IP Library Granted Patent US 8,236,649
Granted Patent B2
US 8,236,649 · App. 12/634,000 · Granted Aug 7, 2012

Semiconductor memory device with spacer shape floating gate and manufacturing method of the semiconductor memory device

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,236,649
App. No.
12/634,000
Granted
Aug 7, 2012
Kind
B2
Abstract

A semiconductor memory device is provided including: a spacer shaped floating gate formed on a semiconductor substrate; a dielectric layer spacer formed at one side wall of the floating gate; a third oxide layer formed over the floating gate and the dielectric layer; and a control gate formed over the third oxide layer. According to an embodiment, the structure of the floating gate in a plate shape whose center is concave is improved to the spacer structure, making it possible to minimize the size of the semiconductor memory device and to improve density. Moreover, a LOCOS process can be excluded while forming the floating gate, making it possible to more efficiently fabricate the device.

Claims (34)

1. A manufacturing method of a semiconductor memory device, comprising:

forming a nitride pattern on a semiconductor substrate;

forming a floating gate in a spacer shape at a side wall of the nitride pattern;

forming a first oxide layer at a side wall of the floating gate;

removing the nitride pattern;

forming a dielectric layer spacer at an exposed side wall of the floating gate, the exposed side wall of the floating gate being exposed by the removing of the nitride pattern;

forming a third oxide layer over the first oxide layer, the dielectric layer, and the semiconductor substrate;

forming a polysilicon layer over the third oxide layer; and

etching portions of the polysilicon layer, the third oxide layer, and the first oxide layer to form a control gate over the floating gate, the dielectric layer spacer, and a part of the first oxide layer.

2. The manufacturing method of the semiconductor memory device according to claim 1 , wherein the forming of the floating gate comprises:

forming a first polysilicon, layer on the semiconductor substrate including the nitride pattern; and

etching the polysilicon layer using a blanket etch method.

3. The manufacturing method of the semiconductor memory device according to claim 1 , wherein the forming of the first oxide layer at the side wall of the floating gate comprises:

forming the first oxide layer on the semiconductor substrate including on the nitride pattern and the floating gate; and

planarizing the first oxide layer until the nitride pattern is exposed.

4. The manufacturing method of the semiconductor memory device according to claim 3 , wherein at least one of the polysilicon layer and the first oxide layer are formed using a CVD method.

5. The manufacturing method of the semiconductor memory device according to claim 1 , wherein the forming of the dielectric layer spacer comprises:

forming a second oxide layer over the first oxide layer, the floating gate, and the semiconductor substrate; and

etching the second oxide layer using a blanket etch method.

6. The manufacturing method of the semiconductor memory device according to claim 1 , wherein the semiconductor memory device is a silicon storage technology (SST) flash non-volatile memory (NVM).

7. A semiconductor memory device comprising:

a floating gate formed on a semiconductor substrate, the floating gate having a sidewall spacer shape;

a dielectric layer spacer formed at one side wall of the floating gate;

a third oxide layer formed over the floating gate and the dielectric layer; and

a control gate formed over the third oxide layer;

wherein shapes of the floating gate and the dielectric layer spacer are symmetric.

8. The semiconductor memory device according to claim 7 , further comprising:

a first oxide layer formed at a second side wall of the floating gate, the second side wall being opposite the one side wall having the dielectric layer spacer,

wherein the third oxide layer extends over an upper surface of the first oxide layer.

9. The semiconductor memory device according to claim 7 , wherein the third oxide layer extends onto a portion of the semiconductor substrate at a side of the dielectric layer spacer.

10. The semiconductor memory device according to claim 7 , wherein the floating gate and the control gate each comprise polysilicon material.

11. The semiconductor memory device according to claim 7 , wherein the dielectric layer comprises an oxide.

12. The semiconductor memory device according to claim 7 , wherein the semiconductor memory device is a silicon storage technology (SST) flash non-volatile memory (NVM).

13. The semiconductor memory device according to claim 8 , wherein the first oxide layer and the dielectric layer spacer have different shapes, respectively.

Assignments (7)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Aug 27, 2021
From: CAVIUM INTERNATIONAL
To: MARVELL ASIA PTE LTD.
Reel/Frame 057336/0873 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 25, 2021
From: MARVELL TECHNOLOGY CAYMAN I
To: CAVIUM INTERNATIONAL
Reel/Frame 057279/0519 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 23, 2021
From: INPHI CORPORATION
To: MARVELL TECHNOLOGY CAYMAN I
Reel/Frame 056649/0823 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 24, 2017
From: DONGBU HITEK, CO., LTD.
To: INPHI CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 041375/0257 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT REMOVE PATENT NO. 878209 FROM EXHIBIT B PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AT REEL: 034009 FRAME: 0157. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE ASSIGNMENT. Recorded Oct 24, 2014
From: DONGBU HITEK, CO., LTD.
To: INPHI CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 034087/0097 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Oct 15, 2014
From: DONGBU HITEK, CO., LTD.
To: INPHI CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 034009/0157 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Dec 9, 2009
From: KIM, DAE IL
To: DONGBU HITEK CO., LTD.
Reel/Frame 023628/0354 →