Abstract: A semiconductor structure comprises two or more vertical fins, a bottom epitaxial layer surrounding a bottom portion of a given one of the two or more vertical fins, a top epitaxial layer surrounding a top portion of the given one of the two or more vertical fins, a shared epitaxial layer surrounding a middle portion of the given one of the two or more vertical fins, and a connecting layer contacting the bottom epitaxial layer and the top epitaxial layer, the connecting layer being disposed to a lateral side of the two or more vertical fins.

Abstract: A manufacturing method of a semiconductor device, includes providing a substrate; forming a stacked gate, including a floating gate and a control gate, on the substrate; forming a stacked gate by a deposition of a select gate conductive layer on the stacked gate; forming a trench in the stacked gate by etching the stacked gate to separate a first select gate pattern and a second select gate pattern; and forming a first select gate, a second select gate, a first transistor, and a second transistor simultaneously through an etch-back process of the stacked gate.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided which comprises: a fin; a layer formed on the fin, the layer dividing the fin in a first section and a second section; a first device formed on the first section of the fin; and a second device formed on the second section of the fin.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a memory and a method for forming the memory. The memory includes: a substrate including a first storage area and a second storage area; a source region disposed in the substrate between the first storage area and the second storage area; a first drain region and a second drain region in the substrate on both sides of the first storage area and the second storage area; a first storage structure disposed on the first storage area, including a first storage unit, a second storage unit, and a first word line gate; and a second storage structure disposed on the second storage area, including a third storage unit, a fourth storage unit, and a second word line gate. The memory can obtain an improved performance.

Abstract: Systems, methods and apparatus are provided for a three-node access device in vertical three dimensional (3D) memory. An example method includes a method for forming arrays of vertically stacked memory cells, having horizontally oriented access devices and vertically oriented access lines. The method includes depositing alternating layers of a dielectric material and a sacrificial material in repeating iterations to form a vertical stack. An etchant process is used to form a first vertical opening exposing vertical sidewalls in the vertical stack adjacent a first region. The first region is selectively etched to form a first horizontal opening removing the sacrificial material a first horizontal distance back from the first vertical opening.

Abstract: According to various embodiments, a memory cell may include a substrate of a first conductivity type, the substrate having first and second regions of a second conductivity type spaced apart and defining a channel region therebetween. The memory cell may further include a word line arranged over a portion of the channel region nearer to the first region, an erase gate arranged over the second region, a floating gate arranged over another portion of the channel region nearer to the second region and between the word line and the erase gate, and a coupling gate arranged over a top end of the floating gate. The floating gate includes the top end, a bottom end, a first side extending from the top end to the bottom end and facing the erase gate, and a second side extending from the top end to the bottom end and facing the word line.

Abstract: There are provided a semiconductor device, a method of manufacturing the same, and an electronic device including the device. According to an embodiment, the semiconductor device may include a substrate; a first source/drain layer, a channel layer and a second source/drain layer stacked on the substrate in sequence, wherein the second source/drain layer comprises a first semiconductor material which is stressed; and a gate stack surrounding a periphery of the channel layer.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present application are directed to an embedded memory boundary structure with a boundary sidewall spacer, and associated forming methods. In some embodiments, an isolation structure is disposed in a semiconductor substrate to separate a memory region from a logic region. A memory cell structure is disposed on the memory region and a cell boundary structure is formed on the isolation structure including a boundary sidewall spacer. A protecting dielectric layer is disposed on a top surface of the boundary sidewall spacer. The boundary sidewall spacer and the protecting dielectric layer provide a smooth boundary sidewall that is not subject to damage during formation of the logic device structure and, hence, is not subject to trapping high ? etch residue during formation of the logic device structure with HKMG technology.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a semiconductor device includes forming a line structure including a first contact plug on a semiconductor substrate and a conductive line on the first contact plug, forming a low-k layer having a first low-k, which covers a top surface and side walls of the line structure, performing a converting process on the low-k layer to form a non-converting portion adjacent to side walls of the first contact plug and maintains the first low-k and a converting portion adjacent to side walls of the conductive line and having a second low-k that is lower than the first low-k, and forming a second contact plug which is adjacent to the first contact plug with the non-converting portion therebetween while being adjacent to the conductive line with the converting portion therebetween.

Abstract: A method of forming a semiconductor structure includes forming a stacked vertical transport field-effect transistor (VTFET) structure and a sacrificial layer in contact with a source/drain region of the stacked vertical transport field-effect transistor structure. A masking layer is formed over the sacrificial layer. The masking layer defines a pattern to be patterned into the sacrificial layer. The sacrificial layer is patterned based on the masking layer to form a patterned sacrificial layer and the masking layer is removed. A portion of the stacked VTFET structure is etched down to a surface of the patterned sacrificial layer and the patterned sacrificial layer is removed to form a channel exposing the source/drain region. A contact material is formed in the etched portion of the stacked vertical transport field-effect transistor structure and in the channel. The contact material is formed in contact with the exposed source/drain region.

Abstract: A memory device having an array area and a periphery area is provided. The memory device includes a substrate, an isolation layer formed in the substrate, a first doped region formed on the isolation layer in the array area, a second doped region formed on the first doped region, a metal silicide layer formed on the second doped region, and a metal silicide oxide layer formed on the metal silicide layer.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for forming a stacked layer structure, including: first, a recess is provided, next, an oxide layer is formed in the recess, where the oxide layer has a thickness T1, a high-k layer is formed on the oxide layer, a barrier layer is formed on the high-k layer, a silicon layer is then formed on the barrier layer, afterwards, an annealing process is performed on the silicon layer, so as to form an oxygen-containing layer between the silicon layer and the barrier layer, where the oxide layer has a thickness T2 after the annealing process is performed, and satisfies the relationship: (T2?T1)/T1?0.05, and the silicon layer and the oxygen-containing layer are removed.

Abstract: A gate oxide film is formed in a region having a MOSFET on a semiconductor substrate formed therein, and a first polysilicon film serving as a gate electrode of the MOSFET is further formed. Thereafter, a charge storage three-layer film is formed by opening a region having a MONOS type FET formed therein, exposing a semiconductor surface of the semiconductor substrate, and sequentially depositing a first potential barrier film, a charge storage film, and a second potential barrier film. In this case, before the charge storage three-layer film is formed, an anti-oxidation film is formed on the first polysilicon film.

Abstract: An illustrative semiconductor structure described herein includes a substrate including a logic transistor region, a ferroelectric transistor region and an input/output transistor region. A logic transistor is provided at the logic transistor region. The logic transistor includes a gate dielectric and a gate electrode. An input/output transistor is provided at the input/output transistor region. The input/output transistor includes a gate dielectric and a gate electrode. The gate dielectric of the input/output transistor has a greater thickness than the gate dielectric of the logic transistor. A ferroelectric transistor is provided at the ferroelectric transistor region. The ferroelectric transistor includes a ferroelectric dielectric and a gate electrode. The ferroelectric dielectric is arranged between the ferroelectric transistor region and the gate electrode of the ferroelectric transistor.

Abstract: A transistor includes a source region, a drain region, a channel region, a gate electrode and a layer of a stress-creating material. The stress-creating material provides a stress that is variable in response to a signal acting on the stress-creating material. The layer of stress-creating material is arranged to provide a stress in at least the channel region. The stress provided in at least the channel region is variable in response to the signal acting on the stress-creating material. Layers of stress-creating material providing a stress that is variable in response to a signal acting on the stress-creating material may also be used in circuit elements other than transistors, for example, resistors.

Abstract: A described method includes providing a semiconductor substrate. A first gate structure is formed on the semiconductor substrate and a sacrificial gate structure formed adjacent the first gate structure. The sacrificial gate structure may be used to form a metal gate structure using a replacement gate methodology. A dielectric layer is formed overlying the first gate structure and the sacrificial gate structure. The dielectric layer has a first thickness above a top surface of the first gate structure and a second thickness, less than the first thickness, above a top surface of the sacrificial gate structure. (See, e.g., FIGS. 5, 15, 26). Thus, a subsequent planarization process of the dielectric layer may not contact the first gate structure.

Abstract: A process integration is disclosed for fabricating complete, planar non-volatile memory (NVM) cells (110) prior to the formation of high-k metal gate electrodes for CMOS transistors (212, 213) using a planarized dielectric layer (26) and protective mask (28) to enable use of a gate-last HKMG CMOS process flow without interfering with the operation or reliability of the NVM cells.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a pillar-shaped silicon layer including a first diffusion layer, a channel region, and a second diffusion layer formed in that order from the silicon substrate side, floating gates respectively disposed in two symmetrical directions so as to sandwich the pillar-shaped silicon layer, and a control gate line disposed in two symmetrical directions other than the two directions so as to sandwich the pillar-shaped silicon layer. A tunnel insulating film is formed between the pillar-shaped silicon layer and each of the floating gates. The control gate line is disposed so as to surround the floating gates and the pillar-shaped silicon layer with an inter-polysilicon insulating film interposed therebetween.

Abstract: A FinFET device includes a substrate, a fin, and isolation regions on either side of the fin. The device also includes sidewall spacers above the isolation regions and formed along the fin structure. A recessing trench is formed by the sidewall spacers and the fin, and an epitaxially-grown semiconductor material is formed in and above the recessing trench, forming an epitaxial structure.

Abstract: A memory array comprising transistors having isolated inter-gate dielectric regions with respect to one another. Transistors are formed such that each of the transistors in the array has a charge storage region such as 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.

Abstract: A memory device, and method of make same, having a substrate of semiconductor material of a first conductivity type, first and second spaced-apart regions in the substrate of a second conductivity type, with a channel region in the substrate therebetween, a conductive floating gate over and insulated from the substrate, wherein the floating gate is disposed at least partially over the first region and a first portion of the channel region, a conductive second gate laterally adjacent to and insulated from the floating gate, wherein the second gate is disposed at least partially over and insulated from a second portion of the channel region, and a stressor region of embedded silicon carbide formed in the substrate underneath the second gate.

Abstract: A semiconductor nanowire is formed integrally with a wraparound semiconductor portion that contacts sidewalls of a conductive cap structure located at an upper portion of a deep trench and contacting an inner electrode of a deep trench capacitor. The semiconductor nanowire is suspended from above a buried insulator layer. A gate dielectric layer is formed on the surfaces of the patterned semiconductor material structure including the semiconductor nanowire and the wraparound semiconductor portion. A wraparound gate electrode portion is formed around a center portion of the semiconductor nanowire and gate spacers are formed. Physically exposed portions of the patterned semiconductor material structure are removed, and selective epitaxy and metallization are performed to connect a source-side end of the semiconductor nanowire to the conductive cap structure.

Abstract: A method of making a semiconductor structure includes patterning a polysilicon layer on a substrate to form a first floating gate over a first active region in the substrate and a second floating gate over a second active region in the substrate. An opening between the first and second floating gates is filled with a dielectric material. The dielectric material is etched back so that a height of a remaining portion of the dielectric material is less than a height of the first and second floating gates. A second polysilicon layer is deposited over the first and second floating gates and the remaining portion of the dielectric material to form a word line for the first and second floating gates.

Abstract: A method of forming a semiconductor device that includes providing a logic device on a semiconductor on insulating layer of a transfer substrate. The transfer substrate may further include a dielectric layer and a first handle substrate. A second handle substrate may be contacted to the semiconductor on insulating layer of the transfer substrate that includes logic device. The first handle substrate may be removed to expose the dielectric layer. A memory device can then be formed on the dielectric layer. Interconnect wiring can then be formed connecting the logic device with the memory device.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a memory cell is provided that includes a metal-insulator-metal stack and a steering element coupled to the metal-insulator-metal stack. The metal-insulator-metal stack includes a first conductive layer, a reversible resistivity switching layer above the first conductive layer, and a second conductive layer above the reversible resistivity switching layer. The first conductive layer and/or the second conductive layer includes a first semiconductor material layer. The steering element includes the first semiconductor material layer. Numerous other aspects are provided.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention generally relate to memory devices and methods for fabricating such memory devices. In one embodiment, a method for fabricating a resistive switching memory device includes depositing a metallic layer on a lower electrode disposed on a substrate and exposing the metallic layer to an activated oxygen source while heating the substrate to an oxidizing temperature within a range from about 300° C. to about 600° C. and forming a metal oxide layer from an upper portion of the metallic layer during an oxidation process. The lower electrode contains a silicon material and the metallic layer contains hafnium or zirconium. Subsequent to the oxidation process, the method further includes heating the substrate to an annealing temperature within a range from greater than 600° C. to about 850° C. while forming a metal silicide layer from a lower portion of the metallic layer during a silicidation process.

Abstract: A method of forming a semiconductor memory cell that includes forming the floating and control gates from the same poly layer. Layers of insulation, conductive and second insulation material are formed over a substrate. A trench is formed in the second insulation material extending down to and exposing the conductive layer. Spacers are formed in the trench, separated by a small and defined gap at a bottom of the trench that exposes a portion of the conductive layer. A trench is then formed through the exposed portion of the conductive layer by performing an anisotropic etch through the gap. The trench is filled with third insulation material. Selected portions of the conductive layer are removed, leaving two blocks thereof separated by the third insulation material.

Abstract: A process integration is disclosed for fabricating non-volatile memory (NVM) cells having patterned select gates (211, 213), charge storage layers (219), inlaid control gates (223, 224), and inlaid control gate contact regions (228).

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a columnar semiconductor, a floating gate electrode formed on a side surface of the columnar semiconductor via a tunnel dielectric film, and a control gate electrode formed to surround the floating gate electrode via a block dielectric film are provided.

Abstract: A semiconductor storage device according to an embodiment comprises active areas on a semiconductor substrate. An element isolation is arranged between the active areas and filled by an insulating film. A plurality of memory cells configured to store data are formed on the active areas. Air gaps are arranged between upper-end edge parts of the active areas where the memory cells are formed and an insulating film in the element isolation.

Abstract: Numerous other aspects are provided a method for making a nonvolatile memory cell. The method includes forming a non-planar dielectric structure, and conformally depositing a semiconductor layer over the dielectric structure. A portion of the semiconductor layer serves as a channel region for a transistor, and the channel region is non-planar in shape.

Abstract: A nonvolatile memory device includes a floating gate formed over a semiconductor substrate, an insulator formed on a first sidewall of the floating gate, a dielectric layer formed on a second sidewall and an upper surface of the floating gate, and a control gate formed over the dielectric layer.

Abstract: On a silicon substrate is formed a stacked body by alternately stacking a plurality of silicon oxide films and silicon films, a trench is formed in the stacked body, an alumina film, a silicon nitride film and a silicon oxide film are formed in this order on an inner surface of the trench, and a channel silicon crystalline film is formed on the silicon oxide film. Next, a silicon oxide layer is formed at an interface between the silicon oxide film and the channel silicon crystalline film by performing thermal treatment in an oxygen gas atmosphere.

Abstract: A process for obtaining an array of nanodots (212) for microelectronic devices, characterized in that it comprises the following steps: deposition of a silicon layer (210) on a substrate (100, 132), formation, above the silicon layer (210), of a layer (240) of a material capable of self-organizing, in which at least one polymer substantially forms cylinders (242) organized into an array within a matrix (244), formation of patterns (243) in the layer (240) of a material capable of self-organizing by elimination of the said cylinders (242), formation of a hard mask (312) by transfer of the said patterns (243), production of silicon dots (212) in the silicon layer (210) by engraving through the hard mask (312), silicidation of the silicon dots (212), comprising deposition of a metal layer (510).

Abstract: A three-dimensional (3-D) nonvolatile memory device includes channel layers protruding perpendicular to a surface of a substrate, interlayer insulating layers and conductive layer patterns alternately formed to surround each of the channel layers, a slit formed between the channel layers, the slit penetrating the interlayer insulating layers and the conductive layer patterns, and an etch-stop layer formed on the surface of the substrate at the bottom of the slit.

Abstract: In a method for producing a semiconductor device, Si pillars that include i-layers, N+ regions that serve as lower impurity regions, N+ regions and a P+ region that serve as upper impurity regions, and i-layers are formed by using SiO2 layers as an etching mask. Thus, surrounding gate MOS transistors (SGTs) are produced in which the upper impurity regions and the lower impurity regions respectively function as impurity layers constituting a source or a drain of the SGTs formed in upper portions and lower portions of the Si pillars.

Abstract: A nonvolatile semiconductor memory device includes a plurality of nonvolatile memory cells formed on a semiconductor substrate, each memory cell including source and drain regions separately formed on a surface portion of the substrate, buried insulating films formed in portions of the substrate that lie under the source and drain regions and each having a dielectric constant smaller than that of the substrate, a tunnel insulating film formed on a channel region formed between the source and drain regions, a charge storage layer formed of a dielectric body on the tunnel insulating film, a block insulating film formed on the charge storage layer, and a control gate electrode formed on the block insulating film.

Abstract: A nonvolatile memory device includes a substrate; a channel layer projecting from a surface of the substrate, in a direction perpendicular to the surface; a tunnel dielectric layer surrounding the channel layer; a plurality of interlayer dielectric layers and a plurality of control gate electrodes alternately formed along the channel layer; floating gate electrodes interposed between the tunnel dielectric layer and the plurality of control gate electrodes, the floating gate electrodes comprising a metal-semiconductor compound; and a charge blocking layer interposed between each of the plurality of control gate electrodes and each of the plurality of floating gate electrodes.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods of forming a self-aligned contact and related apparatus. In some embodiments, the method forms a plurality of gate lines interspersed between a plurality of dielectric lines, wherein the gate lines and the dielectric lines extend in a first direction over an active area. One or more of the plurality of gate lines are into a plurality of gate line sections aligned in the first direction. One or more of the plurality of dielectric lines are cut into a plurality of dielectric lines sections aligned in the first direction. A dummy isolation material is deposited between adjacent dielectric sections in the first direction and between adjacent gate line sections in the first direction. One or more self-aligned metal contacts are then formed by replacing a part of one or more of the plurality of dielectric lines over the active area with a contact metal.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of manufacturing sidewall spacers on a memory device. The method comprises forming sidewall spacers on a memory device having a memory array region and at least one peripheral circuit region by forming a first sidewall spacer adjacent to a word line in the memory array region and a second sidewall spacer adjacent to a transistor in the peripheral circuit region. The first sidewall spacer has a first thickness and the second sidewall spacer has a second thickness, wherein the second thickness is greater than the first thickness.

Abstract: Methods for manufacturing non-volatile memory devices including peripheral transistors with reduced and less variable gate resistance are described. In some embodiments, a NAND-type flash memory may include floating-gate transistors and peripheral transistors (or non-floating-gate transistors). The peripheral transistors may include select gate transistors (e.g., drain-side select gates and/or source-side select gates) and/or logic transistors that reside outside of a memory array region. A floating-gate transistor may include a floating gate of a first conductivity type (e.g., n-type) and a control gate including a lower portion of a second conductivity type different from the first conductivity type (e.g., p-type). A peripheral transistor may include a gate including a first layer of the first conductivity type, a second layer of the second conductivity type, and a cutout region including one or more sidewall diffusion barriers that extends through the second layer and a portion of the first layer.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention generally relate to memory devices and methods for manufacturing such memory devices. In one embodiment, a method for forming a memory device with a textured electrode is provided and includes forming a silicon oxide layer on a lower electrode disposed on a substrate, forming metallic particles on the silicon oxide layer, wherein the metallic particles are separately disposed from each other on the silicon oxide layer. The method further includes etching between the metallic particles while removing a portion of the silicon oxide layer and forming troughs within the lower electrode, removing the metallic particles and remaining silicon oxide layer by a wet etch process while revealing peaks separated by the troughs disposed on the lower electrode, forming a metal oxide film stack within the troughs and over the peaks of the lower electrode, and forming an upper electrode over the metal oxide film stack.

Abstract: An object is to provide a technique for manufacturing an insulating layer with favorable withstand voltage. Another object is to provide a technique for manufacturing a semiconductor device having an insulating layer with favorable withstand voltage. By subjecting a semiconductor layer or semiconductor substrate mainly containing silicon to a high density plasma treatment, an insulating layer is formed on a surface of the semiconductor layer or a top surface of the semiconductor substrate. At this time, the high density plasma treatment is performed by switching a supply gas in the middle of the treatment from a gas containing a rare gas, oxygen, and hydrogen, to a gas containing a rare gas and oxygen.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of manufacturing sidewall spacers on a memory device. The method comprises forming sidewall spacers on a memory device having a memory array region and at least one peripheral circuit region by forming a first sidewall spacer adjacent to a word line in the memory array region and a second sidewall spacer adjacent to a transistor in the peripheral circuit region. The first sidewall spacer has a first thickness and the second sidewall spacer has a second thickness, wherein the second thickness is greater than the first thickness.

Abstract: As for a bypass capacitor, a first capacitor insulating film, together with a tunnel insulating film of a storage element, is formed of a first insulating film, a first electrode being a lower electrode, together with floating gate electrodes of the storage element, is formed of a doped·amorphous silicon film (a crystallized one), a second capacitor insulating film, together with a gate insulating film of transistors of 5 V in a peripheral circuit, is formed of a second insulating film, and a second electrode being an upper electrode, together with control gate electrodes of the storage element and gate electrodes of the transistors in the peripheral circuit, is formed of a polycrystalline silicon film.

Abstract: On a silicon substrate is formed a stacked body by alternately stacking a plurality of silicon oxide films and silicon films, a trench is formed in the stacked body, an alumina film, a silicon nitride film and a silicon oxide film are formed in this order on an inner surface of the trench, and a channel silicon crystalline film is formed on the silicon oxide film. Next, a silicon oxide layer is formed at an interface between the silicon oxide film and the channel silicon crystalline film by performing thermal treatment in an oxygen gas atmosphere.

Abstract: A nonvolatile semiconductor memory comprises a first memory cell transistor, a second memory cell transistor, a connection layer, protrusion portions and a contact portion. The first memory cell transistor comprises a first gate electrode formed above a first channel region, and a second gate electrode formed on a side of the first gate electrode through an insulating film. The second memory cell transistor comprises a third gate electrode formed above a second channel region, and a fourth gate electrode formed on a side of the third gate electrode through an insulating film and facing the second gate electrode. The connection layer connects the second gate electrode and the fourth gate electrode. The protrusion portions are formed of a material different than that of the second and fourth gate electrodes, and are formed on both ends of the connection layer. The contact portion is formed on the connection layer.

Abstract: Methods of forming vertical nonvolatile memory devices may include forming an electrically insulating layer, which includes a composite of a sacrificial layer sandwiched between first and second mold layers. An opening extends through the electrically insulating layer and exposes inner sidewalls of the first and second mold layers and the sacrificial layer. A sidewall of the opening may be lined with an electrically insulating protective layer and a first semiconductor layer may be formed on an inner sidewall of the electrically insulating protective layer within the opening. At least a portion of the sacrificial layer may then be selectively etched from between the first and second mold layers to thereby define a lateral recess therein, which exposes an outer sidewall of the electrically insulating protective layer.

Abstract: A method for fabricating vertical surround gates in a semiconductor device array structure such that the processes are compatible with CMOS fabrication. The array structure includes a CMOS region and an array region. The method includes forming a polish stop layer, a plurality of patterning layers, a CMOS layer over a substrate, array pillars and array trenches. Forming the array pillars and trenches includes removing the CMOS cover layer and patterning layers. The method further includes doping portions of the substrate within the array trenches. The method includes forming vertical surround gates in the array trenches, an array filler layer to fill in the array trenches, and a CMOS photoresist pattern over the array filler layer. The method includes etching the CMOS trenches down through a portion of the substrate, such that the array pillars under the shared trench are etched to form contact holes.

Abstract: A lamination pattern having a control gate electrode, a first insulation film thereover, and a second insulation film thereover is formed over a semiconductor substrate. A memory gate electrode is formed adjacent to the lamination pattern. A gate insulation film is formed between the control gate and the semiconductor substrate. A fourth insulation film, including a lamination film of a silicon oxide film, a silicon nitride film, and another silicon oxide film, is formed between the memory gate electrode and the semiconductor substrate and between the lamination pattern and the memory gate electrode. At the sidewall on the side of the lamination pattern adjacent to the memory gate electrode, the first insulation film is retreated from the control gate electrode and the second insulation film, and the upper end corner portion of the control gate electrode is rounded.