Gate Electrodes For Transistors With Floating Gate (epo) Patents (Class 257/E29.129)
  • Patent number: 7482224
    Abstract: Semiconductor integrated circuit devices having SRAM cells and flash memory cells are provided. The devices include an integrated circuit substrate having an SRAM cell region, a flash memory cell region and a logic circuit region. An isolation layer is provided in a predetermined region of the substrate. The isolation layer defines a SRAM cell active region, a flash memory cell active region and a logic transistor active region in the SRAM cell region, the flash memory cell region and the logic circuit region, respectively. An SRAM cell gate pattern crosses over the SRAM cell active region. The SRAM cell gate pattern includes a main gate electrode and a dummy gate electrode which are sequentially stacked. A flash memory cell gate pattern crosses over the flash memory cell active region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2009
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Gyeong-Hee Kim, Jun-Eui Song
  • Patent number: 7476925
    Abstract: Structures and methods for programmable array type logic and/or memory devices with asymmetrical low tunnel barrier intergate insulators are provided. The programmable array type logic and/or memory devices include non-volatile memory which has a first source/drain region and a second source/drain region separated by a channel region in a substrate. A floating gate opposing the channel region and is separated therefrom by a gate oxide. A control gate opposes the floating gate. The control gate is separated from the floating gate by an asymmetrical low tunnel barrier intergate insulator formed by atomic layer deposition. The asymmetrical low tunnel barrier intergate insulator includes a metal oxide insulator selected from the group consisting of Al2O3, Ta2O5, TiO2, ZrO2, Nb2O5, SrBi2Ta2O3, SrTiO3, PbTiO3, and PbZrO3.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2009
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Jerome M. Eldridge, Kie Y. Ahn, Leonard Forbes
  • Publication number: 20090008700
    Abstract: In methods of manufacturing a memory device, a tunnel insulation layer is formed on a substrate. A floating gate having a substantially uniform thickness is formed on the tunnel insulation layer. A dielectric layer is formed on the floating gate. A control gate is formed on the dielectric layer. A flash memory device including the floating gate may have more uniform operating characteristics.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2008
    Publication date: January 8, 2009
    Inventors: Albert Fayrushin, Byung-Yong Choi, Choong-Ho Lee
  • Patent number: 7473956
    Abstract: Structures and methods for programmable array type logic and/or memory devices with asymmetrical low tunnel barrier intergate insulators are provided. The programmable array type logic and/or memory devices include non-volatile memory which has a first source/drain region and a second source/drain region separated by a channel region in a substrate. A floating gate opposing the channel region and is separated therefrom by a gate oxide. A control gate opposes the floating gate. The control gate is separated from the floating gate by an asymmetrical low tunnel barrier intergate insulator formed by atomic layer deposition. The asymmetrical low tunnel barrier intergate insulator includes a metal oxide insulator selected from the group consisting of Al2O3, Ta2O5, TiO2, ZrO2, Nb2O5, SrBi2Ta2O3, SrTiO3, PbTiO3, and PbZrO3.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2009
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Jerome M. Eldridge, Kie Y. Ahn, Leonard Forbes
  • Patent number: 7473957
    Abstract: A floating non-volatile memory has a substrate and source and drain regions disposed in a surface region of the substrate and spaced apart from each other with a channel forming semiconductor region disposed therebetween. A gate insulating film is disposed on the channel forming semiconductor region. A single crystal control region is disposed in the surface region of the substrate and is electrically separated from the channel forming semiconductor region. A control gate insulating film is disposed on the single crystal control region. A floating gate is disposed on the control gate insulating film and is capacitively coupled with the single crystal control region. A chemical-vapor-deposited shield insulating film is formed in a gas atmosphere charge-balanced on the floating gate. A shield conductive film is disposed on the chemical-vapor-deposited shield insulating film and capacitively coupled with the floating gate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2009
    Assignees: Seiko Instruments Inc.
    Inventors: Yutaka Hayashi, Shoji Nakanishi, Sumitaka Goto
  • Publication number: 20080315280
    Abstract: A semiconductor memory device includes a silicon substrate including a first region which has a buried insulating layer below a single-crystal silicon layer and a second region which does not have the buried insulating layer below the single-crystal silicon layer, at least one memory cell transistor which has a first gate electrode, the first gate electrode being provided on the single-crystal silicon layer in the first region, and at least one selective gate transistor which has a second gate electrode and is provided on the single-crystal silicon layer in the first region. The one selective gate transistor is provided in such a manner that a part of the second gate electrode is placed on the single-crystal silicon layer in the second region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2008
    Publication date: December 25, 2008
    Inventors: Shinichi WATANABE, Fumitaka Arai, Makoto Mizukami, Hirofumi Inoue, Masaki Kondo
  • Publication number: 20080315282
    Abstract: Semiconductor devices including a gate electrode crossing over a semiconductor fin on a semiconductor substrate are provided. A gate insulating layer is provided between the gate electrode and the semiconductor fin. A channel region having a three-dimensional structure defined at the semiconductor fin under the gate electrode is also provided. Doped region is provided in the semiconductor fin at either side of the gate electrode and an interlayer insulating layer is provided on a surface of the semiconductor substrate. A connector region is coupled to the doped region and provided in an opening, which penetrates the interlayer insulating layer. A recess region is provided in the doped region and is coupled to the connector region. The connector region contacts an inner surface of the recess region. Related methods of fabricating semiconductor devices are also provided herein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2008
    Publication date: December 25, 2008
    Inventors: Eun-Suk Cho, Chul Lee
  • Publication number: 20080311734
    Abstract: A non-volatile semiconductor storage device having a high-dielectric-constant insulator and a manufacturing method thereof suitable for miniaturization are disclosed. According to one aspect of the present invention, it is provided a semiconductor storage device comprising a semiconductor substrate, a plurality of first conductor layers formed on the semiconductor substrate through a first insulator, an isolation formed between the plurality of first conductor layers, a silicon oxide film formed on the first conductor layer, a high-dielectric-constant insulator formed on the silicon oxide film and the isolation and being diffused silicon and oxygen at least in a surface thereof contacting with the silicon oxide film, and a second conductor film formed above the high-dielectric-constant insulator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2008
    Publication date: December 18, 2008
    Inventors: Masayuki TANAKA, Hirokazu Ishida
  • Patent number: 7465983
    Abstract: Structures and methods for programmable array type logic and/or memory devices with asymmetrical low tunnel barrier intergate insulators are provided. The programmable array type logic and/or memory devices include non-volatile memory which has a first source/drain region and a second source/drain region separated by a channel region in a substrate. A floating gate opposing the channel region and is separated therefrom by a gate oxide. A control gate opposes the floating gate. The control gate is separated from the floating gate by an asymmetrical low tunnel barrier intergate insulator formed by atomic layer deposition. The asymmetrical low tunnel barrier intergate insulator includes a metal oxide insulator selected from the group consisting of Al2O3, Ta2O5, TiO2, ZrO2, Nb2O5, SrBi2Ta2O3, SrTiO3, PbTiO3, and PbZrO3.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2008
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Jerome M. Eldridge, Kie Y. Ahn, Leonard Forbes
  • Patent number: 7465985
    Abstract: A non-volatile memory device and a method of forming the same are provided. The non-volatile memory device may include a cell isolation pattern and a semiconductor pattern sequentially stacked on a predetermined or given region of a semiconductor substrate, a cell gate line on the semiconductor pattern and on a top surface of the semiconductor substrate on one side of the cell isolation pattern, a multi-layered trap insulation layer between the cell gate line and the semiconductor substrate, and the cell gate line and the semiconductor pattern, a first impurity diffusion layer in the semiconductor substrate on both sides of the cell gate line and a second impurity diffusion layer in the semiconductor pattern on both sides of the cell gate line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2008
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Byung-Yong Choi, Choong-Ho Lee, Dong-Gun Park
  • Patent number: 7462904
    Abstract: A non-volatile memory device includes an upwardly protruding fin disposed on a substrate and a control gate electrode crossing the fin. A floating gate is interposed between the control gate electrode and the fin and includes a first storage gate and a second storage gate. The first storage gate is disposed on a sidewall of the fin, and the second storage gate is disposed on a top surface of the fin and is connected to the first storage gate. A first insulation layer is interposed between the first storage gate and the sidewall of the fin, and a second insulation layer is interposed between the second storage gate and the top surface of the fin. The second insulation layer is thinner than the first insulation layer. A blocking insulation pattern is interposed between the control gate electrode and the floating gate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2008
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics, Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Seong-Gyun Kim, Ji-Hoon Park, Sang-Woo Kang, Sung-Woo Park
  • Publication number: 20080296654
    Abstract: A non-volatile memory device and a method for fabricating the same are provided. The method includes: forming a gate structure on a substrate, the gate structure including a first insulation layer, a first electrode layer for a floating gate and a second insulation layer; forming a third insulation layer on the gate structure covering predetermined regions of the substrate adjacent to the gate structure; and forming a second electrode layer for a control gate on the third insulation layer disposed on sidewalls of the gate structure and the predetermined regions of the substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2008
    Publication date: December 4, 2008
    Inventor: Yong-Sik Jeong
  • Publication number: 20080290395
    Abstract: A method of realizing a flash floating poly gate using an MPS process can include forming a tunnel oxide layer on an active region of a semiconductor substrate; and then forming a first floating gate on and contacting the tunnel oxide layer; and then forming second and third floating gates on and contacting the first floating gate, wherein the second and third floating gates extend perpendicular to the first floating gate; and then forming a poly meta-stable polysilicon layer on the first, second and third floating gates; and then forming a control gate on the semiconductor substrate including the poly meta-stable polysilicon layer. Therefore, it is possible to increase the surface area of the capacitor by a limited area in comparison with a flat floating gate. As a result, it is possible to improve the coupling ratio essential to the flash memory device and to improve the yield and reliability of the semiconductor device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2008
    Publication date: November 27, 2008
    Inventor: Tae-Woong Jeong
  • Patent number: 7456060
    Abstract: A nonvolatile memory device includes a floating gate formed on a tunnel oxide layer that is on a semiconductor substrate. The device also includes a drain region formed in the substrate adjacent to one side of the floating gate, a source region formed adjacent to another side of the floating gate. The source region is apart from the floating gate, and an inter-gate insulating layer formed on a portion of an active region between the source region and the floating gate and on a sidewall of the floating gate directing toward the source region, and on a sidewall of the floating gate directing toward the drain region. The device includes a word line formed over the floating gate and being across the substrate in one direction, and a field oxide layer interposing between the word line and the source region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2008
    Assignee: Dongbu Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Heong Jin Kim
  • Patent number: 7453117
    Abstract: To achieve a high-speed and reliable read operation. A unit cell is constituted by a select gate 3 provided in a first region and on a substrate 1 with an insulating film 2 interposed inbetween, a floating gate 6a provided in a second region adjacent to the first region with an insulating film 5 interposed inbetween, a diffusion region 7a provided in a third region adjacent to the second region and on the surface of the substrate, and a control gate 11 provided on the top of the floating gate 6a with an insulating film 8 interposed inbetween. Each data bit is stored using corresponding first unit cell and second unit cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignee: NEC Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Naoaki Sudo, Kohji Kanamori
  • Patent number: 7446369
    Abstract: A semiconductor memory device may include an intergate dielectric layer of a high-K dielectric material interposed between a floating gate and a control gate. With this intergate high-K dielectric in place, the memory device may be erased using Fowler-Nordheim tunneling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2008
    Assignees: Spansion, LLC, Advnaced Micro Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: Takashi Whitney Orimoto, Joong Jeon, Hidehiko Shiraiwa, Simon S. Chan, Harpreet K. Sachar
  • Patent number: 7446368
    Abstract: Structures and methods for programmable array type logic and/or memory devices with asymmetrical low tunnel barrier intergate insulators are provided. The programmable array type logic and/or memory devices include non-volatile memory which has a first source/drain region and a second source/drain region separated by a channel region in a substrate. A floating gate opposing the channel region and is separated therefrom by a gate oxide. A control gate opposes the floating gate. The control gate is separated from the floating gate by an asymmetrical low tunnel barrier intergate insulator formed by atomic layer deposition. The asymmetrical low tunnel barrier intergate insulator includes a metal oxide insulator selected from the group consisting of Al2O3, Ta2O5, TiO2, ZrO2, Nb2O5, SrBi2Ta2O3, SrTiO3, PbTiO3, and PbZrO3.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2008
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Jerome M. Eldridge, Kie Y. Ahn, Leonard Forbes
  • Patent number: 7439134
    Abstract: A method for making a semiconductor device having non-volatile memory cell transistors and transistors of another type is provided. In the method, a substrate is provided having an NVM region, a high voltage (HV) region, and a low voltage (LV) region. The method includes forming a gate dielectric layer on the HV and LV regions. A tunnel oxide layer is formed over the substrate in the NVM region and the gate dielectric in the HV and LV regions. A first polysilicon layer is formed over the tunnel dielectric layer and gate dielectric layer. The first polysilicon layer is patterned to form NVM floating gates. An ONO layer is formed over the first polysilicon layer. A single etch removal step is used to form gates for the HV transistors from the first polysilicon layer while removing the first polysilicon layer from the LV region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: Freescale Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventors: Erwin J. Prinz, Mehul D. Shroff
  • Publication number: 20080251834
    Abstract: In a non-volatile semiconductor memory device and a method for manufacturing the device, each memory cell and its select Tr have the same gate insulating film as a Vcc Tr. Further, the gate electrodes of a Vpp Tr and Vcc Tr are realized by the use of a first polysilicon layer. A material such as salicide or a metal, which differs from second polysilicon (which forms a control gate layer), may be provided on the first polysilicon layer. With the above features, a non-volatile semiconductor memory device can be manufactured by reduced steps and be operated at high speed in a reliable manner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2008
    Publication date: October 16, 2008
    Applicant: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Toshitake YAEGASHI, Kazuhiro Shimizu, Seiichi Aritome
  • Patent number: 7436018
    Abstract: A multiple layer tunnel insulator is fabricated between a substrate and a discrete trap layer. The properties of the multiple layers determines the volatility of the memory device. The composition of each layer and/or the quantity of layers is adjusted to fabricate either a DRAM device, a non-volatile memory device, or both simultaneously.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2008
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Arup Bhattacharyya
  • Publication number: 20080246074
    Abstract: A non-volatile memory array includes a semiconductor substrate having a main surface, a first source/drain region and a second source/drain region. The second source/drain region is spaced apart from the first source/drain region. A well region is disposed in a portion of the semiconductor substrate between the first source/drain region and the second source/drain region. A plurality of memory cells are disposed on the main surface above the well region. Each memory cell includes a first oxide layer formed on the main surface of the substrate, a charge storage layer disposed above the blocking oxide layer relative to the main surface of the semiconductor substrate and second oxide layer disposed above the charge storage layer relative to the main surface of the semiconductor substrate. A plurality of wordlines are disposed above the second oxide layer relative to the main surface of the semiconductor substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2008
    Publication date: October 9, 2008
    Applicant: MACRONIX INTERNATIONAL CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Hsiang-Lan LUNG
  • Patent number: 7432547
    Abstract: A semiconductor device (30) comprises an underlying insulating layer (34), an overlying insulating layer (42) and a charge storage layer (36) between the insulating layers (34, 42). The charge storage layer (36) and the overlying insulating layer (42) form an interface, where at least a majority of charge in the charge storage layer (36) is stored. This can be accomplished by forming a charge storage layer (36) with different materials such as silicon and silicon germanium layers or n-type and p-type material layers, in one embodiment. In another embodiment, the charge storage layer (36) comprises a dopant that is graded. By storing at least a majority of the charge at the interface between the charge storage layer (36) and the overlying insulating layer (42), the leakage of charge through the underlying insulating layer is decreased allowing for a thinner underlying insulating layer (34) to be used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2008
    Assignee: Freescale Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventors: Gowrishankar L. Chindalore, Frank K. Baker, Jr., Paul A. Ingersoll, Alexander B. Hoefler
  • Patent number: 7432561
    Abstract: An non-volatile semiconductor memory having a linear arrangement of a plurality of memory cell transistors, includes: a first semiconductor layer having a first conductivity type; a second semiconductor layer provided on the first semiconductor layer to prevent diffusion of impurities from the first semiconductor layer to regions above the second semiconductor layer; and a third semiconductor layer provided on the second semiconductor layer, including a first source region having a second conductivity type, a first drain regions having the second conductivity type and a first channel region having the second conductivity type for each of the memory cell transistors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2008
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Makoto Mizukami, Fumitaka Arai
  • Publication number: 20080237686
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes: a control gate electrode having a first layer of polycrystalline silicon. The first layer is formed by decreasing a thickness of a first film of doped polycrystalline silicon. The first layer retains a dopant activation ratio of the first film. A method for manufacturing a semiconductor device, includes: forming a first film of doped polycrystalline silicon; and decreasing a thickness of the first film. The first film is formed by heat treating an amorphous silicon film provided on an insulating film.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2007
    Publication date: October 2, 2008
    Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
    Inventor: Hidehiko Yabuhara
  • Publication number: 20080237679
    Abstract: A gate pattern is disclosed that includes a semiconductor substrate, a lower conductive pattern, an upper conductive pattern and a sidewall conductive patter. The lower conductive pattern is on the substrate. The insulating pattern is on the lower conductive pattern. The upper conductive pattern is on the insulating pattern opposite to the lower conductive pattern. The sidewall conductive pattern is on at least a portion of sidewalls of the upper conductive pattern and the lower conductive pattern. The sidewall conductive pattern electrically connects the upper conductive pattern and the lower conductive pattern. An upper edge portion of the lower conductive pattern may be recessed relative to a lower edge portion of the lower conductive pattern to define a ledge thereon. The sidewall conductive pattern may be directly on the ledge and sidewall of the recessed upper edge portion of the lower conductive pattern.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2008
    Publication date: October 2, 2008
    Inventors: Jong-Sun Sel, Jung-Dal Choi, Joon-Hee Lee, Hwa-Kyung Shin
  • Publication number: 20080224201
    Abstract: Flash memory devices and methods of fabricating the same are disclosed. A disclosed method comprises doping at least one active region of a substrate, and forming an etching mask layer on the active region. The etching mask layer defines an opening exposing a portion of the active region. The disclosed method further comprises forming an etching groove in the active region. The etching groove separates a source region and a drain region. The disclosed method also comprises growing an epitaxial layer within the etching groove; forming a gate insulating layer on the epitaxial layer; depositing a first polysilicon layer on inner sidewalls of the opening and on the gate insulating layer; forming a dielectric layer on the first polysilicon layer; and depositing a second polysilicon layer on the dielectric layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2008
    Publication date: September 18, 2008
    Inventor: KWAN JU KOH
  • Patent number: 7423314
    Abstract: A semiconductor substrate 20, a gate electrode 34, first and second impurity diffusion regions 24a and 24b, first and second variable-resistance regions 22a, 22b, first and second main electrodes 36a, 36b, first and second charge storing units 40a, 40b are included therein. The first and second charge storing units are configured by stacking layers in order from bottom oxide films 41a, 41b to charge storing nitride films 42a, 42b to top oxide films 43a, 43b, respectively. At the same time, the distance between the first main electrode and the charge storing nitride film formed in the first charge storing unit is constant, and the distance between the second main electrode and the charge storing nitride film formed in the second charge storing unit is constant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2008
    Assignee: Oki Electric Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Toshikazu Mizukoshi
  • Patent number: 7423313
    Abstract: According to this invention, there is provided a NAND-type semiconductor storage device including a semiconductor substrate, a semiconductor layer formed on the semiconductor substrate, a buried insulating film selectively formed between the semiconductor substrate and the semiconductor layer in a memory transistor formation region, diffusion layers formed on the semiconductor layer in the memory transistor formation region, floating body regions between the diffusion layers, a first insulating film formed on each of the floating body regions, a floating gate electrode formed on the first insulating film, a control electrode on a second insulating film formed on the floating gate electrode, and contact plugs connected to ones of the pairs of diffusion layers which are respectively located at ends of the memory transistor formation region, wherein the ones of the pairs of diffusion layers, which are located at the ends of the memory transistor formation region, are connected to the semiconductor substrate belo
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2008
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Takeshi Hamamoto, Akihiro Nitayama
  • Patent number: 7419870
    Abstract: Provided is a method of manufacturing a flash memory device. In the method, after forming a cell string and source/drain selection transistors, it forms a first oxide film in which a sidewall oxide film and a buffering oxide film are stacked, a nitride film, and a second oxide film for spacer on the overall structure. Then, source/drain contact holes are formed. Thus, the source/drain selection transistors are prevented from being exposed while etching the source/drain contact holes, which enhances the reliability of the flash memory device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Assignee: Hynix Semiconductor Inc.
    Inventor: Seung Woo Shin
  • Publication number: 20080203463
    Abstract: The present invention provides a non-volatile memory device and a method for manufacturing such a device. The device comprises a floating gate (16), a control gate (19) and a separate erase gate (10). The erase gate (10) is provided in or on isolation zones (2) provided in the substrate (1). Because of that, the erase gates (10) do not add to the cell size. The capacitance between the erase gate (10) and the floating gate (16) is small compared with the capacitance between the control gate (19) and the floating gate (16), and the charged floating gate (16) is erased by Fowler-Nordheim tunneling through the oxide layer between the erase gate (10) and the floating gate (16).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2005
    Publication date: August 28, 2008
    Applicant: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventors: Robertus Theodorus Fransiscus Van Schaijk, Michiel Jos Van Duuren
  • Publication number: 20080203464
    Abstract: A memory device, array and method of arranging where the memory device includes a memory cell region including a plurality of memory cells. Each memory cell includes a source, a drain and a channel between the source and the drain, a channel dielectric, a charge storage region and an electrically alterable conductor-material system in proximity to the charge storage region. Cell lines extend among the memory cells. A connection region is provided for electrically coupling contacts and one or more of the cell lines. A non-memory region has embedded logic. Memory cells are arrayed at a cell pitch, with cell lines extending from cell to cell and arrayed substantially at the cell pitch, and with contacts arrayed substantially at the cell pitch forming a high density memory device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Publication date: August 28, 2008
    Inventor: Chih-Hsin Wang
  • Patent number: 7411243
    Abstract: A nonvolatile semiconductor device and a method of fabricating the same are provided. The nonvolatile semiconductor device includes a semiconductor body formed on a substrate to be elongated in one direction and having a cross section perpendicular to a main surface of the substrate and elongated direction, the cross section having a predetermined curvature, a channel region partially formed along the circumference of the semiconductor body, a tunneling insulating layer disposed on the channel region, a floating gate disposed on the tunneling insulating layer and electrically insulated from the channel region, an intergate insulating layer disposed on the floating gate, a control gate disposed on the intergate insulating layer and electrically insulated from the floating gate, and source and drain regions which are aligned with both sides of the control gate and formed within the semiconductor body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Young-Sam Park, Seung-Beom Yoon, Jeong-Uk Han, Sung-Taeg Kang, Seung-Jin Yang
  • Patent number: 7408219
    Abstract: In a nonvolatile semiconductor memory device, and a method of fabricating the same, the nonvolatile semiconductor memory device includes a cell doping region and source/drain regions in a semiconductor substrate, the cell doping region being doped as a first conductive type, a channel region disposed between the source/drain regions in the semiconductor substrate, a tunnel doping region of the first conductive type formed in a predetermined region of an upper portion of the cell doping region, the tunnel doping region being doped in a higher concentration than that of the cell doping region, a tunnel insulating layer formed on a surface of the semiconductor substrate on the tunnel doping region, a gate insulating layer surrounding the tunnel insulating layer and covering the channel region and the cell doping region exposed beyond the tunnel doping region, and a gate electrode covering the tunnel insulating layer and on the gate insulating layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2008
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tea-kwang Yu, Weon-ho Park, Kyoung-hwan Kim, Kwang-tae Kim
  • Publication number: 20080179655
    Abstract: A nonvolatile semiconductor memory device includes a first insulator, first conductor, element isolation insulator, second insulator and second conductor. The first insulator is formed on the main surface of a substrate and the first conductor is formed on the first insulator. The element isolation insulator is filled into at least part of both side surfaces of the first insulator in a gate width direction thereof and both side surfaces of the first conductor in a gate width direction thereof and is so formed that the upper surface thereof will be set with height between those of the upper and bottom surfaces of the first conductor. The second insulator includes a three-layered insulating film formed of a silicon oxide film, a silicon oxynitride film and a silicon oxide film formed on the first conductor and element isolation insulator. The second conductor is formed on the second insulator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2008
    Publication date: July 31, 2008
    Inventors: Hirokazu Ishida, Masayuki Tanaka, Yoshio Ozawa
  • Patent number: 7405440
    Abstract: A nonvolatile semiconductor memory on a semiconductor chip includes: a cell array region configured with a memory cell transistor having a first metallic salicide film, a first control gate electrode electrically coupled with the first metallic salicide film, and a floating gate electrode adjacent to the first control gate electrode; a high voltage circuit region including a high voltage transistor made of a second metallic salicide film, a first source region and a first drain region, and a first gate region arranged between the first source region and the first drain region; and a low voltage circuit region including a low voltage transistor made of a third metallic salicide film, a second source region and a second drain region electrically coupled with the third metallic salicide film, and a second gate region arranged between the second source region and the second drain region and is electrically coupled with the third metallic salicide film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2008
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Takeshi Kamigaichi, Hiroyuki Kutsukake, Kikuko Sugimae
  • Patent number: 7405124
    Abstract: A method for fabricating a non-volatile memory is described. A substrate having isolation structures is provided. These isolation structures protrude from the substrate, and a first mask layer is formed on the substrate between the isolation structures. A second mask layer is formed on the substrate. The second and the first mask layers are patterned to form openings exposing part of the surface of the substrate and the isolation structures. A tunneling dielectric layer and a first conductive layer are formed on the substrate. The first conductive layer is filled in the opening, and is divided into blocks by the isolation structures, the second mask layer, and the first mask layer. An inter-gate dielectric layer is formed on the substrate. A second conductive layer is formed on the substrate to fill up the openings. Doped regions are formed in the substrate on both sides of the second conductive layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2008
    Assignee: Powerchip Semiconductor Corp.
    Inventor: Ko-Hsing Chang
  • Patent number: 7397079
    Abstract: A non-volatile memory device includes a control gate electrode disposed on a substrate with a first insulation layer interposed therebetween and a floating gate disposed in a hole exposing substrate through the control gate electrode and the first insulation layer. A second insulation layer is interposed between the floating gate and the substrate, and between the floating gate and the control gate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics, Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yong-Suk Choi, Seung-Beom Yoon, Yong-Tae Kim, Jin-Woo Kim
  • Publication number: 20080157180
    Abstract: Cell gate patterns including first portions separated from each other with a first distance and second portions separated from each other with a second distance less than the first distance, and spacers are formed both sidewalls of the pair of cell gate patterns. The spacers formed on the sidewalls of the second portions are removed using a mask pattern. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent increase of an aspect ratio of a gap between the second portions with the small distance. Since the spacers formed on the sidewalls of the second portions separated from each other with the small distance are selectively removed, it is possible to minimize the increase of the aspect ratio of the gap between the second portions. Thus, it is possible to solve various problems which are caused due to occurrence of a void.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2007
    Publication date: July 3, 2008
    Inventor: Sung-Jin Kim
  • Publication number: 20080149987
    Abstract: A process may include forming a polysilicon pinnacle above and on a polysilicon island and further forming a floating gate from the polysilicon pinnacle and polysilicon island. The floating gate can bear an inverted T-shape. The floating gate can also be disposed above an isolated semiconductive substrate such as in a shallow-trench isolation semiconductive substrate. Electronic devices may include the floating gate as part of a field effect transistor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2006
    Publication date: June 26, 2008
    Inventors: Ramakanth Alapati, Ardavan Niroomand
  • Publication number: 20080149988
    Abstract: Methods are provided for fabricating memory devices. A method comprises fabricating charge-trapping stacks overlying a silicon substrate and forming bit line regions in the substrate between the charge trapping stacks. Insulating elements are formed overlying the bit line regions between the stacks. The charge-trapping stacks are etched to form two complementary charge storage nodes and to expose portions of the silicon substrate. Silicon is grown on the exposed silicon substrate by selective epitaxial growth and is oxidized. A control gate layer is formed overlying the complementary charge storage nodes and the oxidized epitaxially-grown silicon.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2006
    Publication date: June 26, 2008
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Kinoshita, Ning Cheng, Minghao Shen
  • Patent number: 7391072
    Abstract: Structures and methods for programmable array type logic and/or memory with p-channel devices and asymmetrical low tunnel barrier intergate insulators are provided. The programmable array type logic and/or memory devices include p-channel non-volatile memory which has a first source/drain region and a second source/drain region separated by a p-type channel region in an n-type substrate. A floating gate opposing the p-type channel region and is separated therefrom by a gate oxide. A control gate opposes the floating gate. The control gate is separated from the floating gate by an asymmetrical low tunnel barrier intergate insulator. The asymmetrical low tunnel barrier intergate insulator includes a metal oxide insulator selected from the group consisting of Al2O3, Ta2O5, TiO2, ZrO2, Nb2O5, SrBi2Ta2O3, SrTiO3, PbTiO3, and PbZrO3. The floating gate includes a polysilicon floating gate having a metal layer formed thereon in contact with the low tunnel barrier intergate insulator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2008
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Leonard Forbes, Jerome M. Eldridge, Kie Y. Ahn
  • Patent number: 7391076
    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 provided on the semiconductor substrate, a floating gate electrode provided on the tunnel insulating film, the width of the floating gate electrode changing in the height direction of the non-volatile memory cell in channel width or length direction there, and being thinnest between a region above the bottom surface of the floating gate electrode and a region below the upper surface thereof, a control gate electrode above the floating gate electrode, and an interelectrode insulating film provided between the control gate electrode and the floating gate electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2008
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventor: Yoshio Ozawa
  • Patent number: 7387933
    Abstract: A memory device comprises a semiconductor substrate of a first conductive type, a memory transistor, a select transistor, a floating junction region, a common source region, and a bit line junction region. The floating junction region is formed of a second conductive type on the semiconductor substrate below a tunnel insulating film. The common source region of a second conductive type is formed on the semiconductor substrate adjacent a memory transistor gate and separated from the floating junction region. A bit line junction region of a second conductive type is formed on the semiconductor substrate adjacent a select transistor gate and is separated from the floating junction region, wherein the common source region includes a single junction region with a first doping concentration, and a depth of the common source region is shallower than a depth of the floating junction region and the bit line junction region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2008
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Weon-Ho Park, Hyun-Khe Yoo
  • Patent number: 7372096
    Abstract: Structures and methods for programmable array type logic and/or memory with p-channel devices and asymmetrical low tunnel barrier intergate insulators are provided. The programmable array type logic and/or memory devices include p-channel non-volatile memory which has a first source/drain region and a second source/drain region separated by a p-type channel region in an n-type substrate. A floating gate opposing the p-type channel region and is separated therefrom by a gate oxide. A control gate opposes the floating gate. The control gate is separated from the floating gate by an asymmetrical low tunnel barrier intergate insulator. The asymmetrical low tunnel barrier intergate insulator includes a metal oxide insulator selected from the group consisting of Al2O3, Ta2O5, TiO2, ZrO2, Nb2O5, SrBi2Ta2O3, SrTiO3, PbTiO3, and PbZrO3. The floating gate includes a polysilicon floating gate having a metal layer formed thereon in contact with the low tunnel barrier intergate insulator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2008
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Leonard Forbes, Jerome M. Eldridge, Kie Y. Ahn
  • Patent number: 7372097
    Abstract: Structures and methods for programmable array type logic and/or memory with p-channel devices and asymmetrical low tunnel barrier intergate insulators are provided. The programmable array type logic and/or memory devices include p-channel non-volatile memory which has a first source/drain region and a second source/drain region separated by a p-type channel region in an n-type substrate. A floating gate opposing the p-type channel region and is separated therefrom by a gate oxide. A control gate opposes the floating gate. The control gate is separated from the floating gate by an asymmetrical low tunnel barrier intergate insulator. The asymmetrical low tunnel barrier intergate insulator includes a metal oxide insulator selected from the group consisting of Al2O3, Ta2O5, TiO2, ZrO2, Nb2O5, SrBi2Ta2O3, SrTiO3, PbTiO3, and PbZrO3. The floating gate includes a polysilicon floating gate having a metal layer formed thereon in contact with the low tunnel barrier intergate insulator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2008
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Leonard Forbes, Jerome M. Eldridge, Kie Y. Ahn
  • Patent number: 7372098
    Abstract: A buried bipolar junction is provided in a floating gate transistor flash memory device. During a write operation electrons are injected into a surface depletion region of the memory cell transistors. These electrons are accelerated in a vertical electric field and injected over a barrier to a floating gate of the cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2008
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Leonard Forbes
  • Patent number: 7368346
    Abstract: Device isolation insulation layers passing through an insulation layer and a substrate, are formed, and a portion of them is removed. The insulation layer is removed. A gate oxide layer and a first conductive layer sequentially formed over the device isolation insulation layers, are isolated. Portions of the device isolation insulation layers are removed to increase an effective area of the first conductive layer. A laminated layer is formed, over the gate oxide layer and the first conductive layer that are isolated, and a portion of it is removed. A second conductive layer is formed over a remaining portion of the laminated layer, filling a gap created by removing the portion of the laminated layer. Predetermined portions of the second conductive layer are removed, thereby forming gate structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2008
    Assignee: Hynix Semiconductor Inc.
    Inventor: Il-Seok Seo
  • Publication number: 20080099818
    Abstract: A non-volatile memory is provided, including a control gate, a floating gate, a gate oxide layer, a source region, a drain region, a first dielectric layer, a second dielectric layer, and an erase gate. The control gate is disposed in a substrate. The floating gate comprising a coupling part and a gate part is disposed over the control gate and located over a portion of the substrate with the gate oxide layer there-between. The source region adjoins with one side of the gate part, while the drain region adjoins with the other side of the gate part. The first dielectric layer is disposed on the floating gate. The second dielectric layer is disposed on the sidewalls of the floating gate. The erase gate is disposed over the coupling part of the floating gate and covers the first dielectric layer and the second dielectric layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2006
    Publication date: May 1, 2008
    Applicant: EPISIL TECHNOLOGIES INC.
    Inventor: Chih-Lung Hung
  • Publication number: 20080093651
    Abstract: A flash memory device includes a cell string having a plurality of cell transistors connected in series, and a string selection transistor and a ground selection transistor connected to both ends of the cell string, respectively, wherein the cell transistor has a channel impurity concentration higher than a channel impurity concentration of at least one of the string selection transistor and the ground selection transistor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2007
    Publication date: April 24, 2008
    Inventors: Jai-Hyuk Song, Jeong-Hyuk Choi, Ok-Cheon Hong
  • Patent number: 7361554
    Abstract: Disclosed are a multi-bit non-volatile memory device, a method of operating the same, and a method of manufacturing the multi-bit non-volatile memory device. A unit cell of the multi-bit non-volatile memory device may be formed on a semiconductor substrate may include: a plurality of channels disposed perpendicularly to the upper surface of the semiconductor substrate; a plurality of storage nodes disposed on opposite sides of the channels perpendicularly the upper surface of the semiconductor substrate; a control gate surrounding upper portions of the channels and the storage nodes, and side surfaces of the storage nodes; and an insulating film formed between the channels and the storage nodes, between the channels and the control gate, and between the storage nodes and the control gate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2008
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoon-dong Park, Sun-ae Seo, Choong-rae Cho, Won-joo Kim, Sang-min Shin