Method of manufacturing field-effect transistors utilizing self-aligned techniques

The present invention deals with a semiconductor memory circuit device, in which a memory array portion of a rectangular shape consisting of semiconductor non-volatile memory elements is formed on a main surface of the semiconductor substrate, a low voltage driver circuit (decoder) is formed along a side of the memory array portion, and a high voltage driver circuit is formed along an opposite side of the memory array portion. This permits a reduction in word line length and avoids crossing of the word lines to permit increased operation speed and, particularly, increased reading speed.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention relates to a semiconductor device, and more 
specifically to a semiconductor device such as a semiconductor memory 
circuit device employing semiconductor non-volatile memory elements which 
enable information to be written down and erased, as well as to a method 
of manufacturing the same. 
Conventionally known semiconductor non-volatile memory elements can be 
represented by insulated gate field effect transistors of the type which 
employs a trap in the gate insulation film or of the type which employs a 
floating gate. With the insulated gate field effect transistors of this 
type, a threshold voltage changes from one stable value to another stable 
value when the electric charge is poured into the trap or the floating 
gate in the gate insulation film due to hot carriers which are produced by 
the tunnel effect or the avalanche breakdown. The state of the one 
threshold voltage is corresponded to, for example, "0" in the binary 
signal and the state of the another threshold voltage is corresponded to 
"1" in the binary signal. 
The above-mentioned electric charge can be removed by a suitable method. 
Therefore, the insulated gate field effect transistors of the 
above-mentioned type have the advantage that they can be used as 
non-volatile memory elements which enable information to be written down 
and erased. 
A plurality of the semiconductor non-volatile memory elements are orderly 
arrayed, for example, on a semiconductor substrate, and are selected to 
read or write information. 
To write the information, the above-mentioned semiconductor non-volatiles 
memory elements require signals of a voltage which is greater by several 
times than the voltage of the signals which are used for reading the 
stored information. 
However, since limitation is often imposed on the signal levels depending 
upon the characteristics of the circuit elements, the semiconductor memory 
circuit device requires a specially designed circuit to deal with the 
signals of the high levels. 
Further, the construction of the semiconductor memory circuit device tends 
to be complicated depending upon the circuit device for processing the 
signals of high levels. Therefore, particular attention must be given with 
regard to that the semiconductor substrate will not become bulky and 
performance such as operation speed will not be decreased. 
Further, the semiconductor circuit device must be realized based chiefly 
upon the insulated gate field effect transistors, and it is further 
required to employ bipolar transistors to constitute the circuit as well 
as to enhance the function. It is therefore required to realize the 
semiconductor circuit device in the form of a so-called semiconductor 
integrated circuit which is formed on a piece of a semiconductor 
substrate. In producing the semiconductor integrated circuit devices, 
furthermore, it is required to enhance the manufacturing efficiency. 
Consequently, it is required to realize the electronic circuits through a 
manufacturing process which is simplified as far as possible. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
The object of the present invention is to provide a semiconductor memory 
circuit device which employs semiconductor non-volatile memory elements, 
and which features high speed of operation. 
Another object of the present invention is to provide a semiconductor 
memory circuit device which can be produced in small size employing 
semiconductor non-volatile memory elements. 
A further object of the present invention is to provide a semiconductor 
memory circuit device in which the individual circuit devices are arrayed 
at desirable positions on the semiconductor substrate. 
Still further object of the present invention is to provide a novel 
semiconductor memory circuit device employing semiconductor non-volatile 
memory elements which enable the information to be electrically written 
down or erased like the insulated gate field effect transistors which 
employ the trap of the gate insulation film. 
Yet further object of the present invention is to provide a semiconductor 
memory circuit device of a construction which is suited for the 
semiconductor non-volatile memory elements which enable the information to 
be electrically written down or erased. 
Still another object of the present invention is to provide a circuit 
device which is suited for processing high-voltage signals. 
A further object of the present invention is to provide a circuit device 
which will have a high degree of unbreakability. 
Another object of the present invention is to provide a novel circuit 
device which includes bipolar transistors and insulated gate field effect 
transistors. 
Still another object of the present invention is to provide a method of 
manufacturing semiconductor integrated circuit devices for materializing 
the above-mentioned variety of electronic circuit devices. 
In accordance with one construction of the present invention, a memory 
array portion of a square shape constructed of a plurality of 
semiconductor non-volatile memory elements is formed on the main surface 
of a semiconductor substrate, a low voltage driver circuit partially 
comprising a plurality of insulated gate field effect transistors is 
formed along one side of the memory array, and a high voltage driver 
circuit comprising a plurality of insulated gate field effect transistors 
is formed along another side of the memory array which is opposite to the 
side the low voltage driver is formed along.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
The aforementioned objects and construction of the present invention will 
become apparent from the below-mentioned detailed description and the 
accompanying drawings. 
The invention is illustrated below in detail with reference to the 
embodiments. 
In the following embodiments, although not specifically restricted, an 
insulated gate field effect transistor (or a so-called MNOS 
FET--metal-nitride-oxide semiconductor field effect transistor) having a 
gate insulation film or a double layer construction consisting of a very 
thin silicon oxide film and a relatively thick silicon nitride film formed 
thereon, is used as a semiconductor non-volatile memory element. The MNOS 
FET is capable of not only electrically writing information that is to be 
stored but also electrically erasing information. 
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of the MNOS FET. An n-type source region 2 
and an n-type drain region 3 are formed being separated on the surface of 
a p-type silicon region 1. A gate electrode consisting of an n-type 
polycrystal silicon is formed on the surface of the p-type silicon region 
1 between the source region 2 and the drain region 3, via a gate 
insulation film which consists of a silicon oxide film 4 of a thickness 
of, for example, 2 nm (nanometers) and a silicon nitride film 5 of a 
thickness of 50 nm. The p-type silicon region 1 constitutes a substrate 
gate region for the MNOS FET. 
In the erased state or when no information is being written down, the gate 
voltage VG vs. drain current ID characteristics of the MNOS FET are as 
represented by a curve A of FIG. 2, and the threshold voltage assumes a 
negative value of, for example, 4 volts (hereinafter written as -4[V]). 
To write or erase the information, the gate insulation film is subjected to 
a high electric field so that carriers can be poured by the tunnel 
phenomenon. 
When information is being written down, a voltage 0 [V] which is nearly 
equal to the ground voltage of the circuit is applied to the substrate 
gate 1, and a high voltage of, for example, +25 [V] is applied to the gate 
electrode 6. The source region 2 and the drain region 3 are served with a 
low voltage of nearly 0 [V] or a high voltage of +20 [V] depending upon 
information that is to be written down. 
A channel 7 is induced in the surface of the silicon region 1 between the 
source region 2 and the drain 3, responsive to the positive high voltage 
applied to the gate electrode 6. The potential of the channel 7 is equal 
to the potential of the source region 2 and the drain region 3. 
As the voltage of 0 V is applied to the source region 2 and to the drain 
region 3 as mentioned above, an electric field of an increased intensity 
acts upon the gate insulation film responsive to a high voltage of the 
gate electrode 6. Therefore, carriers consisting of electrons are poured 
from the channel 7 to the gate insulation film due to the tunnel 
phenomenon. The VG-ID characteristics of the MNOS FET change from the 
curve A to a curve B as shown in FIG. 2. Namely, the threshold voltage 
changes from -4 [V] mentioned above to, for example, +1 [V]. 
When the voltage of +20 [V] is applied to the source region 2 and the drain 
region 3 as mentioned above, a potential difference between the gate 
electrode 6 and the channel 7 decreases to several volts. When the 
potential difference is so small as mentioned above, it becomes difficult 
to pour the electrons relying upon the tunnel phenomenon. Therefore, the 
characteristics of the MNOS FET remain as indicated by the curve A in FIG. 
2. 
In the semiconductor memory circuit device, a plurality of MNOS FET's are 
connected to a single digit line. During the above-mentioned writing 
operation, the voltage mentioned above is applied to the selected MNOS 
FET's. Gates of the MNOS FET's which are not selected are served with a 
voltage which is close to 0 [V], or the source region and the drain region 
are surved with a voltage which is as great as +20 [V] as mentioned above. 
To erase the stored information, the gate insulation film is subjected to 
an intense electric field of a direction opposite to that of the electric 
field that was established when information was written down. The intense 
electric field of the opposite direction gives rise to the occurrence of 
the tunnel phenomenon, so that carriers consisting of positive holes are 
allowed to flow into the gate insulation film. In this case, part of the 
electrons poured when information is being written down is reversely 
poured into the substrate, and the remainder of the electrons is 
neutralized by the positive holes. Accordingly, the characteristics of the 
MNOS FET return again from the curve B to the curve A of FIG. 2. 
In order to erase information according to the embodiment of the present 
invention, a high voltage of positive polarity such as +25 [V] is applied 
to the substrate gate 1 while applying 0 [V] to the gate electrode 6, 
instead of applying a high voltage of negative polarity to the gate 
electrode 6 while applying 0 [V] to the substrate gate 1, as will become 
obvious from the subsequent description. With the high voltage of positive 
polarity being applied to the substrate gate 1, it is allowed to simplify 
the circuit formation for applying a high voltage to the gate electrode 6. 
Further, a high voltage of the same polarity can be used to write or erase 
information. Consequently, it is allowed to reduce the number of external 
terminals of the semiconductor memory circuit device and to reduce the 
number of power supplies for driving the semiconductor memory circuit 
device. 
Since the characteristics of the MNOS FET is represented by either the 
curve A or the curve B of FIG. 2, information stored in the MNOS FET can 
be read by detecting the electrically conductive state between the source 
and the drain when the gate voltage VG is, for example, 0 [V]. To select 
any one of a plurality of MNOS FET's connected to a single digit line 
using a signal of one polarity, a unit memory element (hereinafter 
referred to as memory cell) must be made up of an MNOS FET Q.sub.1 and a 
switching insulated gate field effect transistor (hereinafter referred to 
as switching MISFET) which is connected in series therewith, as 
illustrated by an equivalent circuit of FIG. 3. During the reading mode, 
the gate voltage of the MNOS FET Q.sub.1 is maintained at 0 [V], and the 
gate voltage of the switching MISFET acquires 0 [V] or a positive voltage 
such as +5 [V], depending upon a selection signal. 
FIG. 4 illustrates the circuit of a semiconductor memory circuit device 
employing memory cells of FIG. 3. 
The memory circuit includes circuits for forming signals of relatively low 
voltages, such as X decoders, Y decoders, control circuits and the like, 
as well as circuits for forming signals of relatively high voltages, such 
as writing circuits, erasing circuits and the like. 
Although there is no particular limitation, a low power-supply voltage of 
+5 [V] is supplied to a power supply terminal VCC for the circuits which 
form the above-mentioned low-voltage signals. Depending upon the 
power-supply voltage, the high level of the low-voltage signals is set to 
be nearly +5 [V], and the low level is set to be 0 [V] which is nearly 
equal to ground potential of the circuit. 
A high-voltage terminal VPP is provided for a circuit device to supply a 
high voltage to the writing circuit and to the erasing circuit. When the 
circuit device performs operation for writing information or erasing 
information, a high voltage of about +25 [V] is supplied to the 
high-voltage terminal VPP. Depending upon the high voltage, the high level 
of the high-voltage signals is set to be nearly +25 [V] or +20 [V], and 
the low level is set to be nearly 0 [V]. 
In FIG. 4, reference numeral MA represents a memory array which includes 
memory cells MS11 to MS22 that are arrayed in the form of a matrix. The 
gates of switching MISFET's Q.sub.2 of each of the memory cells MS11, MS12 
which are arrayed along the same row, are commonly connected to a first 
word line W11, and the gates of each of MNOS FET's Q.sub.1 are commonly 
connected to a second word line W12. Similarly, the gates of switching 
MISFET's of the memory cells MS21 and MS22 arrayed along another row, are 
commonly connected to a first word line W21, and the gates of the MNOS 
FET's are also commonly connected to a second word line W22. 
The drains of switching MISFET's Q.sub.2 of the memory cells MS11, MS21 
which are arrayed along the same column, are commonly connected to a digit 
line D1, and the sources of MNOS FET's are commonly connected to a 
reference potential line ED1. Similarly, the drains of switching MISFET's 
of the memory cells MS12 and MS22 arrayed along another column, and the 
sources of MNOS FET's are commonly connected to a digit line D2 and a 
reference potential line ED2, respectively. 
According to the embodiment of the present invention, memory stored in the 
MNOS FET's is erased by applying a positive high voltage to the substrate 
gate. Therefore, the semiconductor region forming the memory cells is 
electrically separated from the semiconductor region which forms 
peripheral circuits such as X decoders and Y decoders, as will be 
mentioned below. The semiconductor region consists, for example, of a 
p-type well region formed on the surface of the n-type semiconductor 
substrate as will be mentioned later. 
To erase the information, the individual memory cells may be formed in the 
individual well regions, or the memory cells which are arrayed along the 
same row or the same column may be formed in a common well region. 
According to this embodiment, however, the whole memory cells or a memory 
array MA is formed in a common well region. 
In FIG. 4, a line WELL is connected to the well region which serves as a 
common substrate gate of the memory array MA. 
The first word lines W11 and W21 are connected to the output terminals of 
the X decoders XD1 and XD2, respectively, and the second word lines W12 
and W22 are connected to the output terminals of the writing circuits WA1, 
WA2, respectively. 
The X decoder XD1 consists, as shown in FIG. 4, of a depletion-type load 
MISFET Q.sub.3 which is connected between the power supply VCC and the 
output terminals, and enhancement-type MISFET'sQ.sub.4 to Q.sub.6 which 
are connected between the output terminal and the ground terminal and 
which receive, through the individual gates, non-inverted outputs or 
inverted outputs fed from the address buffers B.sub.0 to B.sub.6. The X 
decoder XD1 substantially constitutes a NOR circuit. When not selected, 
the X decoder XD1 produces a low-level signal of nearly 0 [V] onto the 
word line W11 responsive to a signal of the high level fed to at least any 
one of the address input lines a0 to a6, and when selected, signals of all 
of the address input lines a0 to a6 become of the low level, so that a 
high-level signal of about 5 [V] is produced. 
The X decoder XD 2 is constructed in the same way as the above X decoder 
XD1 with the exception that different address input lines are connected. 
In FIG. 4, further, the depletion-type MISFET such as MISFET Q.sub.3 is 
denoted by a mark which is different from the mark of enhancement-type 
MISFET's. 
A writing circuit WA1 consists of MISFET's Q15 and Q16 which are connected 
in series between the first word line W11 and the output terminal (second 
word line W12), a MISFET Q19 which is connected between the output 
terminal and the power-supply terminal VPP to which will be applied a 
voltage of +25 [V] during the writing and erasing operations, and MISFET's 
Q17 and Q18 which are connected in series between the output terminal and 
the ground terminal. The gate of the MISFET Q15 is connected to a writing 
control line We, the gate of the MISFET Q18 is connected to a 
reading/erasing control line vp, and the gates of the MISFET's Q16 and Q17 
are connected to the power-supply terminal VCC. 
Owing to a control circuit CRL of a construction which will be mentioned 
later, the signal of the writing control line We assumes the low level of 
nearly 0 [V], and the signal of the control line vp assumes the high level 
of nearly +5 [V], except the moment of writing operation. Therefore, the 
MISFET Q1 remains in a non-conductive state, and the MISFET Q18 remains in 
a conductive state. The output terminal (second word line W12) is 
connected to the ground terminal of the circuit via MISFET's Q17 and Q18 
which are connected in series, and assumes a potential which is nearly 0 
[V]. 
During the writing operation, a high voltage of +25 [V] is applied to the 
power supply terminal VPP, a high-level signal of nearly +5 [V] is applied 
to the writing control line We so that the MISFET Q15 is rendered 
conductive, and a signal of nearly 0 [V] is applied to the control line vp 
so that the MISFET Q18 is rendered non-conductive. 
Due to the conductive state of the MISFET Q15 and the non-conductive state 
of the MISFET Q18, the signal level of the second word line W1w is 
determined by the signal level of the first word line W11. 
Namely, when the MISFET's Q4 to Q6 for driving the X decoder XD1 are all 
rendered non-conductive to select the first word line W11, no current path 
is established for the MISFET's Q16, Q15 and for the driving MISFET's Q4 
to Q6. Therefore, a voltage +25 [V] which is nearly equal to the voltage 
at the power supply terminal VPP appears on the second word line W12 via 
the MISFET Q19. In other words, responsive to a voltage of nearly +5 [V] 
applied to the addressed first word line, a voltage of nearly +25 [V] is 
impressed upon the addressed word line. 
When the first word line W11 is not selected, i.e., when at least any one 
of the MISFET's Q4 to Q6 for driving the X decoder XD1 is turned on, there 
is established a current path for grounding the output terminal (second 
word line W12) via MISFET's Q16, Q15, and driving MISFET's Q4 to Q6. 
Consequently, the output terminal assumes a potential which is nearly 0 
[V]. 
In the writing circuit WA1, the MISFET's Q16 and Q17 which receive the 
power supply votage VCC at all times through the gate, work to prevent the 
high-voltage signals applied to the second word line W12 from being 
limited by the breakdown of either the MISFET Q15 or the MISFET Q18. 
Namely, if the MISFET Q17 is omitted, the high voltage (+25 [V]) of the 
second word line W12 will be impressed upon the drain D of the MISFET Q18. 
Since a low voltage of nearly 0 [V] is applied from the control line vp to 
the gate of the MISFET Q18, a depletion layer which would spread around 
the drain junction of the MISFET Q18 is restricted in the vicinity of the 
gate due to the low voltage of the gate. Therefore, the drain junction of 
the MISFET Q18 is broken down at a relatively small voltage. 
When the MISFET Q17 is provided as shown in FIG. 4, the voltage applied to 
the drain of the MISFET Q18 is clamped to a voltage which is equal to a 
value that has increased by a threshold voltage of the MISFET Q17 over the 
power supply voltage VCC. As a result, the MISFET Q18 is prevented from 
being broken down. The MISFET Q17 possesses a relatively high drain 
withstand voltage since its gate is connected to the power supply VCC. 
The MISFET Q16 is also employed because of the same reasons as mentioned 
above with reference to the MISFET Q17. 
According to this embodiment, the construction employing the aforementiond 
well region can be effectively utilized. 
The load MISFET Q19 in the writing circuit WA1 is formed in a well region 
which is independent of the well region forming other MISFET's such as Q15 
to Q18. Namely, the substrate gate of the MISFET Q19 is electrically 
separated from the substrate gates of other MISFET's. 
As shown in FIG. 4, the load MISFET Q19 has the substrate gate and the 
source which are short-circuited, so that a high voltage will not be 
applied from the substrate gate to the channel between the source and the 
drain. 
Apart from the connection shown in FIG. 4, when the substrate gate is 
connected to the ground terminal like other MISFET's, a great voltage is 
required for the output terminal (second word line W12), whereby the 
threshold voltage of the MISFET Q19 caused by the substrate bias effect 
becomes considerably greater than that of the MISFET for treating the low 
voltage. Consequently, greatly increased voltage must be supplied to the 
high-voltage terminal VPP relative to the voltage which is required for 
the output terminal (second word line W12). 
In the case of the diagramatized connection, on the other hand, the voltage 
of the substrate gate becomes equal to the voltage of the source, whereby 
the increase in the threshold voltage of the MISFET Q19 caused by the 
substrate bias effect can be substantially neglected. As a result, the 
high voltage supplied to the high-voltage terminal VPP can be relatively 
decreased. 
By employing the construction which permits decreased voltage to be applied 
to the high-voltage terminal VPP as mentioned above, a variety of pn 
junctions to which is connected the high-voltage terminal VPP need not 
have abnormally high withstand voltage, or undesirable leakage current in 
the pn junctions can be reduced. It is further allowed to prevent the 
induction of undesirable parasitic channel on the surface of the 
semiconductor that will be caused by the electric field established by the 
wiring connected to the high-voltage terminal VPP. 
The reference potential lines ED1 and ED2 of the memory array MA have been 
connected to a writing inhibit circuit IHA1. 
Referring to the writing inhibit circuit IHA1, a unit switching circuit is 
composed of MISFET's Q20 and Q21 which are connected in series between the 
reference potential line ED1 and the ground terminal. The MISFET Q21 in 
the unit switch circuit receives a control signal from the control circuit 
CRL via a control line r. During the operation for reading the stored 
information, the control signal acquires a level of +5 [V] so that the 
MISFET Q21 is rendered conductive, and during the operations for writing 
and erasing the information, the control signal acquires a level of 0 [V] 
so that the MISFET Q21 is rendered non-conductive. 
Therefore, during the operation for reading information, the unit switching 
circuit causes the reference potential line ED1 to assume a level of 
nearly 0 [V]. 
A MISFET Q22 is connected between the reference potential line ED1 and a 
high-voltage signal line IHV. The high-voltage signal line IHV receives a 
signal of a high level of nearly +20 [V] during the writing and erasing 
operations, and a signal of nearly 0 [V] during the reading operation, 
such signals being generated by a writing inhibit voltage generator IHA2 
which will be mentioned later. 
Therefore, when the MISFET Q21 of the unit switching circuit is rendered 
non-conductive during the writing and erasing operations, the reference 
potential line ED1 is served with a high voltage from the high-voltage 
signal line IHV via the MISFET Q22. 
A unit switching circuit same as the above-mentioned unit switching 
circuit, consisting of MISFET's Q23 and Q24, is connected between the 
reference potential line ED2 and the ground terminal, and a MISFET Q25 is 
connected between the reference potential line ED2 and the high-voltage 
signal line IHV. 
In the writing inhibit circuit IHA1, the MISFET's Q20 and Q23 which receive 
through the gate the power supply voltage VCC of +5 [V], are employed 
because of the same reasons as the MISFET's Q16 and Q17 employed for the 
writing circuit WA1, since the high voltage is applied to the reference 
potential lines ED1 and ED2. 
Like the aforementioned MISFET Q19, the MISFET's Q22 and Q25 are formed in 
the independent well regions in order to prevent the threshold voltage 
from being increased by the substrate bias effect, and so that the voltage 
of the reference potential lines ED1 and ED2 will not be decreased 
relative to the high voltage of the high-voltage signal line IHV. 
A Y gate circuit YG0 is connected between the digit lines D1, D2 of the 
memory array MA and the common digit line CD. 
In the Y gate circuit YG0, a unit gate circuit is constituted by MISFET's 
Q11 and Q12 which are connected in series between the digit line D1 and 
the common digit line CD, and the digit line D1 and the common digit line 
CD are coupled together responsive to the output of the Y decoder YD1. 
Similarly, MISFET's Q13 and Q14 constitute another unit gate circuit which 
couples the digit line D2 and the common digit line together responsive to 
the output of the Y decoder YD2. 
High-voltage signals appear on the digit lines D1, D2 during the writing 
and erasing operations. Therefore, the unit switching circuit in the 
Y-gate circuit YG0 employs MISFET's Q12 and Q14 as shown in FIG. 4 to 
receive the power supply voltage of +5 [V] through the gate thereof. 
Y decoders YD1, YD2 are constructed in the same manner as the 
above-mentioned X decoders XD1 and XD2, and selectively receive 
non-inverted signals a7 to a10 as well as inverted signals a7 to a10 which 
are produced from address buffers B7 to B10, and product on the output 
lines Y1 and Y2 decode signals of the high level of +5 [V] when they are 
selected and decode signals of the level 0 [V] when they are not selected. 
A sense circuit IOS and a data input circuit IOW are connected to the 
common digit line CD which is connected to the Y gate circuit YG0. 
The sense circuit IOS consists, as shown in FIG. 4, of a load MISFET Q47 in 
which the gate is connected to the source thereof, and a switching MISFET 
Q48 which receives through the gate thereof a signal from the control line 
r. During the reading mode, the signal on the line r acquires the high 
level of +5 [V] so that the switching MISFET Q48 is rendered conductive. 
The output of the sense circuit IOS is fed to an output buffer circuit IOR 
which consists of inverters IN14, IN15, NOR circuits NR3, NR4 and MISFET's 
Q49 and Q50. 
In the output buffer circuit IOR, input terminals on one side of the NOR 
circuits NR3, NR4 are connected to a control line CS1. During the reading 
mode, the signal of the control line CS1 assumes the low level of 0 [V], 
and during the writing and erasing modes, the signal of the control line 
CS1 assume the high level of +5 [V]. Another input terminal of the NOR 
circuit NR3 is connected to the output terminal of the inverter IN14, and 
another input terminal of the NOR circuit NR4 is connected to the output 
terminal of the inverter IN15 which receives the output of the inverter 
IN14. 
Therefore, during the reading mode, the NOR circuits NR3 and NR4 produce 
signals of opposite phases with respect to each other. The MISFET's Q49 
and Q50 which are connected in series are driven in a push-pull manner by 
the NOR circuits NR3 and NR4. 
When the signal of the control line CS1 is of the high level, both of the 
NOR circuits NR3 and NR4 produce low-level signals of 0 [V] so that 
MISFET's Q49 and Q50 are rendered non-conductive. The output terminal of 
the output buffer circuit IOR is connected to the input/output terminal 
P0. When the MISFET's Q49 and Q50 are rendered non-conductive 
simultaneously, the output impedance of the output buffer circuit becomes 
extremely great, whereby the input signal applied to the input/output 
terminal P0 is not restricted. 
In the output buffer circuit IOR, the MISFET Q49 which is connected between 
the power supply terminal VCC and the output terminal, is formed in a well 
region which is independent of the well region of other MISFET's. The well 
region which serves as the substrate gate is connected to the source 
thereof. Therefore, the threshold voltage is not substantially increased 
by the substrate bias effect, and the output buffer circuit IOR produces 
signals of the high level which is nearly equal to the power supply 
voltage VCC. 
The data input circuit IOW consists, as shown in FIG. 4, of an input buffer 
circuit IN16, a MISFET Q51 which is controlled by the output of the input 
buffer circuit IN16, and a MISFET Q52 which is connected between the drain 
of the MISFET Q51 and the common digit line CD and which receives through 
the gate thereof a signal supplied from the control line We. 
The writing inhibit voltage generator IHA2 consists of MISFET's Q26 to Q36 
as shown in FIG. 4. The MISFET's Q26 to Q28 constitute a first 
high-voltage inverter, which produces a high-voltage signal from the 
output terminal thereof, i.e., from the drain of the MISFET Q27 upon 
receipt of a low-voltage control signal from the control line We. Owing to 
the connection as shown in FIG. 4, the level of the output signal changes 
from nearly 0 [V] to VPP. The MISFET's Q29 to Q31 constitute a second 
high-voltage inverter, which produces a high-voltage signal through the 
drain of the MISFET Q30 upon receipt of the same signal as that of the 
first high-voltage inverter. The level of the output signal changes from 
nearly +5 [V] (VCC) to VPP. MISFET's Q32 to Q36 constitute a high-voltage 
push-pull circuit. In the first and second high-voltage inverters and the 
push-pull output circuit, the MISFET's Q27, Q30 and Q35 which are 
connected between the MISFET's Q28, Q31, Q36 that receive control signals 
and the output terminals, and which receive the power supply voltage of +5 
[V] through the gates thereof, are provided to assure high output voltage 
of the circuit, like the aforementioned MISFET's Q16 and Q17. The load 
MISFET's in the first and second high-voltage inverters have substrate 
gates which are connected to the sources as shown in FIG. 4, so that the 
output voltage will not be decreased by the substrate bias effect, and so 
that the MISFET's Q33, Q32 and Q34 in the push-pull output circuit can be 
sufficiently operated. 
In the push-pull output circuit, the MISFET Q32 is used to control the 
voltage applied to the drain of the MISFET Q33 when the output of the 
first high-voltage inverter is nearly 0 [V]. Namely, when the output of 
the first high-voltage inverter is nearly 0 [V], the reference voltage of 
the second high-voltage inverter assumes a lower voltage of +5 [V]; the 
second high-voltage inverter produces an output of +5 [V]. Consequently, a 
voltage +5 [V] is applied to the gate of the MISFET Q32, so that the drain 
voltage of the MISFET Q33 is restrained. The MISFET Q34 works to restrain 
the high voltage applied from the output line IHV to the source of the 
MISFET Q33 when the voltage of the output line IHV is raised to +20 [V] by 
the high-voltage output of the first and second high-voltage inverters, 
and when the output of the first and second high-voltage inverter is 
turned into the low level of nearly 0 [V]. Consequently, undesirable 
breakdown is prevented in the source and drain junctions of the MISFET Q33 
when it undergoes the switching operation. 
The erasing circuit ERS consists of a high-voltage inverter made up of 
MISFET's Q40 to Q42, and a push-pull circuit made up of MISFET's Q43 to 
Q46 and a bipolar transistor Q44. The above high-voltage inverter is 
constructed in the same manner as the writing inhibit voltage generator 
circuit IHA2. 
In the push-pull output circuit, the bipolar transistor Q44 and the MISFET 
Q43 are connected in parallel, and are driven by the output of the 
high-voltage inverter. The well region for forming the memory array 
constitutes a heavy capacitive load for the erasing circuit as will become 
obvious from the construction of the circuit device that will be mentioned 
later. Therefore, the eraser circuit ERS must have sufficiently low output 
impedance characteristics so that information can be erased at high 
speeds. In a semiconductor integrated circuit device, the bipolar 
transistor may be formed in a relatively small size (area) to exhibit 
sufficiently small operation resistance characteristics for the MISFET's. 
Therefore, the erasing circuit ERS which employs the bipolar transistor 
Q44 as an output transistor and which is formed in the semiconductor 
integrated circuit device occupying a small area, as shown in FIG. 4, 
works to drive the well region of the memory array MA at sufficiently high 
speeds. Construction and method of producing the bipolar transistor which 
is formed on the same semiconductor substrate together with the MISFET's, 
will be mentioned later. 
When only the bipolar transistor Q44 having a threshold voltage (voltage 
across the base and the emitter) of, for example, 0.6 [V] is used for the 
erasing circuit ERS, the voltage signal produced onto an output line e is 
decreased by an amount equal to the threshold voltage of the transistor 
Q44 even when the high-voltage inverter consisting of MISFET's Q40 or Q42 
has produced a signal of a voltage nearly equal to the power supply 
voltage VPP. 
In the erasing circuit ERS shown in FIG. 4, the depression-type MISFET Q43 
is connected in parallel with the bipolar transistor Q44, the substrate 
gate of the MISFET Q43 being formed integrally with the substrate gate of 
the load MISFET Q40 of the high-voltage inverter, and the gate of the 
MISFET Q43 being further connected together with the substrate gate 
thereof to the source of the load MISFET Q40, i.e., connected to the 
output terminal of the high-voltage inverter. Since the high potential of 
the substrate gate rises nearly to the power supply voltage VPP, the 
threshold voltage of the MISFET Q43 is not substantially increased by the 
substrate bias effect. Therefore, the high voltage in the output line e is 
raised by the MISFET Q43 to a value nearly equal to the power supply 
voltage VPP. 
The substrate gate of the MISFET Q43 may be connected to the source 
thereof, i.e., to the output line e. Even in the this case, it is allowed 
to prevent the output level of the output line e from being decreased by 
the substrate bias effect. With this circuit formation, however, the well 
region which serves as a substrate gate for the MISFET Q40 must be 
separated from the well region which serves as a substrate gate for the 
MISFET Q43. Since a predetermined gap must be provided between the well 
regions, there arises disadvantage that the required areas of the 
semiconductor substrate must be increased. 
The control circuit CRL consists of inverters IN1 to IN12, NAND circuits 
NA1 to NA4, NOR circuits NR1, NR2, and MISFET's Q37 to Q39 which are 
connected in series. The control circuit CRL receives writing control 
signals, chip selection signals, writing signals and erasing signals 
through the external terminals PGM, CS and VPP, and produces control 
signals onto the lines CS1, r, We, We and vp upon receipt of an output 
signal from the writing inhibit voltage generator IHA2. 
The signals supplied to the terminal VPP are high-voltage signals of +25 
[V] which are commonly used as power supply voltage for the writing 
circuits WA1, WA2, writing inhibit voltage generator IHA2 and erasing 
circuit ERS. 
The control circuit CRL includes a level shift circuit consisting of 
MISFET's Q37 to Q39 so that the writing or erasing operation can be 
controlled only when the signal of the terminal VPP has exceeded a 
predetermined level. 
The operation of the semiconductor memory circuit of FIG. 4 is illustrated 
in the following way with reference to timing charts of FIGS. 5 to 7. FIG. 
5 is a timing chart for the reading operation, and FIG. 6 is a timing 
chart for the erasing operation. FIG. 7 is a timing chart for illustrating 
the writing operation. 
During the reading mode, the writing control signal at the terminal PGM 
assumes the low level of nearly 0 [V]. Further, the potential at the 
terminal VPP assumes nearly 0 [V] or is floated. Writing and erasing 
control signal of nearly 0 [V] appear on the drain of the MISFET Q39 which 
is receiving a voltage VCC of +5 [V] through the gate. 
Signals on the control lines r, We and vp assume the high level and the 
signal on the control line We assumes the low level, owing to the writing 
control signal of the low level of the terminal VPP and the writing and 
erasing signals of the low level of the drain of the MISFET Q39. 
Therefore, the reference potential lines ED1 and ED2 of the memory array MA 
assume the potential of nearly 0 [V] due to the writing inhibit circuit 
IHA1, and the second word lines W12, W22 also assume the potential of 
nearly 0 [V] due to the writing circuits WA1, WA2. 
Although there is no particularl limitation, the timing is set, for 
example, at a time t.sub.0 responsive to memory cells which are selected 
by the signals introduced through the address input terminals A0 to A10. 
For example, when the memory cell being selected is MS11, the output of 
the X decoder XD1 assumes the high level owing to the outputs of the 
address buffers B0 to B6, and the output of the Y decoder YD1 assumes the 
high level owing to the outputs of the address decoders B7 to B10. 
Consequently, a current path is formed between the drain of the MNOS FET Q1 
of the memory cell MS11 and the common digit line CD via MISFET's Q11 and 
Q10, digit line D1, and switching MISFET Q2. Further, the signal of the 
high level of the control line r establishes a current path between the 
common digit line CD and the load MISFET Q47 of the sense circuit IOS. 
When the MNOS FET Q1 in the memory cell MS11 is conductive as indicated by 
the characteristics curve A of FIG. 2, the output line of the sense 
circuit IOS is grounded via the above-mentioned current path and the MNOS 
FET Q1. As a result, the output line of the sense circuit IOS assumes the 
low level. When the MNOS FET Q1 of the memory cell MS11 is non-conductive 
as indicated by the characteristics curve B of FIG. 2, no current path is 
formed relative to the load MISFET Q47, whereby the output line of the 
sense circuit IOS assumes the high level. 
At a time t.sub.1 shown in FIG. 5, a chip selection signal at the terminal 
CS is converted from the high level to the low level, and a signal on the 
control line CS1 assumes the low level at a time t.sub.2. Therefore, the 
output buffer circuit IOR no longer maintains the state of high output 
impedance, and produces a signal which corresponds to the output level of 
the sense circuit IOS. For example, when the sense circuit IOS is 
producing a signal of the high level, the output buffer circuit IOR 
produces a signal of the high level to the output terminal. 
At a time t.sub.3, the chip selection signal is converted from the low 
level to the high level and, at a time t.sub.4 the signal of the control 
line CS1 is converted from the low level to the high level; accordingly, 
the output buffer circuit IOR assumes again the state of high output 
impedance. 
To erase information, the writing and erasing signals of +25 [V] are 
applied beforehand to the terminal VPP, and the chip selection signal of 
the low level of 0 [V] is applied to the terminal CS. 
The signal on the control line vp assumes the high level due to the chip 
selection signal of the above-mentioned level, and the writing circuits 
WA1 and WA2 render the second word lines W12, W22 to assume the potential 
of nearly 0 [V]. 
As the writing control signal assumes the high level at a time t.sub.10 as 
shown in FIG. 6, the output of the NAND circuit NA4 assumes the low level. 
The low-level signal of the NAND circuit NA4 renders MISFET's Q42 and Q46 
in the erasing circuit ERS to be non-conductive; the high voltage of +25 
[V] is produced on the output line e. 
Since the signals on the second word lines W12, W22 are 0 [V] as mentioned 
above, the well region WELL assumes the high voltage of +25 [V] due to the 
output of the erasing circuit ERS, and the high voltage for erasing 
information is applied to the gate insulation films of MNOS FET's in the 
memory array. 
The positive voltage in the well region works to bias, in the forward 
direction, the source junction and the drain junction of the MNOS FET Q1 
and the switching MISFET Q2 in the memory cell. Therefore, the voltage 
applied to the well region is decreased provided a current path is formed 
between the ground terminal of the circuit and at least any one of the 
reference potential lines ED1, ED2, digit lines D1, D2. 
The circuit shown in FIG. 4 operates as mentioned below in order to prevent 
the voltage of the well region from being decreased. 
The signal on the control line r assumes the low level responsive to the 
writing control signal which assumes the high level nearly at the same 
time as the above time t.sub.10. 
Due to the signal on the control line r, the MISFET's Q21 and Q24 of the 
writing inhibit circuit IHA1 and the MISFET Q36 of the writing inhibit 
voltage generator IHA2 are rendered non-conductive. Consequently, the 
reference potential lines ED1, ED2 of the memory array are substantially 
floated. 
The signal on the control line We assumes the low level responsive to the 
low level of the chip selection signal. Therefore, the MISFET Q52 in the 
data input circuit IOW connected to the common digit line CD remains in 
the non-conductive state. The MISFET Q48 in the sense circuit IOS 
connected to the common digit line DC, on the other hand, is rendered 
non-conductive by the signal of the control line r. 
As the common digit line CD is floated, the digit lines D1, D2 in the 
memory array MA are floated irrespective of the operation of the Y gate 
YG0. 
As the signal at the terminal PGM returns to the low level at a time 
t.sub.11, the output of the erasing circuit ERS returns to the low level 
as well. 
The operation for erasing information is carried out under the state in 
which the chip is selected, while the operation for writing information is 
carried out under the state in which the chip is not selected, i.e., under 
the state in which the signal of the terminal CS is of the low level. To 
carry out the writing operation, writing and erasing signals of +25 [V] 
are applied beforehand to the terminal VPP. 
Referring to FIG. 7, an address signal a is set at a time t.sub.20 to 
select, for example, the memory cell MS11. Namely, the first word line W11 
assumes the high level owing to the X decoder XD1, and the line Y1 assumes 
the high level owing to the Y decoder YD1. 
At a time t.sub.21, information to be written is applied to the terminal 
P0. When information to be written is "0", the terminal P0 assumes the 
potential 0 [V], whereby the MISFET Q51 of the data input circuit IOW 
receives a signal of the high level of +5 [V] from the input buffer 
circuit IN16, and is rendered conductive. When information to be written 
is "1", i.e., when information to be written is +5 [V], the MISFET Q51 is 
rendered non-conductive by the output 0 [V] produced by the input buffer 
circuit IN16. 
As the writing control signal at the terminal PGM assumes the high level at 
a time t.sub.22, the signal of the control line r assumes the low level at 
a time t.sub.23, lagging slightly behind the time t.sub.22 due to the 
inverters IN1, In2 and NOR circuit NR2 in the control circuit CRL. 
Consequently, MISFET's Q21, Q24 of the writing inhibit circuit IHA1, 
MISFET Q36 of the writing inhibit voltage generator IHA2, and MISFET Q48 
of the sense circuit IOS are rendered non-conductive. 
The signal of the control line We assumes the low level at a time t.sub.24 
which lags slightly behind the time t.sub.23. Responsive to the signal of 
the control line We, the writing inhibit voltage generator IHA2 produces a 
high voltage of about +20 [V] applied to the line IHV, whereby the 
reference potential lines ED1, ED2 of the memory array assumes the 
potential of +20 [V]. 
The signal of the control line We assumes the high level at nearly the same 
time as the time t.sub.24. Accordingly, the MISFET Q52 in the data input 
circuit IOW is rendered conductive. At the same time, MISFET's Q15 in the 
writing circuits WA1, WA2 are turned on . 
As the signal of the output line IHV in the writing inhibit voltage 
generator IHA2 assumes a sufficiently high voltage, the control circuit 
CRL which receives the signal of the line IHV produces a signal of the low 
level which is applied to the control line vp at a time t.sub.25. The 
signal of the control line vp initiates the writing as will be described 
below. Namely, with the signal for initiating the writing being produced 
after the signal of the line IHV has assumed a sufficient writing inhibit 
level, it is possible to prevent information from being erroneously 
written on the memory cells which are not selected. 
Due to the low-level signal of the control line vp, the MISFET Q18 in the 
writing circuits WA1, WA2 is rendered non-conductive. Since the first word 
line W11 has been selected to assume the potential of about +5 [V], the 
writing circuit WA1 produces a high voltage of about +25 [V] which is 
applied to the second word line W12. 
Since the first word line W21 is not selected and is at the potential of 
nearly 0 [V], the writing circuit WA2 produces the output of nearly 0 [V] 
which is applied to the second word line W22. 
The MNOS FET Q1 in the memory cell MS11 that is to be selected is coupled 
to the MISFET Q51 which receives the output of the input buffer circuit 
IN16, via switching MISFET Q2, digit line D1, MISFET's Q12, Q11 of the Y 
gate YG0, common digit line CD and MISFET Q52. When information to be 
written is "1", the MISFET Q51 which is rendered conductive causes the 
drain and source of the MNOS FET Q1 in the memory cell MS11 to assume the 
potential of nearly 0 [V], and electrons are injected into the gate 
insulation film due to the high voltage of the gate (second word line 
W22). When information to be written is "0", the MISFET Q51 which is in 
the non-conductive state causes the source and drain of the MNOS FET Q1 in 
the memory cell MS11 to assume the voltage +20 [V] which is produced by 
the writing inhibit voltage generator IHA2. Therefore, no electrons are 
injected. Since the signal of the second word line W22 is nearly 0 [V], no 
information is written on the memory cell MS21 of another row which is 
connected to the same digit line D1. 
Another digit line D2 is maintained at +20 [V] by the output of the writing 
inhibit voltage generator IHA2 since the MISFET Q13 in the corresponding Y 
gate YG0 is non-conductive. 
As the writing control signal at the terminal PGM assumes the low level at 
a time t.sub.26, the signals on the control lines vp, We, r assume the 
high level at times t.sub.27, t.sub.28 and t.sub.29 as shown in FIG. 7. 
The signals on the second word line W12 and the reference potential line 
ED1 assume the level of nearly 0 [V], correspondingly. 
The semiconductor memory circuit according to the present invention can be 
constructed to have a capacity which is relatively as great as, for 
example, 16 kilobits. 
FIG. 8 is a block diagram of the semiconductor memory circuit employing the 
circuit of FIG. 4. 
Referring to FIG. 8, the memory array MA contains, for example, 16,384 bits 
of memory cells which are arrayed in 128 rows.times.128 columns. The 
memory array MA is equipped with the X decoder XD which selects memory 
cells of 128 rows upon receipt of address input signals of 7 bits from the 
address buffers B0 to B6. There are further provided eight Y gates YG0 to 
YG7, each of which selects 16 columns of memory cells. These Y gates are 
controlled by the Y decoder YD which receives address input signals of 4 
bits from the address buffers B7 to B10. The Y gates YG0 to YG7 are 
provided with input/output circuits I0 to I7 which include the sense 
circuit, the output buffer circuit and the data input circuit that are 
illustrated in FIG. 4. There is provided a writing inhibit circuit IHA 
which includes MISFET's Q20 to Q22 as shown in FIG. 4 for each of the 
columns of memory cells, and which further contains a writing inhibit 
voltage generator, and writing circuits WA are provided for the rows of 
memory cells. There are further provided a control circuit CRL and an 
erasing circuit ERS. 
Therefore, the semiconductor memory circuit of FIG. 8 stores information 
consisting of 11 bits, i.e., stores information consisting of 8 bits in 
2048 addresses. 
As mentioned above, the X decoder can be simply constructed by constituting 
the memory cells using MNOS FET's and switching MISFET's, and by forming 
the X decoder independently of the writing circuit. Therefore, the word 
lines can be selected by the X decoder at a high speed, making it possible 
to provide a memory circuit which features high-speed operation. 
Sources of MISFET's Q22 and Q25 in the writing inhibit circuit may be 
connected to the digit lines D1, D2 instead of the reference potential 
lines ED1, ED2 which are shown in FIG. 4. Even the above-mentioned 
connection enables the writing inhibit voltage to be fed to the memory 
array. In this case, however, attention should be given to the fact that 
stray capacitance such as junction capacitance of MISFET's Q22 and Q25, 
interconnection capacitance, and the like, is coupled to the digit lines 
D1, D2, so that a limitation is imposed on the speed of changing the 
signals of the digit lines when the stored information is being read out, 
or information is being written down. When the MISFET's Q22 and Q25 are 
connected to the reference potential lines ED1, ED2 as shown in FIG. 4, 
the speed for changing the signals of the digit lines can be increased. 
The above-mentioned circuits are formed on a semiconductor substrate by the 
semiconductor integrated circuit technique. 
According to the present invention, the above circuits are so arrayed on 
the semiconductor substrate that the circuit characteristics are not 
restricted, and the size of the semiconductor substrate being employed is 
not increased. 
FIG. 9 illustrates patterns for the circuits and wiring formed on the 
silicon substrate 1. 
The X decoder XD is arrayed at the center on the surface of the substrate 
1. The memory array is divided into two groups MA1 and MA2, the one group 
MA1 being arrayed on the left side of the X decoder XD and the other group 
MA2 being arrayed on the right side of the X decoder XD. 
On the left side of the memory array MA1 is formed a writing circuit WAa, 
and on the right side of the memory array MA2 is formed a writing circuit 
WAb. 
On the upper side of the memory array MA1 is formed a Y gate TGa, and on 
the upper side of the memory array MA2 is formed a Y gate YGb. A Y decoder 
YD is disposed between the Y gate YGa and the Y gate YGb, i.e., the Y 
decoder YD is disposed on the upper side of the X decoder XD. 
As indicated by the dotted area, a wiring region WIR is formed around the 
memory arrays, X decoder, writing circuits, Y gates and Y decoders. 
Writing inhibit circuits IHAa and IHAb are disposed beneath the memory 
arrays MA1 and MA2 with the wiring region WIR being interposed 
therebetween. 
On the surface around the substrate 1 are formed an input/output circuit 
I0, control circuits CRL1 and CRL2, and input buffer circuits A1 to A12. 
On the surface around the substrate 1 are further formed bonding pads P1 
to P26 for connecting various input terminals and output terminals to the 
terminals of external units. 
To form the circuit of FIG. 8, each of the memory arrays MA1 and MA2 has a 
size of 128 rows.times.64 columns. The first corresponding word lines in 
the memory arrays MA1 and MA2 are simultaneously selected by the X decoder 
XD. The input line to the X decoder XD is connected via wiring in the 
wiring region WIR to the input buffer circuits which are arrayed around 
the substrate 1. 
Responsive to the output of the Y decoder YD, the Y gates YGA and YGb 
simultaneously select the digit lines of the corresponding memory arrays 
MA1 and MA2. The Y gates YGa and YGb are connected to the input/output 
circuit I0 via wiring in the wiring region WIR. 
The writing inhibit circuits IHa and IHb are connected to the reference 
potential lines of the memory arrays MA1 and MA2 via wirings in the wiring 
region WIR. 
According to the embodiment of the present invention as mentioned in the 
foregoing, well regions are used for the memory arrays and for the 
peripheral circuits. 
FIG. 10 illustrates a well region pattern which is formed on the surface of 
the silicon substrate 1 to correspond to the circuit arrangement of FIG. 
9. FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view along the line A--A' of FIG. 10. 
Referring to FIGS. 10 and 11, p-type well regions 10a and 10b are formed 
independently of each other on the surface of the n-type silicon substrate 
1 to form the memory arrays. 
A p-type well region 11 is formed around the well regions 10a, 10b in order 
to form peripheral circuits such as X decoders, Y decoders, Y gates, 
writing circuits, writing inhibit circuits, input/output circuits, input 
buffer circuits and control circuits. 
On the upper side of FIG. 10 are formed independent well regions 11a and 
11b which are indicated on an exaggerated scale and which are separated 
from the p-type well region 11, in order to form MISFET's which connect 
the source to the substrate gate, like the MISFET Q49 in the output buffer 
circuit IOR of FIG. 4. 
On the left side of the p-type well region 10a and on the right side of the 
p-type well region 10b are formed independent p-type well regions 11c to 
11d and 11e to 11f in order to form MISFET's like the MISFET Q19 in the 
writing circuit WA1 of FIG. 4. Beneath the paper of FIG. 10 are formed 
p-type well regions 11g to 11h and 11i to 11j, which are independent of 
other p-type well regions, in order to form MISFET's which require 
independent substrate gates like the writing inhibit circuit IHA1 and 
writing inhibit voltage generator IHA2 of FIG. 4. 
Though not illustrated in FIG. 10 or FIG. 11, the n-type silicon substrate 
1 is exposed at a predetermined portion in the p-type well region 11 to 
form a MISFET as will be mentioned later. 
According to this embodiment as mentioned above, a variety of p-type well 
regions are formed on the n-type silicon substrate 1, whereby it is 
possible to form various effective elements such as transistors to 
construct a semiconductor memory circuit device. 
For example, channel stoppers for preventing parasitic channels are formed 
as will be mentioned later by the ion implantation on the surface of the 
n-type silicon substrate 1 among the plurality of p-type well regions, and 
are effectively utilized. 
FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of a MISFET which features high withstand 
voltage characteristics, in which reference numeral 11m denotes a p-type 
well region, 21 denotes an n-type channel stopper which is formed in the 
surface of the substrate 1 so as to stretch into a portion of the well 
region 11m, 95 and 96 denote an n.sup.+ -type drain region and a source 
region, 63 denotes a gate insulation film composed of silicon oxide, 60 
denotes a thick silicon oxide film which covers the surfaces of the 
substrate 1 and the well regions other than the regions which form 
elements such as MISFET's, 84 denotes a gate electrode composed of an 
n-type polycrystalline silicon, 120 denotes an insulation film composed of 
a phosphorus silicate glass, and 121 and 122 denote a drain electrode and 
a source electrode composed of vaporized aluminum. 
In FIG. 12, a substantial drain region of the MISFET is composed of the 
region 95 for contacting the electrode 121 and the channel stopper 21. The 
channel stopper 21 works to prevent the parasitic channels from being 
induced on the surface of the n-type substrate 1, and has a relatively 
small concentration of impurities. Therefore, the channel stopper 21 of a 
portion which is stretched onto the p-type well region 11m acquires a 
resistivity which is sufficiently greater than that of the region 95 which 
is contacted to the electrode 121. The MISFET of FIG. 12 utilizes the 
channel stopper as a portion of the drain region as mentioned above, and 
features a great drain withstand voltage. 
According to the embodiment of the present invention, therefore, the n-type 
substrate 1 is connected to the high-voltage terminal VPP (refer to FIG. 
4), and the MISFET of which the drain is connected to the high-voltage 
terminal VPP is utilized as a MISFET of the construction as illustrated in 
FIG. 12. In other words, the depression-type MISFET's Q26, Q29 and Q32 in 
the writing inhibit voltage generator IHA2, the depression-type MISFET's 
Q19 in the writing circuits WA1, WA2, the depression-type MISFET's Q40 and 
Q43 in the erasing circuit ERS, and the enhancement-type MISFET Q37 in the 
level shift circuit in the control circuit CRL or in the voltage dividing 
circuits Q37 to Q39 in FIG. 4, are constructed in a way as illustrated in 
FIG. 12. 
As will become obvious from the subsequent description, the depression-type 
MISFET's are formed by implanting the n-type impurities such as phosphorus 
ions into the surface of the p-type well region 11m which is located 
beneath the gate electrode 84. 
FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of an npn transistor, in which the n-type 
substrate 1 serves as a collector region for the transistor, the p-type 
well region 11n serves as a base region, and the n.sup.30 -type region 97 
serves as an emitter region. The n.sup.+ -type region 97 is formed 
simultaneously with the region for forming the source region and drain 
region of the MISFET. The npn transistor is employed for the erasing 
circuit ERS of FIG. 4. 
The MNOS FET's and MISFET's may be so constructed as to possess an aluminum 
gate, but should preferably be so constructed as to possess a silicon gate 
as mentioned earlier. 
Therefore, prior to illustrating the construction of elements and wirings 
for forming the circuits by the silicon gate technique, below is described 
a method of manufacturing the elements and wirings so that the invention 
can be easily comprehended. 
Below is described in detail a process for forming a MNOS FET, an 
enhancement-type MOS FET (enhancement-type metal-oxide-semiconductor field 
effect transistor), a depression-type MOS FET and a bipolar transistor on 
a piece of a semiconductor substrate with reference to FIGS. 14A to 14O. 
(A) A silicon wafer of the n-type single crystal having a crystal surface 
(100) and a resistivity of 8 to 12 ohms/cm (an impurity concentration of 
about 5.times.10.sup.14 cm.sup.-3) is used as a substrate wafer 1. To form 
the well having a low impurity concentration maintaining good 
reproduceability, the resistivity of the wafer should be as great as 
possible (the impurity concentration should be small). In this embodiment 
of EAROM (electrically alterable read only memory), however, the silicon 
wafer having an impurity concentration of the above-mentioned degree is 
employed since the impurity concentration in the well has been selected to 
be about 3.times.10.sup.15 cm.sup.-3. 
After the surface of the silicon wafer 1 is washed using a suitable washing 
liquid (an O.sub.3 --H.sub.2 SO.sub.4 liquid or an HF liquid), a silicon 
oxide (SiO.sub.2) film 2 is formed to a thickness of about 50 nm by the 
thermal oxidation method, and a silicon nitride (Si.sub.3 N.sub.4) film 3 
is formed to a thickness of about 100 to 140 nm by the CVD (chemical vapor 
deposition) method, as shown in FIG. 14A. The Si.sub.3 N.sub.4 film was 
formed by using a vertical CVD apparatus which effects the reaction under 
ordinary pressure, using a lateral CVD apparatus which effects the 
reaction under ordinary pressure, using a lateral CVD apparatus which 
effects the reaction under reduced pressure, and the like. There was found 
no serious difference in the Si.sub.3 N.sub.4 film. The film formed by 
using the low-pressure CVD apparatus, however, exhibited the greatest 
uniformity in the film thickness, which was within .+-.3 % in the wafer, 
so that the film could be finely machined in the subsequent steps. A 
preferred deposition temperature ranges from 700.degree. to 1000.degree. 
C. although it slightly varies depending upon the method. The results were 
the same even for forming the Si.sub.3 N.sub.4 film. 
(B) Then, a photoresist film 4 is formed on the Si.sub.3 N.sub.4 film 3 
only on the portions (between well and well) except the regions where 
wells will be formed by the photoetching method. Namely, the Si.sub.3 
N.sub.4 film 3 is exposed on the surfaces of the regions where the wells 
will be formed. Under this state, the Si.sub.3 N.sub.4 film of the exposed 
portions is removed by the plasma etching method, so that the SiO.sub.2 
film 2 is exposed as shown in FIG. 14B. Thereafter, utilizing the 
photoresist film 4 as a mask, boron ions are implanted at an implanting 
energy of 75 KeV and in a total dosing quantity of 3.times.10.sup.12 
/cm.sup.2 into the silicon substrate of portions without the photoresist 
film through the exposed SiO.sub.2 film 2, thereby to form p-type 
semiconductor regions 5 and 6. 
(C) After the resist film 4 has been removed, wells are formed by diffusion 
in an atmosphere of dry oxygen. Boron atoms serve as impurities in the 
form of acceptor in silicon; therefore, a p-type well is formed. When 
diffused at 1200.degree. C. for 16 hours, the resulting p-type wells 10, 
11 have a surface concentration of about 3.times.10.sup.15 cm.sup.-3 and a 
diffusion depth of about 6 .mu.m. These values, however, are found from 
the measurement of surface resistivity by the four-probing method and from 
the measurement of diffusion depth by the stained etching method, based on 
the assumption that the impurities in the well assume a Gaussian 
distribution. The diffusion is carried out in the oxygen atmosphere in 
order to form uniform wells of a low concentration. 
After the well diffusion has been completed, SiO.sub.2 films 12, 13 of a 
thickness of about 0.85 .mu.m will have been formed on the surfaces of the 
well regions 10, 11, and an oxide film of about 50 nm will have been 
formed on the Si.sub.3 N.sub.4 film 3. After the SiO.sub.2 film of a 
thickness of about 50 nm is removed by the etching, silicon oxide films 
12, 13 of a thickness of about 0.8 .mu.m are left on the surface of the 
wells, and the Si.sub.3 N.sub.4 film 3 is exposed between the wells, as 
illustrated in FIG. 14C. 
(D) Referring to FIG. 14D, the Si.sub.3 N.sub.4 film 3 is removed by 
etching using, for example, a hot phosphoric acid solution (H.sub.3 
PO.sub.4), such that SiO.sub.2 films 14, 15 and 16 of a thickness of about 
50 nm that were initially formed, are exposed among the wells. In this 
state, the SiO.sub.2 film of a thickness of about 0.8 .mu.m is formed on 
the wells, and the SiO.sub.2 film of a thickness of about 50 nm is formed 
among the wells. Under this condition, phosphorus ions are implanted into 
the entire surfaces at an energy of 125 KeV in a dosing amount of 
1.times.10.sup.13 cm.sup.-2. In this case, since thick SiO.sub.2 films 12, 
13 on the wells serve as masks, phosphorus ions are not implanted into the 
wells except the peripheral portions of the well regions, and phosphorus 
ions are implanted among the wells, such that n-type semiconductor regions 
20, 21 and 22 are formed. During the diffusion step, the wells also spread 
in the lateral directions from the end portion of the Si.sub.3 N.sub.4 
film that was used as a mask when the wells were being diffused, giving 
rise to the occurrence of difference in height of about 6 .mu.m between 
the end portion of the Si.sub.3 N.sub.4 film (end portion of the thick 
SiO.sub.2 film on the wells) and the end portion of the wells. In other 
words, the layer in which phosphorus ions are implanted is formed up to 
about 6 .mu.m in the well as measured from the end portion of the well. 
Furthermore, the layer in which phosphorus ions are implanted has a depth 
of about 1 .mu.m if it is measured after the final heating step has been 
completed. 
Thus, since the electrical conductivity among the p-type wells can be 
prevented by implanting phosphorus ions among the wells in a self-aligned 
manner, the layers 20, 21 and 22 in which phosphorus ions are implanted 
are hereinafter referred to as SAP (self aligned p-channel field ion 
implantation) layers. 
According to the above-mentioned method by which the p-type well diffusion 
regions are formed by the heat treatment in an oxidizing atmosphere using 
the Si.sub.3 N.sub.4 film as a mask, and SAP layers are formed to prevent 
the occurrence of parasitic channels among the wells by implanting n-type 
impurities in the surface of the n-type substrate among the wells using 
thick oxide film formed on the wells as a mask, it is possible to implant 
ions among the wells without increasing the number of masks, as well as to 
form the well diffusion regions and the ion-implanted layers among the 
wells in a self-aligned manner. This technique is hereinafter referred to 
as SAP method which is one of the major features of the present invention. 
Thereafter, the SiO.sub.2 films 12, 13, 14, 15 and 16 are all removed from 
the surface of the silicon substrate. In this state, n-type regions 20, 21 
and 22 are formed on the surface of the silicon substrate, the n-type 
regions 20, 21 and 22 having impurity concentrations which are greater 
than the concentrations of n-type impurities of the p-type well regions 
10, 11 and of the substrate. Furthermore, a stepped portion 17 of about 
0.4 to 0.5 .mu.m is formed at the boundary among the above-mentioned 
regions. BY utilizing the stepped portion, masks can be aligned in the 
subsequent step of photoetching. 
Thereafter, a step of a so-called LOCOS (local oxidation of silicon) 
oxidation is carried out. 
(E) After the SiO.sub.2 film has been removed from the entire surfaces of 
the silicon substrate as mentioned above, an SiO.sub.2 film 24 of a 
thickness of about 50 nm is formed on the entire surfaces of the substrate 
by the thermal oxidation method. Thereafter, as Si.sub.3 N.sub.4 film of a 
thickness of 100 to 140 nm is formed on the SiO.sub.2 film by the CVD 
method. 
Then, the photoresist film is left only on predetermined regions for 
forming the active elements relying upon the photoetching method (as 
indicated by 35, 36, 37, 38, 39 and 40 in FIG. 14E). In this state, the 
photoresist film is removed and the Si.sub.3 N.sub.4 film is exposed on 
the surfaces where a thick oxide film must be formed to isolate the 
elements. The plasma etching is then effected to remove the exposed 
Si.sub.3 N.sub.4 film, such that the SiO.sub.2 film 24 of a thickness of 
about 50 nm that was previously formed is exposed. Namely, the Si.sub.3 
N.sub.4 films 25, 26, 27, 28, 29 and 30 beneath the photoresist films 35, 
36, 37, 39 and 40 are left. Thereafter, using the photoresist films as 
masks, boron ions are implanted at an energy of 75 KeV in a total dosing 
amount of 2.times.10.sup.13 cm.sup.-2 into the silicon substrate of 
portions of without the photoresist film through the exposed SiO.sub.2 
film 24, thereby to form p-type semiconductor layers 41, 42, 43, 44, 45 
and 46. In this case, the portions where the depression-type MISFET's of 
high withstand voltage must be formed, are so designed that the end 
portions of the Si.sub.3 N.sub.4 film are located in the SAP implanted 
layer at the end portions of the wells. Therefore, the active region is 
formed spanning between the SAP layer 21 and the well as shown in FIG. 
14E. The implantation of boron ions is hereinafter referred to as field 
implantation. 
(F) After the resist film has been removed, the field oxidation is effected 
in a wet oxygen atmosphere at a temperature of 1000.degree. C. for about 4 
hours, so that an SiO.sub.2 film 60 of about 0.95 .mu.m is formed on the 
surface of the silicon substrate in a portion from which the Si.sub.3 
N.sub.4 film has been removed. Phosphorus ions by the SAP (self aligned 
p-channel field ion implantation) and boron ions by the field implantation 
are present in a mixed state in the portions where a thick field oxide 
film of about 0.95 .mu.m in thickness is formed among the wells, i.e, 
phosphorus ions and boron ions are present in a mixed manner in the 
surface of the n-type region 20 shown in FIG. 14F. Here, phosphorus ions 
are present in an amount of 1.times.10.sup.13 cm .sup.-2 which is smaller 
than the amount of boron ions of 2.times.10.sup.13 cm.sup.-2. In effecting 
the field oxidation, however, boron ions are segregated in large amounts 
into the silicon dioxide. In other words, boron ions in silicon are 
depleted in the interface with respect to SiO.sub.2. Phosphorus ions in 
silicon, however, are piled up (accumulated) in the interface with respect 
to the silicon dioxide (refer to FIGS. 15 and 16). Finally, therefore, the 
surfaces among the wells have a large phosphorus concentration, and 
sufficiently work as channel stoppers. Thus, by suitably utilizing the 
difference in behaviour of the phosphorus ions and boron ions in the 
SiO.sub.2 interface relying upon the SAP method and the LOCOS process, the 
phosphorus ions can be implanted (which is necessary for forming the drain 
of the depression-type MISFET having a high withstand voltage, that will 
be described later) at a concentration as small as possible without 
requiring the step of masking, and boron ions can be implanted (which is 
necessary for maintaining a relatively high threshold voltage for the 
parasitic MISFET) in a dosing amount greater than that of phosphorus ions, 
so that there is finally established a processing technique which is 
capable of maintaining a high phosphorus concentration. Thus, p-type 
semiconductor regions 51 to 56 are formed beneath thick oxide films formed 
on the surface of the substrate to correspond to the p-type ion implanted 
layers 41 to 46 which are shown in FIG. 14E, the p-type semiconductor 
regions 51 to 56 having a surface impurity concentration which is greater 
than the impurity concentrations in the surface of the p-type well 
diffusion regions. 
Immediately after the field oxidation has been completed, Si.sub.3 N.sub.4 
films 25 to 30 of a thickness of about 100 to 140 nm are formed on an 
SiO.sub.2 film 24 of a thickness of about 50 nm in the active region, and 
oxide films of a thickness of about 20 nm are further formed on the 
surfaces of the Si.sub.3 N.sub.4 films 25 to 30, and an SiO.sub.2 film 60 
of a thickness of about 0.95 .mu.m is formed in the field region. 
(G) After the SiO.sub.2 films of the thickness of about 50 nm are removed 
from the entire surfaces by the etching, the SiO.sub.2 film 60 of the 
thickness of about 0.9 .mu.m is left on the field region, and the 
SiO.sub.2 film 24 of the thickness of 50 nm and the Si.sub.3 N.sub.4 films 
25 to 30 of the thickness of 100 to 140 nm are left on the active region, 
whereby the Si.sub.3 N.sub.4 films are exposed. The Si.sub.3 N.sub.4 films 
25 to 30 are then removed by using, for example, a hot phosphoric acid 
(H.sub.3 PO.sub.4) solution. Therefore, the previously formed SiO.sub.2 
film 24 of the thickness of about 50 nm is left on the active region, so 
that the SiO.sub.2 film 24 can be used as a gate oxide film for the active 
MOSFET's, i.e., for the depression-type MOSFET's and the enhancement-type 
MOSFET's. However, the gate withstand voltage often tends to be decreased 
by abnormal regions (which usually are assumed to be an Si.sub.3 N.sub.4 
film) which form at the end portions of LOCOS. As illustrated in FIG. 14G, 
therefore, the thin oxide film 24 and the Si.sub.3 N.sub.4 film formed 
thereon are once removed, and the SiO.sub.2 film of a thickness of 45 nm 
is formed and is removed repetitively. Thereafter, as illustrated in FIG. 
14H, SiO.sub.2 films 62 to 67 of a thickness of about 75 nm which will be 
practically used as gate insulation films, are formed in a dry oxygen 
atmosphere being heated at 1000.degree. C. for 110 minutes. 
(H) In order to set a threshold voltage of the enhancement-type MOSFET's 
among a plurality of MOSFET's, boron ions are implanted into the entire 
surfaces through the thin gate insulation films 62 to 67 at an energy of 
40 KeV in a total dosing amount of 2.times.10.sup.11 /cm.sup.2 (regions 71 
to 76 shown in FIG. 14H). The enhancement-type MOSFET referred to here has 
a high threshold voltage and permits very little current to flow when the 
gate voltage is 0 [V]. As a matter of course, boron ions are not implanted 
into the field region which has a thick oxide film, but are implanted into 
the surface of the silicon substrate through the SiO.sub.2 films 62 to 67 
of the thickness of about 75 nm in the active region. 
(I) The EAROM mentioned in this embodiment helps the peripheral circuits 
operate at high speeds relying upon the E/D inverters. Therefore, in 
addition to the above-mentioned enhancement-type MOSFET's, it is necessary 
to form depression-type MOSFET's. The depression-type MOSFET's referred to 
here have a small threshold voltage and permit drain current to flow when 
the gate voltage is 0 [V]. To form the depression-type MOSFET's on the 
predetermined portions, a photoresist film is formed on the SiO.sub.2 
films 60, 62 to 67, the photoresist film is removed from the regions where 
the depression-type MOSFET's will be formed as shown in FIG. 14I, the 
photoresist film is left in other portions to use it as a mask as denoted 
by 80, and phosphorus ions are implanted into the predetermined portions 
only to set a threshold voltage for the depression-type MOSFET's. 
Phosphorus ions in this embodiment were implanted at an implanting energy 
of 100 KeV and in a dosing amount of 1.2.times.10.sup.12 /cm.sup.2. This 
holds true for a region of a high-withstand-voltage DMISFET (region 81 
shown in FIG. 14I). Thus, by forming depression-type MOSFET's on the 
surface in the boundary around the wells formed by the SAP method among 
the wells, it is possible to form non-volatile memory transistors, i.e., 
MNOSFET's as well as high-withstand-voltage depression-type MISFET's on 
the same chip without the need of increasing the photomasks, as will 
become more apparent from the subsequent description. 
(J) Next, after the photoresist film 80 has been removed, a polycrystal 
silicon layer is formed to a thickness of about 0.35 .mu.m on the 
SiO.sub.2 film by the CVD method at a temperature of about 580.degree. C. 
For the purpose of comparison, the polycrystal silicon layer is formed 
under ordinary pressure and under reduced pressure. There is, however, no 
significant difference in characteristics except that the latter method 
exhibits excellent uniformity in the film thickness. The polycrystal 
silicon layer is then doped with phosphorus ions by the diffusion method. 
The doping conditions in this case consist of depositing phosphorus ions 
from a POCl.sub.3 source onto the surface of the polycrystal silicon layer 
to diffuse them at a temperature of 1000.degree. C. for 20 minutes, and 
spreading the phosphorus ions on the surface such that the resistivity of 
the polycrystal silicon layer is about 15 ohms/cm.sup.2. 
Therefore, the phosphorus glass formed on the surface of the polycrystal 
silicon layer is removed by etching using a liquid containing, for 
example, hydrogen fluoride, the photoresist is left only on the 
predetermined portions by the photoetching method, and the polycrystal 
silicon layer is removed except the portions where the photoresist is left 
by the plasma etching method. Consequently, gate electrodes 83 and 84 
consisting of polycrystal silicon of the first layer are formed on the 
SiO.sub.2 film as illustrated in FIG. 14J. 
Then the gate oxide film 62 is subjected to the selective etching using the 
first polycrystal silicon layers 83, 84 as masks, so that the surface of 
the substrate is locally exposed as shown in FIG. 14J. 
(K) The oxidation is then effected in a wet oxygen atmosphere at a 
temperature of 850.degree. C. for 20 minutes, to form an SiO.sub.2 film 87 
of a thickness of about 40 nm on the exposed surface of the silicon 
substrate as well as to form SiO.sub.2 films 85 and 86 of a thickness of 
about 200 nm on the surface of the polycrystal silicon layer as shown in 
FIG. 14K. Thereafter, the entire surfaces of the SiO.sub.2 film are 
subjected to the etching to remove the SiO.sub.2 film of a thickness of 
about 60 nm, such that an SiO.sub.2 film of a thickness of about 140 nm is 
left on the polycrystal silicon layer. Thus, in order to form a thick 
oxide film on the polycrystal silicon layer, and to form a sufficiently 
thin oxide film on the surface of the silicon substrate, it is necessary 
to have the polycrystal silicon layer impregnated with phosphorus ions at 
a concentration of at least greater than 10.sup.20 cm.sup.-3, and to 
perform the oxidation at a temperature within a range of 600.degree. to 
1000.degree. C. in the wet oxygen atmosphere. 
(L) Then, utilizing the SiO.sub.2 films 85 and 86 left on the polycrystal 
silicon layer as masks, the exposed surfaces of the silicon substrate are 
subjected to slight etching using an etching solution which contains 
NH.sub.3 --H.sub.2 O.sub.2 and HCl--H.sub.2 O.sub.2. In this case, the 
SiO.sub.2 film 85 works to prevent the first polysilicon layer which is 
doped to a high concentration from being etched. 
Thereafter, a thin SiO.sub.2 film 88 of a thickness of about 2 nm is formed 
by the oxidation in an oxygen atmosphere which is diluted with nitrogen at 
a temperature of 850.degree. C. for 120 minutes, and then an Si.sub.3 
N.sub.4 film 90 of a thickness of about 50 nm is formed by the CVD method. 
The Si.sub.3 N.sub.4 film mentioned above was formed according to a 
variety of methods for the purpose of comparison. In any case, however, 
there was no problem with regard to the characteristics after they have 
been subjected to a high-temperature annealing in hydrogen atmosphere, as 
will be mentioned later. 
Then, a second polycrystal silicon layer is deposited to a thickness of 
about 0.3 .mu.m on the Si.sub.3 N.sub.4 film 90, and is treated by the 
photoetching method as shown in FIG. 14L, thereby to form a gate electrode 
91 consisting of the second polycrystal silicon layer. Using gate 
electrodes 91, 83, 84 and the thick SiO.sub.2 film 60 as masks, phosphorus 
ions are implanted into the silicon substrate at an implanting energy of 
90 KeV in a dosing amount of 1.times.10.sup.16 cm.sup.-2, to form n.sup.+ 
-type semiconductor regions 92 to 100 that can be used as source and drain 
regions. At the same time, the second gate electrode (polycrystal silicon 
layer) 91 is doped with phosphorus ions. In this case, the first 
polycrystal silicon layers 83, 84 will have already been doped with 
phosphorus ions resulting in the increase in the size of the crystalline 
particles. Therefore, phosphorus ions are likely to be implanted into the 
surface of the silicon substrate beneath the polycrystal silicon layers 
83, 84. As mentioned above, however, since the SiO.sub.2 films 85, 86 of 
the thickness of about 140 nm and the Si.sub.3 N.sub.4 film 90 of the 
thickness of 50 nm have been formed on the polycrystalline silicon layers 
83, 84, the phosphorus ions are not implanted into the surface of the 
silicon substrate. Thus, the silicon substrate of the construction shown 
in FIG. 14L is obtained. 
(M) Next, using the Si.sub.3 N.sub.4 film 90 formed beneath the gate 
electrode 91 as a mask, the surface of the gate electrode 91 is oxidized 
in a wet atmosphere at a temperature of, for example, 850.degree. C. for 
10 minutes. Using the oxide film (SiO.sub.2 film) 102 as a mask, the 
Si.sub.3 N.sub.4 film 90 is selectively removed. The second 
polycrystalline silicon layer (gate electrode 91) which is doped to a high 
concentration is protected by the SiO.sub.2 layer 102 formed thereon from 
an etching solution for treating the Si.sub.3 N.sub.4 film. On the other 
hand, the first polycrystalline silicon layers (gate electrodes 83, 84) 
are protected from the etching solution for treating the Si.sub.3 N.sub.4 
film by the SiO.sub.2 films 85, 86 that were formed prior to the formation 
of the Si.sub.3 N.sub.4 film 90. 
Under this condition, however, the withstand voltage is poor between the 
gate electrode 91 and the source region or the drain region. In other 
words, the gate insulation voltage is small. Therefore, the oxidation is 
effected in a wet atmosphere at 850.degree. C. for 30 minutes to increase 
the gate insulation voltage. At the same time, shapes at the end portions 
of the gate electrodes 83, 84 are improved to increase the withstand 
voltage. Under this condition as illustrated in FIG. 14M, the SiO.sub.2 
films 85, 86 of a thickness of about 0.3 .mu.m are formed on the gate 
electrodes 83, 84. Furthermore, SiO.sub.2 films 102, 104 to 112 of a 
thickness of about 0.2 .mu.m are formed on the gate electrode 91 and on 
the n.sup.+ -type semiconductor regions 92 to 100. 
According to the above-mentioned method, the MOS 
(metal-oxide-semiconductor) structure is formed using a material such as a 
polycrystalline silicon which withstands high temperatures as a gate 
electrode as shown in FIGS. 14J and 14K, an oxide film (SiO.sub.2 film) is 
formed on the gate electrode based upon a low-temperature oxidation 
method, a thin SiO.sub.2 film is removed from the silicon substrate (well 
region), an SiO.sub.2 film is formed again on the substrate, an Si.sub.3 
N.sub.4 film is formed on the SiO.sub.2 film to locally form gate 
electrodes of polycrystalline silicon, the surface of the polycrystalline 
silicon gate is oxidized using the Si.sub.3 N.sub.4 film as a mask to form 
an oxide film (SiO.sub.2 film), and the Si.sub.3 N.sub.4 film is removed 
using the oxide film as a mask thereby to form an MNOS 
(metal-nitride-oxide-semiconductor) structure as illustrated in FIG. 14M. 
Theefore, since the MNOS structure is formed after the MOS structure has 
been formed, characteristics of the MNOS FET's are degraded to a lesser 
extent. Further, since the gate portions of the MOS FET or MNOS FET are 
covered with an oxide film by the selective oxidation method, the 
resulting device exhibits preferred characteristics with regard to 
withstand voltage between the layers or capacitance among the layers. The 
aforementioned method also constitutes a major feature of the present 
invention. 
The MOS FET's and MNOS FET's are formed as mentioned above. FIGS. 17 to 20 
illustrate on an enlarged scale the cross sections of the MNOS FET forming 
portion and the MOS FET forming portion which are corresponding to FIGS. 
14L and 14M. With reference to FIG. 17, a polycrystalline silicon layer 91 
is locally formed on an Si.sub.3 N.sub.4 film 90 which is formed on an 
SiO.sub.2 film 88 of a thickness of as small as 10 nm, and impurities for 
forming the source and drain are introduced into the surface of the 
substrate using the polycrystalline silicon layer 91 as a mask. Then, with 
reference to FIG. 18, the surface of the polycrystalline silicon layer 91 
is oxidized utilizing the Si.sub.3 N.sub.4 film 90 as a mask, and a 
relatively thick oxide film (SiO.sub.2 film) 102 is formed on the surface 
of the polycrystalline silicon layer 91. Referring to FIG. 19, portions of 
the Si.sub.3 N.sub.4 film 90 are removed by etching with the oxide film 
102 as a mask. In this case, the thin SiO.sub.2 film 88 is also removed 
from the surface of the substrate. With reference to FIG. 20, oxide films 
(SiO.sub.2 films) 104, 105 are formed on the surfaces of the source and 
drain regions which are exposed by the heat treatment in an oxidizing 
atmosphere. Depending upon the combinations of a gate electrode material 
and an etching solution (or gas) for treating the Si.sub.3 N.sub.4 film, 
the gate electrode may often be subjected to the etching. According to the 
present invention as mentioned above, however, the gate electrode is 
patterned, the surfaces of the oxidized gate electrode is covered with an 
oxide film using the Si.sub.3 N.sub.4 film as a mask, and the Si.sub.3 
N.sub.4 film is subjected to the etching using the above oxide film as a 
mask. Therefore, the gate electrode material is not subjected to the 
etching by the etching solution for treating the Si.sub.3 N.sub.4 film, so 
that it is allowed to protect fine gate electrodes. With reference to FIG. 
20, furthermore, the Si.sub.3 N.sub.4 film 90 is completely covered by the 
SiO.sub.2 film 102 formed on the polycrystalline silicon layer 91 and by 
the SiO.sub.2 films 104, 105 formed on the surface of the silicon 
substrate (well region) 10. Through the above-mentioned sufficient 
oxidation treatment, therefore, it is allowed to form the construction of 
a so-called protected gate in a self-aligned manner, presenting such 
advantages as increased gate insulation voltage of the MNOS FET's and the 
decreased parasitic capacitance. 
Furthermore, as will be understood from FIGS. 17 to 20, two transistors, 
i.e., MNOS FET and MOS FET are formed on the same semiconductor substrate, 
and the Si.sub.3 N.sub.4 film 90 is left only beneath the gate electrode 
of the MNOS FET. Therefore, the oxidation treatment which is effected to 
increase the gate insulation voltage of the MNOS FET, causes end portions 
of the gate electrode of the MOS FET to be oxidized, so that an inverted 
pent roof construction is formed to enhance the gate insulation voltage of 
the MOS FET. Accordingly, the gate insulation voltages of the two types of 
transistors can be increased. 
(N) After the step of FIG. 14M has been finished, the SiO.sub.2 film is 
selectively removed by photoetching from the portions where the electric 
connection must be made with respect to the n.sup.+ -type layer or to the 
polycrystalline silicon layer, as shown in FIG. 14N. That is to say, the 
SiO.sub.2 film must be selectively removed by etching from portions 106, 
109 and 112 which must be electrically connected to the n.sup.+ -type 
layer, and from portions 110 and 111 which must be electrically contacted 
to the p-type well 11. Consequently, holes 114 to 118 are formed in the 
SiO.sub.2 film. In this case, the SiO.sub.2 film is removed by a thickness 
of about 0.3 .mu.m by the etching; the SiO.sub.2 film 60 which contacts to 
the p-type well is only partly removed by the etching, and there remains 
the SiO.sub.2 film of a thickness of about 0.3 .mu.m. Therefore, the 
SiO.sub.2 film other than the SiO.sub.2 film other than the SiO.sub.2 film 
60 is covered with a photoresist film, so that the SiO.sub.2 film 60 is 
removed by the etching. The holes are so formed in the photoresist film 
that they are located inside the holes that are formed in the phosphorus 
glass film. 
(O) After the photoresist film used in the above-mentioned step has been 
removed, a photosilicate glass film 120 (hereinafter referred to as 
phosphorus glass film) of a P.sub.2 O.sub.5 concentration of about 1 mole 
% is deposited on the substrate by the CVD method as illustrated in FIG. 
140, followed by the heat treatment at 900.degree. C. for 20 minutes in a 
hydrogen atmosphere, so that the phosphorus glass film is densely formed 
and the characteristics of the MNOS FET's are improved. 
Thereafter, the phosphorus glass film is removed by photoetching from the 
regions which must be electrically connected to the n.sup.+ -layer, the 
polycrystalline silicon layer and to the p-type well layer. In this case, 
holes 114 to 118 formed in the SiO.sub.2 film and holes formed in the 
phosphorus glass film have been so adjusted that they will commonly share 
at least portions of the regions, so that the surface of the silicon 
substrate or the surface of the polycrystalline silicon layer is allowed 
to be exposed. 
Here, when the holes are formed through one step in the double layer 
consisting of the phosphorus glass layer and the SiO.sub.2 layer, the size 
of the holes tends to become great since the etching rate is faster for 
the phosophorus glass than for the SiO.sub.2, and the adhesiveness is 
decreased between the photoresist and the phosphorus glass. 
As will be understood from the above description with reference to FIGS. 
14N and 14O, however, the embodiment of the present invention is free from 
such problems. This fact will become more apparent from the following 
description with reference to FIGS. 21 to 23. Namely, with reference to 
FIG. 21, holes 119 are formed in the SiO.sub.2 film 105 on the surface of 
the substrate using a mask for contact (not shown). 
Then, a phosphorus glass film 120 is deposited on the surface of the 
substrate as shown in FIG. 22. Thereafter, with reference to FIG. 23, 
holes 125 are formed in the phosphorus glass film 120 in a manner to 
commonly share a portion of the holes 119 for electric contact. Thus, the 
holes are precisely formed as designed. Although FIG. 23 illustrates the 
holes 125 formed in the phosphorus glass film in a manner which is 
slightly deviated from the holes 119 formed in the SiO.sub.2 film 105, it 
is desirable to so form the holes 125 in the phosphorus glass film that 
the entire areas of the holes 119 in the SiO.sub.2 film are exposed, and 
more desirably, that the edge portions of the SiO.sub.2 films are exposed, 
so that metal wirings such as of aluminum are not disconnected. 
(P) After the photoresist is removed, an aluminum film is formed to a 
thickness of about 0.8 .mu.m on the entire surfaces at a temperature of 
about 300.degree. C. 
Then, a wiring pattern is formed in the aluminum film by the photoetching 
method as shown in FIG. 140, thereby to form aluminum electrodes or wiring 
portions 121, 122, 123 and 124. After the photoresist is removed, the heat 
treatment is effected in a hydrogen atmosphere at about 450.degree. C. for 
60 minutes, in order to reliably attain electric contact between the 
aluminum film and the n.sup.+ -type layer, polycrystalline silicon layer 
or the p-type well, as well as to reduce the surface level. 
Through the steps (A) to (P) mentioned in detail in the foregoing, it is 
allowed to form in and on the surface of a piece of a semiconductor 
substrate 1, MOSFET's having the gate electrode 91, enhancement-type 
MOSFET's (transistors which correspond to the aforementioned switching 
MISFET's) having the gate electrode 83, depression-type MOSFET's having 
the gate electrode 84, and npn-type bipolar transistors consisting of 
semiconductor regions 97, 11 and 1 without needing additional photomasks, 
as shown in FIG. 140. In the drawings, reference numeral 121 denotes a 
source or a drain electrode of the enhancement-type MISFET, 122 denote an 
emitter electrode of the bipolar transistor, 123 denotes a base of the 
bipolar transistor and the electrode of the p-type well region 11, and 124 
denotes electrodes of the region 22 and of the substrate. 
Below is illustrated the wiring pattern of the memory array. 
FIG. 24 is a plan view of the memory array before the phosphorus glass 
layer is formed, and FIG. 25 is a plan view of the memory array after the 
aluminum wiring is formed. FIGS. 26, 27 and 28 are cross-sectional views 
along the line A--A', along the line B--B' and along the line C--C' of 
FIG. 24. 
As shown in FIGS. 26 to 28, the memory array is formed on a p-type well 
region 10a which is formed on the n-type silicon substrate 1. 
Referring to FIG. 24, the source regions, drain regions and channel regions 
of the MNOSFET's and switching MISFET's in the memory cell have been 
indicated by dot-dash lines. A thick silicon oxide film 60 is formed on 
the surface of the p-type well region 10a except the sections CH1 and CH2 
which are surrounded by a dot-dash line. 
On the surface of the p-type well region 10a have been formed a plurality 
of polycrystalline silicon layers W11, W21, W31 and W41 which serve as 
gate electrodes and first word lines of the switching MISFET's in the 
memory cell, via the silicon oxide film and in a direction to cross the 
sections CH1 and CH2. 
Similarly, there have also been formed a plurality of polycrystalline 
silicon layers W12, W22, W32 and W42 which serve as gate electrodes and 
second word lines of MNOS FET's in the memory cell. 
N-type impurities are introduced into the surfaces of the p-type well 
region 10a in the sections CH1 and CH2 which are not covered with the 
polycrystalline silicon layer, by a method as illustrated with reference 
to FIG. 14, thereby to form n.sup.+ -type regions that serve as source 
regions and drain regions of the MNOS FET's and switching MISFET's. 
The n.sup.+ -type region 92a, the polycrystalline silicon layers W11 and 
W12, and the n.sup.+ -type region 94a constitute a first memory cell in 
the section CH1. Namely, the N.sup.+ -type region 92a constitutes a drain 
region for the switching MISFET, and the polycrystalline silicon layer W11 
constitutes a gate electrode therefor. Further, the polycrystalline 
silicon layer W12 constitutes a gate electrode for the MNOS FET, and the 
N.sup.+ -type region 94a constitutes a source region therefor. The 
n.sup.+ -type region 92b adjacent to the first memory cell, the 
polycrystalline silicon layers W21 and W22, and the n.sup.+ -type region 
94b constitute a second memory cell in the section CH1. Namely, the region 
92b, the layers W21 and W22 and the region 94b constitute a drain region 
and a gate electrode for the switching MISFET, as well as a gate electrode 
and a source region for the MNOSFET. 
Similarly, the region 94c, the layers W32, W31 and the region 92c 
constitute a third memory cell, and the region 92d, the layers W41 and 
W42, and the region 94d constitute a fourth memory cell in the section 
CH1. Though not indicated by reference numerals, the first to fourth 
memory cells have also been formed in the neighbouring section CH1. 
The memory cells formed in the section CH1 constitute a first memory cell 
column, and the memory cells formed in the section CH2 constitute a second 
memory cell column. 
The polycrystalline silicon layer W11 which serves as the first word line 
has extending portions W11a to W11c which extend beneath the 
polycrystalline silicon layer W12 on the thick silicon oxide film 60 as 
illustrated in FIG. 15. 
The polycrystalline silicon layer W12 which constitutes the second word 
line, receives a high voltage of +25 [V] when information is being 
written down. Therefore, a parasitic channel is often induced on the 
surface of the p-type well region 10a beneath the polycrystalline silicon 
layer W12. The polycrystalline silicon layer W11 constitutes the first 
word line and receives signals of a low voltage of +5 [V] as mentioned 
earlier. Therefore, the parasitic channel induced on the surface of the 
p-type well region 10a beneath the polycrystalline silicon layer W12 is 
interrupted by the extending portions W11a to W11c of the polycrystalline 
silicon layer W11. 
Therefore, it is possible to prevent such an undesirable operation that the 
memory cells in the sections CH1 and CH2 are electrically coupled together 
by the parasitic channel, so that information is not written down in a 
selected memory cell. 
A phosphorus glass layer 120 is then formed on the surface of the memory 
array of FIG. 24 by the method illustrated with reference to FIG. 14. 
Then, the phosphorus glass layer 120 and the oxide film lying beneath 
thereof are selectively removed to form holes CNT1 to CNT5 (refer to FIG. 
25) such that the n.sup.+ -type region is allowed to be exposed. 
Then, aluminum is deposited by vaporization and is subjected to the 
selective etching, to form aluminum wiring layers ED1, ED2, D1 and D2 as 
shown in FIG. 25. 
Through the holes CNT1, CNT3 and CNT5, the wiring layer ED1 is allowed to 
come into contact with the n.sup.+ -type regions 94a, 94b, 94c and 94d 
(refer to FIG. 24) which serve as source regions of MNOSFET's in the first 
to fourth memory cells. Therefore, the wiring layer ED1 consitutes a 
reference potential line in the memory array. 
The wiring layer D1 through the holes CNT2 and CNT4 comes into contact with 
the n.sup.+ -type regions 92a, 92b, 92c and 92d which serve as drain 
regions of switching MISFET's in the first to fourth memory cells. 
Therefore, the wiring D1 constitutes a digit line in the memory array. 
Similarly, the wiring layers ED2 and D2 constitute another reference 
potential line and another digit line, respectively. 
According to the above-mentioned memory array as shown in FIG. 24, the 
MNOSFET's and the switching MISFET's in the memory cells in the same 
memory column are arrayed being reversed alternately. Therefore, the 
n.sup.+ -type regions of the neighbouring memory cells can be commonly 
utilized as denoted, for example, by 92a and 92b, and by 94b and 94c, such 
that the size in the direction of column can be reduced as compared with 
the case when the n.sup.+ -type regions are independently formed for each 
of the memory cells. 
Referring to FIG. 25, furthermore, the aluminum wiring layers ED1, ED2, D1 
and D2 are formed on the belt-like sections CH1 and CH2 which form memory 
cells, being tilted with respect to the direction in which the sections 
CH1 and CH2 stretch. The aluminum wiring layers are then alternately 
connected to the n.sup.+ -type regions, so that the size in the lateral 
direction of the paper is reduced as compared with the case when the 
wiring regions are independently formed for each of the sections. 
Further, since the aluminum wiring layers are used as reference potential 
lines and digit lines instead of using of using semiconductors such as 
n.sup.+ -type semiconductor wiring regions, the resistance can be 
sufficiently reduced. The reduction in the resistance of the wiring 
enables the memory array to operate at high speeds. 
The wiring pattern of the X decoder is illustrated below. 
FIG. 29 illustrates a pattern of an X decoder before the phosphorus glass 
layer is formed, and FIG. 30 illustrates a pattern after aluminum wiring 
layers are formed on the portions corresponding to the pattern of FIG. 29. 
The individual X decoders have been provided for each of the memory cells 
in the memory array, and have been so designed that the pitch among the 
memory cells is not increased. Therefore, although not specifically 
restricted, the combination of two X decoders substantially serve as one 
unit as will be illustrated below with reference to FIGS. 29 and 30. 
With reference to FIG. 29, the X decoder is formed on the p-type well 
region 11 which is formed on the n-type silicon substrate 1. Regions for 
forming the MISFET's are surrounded by a dot-dash line in FIG. 29. The 
thick silicon oxide film 60 has been formed on the surface of the p-type 
well region 11 except the above-mentioned regions. 
Polycrystalline silicon layers W11, W21, a0', a0", a1' and a1" of a first 
layer of a pattern as indicated by the combination of dots and solid 
lines, have been formed on the silicon oxide film 60 and on the gate oxide 
film of the regions surrounded by the dot-dash line. The n.sup.+ -type 
regions are formed by the method illustrated with reference to FIG. 14 in 
the regions except those beneath the polycrystalline silicon layers among 
the regions surrounded by the dot-dash line. 
In FIG. 29, channel regions for the enhancement-type MISFET's are formed 
beneath the polycrystalline silicon layers which are indicated by 
leftwardly tilted hatched lines, and channel regions for the 
depression-type MOSFET's are formed beneath the polycrystalline silicon 
layers which are indicated by the combination of leftwardly tilted hatched 
lines and rightwardly tilted hatched lines. 
In the upper half portion in the paper of FIG. 29, the depression-type 
MISFET Q3 is formed by the n.sup.+ -type region VCCa, the polycrystalline 
silicon layer W11 and the n.sup.+ -type region W11b, the enhancement-type 
MISFET Q4 is formed by the n.sup.+ -type region W11c, the polycrystalline 
silicon layer a0' and the n.sup.+ -type region GNDa, and the 
enhancement-type MISFET Q5 is formed by the n.sup.+ -type region W11c, the 
polycrystalline silicon layer a1' and the n.sup.+ -type region GNDb. 
the MISFET's Q3', Q4' and Q5' are similarly constituted in the lower half 
portion of the paper of FIG. 29. 
The phosphorus glass layer 120 is formed on the surface of the decoder of 
FIG. 29 as shown in FIG. 30, and holes are formed in the phosphorus glass 
layer and in the underlying oxide film by the selective etching method. 
Various aluminum wiring layers are formed as shown in FIG. 30 by the 
vaporization of aluminum and the selective etching. In FIG. 30, symbol X 
denotes the holes formed in the insulation films such as phosphorus glass 
layer and the oxide film. In the portions indicated by the symbol X, 
therefore, the aluminum wiring layers come into contact with the 
underlying polycrystalline silicon layers or the semiconductor regions. 
Referring to FIG. 30, the wiring layer W11a works as a short-circuiting 
layer which short-circuits together the polycrystalline silicon layer W11 
which serves as the gate electrode of MISFET Q3 (refer to FIG. 29), the 
source region thereof, and the n.sup.+ -type region W11b which serves as a 
common drain region for the MISFET's Q4 and Q5. The wiring layer VCC which 
is connected to the power supply, is contacted to the n.sup.+ -type region 
VCCa which serves as a common drain region for the MISFET's Q3 and Q3' 
(refer to FIG. 29). The ground layer GND is connected to ground, and is 
contacted to the n.sup.+ -type region GNDa which serves as a common source 
region for the MISFET's Q4 and Q4'. In FIG. 29, the n.sup.+ -type region 
GNDb which serves as a common source region for the MISFET's Q5 and Q5' is 
continuous to the above-mentioned n.sup.+ -type region GNDa. 
Wiring layers a0 and a0 constitute a pair of wiring layers for receiving 
address signals of opposite phases. Either one of them which is selected, 
i.e., the layer a0 in the diagramatized embodiment is contacted to the 
polycrystalline silicon layer a0' as well as to the polycrystalline 
silicon layer a0". 
Similarly, the wiring layers a1 and a1 constitute a pair of wiring layers 
for receiving other address signals of opposite phases. In the 
diagramatized embodiment, the wiring layer a1 is contacted to the 
polycrystalline silicon layer a1', and the wiring layer a1 is contacted to 
the polycrystalline silicon layer a1". 
As mentioned above, a decoder such as X decoder XD1 of FIG. 4 is formed in 
the upper half portion of FIG. 30, and another decoders such as XD2 is 
formed in the lower half portion of FIG. 30. 
The X decoders are arrayed along the column of memory cells. Therefore, the 
wiring layers VCC, GND, a0, a0, a1 and a1 are commonly utilized by the 
plurality of X decoders. 
Below is illustrated the wiring pattern of the writing circuit. 
FIGS. 31A and 31B illustrate patterns of the writing circuit before the 
phosphorus glass layer is formed, and FIGS. 32A and 32B illustrate 
patterns of the writing circuit after aluminum wiring layers are formed on 
the portions corresponding to the patterns of FIGS. 31A and 31B. The right 
end of the patterns of FIG. 31A is connected to the left end of FIG. 31B, 
and the right end of FIG. 32A is connected to the left end of FIG. 32B. 
Patterns of FIGS. 31A, 31B, 32A and 32B are denoted by the same reference 
numerals as those of FIGS. 29 and 30. 
Because of the same reasons as mentioned with regard to the X decoders, two 
writing circuits substantially serve as a unit writing circuit. 
The polycrystalline silicon layers W11 and W21 which serve as first word 
lines and which are stretched, via the thick silicon oxide film 60, on the 
p-type well region 10b as indicated by a two-dot-dash line to constitute 
the memory array, are contacted to the drain regions W11d and W21d of 
MISFET's Q15 and Q15' which are formed on the p-type well region 11 via 
aluminum wiring layers W11C and W21C. 
To the p-type well region 10b is contacted an aluminum wiring layer e to 
which will be applied signals from the erasing circuit (refer to FIG. 4). 
Signals of the control line We (refer to FIG. 4) are fed to the 
polycrystalline silicon layer We which serves as gates for the MISFET's 
Q15 and Q16. 
The polycrystalline silicon layers W12 and W22 which serve as second word 
lines are contacted to a common drain region W12b of MISFET's Q16 and Q17 
and to a common drain region W22 of MISFET's Q16' and Q17' which are 
formed in the p-type well region 11 indicated by a two-dot-dash line via 
aluminum wiring layers W12a and W22a, and are further contacted to the 
polycrystalline silicon layers W12c and W22c. 
The power supply voltage of +5 [V] is applied to the polycrystalline 
silicon layer VCC which serves as a common gate for the MISFET's Q16, Q17, 
Q16' and Q17'. 
The aluminum wiring layer GND which assumes the ground potential is 
contacted to a common drain region GNDa for the MISFET's Q18 and Q18'. 
The polycrystalline silicon layer W12c serves as the gate electrode for the 
MISFET Q19 which is formed in an independent p-type well region 11r, and 
is contacted to the source region W12e of the MISFET Q19 and to the p-type 
well region 11r via the aluminum wiring layer W12d. 
Similarly, the polycrystalline silicon layer W22c serves as the gate 
electrode for the MISFET Q19' which is formed in another independent 
p-type well region 11s, and is contacted to the source region W22e of the 
MISFET Q19' and to the p-type well region 11s through the aluminum wiring 
layer W22d. 
The MISFET's Q19 and Q19' have been constructed as illustrated with 
reference to FIG. 9 or FIG. 11. The aluminum wiring layer VPP to which 
will be applied a high voltage for writing and erasing information is 
contacted to the common drain region VPPa for the MISFET's Q19 and Q19' 
which are stretching on the n-type silicon substrate 1. 
The circuit WA1 of FIG. 4 is constituted by the MISFET's Q15 to Q19, and 
another circuit WA2 is constituted by the MISFET's Q15' to Q19'. 
Like the above-mentioned X decoders, the writing circuits of FIGS. 31A, 
31B, 32A and 32B are arrayed for each of the memory cells. 
The wiring pattern of the Y gate circuit is illustrated below. 
FIG. 33 illustrate a pattern of the Y gate circuit before the phosphorus 
glass layer is formed, and FIG. 34 illustrate a pattern of portions 
corresponding to the pattern of FIG. 33 after the aluminum wiring layer is 
formed. 
An aluminum wiring layer CDa for connecting the gates in parallel, is 
contacted to the polycrystalline silicon layer CD which serves as a common 
digit line. 
The aluminum wiring layer CDa is contacted to a common drain region CDb for 
the MISFET's Q11 and Q13. Aluminum wiring layers Y1 and Y2 which receive 
the outputs of the Y decoders YD1 and YD2 (refer to FIG. 4) are contacted 
to the polycrystalline silicon layers Y1a and Y2a which serve as gate 
electrodes for the MISFET's Q11 and Q13. 
The source region of the MISFET Q11 and the drain region of the MISFET Q12 
form a common n.sup.+ -type region D1b, and the source region of the 
MISFET Q13 and the drain region of the MISFET Q14 form a common n.sup.+ 
-type region. 
The power supply voltage of +5 [V] is applied to the polycrystalline 
silicon layer VCC which serves as gate electrodes for the MISFET's Q12 and 
Q14. 
To the source region D1a of the MISFET Q12 is contacted the aluminum wiring 
layer D1 which serves as a digit line, and to the source region D2a of the 
MISFET Q14 is contacted an aluminum wiring layer which serves as another 
digit line. 
FIGS. 35A and 35B illustrate a pattern of the writing inhibit circuit 
before the phosphorus glass layer is formed, and FIGS. 36A and 36B 
illustrate a pattern of the portions corresponding to the pattern of FIGS. 
35A and 35B after the aluminum wiring layer is formed. The lower end of 
FIG. 35A is connected to the upper end of FIG. 35B, and the lower end of 
FIG. 36A is connected to the upper end of FIG. 36B. 
Like FIG. 9, a wiring region WIR is arrayed between the memory array and 
the writing inhibit circuit. Therefore, although not specifically limited, 
the aluminum wiring layers ED1 and ED2 which serve as reference potential 
lines as illustrated with reference to FIGS. 24 and 26, are respectively 
contacted to the polycrystalline silicon layers ED1a and ED2a which are 
formed simultaneously with the polycrystalline silicon layers of the 
MISFET's. In the wiring region WIR, a variety of aluminum wiring layers 
are formed on the polycrystalline silicon layers ED1a and ED2a via the 
oxide film and the phosphorus glass layer. 
FIGS. 35A, 35B, 36A and 36 B employ the same reference numerals as those of 
the preceding diagrams. Therefore, the construction of the writing inhibit 
circuit diagramatized in FIGS. 35A, 35B, 36A and 36B is not illustrated 
here. 
According to the present invention, the decoders and writing circuits are 
arrayed with the square memory array interposed therebetween. In other 
words, the decoders are arrayed along a side of the memory array and 
writing circuits are arrayed along another side thereof. Therefore, the 
operation speed can be increased and, particularly, the reading speed can 
be increased. On the other hand, if the decoders and writing circuits are 
arrayed on one side of the memory array, long wirings will be necessary to 
connect the decoders to the memory cells. Furthermore, since a plurality 
of circuits must be arrayed on one side of the memory array, wirings will 
have to be crossed at many places as customarily done in the semiconductor 
integrated circuits. Consequently, wirings for feeding signals to the 
memory array exhibit diminished signal transmission characteristics so 
that a serious limitation is imposed on the operation speed. 
When the decoders and writing circuits are arrayed on both sides of the 
memory arrays, pitches between the individual decoders and the individual 
writing circuits cna be relatively decreased and the size of the memory 
array is not restricted by these circuits. 
Further, since gates or decoders and writing inhibit circuits are arrayed 
with the memory array being interposed therebetween, the device is allowed 
to operate at high speeds because of the same reasons as mentioned above. 
The construction in which the decoders and writing circuits are arrayed 
with the memory array being interposed therebetween, or the construction 
in which the gates or decoders and writing circuits are arrayed with the 
memory array being interposed therebetween, can be applied to memory 
devices of any other types which employ writing circuits or writing 
inhibit circuits. 
According to the present invention, it is allowed to employ well regions to 
effectively form the circuits of high withstand voltage. 
With reference to the voltage divider circuit of FIG. 4 in which the 
enhancement-type MISFET's Q37 to Q39 are connected in series, the greatest 
voltage is applied to the drain of the MISFET Q37. Therefore, if the 
MISFET Q37 is destroyed by the high voltage, the MISFET Q38 is also 
subjected to the high voltage via the destroyed MISFET Q37. Consequently, 
the MISFET's which are connected in series are successively destroyed. 
According to the present invention, however, the MISFET Q37 which is 
subject to the greatest voltage is constructed by utilizing the well 
region to exhibit high withstand voltage. Therefore, the above-mentioned 
destruction can be prevented even if other MISFET's Q38 to Q39 are 
ordinarily constructed. The aforementioned voltage divider circuit can be 
used for other circuit devices than the memory circuit device of the 
embodiment of the present invention. 
Likewise, the erasing circuit and writing inhibit voltage generator of FIG. 
4 can also be used for other applications. 
As mentioned above, the semiconductor memory circuit device of the present 
invention can be used as a part of large computers and industrial robots.