With Charge Trapping Gate Insulator (e.g., Mnos-memory Transistors) (epo) Patents (Class 257/E29.309)
  • Publication number: 20120299087
    Abstract: A non-volatile memory device includes gate structures including first insulation layers that are alternately stacked with control gate layers over a substrate, wherein the gate structures extend in a first direction, channel lines that each extend over the gate structures in a second direction different from the first direction, a memory layer formed between the gate structures and the channel lines and arranged to trap charges by electrically insulating the gate structures from the channel lines, bit line contacts forming rows that each extend in the first direction and contacting top surfaces of the channel lines, source lines that each extend in the first direction and contact the top surfaces of the channel lines, wherein the source lines alternate with the rows of bit line contacts, and bit lines that are each formed over the bit line contacts and extend in the second direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2011
    Publication date: November 29, 2012
    Inventors: Han-Soo JOO, Yu-Jin PARK
  • Publication number: 20120299083
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a nonvolatile semiconductor memory device includes a semiconductor region, a tunnel insulator provided above the semiconductor region, a charge storage insulator provided above the tunnel insulator, a block insulator provided above the charge storage insulator, a control gate electrode provided above the block insulator, and an interface region including a metal element, the interface region being provided at one interface selected from between the semiconductor region and the tunnel insulator, the tunnel insulator and the charge storage insulator, the charge storage insulator and the block insulator, and the block insulator and the control gate electrode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2011
    Publication date: November 29, 2012
    Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
    Inventors: Kenichiro Toratani, Masayuki Tanaka, Kazuhiro Matsuo
  • Patent number: 8318591
    Abstract: Patterns of a nonvolatile memory device include a semiconductor substrate that defines active regions extending in a longitudinal direction, an isolation structure formed between the active regions, a tunnel insulating layer formed on the active regions, a charge trap layer formed on the tunnel insulating layer, a first dielectric layer formed on the charge trap layer and the isolation structure, wherein the first dielectric layers is extended along a lateral direction, a control gate layer formed on the first dielectric layer, wherein the control gate layer is extended along the lateral direction, and a second dielectric layer formed on a sidewall of the control gate layer along the lateral direction and coupled to the first dielectric layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: Hynix Semiconductor Inc.
    Inventor: Yun Kyoung Lee
  • Patent number: 8319276
    Abstract: A non-volatile memory device includes: word line disposed on a substrate; an active region crossing over the word line; and a charge trap layer that is between the word line and the active region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshiro Nakanishi, Chanjin Park, Siyoung Choi, Bonyoung Koo
  • Patent number: 8319274
    Abstract: A gate dielectric functioning as a charge-trapping layer of a non-volatile memory cell with a structure of an insulator gate field effect transistor is formed by laminating a first insulator formed of a silicon oxide film, a second insulator formed of a silicon nitride film, a third insulator formed of a silicon nitride film containing oxygen, and a fourth insulator formed of a silicon oxide film in this order on a main surface of a semiconductor substrate. Holes are injected into the charge-trapping layer from a gate electrode side. Accordingly, since the operations can be achieved without the penetration of the holes through the interface in contact to the channel and the first insulator, the deterioration in rewriting endurance and the charge-trapping characteristics due to the deterioration of the first insulator does not occur, and highly efficient rewriting (writing and erasing) characteristics and stable charge-trapping characteristics can be achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: Renesas Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Digh Hisamoto, Itaru Yanagi, Yasuhiro Shimamoto, Toshiyuki Mine, Yutaka Okuyama
  • Publication number: 20120292685
    Abstract: It is made possible to provide a method for manufacturing a semiconductor device that has a high-quality insulating film in which defects are not easily formed, and experiences less leakage current. A method for manufacturing a semiconductor device, includes: forming an amorphous silicon layer on an insulating layer; introducing oxygen into the amorphous silicon layer; and forming a silicon oxynitride layer by nitriding the amorphous silicon layer having oxygen introduced thereinto.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2012
    Publication date: November 22, 2012
    Applicant: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Daisuke Matsushita, Yuuichiro Mitani
  • Patent number: 8314455
    Abstract: A non-volatile semiconductor storage device includes: a memory cell area in which a plurality of electrically rewritable memory cells are formed; and a peripheral circuit area in which transistors that configure peripheral circuits to control the memory cells are formed. The memory cell area has formed therein: a semiconductor layer formed to extend in a vertical direction to a semiconductor substrate; a plurality of conductive layers extending in a parallel direction to, and laminated in a vertical direction to the semiconductor substrate; and a property-varying layer formed between the semiconductor layer and the conductive layers and having properties varying depending on a voltage applied to the conductive layers. The peripheral circuit area has formed therein a plurality of dummy wiring layers that are formed on the same plane as each of the plurality of conductive layers and that are electrically separated from the conductive layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2012
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Shiino, Atsuhiro Sato, Takeshi Kamigaichi, Fumitaka Arai
  • Publication number: 20120286347
    Abstract: In the trap type memory chip the withstanding voltage is raised up, and then the electric current for reading out is increased. There are formed on the p-type semiconductor substrate1 a first gate lamination structure which comprises a first insulating film 11 including a trap layer, and a first conductive body 9, and a second gate lamination structure which comprises a second insulating film 12 free of a trap layer and including an insulating film layer 13 doped with metal for controlling the work function at least on the upper layer, and a second conductive body 10. A source drain region 2 and a source drain region 3 are formed such that the first gate lamination structure and the second gate lamination structure are interleaved therebetween. The effective work function of the second gate lamination structure is higher than that of the first gate lamination structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2012
    Publication date: November 15, 2012
    Applicant: NEC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Masayuki Terai
  • Publication number: 20120286348
    Abstract: In one example, the memory device disclosed herein includes a gate insulation layer and a charge storage layer positioned above the gate insulation layer, wherein the charge storage layer has a first width. The device further includes a blocking insulation layer positioned above the charge storage layer and a gate electrode positioned above the blocking insulation layer, wherein the gate electrode has a second width that is greater than the first width. An illustrative method disclosed herein includes forming a gate stack for a memory device, wherein the gate stack includes a gate insulation layer, an initial charge storage layer, a blocking insulation layer and a gate electrode, and wherein the initial charge storage layer has a first width. The method further includes performing an etching process to selectively remove at least a portion of the initial charge storage layer so as to produce a charge storage layer having a second width that is less than the first width of the initial charge storage layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2011
    Publication date: November 15, 2012
    Applicant: GLOBALFOUNDRIES SINGAPORE PTE LTD
    Inventor: Shyue Seng Tan
  • Patent number: 8310008
    Abstract: An electronic device can include a gate electrode having different portions with different conductivity types. In an embodiment, a process of forming the electronic device can include forming a semiconductor layer over a substrate, wherein the semiconductor layer has a particular conductivity type. The process can also include selectively doping a region of the semiconductor layer to form a first doped region having an opposite conductivity type. The process can further include patterning the semiconductor layer to form a gate electrode that includes a first portion and a second portion, wherein the first portion includes a portion of the first doped region, and the second region includes a portion of the semiconductor layer outside of the first doped region. In a particular embodiment, the electronic device can have a gate electrode having edge portions of one conductivity type and a central portion having an opposite conductivity type.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: Spansion LLC
    Inventor: Burchell B. Baptiste
  • Patent number: 8309417
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yong-Hoon Son, Jong-Wook Lee, Jong-Hyuk Kang
  • Publication number: 20120280305
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a flash memory device. The flash memory device comprises a semiconductor substrate and a flash memory area located on the semiconductor substrate. The flash memory area comprises a first doped well, which is divided into a first region and a second region by an isolation region, the second region being doped with an impurity having an electrical conductivity opposite to that of the first doped well; a high-k gate dielectric layer located on the first doped well; and a metal layer located on the high-k gate dielectric layer. The present invention enables compatibility between the high-k dielectric metal gate and the erasable flash memory and increases the operation performance of the flash memory. The present invention also provides a manufacturing method of the flash memory device, which greatly increases the production efficiency and yield of flash memory devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2010
    Publication date: November 8, 2012
    Applicant: INSTITUTE OF MICROELECTRONICS, CHINESE ACADEMY OF SCIENCES
    Inventors: Huilong Zhu, Zhijiong Luo, Haizhou Yin
  • Publication number: 20120280306
    Abstract: One-transistor memory devices facilitate nonvolatile data storage through the manipulation of oxygen vacancies within a trapping layer of a field-effect transistor (FET), thereby providing control and variation of threshold voltages of the transistor. Various threshold voltages may be assigned a data value, providing the ability to store one or more bits of data in a single memory cell. To control the threshold voltage, the oxygen vacancies may be manipulated by trapping electrons within the vacancies, freeing trapped electrons from the vacancies, moving the vacancies within the trapping layer and annihilating the vacancies.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2012
    Publication date: November 8, 2012
    Inventors: Cem Basceri, Gurtej S. Sandhu
  • Publication number: 20120273866
    Abstract: A semiconductor memory device with a buried drain is provided. The device comprises a semiconductor substrate (107); one drain region (108) of a first doping type; two source regions (101a,101b) of a second doping type; and a stacked gate provided on the semiconductor substrate for capturing electrons. A memory array formed by a plurality of semiconductor memory devices. and a manufacturing method thereof are also provided. The semiconductor memory device has the advantages of small cell area, simple manufacturing process and the like. The manufacturing cost of the memory device is reduced and the storing density of the memory device is increased.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 24, 2010
    Publication date: November 1, 2012
    Applicant: FUDAN UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Pengfei Wang, Qingqing Sun, Shijin Ding, Wei Zhang
  • Publication number: 20120273868
    Abstract: A nonvolatile semiconductor storage device including a number of memory cells formed on a semiconductor substrate, each of the memory cells has a tunnel insulating film, a charge storage layer, a block insulating film, and a gate electrode which are formed in sequence on the substrate. The gate electrode is structured such that at least first and second gate electrode layers are stacked. The dimension in the direction of gate length of the second gate electrode layer, which is formed on the first gate electrode layer, is smaller than the dimension in the direction of gate length of the first gate electrode layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2012
    Publication date: November 1, 2012
    Inventor: Toshitake YAEGASHI
  • Publication number: 20120275220
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to the field of microelectronics manufacture and memories. A three-dimensional multi-bit non-volatile memory and a method for manufacturing the same are disclosed. The memory comprises a plurality of memory cells constituting a memory array. The memory array may comprise: a gate stack structure; periodically and alternately arranged gate stack regions and channel region spaces; gate dielectric layers for discrete charge storage; periodically arranged channel regions; source doping regions and drain doping regions symmetrically arranged to each other; bit lines led from the source doping regions and the drain doping regions; and word lines led from the gate stack regions. The gate dielectric layers for discrete charge storage can provide physical storage spots to achieve single-bit or multi-bit operations, so as to achieve a high storage density.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2011
    Publication date: November 1, 2012
    Inventors: Ming Liu, Chenxi Zhu, Zongliang Huo, Feng Yan, Qin Wang, Shibing Long
  • Publication number: 20120273863
    Abstract: A nonvolatile semiconductor memory device includes: a semiconductor member; a memory film provided on a surface of the semiconductor member and being capable of storing charge; and a plurality of control gate electrodes provided on the memory film, spaced from each other, and arranged along a direction parallel to the surface. Average dielectric constant of a material interposed between one of the control gate electrodes and a portion of the semiconductor member located immediately below the control gate electrode adjacent to the one control gate electrode is lower than average dielectric constant of a material interposed between the one control gate electrode and a portion of the semiconductor member located immediately below the one control gate electrode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2012
    Publication date: November 1, 2012
    Applicant: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Yoshio OZAWA, Fumiki AlSO
  • Publication number: 20120273869
    Abstract: A nonvolatile semiconductor memory device includes a charge storage layer on a first insulating film, a second insulating film which is provided on the charge storage layer, formed of layers, and a control gate electrode on the second insulating film. The second insulating film includes a bottom layer (A) provided just above the charge storage layer, a top layer (C) provided just below the control gate electrode, and a middle layer (B) provided between the bottom layer (A) and the top layer (C). The middle layer (B) has higher barrier height and lower dielectric constant than both the bottom layer (A) and the top layer (C). The average coordination number of the middle layer (B) is smaller than both the average coordination number of the top layer (C) and the average coordination number of the bottom layer (A).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2012
    Publication date: November 1, 2012
    Inventor: Naoki YASUDA
  • Publication number: 20120267703
    Abstract: Provided is an information storage medium using nanocrystal particles, a method of manufacturing the information storage medium, and an information storage apparatus including the information storage medium. The information storage medium includes a conductive layer, a first insulating layer formed on the conductive layer, a nanocrystal layer that is formed on the first insulating layer and includes conductive nanocrystal particles that can trap charges, and a second insulating layer formed on the nanocrystal layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2012
    Publication date: October 25, 2012
    Applicant: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventors: Seung-bum Hong, Simon Buehlmann, Shin-ae Jun, Sung-hoon Choa, Eun-joo Jang, Yong-kwan Kim
  • Publication number: 20120267702
    Abstract: A device includes a first GSL, a plurality of first word lines, a first SSL, a plurality of first insulation layer patterns, and a first channel. The first GSL, the first word lines, and the first SSL are spaced apart from each other on a substrate in a first direction perpendicular to a top surface of a substrate. The first insulation layer patterns are between the first GSL, the first word lines and the first SSL. The first channel on the top surface of the substrate extends in the first direction through the first GSL, the first word lines, the first SSL, and the first insulation layer patterns, and has a thickness thinner at a portion thereof adjacent to the first SSL than at portions thereof adjacent to the first insulation layer patterns.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2012
    Publication date: October 25, 2012
    Inventors: Jung-Geun JEE, Jin-Gyun Kim, Jun-Kyu Yang, Ji-Hoon Choi, Dong-Kyum Kim, Ki-Hyun Hwang
  • Patent number: 8294195
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Masao Shingu, Jun Fujiki, Naoki Yasuda, Koichi Muraoka
  • Patent number: 8294200
    Abstract: A non-volatile memory device includes a substrate, a tunneling layer over the substrate, a charge trapping layer including a nitride layer and a silicon boron nitride layer over the tunneling layer, and a blocking layer over the charge trapping layer, and a control gate electrode arranged on the blocking layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: Hynix Semiconductor Inc.
    Inventors: Moon Sig Joo, Seung Ho Pyi, Yong Soo Kim
  • Patent number: 8294191
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a nonvolatile semiconductor memory device includes a first and a second stacked structure, a first and a second semiconductor pillar, a semiconductor connection portion, a first and a second connection portion conductive layer, a first and a second pillar portion memory layer, a first and a second connection portion memory layer. The first and second stacked structures include electrode films and inter-electrode insulating films alternately stacked in a first direction. The second stacked structure is adjacent to the first stacked structure. The first and second semiconductor pillars pierce the first and second stacked structures, respectively. The semiconductor connection portion connects the first and second semiconductor pillars. The first and second pillar portion memory layers are provided between the electrode films and the semiconductor pillar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Ryota Katsumata, Hideaki Aochi, Masaru Kito, Masaru Kidoh, Ryouhei Kirisawa
  • Patent number: 8294201
    Abstract: A device and method of formation are provided for a high-k gate dielectric and gate electrode. The high-k dielectric material is formed, and a silicon-rich film is formed over the high-k dielectric material. The silicon-rich film is then treated through either oxidation or nitridation to reduce the Fermi-level pinning that results from both the bonding of the high-k material to the subsequent gate conductor and also from a lack of oxygen along the interface of the high-k dielectric material and the gate conductor. A conductive material is then formed over the film through a controlled process to create the gate conductor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Chen-Hua Yu, Liang-Gi Yao
  • Patent number: 8294199
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a nonvolatile semiconductor memory device includes first and second stacked structures, first and second semiconductor pillars, first and second memory units, and a semiconductor connection portion. The stacked structures include electrode films and first inter-electrode insulating films alternately stacked in a first direction. The second stacked structure is aligned with the first stacked structure in a second direction perpendicular to the first. The first and second semiconductor pillars pierce the first and second stacked structures, respectively. The first and second memory units are provided between the electrode films and the semiconductor pillar, respectively. The semiconductor connection portion connects the first and second semiconductor pillars and includes: an end connection portion; and a first protrusion having a side face continuous with a side face of the first semiconductor pillar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Katsunori Yahashi, Masaru Kidoh
  • Patent number: 8294197
    Abstract: A flash memory cell includes a substrate, a blocking layer over the substrate, a floating gate over the blocking layer, a retention layer over the floating gate, a control gate over the retention layer, a tunneling layer over the control gate, a top gate over the tunneling layer, and a voltage source electrically coupled between the top gate and the control gate. Various charge tunneling mechanisms may be used for charges to tunnel through the retention layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Ming-Tsong Wang, Tong-Chern Ong
  • Publication number: 20120262985
    Abstract: A method for forming a device is disclosed. The method includes providing a substrate prepared with a primary gate and forming a charge storage layer on the substrate over the primary gate. A secondary gate electrode layer is formed on the substrate over the charge storage layer. The charge storage and secondary gate electrode layers are patterned to form first and second secondary gates on first and second sides of the primary gate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2011
    Publication date: October 18, 2012
    Applicant: GLOBALFOUNDRIES SINGAPORE Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: Ying Qian WANG, Yu CHEN, Swee Tuck WOO, Bangun INDAJANG, Sung Mun JUNG
  • Publication number: 20120261743
    Abstract: A semiconductor device having plural memory cell regions featuring nonvolatile memory cells, each nonvolatile memory cell including a first insulating film formed over a semiconductor substrate, a control electrode formed over the first insulating film, the first insulating film acting as a gate insulator for the control gate electrode, a second insulating film formed over the semiconductor substrate, and a memory gate electrode formed over the second insulating film and arranged adjacent with the control gate electrode through the second gate insulating film, the second insulating film acting as a gate insulator for the memory gate electrode and featuring a non-conductive charge trap film, wherein each of the nonvolatile memory cells of a first memory cell region and each of the nonvolatile memory cells of a second memory cell region are formed adjacent to one another such that a drain region is shared between them.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2012
    Publication date: October 18, 2012
    Inventor: Shoji SHUKURI
  • Publication number: 20120261742
    Abstract: A nonvolatile semiconductor memory apparatus according to an embodiment includes: a semiconductor layer; a first insulating film formed on the semiconductor layer, the first insulating film being a single-layer film containing silicon oxide or silicon oxynitride; a charge trapping film formed on the first insulating film; a second insulating film formed on the charge trapping film; and a control gate electrode formed on the second insulating film. A metal oxide exists in an interface between the first insulating film and the charge trapping film, the metal oxide comprises material which is selected from the group of Al2O3, HfO2, ZrO2, TiO2, and MgO, the material is stoichiometric composition, and the charge trapping film includes material different from the material of the metal oxide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2012
    Publication date: October 18, 2012
    Inventors: Izumi Hirano, Shosuke Fujii, Yuichiro Mitani, Naoki Yasuda
  • Patent number: 8288811
    Abstract: Memories, systems, and methods for forming memory cells are disclosed. One such memory cell includes a charge storage node that includes nanodots over a tunnel dielectric and a protective film over the nanodots. In another memory cell, the charge storage node includes nanodots that include a ruthenium alloy. Memory cells can include an inter-gate dielectric over the protective film or ruthenium alloy nanodots and a control gate over the inter-gate dielectric. The protective film and ruthenium alloy can be configured to protect at least some of the nanodots from vaporizing during formation of the inter-gate dielectric.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: D. V. Nirmal Ramaswamy, Matthew N. Rocklein, Rhett T. Brewer
  • Patent number: 8288815
    Abstract: A gate structure for a semiconductor device is provided. The gate structure includes a conductive structure. The conductive structure insulatively disposed over a substrate includes a middle portion and two spacer portions. The middle portion has a first surface and two second surfaces. The first surface is between the two second surfaces. The two spacer portions are respectively connected to the two second surfaces of the middle portion. A width of each of the two spacer portions gradually increases from top to bottom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: Macronix International Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Erh-Kun Lai, Hang-Ting Lue
  • Patent number: 8288832
    Abstract: A method for controlling the morphology of deposited silicon on a layer of silicon dioxide and semiconductor devices incorporating such deposited silicon are provided. The method comprises the steps of: providing a layer of silicon dioxide; implanting hydrogen ions into the layer of silicon dioxide by plasma source ion implantation; and forming a layer of polycrystalline silicon on the layer of silicon dioxide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: David L. Chapek
  • Patent number: 8288818
    Abstract: Devices can be fabricated using a method of growing nanoscale structures on a semiconductor substrate. According to various embodiments, nucleation sites are created on a surface of the substrate. The creation of the nucleation sites includes implanting ions with an energy and a dose selected to provide a controllable distribution of the nucleation sites across the surface of the substrate. Nanoscale structures can be grown using the controllable distribution of nucleation sites to seed the growth of the nanoscale structures. According to various embodiments, the nanoscale structures include at least one of nanocrystals, nanowires, and nanotubes. According to various nanocrystal embodiments, the nanocrystals are positioned within a gate stack and function as a floating gate for a nonvolatile device. Other embodiments are provided herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Gurtej S. Sandhu, D. Mark Durcan
  • Patent number: 8288817
    Abstract: Some embodiments include methods of forming charge storage transistor gates and standard FET gates in which common processing is utilized for fabrication of at least some portions of the different types of gates. FET and charge storage transistor gate stacks may be formed. The gate stacks may each include a gate material, an insulative material, and a sacrificial material. The sacrificial material is removed from the FET and charge storage transistor gate stacks. The insulative material of the FET gate stacks is etched through. A conductive material is formed over the FET gate stacks and over the charge storage transistor gate stacks. The conductive material physically contacts the gate material of the FET gate stacks, and is separated from the gate material of the charge storage transistor gate stacks by the insulative material remaining in the charge storage transistor gate stacks. Some embodiments include gate structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Yongjun Jeff Hu
  • Publication number: 20120256245
    Abstract: A semiconductor device in accordance with one embodiment of the invention can include a semiconductor substrate having a groove, a bit line, a pocket implantation region, a bottom insulating membrane, and a charge accumulation region. The bit line is formed on a side of the groove in the semiconductor substrate and acts as a source and a drain. The pocket implantation region is formed to touch (or contact) the bit line, has a similar conductivity type as the semiconductor substrate, and has a dopant concentration higher than that of the semiconductor substrate. The bottom insulating membrane is formed on and touches (or contacts) a side surface of the groove. The charge accumulation layer is formed on and touches (or contacts) a side surface of the bottom insulating membrane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2012
    Publication date: October 11, 2012
    Inventor: Yukihiro UTSUNO
  • Publication number: 20120256249
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2012
    Publication date: October 11, 2012
    Inventors: Yasushi NAKASAKI, Koichi Muraoka, Naoki Yasuda, Shoko Kikuchi
  • Publication number: 20120256248
    Abstract: Gate induced drain leakage in a tunnel field effect transistor is reduced while drive current is increased by orienting adjacent semiconductor bodies, based on their respective crystal orientations or axes, to optimize band-to-band tunneling at junctions. Maximizing band-to-band tunneling at a source-channel junction increases drive current, while minimizing band-to-band tunneling at a channel-drain junction decreases GIDL. GIDL can be reduced by an order of magnitude in an embodiment. Power consumption for a given frequency can also be reduced by an order of magnitude.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2011
    Publication date: October 11, 2012
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Mohit Bajaj, Kota V.R.M. Murali, Edward J. Nowak, Rajan K. Pandey
  • Patent number: 8283719
    Abstract: Provided are a nonvolatile memory device and a method for fabricating the same. The nonvolatile memory device may include a stacked structure, a semiconductor pattern, an information storage layer, and a fixed charge layer. The stacked structure may be disposed over a semiconductor substrate. The stacked structure may include conductive patterns and interlayer dielectric patterns alternately stacked therein. The semiconductor pattern may be connected to the semiconductor substrate by passing through the stacked structure. The information storage layer may be disposed between the semiconductor pattern and the conductive patterns. The fixed charge layer may be disposed between the semiconductor pattern and the interlayer dielectric pattern. The fixed charge layer may include fixed charges. Electrical polarity of the fixed charges may be equal to electrical polarity of majority carriers of the semiconductor pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: ZongLiang Huo, Myoungbum Lee, Kihyun Hwang, Seungmok Shin, Sunjung Kim
  • Patent number: 8283718
    Abstract: A method for forming an integrated circuit system is provided including forming a semi-conducting layer over a substrate, forming a spacer stack having a gap filler adjacent to the semi-conducting layer and a inter-layer dielectric over the gap filler, forming a transition layer having a recess over the semi-conducting layer and adjacent to the spacer stack, and forming a metal layer in the recess.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignees: Spansion LLC, Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: Angela T. Hui, Mark S. Chang, Kuo-Tung Chang, Scott A. Bell
  • Publication number: 20120248525
    Abstract: Three dimensional semiconductor memory devices and methods of fabricating the same are provided. According to the method, sacrificial layers and insulating layers are alternately and repeatedly stacked on a substrate, and a cutting region penetrating an uppermost sacrificial layer of the sacrificial layers is formed. The cutting region is filled with a non sacrificial layer. The insulating layers and the sacrificial layers are patterned to form a mold pattern. The mold pattern includes insulating patterns, sacrificial patterns, and the non sacrificial layer in the cutting region. The sacrificial patterns may be replaced with electrodes. The related semiconductor memory device is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2012
    Publication date: October 4, 2012
    Inventors: Sunghae LEE, Daehong Eom, JinGyun Kim, Daehyun Jang, Kihyun Hwang, Seongsoo Lee, Kyunghyun Kim, Chadong Yeo, Jun-Youl Yang, Se-Ho Cha
  • Patent number: 8278699
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a nonvolatile semiconductor memory device includes a memory unit and a non-memory unit. The memory unit includes a stacked structure including electrode films stacked in a first direction, and a interelectrode insulating film provided between the electrode films, a select gate electrode stacked with the stacked structure along the first direction, a semiconductor pillar piercing the stacked structure and the select gate electrode along the first direction and a pillar portion memory layer provided between the electrode films and the semiconductor pillar. The non-memory unit includes a dummy conductive film including a portion in a layer being identical to at least one of the electrode films, a dummy select gate electrode in a layer being identical to the select gate electrode, a first non-memory unit contact electrode electrically connected to the dummy conductive and a second non-memory unit contact electrode electrically connected to the dummy select gate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Hiroyasu Tanaka, Ryota Katsumata
  • Publication number: 20120241842
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a nonvolatile semiconductor memory device includes first and second stacked body, first and second semiconductor pillars, a connecting portion, a first memory film, and a dividing portion. The stacked bodies include a plurality of electrode films stacked along a first axis and as interelectrode insulating film provided between the electrode films. The first and second semiconductor pillars penetrate through the first and second stacked bodies along the first axis, respectively. The connecting portion electrically connects the first and second semiconductor pillars. The first memory film is provided between the electrode film and the semiconductor pillar. The dividing portion electrically divides the first and second electrode films from each other between the first semiconductor pillar and the second semiconductor pillar, is in contact with the connecting portion, and includes a stacked film including a material used for the first memory film.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2011
    Publication date: September 27, 2012
    Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
    Inventor: Toru MATSUDA
  • Publication number: 20120243336
    Abstract: An aspect of the present embodiment, there is provided a nonvolatile programmable logic switch including a first memory cell transistor, a second memory cell transistor, a pass transistor and a first substrate electrode applying a substrate voltage to the pass transistor, wherein a writing voltage is applied to the first wiring, a first voltage is applied to one of a second wiring and a third wiring and a second voltage which is lower than the first voltage is applied to the other of the second wiring and the third wiring, and the first substrate voltage which is higher than the second voltage and lower than the first voltage is applied to a well of the pass transistor, when data is written into the first memory cell transistor or the second memory cell transistor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2011
    Publication date: September 27, 2012
    Inventors: Yoshifumi NISHI, Daisuke HAGISHIMA, Shinichi YASUDA, Tetsufumi TANAMOTO, Takahiro KURITA, Atsuhiro KINOSHITA, Shinobu FUJITA
  • Publication number: 20120241845
    Abstract: A first insulation film is on a substrate. A first resistance part is on the first insulation film. A boundary film is on the first resistance part. A second resistance part is on the boundary film. A second insulation film is on the second resistance part. A first conductive part and a second conductive part are on the second insulation film, and are isolated from each other. The first conductive part includes a first connection part penetrating the second insulation film and the second resistance part and contacting a surface of the boundary film. The second conductive part includes a second connection part penetrating the second insulation film and the second resistance part and contacting a surface of the boundary film. The first resistance part is connected to the first conductive part via the first connection part, and is connected to the second conductive part via the second connection part.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2012
    Publication date: September 27, 2012
    Applicant: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Hiroyuki KUROE, Shoichi Watanabe
  • Publication number: 20120243314
    Abstract: A nonvolatile semiconductor memory device according to one aspect includes a semiconductor substrate, a memory string, a plurality of first conductive layers, a second conductive layer, and a third conductive layer. The memory string has a plurality of memory cells, a dummy transistor and a back gate transistor connected in series in a direction perpendicular to the semiconductor substrate. The plurality of first conductive layers are electrically connected to gates of the memory cells. The second conductive layer is electrically connected to a gate of the dummy transistor. The third conductive layer is electrically connected to a gate of the back gate transistor. The second conductive layer is short-circuited with the third conductive layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2011
    Publication date: September 27, 2012
    Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
    Inventor: Takashi MAEDA
  • Publication number: 20120241846
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a nonvolatile semiconductor memory device comprises a first conductive layer, a second conductive layer, a first inter-electrode insulating film, and a third conductive layer stacked above the first conductive layer, a memory film, a semiconductor layer, an insulating member, and a silicide layer. The memory film and the semiconductor layer is formed on the inner surface of through hole provided in the second conductive layer, the first inter-electrode insulating film, and the third conductive layer. The insulating member is buried in a slit dividing the second conductive layer, the first inter-electrode insulating film, and the third conductive layer. The silicide layer is formed on surfaces of the second conductive layer and the third conductive layer in the slit. The distance between the second conductive layer and the third conductive layer along the inner surface of the slit is longer than that of along the stacking direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2011
    Publication date: September 27, 2012
    Inventors: Kaori KAWASAKI, Yoshiaki Fukuzumi, Masaru Kito, Tomoko Fujiwara, Takeshi Imamura, Ryouhei Kirisawa, Hideaki Aochi
  • Publication number: 20120241841
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a semiconductor device, including a substrate, a stacked layer body provided above the substrate, the stacked layer body alternately stacking an insulator and an electrode film one on another, silicon pillars contained with fluorine, the silicon pillar penetrating through and provided in the stacked layer body, a tunnel insulator provided on a surface of the silicon pillar facing to the stacked layer body, a charge storage layer provided on a surface of the tunnel insulator facing to the stacked layer body, a block insulator provided on a surface of the charge storage layer facing to the stacked layer body, the block insulator being in contact with the electrode film, and an embedded portion provided in the silicon pillars.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2011
    Publication date: September 27, 2012
    Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
    Inventors: Ichiro Mizushima, Yoshiaki Fukuzumi, Shinji Mori
  • Publication number: 20120241713
    Abstract: An organic molecular memory of an embodiment includes a first conductive layer, a second conductive layer, and an organic molecular layer interposed between the first conductive layer and the second conductive layer, the organic molecular layer including charge-storage molecular chains or variable-resistance molecular chains, the charge-storage molecular chains or the variable-resistance molecular chains including fused polycyclic groups.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2012
    Publication date: September 27, 2012
    Applicant: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Hideyuki NISHIZAWA, Reiko YOSHIMURA, Tsukasa TADA, Shigeki HATTORI, Masaya TERAI, Satoshi MIKOSHIBA, Koji ASAKAWA
  • Publication number: 20120236652
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a nonvolatile semiconductor memory device includes a first memory string including a first memory cell and a second memory cell aligned along a first axis, a source contact provided at a source-side end of the first memory string, a second memory string that extends along the first axis and includes a third memory cell that aligns with the first memory cell along a second axis perpendicular to the first axis, and a shield conductive layer. The shield conductive layer extends along the first axis between the first memory string and the second memory string and is electrically connected to the source contact.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2012
    Publication date: September 20, 2012
    Applicant: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventor: Tatsuya OKAMOTO
  • Publication number: 20120235226
    Abstract: A nonvolatile semiconductor memory of an aspect of the present invention includes a memory cell including, a charge storage layer on a gate insulating film, a multilayer insulator on the charge storage layer, and a control gate electrode on the multilayer insulator, the gate insulating film including a first tunnel film, a first high-dielectric-constant film on the first tunnel film and offering a greater dielectric constant than the first tunnel film, and a second tunnel film on the first high-dielectric-constant film and having the same configuration as that of the first tunnel film, the multilayer insulator including a first insulating film, a second high-dielectric-constant film on the first insulating film and offering a greater dielectric constant than the first insulating film, and a second insulating film on the second high-dielectric-constant film and having the same configuration as that of the first insulating film.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2012
    Publication date: September 20, 2012
    Inventor: Toshitake Yaegashi