Abstract:
A manufacturing method of a semiconductor device disclosed herein, comprises: forming a first member to be patterned on a semiconductor substrate; patterning the first member to form a plurality of parallel linear patterns and a connecting portion which connects the linear patterns on at least one end side of the linear patterns; and removing the connecting portion.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION  
       [0001]     This application is a divisional of and claims the benefit of priority under 35 USC §120 from U.S. Ser. No. 11/033,868, filed Jan. 13, 2005 and is based upon and claims the benefit of priority under 35 USC §119 from the Japanese Patent Application No. 2004-282400, filed on Sep. 28, 2004, the entire contents which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0003]     The present invention relates to a manufacturing method of a semiconductor device and the semiconductor device, and more particularly relates to a manufacturing method of a high-yield semiconductor device and the semiconductor device.  
         [0004]     2. Related Background Art  
         [0005]     With the recent advance of microfabrication technology, the minimum feature size of a semiconductor device becomes less than 100 nm, and the difficulty level of fabrication increases. A memory cell array of a NAND-type nonvolatile semiconductor memory device out of semiconductor devices has a structure in which the number of contacts per cell is reduced, and hence the layout of a wiring layer for word lines, bit lines, and so on becomes a layout such as line and space with minimum feature size which needs the most advanced microfabrication technology (For example, see Japanese patent Application Laid-open No. 2002-313970).  
         [0006]     In the case of the aforementioned layout of the NAND-type nonvolatile semiconductor memory device, in a word line end portion on the side where potential is not lead to the wiring layer above the word line, there is a possibility that resist pattern collapse occurs with the progress of scale-down. It is known that this is caused by pattern thinning of a photoresist due to proximity effect, a problem in terms of shape, or ununiformity of drops of water remaining during rinse drying after development. It is also known that depending on fabrication conditions and processing contents, resist collapse occurs also during etching of a lower film beneath the photoresist with the photoresist as a mask.  
         [0007]     This phenomenon has been hitherto handled by thinning the film thickness of the photoresist and so on, but to improve resolution, the film thickness of the photoresist has already been thinned to the limit of film thickness necessary for the fabrication of the lower film beneath the photoresist. Hence, the thickness of the photoresist cannot be easily thinned any more.  
         [0008]     Therefore, in Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 2004-15056, the occurrence of resist pattern collapse can be prevented by extending an end portion of a word line in area, but an increase in layout pattern is inevitable.  
         [0009]     Moreover, the aforementioned problem is not limited to the nonvolatile semiconductor memory device, and also may be a problem for other semiconductor devices.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0010]     In order to accomplish the aforementioned and other objects, according to one aspect of the present invention, a manufacturing method of a semiconductor device, comprises:  
         [0011]     forming a first member to be patterned on a semiconductor substrate;  
         [0012]     patterning the first member to for a plurality of parallel linear patterns and a connecting portion which connects the linear patterns on at least one end side of the linear patterns; and  
         [0013]     removing the connecting.  
         [0014]     According to another aspect of the present invention, semiconductor device, comprises:  
         [0015]     a semiconductor substrate;  
         [0016]     a plurality of parallel linear patterns which are formed on the semiconductor substrate;  
         [0017]     a connecting portion which is formed on the semiconductor substrate, wherein the connecting portion is provided on at least one end side of the linear patterns, and the connecting portion connected the linear patterns; and  
         [0018]     a separation pattern region which separates the linear patterns and the connecting portion. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0019]      FIG. 1  is a plan view showing the structure of a nonvolatile semiconductor memory device according to a first embodiment;  
         [0020]      FIG. 2  is a sectional view taken along the line A-A′ of  FIG. 1  showing the structure of the nonvolatile semiconductor memory device according to the first embodiment;  
         [0021]      FIG. 3  is a sectional view taken along the line B-B′ of  FIG. 1  showing the structure of the nonvolatile semiconductor memory device according to the first embodiment;  
         [0022]      FIG. 4  is a sectional view taken along the line C-C′ of  FIG. 1  showing the structure of the nonvolatile semiconductor memory device according to the first embodiment;  
         [0023]      FIG. 5  is a sectional view taken along the line D-D′ of  FIG. 1  showing the structure of the nonvolatile semiconductor memory device according to the first embodiment;  
         [0024]      FIG. 6  is a sectional view taken along the line E-E′ of  FIG. 1  showing the structure of the nonvolatile semiconductor memory device according to the first embodiment;  
         [0025]      FIG. 7  is a process sectional view for explaining a manufacturing process of the nonvolatile semiconductor memory device according to the first embodiment;  
         [0026]      FIG. 8  is a process sectional view for explaining the manufacturing process of the nonvolatile semiconductor memory device according to the first embodiment;  
         [0027]      FIG. 9  is a process sectional view for explaining the manufacturing process of the nonvolatile semiconductor memory device according to the first embodiment;  
         [0028]      FIG. 10  is a process sectional view for explaining the manufacturing process of the nonvolatile semiconductor memory device according to the first embodiment;  
         [0029]      FIG. 11  is a process sectional view for explaining the manufacturing process of the nonvolatile semiconductor memory device according to the first embodiment;  
         [0030]      FIG. 12  is a process sectional view for explaining the manufacturing process of the nonvolatile semiconductor memory device according to the first embodiment;  
         [0031]      FIG. 13  is a process sectional view for explaining the manufacturing process of the nonvolatile semiconductor memory device according to the first embodiment;  
         [0032]      FIG. 14  is a process sectional view for explaining the manufacturing process of the nonvolatile semiconductor memory device according to the first embodiment;  
         [0033]      FIG. 15  is a process sectional view for explaining the manufacturing process of the nonvolatile semiconductor memory device according to the first embodiment;  
         [0034]      FIG. 16  is a process sectional view for explaining the manufacturing process of the nonvolatile semiconductor memory device according to the first embodiment;  
         [0035]      FIG. 17  is a process sectional view for explaining the manufacturing process of the nonvolatile semiconductor memory device according to the first embodiment;  
         [0036]      FIG. 18  is a process sectional view for explaining the manufacturing process of the nonvolatile semiconductor memory device according to the first embodiment;  
         [0037]      FIG. 19  is a process sectional view for explaining the manufacturing process of the nonvolatile semiconductor memory device according to the first embodiment;  
         [0038]      FIG. 20  is a process sectional view for explaining the manufacturing process of the nonvolatile semiconductor memory device according to the first embodiment;  
         [0039]      FIG. 21  is a process sectional view for explaining the manufacturing process of the nonvolatile semiconductor memory device according to the first embodiment;  
         [0040]      FIG. 22  is a process sectional view for explaining the manufacturing process of the nonvolatile semiconductor memory device according to the first embodiment;  
         [0041]      FIG. 23  is a process sectional view for explaining the manufacturing process of the nonvolatile semiconductor memory device according to the first embodiment;  
         [0042]      FIG. 24  is a process sectional view for explaining the manufacturing process of the nonvolatile semiconductor memory device according to the first embodiment;  
         [0043]      FIG. 25  is a process sectional view for explaining the manufacturing process of the nonvolatile semiconductor memory device according to the first embodiment;  
         [0044]      FIG. 26  is a process sectional view for explaining the manufacturing process of the nonvolatile semiconductor memory device according to the first embodiment;  
         [0045]      FIG. 27  is a process sectional view for explaining the manufacturing process of the nonvolatile semiconductor memory device according to the first embodiment;  
         [0046]      FIG. 28  is a process sectional view for explaining the manufacturing process of the nonvolatile semiconductor memory device according to the first embodiment;  
         [0047]      FIG. 29  is a process sectional view for explaining the manufacturing process of the nonvolatile semiconductor memory device according to the first embodiment;  
         [0048]      FIG. 30  is a process sectional view for explaining the manufacturing process of the nonvolatile semiconductor memory device according to the first embodiment;  
         [0049]      FIG. 31  is a process sectional view for explaining the manufacturing process of the nonvolatile semiconductor memory device according to the first embodiment;  
         [0050]      FIG. 32  is a process sectional view for explaining the manufacturing process of the nonvolatile semiconductor memory device according to the first embodiment;  
         [0051]      FIG. 33  is a process sectional view for explaining the manufacturing process of the nonvolatile semiconductor memory device according to the first embodiment;  
         [0052]      FIG. 34  is a process sectional view for explaining the manufacturing process of the nonvolatile semiconductor memory device according to the first embodiment;  
         [0053]      FIG. 35  is a process sectional view for explaining the manufacturing process of the nonvolatile semiconductor memory device according to the first embodiment;  
         [0054]      FIG. 36  is a process sectional view for explaining the manufacturing process of the nonvolatile semiconductor memory device according to the first embodiment;  
         [0055]      FIG. 37  is a process sectional view for explaining the manufacturing process of the nonvolatile semiconductor memory device according to the first embodiment;  
         [0056]      FIG. 38  is a process sectional view for explaining the manufacturing process of the nonvolatile semiconductor memory device according to the first embodiment;  
         [0057]      FIG. 39  is a process sectional view for explaining the manufacturing process of the nonvolatile semiconductor memory device according to the first embodiment;  
         [0058]      FIG. 40  is a process sectional view for explaining the manufacturing process of the nonvolatile semiconductor memory device according to the first embodiment;  
         [0059]      FIG. 41  is a process sectional view for explaining the manufacturing process of the nonvolatile semiconductor memory device according to the first embodiment;  
         [0060]      FIG. 42  is a plan view showing the structure of a nonvolatile semiconductor memory device according to a second embodiment;  
         [0061]      FIG. 43  is a sectional view taken along the line A-A′ of  FIG. 42  showing the structure of the nonvolatile semiconductor memory device according to the second embodiment;  
         [0062]      FIG. 44  is a sectional view taken along the line B-B′ of  FIG. 42  showing the structure of the nonvolatile semiconductor memory device according to the second embodiment;  
         [0063]      FIG. 45  is a sectional view taken along the line C-C′ of  FIG. 42  showing the structure of the nonvolatile semiconductor memory device according to the second embodiment;  
         [0064]      FIG. 46  is a process sectional view for explaining a manufacturing process of the nonvolatile semiconductor memory device according to the second embodiment;  
         [0065]      FIG. 47  is a process sectional view for explaining the manufacturing process of the nonvolatile semiconductor memory device according to the second embodiment;  
         [0066]      FIG. 48  is a process sectional view for explaining the manufacturing process of the nonvolatile semiconductor memory device according to the second embodiment;  
         [0067]      FIG. 49  is a process sectional view for explaining the manufacturing process of the nonvolatile semiconductor memory device according to the second embodiment;  
         [0068]      FIG. 50  is a process sectional view for explaining the manufacturing process of the nonvolatile semiconductor memory device according to the second embodiment;  
         [0069]      FIG. 51  is a process sectional view for explaining the manufacturing process of the nonvolatile semiconductor memory device according to the second embodiment;  
         [0070]      FIG. 52  is a process sectional view for explaining the manufacturing process of the nonvolatile semiconductor memory device according to the second embodiment;  
         [0071]      FIG. 53  is a process sectional view for explaining the manufacturing process of the nonvolatile semiconductor memory device according to the second embodiment;  
         [0072]      FIG. 54  is a process sectional view for explaining the manufacturing process of the nonvolatile semiconductor memory device according to the second embodiment;  
         [0073]      FIG. 55  is a process sectional view for explaining the manufacturing process of the nonvolatile semiconductor memory device according to the second embodiment;  
         [0074]      FIG. 56  is a process sectional view for explaining the manufacturing process of the nonvolatile semiconductor memory device according to the second embodiment;  
         [0075]      FIG. 57  is a process sectional view for explaining the manufacturing process of the nonvolatile semiconductor memory device according to the second embodiment;  
         [0076]      FIG. 58  is a process sectional view for explaining the manufacturing process of the nonvolatile semiconductor memory device according to the second embodiment;  
         [0077]      FIG. 59  is a process sectional view for explaining the manufacturing process of the nonvolatile semiconductor memory device according to the second embodiment;  
         [0078]      FIG. 60  is a process sectional view for explaining the manufacturing process of the nonvolatile semiconductor memory device according to the second embodiment;  
         [0079]      FIG. 61  is a process sectional view for explaining the manufacturing process of the nonvolatile semiconductor memory device according to the second embodiment;  
         [0080]      FIG. 62  is a process sectional view for explaining the manufacturing process of the nonvolatile semiconductor memory device according to the second embodiment;  
         [0081]      FIG. 63  is a process sectional view for explaining the manufacturing process of the nonvolatile semiconductor memory device according to the second embodiment;  
         [0082]      FIG. 64  is a process sectional view for explaining the manufacturing process of the nonvolatile semiconductor memory device according to the second embodiment;  
         [0083]      FIG. 65  is a process sectional view for explaining the manufacturing process of the nonvolatile semiconductor memory device according to the second embodiment;  
         [0084]      FIG. 66  is a process sectional view for explaining the manufacturing process of the nonvolatile semiconductor memory device according to the second embodiment;  
         [0085]      FIG. 67  is a process sectional view for explaining the manufacturing process of the nonvolatile semiconductor memory device according to the second embodiment;  
         [0086]      FIG. 68  is a process sectional view for explaining the manufacturing process of the nonvolatile semiconductor memory device according to the second embodiment;  
         [0087]      FIG. 69  is a process sectional view for explaining the manufacturing process of the nonvolatile semiconductor memory device according to the second embodiment;  
         [0088]      FIG. 70  is a process sectional view for explaining the manufacturing process of the nonvolatile semiconductor memory device according to the second embodiment;  
         [0089]      FIG. 71  is a process sectional view for explaining the manufacturing process of the nonvolatile semiconductor memory device according to the second embodiment;  
         [0090]      FIG. 72  is a process sectional view for explaining the manufacturing process of the nonvolatile semiconductor memory device according to the second embodiment;  
         [0091]      FIG. 73  is a process sectional view for explaining the manufacturing process of the nonvolatile semiconductor memory device according to the second embodiment;  
         [0092]      FIG. 74  is a process sectional view for explaining the manufacturing process of the nonvolatile semiconductor memory device according to the second embodiment;  
         [0093]      FIG. 75  is a process sectional view for explaining the manufacturing process of the nonvolatile semiconductor memory device according to the second embodiment;  
         [0094]      FIG. 76  is a process sectional view for explaining the manufacturing process of the nonvolatile semiconductor memory device according to the second embodiment;  
         [0095]      FIG. 77  is a process sectional view for explaining the manufacturing process of the nonvolatile semiconductor memory device according to the second embodiment;  
         [0096]      FIG. 78  is a process sectional view for explaining the manufacturing process of the nonvolatile semiconductor memory device according to the second embodiment;  
         [0097]      FIG. 79  is a plan view showing the structure of a nonvolatile semiconductor memory device according to a third embodiment;  
         [0098]      FIG. 80  is a sectional view taken along the line A-A′ of  FIG. 79  showing the structure of the nonvolatile semiconductor memory device according to the third embodiment;  
         [0099]      FIG. 81  is a sectional view taken along the line B-B′ of  FIG. 79  showing the structure of the nonvolatile semiconductor memory device according to the third embodiment;  
         [0100]      FIG. 82  is a sectional view taken along the line C-C′ of  FIG. 79  showing the structure of the nonvolatile semiconductor memory device according to the third embodiment;  
         [0101]      FIG. 83  is a process sectional view for explaining a manufacturing process of the nonvolatile semiconductor memory device according to the third embodiment;  
         [0102]      FIG. 84  is a process sectional view for explaining the manufacturing process of the nonvolatile semiconductor memory device according to the third embodiment;  
         [0103]      FIG. 85  is a process sectional view for explaining the manufacturing process of the nonvolatile semiconductor memory device according to the third embodiment;  
         [0104]      FIG. 86  is a process sectional view for explaining the manufacturing process of the nonvolatile semiconductor memory device according to the third embodiment;  
         [0105]      FIG. 87  is a process sectional view for explaining the manufacturing process of the nonvolatile semiconductor memory device according to the third embodiment;  
         [0106]      FIG. 88  is a process sectional view for explaining the manufacturing process of the nonvolatile semiconductor memory device according to the third embodiment;  
         [0107]      FIG. 89  is a process sectional view for explaining the manufacturing process of the nonvolatile semiconductor memory device according to the third embodiment;  
         [0108]      FIG. 90  is a process sectional view for explaining the manufacturing process of the nonvolatile semiconductor memory device according to the third embodiment;  
         [0109]      FIG. 91  is a process sectional view for explaining the manufacturing process of the nonvolatile semiconductor memory device according to the third embodiment;  
         [0110]      FIG. 92  is a process sectional view for explaining the manufacturing process of the nonvolatile semiconductor memory device according to the third embodiment;  
         [0111]      FIG. 93  is a process sectional view for explaining the manufacturing process of the nonvolatile semiconductor memory device according to the third embodiment;  
         [0112]      FIG. 94  is a process sectional view for explaining the manufacturing process of the nonvolatile semiconductor memory device according to the third embodiment;  
         [0113]      FIG. 95  is a process sectional view for explaining the manufacturing process of the nonvolatile semiconductor memory device according to the third embodiment;  
         [0114]      FIG. 96  is a process sectional view for explaining the manufacturing process of the nonvolatile semiconductor memory device according to the third embodiment;  
         [0115]      FIG. 97  is a process sectional view for explaining the manufacturing process of the nonvolatile semiconductor memory device according to the third embodiment;  
         [0116]      FIG. 98  is a process sectional view for explaining the manufacturing process of the nonvolatile semiconductor memory device according to the third embodiment;  
         [0117]      FIG. 99  is a process sectional view for explaining the manufacturing process of the nonvolatile semiconductor memory device according to the third embodiment;  
         [0118]      FIG. 100  is a process sectional view for explaining the manufacturing process of the nonvolatile semiconductor memory device according to the third embodiment;  
         [0119]      FIG. 101  is a view corresponding to  FIG. 1  for explaining a modification of the first embodiment;  
         [0120]      FIG. 102  is a view corresponding to  FIG. 34  for explaining the modification of the first embodiment;  
         [0121]      FIG. 103  is a view corresponding to  FIG. 35  for explaining the modification of the first embodiment;  
         [0122]      FIG. 104  is a view corresponding to  FIG. 39  for explaining the modification of the first embodiment;  
         [0123]      FIG. 105  is a view corresponding to  FIG. 40  for explaining the modification of the first embodiment;  
         [0124]      FIG. 106  is a view corresponding to  FIG. 42  for explaining a modification of the second embodiment;  
         [0125]      FIG. 107  is a view corresponding to  FIG. 59  for explaining the modification of the second embodiment;  
         [0126]      FIG. 108  is a view corresponding to  FIG. 62  for explaining the modification of the second embodiment;  
         [0127]      FIG. 109  is a view corresponding to  FIG. 65  for explaining the modification of the second embodiment;  
         [0128]      FIG. 110  is a view corresponding to  FIG. 68  for explaining the modification of the second embodiment;  
         [0129]      FIG. 111  is a view corresponding to  FIG. 79  for explaining a modification of the third embodiment;  
         [0130]      FIG. 112  is a view corresponding to  FIG. 96  for explaining the modification of the third embodiment; and  
         [0131]      FIG. 113  is a view corresponding to  FIG. 99  for explaining the modification of the third embodiment. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS  
     First Embodiment  
       [0132]     In the first embodiment, a problem in a fabrication process such as resist pattern collapse or the like, which occurs in a region such as a memory cell array in a NAND-type nonvolatile semiconductor memory device requiring micro-wiring technology, is prevented by changing the pattern layout of the memory cell array, which makes it possible to realize a stable high yield. Further details will be given below.  
         [0133]     First, the structure of a NAND-type nonvolatile semiconductor memory device according to this embodiment will be explained based on  FIG. 1  to  FIG. 6 .  FIG. 1  is a plan view of the nonvolatile semiconductor memory device according to this embodiment, and  FIG. 2  to  FIG. 6  are a sectional view taken along the line A-A′, a sectional view taken along the line B-B′, a sectional view taken along the line C-C′, a sectional view taken along the line D-D′, and a sectional view taken along the line E-E′, respectively, of  FIG. 1 .  
         [0134]     As can been seen from these figures, in the nonvolatile semiconductor memory device according to this embodiment, plural word lines WL are provided in parallel in a first direction. Beneath these word lines, plural memory cell regions ER are formed. Select gate lines SGL are provided in parallel with the word lines WL.  
         [0135]     On one end side of the word lines WL, a word line connecting portion WLC is formed. The word line connecting portion WLC is formed to intentionally connect tip portions of the word lines WL.  
         [0136]     A separation pattern region SPR is formed between this word line connecting portion WLC and the word lines WL. This separation pattern region SPR is formed to electrically separate the word line connection portion WLC and the word lines WL. After the word lines WL and the word line connecting portion WLC are formed, the separation pattern region SPR is formed by removing the word lines WL situated in the separation pattern region SPR.  
         [0137]     Incidentally, the word lines WL correspond to plural linear patterns in this embodiment, and the word line connecting portion WLC corresponds to a connecting portion in this embodiment.  
         [0138]     Other respects than those described above are the same as in the structure of a normal nonvolatile semiconductor memory device, and hence a detailed explanation thereof is omitted.  
         [0139]     Next, a manufacturing process of the nonvolatile semiconductor memory device according to this embodiment will be explained based on  FIG. 7  to  FIG. 41 .  FIG. 7 ,  FIG. 12 ,  FIG. 17 ,  FIG. 22 ,  FIG. 27 ,  FIG. 32 , and  FIG. 37  are sectional views taken along the line A-A′ of  FIG. 1  for explaining the manufacturing process,  FIG. 8 ,  FIG. 13 ,  FIG. 18 ,  FIG. 23 ,  FIG. 28 ,  FIG. 33 , and  FIG. 38  are sectional views taken along the line B-B′ of  FIG. 1  for explaining the manufacturing process,  FIG. 9 ,  FIG. 14 ,  FIG. 19 ,  FIG. 24 ,  FIG. 29 ,  FIG. 34 , and  FIG. 39  are sectional views taken along the line C-C′ of  FIG. 1  for explaining the manufacturing process,  FIG. 10 ,  FIG. 15 ,  FIG. 20 ,  FIG. 25 ,  FIG. 30 ,  FIG. 35 , and  FIG. 40  are sectional views taken along the line D-D′ of  FIG. 1  for explaining the manufacturing process, and FIG.  11 ,  FIG. 16 ,  FIG. 21 ,  FIG. 26 ,  FIG. 31 ,  FIG. 36 , and  FIG. 41  are sectional views taken along the line E-E′ of  FIG. 1  for explaining the manufacturing process.  
         [0140]     First, as shown in  FIG. 7  to  FIG. 11 , an element separation insulating film  102  is formed by STI (Shallow Trench Isolation) on the surface side of a semiconductor substrate  100 . Subsequently, a tunnel insulating film  104  is formed by a silicon oxide film or the like in a memory cell region where memory cells are formed. Thereafter, a polycrystalline silicon film  106  which becomes floating gates later is formed on the tunnel insulating film  104 . Then, an ONO film  108  which becomes an interpoly insulating film is formed on the polycrystalline silicon film  106 . Subsequently, a polycrystalline silicon film  110  and a tungsten silicide film  112  which become control gates later are formed on the ONO film  108 . Subsequently, a silicon nitride film  114  which is used as a mask material is formed on the tungsten silicide film  112 .  
         [0141]     Next, as shown in  FIG. 12  to  FIG. 16 , an antireflection film  120 , for example, with a thickness of approximately 10 nm is formed on the silicon nitride film  114 . Subsequently, a photoresist  122 , for example, with a thickness of approximately 200 nm is formed on the antireflection film  120 . Then, the photoresist  122  is patterned as desired by lithography technology. In this embodiment, the wiring width and space width of the pattern are approximately 90 nm.  
         [0142]     In this embodiment, by patterning the photoresist  122  as just described, plural parallel patterns of word lines WL and a pattern of the word line connecting portion WLC which is provided on one end side of the word lines WL and connects the word lines WL are formed.  
         [0143]     Then, as shown in  FIG. 17  to  FIG. 21 , the antireflection film  120  and the silicon nitride film  114  are etched by RIE technology with the photoresist  122  as a mask.  
         [0144]     Subsequently, as shown in  FIG. 22  to  FIG. 26 , the antireflection film  120  and the photoresist  122  are removed using ashing technology.  
         [0145]     Thereafter, as shown in  FIG. 27  to  FIG. 31 , the tungsten silicide film  112 , the polycrystalline silicon film  110 , the ONO film  108 , the polycrystalline silicon film  106  are etched with the silicon nitride film  114  as a mask to obtain a desired gate pattern. Namely, control gates CG which become word lines WL are formed by the tungsten silicide film  112  and the polycrystalline silicon film  110 , and floating gates FG are formed by the polycrystalline silicon film  106 . In particular, as can be seen from  FIG. 30 , on one end side of the word line WL, the word line connection portion WLC is formed, and plural word lines WL are connected to each other. This word line connecting portion WLC is also formed by the tungsten silicide film  112  and the polycrystalline silicon film  110 . Accordingly, the tungsten silicide film  112  and the polycrystalline silicon film  110  correspond to a first member to be patterned which is formed by a conductive member.  
         [0146]     Next, as shown in  FIG. 32  to  FIG. 36 , after a photoresist  130 , for example, with a thickness of 1000 nm is formed, this photoresist  130  is patterned as desired by the lithography technology. More specifically, particularly as can be seen from  FIG. 35 , an opening  132  is formed in a portion of the photoresist  130  where a separation pattern region SPR is positioned.  
         [0147]     Then, as shown in  FIG. 37  to  FIG. 41 , the silicon nitride film  114 , the tungsten silicide film  112 , and the polycrystalline silicon film  110  are etched by the RIE technology with the photoresist  130  as a mask. As a result, the separation pattern region SPR is formed, and thereby the word line connecting portion WLC is electrically separated from the word lines WL. Thereafter, the photoresist  130  is removed using the ashing technology. Consequently, the nonvolatile semiconductor memory device shown in  FIG. 2  to  FIG. 6  is obtained.  
         [0148]     As described above, according to the nonvolatile semiconductor memory device of this embodiment, by providing the word line connecting portion WLC on one end side of the word lines WL, it becomes possible that when the word lines WL are formed by etching with the silicon nitride film  114  as a mask, a portion such as a tip of the word line WL where resist pattern collapse tends to occur does not exist. Accordingly, a margin for patterning improves, which makes it possible to provide the stable high-yield nonvolatile semiconductor memory device.  
       Second Embodiment  
       [0149]     In the second embodiment, by forming a memory cell region connecting portion which connects respective memory cell regions in end portions of a memory cell array and element separation regions, the occurrence of resist pattern collapse when the memory cell regions are formed is prevented. Further details will be given below.  
         [0150]     First, the structure of a NAND-type nonvolatile semiconductor memory device according to this embodiment will be explained based on  FIG. 42  to  FIG. 45 .  FIG. 42  is a plan view of the nonvolatile semiconductor memory device according to this embodiment, and  FIG. 43  to  FIG. 45  are a sectional view taken along the line A-A′, a sectional view taken along the line B-B′, and a sectional view taken along the line C-C′, respectively, of  FIG. 42 .  
         [0151]     As can been seen from these figures, in the nonvolatile semiconductor memory device according to this embodiment, plural memory cell regions MCR are formed in parallel along a second direction which is a direction crossing word lines. In other words, the memory cell regions MCR and element separation regions ESR are formed alternately in a striped pattern along the second direction.  
         [0152]     On one end side of the memory cell regions MCR, a memory cell region connecting portion MCC which connects respective memory cell regions MCR is formed. This memory cell region connecting portion MCC is formed to prevent the occurrence of resist collapse when a mask to form trenches for the element separation regions ESR in a semiconductor substrate  200  is patterned with a photoresist.  
         [0153]     Moreover, the separation pattern region SPR which electrically separates these memory cell region connecting portion MCC and memory cell regions MCR is formed between the memory cell region connecting portion MCC and the memory cell regions MCR. Other respects than those described above are the same as in the structure of the normal nonvolatile semiconductor memory device, and hence a detailed explanation thereof is omitted.  
         [0154]     Incidentally, the memory cell regions MCR correspond to plural linear patterns in this embodiment, and the memory cell region connecting portion MCC corresponds to a connecting portion which connects the plural linear patterns in this embodiment.  
         [0155]     Next, a manufacturing process of the nonvolatile semiconductor memory device according to this embodiment will be explained based on  FIG. 46  to  FIG. 78 .  FIG. 46 ,  FIG. 49 ,  FIG. 52 ,  FIG. 55 ,  FIG. 58 ,  FIG. 61 ,  FIG. 64 ,  FIG. 67 ,  FIG. 70 ,  FIG. 73 , and  FIG. 76  are sectional views taken along the line A-A′ of  FIG. 42  for explaining the manufacturing process,  FIG. 47 ,  FIG. 50 ,  FIG. 53 ,  FIG. 56 ,  FIG. 59 ,  FIG. 62 ,  FIG. 65 ,  FIG. 68 ,  FIG. 71 ,  FIG. 74 , and  FIG. 77  are sectional views taken along the line B-B′ of  FIG. 42  for explaining the manufacturing process, and  FIG. 48 ,  FIG. 51 ,  FIG. 54 ,  FIG. 57 ,  FIG. 60 ,  FIG. 63 ,  FIG. 66 ,  FIG. 69 ,  FIG. 72 ,  FIG. 75  and  FIG. 78  are sectional views taken along the line C-C′ of  FIG. 42  for explaining the manufacturing process.  
         [0156]     First, as shown in  FIG. 46  to  FIG. 48 , on the surface side of a semiconductor substrate  200 , a silicon oxide film  202  is formed, and a silicon nitride film  204  is formed on the silicon oxide film  202 . Subsequently, a silicon oxide film  206  is formed on the silicon nitride film  204 . These silicon oxide film  202 , silicon nitride film  204 , and silicon oxide film  206  serve as a mask member later.  
         [0157]     Next, as shown in  FIG. 49  to  FIG. 51 , an antireflection film  210 , for example, with a thickness of 10 nm is formed on the silicon oxide film  206 , and a photoresist  212 , for example, with a thickness of 200 nm is formed on the antireflection film  210 . Subsequently, the photoresist  212  is patterned as desired by the lithography technology. In this embodiment, the wiring width and space width of the pattern are approximately 90 nm.  
         [0158]     By this patterning, linear patterns to form the element separation regions ESR and the memory cell regions MCR and a pattern to form the memory cell region connecting portion MCC are formed in the photoresist  212 .  
         [0159]     Then, as shown in  FIG. 52  to  FIG. 54 , the antireflection film  210 , the silicon oxide film  206 , the silicon nitride film  204 , and the silicon oxide film  202  are etched by the RIE technology with the photoresist  212  as a mask.  
         [0160]     Subsequently, as shown in  FIG. 55  to  FIG. 57 , the antireflection film  210  and the photoresist  212  are removed using the ashing technology.  
         [0161]     Thereafter, as shown in  FIG. 58  to  FIG. 60 , after a photoresist  220  is formed on this nonvolatile semiconductor memory device, the photoresist  220  is patterned as desired by the lithography technology. Thereby, an opening  222  is formed in a region corresponding to the separation pattern region SPR in the photoresist  220 .  
         [0162]     Next, as shown in  FIG. 61  to  FIG. 63 , the silicon oxide film  206 , the silicon nitride film  204 , and the silicon oxide film  202  are etched using the RIE technology with the photoresist  220  as a mask to thereby form an opening  224  to form the separation pattern region SPR which electrically separates the memory cell regions MCR and the memory cell region connecting portion MCC.  
         [0163]     Then, as shown in  FIG. 64  to  FIG. 66 , the photoresist  220  is removed using the ashing technology.  
         [0164]     Subsequently, as shown in  FIG. 67  to  FIG. 69 , the semiconductor substrate  200  is etched by the RIE technology with the silicon oxide film  206  as a mask, and thereby trenches which become the element separation regions ESR and a trench which becomes the separation pattern region SPR are formed in the semiconductor substrate  200 . Accordingly, the semiconductor substrate  200  corresponds to a second member to be patterned in this embodiment.  
         [0165]     Thereafter, as shown in  FIG. 70  to  FIG. 72 , an element separation insulating film  230  such as a silicon oxide film or the like is formed using HDP technology. Consequently, the element separation insulating film  230  is embedded in the trenches which become the element separation regions ESR and the trench which becomes the separation pattern region SPR.  
         [0166]     Next, as shown in  FIG. 73  to  FIG. 75 , the element separation insulating film  230  is planarized using CMP technology with the silicon nitride film  204  as a stopper.  
         [0167]     Then, as shown in  FIG. 76  to  FIG. 78 , the silicon nitride film  204  is removed by phosphoric acid treatment. Subsequently, the silicon oxide film  202  is removed by hydrofluoric acid treatment. Consequently, the element separation regions of the nonvolatile semiconductor memory device shown in  FIG. 42  to  FIG. 45  are obtained.  
         [0168]     As described above, according to the nonvolatile semiconductor memory device of this embodiment, by providing the memory cell regions with the memory cell region connecting portion MCC, it becomes possible that in the step of patterning the mask to form the memory cell regions MCR (See  FIG. 49  to  FIG. 51 ), a portion where resist pattern collapse tends to occur does not exist in the resist pattern  212 . Accordingly, a margin for patterning improves, which makes it possible to provide the stable high-yield nonvolatile semiconductor memory device.  
       Third Embodiment  
       [0169]     In the third embodiment, by forming a bit line connecting portion on one end side of bit lines being a metal wiring layer in a memory cell array region, the occurrence of resist pattern collapse when the bit lines are formed is prevented. Further details will be given below.  
         [0170]     First, the structure of a NAND-type nonvolatile semiconductor memory device according to this embodiment will be explained based on  FIG. 79  to  FIG. 82 .  FIG. 79  is a plan view of the nonvolatile semiconductor memory device according to this embodiment, and  FIG. 80  to  FIG. 82  are a sectional view taken along the line A-A′, a sectional view taken along the line B-B′, and a sectional view taken along the line C-C′, respectively, of  FIG. 79 .  
         [0171]     As can been seen from these figures, in the nonvolatile semiconductor memory device according to this embodiment, plural bit line BL are formed in parallel in the second direction which is a direction crossing the word lines WL. At end portions of these bit lines BL, a bit line connecting portion BLC which connects respective bit lines BL is formed. The separation pattern region SPR which electrically separates these bit line connecting portion BLC and bit lines BL is formed between the bit line connecting portion BLC and the bit lines BL. Other respects than those described above are the same as in the structure of the normal nonvolatile semiconductor memory device, and hence a detailed explanation thereof is omitted.  
         [0172]     Incidentally, the bit lines BL correspond to plural linear patterns in this embodiment, and the bit line connecting portion BLC corresponds to a connecting portion which connects the plural linear patterns in this embodiment.  
         [0173]     Next, a manufacturing process of the nonvolatile semiconductor memory device according to this embodiment will be explained based on  FIG. 83  to  FIG. 100 .  FIG. 83 ,  FIG. 86 ,  FIG. 89 ,  FIG. 92 ,  FIG. 95 , and  FIG. 98  are sectional views taken along the line A-A′ of  FIG. 79  for explaining the manufacturing process,  FIG. 84 ,  FIG. 87 ,  FIG. 90 ,  FIG. 93 ,  FIG. 96 , and  FIG. 99  are sectional views taken along the line B-B′ of  FIG. 79  for explaining the manufacturing process, and  FIG. 85 ,  FIG. 88 ,  FIG. 91 ,  FIG. 94 ,  FIG. 97 , and  FIG. 100  are sectional views taken along the line C-C′ of  FIG. 79  for explaining the manufacturing process.  
         [0174]     First, as shown in  FIG. 83  to  FIG. 85 , a barrier metal film  302  is formed on an insulating film  300 . It is assumed that beneath this insulating film  300 , plural word lines and plural memory cells are formed. In this embodiment, the barrier metal layer  302  is composed of a titanium film and a titanium nitride film. Subsequently, an aluminum film  304  is formed on the barrier metal film  302 , and a titanium nitride film  306  is formed on the aluminum film  304 .  
         [0175]     Next, as shown in  FIG. 86  to  FIG. 88 , an antireflection film  310 , for example, with a thickness of 10 nm is formed on the titanium nitride film  306 , and a photoresist  312 , for example, with a thickness of 200 nm is formed on the antireflection film  310 . Subsequently, the photoresist  312  is patterned as desired. In this embodiment, the wiring width and space width of the pattern are approximately 90 nm. By this patterning, patterns to form the bit lines BL and a pattern to form the bit line connecting portion BLC are formed in the photoresist  312 .  
         [0176]     Then, as shown in  FIG. 89  to  FIG. 91 , the antireflection film  310 , the titanium nitride film  306 , the aluminum film  304 , and the barrier metal film  302  are etched by the RIE technology with the photoresist  312  as a mask. By this etching, plural bit lines BL and the bit line connecting portion BLC which connects the plural bit lines BL on one end side of these bit lines are formed. Accordingly, the titanium nitride film  306 , the aluminum film  304 , and the barrier metal film  302  correspond to a first member to be patterned in this embodiment.  
         [0177]     Subsequently, as shown in  FIG. 92  to  FIG. 94 , the antireflection film  310  and the photoresist  312  are removed using the ashing technology.  
         [0178]     Thereafter, as shown in  FIG. 95  to  FIG. 97 , after a photoresist  320 , for example, with a thickness of 100 nm is formed on this nonvolatile semiconductor memory device, the photoresist  320  is patterned as desired by the lithography technology. By this patterning, an opening  322  is formed in a portion corresponding to the separation pattern region SPR in the photoresist  320 .  
         [0179]     Next, as shown in  FIG. 98  to  FIG. 100 , the titanium nitride film  306 , the aluminum film  304 , and the barrier metal film  302  are etched using the RIE technology with the photoresist  320  as a mask. Thereby, the separation pattern region SPR is formed, so that the bit lines BL and the bit line connecting portion BLC in the memory cell array region are electrically separated. Then, the photoresist  320  is removed using the ashing technology, and a wiring process is completed. Consequently, the nonvolatile semiconductor memory device shown in  FIG. 79  to  FIG. 82  is obtained.  
         [0180]     As described above, according to the nonvolatile semiconductor memory device of this embodiment, by providing the bit line connecting portion BLC on one end side of the bit lines BL, it becomes possible that when the bit lines BL are formed by etching with the photoresist  312  as a mask, a portion such as a tip of the bit line BL where resist pattern collapse tends to occur does not exist. Accordingly, a margin for patterning improves, which makes it possible to provide the stable high-yield nonvolatile semiconductor memory device.  
         [0181]     It should be mentioned that the present invention is not limited to the aforementioned embodiments, and various changes may be made therein. For example, in the aforementioned embodiments, the word line connecting portion WLC, the memory cell region connecting portion MCC, and the bit line connecting portion BLC are finally left, but they need not necessarily be left. For example, in the first embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 101 , it is also possible to extend the separation pattern region SPR to a region where the word line connecting portion WLC is provided and remove the word line connecting portion WLC. In this case, as shown in  FIG. 102  (which corresponds to  FIG. 34 ) and  FIG. 103  (which corresponds to  FIG. 35 ), the opening  132  of the photoresist  130  is formed widely so as to contain all of the word line connecting portion WLC. Then, as shown in  FIG. 104  (which corresponds to  FIG. 39 ) and  FIG. 105  (which corresponds to  FIG. 40 ), the separation pattern region SPR is formed by removing also the portion of the word line connecting portion WLC when the silicon nitride film  114 , the tungsten silicide film  112 , and the polycrystalline silicon film  110  are removed by etching with the photoresis  130  as a mask.  
         [0182]     Moreover, in the second embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 106 , it is also possible to extend the separation pattern region SPR to a region where the memory cell region connecting portion MCC is provided and remove the memory cell region connecting portion MCC. In this case, as shown in  FIG. 107  (which corresponds to  FIG. 59 ), the opening  222  of the photoresist  220  is formed widely so as to contain all of the memory cell region connecting portion MCC. Then, as shown in  FIG. 108  (which corresponds to  FIG. 62 ), when the silicon oxide film  206 , the silicon nitride film  204 , and the silicon oxide film  202  are removed by etching with the photoresis  220  as a mask, the memory cell region connecting portion MCC is also removed. Subsequently, as shown in  FIG. 109  (which corresponds to  FIG. 65 ), the photoresist  220  is removed, and as shown in  FIG. 110  ( FIG. 68 ), a trench to form the separation pattern region SPR is formed in the semiconductor substrate  200  by etching the semiconductor substrate  200  with the silicon oxide film  206  as a mask.  
         [0183]     Further, in the third embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 111 , it is also possible to extend the separation pattern region SPR to a region where the bit line connecting portion BLC is provided and remove the bid line connecting portion BLC. In this case, as shown in  FIG. 112  (which corresponds to  FIG. 96 ), the opening  322  of the photoresist  320  is formed widely so as to contain all of the bid line connecting portion BLC. Then, as shown in  FIG. 113  (which corresponds to  FIG. 99 ), the separation pattern region SPR is formed by removing also the portion of the bid line connecting portion BLC when the titanium nitride film  306 , the aluminum film  304 , and the barrier metal film  302  are removed by etching with the photoresis  320  as a mask.  
         [0184]     Furthermore, although all of each of the word line connecting portion WLC, the memory cell region connecting portion MCC, and the bit line connecting protion BLC is removed in these modifications, only a part thereof may be removed.  
         [0185]     Additionally, in the aforementioned embodiments, the present invention is explained with the NAND-type nonvolatile semiconductor memory device as an example, but the present invention is also applicable to other semiconductor devices such as a semiconductor memory device including word lines and bit lines. Namely, the present invention is applicable to all of semiconductor devices having a linear pattern such as causes resist pattern collapse.  
         [0186]     Besides, in the aforementioned embodiments, only on one end side of the linear pattern, the connection portion which connects the plural linear patterns is provided, but the connecting portions may be provided on both end sides of the linear pattern.