Abstract: A method of manufacturing a semiconductor memory device comprises forming a plurality of gate lines on a semiconductor substrate, forming an insulating layer on the gate lines, and performing a cleaning process using a surfactant-free cleaning solution having a viscosity of lower than 2 cP and an acidity of lower than 3 pH to remove residue from the surface of the insulating layer.

Abstract: There has been a problem that the manufacturing process is complicated and the number of processes is increased when a TFT with an LDD structure or a TFT with a GOLD structure is formed. In a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device, after low concentration impurity regions (24, 25) are formed in a second doping process, a width of the low concentration impurity region which is overlapped with the third electrode (18c) and a width of the low concentration impurity region which is not overlapped with the third electrode can be freely controlled by a fourth etching process. Thus, in a region overlapped with the third electrode, a relaxation of electric field concentration is achieved and then a hot carrier injection can be prevented. And, in the region which is not overlapped with the third electrode, the off-current value can be suppressed.

Abstract: Integrated circuits containing transistors are provided. A transistor may include a gate structure formed over an associated well region. The well region may be actively biased and may serve as a body terminal. The well region of one transistor may be formed adjacent to a gate structure of a neighboring transistor. If the gate structure of the neighboring transistor and the well region of the one transistor are both actively biased and are placed close to one another, substantial leakage may be generated. Computer-aided design tools may be used to identify actively driven gate terminals and well regions and may be used to determine whether each gate-well pair is spaced sufficiently far from one another. If a gate-well pair is too close, the design tools may locate an existing gate cut layer and extend the existing gate cut layer to cut the actively driven gate structure.

Abstract: An improvement is achieved in the manufacturing yield of a semiconductor device including a plurality of field effect transistors having different characteristics over the same substrate. By combining anisotropic dry etching with isotropic wet etching or isotropic dry etching, three types of sidewalls having different sidewall lengths are formed. By reducing the number of anisotropic dry etching steps, in a third n-type MISFET region and a third p-type MISFET region where layout densities are high, it is possible to prevent a semiconductor substrate from being partially cut between n-type gate electrodes adjacent to each other, between the n-type gate electrode and a p-type gate electrode adjacent to each other, and the p-type gate electrodes adjacent to each other.

Abstract: A MOS transistor with a laser-patterned metal gate, and methods for its manufacture. The method generally includes forming a layer of metal-containing material on a dielectric film, wherein the dielectric film is on an electrically functional substrate comprising an inorganic semiconductor; laser patterning a metal gate from the metal-containing material layer; and forming source and drain terminals in the inorganic semiconductor in locations adjacent to the metal gate. The transistor generally includes an electrically functional substrate; a dielectric film on at least portions of the electrically functional substrate; a laser patterned metal gate on the dielectric film; and source and drain terminals comprising a doped inorganic semiconductor layer adjacent to the metal gate. The present invention advantageously provides MOS thin film transistors having reliable electrical characteristics quickly, efficiently, and/or at a low cost by eliminating one or more conventional photolithographic steps.

Abstract: An integrated circuit with devices having dielectric layers with different thicknesses. The dielectric layers include a high-k dielectric and some of the dielectric layers include an oxide layer that is formed from an oxidation process. Each device includes a layer including germanium or carbon located underneath the electrode stack of the device. A silicon cap layers is located over the layer including germanium or carbon.

Abstract: An organic planarizing layer (OPL) is formed atop a semiconductor substrate which includes a plurality of gate lines thereon. Each gate line includes at least a high k gate dielectric and a metal gate. A patterned photoresist having at least one pattern formed therein is then positioned atop the OPL. The at least one pattern in the photoresist is perpendicular to each of the gate lines. The pattern is then transferred by etching into the OPL and portions of each of the underlying gate lines to provide a plurality of gate stacks each including at least a high k gate dielectric portion and a metal gate portion. The patterned photoresist and the remaining OPL layer are then removed utilizing a sequence of steps including first contacting with a first acid, second contacting with an aqueous cerium-containing solution, and third contacting with a second acid.

Abstract: A mask ROM fabrication method which comprises steps: sequentially forming a gate dielectric layer and a first photoresist layer on a substrate; letting a light having a wavelength of 365 nm pass through a first phase shift mask to photolithographically form on the first photoresist layer a plurality of first trenches having a width of 243-365 nm; doping the substrate to form a plurality of embedded bit lines having a width of 243-365 nm; removing the first photoresist layer; sequentially forming a polysilicon layer and a second photoresist layer on the gate dielectric layer; and letting the light pass through a second phase shift mask to photolithographically form a plurality of polysilicon word lines on the polysilicon layer. Thereby is reduced the line width of mask ROM to 243-365 nm and decreased the area of mask ROM.

Abstract: A method of forming a nonvolatile memory cell includes forming a first electrode and a second electrode of the memory cell. Sacrificial material is provided between the first second electrodes. The sacrificial material is exchanged with programmable material. The sacrificial material may additionally be exchanged with select device material.

Abstract: Methods for fabricating control gates in non-volatile storage are disclosed. When forming stacks for floating gate memory cells and transistor control gates, a sacrificial material may be formed at the top of the stacks. After insulation is formed between the stacks, the sacrificial material may be removed to reveal openings. In some embodiments, cutouts are then formed in regions in which control gates of transistors are to be formed. Metal is then formed in the openings, which may include the cutout regions. Therefore, floating gate memory cells having at least partially metal control gates and transistors having at least partially metal control gates may be formed in the same process. A barrier layer may be formed prior to depositing the metal in order to prevent silicidation of polysilicon in the control gates.

Abstract: A mold having an open interior volume is used to define patterns. The mold has a ceiling, floor and sidewalls that define the interior volume and inhibit deposition. One end of the mold is open and an opposite end has a sidewall that acts as a seed sidewall. A first material is deposited on the seed sidewall. A second material is deposited on the deposited first material. The deposition of the first and second materials is alternated, thereby forming alternating rows of the first and second materials in the interior volume. The mold and seed layer are subsequently selectively removed. In addition, one of the first or second materials is selectively removed, thereby forming a pattern including free-standing rows of the remaining material. The free-standing rows can be utilized as structures in a final product, e.g., an integrated circuit, or can be used as hard mask structures to pattern an underlying substrate. The mold and rows of material can be formed on multiple levels.

Abstract: A unit block circuit of a semiconductor device includes a first well, a first pickup unit configured to form a closed loop over the first well, a first transistor including a first gate and a first active region, and formed within the first pickup unit, and a first reservoir capacitor formed in a spare within the first pickup unit and arranged in a major-axis direction of the first gate of the first transistor, wherein the first reservoir capacitor comprises a second active region and a second gate, the second gate being formed over the second active region.

Abstract: A semiconductor device and a method of manufacturing are provided. A dielectric layer is formed over a substrate, and a first silicon-containing layer, undoped, is formed over the dielectric layer. Atomic-layer doping is used to dope the undoped silicon-containing layer. A second silicon-containing layer is formed over first silicon-containing layer. The process may be expanded to include forming a PMOS and NMOS device on the same wafer. For example, the first silicon-containing layer may be thinned in the PMOS region prior to the atomic-layer doping. In the NMOS region, the doped portion of the first silicon-containing layer is removed such that the remaining portion of the first silicon-containing layer in the NMOS is undoped. Thereafter, another atomic-layer doping process may be used to dope the first silicon-containing layer in the NMOS region to a different conductivity type. A third silicon-containing layer may be formed doped to the respective conductivity type.

Abstract: In a semiconductor device and a method of making the same, a first transistor has a gate stack comprising an underlying layer formed of a first material and an overlying layer formed of a second material. A second transistor has a gate stack comprising an underlying layer formed of a third material and an overlying layer formed of the second material. A third transistor has a gate stack comprising an underlying layer formed of the first material and an overlying layer formed of a fourth material. A fourth transistor has a gate stack comprising an underlying layer formed of the third material and an overlying material formed of the fourth material. Each of the first through fourth materials has a respectively different work function, so that each of the first through fourth transistors has a respectively different threshold voltage.

Abstract: A semiconductor device structure is disclosed. The semiconductor device structure includes a mesa extending above a substrate. The mesa has a channel region between a first side and second side of the mesa. A first gate is on a first side of the mesa, the first gate comprising a first gate insulator and a first gate conductor comprising graphene overlying the first gate insulator. The gate conductor may comprise graphene in one or more monolayers. Also disclosed are a method for fabricating the semiconductor device structure; an array of vertical transistor devices, including semiconductor devices having the structure disclosed; and a method for fabricating the array of vertical transistor devices.

Abstract: A method of forming an array of recessed access device gate constructions includes using the width of an anisotropically etched sidewall spacer in forming mask openings in an etch mask for forming all recessed access device trenches within semiconductor material within all of the array. The etch mask is used while etching all of the recessed access device trenches into the semiconductor material within all of the array through the mask openings. Individual recessed access gate constructions are formed in the individual recessed access device trenches. Other methods are contemplated, including arrays of recessed access devices independent of method of manufacture.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a semiconductor integrated circuit includes forming a first dielectric layer on a semiconductor substrate, patterning the first dielectric layer to form a first patterned dielectric layer, forming a non-single crystal seed layer on the first patterned dielectric layer, removing a portion of the seed layer to form a patterned seed layer, forming a second dielectric layer on the first patterned dielectric layer and the patterned seed layer, removing portions of the second dielectric layer to form a second patterned dielectric layer, irradiating the patterned seed layer to single-crystallize the patterned seed layer, removing portions of the first patterned dielectric layer and the second patterned dielectric layer such that the single-crystallized seed layer protrudes in the vertical direction with respect to the first and/or the second patterned dielectric layer, and forming a gate electrode in contact with the single-crystal active pattern.

Abstract: The embodiments generally relate to methods of making semiconductor devices, and more particularly, to methods for making semiconductor pillar structures and increasing array feature pattern density using selective or directional gap fill. The technique has application to a variety of materials and can be applied to making monolithic two or three-dimensional memory arrays.

Abstract: A CMOS semiconductor device having an n-type MOSFET and a p-type MOSFET, comprising: a gate electrode of the n-type MOSFET having a first insulation layer composed of a high-k material, and a first metal layer provided on the first insulation layer and composed of a metal material; and a gate electrode of the p-type MOSFET having a second insulation layer composed of a high-k material, and a second metal layer provided on the second insulation layer and composed of a metal material, wherein the first insulation layer and the second insulation layer are composed of the different high-k materials, and the first metal layer and the second metal layer are composed of the same metal material.

Abstract: A method for forming a field effect transistor includes forming a gate stack, a spacer adjacent to opposing sides of the gate stack, a silicide source region and a silicide drain region on opposing sides of the spacer, epitaxially growing silicon on the source region and the drain region; forming a liner layer on the gate stack and the spacer, removing a portion of the liner layer to expose a portion of the hardmask layer, removing the exposed portions of the hardmask layer to expose a silicon layer of the gate stack, removing exposed silicon to expose a portion of a metal layer of the gate stack, the source region, and the drain region; and depositing a conductive material on the metal layer of the gate stack, the silicide source region, and the silicide drain region.

Abstract: Example embodiments herein relate to a method of fabricating a semiconductor device. The method may include forming a liner insulating layer on a surface of a gate pattern to have a first thickness. Subsequently, a gap fill layer may be formed on the liner insulating layer by flowable chemical vapor deposition (FCVD) or spin-on-glass (SOG). The liner insulating layer and the gap fill layer may be recessed such that the liner insulating layer has a second thickness, which is smaller than the first thickness, in the region in which a metal silicide will be formed. Metal silicide may be formed on the plurality of gate patterns to have a relatively uniform thickness using the difference in thickness of the liner insulating layer.

Abstract: A semiconductor device having a saddle fin gate and a method for manufacturing the same are presented. The semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate, an isolation structure, and gates. The semiconductor substrate is defined with first grooves in gate forming areas. The isolation structure is formed in the semiconductor substrate and is defined with second grooves which expose front and rear surfaces of the gate forming areas. The gates are formed within the first grooves in the gate forming areas. Gates are also formed in the second grooves of the isolation structure to cover the exposed front and rear surfaces of the gate forming areas. The second grooves are wider at the lower portions that at the upper portions.

Abstract: A method of making a semiconductor device includes forming a layer over a substrate, forming a plurality of spaced apart features of imagable material over the layer, forming sidewall spacers on the plurality of features and filling a space between a first sidewall spacer on a first feature and a second sidewall spacer on a second feature with a filler feature. The method also includes removing the sidewall spacers to leave the first feature, the filler feature and the second feature spaced apart from each other, and etching the layer using the first feature, the filler feature and the second feature as a mask.

Abstract: Provided are a semiconductor device and a method of fabricating the same. The semiconductor device may include a charge storage structure and a gate. The charge storage structure is formed on a substrate. The gate is formed on the charge storage structure. The gate includes a lower portion formed of silicon and an upper portion formed of metal silicide. The upper portion of the gate has a width greater than that of the lower portion of the gate.

Abstract: A semiconductor device and a method for fabricating the same. A plurality of gate patterns are formed over a first-conductivity type silicon layer of a silicon-on-insulator semiconductor substrate including a buried insulation layer, so as to be separated from each other. A plurality of silicon bodies are formed under the gate patterns, by removing a portion of the first-conductivity type silicon layer exposed between the gate patterns. A plurality of polysilicon spacers are formed over a sidewall of the silicon bodies, and each contains a second-conductivity type dopant. A contact plug is electrically connected to at least one of the polysilicon spacers.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes: a semiconductor substrate having a p-MOS region; an element isolation region formed in a surface portion of the semiconductor substrate and defining p-MOS active regions in the p-MOS region; a p-MOS gate electrode structure formed above the semiconductor substrate, traversing the p-MOS active region and defining a p-MOS channel region under the p-MOS gate electrode structure; a compressive stress film selectively formed above the p-MOS active region and covering the p-MOS gate electrode structure; and a stress released region selectively formed above the element isolation region in the p-MOS region and releasing stress in the compressive stress film, wherein a compressive stress along the gate length direction and a tensile stress along the gate width direction are exerted on the p-MOS channel region. The performance of the semiconductor device can be improved by controlling the stress separately for the active region and element isolation region.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes: a semiconductor substrate having a first conductivity type; a well having a second conductivity type and provided inside the semiconductor substrate; a first impurity region having the first conductivity type and provided within the well; a second impurity region having the second conductivity type, provided inside the well and away from the first impurity region; and a third impurity region having a first conductivity type, provided surrounding the well and away from the second impurity region. In this semiconductor device, the well is formed to be deeper than the first impurity region, the second impurity region, and the third impurity region, in a thickness direction of the semiconductor substrate; and a minimum distance between the first impurity region and the second impurity region is smaller than a minimum distance between the second impurity region and the third impurity region.

Abstract: A memory device includes a substrate, a plurality of wordlines arranged over the substrate, a plurality of pillars formed over the substrate between the wordlines, a gate electrode surrounding external walls of the pillars to be connected to the wordlines, and an insulation layer for insulating one sidewall of each wordline from the gate electrode.

Abstract: In a semiconductor device, a gate electrode having a uniform composition prevents deviation in a work function. Controlling a Vth provides excellent operation properties. The semiconductor device includes an NMOS transistor and a PMOS transistor with a common line electrode. The line electrode includes electrode sections (A) and (B) and a diffusion barrier region formed over an isolation region so that (A) and (B) are kept out of contact. The diffusion barrier region meets at least one of: (1) The diffusion coefficient in the above diffusion barrier region of the constituent element of the above electrode section (A) is lower than the interdiffusion coefficient of the constituent element between electrode section (A) materials; and (2) The diffusion coefficient in the above diffusion barrier region of the constituent element of the above electrode section (B) is lower than the interdiffusion coefficient of the constituent element between electrode section (B) materials.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method of forming sidewall spacers for a semiconductor device. In one example, the method comprises forming a gate electrode structure above a semiconducting substrate. performing a non-conformal deposition process to deposit a layer of spacer material above the gate electrode structure and performing an anisotropic etching process on the layer of spacer material to define a first sidewall spacer proximate a first side of the gate electrode structure and a second sidewall spacer proximate a second side of the gate electrode structure, wherein the first and second sidewall spacers have different widths.

Abstract: A semiconductor and a method for forming the same are disclosed. The method for forming the semiconductor device includes forming a buried gate on a semiconductor substrate including an active region, forming an insulating layer on the semiconductor substrate, selectively removing the insulating layer from at least an upper part of the active region, forming a bit line on an upper part between the buried gates formed on the active region, and forming a storage electrode contact that is formed at both sides of the bit line and has an extended lower part, so that prevents short circuiting between the storage electrode contact and the bit line, and improves contact resistance by enlarging a contact area between the storage electrode contact and the active region, so that unique characteristics of the semiconductor device are improved.

Abstract: An object is to provide a display device which operates stably with use of a transistor having stable electric characteristics. In manufacture of a display device using transistors in which an oxide semiconductor layer is used for a channel formation region, a gate electrode is further provided over at least a transistor which is applied to a driver circuit. In manufacture of a transistor in which an oxide semiconductor layer is used for a channel formation region, the oxide semiconductor layer is subjected to heat treatment so as to be dehydrated or dehydrogenated; thus, impurities such as moisture existing in an interface between the oxide semiconductor layer and the gate insulating layer provided below and in contact with the oxide semiconductor layer and an interface between the oxide semiconductor layer and a protective insulating layer provided on and in contact with the oxide semiconductor layer can be reduced.

Abstract: Semiconductor devices are provided which have a tensile and/or compressive strain applied thereto and methods of manufacturing. The structure includes a gate stack comprising an oxide layer, a polysilicon layer and sidewalls with adjacent spacers. The structure further includes an epitaxially grown straining material directly on the polysilicon layer and between portions of the sidewalls. The epitaxially grown straining material, in a relaxed state, strains the polysilicon layer.

Abstract: By irradiating a first substrate which is an evaporation donor substrate including a function layer in which films having different refractive indexes (high-refractive index films and low refractive index films) are stacked with first light (wavelength=?1), a material layer over the first substrate is patterned, and by irradiating the first substrate with second light (wavelength=?2) which is different from ?1, the material layer which is patterned is evaporated onto a second substrate which is a deposition target substrate.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a semiconductor device is described. A polysilicon layer is formed on a substrate. The polysilicon layer is doped with an N-type dopant. A portion of the polysilicon layer is then removed to form a plurality of dummy patterns. Each dummy pattern has a top, a bottom, and a neck arranged between the top and the bottom, where the width of the neck is narrower than that of the top. A dielectric layer is formed on the substrate to cover the substrate disposed between adjacent dummy patterns, and the top of each dummy pattern is exposed. Thereafter, the dummy patterns are removed to form a plurality of trenches in the dielectric layer. A plurality of gate structures is formed in the trenches, respectively.

Abstract: Methods for fabricating control gates in non-volatile storage are disclosed. When forming stacks for floating gate memory cells and transistor control gates, a sacrificial material may be formed at the top of the stacks. After insulation is formed between the stacks, the sacrificial material may be removed to reveal openings. In some embodiments, cutouts are then formed in regions in which control gates of transistors are to be formed. Metal is then formed in the openings, which may include the cutout regions. Therefore, floating gate memory cells having at least partially metal control gates and transistors having at least partially metal control gates may be formed in the same process. A barrier layer may be formed prior to depositing the metal in order to prevent silicidation of polysilicon in the control gates.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a nonvolatile semiconductor memory device includes a silicon-containing substrate, a plurality of memory cells, and an insulating film. The substrate includes silicon. The plurality of memory cells is provided on the substrate with a spacing therebetween. The insulating film is provided on a sidewall of the memory cell. The insulating film includes a protrusion protruding toward an adjacent one of the memory cells above a void portion is provided between the memory cells.

Abstract: An interconnection architecture for multilayer circuits includes metal-insulator transition channels interposed between address leads and each bar in the multilayer circuit. An extrinsic variable transducer selectively transitions the metal-insulator channels between insulating and conducting states to selectively connect and disconnect the bars and the address leads. A method for accessing a programmable crosspoint device within a multilayer crossbar circuit is also provided.

Abstract: A method for forming an empty area under a layer of a given material, including forming on a substrate a stacking of a photosensitive layer and of a layer of the given material; insolating a portion of the photosensitive layer or its complement according to whether the photosensitive layer is positive or negative with an electron beam crossing the layer of the given material; and removing the portion of the photosensitive layer.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing non-volatile memory devices includes forming a gate insulating layer and a first conductive layer over a semiconductor substrate, etching the first conductive layer and the gate insulating layer to expose part of the semiconductor substrate, forming trenches at a target depth of the semiconductor substrate by repeatedly performing a dry etch process for etching the exposed semiconductor substrate and a cleaning process for removing residues generated in the dry etch process, forming isolation layers within the trenches, forming a dielectric layer on a surface of the entire structure in which the isolation layers are formed, and forming a second conductive layer on the dielectric layer.

Abstract: A nonvolatile semiconductor memory device includes: a semiconductor member; a memory film provided on a surface of the semiconductor member and being capable of storing charge; and a plurality of control gate electrodes provided on the memory film, spaced from each other, and arranged along a direction parallel to the surface. Average dielectric constant of a material interposed between one of the control gate electrodes and a portion of the semiconductor member located immediately below the control gate electrode adjacent to the one control gate electrode is lower than average dielectric constant of a material interposed between the one control gate electrode and a portion of the semiconductor member located immediately below the one control gate electrode.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device has forming a first conductive film over a semiconductor substrate, etching the first conductive film, forming a plurality of first conductive patterns arranged in a first direction, and forming a side surface on an outside of a conductive pattern positioned at an end among the plurality of first conductive patterns such that the side surface has a first inclination angle smaller than a second inclination angle of a side surface on an inside of the conductive pattern positioned at the end, forming a first insulation film over the plurality of first conductive patterns, and forming a second conductive pattern over the first insulation film.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a semiconductor device includes forming a plurality of gate structures on a semiconductor substrate. The plurality of gate structures are arranged in a plurality of lines, wherein an end-to-end spacing between the lines is smaller than a line-to-line spacing between the lines. The method further includes forming an etch stop layer over the gate structures, forming an interlayer dielectric over the gate structures, and forming a dielectric film over the gate structures before the interlayer dielectric is formed. The dielectric film merges in end-to-end gaps formed in the end-to-end spacing between the gate structures.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a FinFET structure includes fabricating a plurality of parallel fins overlying a semiconductor substrate, each of the plurality of parallel fins having sidewalls and forming an electrode over the semiconductor substrate and between the parallel fins. The electrode is configured to direct an electrical field into the fins, thereby affecting the threshold voltage of the FinFET structure.

Abstract: A phase change memory device includes a silicon substrate including a plurality of active regions which extend in a first direction and are arranged at regular intervals in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. Switching elements are formed in each active region of the silicon substrate and are spaced apart from one another. Phase change patterns are formed in the second direction and have the shape of lines in such that the phase change patterns connect side surfaces of pairs of switching elements which are placed adjacent to each other in a direction diagonal to the first direction.

Abstract: A process may include forming a mask directly on and above a region selected as an initial semiconductor fin on a substrate and reducing the initial semiconductor fin forming a semiconductor fin that is laterally thinned from the initial semiconductor fin. The process may be carried out causing the mask to recede to a greater degree in the lateral direction than the vertical direction. In various embodiments, the process may include removing material from the fin semiconductor to achieve a thinned semiconductor fin, which has receded beneath the shadow of the laterally receded mask. Electronic devices may include the thinned semiconductor fin as part of a semiconductor device.

Abstract: In multiple-layered memory devices, memory systems employing the same, and methods of forming such devices, a second memory device layer on a first memory device layer comprises a second substrate including a second memory cell region. The second substrate includes only a single well in the second memory cell region, the single well of the second memory cell region comprising a semiconducting material doped with impurity of one of a first type and second type. The single well defines an active region in the second memory cell region of the second substrate. Multiple second cell strings are arranged on the second substrate in the second active region.

Abstract: A memory array with data/bit lines extending generally in a first direction formed in an upper surface of a substrate and access transistors extending generally upward and aligned generally atop a corresponding data/bit line. The access transistors have a pillar extending generally upward with a source region formed so as to be in electrical communication with the corresponding data/bit line and a drain region formed generally at an upper portion of the pillar and a surround gate structure substantially completely encompassing the pillar in lateral directions and extending substantially the entire vertical extent of the pillar and word lines extending generally in a second direction and in electrical contact with a corresponding surround gate structure at least a first surface thereof such that bias voltage applied to a given word line is communicated substantially uniformly in a laterally symmetric extent about the corresponding pillar via the surround gate structure.

Abstract: A non-volatile memory cell structure and a method of fabricating the same. The method comprising the steps of: fabricating a portion of a floating gate from one or more first metal local interconnection layer (LIL) slit contacts deposited on a patterned dielectric layer; and fabricating a portion of a control gate from one or more second metal LIL slit contacts deposited on the patterned dielectric layer; wherein the first and second metal LIL slit contacts form a capacitive structure between the floating gate and the control gate.

Abstract: A method of forming an integrated circuit structure includes providing a substrate including a first active region and a second active region; forming a gate electrode layer over the substrate; and etching the gate electrode layer. The remaining portions of the gate electrode layer include a first gate strip and a second gate strip substantially parallel to each other; and a sacrificial strip unparallel to, and interconnecting, the first gate strip and the second gate strip. The sacrificial strip is between the first active region and the second active region. The method further includes forming a mask layer covering portions of the first gate strip and the second gate strip, wherein the sacrificial strip and portions of the first gate strip and the second gate strip are exposed through an opening in the mask layer; and etching the sacrificial strip and the portions of the first gate strip and the second gate strip through the opening.