IP Library Granted Patent US 6,987,297
Granted Patent B2
US 6,987,297 · App. 10/768,188 · Granted Jan 17, 2006

Semiconductor memory device and manufacturing method thereof

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 6,987,297
App. No.
10/768,188
Granted
Jan 17, 2006
Kind
B2
Abstract

A polysilicon film and the like are patterned to form n − diffusion layers on a silicon substrate. Subsequently, an outer edge of an Al 2 O 3 film is made retreat to be smaller than that of a gate electrode by performing isotropic etching of the Al 2 O 3 film, using a solution of sulfuric acid with hydrogen peroxide. A silicon oxide film, a silicon nitride film, the polysilicon film and the like are hardly removed although the solution of sulfuric acid with hydrogen peroxide exhibits higher etching rate to the Al 2 O 3 film, enabling almost exclusive etching of the Al 2 O 3 film at a high selectivity ratio. Subsequently, another polysilicon film is formed so as to fill spaces formed after the retreat of the Al 2 O 3 film under the silicon oxide film. Subsequently, a sidewall insulating film is formed by remaining portions of the later polysilicon film in the spaces by performing RIE, oxidation, or the like of the later polysilicon film.

Claims (22)

1. A semiconductor memory device comprising:

a semiconductor substrate;

a tunnel insulating film formed on said semiconductor substrate;

an Al 2 O 3 film formed on said tunnel insulating film;

a pair of charge storage layers sandwiching said Al 2 O 3 film therebetween in plain view formed on said tunnel insulating film;

an insulating film formed on said Al 2 O 3 film and said pair of charge storage layers;

a gate electrode formed on said insulating film; and

a source region and a drain region formed as a pair sandwiching said gate electrode in plain view formed on a surface of said semiconductor substrate.

2. The semiconductor memory device according to claim 1 , further comprising a sidewall insulating film formed over a side surface of said gate electrode, said insulating film, and said pair of charge storage layers.

3. A semiconductor memory device having a pair of charge storage layers in each memory cell thereof and being capable of storing four values, comprising an Al 2 O 3 film insulating said pair of charge storage layers with each other.

4. The semiconductor memory device according to claim 1 , wherein

said charge storage layers are composed of a polycrystalline silicon.

5. The semiconductor memory device according to claim 3 , wherein

said charge storage layers are composed of a polycrystalline silicon.

6. The semiconductor memory device according to claim 1 , wherein

said tunnel insulating film has a thickness of 3 nm to 9 nm.

7. The semiconductor memory device according to claim 3 , wherein

a tunnel insulating film has a thickness of 3 nm to 9 nm.

8. The semiconductor memory device according to claim 1 , wherein

said Al 2 O 3 film and said pair of charge storage layers have a thickness of 5 nm to 15 nm.

9. The semiconductor memory device according to claim 3 , wherein

said Al 2 O 3 film and said pair of charge storage layers have a thickness of 5 nm to 15 nm.

Assignments (11)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Apr 15, 2022
From: CYPRESS SEMICONDUCTOR CORPORATION
To: INFINEON TECHNOLOGIES LLC
Reel/Frame 059721/0467 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Mar 16, 2022
From: MUFG UNION BANK, N.A.
To: CYPRESS SEMICONDUCTOR CORPORATION; SPANSION LLC
Reel/Frame 059410/0438 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE 8647899 PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 035240 FRAME 0429. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE SECURITY INTERST. Recorded Nov 3, 2020
From: CYPRESS SEMICONDUCTOR CORPORATION; SPANSION LLC
To: MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC.
Reel/Frame 058002/0470 →
ASSIGNMENT AND ASSUMPTION OF SECURITY INTEREST IN INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY Recorded Oct 28, 2019
From: MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC.
To: MUFG UNION BANK, N.A.
Reel/Frame 050896/0366 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 30, 2015
From: SPANSION, LLC
To: CYPRESS SEMICONDUCTOR CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 036037/0716 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Mar 21, 2015
From: CYPRESS SEMICONDUCTOR CORPORATION; SPANSION LLC
To: MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC.
Reel/Frame 035240/0429 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Mar 13, 2015
From: BARCLAYS BANK PLC
To: SPANSION LLC; SPANSION INC.; SPANSION TECHNOLOGY LLC
Reel/Frame 035201/0159 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Oct 11, 2012
From: SPANSION INC.
To: SPANSION LLC
Reel/Frame 029112/0198 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Jun 4, 2010
From: SPANSION LLC; SPANSION INC.; SPANSION TECHNOLOGY INC.; SPANSION TECHNOLOGY LLC
To: BARCLAYS BANK PLC
Reel/Frame 024522/0338 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Apr 13, 2010
From: FUJITSU LIMITED
To: SPANSION INC.
Reel/Frame 024225/0119 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Mar 15, 2005
From: ISHIDAO, MASAKI; KOBAYASHI, MASAHIRO; FUKUDA, MASATOSHI
To: FUJITSU LIMITED
Reel/Frame 015903/0779 →