摘要:
A method is provided of forming lines with spaces between memory cells below a minimum printing dimension of a photolithographic tool set. In one aspect of the invention, lines and spaces are formed in a first polysilicon layer that forms floating gates of flash memory cells. STI regions are formed between adjacent memory cells in a substrate to isolate the cells from one another. The first polysilicon layer is deposited over the substrate covering the STI regions. The first polysilicon layer is then planarized by a CMP process or the like to eliminate overlay issues associated with the STI regions. A hard mask layer is deposited over the first polysilicon layer and a first space dimension d1 etched between adjacent memory cells. A conformal nitride layer is deposited over the hard mask layer and an etch step performed to form nitride side walls adjacent the spaces. The nitride side walls reduce the first space dimension to a second space dimension d2, so that spaces can be formed in the first polysilicon layer at a dimension smaller than the minimum printable dimension of the photolithographic tool set.
摘要:
STI (shallow trench isolation) structures are formed for a flash memory device fabricated within an semiconductor substrate comprised of a core area having an array of core flash memory cells fabricated therein and comprised of a periphery area having logic circuitry fabricated therein. A first set of STI (shallow trench isolation) openings within the core area are etched through the semiconductor substrate, and a second set of STI (shallow trench isolation) openings within the periphery area are etched through the semiconductor substrate. A core active device area of the semiconductor substrate within the core area is surrounded by the first set of STI openings, and a periphery active device area of the semiconductor substrate within the periphery area is surrounded by the second set of STI openings. Dielectric liners are formed at sidewalls of the first and second sets of STI openings with reaction of the semiconductor substrate at the sidewalls of the STI openings such that top corners of the semiconductor substrate of the core and periphery active device areas adjacent the STI openings are rounded. A trench dielectric material is deposited to fill the STI openings. In addition, the top corners of the periphery active device area are exposed by etching portions of the sidewalls of the second set of STI structures in a dip-off etch. The exposed top corners of the periphery active device area are further rounded after additional thermal oxidation of the exposed top corners of the periphery active device area. The rounded corners of the core and periphery active device areas result in minimized leakage current through a flash memory cell fabricated within the core active device area and through a MOSFET fabricated within the periphery active device area.
摘要:
A memory device is provided including a substrate. A first dielectric layer is formed over the substrate. An isolation trench is formed in a portion of the substrate and the first dielectric layer. At least two charge storage elements are formed over the first dielectric layer on opposite sides of the isolation trench. A second dielectric layer is formed over the at least two charge storage elements. A control gate layer is formed over the second dielectric layer, where the isolation trench has a width suitable for reducing cross-coupling noise of charge storage elements, and where the at least two charge storage elements have a height suitable for providing sufficient gate coupling between the at least two charge storage elements and the control gate layer.
摘要:
A method for forming a memory device is provided. A nitride layer is formed over a substrate. The nitride layer and the substrate are etched to form a trench. The nitride layer is trimmed on opposite sides of the trench to widen the trench within the nitride layer. The trench is filled with an oxide material. The nitride layer is stripped from the memory device, forming a mesa above the trench.
摘要:
A method for forming a memory device is provided. A nitride layer is formed over a substrate. The nitride layer and the substrate are etched to form a trench. The nitride layer is trimmed on opposite sides of the trench to widen the trench within the nitride layer. The trench is filled with an oxide material. The nitride layer is stripped from the memory device, forming a mesa above the trench.
摘要:
A predetermined species such as nitrogen is placed at an interface between a bit line junction and a dielectric layer of a control dielectric structure of a flash memory device to minimize degradation of such an interface by minimizing formation of interface defects during program or erase operations of the flash memory device. The predetermined species such as nitrogen is implanted into a bit line junction of the flash memory device. A thermal process is performed that heats up the semiconductor wafer such that the predetermined species such as nitrogen implanted within the semiconductor wafer thermally drifts to the interface between the bit line junction and the control dielectric structure during the thermal process. The predetermined species such as nitrogen at the interface minimizes formation of interface defects and thus degradation of the interface with time during the program or erase operations of the flash memory device.
摘要:
A predetermined species such as nitrogen is placed at an interface between a bit line junction and a dielectric layer of a control dielectric structure of a flash memory device to minimize degradation of such an interface by minimizing formation of interface defects during program or erase operations of the flash memory device. The predetermined species such as nitrogen is implanted into a bit line junction of the flash memory device. A thermal process is performed that heats up the semiconductor wafer such that the predetermined species such as nitrogen implanted within the semiconductor wafer thermally drifts to the interface between the bit line junction and the control dielectric structure during the thermal process. The predetermined species such as nitrogen at the interface minimizes formation of interface defects and thus degradation of the interface with time during the program or erase operations of the flash memory device.
摘要:
A method and device for avoiding oxide gouging in shallow trench isolation (STI) regions of a semiconductor device. A trench may be etched in an STI region and filled with insulating material. An anti-reflective coating (ARC) layer may be deposited over the STI region and extend beyond the boundaries of the STI region. A portion of the ARC layer may be etched leaving a remaining portion of the ARC layer over the STI region and extending beyond the boundaries of the STI region. A protective cap may be deposited to cover the remaining portion of the ARC layer as well as the insulating material. The protective cap may be etched back to expose the ARC layer. However, the protective cap still covers and protects the insulating material. By providing a protective cap that covers the insulating material, gouging of the insulating material in STI regions may be avoided.
摘要:
A method for forming a memory device is provided. A nitride layer is formed over a substrate. The nitride layer and the substrate are etched to form a trench. The nitride layer is trimmed on opposite sides of the trench to widen the trench within the nitride layer. The trench is filled with an oxide material. The nitride layer is stripped from the memory device, forming a mesa above the trench.
摘要:
A method for forming a memory device is provided. A nitride layer is formed over a substrate. The nitride layer and the substrate are etched to form a trench. The memory device is pre-cleaned to prepare a surface of the memory device for oxide formation thereon, where cleaning the memory device removes portions of the barrier oxide layer on opposite sides of the trench. The nitride layer is trimmed on opposite sides of the trench. A liner oxide layer is formed in the trench.