Patent ID: 9331160
Filing Date: 2016-05-03
CPC Classification: H01L

Claim Text:
1. A method for forming a non-volatile memory (NVM) cell having a gap protection zone, comprising: forming a gate for a split-gate non-volatile memory (NVM) cell over a substrate; forming a doped region within the substrate adjacent the gate using at least one of a p-type dopant or an n-type dopant; and removing a first portion of the doped region to leave a second portion of the doped region within the substrate adjacent the gate, the second portion providing a gap protection zone region; wherein before the forming a doped region step, the method further comprises forming a halo doped region adjacent the gate using a directional implant processing step, the halo doped region being deeper than the gap protection zone region, having a lower doping concentration than the gap protection zone region, and having an opposite dopant type from the gap protection zone region.