Abstract: An integrated circuit of an array of nonvolatile memory cells has a dielectric stack layer over the substrate, and implanted regions in the substrate under the dielectric stack layer. The dielectric stack layer is continuous over a planar region, that includes locations of the dielectric stack layer that store nonvolatile data, such that these locations are accessed by word lines/bit lines.

Abstract: A vertical semiconductor device and a method of making a vertical semiconductor device include a first semiconductor pattern formed on a substrate and a first gate structure formed on a sidewall of the first semiconductor pattern. A second semiconductor pattern is formed on the first semiconductor pattern. A plurality of insulating interlayer patterns is formed on sidewalls of the second semiconductor pattern. The insulating interlayer patterns are spaced apart from each other to define grooves between the insulating interlayer patterns. The plurality of second gate structures is disposed in the grooves, respectively.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a nonvolatile semiconductor memory includes control gates provided in an array form, the control gates passing through the first semiconductor layer, data recording layers between the first semiconductor layer and the control gates, two first conductive-type diffusion layers at two ends in the first direction of the first semiconductor layer, two second conductive-type diffusion layers at two ends in the second direction of the first semiconductor layer, select gate lines extending in the first direction on the first semiconductor layer, and word lines extending in the second direction on the select gate lines. The select gate lines function as select gates shared by select transistors connected between the control gates and the word lines arranged in the first direction. Each of the word lines is commonly connected to the control gates arranged in the second direction.

Abstract: Provided are a three-dimensional semiconductor memory device and manufacturing method of the three-dimensional semiconductor memory device. The three-dimensional semiconductor memory device may include a gate structure on a substrate with the gate structure including a plurality of gate electrodes. Conductive lines are disposed between the gate structure and the substrate. A horizontal semiconductor pattern is disposed between the gate structure and the conductive line. And a vertical semiconductor pattern penetrating the gate structure is connected to the horizontal semiconductor pattern.

Abstract: Method and device embodiments are described for fabricating MOSFET transistors in a semiconductor also containing non-volatile floating gate transistors. MOSFET transistor gate dielectric smiling, or bird's beaks, are adjustable by re-oxidation processing. An additional re-oxidation process is performed by opening a poly-silicon layer prior to forming an inter-poly oxide dielectric provided for the floating gate transistors.

Abstract: A nonvolatile semiconductor memory device includes a semiconductor substrate, a first insulation layer formed on the semiconductor substrate, a charge storage layer formed on the first insulation layer, a second insulation layer formed on the charge storage layer, and a control electrode formed on the second insulation layer. The second insulation layer includes a first silicon oxide film formed above the charge storage layer, a silicon nitride film formed on the first silicon oxide film, a metal oxide film formed on the silicon nitride film, and a nitride film formed on the metal oxide film. The metal oxide film has a relative permittivity of not less than 7.

Abstract: A vertical structure nonvolatile memory device can include a channel layer that extends in a vertical direction on a substrate. A memory cell string includes a plurality of transistors that are disposed on the substrate in the vertical direction along a vertical sidewall of the channel layer. At least one of the plurality of transistors includes at least one recess in a gate of the transistor into which at least one protrusion, which includes the channel layer, extends.

Abstract: A first lamination part includes: a charge accumulation layer provided on the respective sidewalls of laminated first conductive layers and accumulating charges; and a first semiconductor layer provided in contact with the fourth insulation layer and formed to extend to the lamination direction. A second lamination part includes a second semiconductor layer provided in contact with the first semiconductor layer. A third lamination part includes: a plurality of first contact layers formed in contact with the respective second lamination part, extending to a first direction perpendicular to the lamination direction, and in line with each other along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction; and a plurality of contact plug layers formed in contact with any one of the first contact layers and extending to the lamination direction. The contact plug layers are arranged at different positions relative to each other in the first direction.

Abstract: A nonvolatile semiconductor memory device with a substrate. A plurality of dielectric films and electrode films are alternately stacked on the substrate and have a through hole penetrating in the stacking direction. A semiconductor pillar is formed inside the through hole. A charge storage layer is provided at least between the semiconductor pillar and the electrode film. At least part of a side surface of a portion of the through hole located in the electrode film is sloped relative to the stacking direction.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a semiconductor device includes a substrate, a lower gate layer, a stacked body, a dummy electrode layer, an insulating film, and a channel body. The lower gate layer is provided above the substrate. The stacked body includes a plurality of insulating layers and a plurality of electrode layers alternately stacked above the lower gate layer. The dummy electrode layer is provided between the lower gate layer and the stacked body, made of the same material as the electrode layer, and thicker than each of the electrode layers. The insulating film includes a charge storage film provided on a side wall of a hole formed to penetrate through the stacked body and the dummy electrode layer. The channel body is provided on an inside of the insulating film in the hole.

Abstract: A non-volatile memory device includes a field region that defines an active region in a semiconductor substrate, a floating gate pattern on the active region, a dielectric layer on the floating gate pattern and a control gate on the dielectric layer. The control gate includes a first conductive pattern that has a first composition that crystallizes in a first temperature range, and a second conductive pattern that has a second composition that is different from the first composition and that crystallizes in a second temperature range that is lower than the first temperature range, the first conductive pattern being between the dielectric layer and the second conductive pattern.

Abstract: A nonvolatile memory device includes a pipe insulation layer having a pipe channel hole, a pipe gate disposed over the pipe insulation layer, a pair of cell strings each having a columnar cell channel, and a pipe channel coupling the columnar cell channels and surrounding inner sidewalls and a bottom of the pipe channel hole.

Abstract: A non-volatile memory device includes a pair of columnar cell channels vertically extending from a substrate, a doped pipe channel arranged to couple lower ends of the pair of columnar cell channels, insulation layers over the substrate in which the doped pipe channel is buried, memory layers arranged to surround side surfaces of the columnar cell channels, and control gate electrodes arranged to surround the memory layers.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a non-volatile memory device is described. The method comprises growing a layer in a siliconoxide consuming material, e.g. DyScO, on top of the upper layer of the layer where charge is stored. A non-volatile memory device is also described. In the non-volatile memory device, the interpoly/blocking dielectric comprises a layer in a siliconoxide consuming material, e.g. DyScO, on top of the upper layer of the layer where charge is stored, the siliconoxide consuming material having consumed at least part of the upper layer.

Abstract: A charge trapping floating gate is described with asymmetric tunneling barriers. The memory cell includes a source region and a drain region separated by a channel region. A first tunneling barrier structure is disposed above the channel region. A floating gate is disposed above the first tunneling barrier structure covering the channel region. A second tunneling barrier is disposed above the floating gate. A dielectric charge trapping structure disposed above the second tunneling barrier and a blocking dielectric structure is disposed above the charge trapping structure. A top conductive layer disposed above the top dielectric structure acts as a gate. The second tunneling barrier is a more efficient conductor of tunneling current, under bias conditions applied for programming and erasing the memory cell, than the first tunneling barrier structure.

Abstract: A nonvolatile semiconductor memory device that have a new structure are provided, in which memory cells are laminated in a three dimensional state so that the chip area may be reduced. The nonvolatile semiconductor memory device of the present invention is a nonvolatile semiconductor memory device that has a plurality of the memory strings, in which a plurality of electrically programmable memory cells is connected in series. The memory strings comprise a pillar shaped semiconductor; a first insulation film formed around the pillar shaped semiconductor; a charge storage layer formed around the first insulation film; the second insulation film formed around the charge storage layer; and first or nth electrodes formed around the second insulation film (n is natural number more than 1). The first or nth electrodes of the memory strings and the other first or nth electrodes of the memory strings are respectively the first or nth conductor layers that are spread in a two dimensional state.

Abstract: A MONOS type non-volatile semiconductor memory device which is capable of electrically writing, erasing, reading and retaining data, the memory device including source/drain regions, a first gate insulating layer, a first charge trapping layer formed on the first gate insulating layer, a second gate insulating layer formed on the first charge trapping layer, and a controlling electrode formed on the second gate insulating layer. The first charge trapping layer includes an insulating film containing Al and O as major elements and having a defect pair formed of a complex of an interstitial O atom and a tetravalent cationic atom substituting for an Al atom, the insulating film also having electron unoccupied levels within the range of 2 eV-6 eV as measured from the valence band maximum of Al2O3.

Abstract: A semiconductor memory capable of increasing bit density by three-dimensional arrangement of cells and a method for manufacturing the same are provided. In a semiconductor memory 1, gate electrode films 21 are provided on a silicon substrate 11. The gate electrode films 21 are arranged in one direction parallel to the upper surface of the silicon substrate 11 (X direction). Each gate electrode film 21 has a lattice plate-like shape, having through holes 22 in a matrix form as viewed in the X direction. Silicon beams 23 are provided passing through the through holes 22 of the gate electrode films 21 and extending in the X direction. Further, an ONO film 24 including a charge storage layer is provided between the gate electrode film 21 and the silicon beam 23.

Abstract: A memory cell includes an ONO film composed of a stacked film of a silicon nitride film SIN which is a charge trapping portion and oxide films BOTOX and TOPOX positioned under and over the silicon nitride film, a memory gate electrode MG over the ONO film, a source region MS, and a drain region MD, and program or erase is performed by hot carrier injection in the memory cell. In the memory cell, a total concentration of N—H bonds and Si—H bonds contained in the silicon nitride film SIN is made to be 5×1020 cm?3 or less.

Abstract: In a vertical-type memory device and a method of manufacturing the vertical-type memory device, the vertical memory device includes an insulation layer pattern of a linear shape provided on a substrate, pillar-shaped single-crystalline semiconductor patterns provided on both sidewalls of the insulation layer pattern and transistors provided on a sidewall of each of the single-crystalline semiconductor patterns. The transistors are arranged in a vertical direction of the single-crystalline semiconductor pattern, and thus the memory device may be highly integrated.

Abstract: An embodiment of a semiconductor device includes a non-volatile memory transistor including an oxide-nitride-oxide (ONO) dielectric stack on a surface of a semiconductor substrate, the ONO dielectric stack comprising a multilayer charge storage layer including a silicon-rich, oxygen-lean top silicon oxynitride layer and a silicon-rich, oxygen-rich bottom silicon oxynitride layer, and a metal oxide semiconductor (MOS) logic transistor including a gate oxide and a high work function gate electrode.

Abstract: Memory devices having improved TPD characteristics and methods of making the memory devices are provided. The memory devices contain two or more memory cells on a semiconductor substrate and bit line openings containing a bit line dielectric between the memory cells. The memory cell contains a charge storage layer and a first poly gate. The bit line opening extends into the semiconductor substrate. By containing the bit line dielectric in the bit line openings that extend into the semiconductor substrate, the memory device can improve the electrical isolation between memory cells, thereby preventing and/or mitigating TPD.

Abstract: Isolated conductive nanoparticles on a dielectric layer and methods of fabricating such isolated conductive nanoparticles provide charge traps in electronic structures for use in a wide range of electronic devices and systems. In an embodiment, conductive nanoparticles are deposited on a dielectric layer by a plasma-assisted deposition process such that each conductive nanoparticle is isolated from the other conductive nanoparticles to configure the conductive nanoparticles as charge traps.

Abstract: According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a nonvolatile semiconductor memory element including: a semiconductor substrate including: a source region; a drain region; and a channel region; a lower insulating film that is formed on the channel region; a charge storage film that is formed on the lower insulating film and that stores data; an upper insulating film that is formed on the charge storage film; and a control gate that is formed on the upper insulating film, wherein the upper insulating film includes: a first insulting film; and a second insulating film that is laminated with the first insulating film, and wherein the first insulating film is formed to have a trap level density larger than that of the second insulating film.

Abstract: In a power feeding region of a memory cell (MC) in which a sidewall-shaped memory gate electrode (MG) of a memory nMIS (Qnm) is provided by self alignment on a side surface of a selection gate electrode (CG) of a selection nMIS (Qnc) via an insulating film, a plug (PM) which supplies a voltage to the memory gate electrode (MG) is embedded in a contact hole (CM) formed in an interlayer insulating film (9) formed on the memory gate electrode (MG) and is electrically connected to the memory gate electrode (MG). Since a cap insulating film (CAP) is formed on an upper surface of the selection gate electrode (CG), the electrical conduction between the plug (PM) and the selection gate electrode (CG) can be prevented.

Abstract: To improve characteristics of a semiconductor device having a nonvolatile memory. There is provided a semiconductor device having a nonvolatile memory cell that performs memory operations by transferring a charge to/from a charge storage film, wherein the nonvolatile memory cell includes a p well formed in a principal plane of a silicon substrate, and a memory gate electrode formed over the principal plane across the charge storage film, and wherein a memory channel region located beneath the charge storage film of the principal plane of the silicon substrate contains fluorine.

Abstract: Memory cells in which an erase and write operation is performed by injecting electrons from a substrate and extracting the electrons into a gate electrode constitute a semiconductor nonvolatile memory device. That is a gate extraction semiconductor nonvolatile memory device. In that device, if an erase bias is applied in a first process of an erase and write operation, memory cells in an overerase condition occur and the charge retention characteristics of such memory cells are degraded. The present invention provides a semiconductor nonvolatile memory device using means for writing all the memory cells in an erase unit before applying the erase bias, and then applying the erase bias.

Abstract: The charge retention characteristics of a non-volatile memory, particularly, a MONOS-type non-volatile memory is improved. In a non-volatile memory cell including a tunnel silicon oxide film (107), a silicon nitride film (104) serving as a charge storage film, a silicon oxide film (105), and a gate electrode (108) which are sequentially formed on a semiconductor substrate, the tunnel silicon oxide film (107) has a stacked structure of a silicon oxynitride film (102) and a silicon oxide film (103). Herein, it is configured such that a density of nitrogen atoms contained in the silicon oxynitride film (102) decreases as a distance from an interface with the semiconductor substrate increases in a film-thickness direction of the silicon oxynitride film (102).

Abstract: First and second memory cells have first and second channels, first and second tunnel insulating films, first and second charge storage layers formed of an insulating film, first and second block insulating films, and first and second gate electrodes. A first select transistor has a third channel, a first gate insulating film, and a first gate electrode. The first channel includes a first-conductivity-type region and a second-conductivity-type region which is formed on at least a part of the first-conductivity-type region and whose conductivity type is opposite to the first conductivity type. The third channel includes the first-conductivity-type region and the second-conductivity-type region formed on the first-conductivity-type region. The number of data stored in the first memory cell is smaller than that of data stored in the second memory cell.

Abstract: A nonvolatile memory device includes a plurality of interlayer dielectric layers and conductive layers for gate electrodes alternately stacked over a substrate, a channel trench passing through the interlayer dielectric layers and the conductive layers and exposing the substrate, a charge blocking layer and a charge trap or charge storage layer formed on sidewalls of the trench, a coupling prevention layer formed at the surface of the charge trap or charge storage layer, and a tunnel insulation layer formed over the coupling prevention layer.

Abstract: The present invention provides a high-performance MONOS-type NAND-type nonvolatile semiconductor memory device using an aluminum oxide film as a part of gate insulating film in a select transistor and as a block insulating film in a memory transistor. The NAND-type nonvolatile semiconductor memory device has, on a semiconductor substrate, a plurality of memory cell transistors connected to each other in series and a select transistor. The memory cell transistor includes a first insulating film on the semiconductor substrate, a charge trapping layer, a second insulating film made of aluminum oxide, a first control gate electrode, and a first source/drain region. The select transistor includes a third insulating film on the semiconductor substrate, a fourth insulating film made of an aluminum oxide containing at least one of a tetravalent cationic element, a pentavalent cationic element, and N (nitrogen), a second control gate electrode, and a second source/drain region.

Abstract: A first dielectric plug is formed in a portion of a trench that extends into a substrate of a memory device so that an upper surface of the first dielectric plug is recessed below an upper surface of the substrate. The first dielectric plug has a layer of a first dielectric material and a layer of a second dielectric material formed on the layer of the first dielectric material. A second dielectric plug of a third dielectric material is formed on the upper surface of the first dielectric plug.

Abstract: An integrated circuit includes flash memory cells, and peripheral circuitry including low voltage transistors (LVT) and high voltage transistors (HVT). The integrated circuit includes a tunnel barrier layer comprising SiON, SiN or other high-k material. The tunnel barrier layer may comprise a part of the gate dielectric of the HVTs. The tunnel barrier layer may constitute the entire gate dielectric of the HVTs. The corresponding tunnel barrier layer may be formed between or upon shallow trench isolation (STIs). Therefore, the manufacturing efficiency of a driver chip IC may be increased.

Abstract: In a non-volatile memory device, active fin structures extending in a first direction may be formed on a substrate. A tunnel insulating layer may be formed on surfaces of the active fin structures and bottom surfaces of trenches that may be defined by the active fin structures. A charge trapping layer and a blocking layer may be sequentially formed on the tunnel insulating layer. A gate electrode structure may include first portions disposed over top surfaces of the active fin structures and second portions vertically spaced apart from portions of the charge trapping layer that may be disposed over the bottom surfaces of the trenches, and may extend in a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction. Thus, lateral electron diffusion may be reduced in the charge trapping layer, and thereby the data retention performance and/or reliability of the non-volatile memory device may be improved.

Abstract: A memory device includes a substrate, a semiconductor column extending perpendicularly from the substrate and a plurality of spaced-apart charge storage cells disposed along a sidewall of the semiconductor column. Each of the storage cells includes a tunneling insulating layer disposed on the sidewall of the semiconductor column, a polymer layer disposed on the tunneling insulating layer, a plurality of quantum dots disposed on or in the polymer layer and a blocking insulating layer disposed on the polymer layer.

Abstract: A transistor construction includes a first floating gate having a first conductive or semiconductive surface and a second floating gate having a second conductive or semiconductive surface. A dielectric region is circumferentially surrounded by the first surface. The region is configured to reduce capacitive coupling between the first and second surfaces. Another transistor construction includes a floating gate having a cavity extending completely through the floating gate from a first surface of the floating gate to an opposing second surface of the floating gate. The floating gate otherwise encloses the cavity, which is filled with at least one dielectric. A method includes closing an upper portion of an opening in insulator material with a gate material during the deposition before filling a lower portion with the gate material. The depositing and closing provide an enclosed cavity within the lower portion of the opening.

Abstract: A non-volatile memory device having a SONOS structure and a manufacturing method thereof, where a conductive layer is formed between a charge trap layer and a blocking insulation layer of the SONOS structure. Therefore, when a voltage is applied to a gate, the conductive layer undergoes voltage distributions. Accordingly, a desired voltage can be applied to the blocking insulation layer, the charge trap layer and the tunnel insulating layer by controlling the effective oxide thickness (EOT) of the blocking insulation layer and the EOT of the charge trap layer and the tunnel insulating layer. It is therefore possible to improve the erase speed of a cell.

Abstract: A non-volatile memory device includes field insulating layer patterns on a substrate to define an active region of the substrate, upper portions of the field insulating layer patterns protruding above an upper surface of the substrate, a tunnel insulating layer on the active region, a charge trapping layer on the tunnel insulating layer, a blocking layer on the charge trapping layer, first insulating layers on upper surfaces of the field insulating layer patterns, and a word line structure on the blocking layer and first insulating layers.

Abstract: Provided is an ultra highly-integrated flash memory cell device. The cell device includes a semiconductor substrate, a first doping semiconductor area formed on the semiconductor substrate, a second doping semiconductor area formed on the first doping semiconductor area, and a tunneling insulating layer, a charge storage node, a control insulating layer, and a control electrode which are sequentially formed on the second doping semiconductor area. The first and second doping semiconductor areas are doped with impurities of the different semiconductor types According to the present invention, it is possible to greatly improve miniaturization characteristics and performance of the cell devices in conventional NOR or NAND flash memories. Unlike conventional transistor type cell devices, the cell device according to the present invention does not have a channel and a source/drain.

Abstract: A non-volatile memory device can include a plurality of parallel active regions that are defined by a plurality of device isolation layers formed on a semiconductor substrate, where each of the plurality of parallel active regions extends in a first direction and has a top surface and sidewalls. A plurality of parallel word lines can extend in a second direction and cross over the plurality of parallel active regions at intersecting locations. A plurality of charge storage layers can be disposed at the intersecting locations between the plurality of parallel active regions and the plurality of parallel word lines. Each of the plurality of charge storage layers at the intersecting locations can have a first side and a second side that is parallel to the second direction and can have a first length, a third side and a fourth side that are parallel to the first direction and can have a second length, where the first length is less than the second length.

Abstract: Subject matter disclosed herein relates to flash memory, and more particularly to a charge trap memory and a process flow to form same.

Abstract: Provided is a method for depositing a silicon nitride film in a plasma CVD device which introduces microwaves into a process chamber by a planar antenna having a plurality of apertures, and the method including setting the pressure in the process chamber within a range from 10 Pa to 133.3 Pa and performing plasma CVD by using film formation gas including a silicon containing compound gas and a nitrogen gas while applying an RF bias to the wafer by supplying high-frequency power with an output density within a range from 0.009 W/cm2 to 0.64 W/cm2 per unit area of a wafer from a high frequency power supply to an electrode in a holding stage on which the wafer is arranged.

Abstract: Subject matter disclosed herein relates to a multi-level flash memory and a process flow to form same.

Abstract: A random number generating device includes a semiconductor device including a source region, a drain region, a channel region provided between the source region and the drain region, and an insulating portion provided on the channel region, the insulating portion including a trap insulating film having traps based on dangling bonds and expressed by Six(SiO2)y(Si3N4)1-yMz (M is an element other than Si, O, and N, x?0, 1?y?0, z?0, the case where x=0 and y=1 and z=0 is excluded), conductivity of the channel region varying randomly depending on the amount of charge caught in the traps, and a random number generating unit connected to the semiconductor device and generating random numbers based on a random variation in the conductivity of the channel region.

Abstract: Methods of fabricating charge storage transistors are described, along with apparatus and systems that include them. In one such method, a pillar of epitaxial silicon is formed. At least first and second charge storage nodes (e.g., floating gates) are formed around the pillar of epitaxial silicon at different levels. A control gate is formed around each of the charge storage nodes. Additional embodiments are also described.

Abstract: A semiconductor device structure and method to form the same. The semiconductor device structure includes a non-volatile charge trap memory device and a resistor or capacitor. A dielectric layer of a charge trap dielectric stack of the memory device is patterned to expose a portion of a first conductive layer peripheral to the memory device. A second conductive layer formed over the dielectric layer and on the exposed portion of the first conductive layer is patterned to form resistor or capacitor contacts and capacitor plates.

Abstract: A semiconductor device including a silicon-oxide-oxynitride-oxide-silicon structure and methods of forming the same are provided. Generally, the structure comprises: a tunnel oxide layer on a surface of a substrate including silicon; a multi-layer charge storing layer including an oxygen-rich, first oxynitride layer on the tunnel oxide layer in which the stoichiometric composition of the first oxynitride layer results in it being substantially trap free, and an oxygen-lean, second oxynitride layer on the first oxynitride layer in which the stoichiometric composition of the second oxynitride layer results in it being trap dense; a blocking oxide layer on the second oxynitride layer; and a silicon containing gate layer on the blocking oxide layer. Other embodiments are also disclosed.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a semiconductor memory device includes a first active area in a semiconductor substrate, memory cells on the semiconductor substrate, first bit lines, first line, a second line, a third line, and a fourth line. The first line extends in a direction that intersects with the first bit lines and transmits a control potential applied to unselected ones of second bit lines connected to the memory cells. The second line is electrically connected to the first line and extends along the first bit lines. The third line is electrically connected to the second line and extends in a direction that intersects with the first bit lines. The fourth line electrically connects both the third line and portions in the active area corresponding to nodes to which the control potential is applied.

Abstract: A semiconductor device with mini silicon-oxide-nitride-oxide-silicon (mini-SONOS) cell is disclosed. The semiconductor device includes: a semiconductor substrate; a shallow trench isolation (STI) embedded in the semiconductor substrate; a logic device partially overlapping the STI; and a SONOS cell formed in the overlapped region of the logic device and the STI.

Abstract: The present invention provides a flash memory device having a high degree of integration and high performance. The flash memory device has a double/triple gate structure where a channel is formed in a wall-shaped body. The flash memory device has no source/drain regions. In addition, although the flash memory device has the source/drain regions, the source/drain region are formed not to be overlapped with a control electrode. Accordingly, an inversion layer is induced by a fringing field generated from the control electrode, so that cell devices can be electrically connected to each other. The flash memory device includes a charge storage node for storing charges formed under the control electrode, so that miniaturization characteristics of cell device can be improved. According to the present invention, there is proposed a new device capable of improving the miniaturization characteristics of a MOS-based flash memory device and increasing memory capacity.