Patent ID: 8455268
Filing Date: 2013-06-04
Classification: H01L

Abstract:
1. A method of replacing a first top oxide over charge storage elements of a memory cell, comprising: providing a memory cell on a semiconductor substrate and between bit line dielectrics, the memory cell comprising a charge storage layer over the semiconductor substrate and a first poly over the charge storage layer, the charge storage layer comprising two charge storage elements separated by a central dielectric, a first charge storage dielectric material adjacent to and below the charge storage elements, a second charge storage dielectric material adjacent to and above the charge storage elements, and the first to oxide adjacent to and above the second charge storage dielectric material; removing the entire first poly to expose the first top oxide and the central dielectric; removing the entire first top oxide to expose the second charge storage dielectric material; removing an upper portion of the central dielectric and at least a portion of the central dielectric touching side surfaces of the charge storage elements; and forming a second top oxide on the second charge storage dielectric material.