively in the cell and periphery areas. First and second spacers are formed respectively on sidewalls of the first and second stacked structures. At least two first doped regions are formed in the substrate beside the first stacked structure, and two second doped regions are formed in the substrate beside the second stacked structure. A dielectric layer and a second conductive layer are formed at least on the first stacked structure. The first stacked structure, the dielectric layer, and the second conductive layer in the cell area constitute a charge storage structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Maxchip Electronics Corp.
    Inventors: Chen-Chiu Hsu, Tung-Ming Lai, Kai-An Hsueh, Ming-De Huang
  • Patent number: 8878278
    Abstract: A NAND device has at least a 3×3 array of vertical NAND strings in which the control gate electrodes are continuous in the array and do not have an air gap or a dielectric filled trench in the array. The NAND device is formed by first forming a lower select gate level having separated lower select gates, then forming plural memory device levels containing a plurality of NAND string portions, and then forming an upper select gate level over the memory device levels having separated upper select gates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Sandisk Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Johann Alsmeier, Raghuveer S. Makala, Xiying Costa, Yanli Zhang
  • 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: 8815681
    Abstract: Nonvolatile memory devices and methods of forming the same are provided, the nonvolatile memory devices may include first regions and second regions which extend in a first direction and are alternately disposed in a semiconductor substrate along a second direction crossing the first direction. Buried doped lines are formed at the first regions respectively and extend in the first direction. The buried doped lines may be doped with a dopant of a first conductivity type. Bulk regions doped with a dopant of a second conductivity type and device isolation patterns are disposed along the second direction. The bulk regions and the device isolation patterns may be formed in the second regions. Word lines crossing the buried doped lines and the bulk regions are formed parallel to one another. Contact structures are connected to the buried doped lines and disposed between the device isolation patterns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yongsik Jeong, Jeonguk Han, Weonho Park, Byungsup Shim
  • Patent number: 8809938
    Abstract: Three dimensional semiconductor memory devices are provided. The three dimensional semiconductor memory device includes a first stacked structure and a second stacked structure sequentially stacked on a substrate. The first stacked structure includes first insulating patterns and first gate patterns which are alternately and repeatedly stacked on a substrate, and the second stacked structure includes second insulating patterns and second gate patterns which are alternately and repeatedly stacked on the first stacked structure. A plurality of first vertical active patterns penetrate the first stacked structure, and a plurality of second vertical active patterns penetrate the second stacked structure. The number of the first vertical active patterns is greater than the number of the second vertical active patterns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Sung-Min Hwang, Hansoo Kim, Changseok Kang, Wonseok Cho, Jae-Joo Shim
  • Patent number: 8803216
    Abstract: A memory cell system including providing a substrate, forming a charge-storing stack having silicon-rich nitride on the substrate, and forming a gate on the charge-storing stack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignees: Spansion, LLC, Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: Meng Ding, Lei Xue, Mark Randolph, Chi Chang, Robert Bertram Ogle, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8779500
    Abstract: A memory device is provided, including a substrate, a conductive layer, a charge storage layer, a plurality of isolation structures, a plurality of first doped regions, and a plurality of second doped regions. The substrate has a plurality of trenches. The conductive layer is disposed on the substrate and fills the trenches. The charge storage layer is disposed between the substrate and the conductive layer. The isolation structures are disposed in the substrate between two adjacent trenches, respectively. The first doped regions are disposed in an upper portion of the substrate between each isolation structure and each trench, respectively. The second doped regions are disposed in the substrate under a bottom portion of the trenches, in which each isolation structure is disposed between two adjacent second doped regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: MACRONIX International Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yu-Fong Huang, Miao-Chih Hsu, Kuan-Fu Chen, Tzung-Ting Han
  • Patent number: 8779502
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a nonvolatile semiconductor memory includes first to n-th (n is a natural number not less than 2) semiconductor layers in a first direction and extend in a second direction, and the semiconductor layers having a stair case pattern in a first end of the second direction, a common semiconductor layer connected to the first to n-th semiconductor layers commonly in the first end of the second direction, first to n-th layer select transistors which are provided in order from the first electrode side between the first electrode and the first to n-th memory strings, and first to n-th impurity regions which make the i-th layer select transistor (i is one of 1 to n) a normally-on state in the first end of the second direction of the i-th semiconductor layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Kiwamu Sakuma, Atsuhiro Kinoshita, Masahiro Kiyotoshi, Daisuke Hagishima, Koichi Muraoka
  • Patent number: 8779495
    Abstract: An integrated circuit includes a first SONOS memory cell and a second SONOS memory cell. The second memory cell is stacked on the first memory cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Qimonda AG
    Inventors: Thomas Happ, Jan Boris Philipp
  • Patent number: 8772753
    Abstract: A nonvolatile semiconductor storage device includes a word line, a first electrode, a high resistance ion diffusion layer, a second electrode, and a bit line. The word line is made of a conductive material extending in a first direction. The first electrode is provided on the word line. The high resistance ion diffusion layer is provided on the first electrode. The second electrode is provided on the ion diffusion layer and configured to supply a metal into the ion diffusion layer upon application of a positive voltage relative to the first electrode. The bit line is provided on the second electrode and made of a conductive material extending in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction. The ion diffusion layer contains oxygen at a higher concentration on the word line side than on the bit line side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventor: Masanobu Baba
  • Patent number: 8772852
    Abstract: Provided is a nonvolatile memory device including a common source. The device includes a first active region crossing a second active region, a common source disposed in the second active region, and a source conductive line disposed on the common source in parallel to the common source. The source conductive line is electrically connected to the common source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hong-Soo Kim, Keon-Soo Kim
  • Patent number: 8759896
    Abstract: There is provided a non-volatile semiconductor memory having a charge accumulation layer of a configuration where a metal oxide with a dielectric constant sufficiently higher than a silicon nitride, e.g., a Ti oxide, a Zr oxide, or a Hf oxide, is used as a base material and an appropriate amount of a high-valence substance whose valence is increased two levels or more (a VI-valence) is added to produce a trap level that enables entrance and exit of electrons with respect to the base material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Tatsuo Shimizu, Koichi Muraoka
  • Patent number: 8748972
    Abstract: Flash memory devices and methods for fabricating the same are provided. In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention, a method for fabricating a memory device comprises the steps of fabricating a first gate stack and a second gate stack overlying a substrate. A trench is etched into the substrate between the first gate stack and the second gate stack and a first impurity doped region is formed within the substrate underlying the trench. The trench is filled at least partially with a conductive material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Spansion LLC
    Inventors: Ning Cheng, Fred Cheung, Ashot Melik-Martirosian, Kyunghoon Min, Michael Brennan, Hiroyuki Kinoshita
  • Patent number: 8748256
    Abstract: A method for forming an integrated circuit (IC) including a silicide block poly resistor (SIBLK poly resistor) includes forming a dielectric isolation region in a top semiconductor surface of a substrate. A polysilicon layer is formed including patterned resistor polysilicon on the dielectric isolation region and gate polysilicon on the top semiconductor surface. Implanting is performed using a first shared metal-oxide-semiconductor (MOS)/resistor polysilicon implant level for simultaneously implanting the patterned resistor polysilicon and gate polysilicon of a MOS transistor with at least a first dopant. Implanting is then performed using a second shared MOS/resistor polysilicon implant level for simultaneously implanting the patterned resistor polysilicon, gate polysilicon and source and drain regions of the MOS transistor with at least a second dopant. A metal silicide is formed on a first and second portion of a top surface of the patterned resistor polysilicon to form the SIBLK poly resistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Song Zhao, Gregory Charles Baldwin, Shashank S. Ekbote, Youn Sung Choi
  • Patent number: 8742481
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Paolo Tessariol, Aurelio Giancarlo Mauri, Akira Goda, Yijie Zhao