Abstract:
A method of making a non-volatile MOS semiconductor memory device includes a formation phase, in a semiconductor material substrate (50), of STI isolation regions (shallow trench isolation) (57) filled by field oxide (65) and of memory cells (500) separated each other by said STI isolation regions (57). The memory cells (500) include a gate electrode (52) electrically isolated from said semiconductor material substrate (50) by a first dielectric layer (53), and the gate electrode includes a floating gate (54) self-aligned to the STI isolation regions (57). The method includes a formation phase of said floating gate (54) exhibiting a substantially saddle shape including a concavity; the formation phase of said floating gate (54) includes a deposition phase of a first conformal conductor material layer (54A).
Abstract:
A content addressable memory cell (105) for a non-volatile Content Addressable Memory (100), including non-volatile storage means (S1,S2,S) for storing a content digit, a selection input (WL i ;WL i ,BLP j ) for selecting the memory cell, a search input for receiving a search digit (BLR j ,BLL j ), and a comparison circuit arrangement for comparing the search digit to the content digit and for driving a match output (ML i ) of the memory cell so as to signal a match between the content digit and the search digit. The non-volatile storage means include at least one Phase-Change Memory element (S1,S2,S) for storing in a non-volatile way the respective content digit.
Abstract:
A process for fabricating non-volatile memory cells on a semiconductor substrate comprises the following steps: forming a stack structure comprised of a first polysilicon layer (3) isolated from the substrate by an oxide layer (2); cascade etching the first polysilicon layer (3), oxide layer (2), and semiconductor substrate (1) to define a first portion of a floating gate region of the cell and at least one trench (6) bordering an active area (AA) of the memory cell; filling the at least one trench (6) with an isolation layer (7); depositing a second polysilicon layer (8) onto the whole exposed surface of the semiconductor; and etching away the second polysilicon layer (8) to expose the floating gate region formed in the first polysilicon layer (3), thereby forming extensions (9) adjacent to the above portion of the first polysilicon layer (3).
Abstract:
A process wherein an insulating region (13) is formed in a body at least around an array portion (51) of a semiconductor body (10); a gate region (16) of semiconductor material is formed on top of a circuitry portion (51) of the semiconductor body (10); a first silicide protection mask (52) is formed on top of the array portion; the gate region (16) and the active areas (43) of the circuitry portion (51) are silicided and the first silicide protection mask (52) is removed. The first silicide protection mask (52) is of polysilicon and is formed simultaneously with the gate region (16). A second silicide protection mask (53) of dielectric material covering the first silicide protection mask (52) is formed before silicidation of the gate region (16). The second silicide protection mask (53) is formed simultaneously with spacers (41) formed laterally to the gate region (16).
Abstract:
A cell array (1) is formed by a plurality of cells (2) including each a selection bipolar transistor (4) and a storage component (3). The cell array is formed in a body (10) including a common collector region (11) of P type; a plurality of base regions (12) of N type, overlying the common collector region (11); a plurality of emitter regions (14) of P type formed in the base regions; and a plurality of base contact regions (15) of N type and a higher doping level than the base regions, formed in the base regions (12; 42), wherein each base region (12) is shared by at least two adjacent bipolar transistors (20).
Abstract:
The phase change memory cell (5) is formed by a resistive element (22) and by a memory region (38) of a phase change material. The resistive element has a first thin portion having a first sublithographic dimension in a first direction (Y) ; and the memory region (38) has a second thin portion (38a) having a second sublithographic dimension in a second direction (X) transverse to the first dimension. The first thin portion (22) and the second thin portion (38a) are in direct electrical contact and define a contact area (58) of sublithographic extension. The second thin portion (38a) is delimited laterally by oxide spacer portions (55a) surrounded by a mold layer (49) which defines a lithographic opening (51). The spacer portions (55a) are formed after forming the lithographic opening, by a spacer formation technique.