Abstract:
An embodiment of a method of integrating a non-volatile memory device into a logic MOS flow is described. Generally, the method includes: forming in a first region of a substrate a channel of a memory device from a semiconducting material overlying a surface of the substrate, the channel connecting a source and a drain of the memory device; forming a charge trapping dielectric stack over the channel adjacent to a plurality of surfaces of the channel, wherein the charge trapping dielectric stack includes a blocking layer on a charge trapping layer over a tunneling layer; and forming a MOS device over a second region of the substrate.
Abstract:
A method for fabricating a nonvolatile charge trap memory device is described. The method includes providing a substrate having a charge-trapping layer disposed thereon. A portion of the charge-trapping layer is then oxidized to form a blocking dielectric layer above the charge-trapping layer by exposing the charge-trapping layer to a radical oxidation process.
Abstract:
A blocking layer of a non-volatile charge trap memory device is formed by oxidizing a portion of a charge trapping layer of the memory device. In one embodiment, the blocking layer is grown by a radical oxidation process at temperature below 500° C. In accordance with one implementation, the radical oxidation process involves flowing hydrogen (H2) and oxygen (O2) gas mixture into a process chamber and exposing the substrate to a plasma. In a preferred embodiment, a high density plasma (HDP) chamber is employed to oxidize a portion of the charge trapping layer. In further embodiments, a portion of a silicon-rich silicon oxynitride charge trapping layer is consumptively oxidized to form the blocking layer and provide an increased memory window relative to oxidation of a nitrogen-rich silicon oxynitride layer.
Abstract:
A blocking layer of a non-volatile charge trap memory device is formed by oxidizing a portion of a charge trapping layer of the memory device. In one embodiment, the blocking layer is grown by a radical oxidation process at temperature below 500° C. In accordance with one implementation, the radical oxidation process involves flowing hydrogen (H2) and oxygen (O2) gas mixture into a process chamber and exposing the substrate to a plasma. In a preferred embodiment, a high density plasma (HDP) chamber is employed to oxidize a portion of the charge trapping layer. In further embodiments, a portion of a silicon-rich silicon oxynitride charge trapping layer is consumptively oxidized to form the blocking layer and provide an increased memory window relative to oxidation of a nitrogen-rich silicon oxynitride layer.
Abstract:
A semiconductor device including an oxide-nitride-oxide (ONO) structure having a multi-layer charge storing layer and methods of forming the same are provided. Generally, the method involves: (i) forming a first oxide layer of the ONO structure; (ii) forming a multi-layer charge storing layer comprising nitride on a surface of the first oxide layer; and (iii) forming a second oxide layer of the ONO structure on a surface of the multi-layer charge storing layer. Preferably, the charge storing layer comprises at least two silicon oxynitride layers having differing stoichiometric compositions of Oxygen, Nitrogen and/or Silicon. More preferably, the ONO structure is part of a silicon-oxide-nitride-oxide-silicon (SONOS) structure and the semiconductor device is a SONOS memory transistor. Other embodiments are also disclosed.
Abstract:
A semiconductor structure and method to form the same. The semiconductor structure includes a substrate having a non-volatile charge trap memory device disposed on a first region and a logic device disposed on a second region. A charge trap dielectric stack may be formed subsequent to forming wells and channels of the logic device. HF pre-cleans and SC1 cleans may be avoided to improve the quality of a blocking layer of the non-volatile charge trap memory device. The blocking layer may be thermally reoxidized or nitridized during a thermal oxidation or nitridation of a logic MOS gate insulator layer to densify the blocking layer. A multi-layered liner may be utilized to first offset a source and drain implant in a high voltage logic device and also block silicidation of the nonvolatile charge trap memory device.
Abstract:
A method for fabricating a nonvolatile charge trap memory device is described. The method includes first forming a tunnel dielectric layer on a substrate in a first process chamber of a single-wafer cluster tool. A charge-trapping layer is then formed on the tunnel dielectric layer in a second process chamber of the single-wafer cluster tool. A top dielectric layer is then formed on the charge-trapping layer in the second or in a third process chamber of the single-wafer cluster tool.
Abstract:
A semiconductor structure and method to form the same. The semiconductor structure includes a substrate having a non-volatile charge trap memory device disposed on a first region and a logic device disposed on a second region. A charge trap dielectric stack may be formed subsequent to forming wells and channels of the logic device. HF pre-cleans and SC1 cleans may be avoided to improve the quality of a blocking layer of the non-volatile charge trap memory device. The blocking layer may be thermally reoxidized or nitridized during a thermal oxidation or nitridation of a logic MOS gate insulator layer to densify the blocking layer. A multi-layered liner may be utilized to first offset a source and drain implant in a high voltage logic device and also block silicidation of the nonvolatile charge trap memory device.
Abstract:
Embodiments of a non-planar memory device including a split charge-trapping region and methods of forming the same are described. Generally, the device comprises: a channel formed from a thin film of semiconducting material overlying a surface on a substrate connecting a source and a drain of the memory device; a tunnel oxide overlying the channel; a split charge-trapping region overlying the tunnel oxide, the split charge-trapping region including a bottom charge-trapping layer comprising a nitride closer to the tunnel oxide, and a top charge-trapping layer, wherein the bottom charge-trapping layer is separated from the top charge-trapping layer by a thin anti-tunneling layer comprising an oxide. Other embodiments are also disclosed.
Abstract:
An embodiment of a method of integration of a non-volatile memory device into a logic MOS flow is described. Generally, the method includes: forming a pad dielectric layer of a MOS device above a first region of a substrate; forming a channel of the memory device from a thin film of semiconducting material overlying a surface above a second region of the substrate, the channel connecting a source and drain of the memory device; forming a patterned dielectric stack overlying the channel above the second region, the patterned dielectric stack comprising a tunnel layer, a charge-trapping layer, and a sacrificial top layer; simultaneously removing the sacrificial top layer from the second region of the substrate, and the pad dielectric layer from the first region of the substrate; and simultaneously forming a gate dielectric layer above the first region of the substrate and a blocking dielectric layer above the charge-trapping layer.