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US4769340A
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Method for making electrically programmable memory device by doping the floating gate by implant
Assignee: Rohm Usa Inc
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Filing: 1986-04-17
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Granted: 1988-09-06
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Expires: 2006-04-17
Abstract
Abstract In the present invention, asperity in the floating gate of an EPROM or EEPROM device is reduced. An improved process for fabricating ultrahigh coupling interpoly isolation dielectrics comprising a structure of oxide-nitride-oxide is disclosed. The first oxide is grown on undoped LPCVD polycrystalline silicon (polysilicon) to reduce the grain boundary-oxidation enhancement effect at the interface of floating gate polysilicon and interpoly oxide. This results in much higher breakdown capability of interpoly dielectrics. As a consequence, the shrinkage of the interpoly electrical thickness to an extent far beyond current limitation becomes possible. Implanted dopants through interpoly oxide into the floating gate polysilicon also eliminate the oxidation enhanced diffusion from conventional POCl 3 doped polysilicon into tunnel oxide. The phosphorus induced trap in the tunnel oxide region are reduced. The EEPROM threshold window can remain open beyond 10 6 cycles.
Inventors
- 👤 Thomas T. L. Chang
- 👤 Chun Ho
- 👤 Arun K. Malhotra
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 23:33
CPC Classifications
H; H10; H10D; H10D30/00; H10D30/60; H10D30/69; H10D30/68; H10D30/681; H10D30/683; H10D64/00; H10D64/01; H10D64/031; H10D64/035
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
126 words
An improved method of making an electrically programmable memory device of the type having a floating gate for storing charges therein, said method including the steps of fabricating a body of single crystalline semiconductive material; thermally growing a first layer of insulating material on said body of semiconductive material; depositing a first layer of undoped semiconductive material on said first layer of insulating material; wherein said improvement comprising the steps of: thermally growing a second layer of insulating material on said first layer of undoped semiconductive material; implanting a doping material through said second layer of insulating material into said first layer of semiconductive material to form said floating gate; and forming a second layer of conductive semiconductive material over said second layer of insulating material.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
126 words
An improved method of making an electrically programmable memory device of the type having a floating gate for storing charges therein, said method including the steps of fabricating a body of single crystalline semiconductive material; thermally growing a first layer of insulating material on said body of semiconductive material; depositing a first layer of undoped semiconductive material on said first layer of insulating material; wherein said improvement comprising the steps of: thermally growing a second layer of insulating material on said first layer of undoped semiconductive material; implanting a doping material through said second layer of insulating material into said first layer of semiconductive material to form said floating gate; and forming a second layer of conductive semiconductive material over said second layer of insulating material.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said body of single crystalline semiconductive material and said first and second layers of semiconductive material are comprised of silicon.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 2, wherein said first and second layers of silicon are polycrystalline silicon.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 3, wherein said first layer of polycrystalline silicon is deposited by low pressure chemical vapor deposition.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 4, wherein said doping material is phosphorus.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 2, wherein said first and second layers of insulating material are comprised of silicon dioxide (SiO 2 ).
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
72 words
The method of claim 1 after said implanting step further comprising the steps of removing a portion of said second layer of insulating material; and depositing a third layer of insulating material on said second layer of insulating material with the insulating material of said third layer different from the insulating material of the second layer; wherein said second layer of conductive material being deposited on said third layer of insulating material.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 7, wherein said body of single crystalline semiconductive material and said first and second layers of semiconductive material are comprised of silicon.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 8, wherein said first and second layers of silicon are polycrystalline silicon.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 8, wherein said first and second layers of insulating material are comprised of silicon dioxide (SiO 2 ).
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 10, wherein said third layer of insulating material is Si 3 N 4 .
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 10, wherein said first layer of polycrystalline silicon is deposited by low pressure chemical vapor deposition.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 12, wherein said doping material is phosphorus.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 13, wherein said removing step comprises exposing said second layer of SiO 2 to dilute HF acid.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 14 further comprising the step of exposing said third layer of insulating material to pyrogenic (H 2 /O 2 ) oxidation, forming a fourth layer of insulating material of SiO 2 .
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
70 words
The method of claim 15, wherein said depositing step for the first layer of polycrystalline silicon forms approximately 3000-4500 Angstroms; said depositing step for the second layer of SiO 2 forms substantially between 200-250 Angstroms; said removing step removes approximately 25 Angstroms of SiO 2 ; said depositing step for the third layer of Si 3 S 4 forms substantially 250 Angstroms; and said fourth layer is substantially 30-50 Angstroms.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
81 words
A method of reducing asperity in the floating gate of an electrically programmable memory device, said floating gate positioned between a first layer of insulating material and a second layer of insulating material and being of a semiconductive material, doped with a dopant, where said improvement comprising depositing said semiconductive material on said first layer; thermally growing said second layer on said semiconductive material; and ion implanting said dopant through said second layer into said semiconductive material forming said floating gate.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
81 words
A method of reducing asperity in the floating gate of an electrically programmable memory device, said floating gate positioned between a first layer of insulating material and a second layer of insulating material and being of a semiconductive material, doped with a dopant, where said improvement comprising depositing said semiconductive material on said first layer; thermally growing said second layer on said semiconductive material; and ion implanting said dopant through said second layer into said semiconductive material forming said floating gate.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 17, wherein said first and second layers are of SiO 2 ; said semiconductive material is polycrystalline silicon; and said dopant is phosphorus.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1991-09-06 | 1992-03-07 | 1992-09-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-09-06 | 1996-03-07 | 1996-09-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-09-06 | 2000-03-07 | 2000-09-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |