Semiconductor memory device manufacturing method and semiconductor memory device

Abstract

In a method of manufacturing a semiconductor memory device, an opening is made in a part of an insulating film formed on a silicon substrate. An amorphous silicon thin film is formed on the insulating film in which the opening has been made and inside the opening. Then, a monocrystal is solid-phase-grown in the amorphous silicon thin film, with the opening as a seed, thereby forming a monocrystalline silicon layer. Then, the monocrystalline silicon layer is heat-treated in an oxidizing atmosphere, thereby thinning the monocrystalline silicon layer and reducing the defect density. Then, a memory cell array is formed on the monocrystalline silicon layer which has been thinned and whose defect density has been reduced.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.