Abstract:
Aspects disclosed in the detailed description include high-k (HK)/metal gate (MG) (HK/MG) multi-time programmable (MTP) switching devices, and related systems and methods. One type of HK/MG MTP switching device is an MTP metal-oxide semiconductor (MOS) field-effect transistor (MOSFET). When the MTP MOSFET is programmed, a charge trap may build up in the MTP MOSFET due to a switching electrical current induced by a switching voltage. The charge trap reduces the switching window and endurance of the MTP MOSFET, thus reducing reliability in accessing the information stored in the MTP MOSFET. In this regard, an HK/MG MTP switching device comprising the MTP MOSFET is configured to eliminate the switching electrical current when the MTP MOSFET is programmed. By eliminating the switching electrical current, it is possible to avoid a charge trap in the MTP MOSFET, thus restoring the switching window and endurance of the MTP MOSFET for reliable information access.
Abstract:
The semiconductor device includes a source line, a bit line, a signal line, a word line, memory cells connected in parallel between the source line and the bit line, a first driver circuit electrically connected to the source line and the bit line through switching elements, a second driver circuit electrically connected to the source line through a switching element, a third driver circuit electrically connected to the signal line, and a fourth driver circuit electrically connected to the word line. The memory cell includes a first transistor including a first gate electrode, a first source electrode, and a first drain electrode, a second transistor including a second gate electrode, a second source electrode, and a second drain electrode, and a capacitor. The second transistor includes an oxide semiconductor material.
Abstract:
A method for removing a doped amorphous carbon mask from a semiconductor substrate is disclosed. The method comprises generating a plasma to be used in treating the substrate, wherein the plasma comprises an oxygen containing gas, a halogen containing gas, and a hydrogen containing gas; and treating the substrate by exposing the substrate to the plasma. The doped amorphous carbon mask can be a boron doped amorphous carbon mask or a nitrogen doped amorphous carbon mask. The method can result in a mask removal rate ranging from about 1,000 ngstrms/minute to about 12,000 ngstrms/minute. Further, gases can be applied to the substrate before plasma treatment, after plasma treatment, or both to reduce the amount of defects or pinholes found in the substrate film.
Abstract:
A semiconductor device and method of making such device is presented herein. The semiconductor device includes a plurality of memory cells, a plurality of p-n junctions, and a metal trace of a first metal layer. Each of the plurality of memory cells includes a first gate disposed over a first dielectric, a second gate disposed over a second dielectric and adjacent to a sidewall of the first gate, a first doped region in the substrate adjacent to the first gate, and a second doped region in the substrate adjacent to the second gate. The plurality of p-n junctions are electrically isolated from the doped regions of each memory cell. The metal trace extends along a single plane between a via to the second gate of at least one memory cell in the plurality of memory cells, and a via to a p-n junction within the plurality of p-n junctions.
Abstract:
In a system having a memory device, an event is detected during system operation. The memory device is heated to reverse use-incurred degradation of the memory device in response to detecting the event. Tn another system, the memory device is heated to reverse use incurred, degradation concurrently with execution of a data access operation within another memory device of the system. In another system having a memory controller coupled to first and second memory devices, data is evacuated from the first memory device to the second memory device in response to determining that a maintenance operation is needed within the first memory device.
Abstract:
A memory cell includes a substrate and a body including plural layers. The body has an inner body and an outer body, and the body is formed on top of the substrate. A nanotube trench is formed vertically in the body and extends to the substrate. A nanotube structure is formed in the nanotube trench. The nanotube trench divides the body into the inner body and the outer body and the nanotube structure is mechanically separated from the inner body and the outer body by a tunnel oxide layer, a charge trapping layer, and a blocking oxide layer.
Abstract:
A silicon-containing nucleation layer can be employed to provide a self-aligned template for selective deposition of tungsten within backside recesses during formation of a three-dimensional memory device. The silicon-containing nucleation layer may remain as a silicon layer, converted into a tungsten silicide layer, or replaced with a tungsten nucleation layer. Tungsten deposition can proceed only on the surface of the silicon-containing nucleation layer or a layer derived therefrom in a subsequent tungsten deposition process.
Abstract:
A method of controlling the thickness of gate oxides in an integrated CMOS process which includes performing a two-step gate oxidation process to concurrently oxidize and therefore consume at least a first portion of the cap layer of the NV gate stack to form a blocking oxide and form a gate oxide of at least one metal-oxide-semiconductor (MOS) transistor in the second region, wherein the gate oxide of the at least one MOS transistor is formed during both a first oxidation step and a second oxidation step of the gate oxidation process