Abstract: An electronic device and a command execution method for a fingerprint recognition-based electronic device are provided. The electronic device includes a display unit and a sensing unit. A fingerprint recognition area is provided on the display unit. When the captured fingerprint information includes fingerprint information of at least two fingers, it means that the user touches the fingerprint recognition area with multiple fingers, it is likely that an emergency occurs. Then, the fingerprint recognition unit matches the collected fingerprint information with the preset fingerprint information, and if the matching is successful, the processing unit executes a corresponding operation command.

Abstract: Devices and methods of forming a device are disclosed. A substrate is prepared with a memory region and a capacitor region. Split non-volatile memory (NVM) cell may be formed in the memory region and a capacitor may be formed in a capacitor region. The split NVM cell and the capacitor are formed with the same gate electrode and dielectric layers. The capacitor may be a poly-insulator-poly (PIP) which may include first and second capacitor control gate stacks or capacitor plates. In the case of capacitor control gate stacks, the capacitor is integrated into the device without the need of an additional mask. In the case of capacitor plates, the capacitor is integrated into the device with only one additional mask.

Abstract: A method comprises forming a first set of one or more fins in a first region from an insulated substrate and a second set of one or more fins in a second region from the insulated substrate. The insulated substrate comprises a silicon substrate, and an insulator layer deposited on the silicon substrate. The first region comprises a first material layer and the second region comprises a second material layer.

Abstract: Methods for performing memory operations on a memory array that includes inverted NAND strings are described. The memory operations may include erase operations, read operations, programming operations, program verify operations, and erase verify operations. An inverted NAND string may include a string of inverted floating gate transistors or a string of inverted charge trap transistors. In one embodiment, an inverted floating gate transistor may include a tunneling layer between a floating gate of the inverted floating gate transistor and a control gate of the inverted floating gate transistor. The arrangement of the tunneling layer between the floating gate and the control gate allows electrons to be added to or removed from the floating gate via F-N tunneling between the floating gate and the control gate. The inverted NAND string may be formed above a substrate and oriented such that the inverted NAND string is orthogonal to the substrate.

Abstract: A low Rdson LDMOS transistor having a shallow field oxide region that separates a gate electrode of the transistor from a drain diffusion region of the transistor. The shallow field oxide region is formed separate from the field isolation regions (e.g., STI regions) used to isolate circuit elements on the substrate. Fabrication of the shallow field oxide region is controlled such that this region extends below the upper surface of the semiconductor substrate to a depth that is much shallower than the depth of field isolation regions. For example, the shallow field oxide region may extend below the upper surface of the substrate by only Angstroms or less. As a result, the current path through the resulting LDMOS transistor is substantially unimpeded by the shallow field oxide region, resulting in a low on-resistance.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a substrate including a first active region, a second active region and a field region between the first and second active regions, and a gate structure formed on the substrate to cross the first active region, the second active region and the field region. The gate structure includes a p type metal gate electrode and an n-type metal gate electrode directly contacting each other, the p-type metal gate electrode extends from the first active region less than half way toward the second active region.

Abstract: A non-volatile memory and a manufacturing method thereof are provided. In this method, a first oxide layer having a protrusion is formed on a substrate. A pair of doped regions is formed in the substrate at two sides of the protrusion. A pair of charge storage spacers is formed on the sidewalls of the protrusion. A second oxide layer is formed on the first oxide layer and the pair of charge storage spacers. A conductive layer is formed on the second oxide layer, wherein the conductive layer is located completely on the top of the pair of charge storage spacers.

Abstract: A system and method for manufacturing a memory device is provided. A preferred embodiment comprises manufacturing a flash memory device with a tunneling layer. The tunneling layer is formed by introducing a bonding agent into the dielectric material to bond with and reduce the number of dangling bonds that would otherwise be present. Further embodiments include initiating the formation of the tunneling layer without the bonding agent and then introducing a bonding agent containing precursor and also include a reduced concentration region formed in the tunneling layer adjacent to a substrate.

Abstract: Methods for forming or patterning nanostructure arrays are provided. The methods involve formation of arrays on coatings comprising nanostructure association groups, formation of arrays in spin-on-dielectrics, solvent annealing after nanostructure deposition, patterning using resist, and/or use of devices that facilitate array formation. Related devices for forming nanostructure arrays are also provided, as are devices including nanostructure arrays (e.g., memory devices). Methods for protecting nanostructures from fusion during high temperature processing also are provided.

Abstract: Device structures, fabrication methods, and design structures for tunnel field-effect transistors. A drain comprised of a first semiconductor material having a first band gap and a source comprised of a second semiconductor material having a second band gap are formed. A tunnel barrier is formed between the source and the drain. The second semiconductor material exhibits a broken-gap energy band alignment with the first semiconductor material. The tunnel barrier is comprised of a third semiconductor material with a third band gap larger than the first band gap and larger than the second band gap. The third band gap is configured to bend under an external bias to assist in aligning a first energy band of the first semiconductor material with a second energy band of the second semiconductor material.

Abstract: A non-volatile memory and a manufacturing method thereof are provided. The non-volatile memory includes a substrate, a gate structure, a first doped region, a second doped region and a pair of isolation structures. The gate structure is disposed on the substrate. The gate structure includes a charge storage structure, a gate and spacers. The charge storage structure is disposed on the substrate. The gate is disposed on the charge storage structure. The spacers are disposed on the sidewalls of the gate and the charge storage structure. The first doped region and the second doped region are respectively disposed in the substrate at two sides of the charge storage structure and at least located under the spacers. The isolation structures are respectively disposed in the substrate at two sides of the gate structure.

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: 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: 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: A mechanism is provided for a spin torque transfer random access memory device. A tunnel barrier is disposed on a reference layer, and a free layer is disposed on the tunnel barrier. The free layer includes an iron layer as a top part of the free layer. A metal oxide layer is disposed on the iron layer, and a cap layer is disposed on the metal oxide layer.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods for manufacturing floating gate memory devices and the floating gate memory devices thus manufactured. In one embodiment, the method comprises providing a monocrystalline semiconductor substrate, forming a tunnel oxide layer on the substrate, and depositing a protective layer on the tunnel oxide layer to form a stack of the tunnel oxide layer and the protective layer. The method further includes forming at least one opening in the stack, thereby exposing at least one portion of the substrate, and cleaning the at least one exposed portion with a cleaning liquid. The method still further includes loading the substrate comprising the stack into a reactor and, thereafter, performing an in-situ etch to remove the protective layer, using the at least one exposed portion as a source to epitaxially grow a layer comprising the monocrystalline semiconductor material, and forming the layer into at least one columnar floating gate structure.

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 memory cell system is provided including forming a first insulator layer over a semiconductor substrate, forming a charge trap layer over the first insulator layer, forming a second insulator layer over the charge trap layer, forming a top blocking intermediate layer over the second insulator layer, and forming a contact layer over the top blocking intermediate layer.

Abstract: A nonvolatile memory device has a combination of FLOTOX EEPROM nonvolatile memory arrays. Each FLOTOX-based nonvolatile memory array is formed of FLOTOX-based nonvolatile memory cells that include at least one floating gate tunneling oxide transistor such that a coupling ratio of the control gate to the floating gate of the floating gate tunneling oxide transistor is from approximately 60% to approximately 70% and a coupling ratio of the floating gate to the drain region of the floating gate tunneling oxide transistor is maintained as a constant of is from approximately 10% to approximately 20% and such that a channel length of the channel region is decreased such that during the programming procedure a negative programming voltage level is applied to the control gate and a moderate positive programming voltage level is applied to the drain region to prevent the moderate positive programming voltage level from exceeding a drain-to-source breakdown voltage.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed that include selectively etching diffused regions to form recesses in semiconductor material, and forming charge storage structures in the recesses. Additional embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A vertical channel transistor includes a pillar formed over a substrate, and a gate electrode formed on sidewalls of the pillar, wherein the pillar includes a source area, a vertical channel area over the source area, a drain area over the vertical channel area, and a leakage prevention area interposed between the vertical channel area and the drain area.

Abstract: Nonvolatile memory has a modified channel region interface, such as a raised source and drain or a recessed channel region.

Abstract: A blocking semiconductor layer minimizes penetration of implant species into a semiconductor layer beneath the blocking semiconductor layer. The blocking semiconductor layer may have grains with relatively fine or small grain sizes and/or may have a dopant in a relatively low concentration to minimize penetration of implant species into the semiconductor layer beneath the blocking semiconductor layer.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, there is provided a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device. In the method, a substrate portion and a fin portion on the substrate portion are formed. A first silicon oxide film is formed on each side surface of the fin portion. A polysilazane film having an upper surface lower than the upper surface of the first silicon oxide film is formed on each side surface of the first silicon oxide film. The polysilazane film is converted into a silicon oxynitride film. The first silicon oxide film is etched to make the upper surface of the first silicon oxide film not higher than the upper surface of the silicon oxynitride film. A heavily doped semiconductor layer is formed in the fin portion.

Abstract: A carbon/tunneling-barrier/carbon diode and method for forming the same are disclosed. The carbon/tunneling-barrier/carbon may be used as a steering element in a memory array. Each memory cell in the memory array may include a reversible resistivity-switching element and a carbon/tunneling-barrier/carbon diode as the steering element. The tunneling-barrier may include a semiconductor or an insulator. Thus, the diode may be a carbon/semiconductor/carbon diode. The semiconductor in the diode may be intrinsic or doped. The semiconductor may be depleted when the diode is under equilibrium conditions. For example, the semiconductor may be lightly doped such that the depletion region extends from one end of the semiconductor region to the other end. The diode may be a carbon/insulator/carbon diode.

Abstract: A non-volatile semiconductor memory device comprises a plurality of memory cells, each including a semiconductor substrate, a first insulating film formed on the semiconductor substrate, a floating gate formed on the semiconductor substrate with the inclusion of the first insulating film, a second insulating film formed on the floating gate, and a control gate formed on the floating gate with the inclusion of the second insulating film; an element isolation insulating film formed in the semiconductor substrate and extending in a gate-length direction to isolate between memory cells adjoining in a gate-width direction; and an air gap formed on the element isolation insulating film and between floating gates adjoining in the gate-width direction.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a semiconductor device includes a semiconductor region, a tunnel insulating film provided on the semiconductor region, a charge storage insulating film provided on the tunnel insulating film and having a hafnium oxide including a cubic region, a block insulating film provided on the charge storage insulating film, and a control gate electrode provided on the block insulating film.

Abstract: There is provided a semiconductor device in which degradation of reliability originating in the interface between an upper insulating layer and an element isolation insulating layer is suppressed. The semiconductor device includes: a semiconductor region; a plurality of stacked structures each of which is disposed on the semiconductor region and has a tunnel insulating film, a charge storage layer, an upper insulating layer, and a control electrode stacked sequentially; an element isolation insulating layer disposed on side faces of the plurality of stacked structures; and a source-drain region disposed on the semiconductor region and among the plurality of stacked structures.

Abstract: An MTJ MRAM cell is formed by using a reactive ion etch (RIE) to pattern an MTJ stack on which there has been formed a bilayer Ta/TaN hard mask. The hard mask is formed by patterning a masking layer that has been formed by depositing a layer of TaN over a layer of Ta on the MTJ stack. After the stack is patterned, the TaN layer serves at least two advantageous purposes: 1) it protects the Ta layer from oxidation during the etching of the stack and 2) it serves as a surface having excellent adhesion properties for a subsequently deposited dielectric layer.

Abstract: A split gate-type non-volatile semiconductor memory device includes a floating gate having an acute-angled portion between a side surface and an upper surface above a semiconductor substrate; a control gate provided apart from the floating gate to oppose to the acute-angled portion; and an insulating portion provided on the floating gate. A side surface of the insulating portion on a side of the control gate is inclined to a direction apart from the control gate with respect to a vertical line to the semiconductor substrate.

Abstract: A nonvolatile memory device includes a string selection gate and a ground selection gate on a semiconductor substrate, and a plurality of memory cell gates on the substrate between the string selection gate and the ground selection gate. First impurity regions extend into the substrate to a first depth between ones of the plurality of memory cell gates. Second impurity regions extend into the substrate to a second depth that is greater than the first depth between the string selection gate and a first one of the plurality of memory cell gates immediately adjacent thereto, and between the ground selection gate and a last one of the plurality of memory cell gates immediately adjacent thereto. Related fabrication methods are also discussed.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a p-type semiconductor layer and an n-type semiconductor layer that are joined by sandwiching a depletion layer with a thickness that allows transmission of a plurality of electrons and holes by direct-tunneling.

Abstract: There are provided a semiconductor device and a fabrication method therefor including an ONO film (18) formed on a semiconductor substrate (10), a word line (24) formed on the ONO film (18), a bit line (20) formed in the semiconductor substrate (10), and a conductive layer (32) that is in contact with the bit line (20), runs in a length direction of the bit line (20), and includes a polysilicon layer or a metal layer. In accordance with the present invention, a semiconductor device and a fabrication method therefor are provided wherein degradation of the writing and erasing characteristics and degradation of the transistor characteristics such as a junction leakage are suppressed, and the bit line resistance is decreased.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a p-type semiconductor layer and an n-type semiconductor layer that are joined by sandwiching a depletion layer with a thickness that allows transmission of a plurality of electrons and holes by direct-tunneling.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor island having at least one electrical dopant atom and encapsulated by dielectric materials including at least one dielectric material layer. At least two portions of the at least one dielectric material layer have a thickness less than 2 nm to enable quantum tunneling effects. A source-side conductive material portion and a drain-side conductive material portion abuts the two portions of the at least one dielectric material layer. A gate conductor is located on the at least one dielectric material layer between the source-side conductive material portion and the drain-side conductive material portion. The potential of the semiconductor island responds to the voltage at the gate conductor to enable or disable tunneling current through the two portions of the at least one dielectric material layer. Design structures for the semiconductor device are also provided.

Abstract: Methods of forming non-volatile memory cell structures are described that facilitate the use of band-gap engineered gate stacks with asymmetric tunnel barriers in reverse and normal mode floating node memory cells that allow for direct tunnel programming and erase, while maintaining high charge blocking barriers and deep carrier trapping sites for good charge retention. The low voltage direct tunneling program and erase capability reduces damage to the gate stack and the crystal lattice from high energy carriers, reducing write fatigue and enhancing device lifespan. The low voltage direct tunnel program and erase capability also enables size reduction through low voltage design and further device feature scaling. Such memory cells also allow multiple bit storage. These characteristics allow such memory cells to operate within the definition of a universal memory, capable of replacing both DRAM and ROM in a system.

Abstract: A magnetoresistive element includes: a magnetization free layer having a first plane and a second plane located on the opposite side from the first plane, and having a variable magnetization direction; a magnetization pinned layer provided on the first plane side of the magnetization free layer, and having a pinned magnetization direction; a first tunnel barrier layer provided between the magnetization free layer and the magnetization pinned layer; a second tunnel barrier layer provided on the second plane of the magnetization free layer; and a non-magnetic layer provided on a plane on the opposite side of the second tunnel barrier layer from the magnetization free layer. The magnetization direction of the magnetization free layer is variable by applying current between the magnetization pinned layer and the non-magnetic layer, and a resistance ratio between the first tunnel barrier layer and the second tunnel barrier layer is in a range of 1:0.25 to 1:4.

Abstract: Methods of forming non-volatile memory cell structures are described that facilitate the use of band-gap engineered gate stacks with asymmetric tunnel barriers in reverse and normal mode floating node memory cells that allow for direct tunnel programming and erase, while maintaining high charge blocking barriers and deep carrier trapping sites for good charge retention. The low voltage direct tunneling program and erase capability reduces damage to the gate stack and the crystal lattice from high energy carriers, reducing write fatigue and enhancing device lifespan. The low voltage direct tunnel program and erase capability also enables size reduction through low voltage design and further device feature scaling. Such memory cells also allow multiple bit storage. These characteristics allow such memory cells to operate within the definition of a universal memory, capable of replacing both DRAM and ROM in a system.

Abstract: A method of forming a STT-MTJ MRAM cell that utilizes transfer of spin angular momentum as a mechanism for changing the magnetic moment direction of a free layer. The device includes an IrMn pinning layer, a SyAP pinned layer, a naturally oxidized, crystalline MgO tunneling barrier layer that is formed on an Ar-ion plasma smoothed surface of the pinned layer and, in one embodiment, a free layer that comprises an amorphous layer of Co60Fe20B20. of approximately 20 angstroms thickness formed between two crystalline layers of Fe of 3 and 6 angstroms thickness respectively. The free layer is characterized by a low Gilbert damping factor and by very strong polarizing action on conduction electrons. The resulting cell has a low critical current, a high dR/R and a plurality of such cells will exhibit a low variation of both resistance and pinned layer magnetization angular dispersion.

Abstract: According to yet another embodiment, a method for forming a non-volatile memory device includes etching a substrate to form first and second trenches. The first and second trenches are filled with an insulating material to form first and second isolation structures. A conductive layer is formed over the first and second isolation structures and between the first and second isolation structures to form a floating gate. The conductive layer and the first isolation structure are etched to form a third trench having an upper portion and a lower portion, the upper portion having vertical sidewalls and the lower portion having sloping sidewalls. The third trench is filled with a conductive material to form a control gate.

Abstract: There is provided a method of fabricating an EEPROM for forming a memory cell transistor and a selection transistor, the method includes: forming a first source region and a first drain region of the memory cell transistor; forming a first gate oxide film; forming a resist having at least one through hole on the first gate oxide film; adding conductivity type impurities through the through hole; partially removing the first gate oxide film and forming a tunnel oxide film in a region corresponding to the through hole; forming a floating gate electrode and a second gate oxide film formed on the floating gate electrode; forming a control gate electrode and a selection transistor gate electrode on the second gate oxide film and at a region in which the selection transistor is formed; and forming a second source region and a second drain region of the selection transistor.

Abstract: A nonvolatile memory device includes a plurality of first control gate electrodes, second control gate electrodes, first storage node films, and second storage node films. The first control gate electrodes are recessed into a semiconductor substrate. Each second control gate electrode is disposed between two adjacent first control gate electrodes. The second control gate electrodes are disposed on the semiconductor substrate over the first control gate electrodes. The first storage node films are disposed between the semiconductor substrate and the first control gate electrodes. The second storage node films are disposed between the semiconductor substrate and the second control gate electrodes. A method of fabricating the nonvolatile memory device includes forming the first storage node films, forming the first control gate electrodes, forming the second storage node films, and forming the second control gate electrodes.

Abstract: Example embodiments provide a non-volatile memory device with increased integration and methods of operating and fabricating the same. A non-volatile memory device may include a plurality of first storage node films and a plurality of first control gate electrodes on a semiconductor substrate. A plurality of second storage node films and a plurality of second control gate electrodes may be recessed into the semiconductor substrate between two adjacent first control gate electrodes and below the bottom of the plurality of first control gate electrodes. A plurality of bit line regions may be on the semiconductor substrate and each may extend across the plurality of first control gate electrodes and the plurality of second control gate electrodes.

Abstract: Nonvolatile memory devices are provided including an integrated circuit substrate and a charge storage pattern on the integrated circuit substrate. The charge storage pattern has a sidewall and a tunnel insulating layer is provided between the charge storage pattern and the integrated circuit substrate. A gate pattern is provided on the charge storage pattern. A blocking insulating layer is provided between the charge storage pattern and the gate pattern. The sidewall of the charge storage pattern includes a first nitrogen doped layer. Related methods of fabricating nonvolatile memory devices are also provided herein.

Abstract: In one embodiment of a method of manufacturing a nonvolatile memory device, a tunnel insulating layer and a charge trap layer are first formed over a semiconductor substrate that defines active regions and isolation regions. The tunnel insulating layer, the charge trap layer, and the semiconductor substrate formed in the isolation regions are etched to form trenches for isolation in the respective isolation regions. The trenches for isolation are filled with an insulating layer to form isolation layers in the respective trenches. A lower passivation layer is formed over an entire surface including top surfaces of the isolation layers. A first oxide layer is formed over an entire surface including the lower passivation layer. Meta-stable bond structures within the lower passivation layer are removed. A nitride layer, a second oxide layer, and an upper passivation layer are sequentially formed over an entire surface including the first oxide layer.

Abstract: The present invention provides a semiconductor device including a semiconductor substrate provided with a trench section; a tunnel insulating film covering an inner surface of the trench section; a trap layer provided in contact with the tunnel insulating film on an inner surface of an upper portion of the trench section; a top insulating film provided in contact with the trap layer; a gate electrode embedded in the trench section, and provided in contact with the tunnel insulating film at a lower portion of the trench section and in contact with the top insulating film at the upper portion of the trench section, in which the trap layer and the top insulating film, in between the lower portion of the trench section and the upper portion of the trench section, extend and protrude from both sides of the trench section so as to be embedded in the gate electrode, and a method for manufacturing thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a semiconductor device that includes a semiconductor substrate (10) having source/drain diffusion regions (14) formed therein and control gates (20) formed thereon, with grooves (18) being formed on the surface of the semiconductor substrate (10) and being located below the control gates (20) and between the source/drain diffusion regions (14). The grooves (18) are separated from the source/drain diffusion regions (14), thereby increasing the effective channel length to maintain a constant channel length for charge accumulation while enabling the manufacture of smaller memory cells. The present invention also provides a method of manufacturing the semiconductor device.

Abstract: A method of forming a semiconductor memory device includes forming a tunnel insulating layer on a semiconductor substrate, and forming a silicon layer, including metal material, on the tunnel insulating layer. Accordingly, an increase in the strain energy of the conductive layer may be prohibited and, therefore, the growth of grains constituting the conductive layer may be prevented. Furthermore, a threshold voltage distribution characteristic and electrical properties of a semiconductor memory device may be improved.

Abstract: An electronic device can include a layer of discontinuous storage elements. A dielectric layer overlying the discontinuous storage elements can be substantially hydrogen-free. A process of forming the electronic device can include forming a layer including silicon over the discontinuous storage elements. In one embodiment, the process includes oxidizing at least substantially all of the layer. In another embodiment, the process includes forming the layer using a substantially hydrogen-free silicon precursor material and oxidizing at least substantially all of the layer.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a flash memory device includes the steps of forming trenches by forming a tunnel oxide layer and a conductive layer for a floating gate over a semiconductor substrate, and then etching a portion of the conductive layer, the tunnel oxide layer and the semiconductor substrate to form the trenches, filling the trenches with an insulating layer to form isolation layers projecting above the floating gate, forming spacers on sidewalls of the isolation layers projecting above the floating gate, etching the conductive layer using the spacers as a mask, thereby forming a U-shaped conductive layer, removing the spacers, etching the top surface of the isolation layers, thereby controlling an Effective Field Height (EFH) of the isolation layer, and forming a dielectric layer and a conductive layer for a control gate on the resulting surface.