Abstract: A silicon-oxide-nitride-oxide-silicon (SONOS) memory cell includes a memory gate disposed on a substrate, a dielectric layer and two charge trapping layers, wherein the dielectric layer is disposed between the substrate and the memory gate, and the two charge trapping layers are disposed at two opposite sides of the memory gate, wherein each of the charge trapping layers comprises an L-shape cross-sectional profile, and two selective gates disposed on the substrate, thereby constituting a two bit memory cell, wherein a top surface of each selective gate is higher than a top surface of the memory gate.

Abstract: Provided herein is a semiconductor memory device and a manufacturing method of the semiconductor memory device. The semiconductor memory device includes a contact pattern including a vertical contact part, and a sidewall contact part extending from the vertical contact part in a direction crossing the vertical contact part, a lower conductive pattern having a hole into which the vertical contact part is inserted, and an upper conductive pattern overlapping a portion of the lower conductive pattern. The upper conductive pattern includes a first side portion in contact with the sidewall contact part, and a second side portion facing the vertical contact part and spaced apart from the vertical contact part.

Abstract: A method of making Cu—Ag3PO4 nanoparticles is provided. The method includes forming a mixture of at least one silver salt, at least one phosphate salt, and at least one copper (II) salt. The method further includes dissolving the mixture in water. The method further includes sonicating the mixture. The method further includes precipitating the Cu—Ag3PO4 nanoparticles or “nanoparticles”. The copper is present in the nanoparticles in an amount of 2 to 23 weight percent (wt. %) based on the total weight of the Cu—Ag3PO4. The nanoparticles of the present disclosure find application in treating cervical cancer, and colorectal cancer. The nanoparticles may also be used in photodegrading environmental pollutants.

Abstract: In one example, a system comprises an array comprising selected memory cells; an input block configured to apply, to each selected memory cell, a series of input signals to a terminal of the selected memory cell in response to a series of input bits; and an output block for generating an output of the selected memory cells, the output block comprising an analog-to-digital converter to convert current from the selected memory cells into a digital value, a shifter, an adder, and a register; wherein the shifter, adder, and register are configured to receive a series of digital values in response to the series of input bits, shift each digital value in the series of digital values based on a bit location of an input bit within the series of input bits, and add results of the shift operations to generate an output indicating values stored in the selected memory cells.

Abstract: A flash memory includes a linear array of flash memory cells having a source region extending along a first direction. Each flash memory cell includes a floating gate disposed adjacent the source region. The linear array of flash memory cells further includes isolation strips disposed between the floating gates of the flash memory cells. An erase gate line extends along the first direction and is disposed over the source region. A control gate line extends along the first direction and is disposed over the isolation strips and over the floating gates of the flash memory cells. The control gate line has a non-straight edge proximate to the source region that is indented away from the source region at least where the control gate line is disposed over the isolation strips.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a semiconductor device includes the steps of first forming a first inter-metal dielectric (IMD) layer on a substrate and a metal interconnection in the first IMD layer, forming a magnetic tunneling junction (MTJ) and a top electrode on the metal interconnection, forming a spacer adjacent to the MTJ and the top electrode, forming a second IMD layer around the spacer, forming a cap layer on the top electrode, the spacer, and the second IMD layer, and then patterning the cap layer to form a protective cap on the top electrode and the spacer.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor fin extending from a substrate, and a gate structure extending across the semiconductor fin. From a plan view, the semiconductor fin includes a first sidewall, a second sidewall opposing the first sidewall, an end surface extending along a different direction than the first sidewall and the second sidewall, and a first corner portion connecting the first sidewall and the end surface. The first corner portion is more rounded than the first sidewall and the end surface.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a semiconductor device includes the steps of first forming an active device having a gate structure and a source/drain region on a substrate, forming an interlayer dielectric (ILD) layer on the active device, removing part of the ILD layer to form a contact hole on the active device without exposing the active device and the bottom surface of the contact hole is higher than a top surface of the gate structure, and then forming a metal layer in the contact holt to form a floating contact plug.

Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes an alternating stack of insulating layers and electrically conductive layers, a memory opening vertically extending through the alternating stack, and a memory opening fill structure located in the memory opening and including a vertical semiconductor channel, a memory film in contact with the vertical semiconductor channel, and a vertical stack of tubular dielectric spacers laterally surrounding the memory film. The tubular dielectric spacers may include tubular graded silicon oxynitride portions having a composition gradient such that an atomic concentration of nitrogen decreases with a lateral distance from an outer sidewall of the memory film, or may include tubular composite dielectric spacers including a respective tubular silicon oxide spacer and a respective tubular dielectric metal oxide spacer. Each of the electrically conductive layers has a hammerhead-shaped vertical cross-sectional profile.

Abstract: A microelectronic device includes a stack structure, a staircase structure, composite pad structures, and conductive contact structures. The stack structure includes vertically alternating conductive structures and insulative structures arranged in tiers. Each of the tiers individually includes one of the conductive structures and one of the insulative structures. The staircase structure has steps including edges of at least some of the tiers of the stack structure. The composite pad structures are on the steps of the staircase structure. Each of the composite pad structures includes a lower pad structure, and an upper pad structure overlying the lower pad structure and having a different material composition than the lower pad structure. The conductive contact structures extend through the composite pad structures and to the conductive structures of the stack structure. Memory devices, electronic systems, and methods of forming microelectronic devices are also described.

Abstract: A semiconductor memory device is implemented as strings of storage transistors, where the storage transistors in each string have drain terminals connected to a bit line and gate terminals connected to respective word lines. In some embodiments, the semiconductor memory device includes a reference bit line structure to provide a reference bit line signal for read operation. The reference bit line structure configures word line connections to provide a reference bit line to be used with a storage transistor being selected for read access. The reference bit line structure provides a reference bit line having the same electrical characteristics as an active bit line and is configured so that no storage transistors are selected when a word line is activated to access a selected storage transistor associated with the active bit line.

Abstract: A 3D memory array includes a row of stacks, each stack having alternating gate strips and dielectric strips. Dielectric plugs are disposed between the stacks and define cell areas. A data storage film and a channel film are disposed adjacent the stacks on the sides of the cell areas. The middles of the cell areas are filled with an intracell dielectric. Source lines and drain lines form vias through the intracell dielectric. The source lines and the drain lines are each provided with a bulge toward the interior of the cell area. The bulges increase the areas of the source line and the drain line without reducing the channel lengths. In some of these teachings, the areas of the source lines and the drain lines are increased by restricting the data storage film or the channel layer to the sides of the cell areas adjacent the stacks.

Abstract: A non-volatile memory device includes at least one memory cell, and the at least one memory cell includes a substrate, a stacked structure, a tunneling dielectric layer, a floating gate, a control gate structure, and an erase gate structure. The stacked structure is disposed on the substrate, and includes a gate dielectric layer, an assist gate, and an insulation layer stacked in order. The tunneling dielectric layer is disposed on the substrate at one side of the stacked structure. The floating gate is disposed on the tunneling dielectric layer and includes an uppermost edge and a curved sidewall. The control gate structure covers the curved sidewall of the floating gate. The erase gate structure covers the floating gate and the control gate structure, and the uppermost edge of the floating gate is embedded in the erase gate structure.

Abstract: A method of producing a semiconductor memory device includes, when three directions crossing each other are set to first, second, and third directions, respectively, laminating a plurality of first laminates and a plurality of second laminates on a semiconductor substrate in the third direction. The method further includes forming ends of the plurality of first laminates in shapes of steps extending in the first direction, and forming ends of the plurality of second laminates in shapes of steps extending in both directions of the first direction and the second direction.

Abstract: Numerous examples of an input function circuit block and an output neuron circuit block coupled to a vector-by-matrix multiplication (VMM) array in an artificial neural network are disclosed. In one example, an artificial neural network comprises a vector-by-matrix multiplication array comprising a plurality of non-volatile memory cells organized into rows and columns; an input function circuit block to receive digital input signals, convert the digital input signals into analog signals, and apply the analog signals to control gate terminals of non-volatile memory cells in one or more rows of the array during a programming operation; and an output neuron circuit block to receive analog currents from the columns of the array during a read operation and generate an output signal.

Abstract: A display apparatus includes a main display area, and a component area including pixel groups spaced apart from each other and a transmission area between the pixel groups. The display apparatus further includes a substrate including a first base layer, a compensation layer, a first barrier layer, and a second barrier layer sequentially stacked on one another, a bottom metal layer between the first barrier layer and the second barrier layer, a buffer layer on the second barrier layer, main display elements on the substrate of the main display area, and auxiliary display elements on the substrate of the component area.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a substrate, a first semiconductor stack including elongated semiconductor features isolated from each other and overlaid in a direction perpendicular to a top surface of the substrate, and a second semiconductor stack including elongated semiconductor features isolated from each other and overlaid in the direction perpendicular to the top surface of the substrate. The second semiconductor stack has different geometric characteristics than the first semiconductor stack. A top surface of the first semiconductor stack is coplanar with a top surface of the second semiconductor stack.

Abstract: The present disclosure appropriately shortens a processing step for processing a substrate in which a silicon layer and a silicon germanium layer are alternatively laminated. The present disclosure provides a substrate processing method of processing the substrate in which the silicon layer and the silicon germanium layer are alternatively laminated, which includes forming an oxide film by selectively modifying a surface layer of an exposed surface of the silicon germanium layer by using a processing gas including fluorine and oxygen and converted into plasma.

Abstract: A first laser irradiation, in which an amorphous silicon film is irradiated with a first laser beam for transformation of the amorphous silicon film to a microcrystalline silicon film, and a second laser irradiation, in which a second laser beam moves along a unidirectional direction with the microcrystalline silicon film as a starting point for lateral crystal growth of growing crystals constituting a crystallized silicon film, are carried out to form a microcrystalline silicon film and a crystallized silicon film alternately along the unidirectional direction.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes an insulating layer, a conductive layer stacking with the insulating layer, a spacer structure through the conductive layer and in contact with the insulating layer, a contact structure in the spacer structure and extending vertically through the insulating layer, and a channel structure including a semiconductor channel, a portion of the semiconductor channel being in contact with the conductive layer. The contact structure includes a first contact portion and a second contact portion in contact with each other.

Abstract: A semiconductor memory device capable of improving performance by the use of a charge storage layer including a ferroelectric material is provided. The semiconductor memory device includes a substrate, a tunnel insulating layer contacting the substrate, on the substrate, a charge storage layer contacting the tunnel insulating layer and including a ferroelectric material, on the tunnel insulating layer, a barrier insulating layer contacting the charge storage layer, on the charge storage layer, and a gate electrode contacting the barrier insulating layer, on the barrier insulating layer.

Abstract: A memory device includes a first string driver circuit and a second string driver circuit that are disposed laterally adjacent to each other in a length direction of a memory subsystem. The first and the second string driver circuits are disposed in an interleaved layout configuration such that the first connections of the first string driver are offset from the second connections of the second string driver in a width direction. For a same effective distance between the corresponding opposing first and second connections, a first pitch length corresponding to the interleaved layout configuration of the first and second string drivers is less by a predetermined reduction amount than a second pitch length between the first and second string drivers when disposed in a non-interleaved layout configuration in which each of the first connections is in-line with the corresponding second connection.

Abstract: A field effect transistor includes a gate dielectric and a gate electrode overlying an active region and contacting a sidewall of a trench isolation structure. The transistor may be a fringeless transistor in which the gate electrode does not overlie a portion of the trench isolation region. A planar dielectric spacer plate and a conductive gate cap structure may overlie the gate electrode. The conductive gate cap structure may have a z-shaped vertical cross-sectional profile to contact the gate electrode and to provide a segment overlying the planar dielectric spacer plate. Alternatively or additionally, a conductive gate connection structure may be provided to provide electrical connection between two electrodes of adjacent field effect transistors.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a memory includes: providing a substrate having a core region provided with a word line; forming a dielectric layer on the substrate, and etching the dielectric layer to form a first filling hole exposing the word line; forming a barrier layer on a hole wall of the first filling hole, where the barrier layer located in the first filling hole surrounds and forms a first intermediate hole exposing the word line; etching the word line exposed in the first intermediate hole to remove a first residue on the word line; and forming in the first intermediate hole a first wire electrically connected to the word line.

Abstract: A silicon carbide semiconductor device, including a semiconductor substrate containing silicon carbide, a bonding wire, and a surface electrode of an aluminum alloy containing silicon, the surface electrode being provided on a surface of the semiconductor substrate, and having a joint portion to which the bonding wire is bonded. The surface electrode has a plurality of silicon nodules formed therein, which include a number of the silicon nodules formed in the joint portion. One of the number of the silicon nodules is of a dendrite structure, and is included at an area percentage of at least 10% relative to a total area of the number of the silicon nodules in the joint portion.

Abstract: A high voltage semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate, an isolation structure, a gate oxide layer, and a gate structure. The semiconductor substrate includes a channel region, and at least a part of the isolation structure is disposed in the semiconductor substrate and surrounds the channel region. The gate oxide layer is disposed on the semiconductor substrate, and the gate oxide layer includes a first portion and a second portion. The second portion is disposed at two opposite sides of the first portion in a horizontal direction, and a thickness of the first portion is greater than a thickness of the second portion. The gate structure is disposed on the gate oxide layer and the isolation structure.

Abstract: Numerous embodiments for reading or verifying a value stored in a selected memory cell in a vector-by-matrix multiplication (VMM) array in an artificial neural network are disclosed. In one embodiment, an input comprises a set of input bits that result in a series of input signals applied to a terminal of the selected memory cell, further resulting in a series of output signals that are digitized, shifted based on the bit location of the corresponding input bit in the set of input bits, and added to yield an output indicating a value stored in the selected memory cell.

Abstract: A semiconductor device with a large storage capacity per unit area is provided. The disclosed semiconductor device includes a plurality of gain-cell memory cells each stacked over a substrate. Axes of channel length directions of write transistors of memory cells correspond to each other, and are substantially perpendicular to the top surface of the substrate. The semiconductor device can retain multi-level data. The channel of read transistors is columnar silicon (embedded in a hole penetrating gates of the read transistors). The channel of write transistors is columnar metal oxide (embedded in a hole penetrating the gates of the read transistors and gates, or write word lines, of the write transistors). The columnar silicon faces the gate of the read transistor with an insulating film therebetween. The columnar metal oxide faces the write word line with an insulating film, which is obtained by oxidizing the write word line, therebetween, and is electrically connected to the gate of the read transistor.

Abstract: According to an exemplary embodiment, a method of forming a vertical structure is provided. The method includes the following operations: providing a substrate; providing the vertical structure having a source, a channel, and a drain over the substrate; shrinking the source and the channel by oxidation; forming a metal layer over the drain of the vertical structure; and annealing the metal layer to form a silicide over the drain of the vertical structure.

Abstract: A flash memory includes a linear array of flash memory cells having a source region extending along a first direction. Each flash memory cell includes a floating gate disposed adjacent the source region. The linear array of flash memory cells further includes isolation strips disposed between the floating gates of the flash memory cells. An erase gate line extends along the first direction and is disposed over the source region. A control gate line extends along the first direction and is disposed over the isolation strips and over the floating gates of the flash memory cells. The control gate line has a non-straight edge proximate to the source region that is indented away from the source region at least where the control gate line is disposed over the isolation strips.

Abstract: A memory device includes a first multi-layer stack, a channel layer, a charge storage layer, a first conductive pillar, and a second conductive pillar. The first multi-layer stack is disposed on a substrate and includes first conductive layers and first dielectric layers stacked alternately. The channel layer penetrates through the first conductive layers and the first dielectric layers, wherein the channel layer includes a first channel portion and a second channel portion separated from each other. The charge storage layer is disposed between the first conductive layers and the channel layer. The first conductive pillar is disposed between one end of the first channel portion and one end of the second channel portion. The second conductive pillar is disposed between the other end of the first channel portion and the other end of the second channel portion.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a semiconductor structure having an air gap with a height greater than or equal to that of an adjacent bit line. The semiconductor structure includes a substrate; a first bit line structure disposed over the substrate; a second bit line structure disposed adjacent to the first bit line structure over the substrate; a first dielectric layer, surrounding the first bit line structure and the second bit line structure; and an air gap, disposed between the first bit line structure and the second bit line structure, and sealed by the first dielectric layer, wherein a height of the air gap is greater than or equal to a height of the first bit line structure.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the technical field of semiconductor manufacturing, and in particular, to a method for forming a semiconductor structure and a semiconductor structure. The method for forming a semiconductor structure comprises: forming an interconnect layer and a conductive layer covered on a surface of the interconnect layer; forming a protective layer covering a surface of the conductive layer away from the interconnect layer; forming a trench penetrating the protective layer and the conductive layer; and filling a dielectric layer in the trench, and forming an air gap in the dielectric layer, the air gap extending from the trench in the conductive layer into the trench in the protective layer.

Abstract: Some embodiments include an integrated assembly with a semiconductor channel material having a boundary region where a more-heavily-doped region interfaces with a less-heavily-doped region. The more-heavily-doped region and the less-heavily-doped region have the same majority carriers. The integrated assembly includes a gating structure adjacent the semiconductor channel material and having a gating region and an interconnecting region of a common and continuous material. The gating region has a length extending along a segment of the more-heavily-doped region, a segment of the less-heavily-doped region, and the boundary region. The interconnecting region extends laterally outward from the gating region on a side opposite the semiconductor channel region, and is narrower than the length of the gating region. Some embodiments include methods of forming integrated assemblies.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a semiconductor structure. The semiconductor structure includes a substrate, a first conductive feature embedded in a top portion of the substrate, a dielectric layer over the substrate, and a second conductive feature surrounded by the dielectric layer and in contact with the first conductive feature. The first conductive feature includes a metal layer and a reflective layer on the metal layer. The reflective layer has a reflectivity higher than the metal layer.

Abstract: Methods of forming a circuit-protection device include forming a dielectric having a first thickness and a second thickness greater than the first thickness over a semiconductor, forming a conductor over the dielectric, and patterning the conductor to retain a portion of the conductor over a portion of the dielectric having the second thickness, and to retain substantially no portion of the conductor over a portion of the dielectric having the first thickness, wherein the retained portion of the conductor defines a control gate of a field-effect transistor of the circuit-protection device.

Abstract: A method of forming a semiconductor structure includes forming a mask layer on a substrate. The mask layer and the substrate include an opening. An isolation structure is formed in the opening. The mask layer is removed. A first conductive layer is formed on the isolation structure and the substrate. A first implantation process is performed on the first conductive layer and the isolation structure, to form a doped portion in the first conductive layer and a doped portion in the isolation structure. A second conductive layer is formed on the first conductive layer and the isolation structure. A first planarization process is performed, so that the top surfaces of the second conductive layer, the first conductive layer, and the isolation structure are aligned.

Abstract: A three-dimensional memory device includes an alternating stack of insulating layers and electrically conductive layers. The electrically conductive layers include an intermetallic alloy of aluminum and at least one metal other than aluminum. Memory openings vertically extend through the alternating stack. Memory opening fill structures are located in a respective one of the memory openings and include a respective vertical semiconductor channel and a respective vertical stack of memory elements.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a channel structure, a dielectric structure, a gate structure, a first conductive structure, and a second conductive structure. The channel structure has a top surface, a bottom surface, and a sidewall extending from the top surface to the bottom surface. The first conductive structure is disposed on the bottom surface of the channel structure and includes a body portion and at least one convex portion, and a top surface of the convex portion is higher than a top surface of the body portion. The second conductive structure is disposed on the top surface of the channel structure and includes a body portion and at least one convex portion, and a bottom surface of the body portion is higher than a bottom surface of the convex portion.

Abstract: A semiconductor device comprising a gate electrode on a substrate, a source/drain pattern on the substrate on a side of the gate electrode, and a gate contact plug on the gate electrode are disclosed. The gate contact plug may include a first gate contact segment, and a second gate contact segment that extends in a vertical direction from a top surface of the first gate contact segment. An upper width of the first gate contact segment may be greater than a lower width of the second gate contact segment.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing of a semiconductor device, comprising: providing a semiconductor substrate having a first region, a second region and a third region; on the first region, providing a first thin dielectric layer; on the second region, providing a second thick dielectric layer; on the third region, providing an ONO stack; on each of the first, second and third regions, providing at least one gate structure; performing an oxidation step so as to form an oxide layer on each of the gate structures of the first, second and third regions and exposed portions of the first and second dielectric layers; providing a first tetraethyl orthosilicate, TEOS, layer across the second and third regions; blanket depositing a first silicon nitride, SiN, layer across the first, second and third regions; and etching the first SiN layer leaving at least some of said first SiN layer on each gate structure of the first, second and third regions so as to form a first SiN sidewall spacer portion on each gate structure of the f

Abstract: A semiconductor memory device according to an embodiment includes a substrate, conductive layers, pillars, and contacts. The substrate includes first and second areas, and block areas. The conductive layers are divided for each of the block areas. The conductive layers includes terraced portions. The contacts are respectively provided on the terraced portions for each of the block areas. The second area includes a first sub area and a second sub area. The first sub area includes a first stepped structure. The second sub area includes a second stepped structure and a first pattern. The first pattern is continuous with any one of the conductive layers. The first pattern is arranged between the first stepped structure and the second stepped structure.

Abstract: A non-volatile memory cell includes a first select transistor, a first floating gate transistor, a second floating gate transistor and a second select transistor. The first select transistor is connected with a program source line and a program word line. The first floating gate transistor includes a floating gate. The first floating gate transistor is connected with the first select transistor and a program bit line. The second floating gate transistor includes a floating gate. The second floating gate transistor is connected with a read source line. The second select transistor is connected with the second floating gate transistor, the read word line and the read bit line. The floating gate of the second floating gate transistor is connected with the floating gate of the first floating gate transistor.

Abstract: In a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device, a fin structure is formed by patterning a semiconductor layer, and an annealing operation is performed on the fin structure. In the patterning of the semiconductor layer, a damaged area is formed on a sidewall of the fin structure, and the annealing operation eliminates the damaged area.

Abstract: A method for forming an isolation structure includes: forming a trench at a surface of a substrate; forming a mask pattern on the substrate, wherein the mask pattern has an opening communicated with the trench; filling a first isolation material layer in the opening and the trench, wherein a surface of the first isolation material layer defines a first recess; filling a second isolation material layer into the first recess; partially removing the first and second isolation material layers, to form a second recess, performing first and second oblique ion implantation processes, to form damage regions in the first isolation material layer; performing a decoupled plasma treatment, to transform portions of the damage regions into a protection layer having etching selectivity with respect to the damage regions; and removing the damage regions.

Abstract: An integrated semiconductor device includes a substrate, semiconductor circuit layers, an insulating material, and an interconnection layer. The semiconductor circuit layers are disposed above the substrate. The semiconductor circuit layers have device portions and isolating portions, and the isolating portions are located among the device portions. The insulating material is disposed on the semiconductor circuit layers, and the interconnection layer is embedded in the insulating material and electrically connected to the semiconductor circuit layers. The isolating portions provide electrical isolation between adjacent device portions. The interconnection layer has circuits embedded in the insulating material on the device portions. The insulating material has isolating structures raised from top surfaces of the circuits on the device portion, and some of the semiconductor circuit layers form at least one heterojunction.

Abstract: A memory device includes metal interconnect structures embedded within dielectric material layers that overlie a top surface of a substrate, a thin film transistor embedded in a first dielectric material layer selected from the dielectric material layers, and is vertically spaced from the top surface of the substrate, and a ferroelectric memory cell embedded within the dielectric material layers. A first node of the ferroelectric memory cell is electrically connected to a node of the thin film transistor through a subset of the metal interconnect structures that is located above, and vertically spaced from, the top surface of the substrate.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate, a control gate, a select gate, a charge trapping structure, and a dielectric structure. The semiconductor substrate has a drain region, a source region, and a channel region between the drain region and the source region. The control gate is over the channel region of the semiconductor substrate. The select gate is over the channel region of the semiconductor substrate and separated from the control gate. The charge trapping structure is between the control gate and the semiconductor substrate. The dielectric structure is between the select gate and the semiconductor substrate. The dielectric structure has a first part and a second part, the first part is between the charge trapping structure and the second part, and the second part is thicker than the first part.

Abstract: The present disclosure discloses a semiconductor device manufacturing method and a semiconductor device, relating to the technical field of semiconductors. The method includes: providing a semiconductor substrate, the semiconductor substrate comprising a shallow trench and active areas isolated from the shallow trench; forming an oxygen-containing layer on exposed outer surfaces of the shallow trench and the active areas; filling a first sacrificial layer of a set height in the shallow trench comprising the oxygen-containing layer on its surface; forming an etch stop layer on an upper surface of the first sacrificial layer; removing the first sacrificial layer below the etch stop layer to form an air gap; filling an isolation layer on the etch stop layer in the shallow trench to form a shallow trench isolation(STI) structure containing the air gap; and etching the active areas and the (STI) structure to form wordline trenches.

Abstract: Semiconductor memory devices and methods of forming semiconductor memory devices are provided. The methods may include forming insulation layers and cell gate layers that are alternately stacked on a substrate, forming an opening by successively patterning through the cell gate layers and the insulation layers, and forming selectively conductive barriers on sidewalls of the cell gate layers in the opening.