Patent ID: 9406574
Filing Date: 2016-08-02
CPC Classification: B82Y,H01L

Claim Text:
1. A method comprising: forming a tunneling layer over a channel connecting a source and a drain formed in a surface of a substrate; forming a charge storage layer overlying the tunneling layer, the charge storage layer comprises forming a substantially trap free first layer over the tunneling layer, and forming a trap dense second layer over the first layer; forming a blocking structure on the charge storage layer by high density plasma (HDP) oxidation, wherein a thickness of the charge storage layer is reduced through oxidation of a portion of the charge storage layer during forming the blocking structure; removing at least a portion of the blocking structure; measuring the thickness of the charge storage layer, and if a measured thickness exceeds a predetermined thickness repeating the forming and removing of the blocking structure to further reduce the thickness of the charge storage layer; and if the measured thickness is less than the predetermined thickness forming a final blocking structure on the charge storage layer.