US 6,204,126 B1 · Method to fabricate a new structure with multi-self-aligned for split-gate flash

Abstract

A method is disclosed for forming a split-gate flash memory cell where the floating gate of the cell is self-aligned to isolation, to source and to word line. This multi-self-aligned structure, which provides the maximum shrinkage of the cell that is possible, is also disclosed. The multi-self-alignment is accomplished by first defining the floating gate at the same time the trench isolation is formed, and then self-aligning the source to the floating gate by using a nitride layer as a hard mask in place of the traditional polyoxide, and finally forming a polysilicon spacer to align the word line to the floating gate. Furthermore, a thin floating gate is used to form a thin and sharp poly tip through the use of a “smiling effect” to advantage. The tip substantially decreases the coupling ratio of the floating gate to the word line for fast erasing speed, while at the same time increasing the coupling of the source to the floating gate with the attendant increase in the programming speed of the split gate flash memory cell.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A method of forming a multi-self-aligned structure for a split-gate flash comprising the steps of:

providing a semiconductor substrate having shallow trench isolation (STI) formed therein and active regions defined;
forming a gate oxide layer over said substrate;
forming a thin floating gate over said gate oxide layer, wherein said floating gate is vertically self-aligned to said STI;
forming a high temperature oxide (HTO) layer over said thin floating gate;
forming a thick nitride layer over said HTO layer;
growing an inter-poly oxide layer over said thick nitride layer, wherein a sharp thin poly tip is formed employing smiling effect in said thin floating gate;
forming a spacer control gate over said inter-poly oxide wherein said spacer control gate is vertically self-aligned to said floating gate;
forming a common source line self-aligned to said floating gate and said control gate;
and
forming a drain to complete forming of said split-gate flash memory cell.

7 more elements

A method of forming a multi-self aligned structure for a split-gate flash comprising the steps of:

providing a semiconductor substrate;
forming a gate oxide layer over said substrate;
forming a first polysilicon layer over said gate oxide layer;
forming a first nitride layer over said first polysilicon layer;
forming shallow trench isolation (STI) and defining active regions in said substrate;
forming isolation oxide in said STI;
forming high temperature oxide (HTO) over said substrate;
forming second nitride layer over said HTO layer;
forming a first photoresist mask to define a floating gate;
etching said second nitride layer, said HTO layer, and underlying said first polysilicon layer through said first photoresist mask to form a floating gate, wherein said floating gate is vertically self-aligned to said STI;
removing said first photoresist mask;
growing inter-poly oxide layer over said second nitride layer, wherein a sharp thin poly tip is formed employing smiling effect in said floating gate;
forming a second polysilicon layer over said substrate, including over said inter-poly oxide layer;
etching said second polysilicon layer to form a spacer control gate;
forming a second photoresist mask over said substrate;
removing portions of said second polysilicon layer and isolation oxide over source line region;
forming a common source self-aligned to said floating gate and said spacer control gate;
removing said second photoresist mask;
and
forming a drain to complete forming of said split-gate flash memory cell.

17 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Method to fabricate a new structure with multi-self-aligned for split-gate flash

Life of this patent

Method to fabricate a new structure with multi-self-aligned for split-gate flash

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20