Patent ID: 8835295
Filing Date: 2014-09-16
Classification: H01L

Abstract:
1. A method for forming a split gate device, the method comprising: forming a first dielectric layer over a semiconductor layer; forming a first conductive gate layer over the first dielectric layer; forming a first sidewall of the first conductive gate layer, wherein the semiconductor layer includes a tunnel region which is laterally adjacent the first sidewall of the first conductive gate layer; forming second dielectric layer along the first sidewall of the first conductive gate layer; forming an oxidizable layer over the first conductive gate layer and the second dielectric layer, wherein, along the first sidewall of the first conductive gate layer, the second dielectric layer is between the first conductive gate layer and the oxidizable layer; removing a portion of the oxidizable layer from over the tunnel region of the semiconductor layer; oxidizing the oxidizable layer to form an oxide layer along the first sidewall of the first conductive gate layer; forming a charge storage layer over a portion of a top surface of the first conductive gate layer and over the oxide layer, wherein the charge storage layer is located along the first sidewall of the first conductive gate layer and over the tunnel region of the semiconductor layer; and forming a second conductive gate layer over the charge storage layer, wherein the second conductive gate layer is formed over the portion of the top surface of the first conductive gate layer, along the first sidewall of the first conductive gate layer, and over the tunnel region of the semiconductor layer.