Abstract:
A method for removing a hard mask (26') during a semiconductor fabrication process is disclosed in which a hard mask (26') material is used to pattern a first material (20). The method includes a two-step removal process that includes performing a major wet etch to remove a majority of the hard mask (26') material, followed by performing a minor dry etch that removes a remainder of the hard mask (26') material.
Abstract:
A method of protecting a SONOS flash memory cell (24) from UV-induced charging, including fabricating a SONOS flash memory cell (24) in a semiconductor device (10, 50); and depositing over the SONOS flash memory cell (24) at least one UV-protective layer (38, 46, 48 or 52), the UV-protective layer including a substantially UV-opaque material. A SONOS flash memory device (10, 50), including a SONOS flash memory cell (24); and at least one UV-protective layer (38, 46, 48 or 52), in which the UV-protective layer comprises a substantially UV-opaque material, is provided.
Abstract:
A present method of fabricating a memory device includes the steps of providing a dielectric layer (110), providing an opening (1 12) in the dielectric layer (110), providing a first conductive body ( 116A) in the opening (112), providing a switching body ( 118A) in the opening (112), the first conductive body ( 116A) and switching body (118A) filling the opening (112), and providing a second conductive body (120A) over the switching body (118A). In an alternate embodiment, a second dielectric layer (150) is provided over the first-mentioned dielectric layer (110), and the switching body (156A) is provided in an opening (152) in the second dielectric layer (150).
Abstract:
A manufacturing method is provided for an integrated circuit memory with closely spaced wordlines (525) (526) formed by using the hard mask extensions (524). A charge-trapping dielectric material (504) is deposited over a semiconductor substrate (501) and first and second bitlines (512) are formed therein. A wordline material (515) and a hard mask material (515) are deposited over the wordline material (515). A photoresist material (518) is deposited over the hard mask material (515) and is processed to form a patterned photoresist material (518). The hard mask material (515) is processed using the patterned photoresist material (518) to form a patterned hard mask material (519). The patterned photoresist is then removed. A hard mask extension material (524) is deposited over the wordline material (515) and is processed to form a hard mask extension (524). The wordline material (515) is processed using the patterned hard mask material (519) and the hard mask extension (524) to form a wordline (525), and the patterned hard mask material (519) and the hard mask extension (524) are then removed.
Abstract:
A process for forming sub-lithographic features in an integrated circuit is disclosed herein. The process includes modifying a photoresist layer (16) after patterning and development but before it is utilized to pattern the underlying layers. The modified photoresist layer (16) has different etch rates in the vertical and horizontal directions. The modified photoresist layer (16) is trimmed with a plasma etch. A feature (54) included in the trimmed photoresist layer (16) has a sub-lithographic lateral dimension.
Abstract:
In a two-step spacer fabrication process for a non-volatile memory device (1), a thin oxide layer (12) is deposited on a wafer substrate (3) leaving a gap in the core (24) of the non-volatile memory device (1). Implantation and/or oxide-nitride-oxide removal can be accomplished through this gap. After implantation, a second spacer (13) is deposited. After the second spacer deposition, a periphery spacer etch is performed. By the above method, a spacer is formed.
Abstract:
A present method of fabricating a memory device includes the steps of providing a dielectric layer (110), providing an opening (1 12) in the dielectric layer (110), providing a first conductive body ( 116A) in the opening (112), providing a switching body ( 118A) in the opening (112), the first conductive body ( 116A) and switching body (118A) filling the opening (112), and providing a second conductive body (120A) over the switching body (118A). In an alternate embodiment, a second dielectric layer (150) is provided over the first-mentioned dielectric layer (110), and the switching body (156A) is provided in an opening (152) in the second dielectric layer (150).
Abstract:
An article and method of manufacturing a semiconductor flash cell. The method includes producing an isolation formation layer (10) on a silicon substrate (12), forming an oxide (14) on the isolation formation layer (10), growing a tunnel oxide layer (16) thereon, depositing a first poly silicon layer (18), masking and etching the first poly silicon layer (18), depositing a second poly silicon layer (22) and performing a blanket etch back step, forming an oxide/nitride/oxide layer (26) forming a third poly-silicon layer (28) and depositing a silicide layer (30) thereon.
Abstract:
A process for forming sub-lithographic features in an integrated circuit is disclosed herein. The process includes modifying a photoresist layer (16) after patterning and development but before it is utilized to pattern the underlying layers. The modified photoresist layer (16) has different etch rates in the vertical and horizontal directions. The modified photoresist layer (16) is trimmed with a plasma etch. A feature (54) included in the trimmed photoresist layer (16) has a sub-lithographic lateral dimension.
Abstract:
Spin-on HSQ (52) is employed to gap fill metal layers in manufacturing a high density, multimetal layer semiconductor device. The degradation of deposited HSQ layers during formation of borderless vias (55), as from photoresist stripping using an O2-containing plasma, is overcome by treating the degraded HSQ layer (52) with an H2-containing plasma to restore the dangling Si-H bonds, thereby passivating the surface and preventing moisture absorption, before filling the via opening with conductive material (56, 57), such as a barrier layer (57).