Patent Document

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119 of Korean Patent Application Nos. 10-2008-0092600, filed Sep. 22, 2008, and 10-2008-0109772, filed Nov. 6, 2008, which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    The present disclosure relates to a method of fabricating a semiconductor device, and a flash memory device and a method of driving the same. 
         [0003]    With the development in information processing technology, high-integrated flash memory devices have been developed. In particular, flash memory devices having a Silicon-Oxide-Nitride-Oxide-Silicon (SONOS) structure have been developed. 
         [0004]    Such flash memory devices may include a select transistor for preventing an over-erase. However, because the flash memory devices further include the select transistor, it can be difficult to obtain high integration. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY 
       [0005]    A method of fabricating a semiconductor device is provided that can reduce the deviation between semiconductor devices. In addition, an embodiment of the present invention provides a flash memory device that can be highly integrated and a method of driving the same. 
         [0006]    A method of fabricating a semiconductor device according to one embodiment includes: forming a nitride film on a semiconductor substrate; forming a sacrificial vertical structure on the nitride film; forming sacrificial spacers on lateral surfaces of the sacrificial vertical structure; performing an initial patterning of the nitride film using the sacrificial vertical structure and the sacrificial spacers as etching masks; removing the sacrificial spacers from the initially patterned nitride film and forming gate electrodes on the lateral surfaces of the sacrificial vertical structure; removing the sacrificial vertical structure from between the gate electrodes; and performing a second patterning of the nitride film using the gate electrodes as etching masks. 
         [0007]    A flash memory device according to one embodiment includes a trap unit that is disposed on a semiconductor substrate to trap charges; a channel region that includes a first channel region corresponding to the trap unit and a second channel region adjacent to the first channel region; a source region and a drain region spaced apart with the channel region therebetween; and a gate electrode disposed on the first channel region and the second channel region of the channel region. 
         [0008]    A method of driving a flash memory device according to one embodiment includes: programming memory cells by injecting hot electrons into the charge trap unit; and erasing the memory cells by injecting hot holes into the charge trap unit. 
         [0009]    The flash memory device according to an embodiment includes a first channel region and a second channel region, and a single gate electrode disposed on the first channel region and the second channel region. 
         [0010]    Therefore, the flash memory device according to an embodiment has a structure where the memory cell is coupled with a select transistor. Thereby, the flash memory device can reduce over-erase. 
         [0011]    Further, the flash memory device according to an embodiment uses one gate electrode to enable to drive the select transistor and the memory cell, and has improved integration. 
         [0012]    Moreover, the flash memory device according to an embodiment can program and erase the memory cells by injecting hot electrons and hot holes into the charge trap unit. Therefore, the flash memory device according to the embodiment can be driven in a NOR form and thus, can be highly integrated. 
         [0013]    In addition, the method of fabricating the semiconductor device according to an embodiment patterns the nitride film using the sacrificial vertical structure and the sacrificial spacers. The sacrificial spacers are formed by an etch back process so that the sacrificial spacers can be formed in the same size, the sacrificial spacers being symmetrical with each other. 
         [0014]    According to an embodiment, the nitride film is patterned using the sacrificial spacers as masks so that the nitride film can be divided into two portions having the same width in a subsequent patterning process. 
         [0015]    Therefore, two semiconductor devices can be formed from the two portions of patterned nitride film. At this time, the deviation between the two semiconductor devices is reduced. 
         [0016]    By using symmetrical sacrificial spacers, the method of fabricating the semiconductor device according to an embodiment reduces the deviation between the devices. 
         [0017]    In addition, each of the two devices includes a first channel region and a second channel region, with a corresponding gate electrode thereon. 
         [0018]    Accordingly, the two devices each has a structure where a memory cell is coupled with a select transistor. Thereby, the flash memory devices can reduce over-erase. 
         [0019]    Moreover, the flash memory device can use the one gate electrode to enable to drive the select transistor component and the memory cell component, improving integration. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0020]      FIGS. 1 to 7  are cross-sectional views showing processes of a method of fabricating a flash memory device having a SONOS structure according to an embodiment. 
           [0021]      FIG. 8  is a diagram showing a flash memory device having a SONOS structure according to an embodiment. 
           [0022]      FIG. 9  is a circuit view of a flash memory device according to an embodiment. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0023]    When the terms “on” or “over” are used herein, when referring to layers, regions, patterns, or structures, it is understood that the layer, region, pattern or structure can be directly on and in contact with another layer or structure, or intervening layers, regions, patterns, or structures may also be present. When the terms “under” or “below” are used herein, when referring to layers, regions, patterns, or structures, it is understood that the layer, region, pattern or structure can be directly under and in contact with the other layer or structure, or intervening layers, regions, patterns, or structures may also be present. Also, being “on” or “under” each layer will be described based on the drawings. In the drawings, the thickness or size of each layer may be exaggerated, omitted or schematically illustrated for the convenience and clarity of explanation. Also, the size of each element in the figures does not completely reflect its actual size. 
         [0024]      FIGS. 1 to 7  are cross-sectional views showing processes of a method of fabricating a flash memory device having a SONOS structure according to an embodiment. 
         [0025]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , a device isolating layer  110  is formed on a semiconductor substrate  100 , and an activation region is defined by a region between the device isolating layer  110 . Thereafter, a low-concentration n-type impurity is implanted to the activation region, thereby forming an n-type well  120 . 
         [0026]    Referring to  FIG. 2 , after the n-type well  120  is formed, a tunnel oxide film  201 , a nitride film  202 , and a buffer layer  203  are formed on the semiconductor substrate  100 . 
         [0027]    In one embodiment, tunnel oxide film  201  is formed at a thickness of about 50 to 80 Å by a thermal oxidation process, and the nitride film  202  is formed at a thickness of about 70 to 100 Å by a chemical vapor deposition (CVD) process. The nitride film  202  may be made of silicon nitride (SiNx) by way of example. 
         [0028]    The buffer layer  203  is formed on the nitride film  202 . The buffer layer  203  may be made of silicon oxide (SiOx) by way of example. 
         [0029]    Moreover, high-K material such as aluminum oxide may be deposited between the tunnel oxide film  201  and the nitride film  202 . 
         [0030]    Thereby, an ONO film  200   a  having a structure of oxide film-nitride film-oxide film is formed on the semiconductor substrate  100 . At this time, the ONO film  200   a  may be patterned by a mask process. 
         [0031]    For example, referring to  FIG. 2 , a sacrificial vertical structure (SVS) is formed on the buffer layer  203 . The sacrificial vertical structure (SVS) may be made of, for example, nitride or oxide. 
         [0032]    According to an embodiment, the sacrificial vertical structure (SVS) may be formed to have a height of about 3000 to 4000 Å. 
         [0033]    Referring to  FIG. 3 , after the sacrificial vertical structure (SVS) is formed, a silicon nitride layer is formed on the semiconductor substrate  100  and the silicon nitride layer is etched by an anisotropic etching process such as an etch-back process. 
         [0034]    Therefore, first and second sacrificial spacers SS 1  and SS 2  are formed on the lateral surfaces of the sacrificial vertical structure (SVS). The first and second sacrificial spacers SS 1  and SS 2  are symmetrical with each other, having the sacrificial vertical structure (SVS) therebetween. 
         [0035]    The first and second sacrificial spacers SS 1  and SS 2  are formed by the anisotropic etching process so that the first and second sacrificial spacers SS 1  and SS 2  have substantially the same size. More specifically, the bottom surfaces of the first and second sacrificial spacers SS 1  and SS 2  have the same width. 
         [0036]    Thereafter, the ONO film  200   a  is patterned using the first and second sacrificial spacers SS 1  and SS 2  and the sacrificial vertical structure (SVS) as an etch mask. In other words, the portions of the ONO film  200   a , where the first and second sacrificial spacers SS 1  and SS 2  and the sacrificial vertical structure (SVS) are not disposed, are etched. 
         [0037]    Referring to  FIG. 4 , the first and second sacrificial spacers SS 1  and SS 2  are removed. At this time, the portions of the buffer layer  203  disposed under the first and second sacrificial spacers SS 1  and SS 2  are also removed. 
         [0038]    Thereafter, a dielectric layer  204  is formed on the semiconductor substrate  100  by a CVD process. The dielectric layer  204  may be made of, for example, silicon oxide. The dielectric layer  204  is formed on the lateral surfaces and the upper surface of the sacrificial vertical structure (SVS). 
         [0039]    Referring to  FIG. 5 , a polysilicon layer is formed on the dielectric layer  204 . The polysilicon layer is etched by an anisotropic etching process, such as an etch-back process, to form the first and second gate electrodes  310  and  320  on the lateral surfaces of the sacrificial vertical structure (SVS). 
         [0040]    The first and second gate electrodes  310  and  320  are disposed on the nitride film  202  and are formed on the lateral surfaces of the nitride film  202 . The first and second gate electrodes  310  and  320  are symmetrical with each other. 
         [0041]    Moreover, the first and second gate electrodes  310  and  320  are formed by the anisotropic etching process so that they have substantially the same size. 
         [0042]    Referring to  FIG. 6 , after the first and second gate electrodes  310  and  320  are formed, the sacrificial vertical structure (SVS) is removed. 
         [0043]    Thereafter, the buffer layer  203 , the nitride film  202 , and the tunnel oxide film  201  are etched using the first and second gate electrodes  310  and  320  as masks. 
         [0044]    Accordingly, a first trap unit  210  that includes a first tunnel oxide film  201   a , a first charge trap layer  202   a , and a first dielectric layer  204   a  is formed on the semiconductor substrate  100 . At the same time, a second trap unit  210  that includes a second tunnel oxide film  201   b , a second charge trap layer  202   b , and a second dielectric layer  204   b  is formed. 
         [0045]    Thereafter, a low-concentration p-type impurity is implanted into the substrate at outer sides of the first and second gate electrodes  310  and  320 , thereby forming LDD regions  410  and  420 , and a high-concentration p-type impurity is implanted into the region between the second gate electrodes  310  and  320 , thereby forming a source region  510 . 
         [0046]    Referring to  FIG. 7 , after the source region  510  is formed, spacers  331  and  332  are formed on the lateral surfaces of the first and second gate electrodes  310  and  320 . At this time, the spacers  331  and  332  are also disposed on lateral surfaces of the first and second charge trap layers  202   a  and  202   b , thereby isolating the lateral surfaces of the first and second charge trap layers  202   a  and  202   b.    
         [0047]    Thereafter, high-concentration p-type impurity is implanted into at outer sides of the first and second gate electrodes  310  and  320 , thereby forming drain regions  521  and  522 . 
         [0048]    Thereafter, silicide films  610 ,  620 ,  630 ,  640 , and  650  are formed on the first and second gate electrodes  310  and  320 , the source region  510 , and the drain regions  521  and  522 . 
         [0049]    Thereby, a flash memory device that includes memory cells FL 1  and FL 2  being symmetrical with each other and having a SONOS structure is formed. 
         [0050]    The first memory cell FL 1  includes the first gate electrode  310  and the first trap unit  210 . 
         [0051]    The first trap unit  210  includes the first tunnel oxide film  201   a , the first charge trap layer  202   a , and the first dielectric layer  204   a . The first tunnel oxide film  201   a  is interposed between the first charge trap layer  202   a  and the semiconductor substrate  100 , and the first dielectric layer  204   a  is interposed between the first gate electrode  310  and the first charge trap layer  202   a . In other words, the first trap unit  210  has an ONO structure. 
         [0052]    The second memory cell FL 2  includes the second gate electrode  320  and the second trap unit  220 . 
         [0053]    The second trap unit  220  includes the second tunnel oxide film  201   b , the second charge trap layer  202   b , and the second dielectric layer  204   b . The second tunnel oxide film  201   b  is interposed between the second charge trap layer  202   b  and the semiconductor substrate  100 , and the second dielectric layer  204   b  is interposed between the second gate electrode  320  and the second charge trap layer  202   b . In the same manner, the second trap unit  220  has an ONO structure. 
         [0054]    The first and second charge trap layers  202   a  and  202   b  may trap and hold charges. More specifically, the first and second charge trap layers  202   a  and  202   b  may trap and hold hot electrons and hot holes. 
         [0055]    The first gate electrode  310  and the second gate electrode  320  have substantially the same size. 
         [0056]    Further, the width W 1  of the first charge trap layer  202   a  is substantially the same as the width of the first sacrificial spacer (SS 1 ), and in the same manner, the width W 2  of the second charge trap layer  202   b  is substantially the same as the width of the second sacrificial spacer (SS 2 ). 
         [0057]    Therefore, the width of the first charge trap layer  202   a  is substantially the same as the width of the second charge trap layer  202   b.    
         [0058]    The first and second gate electrodes  310  and  320  have the same size and the first and second charge trap layers  202   b  have the same size, such that the first memory cell FL 1  and the second memory cell FL 2  have substantially the same size. 
         [0059]    Therefore, the flash memory device having the SONOS structure in accordance with embodiments of the present invention can reduce the deviation between the memory cells. 
         [0060]    In particular, the flash memory device having the SONOS structure of an embodiment can reduce the deviation between the memory cells caused by the deviation in the widths of the charge trap layers. 
         [0061]    Further, the first memory cell FL 1  has a channel region CH that is partitioned into a first channel region CH 1  and a second channel region CH 2 . The channel region CH is formed between the source region  510  and the drain region  521 . 
         [0062]    The first channel region CH 1  corresponds to the first trap unit  210  and the second channel region CH 2  is adjacent to the first channel region CH 1 . 
         [0063]    More specifically, the first trap unit  210  is disposed on the first channel region CH 1 , while not being disposed on the second channel region CH 2 . In other words, the first trap unit  210  is disposed only on the first channel region CH 1 . 
         [0064]    Accordingly, the first channel region CH 1  and the second channel region CH 2  are partitioned by the first trap unit  210 . 
         [0065]    The first gate electrode  310  is disposed on the first channel region CH 1  and the second channel region CH 2 . In other words, the first gate electrode  310  is disposed on the first channel region CH 1  and on the second channel region CH 2 , as well as on the first trap unit  210 . 
         [0066]    Moreover, the first gate electrode  310  covers a lateral surface of the first trap unit  210 . In particular, the first gate electrode  310  covers a lateral surface of the first charge trap layer  202   a.    
         [0067]    The second memory cell FL 2  also has the same structure as the first memory cell FL 1 . According to an embodiment, the second memory cell FL 2  and the first memory cell FL 1  can be symmetric about the source  510 . 
         [0068]    The first memory cell FL 1  includes the first channel region CH 1  and the second channel region CH 2 , thereby having a structure where one transistor is coupled with one memory cell. 
         [0069]    Therefore, the flash memory device according to an embodiment can implement the improved integration. 
         [0070]    In other words, the first channel region CH 1  and the second channel region CH 2  can be controlled by the first gate electrode  310 . 
         [0071]    Therefore, the first memory cell FL 1  and the second memory cell FL 2  have the function of a select transistor so that the flash memory device can reduce over-erase. 
         [0072]      FIG. 8  is a diagram showing a flash memory device having a SONOS structure according to an embodiment.  FIG. 9  is a circuit view of a flash memory device according to an embodiment. 
         [0073]    Referring to  FIGS. 8 and 9 , the flash memory device according to an embodiment ejects hot electrons and hot holes into the charge trap layers  202   a  and  20   b  to program and erase the memory cells FL 1  and FL 2 . 
         [0074]    In other words, the hot electrons are ejected into the charge trap layers  202   a  and  202   b  to lower the threshold voltage (Vth) of the channel region CH so that the memory cells FL 1  and FL 2  are programmed. Also, the hot holes are ejected into the charge trap layers  202   a  and  202   b  to remove the hot electrons so that the memory cells FL 1  and FL 2  are erased. 
         [0075]    Further, the charge trap layer is not disposed on the second channel region CH 2  so that the portion corresponding to the second channel region CH 2  performs the function of the transistor. 
         [0076]    The processes of programming, reading and erasing the first memory cell FL 1  will be reviewed with reference to Table 1. 
         [0077]    First, in order to program the first memory cell FL 1 , a high bias (VH) is applied to the first word line WL 1  and the source region  510  (through SL), and a back bias (VB) is applied to the first bit line BL 1 . 
         [0078]    Further, an inhibit bias (VI) is applied to other bit lines (e.g., BL 2 ), and a reference voltage of, for example, 0 V is applied to the semiconductor substrate  100  and other word lines (e.g., WL 2 ). 
         [0079]    In other words, the high bias (VH) is applied to the first gate electrode  310  and the source region  510 , the back bias (VB) is applied to the drain electrodes  521  and  522 , and the reference voltage is applied to the second gate electrode  320 . 
         [0080]    The high bias (VH) may be in a range of about +9 to +11 V and the back bias VB may be in a range of about +1 to +2V. Also, the inhibit bias (VI) may be in a range of about 4 to 6 V or may be floating (FL). 
         [0081]    By this biasing scheme, the hot electrons are ejected into the first trap layer  202   a.    
         [0082]    In order to read the first memory cell FL 1 , a driving bias (Vcc) is applied to the first word line WL 1  and a read bias (Vread) is applied to the first bit line BL 1 . Also, the reference voltage is applied to the source region  510  (through SL) and the semiconductor substrate  100 . 
         [0083]    In other words, the driving bias (Vcc) is applied to the first gate electrode  310  and the read bias (Vread) is applied to the drain regions  521  and  522 . 
         [0084]    The driving bias (Vcc) can be in the range of about 3 to 7V and the read bias Vread can be in the range of about 0.3 to 1V. 
         [0085]    In order to erase the first memory cell FL 1 , a low bias (VL) that is a negative voltage is applied to the first word line WL 1  and a positive voltage of about 3 to 5V is applied to the source region  510 . In one embodiment, a voltage of 4V can be applied to the source region. 
         [0086]    Further, the reference voltage is applied to the semiconductor substrate  100 , the reference voltage or the floating (FL) is applied to the bit lines, and the reference voltage is applied to other word lines. 
         [0087]    In other words, the low bias (VL) is applied to the first gate electrode  310  and the reference voltage is applied to the second gate electrode  320 . 
         [0088]    The low bias VL can be in the range of about −7 to −9V. 
         [0089]    In the same manner, the reference voltage or the floating (FL) is applied to the drain electrodes. 
         [0090]    In the manner as described above, hot holes are injected into the first charge trap layer  202   a  so that the first memory cell FL 1  is erased. 
         [0091]    The erase process may be performed at a time for each page or sector, including a plurality of memory cells. 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
                 TABLE 1 
               
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 Source 
                 Semiconductor 
               
               
                   
                 WL1 
                 WL2 
                 BL1 
                 BL2 
                 region 
                 substrate 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 Program 
                 VH 
                 0 V 
                 VB 
                 VI 
                 VH 
                 0 V 
               
               
                 Read 
                 Vcc 
                 0 V 
                 Vread 
                 0 V 
                 0 V 
                 0 V 
               
               
                 Erase 
                 VL 
                 0 V 
                 0 V or 
                 0 V or FL 
                 4 V 
                 0 V 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 FL 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0092]    As reviewed above, the flash memory device according to the embodiment can program and erase the memory cells by ejecting the hot electrons and the hot holes into the charge trap unit. 
         [0093]    Therefore, the flash memory device according to the embodiment can be driven in a NOR form and thus can be highly integrated. 
         [0094]    Any reference in this specification to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “example embodiment,” etc., means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the invention. The appearances of such phrases in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Further, when a particular feature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection with any embodiment, it is submitted that it is within the purview of one skilled in the art to effect such feature, structure, or characteristic in connection with other ones of the embodiments. 
         [0095]    Although embodiments have been described with reference to a number of illustrative embodiments thereof, it should be understood that numerous other modifications and embodiments can be devised by those skilled in the art that will fall within the spirit and scope of the principles of this disclosure. More particularly, various variations and modifications are possible in the component parts and/or arrangements of the subject combination arrangement within the scope of the disclosure, the drawings and the appended claims. In addition to variations and modifications in the component parts and/or arrangements, alternative uses will also be apparent to those skilled in the art.

Technology Category: 3