With Charge Trapping Gate Insulator (e.g., Mnos-memory Transistors) (epo) Patents (Class 257/E29.309)
  • Publication number: 20120235223
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a nonvolatile semiconductor memory including a first gate insulating film formed on a channel region of a semiconductor substrate, a first particle layer formed in the first gate insulating film, a charge storage part formed on the first gate insulating film, a second gate insulating film which is formed on the charge storage part, a second particle layer formed in the second gate insulating film, and a gate electrode formed on the second gate insulating film. The first particle layer includes first conductive particles that satisfy Coulomb blockade conditions. The second particle layer includes second conductive particles that satisfy Coulomb blockade conditions and differs from the first conductive particles in average particle diameter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2012
    Publication date: September 20, 2012
    Inventors: Ryuji OHBA, Daisuke Matsushita
  • Publication number: 20120235221
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a semiconductor device includes a substrate, a first stacked body, a memory film, a first channel body, a second stacked body, a gate insulating film and a second channel body. A step part is formed between a side face of the select gate and the second insulating layer. A film thickness of a portion covering the step part of the second channel body is thicker than a film thickness of a portion provided between the second insulating layers of the second channel body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2011
    Publication date: September 20, 2012
    Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
    Inventors: Megumi ISHIDUKI, Ryota Katsumata, Tomo Ohsawa, Mitsuru Sato, Masaru Kidoh, Hiroyasu Tanaka
  • Publication number: 20120235220
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a semiconductor device includes a substrate, a stacked body, a first insulating film, a charge storage film, a second insulating film and a channel body. The stacked body includes a plurality of electrode layers and insulating layers which are alternately stacked above the substrate. The first insulating film is provided on a side wall of a hole which is formed through the stacked body. The charge storage film is provided on an inner side of the first insulating film. The charge storage film includes a protrusion part which protrudes toward the electrode layer with facing the electrode layer and has a film thickness thicker than a film thickness of a part other than the protrusion part. The second insulating film is provided on an inner side of the charge storage film. The channel body is provided on an inner side of the second insulating film.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2011
    Publication date: September 20, 2012
    Applicant: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Katsuyuki SEKINE, Masaaki HIGUCHI
  • Publication number: 20120235222
    Abstract: A device isolation film has a first height in a first area and a second height higher than the first height in a second area. The first area includes a first end of a dummy memory transistor facing a memory string and a part of a device isolation film adjacent thereof. The second area includes a second end of the dummy memory transistor facing a select transistor and a part of the device isolation film adjacent thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2011
    Publication date: September 20, 2012
    Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
    Inventor: Takeshi KAMIGAICHI
  • Publication number: 20120235225
    Abstract: A semiconductor device having a non-volatile memory and a method of manufacturing the same are provided. The semiconductor device includes a base material and a stack structure. The stack structure disposed on the base material at least includes a tunneling layer, a trapping layer and a dielectric layer. The trapping layer is disposed on the tunneling layer. The dielectric layer has a dielectric constant and is disposed on the trapping layer. The dielectric layer is transformed from a first solid state to a second solid state when the dielectric layer undergoes a process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2012
    Publication date: September 20, 2012
    Applicant: Macronix International Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sheng-Chih LAI, Hang-Ting Lue
  • Publication number: 20120235224
    Abstract: An architecture, circuit and method for providing a very dense, producible, non volatile FLASH memory with SONOS cells. SONOS memory cells are formed using a uniformly doped channel region. A FinFET embodiment cell is disclosed. Because the novel SONOS cells do not rely on diffused regions, the cells may be formed into a three dimensional array of cells without diffusion problems. FLASH memory arrays are formed by forming layers of NAND Flash cells in the local interconnect layers of an integrated circuit, with the metal layers forming the global bit line conductors. The three dimensional non-volatile arrays formed of the SONOS cells rely on conventional semiconductor processing. P-channel and n-channel devices may be used to form the SONOS non-volatile cells.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2012
    Publication date: September 20, 2012
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Chih Chieh Yeh
  • Patent number: 8269268
    Abstract: The device includes: a tunnel insulating layer, a charge trap layer; a blocking insulating layer; and a gate electrode sequentially formed on a substrate. The charge trap layer includes: plural trap layers comprising a first material having a first band gap energy level; spaced apart nanodots, each nanodot being at least partially surrounded by at least one of the trap layers, wherein the nanodots comprise a second material having a second band gap energy level that is lower than the first band gap energy level; and an intermediate blocking layer comprising a third material having a third band gap energy level that is higher than the first band gap energy level, formed between at least two of the trap layers. This structure prevents loss of charges from the charge trap layer and improves charge storage capacity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Zong-liang Huo, In-seok Yeo, Seung-Hyun Lim, Kyong-hee Joo, Jun-kyu Yang
  • Patent number: 8269269
    Abstract: A gate electrode of a select gate transistor includes a gate insulating film that is formed on a semiconductor substrate, a lower gate electrode that is formed on the gate insulating film and that has a tapered portion in which a side surface on a side of a gate electrode of a memory cell transistor is in a tapered shape, a first oxide film, a silicon nitride film, a second oxide film, and a conductive film that are sequentially formed on the tapered portion, and an upper gate electrode that is connected to the conductive film and the lower gate electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventor: Motoki Sugi
  • Patent number: 8269266
    Abstract: Provided is a semiconductor device having, over a semiconductor substrate, a control gate electrode and a memory gate electrode which are adjacent to each other and constitute a nonvolatile memory. The height of the memory gate electrode is lower than the height of the control gate electrode. A metal silicide film is formed over the upper surface of the control gate electrode, but not formed over the upper surface of the memory gate electrode. The memory gate electrode has, over the upper surface thereof, a sidewall insulating film made of silicon oxide. This sidewall insulating film is formed in the same step as that for the formation of respective sidewall insulating films over the sidewalls of the memory gate electrode and the control gate electrode. The present invention makes it possible to improve the production yield and performance of the semiconductor device having a nonvolatile memory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: Renesas Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Koichi Toba, Yasushi Ishii, Yoshiyuki Kawashima, Satoru Machida, Munekatsu Nakagawa, Takashi Hashimoto
  • Patent number: 8268692
    Abstract: A method of fabricating a memory cell including forming nanodots over a first dielectric layer and forming an intergate dielectric layer over the nanodots, where the intergate dielectric layer encases the nanodots. To form sidewalls of the memory cell, a portion of the intergate dielectric layer is removed with a dry etch, where the sidewalls include a location where a nanodot has been deposited. A spacing layer is formed over the sidewalls to cover the location where a nanodot has been deposited and the remaining portion of the intergate dielectric layer and the nanodots can be removed with an etch selective to the intergate dielectric layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Gurtej S. Sandhu, Kirk D. Prall
  • Publication number: 20120228694
    Abstract: A semiconductor device according to an embodiment, includes a dielectric film and an Si semiconductor part. The dielectric film is formed by using one of oxide, nitride and oxynitride. The Si semiconductor part is arranged below the dielectric film, having at least one element of sulfur (S), selenium (Se), and tellurium (Te) present in an interface with the dielectric film, and formed by using silicon (Si).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2011
    Publication date: September 13, 2012
    Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
    Inventors: Tatsuo SHIMIZU, Satoshi Itoh, Hideyuki Nishizawa
  • Patent number: 8264026
    Abstract: Nonvolatile memory devices and related methods of manufacturing the same are provided. A nonvolatile memory device includes a tunneling layer on a substrate, a floating gate on the tunneling layer, an inter-gate dielectric layer structure on the floating gate, and a control gate on the inter-gate dielectric layer structure. The inter-gate dielectric layer structure includes a first silicon oxide layer, a high dielectric layer on the first silicon oxide layer, and a second silicon oxide layer on the high dielectric layer opposite to the first silicon oxide layer The high dielectric layer may include first and second high dielectric layers laminated on each other, and the first high dielectric layer may have a lower density of electron trap sites than the second high dielectric layer and may have a larger energy band gap or conduction band-offset than the second high dielectric layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sung-Hae Lee, Byong-Sun Ju, Suk-Jin Chung, Young-Sun Kim
  • Patent number: 8263463
    Abstract: A split gate nonvolatile memory cell on a semiconductor layer is made by forming a gate dielectric over the semiconductor layer. A first layer of gate material is deposited over the gate dielectric. The first layer of gate material is etched to remove a portion of the first layer of gate material over a first portion of the semiconductor layer and to leave a select gate portion having a sidewall adjacent to the first portion. A treatment is applied over the semiconductor layer to reduce a relative oxide growth rate of the sidewall to the first portion. Oxide is grown on the sidewall to form a first oxide on the sidewall and on the first portion to form a second oxide on the first portion after the applying the treatment. A charge storage layer is formed over the first oxide and along the second oxide. A control gate is formed over the second oxide and adjacent to the sidewall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: Freescale Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventors: Sung-Taeg Kang, Brian A. Winstead
  • Patent number: 8264028
    Abstract: Memory cells comprising: a semiconductor substrate having a source region and a drain region disposed below a surface of the substrate and separated by a channel region; a tunnel dielectric structure disposed above the channel region, the tunnel dielectric structure comprising at least one layer having a hole-tunneling barrier height; a charge storage layer disposed above the tunnel dielectric structure; an insulating layer disposed above the charge storage layer; and a gate electrode disposed above the insulating layer are described along with arrays and methods of operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: Macronix International Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hang-Ting Lue, Szu Yu Wang
  • Patent number: 8264030
    Abstract: A flash memory device and a method for manufacturing the same are provided. The flash memory device can include first and second memory gates on a substrate, an oxide layer on sides of and on the substrate outside of the first and second memory gates, a source poly contact between the first and second memory gates, first and second select gates outside the first and second memory gates, a drain region outside the first and second select gates, and a metal contact on the drain region and the source poly contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: Dongbu Hitek Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Young Jun Kwon
  • Publication number: 20120223318
    Abstract: A p-channel flash memory is formed with a charge storage stack embedded in a hetero-junction layer in which a raised source/drain is formed. Embodiments include forming a dummy gate stack on a substrate, forming a layer on the substrate by selective epitaxial growth, on each side of the dummy gate stack, forming spacers on the layer, forming raised source/drains, removing the dummy gate stack, forming a cavity between the spacers, and forming a memory gate stack in the cavity. Different embodiments include forming the layer of a narrow bandgap material, a narrow bandgap layer under the spacers and a wide bandgap layer adjacent thereto, or a wide bandgap layer under the spacers, a narrow bandgap layer adjacent thereto, and a wide bandgap layer on the narrow bandgap layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2011
    Publication date: September 6, 2012
    Applicant: GLOBALFOUNDRIES Singapore Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: Eng Huat Toh, Elgin Quek, Ying Keung Leung, Sanford Chu
  • Publication number: 20120223380
    Abstract: There is provided a monolithic three dimensional array of charge storage devices which includes a plurality of device levels, wherein at least one surface between two successive device levels is planarized by chemical mechanical polishing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2012
    Publication date: September 6, 2012
    Applicant: SanDisk 3D LLC
    Inventors: Thomas H. Lee, Vivek Subramanian, James M. Cleeves, Andrew J. Walker, Christopher J. Petti, Igor G. Kouznetzov, Mark G. Johnson, Paul Michael Farmwald, Brad Herner
  • Publication number: 20120223381
    Abstract: A non-volatile memory structure is disclosed. LDD regions may be optionally formed through an ion implantation using a mask for protection of a gate channel region of an active area. Two gates are apart from each other and disposed on an isolation structure on two sides of a middle region of the active area, respectively. The two gates may be each entirely disposed on the isolation structure or partially to overlap a side portion of the middle region of the active area. A charge-trapping layer and a dielectric layer are formed between the two gates and on the active area to serve for a storage node function. They may be further formed onto all sidewalls of the two gates to serve as spacers. Source/drain regions are formed through ion implantation using a mask for protection of the gates and the charge-trapping layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2011
    Publication date: September 6, 2012
    Inventors: Hau-Yan Lu, Hsin-Ming Chen, Ching-Sung Yang
  • Patent number: 8258587
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method for making a semiconductor device having metal gate stacks. The method includes forming a high k dielectric material layer on a semiconductor substrate; forming a metal gate layer on the high k dielectric material layer; forming a top gate layer on the metal gate layer; patterning the top gate layer, the metal gate layer and the high k dielectric material layer to form a gate stack; performing an etching process to selectively recess the metal gate layer; and forming a gate spacer on sidewalls of the gate stack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yuri Masuoka, Shyh-Horng Yang, Peng-Soon Lim
  • Patent number: 8258571
    Abstract: The invention provides a MOS semiconductor memory device that achieves excellent data retention characteristics while also achieving high-speed data write performance, low-power operation performance, and high reliability. A MOS semiconductor memory device 601 includes a first insulating film 111 and fifth insulating film 115 having large bandgaps 111a and 115a, a third insulating film 113 having the smallest bandgap 113a, and a second insulating film 112 and fourth insulating film 114 interposed between the third insulating film 113 and the first and fifth insulating films 111 and 115, respectively, and having intermediate bandgaps 112a and 114a.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignees: Tokyo Electron Limited, Tohoku University
    Inventors: Tetsuo Endoh, Masayuki Kohno, Tatsuo Nishita, Minoru Honda, Toshio Nakanishi, Yoshihiro Hirota
  • Patent number: 8258034
    Abstract: Methods of fabricating 3D charge-trap memory cells are described, along with apparatus and systems that include them. In a planar stack formed by alternate layers of electrically conductive and insulating material, a substantially vertical opening may be formed. Inside the vertical opening a substantially vertical structure may be formed that comprises a first layer, a charge-trap layer, a tunneling oxide layer, and an epitaxial silicon portion. Additional embodiments are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Nirmal Ramaswamy, Gurtej S. Sandhu
  • Publication number: 20120218836
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a semiconductor memory device comprises a first silicon pillar including a first pair of columnar portions and a first connection portion, a second silicon pillar including a second pair of columnar portions and a second connection portion in the shunt region, the second silicon pillar being adjacent to the first silicon pillar, a first interconnection connected to one of the first pair of columnar portions of the first silicon pillar, a second interconnection connected to one of the second pair of columnar portions of the second silicon pillar. The first interconnection is connected to a dummy bit line. The first interconnection and the second interconnection are connected on the same level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2012
    Publication date: August 30, 2012
    Inventor: Susumu OZAWA
  • Publication number: 20120217571
    Abstract: Nonvolatile semiconductor memory device includes first memory cell array layer, first insulating layer formed thereabove, and second memory cell array layer formed thereabove. First memory cell array layer includes first NAND cell units each including plural first memory cells. The first memory cell includes first semiconductor layer, first gate insulating film formed thereabove, and first charge accumulation layer formed thereabove. The second memory cell array layer includes second NAND cell units each including plural second memory cells. The second memory cell includes second charge accumulation layer, second gate insulating film formed thereabove, and second semiconductor layer formed thereabove. Control gates are formed, via an inter-gate insulating film, on first-direction both sides of the first and second charge accumulation layers positioned the latter above the former via the first insulating layer. The control gates extend in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2012
    Publication date: August 30, 2012
    Applicant: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Fumitaka ARAI, Satoshi Nagashima, Hisataka Meguro, Hideto Takekida, Kenta Yamada
  • Publication number: 20120217573
    Abstract: A first dielectric is formed over a semiconductor layer, a first gate layer over the first dielectric, a second dielectric over the first gate layer, and a third dielectric over the second dielectric. An etch is performed to form a first sidewall of the first gate layer. A second etch is performed to remove portions of the first dielectric between the semiconductor layer and the first gate layer to expose a bottom corner of the first gate layer and to remove portions of the second dielectric between the first gate layer and the third dielectric layer to expose a top corner of the first gate layer. An oxide is grown on the first sidewall and around the top and bottom corners to round the corners. The oxide is then removed. A charge storage layer and second gate layer is formed over the third dielectric layer and overlapping the first sidewall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2011
    Publication date: August 30, 2012
    Inventor: SUNG-TAEG KANG
  • Publication number: 20120217572
    Abstract: A flash memory device includes a substrate; a cell stack having a semiconductor layer for providing junction areas and channel areas and an interlayer isolation layer for insulating the semiconductor layer, wherein the semiconductor layer and the interlayer isolation layer are repeatedly stacked; an array of gate columns, the gate columns penetrating through the cell stack, perpendicular to the substrate; and a trap layered stack introduced into an interface between the gate columns and the cell stack to store charge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2012
    Publication date: August 30, 2012
    Applicant: HYNIX SEMICONDUCTOR INC.
    Inventors: Hack Seob Shin, Kyoung Hwan Park, Young Ok Hong, Yu Jin Park
  • Patent number: 8253189
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor region, a tunnel insulating film formed on a surface of the semiconductor region, a charge-storage insulating film formed on a surface of the tunnel insulating film and containing silicon and nitrogen, a block insulating film formed on a surface of the charge-storage insulating film, and a control gate electrode formed on a surface of the block insulating film, wherein the tunnel insulating film has a first insulating film formed on the surface of the semiconductor region and containing silicon and oxygen, a second insulating film formed on a surface of the first insulating film, and a third insulating film formed on a surface of the second insulating film and containing silicon and oxygen, and a charge trap state in the second insulating film has a lower density than that in the charge-storage insulating film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Katsuyuki Sekine, Akiko Sekihara, Kensuke Takano, Yoshio Ozawa
  • Patent number: 8254175
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor region, a tunnel insulating film formed on the semiconductor region, a charge-storage insulating film formed on the tunnel insulating film, a block insulating film formed on the charge-storage insulating film, and a control gate electrode formed on the block insulating film, wherein the tunnel insulating film comprises a first region which is formed on a surface of the semiconductor region and contains silicon and oxygen, a second region which contains silicon and nitrogen, a third region which is formed on a back surface of the charge-storage insulating film and contains silicon and oxygen, and an insulating region which is formed at least between the first region and the second region or between the second region and the third region, and contains silicon and nitrogen and oxygen and the second region is formed between the first region and the third region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Masaaki Higuchi, Hiroshi Matsuba, Yoshio Ozawa, Tetsuya Kai
  • Patent number: 8254173
    Abstract: Some embodiments include NAND memory constructions. The constructions may contain semiconductor material pillars extending upwardly between dielectric regions, with individual pillars having a pair of opposing vertically-extending sides along a cross-section. First conductivity type regions may be along first sides of the pillars, and second conductivity type regions may be along second sides of the individual pillars; with the second conductivity type regions contacting interconnect lines. Vertical NAND strings may be over the pillars, and select devices may selectively couple the NAND strings with the interconnect lines. The select devices may have vertical channels directly against the semiconductor material pillars and directly against upper regions of the first and second conductivity type regions. Some embodiments include methods of forming NAND memory constructions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Sanh D. Tang
  • Patent number: 8253188
    Abstract: A semiconductor storage device includes a semiconductor substrate, a first insulator, a laminated insulator including a second insulator having fixed charges more than those of the first insulator, a single-layer insulator, memory cells between the semiconductor substrate and the first insulator, each memory cells separated from an adjacent memory cell by a cavity portion and including a tunnel insulator, a charge accumulation layer, an insulator, and a control gate electrode, a first selection gate transistor between the semiconductor substrate and the first insulator, a second selection gate transistor between the semiconductor substrate and the first insulator, between one memory cell and the first selection gate transistor, and in contact with the laminated insulator on a first side face on a memory cell side thereof, and a high-voltage peripheral circuit transistor between the semiconductor substrate and the first insulator, and in contact with the single-layer insulator on a side face thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Takeshi Kamigaichi, Satoshi Nagashima, Kenji Aoyama
  • Patent number: 8252653
    Abstract: A flash memory device and methods of forming a flash memory device are provided. The flash memory device includes a doped silicon nitride layer having a dopant comprising carbon, boron or oxygen. The doped silicon nitride layer generates a higher number and higher concentration of nitrogen and silicon dangling bonds in the layer and provides an increase in charge holding capacity and charge retention time of the unit cell of a non-volatile memory device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Mihaela Balseanu, Vladimir Zubkov, Li-Qun Xia, Atif Noori, Reza Arghavani, Derek R. Witty, Amir Al-Bayati
  • Publication number: 20120211820
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a semiconductor memory device includes a plurality of gate electrode films arranged parallel to each other along a direction, a semiconductor member extending in the direction, and passing through the plurality of gate electrode films, and a charge storage film provided between the gate electrode films and the semiconductor member. Protrusions are provided projecting along the direction at the ends of the gate electrode films in opposition to the semiconductor member. A gaseous layer is formed in a part of a gap between the gate electrode films.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2011
    Publication date: August 23, 2012
    Applicant: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Yosuke KOMORI, Daigo ICHINOSE
  • Publication number: 20120211822
    Abstract: A method for fabricating a non-volatile memory device includes alternately stacking a plurality of interlayer dielectric layers and a plurality of conductive layers over a substrate, etching the interlayer dielectric layers and the conductive layers to form a trench which exposes a surface of the substrate forming a first material layer over a resulting structure in which the trench is formed, forming a second material layer over the first material layer, removing portions of the second material layer and the first material layer formed on a bottom of the trench to expose the surface of the substrate, removing the second material layer, and burying a channel layer within the trench in which the second material layer is removed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2012
    Publication date: August 23, 2012
    Inventors: Se-Yun Lim, Eun-Seok Choi, Young-Wook Lee, Won-Joon Choi, Ki-Hong Lee, Sang-Bum Lee
  • Publication number: 20120211823
    Abstract: A semiconductor memory device includes a lower select transistor formed within a semiconductor substrate, memory cells stacked over the lower select transistors, and an upper select transistor formed over the memory cells.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2012
    Publication date: August 23, 2012
    Applicant: HYNIX SEMICONDUCTOR INC.
    Inventors: Se Yun LIM, Eun Seok CHOI
  • Patent number: 8247863
    Abstract: A memory string comprises: a pair of columnar portions; a first insulating layer surrounding a side surface of the columnar portions; a charge storage layer surrounding a side surface of the first insulating layer; a second insulating layer surrounding a side surface of the charge storage layer; and a first conductive layer surrounding a side surface of the second insulating layer. A select transistor comprises: a second semiconductor layer extending from an upper surface of the columnar portions; a third insulating layer surrounding a side surface of the second semiconductor layer; a fourth insulating layer surrounding a side surface of the third insulating layer; and a second conductive layer surrounding a side surface of the fourth insulating layer. The first semiconductor layer is formed continuously in an integrated manner with the second semiconductor layer. The first insulating layer is formed continuously in an integrated manner with the third insulating layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Yoshiaki Fukuzumi, Ryota Katsumata, Masaru Kito, Masaru Kidoh, Hiroyasu Tanaka, Megumi Ishiduki, Yosuke Komori, Hideaki Aochi
  • Patent number: 8247858
    Abstract: A semiconductor storage device and method of manufacturing same at a lower cost by without forming a photolithographic resist. Second impurity regions are arranged in such a manner that second impurity regions adjacent along the column direction are joined together. A select gate electrode is arranged into a ring shape so as to surround the second impurity regions, and is electrically connected to a word line. A first control gate electrode is arranged into a ring shape on the outer peripheral side of the select gate electrode, and a second control gate electrode is arranged into a ring shape on the inner peripheral side of the select gate electrode. A pair of first and second bit lines corresponding to every row are placed on the memory cells of the device, a first bit line is electrically connected to one of first impurity regions that are adjacent along the row direction, and a second bit line is electrically connected to the other of the first impurity regions that are adjacent along the row direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Renesas Electronics Corporation
    Inventor: Toshiaki Takeshita
  • Patent number: 8247860
    Abstract: A nonvolatile semiconductor memory device includes: a substrate; a stacked body with a plurality of dielectric films and electrode films alternately stacked therein, the stacked body being provided on the substrate and having a step in its end portion for each of the electrode films; an interlayer dielectric film burying the end portion of the stacked body; a plurality of semiconductor pillars extending in the stacking direction of the stacked body and penetrating through a center portion of the stacked body; a charge storage layer provided between one of the electrode films and one of the semiconductor pillars; and a plug buried in the interlayer dielectric film and connected to a portion of each of the electrode films constituting the step, a portion of each of the dielectric films in the center portion having a larger thickness than a portion of each of the dielectric films in the end portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Masao Iwase, Tadashi Iguchi
  • Patent number: 8247293
    Abstract: A method for forming and operating an integrated circuit, including providing a substrate; forming a bottom electrode over the substrate, wherein the bottom electrode is in or over a lowest metallization layer over the substrate; forming a blocking layer over the substrate; forming a charge-trapping layer over the blocking layer; forming an insulation layer over the charge-trapping layer; forming a control gate over the insulation layer; forming a tunneling layer over the control gate; and forming a top electrode over the tunneling layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Shih Wei Wang
  • Publication number: 20120206979
    Abstract: A non-volatile memory device includes channel structures that each extend in a first direction, wherein the channel structures each include channel layers and interlayer dielectric layers that are alternately stacked; source structure extending in a second direction crossing the first direction and connected to ends of the channel structures, wherein the source structure includes source lines and interlayer dielectric layers that are alternately stacked; and word lines extending in the second direction and formed to surround the channel structures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2012
    Publication date: August 16, 2012
    Inventors: Hack Seob Shin, Sang Hyun Oh
  • Patent number: 8237213
    Abstract: Memory arrays and methods of their formation are disclosed. One such memory array has memory-cell strings are formed adjacent to separated substantially vertical, adjacent semiconductor structures, where the separated semiconductor structures couple the memory cells of the respective strings in series. For some embodiments, two dielectric pillars may be formed from a dielectric formed in a single opening, where each of the dielectric pillars has a pair of memory-cell strings adjacent thereto and where at least one memory cell of one of the strings on one of the pillars and at least one memory cell of one of the strings on the other pillar are commonly coupled to an access line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Zengtao Liu
  • Publication number: 20120193700
    Abstract: Semiconductor memory devices and methods of forming semiconductor memory devices are provided. The methods may include forming insulation layers and cell gate layers that are alternately stacked on a substrate, forming an opening by successively patterning through the cell gate layers and the insulation layers, and forming selectively conductive barriers on sidewalls of the cell gate layers in the opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2012
    Publication date: August 2, 2012
    Inventors: Jingyun Kim, Myoungbum Lee, Kihyun Hwang
  • Publication number: 20120193596
    Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment, a semiconductor device includes a functional film, first and second trenches, and first and second insulating films. The functional film comprises first and second areas. The first trench is provided in the first area of the functional film and has a first width. The second trench is provided in the second area of the functional film and has a second width larger than the first width. The first insulating film is formed from a polymeric material as a precursor to fill the first trench. The second insulating film has a diameter larger than the first width and is formed from particulates and the polymeric material as precursors. The particulates fill the second trench. The polymeric material fills spaces between the particulates in the second trench and also fills gaps between the particulates and the second trench.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2011
    Publication date: August 2, 2012
    Inventor: Keisuke NAKAZAWA
  • Publication number: 20120193699
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a nonvolatile semiconductor memory device includes a semiconductor substrate; an element isolation insulating film buried in the semiconductor substrate so as to isolate adjacent element; a memory cell having a first insulating film and a charge accumulation film; a second insulating film formed on the charge accumulation films of the memory cells and the element isolation insulating film; and a control electrode film formed on the second insulating film. An upper surface of the element isolation insulating film is lower than an upper surface of the charge accumulation film, the second insulating film is provided with a cell upper portion on the charge accumulation film and an inter-cell portion on the element isolation insulating film, and a dielectric constant of the cell upper portion is lower than a dielectric constant of the inter-cell portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2012
    Publication date: August 2, 2012
    Applicant: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventor: Masayuki TANAKA
  • Patent number: 8232170
    Abstract: Provided are methods for fabricating semiconductor devices. A method may include forming a device isolation layer to define active regions on a semiconductor substrate. The active regions may protrude above an upper surface of the device isolation layer. The method may also include forming tunnel insulating layers on upper and side surfaces of corresponding ones of the active regions. The method may further include forming charge storage patterns on corresponding ones of the tunnel insulating layers. The charge storage patterns may be separated from each other. The method may also include forming a blocking insulating layer on the charge storage patterns and the device isolation layer. The method may further include forming a gate electrode on the blocking insulating layer. The blocking insulating layer may cover the device isolation layer such that the gate electrode is precluded from contact with the device isolation layer and the tunnel insulating layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Young-Woo Park, Jung-Dal Choi, Jae-Sung Sim
  • Publication number: 20120187471
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device comprises forming memory cells on a memory cell region, alternately forming a sacrificial layer and an insulating interlayer on a connection region for providing wirings configured to electrically connect the memory cells, forming an etching mask pattern including etching mask pattern elements on a top sacrificial layer, forming blocking sidewalls on either sidewalls of each of the etching mask pattern element, forming a first photoresist pattern selectively exposing a first blocking sidewall furthermost from the memory cell region and covering the other blocking sidewalls, etching the exposed top sacrificial layer and an insulating interlayer to expose a second sacrificial layer, forming a second photoresist pattern by laterally removing the first photoresist pattern to the extent that a second blocking sidewall is exposed, and etching the exposed top and second sacrificial layers and the insulating interlayers to form a staircase shaped side edge portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2011
    Publication date: July 26, 2012
    Inventors: Han-Geun YU, Gyung-Jin MIN, Seong-Soo LEE, Suk-Ho JOO, Yoo-Chul KONG, Dae-Hyun JANG
  • Publication number: 20120181600
    Abstract: A semiconductor device fabricated by forming a dummy layer on a semiconductor substrate, forming a groove in the semiconductor substrate while using the dummy layer as a mask, forming a tunnel insulating film and a trap layer to cover an inner surface of the groove and the dummy layer, eliminating the trap layer formed above the upper surface and at the sides of the dummy layer, and forming a top insulating film to cover a remaining trap layer and the exposed tunnel insulating film.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2011
    Publication date: July 19, 2012
    Inventor: Masahiko HIGASHI
  • Publication number: 20120181599
    Abstract: An integrated circuit device is described that includes a 3D memory comprising a plurality of self-aligned stacks of word lines orthogonal to and interleaved with a plurality of self-aligned stacks of bit lines. Data storage structures such as dielectric charge storage structures, are provided at cross points between word lines and bit lines in the plurality of self-aligned stacks of word lines interleaved with the plurality of self-aligned stacks of bit lines.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2011
    Publication date: July 19, 2012
    Applicant: Macronix International Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: HSIANG-LAN LUNG
  • Publication number: 20120182808
    Abstract: A memory device, a manufacturing method and an operating method of the same are provided. The memory device includes a substrate, stacked structures, a channel element, a dielectric element, a source element, and a bit line. The stacked structures are disposed on the substrate. Each of the stacked structures includes a string selection line, a word line, a ground selection line and an insulating line. The string selection line, the word line and the ground selection line are separated from each other by the insulating line. The channel element is disposed between the stacked structures. The dielectric element is disposed between the channel element and the stacked structure. The source element is disposed between the upper surface of the substrate and the lower surface of the channel element. The bit line is disposed on the upper surface of the channel element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2011
    Publication date: July 19, 2012
    Applicant: MACRONIX INTERNATIONAL CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hang-Ting Lue, Shih-Hung Chen
  • Publication number: 20120182807
    Abstract: A 3D stacked AND-type flash memory structure comprises several horizontal planes of memory cells arranged in a three-dimensional array, and each horizontal plane comprising several word lines and several of charge trapping multilayers arranged alternately, and the adjacent word lines spaced apart from each other with each charge trapping multilayer interposed between; a plurality of sets of bit lines and source lines arranged alternately and disposed vertically to the horizontal planes; and a plurality of sets of channels and sets of insulation pillars arranged alternatively, and disposed perpendicularly to the horizontal planes, wherein one set of channels is sandwiched between the adjacent sets of bit lines and source lines.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2011
    Publication date: July 19, 2012
    Applicant: MACRONIX INTERNATIONAL CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Hang-Ting Lue
  • Publication number: 20120181534
    Abstract: A memory device in which a write error can be prevented is provided. The memory device includes a NAND cell unit including a plurality of memory cells connected in series, a first selection transistor connected to one of terminals of the NAND cell unit, a second selection transistor connected to the other of the terminals of the NAND cell unit, a source line connected to the first selection transistor, and a bit line which intersects with the source line and is connected to the second selection transistor. In the memory device, a channel region of each of the first selection transistor and the second selection transistor is formed in an oxide semiconductor layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2012
    Publication date: July 19, 2012
    Applicant: SEMICONDUCTOR ENERGY LABORATORY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Takehisa Hatano
  • Publication number: 20120181601
    Abstract: Methods for fabricating a semiconductor memory cell that has a spacer layer are disclosed. A method includes forming a plurality of source/drain regions in a substrate where the plurality of source/drain regions are formed between trenches, forming a first oxide layer above the plurality of source/drain regions and in the trenches, forming a charge storage layer above the oxide layer and separating the charge storage layer in the trenches where a space is formed between separated portions of the charge storage layer. The method further includes forming a spacer layer to fill the space between the separated portions of the charge storage layer and to rise a predetermined distance above the space. A second oxide layer is formed above the charge storage layer and the spacer layer and a polysilicon layer is formed above the second oxide layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2012
    Publication date: July 19, 2012
    Inventors: Shenqing FANG, Angela HUI, Gang XUE, Alexander NICKEL, Kashmir SAHOTA, Scott BELL, Chun CHEN, Wai LO