Patent ID: 7442989
Filing Date: 2008-10-28
Classification: B82Y,H01L

Abstract:
1. A nonvolatile semiconductor memory device comprising: (a) a first insulator film formed above a semiconductor substrate; (b) silicon nitride dots formed on said first insulator film; (c) a second insulator film formed on said silicon nitride dots; (d) a conductive film formed on said second insulator film; (e) first and second semiconductor regions formed in said semiconductor substrate; (f) a channel region located between said first and second semiconductor regions, wherein (g) programming is performed by injecting charges from said channel region into said silicon nitride dots on a first end portion of said channel region on a side of said first semiconductor region or into said silicon nitride dots on a second end portion of said channel region on a side of said second semiconductor region, and wherein (h) said and second insulator films are silicon oxide films, and wherein (i) surface portions of said silicon nitride dots are higher in nitrogen concentration than central portions of said silicon nitride dots.