Abstract: Briefly, embodiments of non-volatile memory and embodiments of fabrication thereof are disclosed. For example, a non-volatile memory device having a gate assembly with a floating gate and a control gate assembly is described. The control gate assembly includes a non-metal conductive control gate and a metal control gate in one embodiment. Additional embodiments are described, including use of a sacrificial nitride layer and forming contact recesses to create source or drain contacts, as other examples.

Abstract: A semiconductor memory device includes a first select transistor, first stepped portion, and a first contact plug. The first select transistor is formed on a side of an upper surface of a substrate and has a first multi-layer gate. The first stepped portion is formed by etching the substrate adjacent to the first multi-layer gate of the first select transistor such that the first stepped portion forms a cavity in the upper surface of the substrate. The first contact plug is formed in the first stepped portion.

Abstract: A non-volatile memory device includes a peripheral circuit region and a cell region. A method for fabricating the non-volatile memory device includes forming gate patterns over a substrate, the gate pattern including a tunnel insulation layer, a floating gate electrode, a charge blocking layer and a control gate electrode, and removing the control gate electrode and the charge blocking layer of the gate pattern formed in the peripheral circuit region.

Abstract: Disclosed is a flash memory device and a method of manufacturing the same. The flash memory device includes a floating gate formed on a semiconductor substrate, a select gate self-aligned on one sidewall of the floating gate, and an ONO pattern interposed between the floating gate and the select gate. A self-aligned split gate structure is formed for an EEPROM tunnel oxide cell flash memory device employing a split gate structure, so that a cell current is constant and the erasing characteristic between cells is uniform, thereby improving the reliability.

Abstract: A method of repairing a nonvolatile semiconductor memory device to eliminate defects includes monitoring a memory endurance indicator for a nonvolatile semiconductor memory device contained in a semiconductor package. It is determined whether that the memory endurance indicator exceeds a predefined limit. Finally, in response to determining that the memory endurance indicator exceeds the predefined limit, the device is annealed.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a method of fabricating a semiconductor device is disclosed. The method includes the steps of: forming a tunnel insulating film on a semiconductor substrate; forming a floating gate electrode on the tunnel insulating film; and forming a silicon nitride film including a low-density silicon nitride film and a high-density silicon nitride film on the floating gate electrode. The method also includes the steps of: forming an isolation trench thereby to expose the low-density silicon nitride film exposed at least in a portion of a side surface of the isolation trench; forming an isolating insulating film covering an internal surface of the isolation trench; removing the silicon nitride film; and forming an interelectrode insulating film and a control gate electrode both covering the floating gate electrode and the isolating insulating film.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a floating gate memory device comprises using self-aligned process for formation of a fourth poly layer over a partial gate structure that does not require an additional photolithographic step. Accordingly, enhanced device reliability can be achieved because a higher GCR can be maintained with lower gate bias levels. In addition, process complexity can be reduced, which can increase throughput and reduce device failures.

Abstract: A semiconductor memory includes memory cell transistors including a tunnel insulating film, a floating gate electrode, a first insulating film, a control gate electrode, and a first metal salicide film; low-voltage transistors having a first p-type source region and a first p-type drain region, a first gate insulating film, and a first gate electrode of an n conductivity type having the same dose of a first p-type impurity as with the first p-type source region; and high-voltage transistors having a second p-type source region and a second p-type drain region, a second gate insulating film thicker than the first gate insulating film, and a second gate electrode of an n conductivity type having the same dose of a second p-type impurity as with the second p-type source region.

Abstract: A plurality of memory cells each constituted of a memory cell transistor having a gate electrode in a laminated structure composed of a charge storage layer and a control gate layer and a select transistor having source/drain diffusion layers while one of the source/drain diffusion layers is shared by the memory cell transistor are arranged in and on a semiconductor substrate. The impurity concentration of the source/drain diffusion layer shared by the memory cell transistor and the select transistor in each of the plurality of memory cells is set lower than the impurity concentration of the other source/drain diffusion layers in each of the memory cells.

Abstract: The present invention provides a non-volatile memory device and a method for manufacturing such a device. The device comprises a floating gate (16), a control gate (19) and a separate erase gate (10). The erase gate (10) is provided in or on isolation zones (2) provided in the substrate (1). Because of that, the erase gates (10) do not add to the cell size. The capacitance between the erase gate (10) and the floating gate (16) is small compared with the capacitance between the control gate (19) and the floating gate (16), and the charged floating gate (16) is erased by Fowler-Nordheim tunneling through the oxide layer between the erase gate (10) and the floating gate (16).

Abstract: A nonvolatile semiconductor memory device includes: a first semiconductor region having first conductivity; a channel formation region in which a channel inversion layer having second conductivity is formed; a second semiconductor region having the second conductivity; a third semiconductor region having the second conductivity; a laminated insulating film formed on the channel formation region; and a control electrode formed on the laminated insulating film. The laminated insulating film includes a first insulating film, a charge storage film, and a second insulating film in order from the channel formation region side. The control electrode extends to above one of the second semiconductor region and the third semiconductor region. The charge storage film present between an extended portion of the control electrode and the second semiconductor region or the third semiconductor region is removed and a portion where the charge storage film is removed is filled with a third insulating film.

Abstract: A method of making a semiconductor device using a semiconductor substrate includes forming a first insulating layer having a first band energy over the semiconductor substrate. A first semiconductor layer having a second band energy is formed on the first insulating layer. The first semiconductor layer is annealed to form a plurality of first charge retainer globules from the first semiconductor layer. A first protective film is formed over each charge retainer globule of the plurality of first charge retainer globules. A second semiconductor layer is formed having a third band energy over the plurality of first charge retainer globules. The second semiconductor layer is annealed to form a plurality of storage globules from the second semiconductor layer over the plurality of first charge retainer globules. A magnitude of the second band energy is between a magnitude of the first band energy and a magnitude of the third band energy.

Abstract: Methods of fabricating a nonvolatile memory device include forming a trench mask pattern on a semiconductor substrate including a first region and a second region. Substrate trenches defining active regions are formed in the semiconductor substrate in the first region and the second region using the trench mask pattern as a mask. Device isolation layer patterns are formed on the semiconductor substrate including the trench mask pattern and substrate trenches. The device isolation patterns fill the substrate trenches in the first region and in the second region. First and second openings are formed exposing top surfaces of the corresponding active regions in the first and second regions by removing the trench mask pattern. The second opening has a greater width than the first opening. A first lower conductive pattern is formed in the first opening and has a bottom portion in a lower region of the first opening and an extended portion extending from the bottom portion to an upper region of the first opening.

Abstract: In various embodiments, semiconductor structures and methods to manufacture these structures are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method includes forming a portion of the unidirectional transistor and a portion of a bidirectional transistor in or over a semiconductor material simultaneously. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: A method of forming a gate of a semiconductor device comprising providing a semiconductor substrate over which a gate insulating layer, a first conductive layer, a dielectric layer, and a second conductive layer are sequentially formed, the semiconductor substrate defining gate line regions; removing he second conductive layer between gate line regions; removing the dielectric layer so that a top surface of the first conductive layer between the gate line regions is exposed; performing a first etch process in order to lower a height of the first conductive layer between the gate line region; removing he dielectric layer between the gate line regions; and, performing a second etch process in order to remove the first conductive layer between the gate line regions.

Abstract: Provided is a CMOS image sensor with an asymmetric well structure of a source follower. The CMOS image sensor includes: a well disposed in an active region of a substrate; a drive transistor having one terminal connected to a power voltage and a first gate electrode disposed to cross the well; and a select transistor having a drain-source junction between another terminal of the drive transistor and an output node, and a second gate electrode disposed in parallel to the drive transistor. A drain region of the drive transistor and a source region of the select transistor are asymmetrically arranged.

Abstract: An integrated process flow for forming an NMOS transistor (104) and an embedded SiGe (eSiGe) PMOS transistor (102) using a stress memorization technique (SMT) layer (126). The SMT layer (126) is deposited over both the NMOS transistor (104) and PMOS transistor (102). The portion of SMT layer (126) over PMOS transistor (102) is anisotropically etched to form spacers (128) without etching the portion of SMT layer (126) over NMOS transistor (104). Spacers (128) are used to align the SiGe recess etch and growth to form SiGe source/drain regions (132). The source/drain anneals are performed after etching the SMT layer (126) such that SMT layer (126) provides the desired stress to the NMOS transistor (104) without degrading PMOS transistor (102).

Abstract: Disclosed are a flash memory device and a method for manufacturing the same. The flash memory device includes first and second memory gates on a substrate; a floating poly between the first and second memory gates; first and second select gates at respective outer sides of the first and second memory gates; an oxide layer between the first memory gate and the first select gate and between the second memory gate and the second select gate; a drain region in the substrate at outer sides of the first and second select gates; a source region in the substrate between the first and second memory gates; and a metal contact on each of the drain region and the source region.

Abstract: One or more embodiments relate to a method for forming a memory device, the memory device including a control gate, a charge storage structure and a select gate, the method comprising: forming a gate tower, the gate tower including the control gate over the charge storage structure; forming a dummy tower laterally spaced apart from the gate tower; and forming a select gate between the gate tower and the dummy tower.

Abstract: Structures and techniques are disclosed for reducing bit line to bit line capacitance in a non-volatile storage system. The bit lines are formed at a 4f pitch in each of two separate metal layers, and arranged to alternate between each of the layers. In an alternative embodiment, shields are formed between each of the bit lines on each metal layer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a semiconductor device which is capable of simultaneously improving a short channel effect of a PMOS and the current of an NMOS and a method for manufacturing the same. The semiconductor device includes first and second gates formed over first and second areas of a semiconductor substrate, respectively; and first and second junction areas formed in a portion of the semiconductor substrate corresponding to both sides of the first gate and a portion of the semiconductor substrate corresponding to both sides of the second gate, and including a projection, respectively, wherein the projection of the first junction area has a height higher than the height of the projection of the second junction area, and the second junction area is formed such that it has a depth from the surface of the semiconductor substrate deeper than the depth of the first junction area.

Abstract: A nonvolatile semiconductor memory includes a memory cell transistor including a first floating gate electrode layer formed on a first tunneling insulating film, a first inter-gate insulating film, a first and a second control gate electrode layer, and a first metallic silicide film; a high voltage transistor including a high voltage gate electrode layer formed on the high voltage gate insulating film, a second inter-gate insulating film having an aperture, a third and a fourth control gate electrode layer, and a second metallic silicide film; a low voltage transistor including a second floating gate electrode layer formed on the second tunneling insulating film, a third inter-gate insulating film having an aperture, a fifth and a sixth control gate electrode layer, and a third metallic silicide film; and a liner insulating film directly disposed on a first source and drain region of the memory cell transistor, a second source and drain region of the low voltage transistor, and a third source and drain region

Abstract: A method of forming a semiconductor structure comprises providing a substrate and forming an insulator layer on the substrate. A first film is formed on the insulator layer. Thus, the first film can correspond to a device region of the semiconductor structure. A second film, comprising a second material that is different from the first material, is also formed on the insulator layer adjacent to the first film. The second material can comprise an isolation material (e.g., an oxide and/or nitride material) and can, for example comprise the same dielectric material as the insulator layer (e.g., silicon dioxide). The second film can correspond to an isolation region (e.g., a shallow trench isolation region) of the semiconductor structure. The second film is specifically formed with a first section having a first thickness and a second section having a second thickness that is different from the first thickness.

Abstract: Provided is a manufacturing method of a semiconductor device, which comprises forming a film stack of a gate insulating film, a charge storage film, insulating film, polysilicon film, silicon oxide film, silicon nitride film and cap insulating film over a semiconductor substrate; removing the film stack by photolithography and etching from a low breakdown voltage MISFET formation region and a high breakdown voltage MISFET formation region; forming gate insulating films, polysilicon film and cap insulating film over the semiconductor substrate, forming a gate electrode in the low breakdown voltage MISFET formation region and high breakdown voltage MISFET formation region, and then forming a gate electrode in a memory cell formation region. By the manufacturing technology of a semiconductor device for forming the gate electrodes of a first MISFET and a second MISFET in different steps, the present invention makes it possible to provide the first MISFET and the second MISFET each having improved reliability.

Abstract: A non-volatile memory device and a method of manufacturing the non-volatile memory device are provided. At least one first semiconductor layer and at least one second semiconductor layer are disposed. At least one control gate electrode is disposed between the at least one first semiconductor layer and the at least one second semiconductor layer. At least one first layer selection line is capacitively coupled to the at least one first semiconductor layer. At least one second layer selection line is capacitively coupled to the at least one second semiconductor layer.

Abstract: A power semiconductor device includes a backside metal layer, a substrate formed on the backside metal layer, a semiconductor layer formed on the substrate, and a frontside metal layer. The semiconductor layer includes a first trench structure including a gate oxide layer formed around a first trench with poly-Si implant, a second trench structure including a gate oxide layer formed around a second trench with poly-Si implant, a p-base region formed between the first trench structure and the second trench structure, a plurality of n+ source region formed on the p-base region and between the first trench structure and the second trench structure, a dielectric layer formed on the first trench structure, the second trench structure, and the plurality of n+ source region. The frontside metal layer is formed on the semiconductor layer and filling gaps formed between the plurality of n+ source region on the p-base region.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide memory devices and methods for forming such memory devices. In one embodiment, a method for fabricating a non-volatile memory device on a substrate is provided which includes depositing a first polysilicon layer on a substrate surface, depositing a silicon oxide layer on the first polysilicon layer, depositing a first silicon oxynitride layer on the silicon oxide layer, depositing a silicon nitride layer on the first silicon oxynitride layer, depositing a second silicon oxynitride layer on the silicon nitride layer, and depositing a second polysilicon layer on the second silicon oxynitride layer. In some examples, the first polysilicon layer is a floating gate and the second polysilicon layer is a control gate.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device on a substrate. The method may include forming a non-volatile memory in a memory area of the substrate. The forming non-volatile memory on a substrate may include formation in the memory area of a floating gate structure and of a control gate structure which is in a stacked configuration with the floating gate structure. One or more gate material layer may be formed in a logic area of the substrate. After forming the control gate structure and the gate material layer, a filling material layer may be deposited over the logic area and the memory area. The filling material layer may be partially removed by reducing the thickness of the filling material in the logic area and the memory area, at least until a top surface of the one or more gate material layer is exposed. Logic devices may be formed in the logic area, the formation may include forming a logic gate structure from the gate material layer.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a semiconductor device is provided. First, a stacked structure is formed on a substrate. The stacked structure includes, from the substrate, a dielectric layer and a conductive gate in order. An ion implant process is performed to form doped regions in the substrate on the opposite sides of the stacked structure. Thereafter, source-side spacer is formed on a sidewall of the stacked structure. A thermal process is performed to activate the doped regions, thereby forming a source in the substrate under the sidewall of the stacked structure having the source-side spacer and a drain in the substrate on another side of the stacked structure.

Abstract: A method includes the steps of: introducing insulation film into a trench to provide a trench isolation; planarizing the trench isolation to expose a passivation film; and removing the passivation film and depositing a second silicon layer on a first silicon layer and the trench isolation; and in the step of depositing the first silicon layer the first silicon layer is an undoped silicon layer and in the step of depositing the second silicon layer the second silicon layer is a doped silicon layer or an undoped silicon layer subsequently having an impurity introduced thereinto or the like and thermally diffused through subsequent thermal hysteresis into the first silicon layer.

Abstract: A nonvolatile memory device with a blocking layer controlling the transfer of electric charges in a charge storage layer includes the blocking layer having a first blocking layer in contact with the charge storage layer and a second blocking layer over the first blocking layer, wherein the first blocking layer has a greater energy band gap than the second blocking layer and the second blocking layer has a greater permittivity than the first blocking layer.

Abstract: A method of forming a semiconductor device may include forming a first pattern on a substrate, and forming a first dielectric layer on the first pattern. The first pattern may be between portions of the first dielectric layer and the substrate. A second dielectric layer may be formed on the first dielectric layer, and the first dielectric layer may be between the first pattern and the second dielectric layer. A second pattern may be formed on the second dielectric layer. Portions of the second dielectric layer may be exposed by the second pattern, and the first and second dielectric layers may be between portions of the first and second patterns. The exposed portions of the second dielectric layer may be isotropically etched.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a non-volatile memory integrated circuit device and a non-volatile memory integrated circuit device fabricated by using the method are provided. A device isolation region is formed in a substrate to define a cell array region and a peripheral circuit region. A plurality of first and second pre-stacked gate structures is formed in the cell array region, and each has a structure in which a lower structure, a conductive pattern and a first sacrificial layer pattern are stacked. Junction regions are formed in the cell array region. Spacers are formed on side walls of the first and second pre-stacked gate structures. A second sacrificial layer pattern filling each space between the second pre-stacked gate structures is formed. The first sacrificial layer pattern is removed from each of the first and second pre-stacked gate structures.

Abstract: In a method of fabricating a non-volatile memory device, a semiconductor substrate includes an isolation layer formed in an isolation region, a tunnel insulating layer and a first conductive layer for a floating gate formed in an active region, and a dielectric layer, a second conductive layer for a control gate, and a gate hard mask formed over the first conductive layer including the isolation layer. The second conductive layer is patterned using the gate hard mask as an etch mask. The dielectric layer is patterned so that the first conductive layer, which is exposed as the dielectric layer is etched, is also etched. The first conductive layer is patterned along a pattern of the gate hard mask. Accordingly, at the time of gate patterning, micro bridges between the floating gates can be prevented and a 2-bit failure between neighboring cells is less likely.

Abstract: A semiconductor memory device includes a first select transistor, first stepped portion, and a first contact plug. The first select transistor is formed on a side of an upper surface of a substrate and has a first multi-layer gate. The first stepped portion is formed by etching the substrate adjacent to the first multi-layer gate of the first select transistor such that the first stepped portion forms a cavity in the upper surface of the substrate. The first contact plug is formed in the first stepped portion.

Abstract: In a method of manufacturing a double-implant NOR flash memory structure, a phosphorus ion implantation process is performed, so that a P-doped drain region is formed in a semiconductor substrate between two gate structures to overlap with a highly-doped drain (HDD) region and a lightly-doped drain (LDD) region. Therefore, the electric connection at a junction between the HDD region and the LDD region is enhanced and the carrier mobility in the memory is not lowered while the problems of short channel effect and punch-through of LDD region are solved.

Abstract: A method of forming a flash memory device in a memory cell region of a substrate includes forming a first insulating layer on the substrate, forming a first conductive layer on the first insulating layer, forming trench isolation regions in the substrate extending through the first conductive layer and the first insulating layer to define an active region in the memory cell region between the trench isolation regions, and selectively removing the first conductive layer and the first insulating layer from the memory cell region of the substrate to expose a surface of the active region between the trench isolation regions.

Abstract: An improved process forming a floating gate region of a semiconductor memory device. The process includes using a ceria slurry for chemical mechanical planarization to provide “stop on polysilicon” capabilities, allowing a thin nitride layer, or in the alternative no nitride layer, to be used and reducing the number of processing steps required to form the floating gate region.

Abstract: A floating gate memory array comprising transistors having isolated inter-gate dielectric regions with respect to one another and methods of fabricating the same. Floating gate transistors are formed such that each of the floating gate transistors in the array has a floating gate, a control gate and an inter-gate dielectric layer therebetween. The inter-gate dielectric layer for each transistor is isolated from the inter-gate dielectric of each of the other transistors in the array. Methods of fabricating such structures are also provided.

Abstract: A diblock copolymer layer comprising at least two polymers and having a lamellar structure perpendicularly to a substrate is deposited on a first gate insulator formed on the substrate. One of the polymers of the diblock copolymer layer is then eliminated to form parallel grooves in the copolymer layer. The grooves are filled by a first metallic or semi-conductor material and the rest of the copolymer layer is eliminated. A second dielectric material is deposited to form a second gate insulator. The second gate insulator of the floating gate then comprises an alternation of parallel first and second lines respectively of the first and second materials, the second material encapsulating the lines of the first material.

Abstract: Disclosed is a semiconductor device comprising a semiconductor substrate including first and second element-formation regions partitioned by an isolation trench, first and second lower gate insulating films formed on the first and second element-formation regions, first and second floating gates formed on the first and second lower gate insulating films, an isolation insulating film formed at least in the isolation trench and has a depression formed in an upper surface thereof, an upper gate insulating film formed on the first and second floating gates, and a control gate line including an opposed portion opposed to the first and second floating gates, with the upper gate insulating film being interposed, and a portion located inside the depression, the first floating gate including a side surface opposed to the second floating gate and entirely aligns with a side surface included in the first element-formation region and defined by the isolation trench.

Abstract: A method for creating a non-volatile memory array includes implanting pocket implants in a substrate at least between mask columns of a given width and at least through an ONO layer covering the substrate, generating increased-width polysilicon columns from the mask columns, generating bit lines in the substrate at least between the increased-width polysilicon columns and depositing oxide at least between the polysilicon columns.

Abstract: The present invention is related to a method of forming an isolation layer in a semiconductor device and comprises the steps of forming a tunnel insulating layer and conductive layer patterns on an active area of a semiconductor substrate, the width of an upper portion of the conductive layer patterns being narrower than that of a lower portion; forming a trench between the conductive layer patterns on the semiconductor substrate; forming an insulating layer to fill a portion of the trench with the insulating layer; and performing an etching process to remove an overhang of the insulating layer formed at an upper edge of the conductive layer patterns. Here, the step of forming the insulating layer and the step of performing the etching process are repeatedly performed until a space between the conductive layer patterns and the trench are filled with the insulating layer.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a strained silicon transistor is provided. Amorphous silicon is formed below the transistor region before the transistor is formed. By using the tensile/compressive strainer, amorphous silicon is recrystallized to form a strained silicon layer. In addition, the dopants in the well can be driven in and activated by using the same annealing process with the amorphous silicon recrystallization.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a non-volatile memory device includes forming an isolation trench in a semiconductor substrate, and the isolation trench defines first and second fins. The method further includes forming an isolation layer partially filling the isolation trench, forming first and second charge trap patterns respectively covering parts of the first and second fins projecting from the isolation layer, and forming a control gate electrode covering the first and second charge trap patterns and crossing the first and second fins.

Abstract: A structure and a method of manufacturing a three dimensional memory using a number of bit line masks that is less than the number of device layers. A first bit line mask is used to form a first bit line layer in a first device level. The first bit line layer comprises first bit lines. The first bit line mask is also used to form a second bit line layer in a second device level. The second bit line layer comprises second bit lines. The first bit lines and the second bit lines have different electrical connections to a bit line connection level despite employing the same mask pattern.

Abstract: A method of producing a semiconducting device is provided that in one embodiment includes providing a semiconducting device including a gate structure atop a substrate, the gate structure including a dual gate conductor including an upper gate conductor and a lower gate conductor, wherein at least the lower gate conductor includes a silicon containing material; removing the upper gate conductor selective to the lower gate conductor; depositing a metal on at least the lower gate conductor; and producing a silicide from the metal and the lower gate conductor. In another embodiment, the inventive method includes a metal as the lower gate conductor.

Abstract: The present invention facilitates semiconductor fabrication by providing methods of fabrication that selectively apply strain to multiple regions of a semiconductor device. A semiconductor device having one or more regions is provided (102). A strain inducing liner is formed over the semiconductor device (104). A selection mechanism, such as a layer of photoresist or UV reflective coating is applied to the semiconductor device to select a region (106). The selected region is treated with a stress altering treatment that alters a type and/or magnitude of stress produced by the selected region (108).

Abstract: In one embodiment, a semiconductor device includes at least two stacked gate structures formed on a substrate. The two stacked gate structures each include a semiconductor layer and a metal layer over the semiconductor layer. The two stacked gate structures on the substrate are characterized by differential intermediate layers, one of the two structures including an ohmic layer and the other of the two structures not including an ohmic layer.

Abstract: Provided are a non-volatile memory device and a method of fabricating the same. The non-volatile memory device comprises: a control gate region formed by doping a semiconductor substrate with second impurities; an electron injection region formed by doping the semiconductor substrate with first impurities, where a top surface of the electron injection region includes a tip portion at an edge; a floating gate electrode covering at least a portion of the control gate region and the tip portion of the electron injection region; a first tunnel oxide layer interposed between the floating gate electrode and the control gate region; a second tunnel oxide layer interposed between the floating gate electrode and the electron injection region; a trench surrounding the electron injection region in the semiconductor substrate; and a device isolation layer pattern filled in the trench.