Patent Document

REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
   This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/866,583, filed on 20 Nov. 2006, by inventors Tien-Fan Ou, Wen-Jer Tsai, Erh-Kun Lai, Hsuan-Ling Kao and Yi Ying Liao entitled Gated Diode Nonvolatile Memory. 

   BACKGROUND 
   1. Field 
   The present invention relates to electrically programmable and erasable non-volatile memory, and more particularly to charge storage memory with a bias arrangement that reads the contents of the charge storage structure of the memory cell with great sensitivity. 
   2. Description of Related Art 
   Electrically programmable and erasable non-volatile memory technologies based on charge storage structures known as EEPROM and flash memory are used in a variety of modern applications. A number of memory cell structures are used for EEPROM and flash memory. As the dimensions of integrated circuits shrink, greater interest is arising for memory cell structures based on charge trapping dielectric layers, because of the scalability and simplicity of the manufacturing processes. Various memory cell structures based on charge trapping dielectric layers include structures known by the industry names PHINES, NROM, and SONOS, for example. These memory cell structures store data by trapping charge in a charge trapping dielectric layer, such as silicon nitride. As more net negative charge is trapped, the threshold voltage of the memory cell increases. The threshold voltage of the memory cell is reduced by removing negative charge from, or adding positive charge to, the charge trapping layer. 
   Conventional memory cell structures rely on a transistor structure with source, drain, and gate. However, common transistor structures have drain and source diffusions that are laterally separated from each other by a self-aligned gate. This lateral separation is a factor that resists further miniaturization of nonvolatile memory. 
   Thus, a need exists for a nonvolatile memory cell that is open to further miniaturization and whose contents can be read with great sensitivity. 
   SUMMARY 
   One aspect of the technology is a method for making a nonvolatile memory device in an integrated circuit, such that the device includes a diode having a first diode node and a second diode node. The diode in various embodiments is any of: a Schottky diode and a pn diode. Various method embodiments include the following steps:
         forming a first layer of a first charge type of the integrated circuit above a second layer of a second charge type of the integrated circuit. The first charge type is opposite to the second charge type.   removing part of the first layer and part of the second layer to form the first diode node in the first layer and to form the second diode node in the second layer. The first charge type of the first diode node is opposite to the second charge type of the second diode node. In various embodiments, the first diode node is any of: doped polysilicon, and part of a bit line accessing the device; and the second diode node is any of: a well of the integrated circuit, a substrate of the integrated circuit. Also, the first diode node and second diode node are at least one of monocrystal, polycrystal, and amorphous. The first diode node and the second diode node are separated by a junction. In various embodiments, the junction is any of: a homojunction, a heterojunction, and a graded heterojunction. In some embodiments, the junction includes a diffusion barrier junction.   forming isolation dielectric areas of the integrated circuit to isolate at least part of the second diode node of the device from neighboring devices, such that the isolation dielectric areas leave the junction uncovered. In some embodiments, this is performed by: covering at least the junction with the isolation dielectric areas, and removing at least the isolation dielectric areas covering the junction.   forming a charge storage structure and one or more storage dielectric structures on the integrated circuit. The charge storage structure is any of: charge trapping material, floating gate material, and nanocrystal material. The charge storage structure and the one or more storage dielectric structures cover at least the junction and parts of the first and second diode nodes adjacent to the junction. The one or more storage dielectric structures are at least partly between the charge storage structure and the first and second diode nodes. The one or more storage dielectric structures are at least partly between the charge storage structure and a source of gate voltage of the device. In some embodiments, the charge storage structure has a charge storage state determined by a measurement of current flowing through the first diode node and the second diode node in reverse bias.   forming the gate supplying the gate voltage of the device.       

   Another aspect of the technology is a nonvolatile memory device in an integrated circuit. The device includes a diode having a first diode node and a second is diode node as described herein, and the device is made by a process as described herein. 
   A further aspect of the technology is a method for making an array of nonvolatile memory devices in an integrated circuit. Each of the devices includes a diode having a first diode node and a second diode node as described herein. Various method embodiments comprise the following steps:
         forming a first layer of a first charge type of the integrated circuit above a second layer of a second charge type of the integrated circuit. The first charge type is opposite to the second charge type.   removing part of the first layer and part of the second layer to form the first diode nodes in the first layer and to form the second diode nodes in the second layer. The devices each include an adjacent pair of the first diode node and the second diode node. The first diode node and the second diode node of each of the devices are separated by a junction. In some embodiments, the first diode nodes are bit lines, and the bit lines and the word lines access particular nonvolatile memory devices of the array of nonvolatile memory devices.   forming isolation dielectric columns of the integrated circuit to isolate at least part of the second diode node of each of the devices from neighboring columns of the devices, The junction of each of the devices is covered by the isolation dielectric columns.   forming a charge storage structure and one or more storage dielectric structures for each of the devices. The charge storage structure and the one or more storage dielectric structures cover at least the junction and parts of the first and second diode nodes adjacent to the junction. The one or more storage dielectric structures are at least partly between the charge storage structure and the first and second diode nodes, and the one or more storage dielectric structures are at least partly between the charge storage structure and a source of gate voltage of each of the devices.   forming word lines supplying the gate voltage to each of the devices of the integrated circuit.       

   Further embodiments are described herein, such as with regard to each cell. 
   Another aspect of the technology is an array of nonvolatile memory devices in an integrated circuit. Each of the devices includes a diode having a first diode node and a second diode node as described herein. The array made by a process as described herein. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a simplified diagram of a gated diode nonvolatile memory cell. 
       FIGS. 2A ,  2 B, and  2 C are simplified diagrams of a gated diode nonvolatile memory cell, showing various charge storage structures having different materials. 
       FIGS. 3A ,  3 B,  3 C, and  3 D are simplified diagrams of a gated diode nonvolatile memory cell, showing various examples of a diode structure, such as the pn diode and the Schottky diode. 
       FIGS. 4A and 4B  are simplified diagrams of a gated diode nonvolatile memory cell, showing examples of a pn diode with a homojunction. 
       FIG. 5  is a simplified diagram of a gated diode nonvolatile memory cell, showing an example of a pn diode with a heterojunction. 
       FIGS. 6A and 6B  are simplified diagrams of a gated diode nonvolatile memory cell operation performing electron tunnel injection. 
       FIGS. 7A and 7B  are simplified diagrams of a gated diode nonvolatile memory cell operation performing band-to-band hot electron injection. 
       FIGS. 8A and 8B  are simplified diagrams of a gated diode nonvolatile memory cell operation performing hole tunnel injection. 
       FIGS. 9A and 9B  are simplified diagrams of a gated diode nonvolatile memory cell operation performing band-to-band hot hole injection. 
       FIGS. 10A and 10B  are simplified diagrams of a gated diode nonvolatile memory cell operation performing band-to-band sensing with different amounts of net positive or net negative charge characterizing the charge storage structure. 
       FIGS. 11A and 11B  are simplified diagrams of a gated diode nonvolatile memory cell operation performing band-to-band sensing with different amounts of net positive or net negative charge characterizing the charge storage structure, but with a different diode node arrangement than in  FIGS. 10A and 10B . 
       FIGS. 12A and 12B  are simplified diagrams of neighboring gated diode nonvolatile memory cells, with and without interconnected second nodes. 
       FIGS. 13A and 13B  are simplified diagrams of an array of gated diode nonvolatile memory cells with interconnected second node columns, performing band-to-band sensing. 
       FIGS. 14A and 14B  are simplified diagrams of an array of gated diode nonvolatile memory cells without interconnected second node columns, performing band-to-band sensing. 
       FIGS. 15A and 15B  are simplified diagrams of an array of gated diode nonvolatile memory cells with interconnected second node columns, performing band-to-band sensing, where the doping arrangement of the diode structures is different from  FIGS. 13A ,  13 B,  14 A, and  14 B. 
       FIGS. 16A and 16B  are simplified diagrams of an array of gated diode nonvolatile memory cells without interconnected second node columns, performing band-to-band sensing, where the doping arrangement of the diode structures is different from  FIGS. 13A ,  13 B,  14 A, and  14 B. 
       FIGS. 17A ,  17 B, and  17 C are simplified diagrams of neighboring gated diode nonvolatile memory cells without interconnected second nodes, in which electron tunnel injection is performed on selected cells. 
       FIGS. 18A ,  18 B and  18 C are simplified diagrams of neighboring gated diode nonvolatile memory cells without interconnected second nodes, in which band-to-band hot hole injection is performed on selected cells. 
       FIGS. 19A ,  19 B, and  19 C are exploded view diagrams of multiple arrays of gated diode nonvolatile memory cells, with different interconnections of the word lines, first node columns, and second node columns, between different arrays. 
       FIG. 20  is a simplified diagram of an integrated circuit with an array of gated diode nonvolatile memory cells and control circuitry. 
       FIGS. 21A-21H  illustrate a sample process flow for multiple arrays of gated diode nonvolatile memory cells. 
       FIGS. 22A and 22B  are simplified diagrams of neighboring gated diode nonvolatile memory cells without interconnected second nodes, in which band-to-band sensing is performed on selected cells. 
       FIGS. 23A-23H  illustrate a sample process flow for an array of gated diode nonvolatile memory cells. 
       FIG. 24  is a perspective view of an array of gated diode nonvolatile memory cells as formed by the process of  FIGS. 23A-23H . 
       FIG. 25  is similar to the simplified diagram in  FIG. 1  of a gated diode nonvolatile memory cell, but adds a diffusion barrier junction to the diode structure. 
       FIGS. 26A ,  26 B, and  26 C are similar to the simplified diagrams in  FIGS. 2A ,  2 B, and  2 C of a gated diode nonvolatile memory cell, showing various charge storage structures having different materials, but add a diffusion barrier junction to the diode structure. 
       FIGS. 27A ,  27 B,  27 C, and  27 D are similar to the simplified diagrams in  FIGS. 3A ,  3 B,  3 C, and  3 D of a gated diode nonvolatile memory cell, showing various examples of a diode structure, such as the pn diode and the Schottky diode, but add a diffusion barrier junction to the diode structure. 
       FIGS. 28A and 28B  are similar to the simplified diagrams in  FIGS. 4A and 4B  of a gated diode nonvolatile memory cell, showing examples of a pn diode with a homojunction, but add a diffusion barrier junction to the diode structure. 
       FIG. 29  is similar to the simplified diagram in  FIG. 5  of a gated diode nonvolatile memory cell, showing an example of a pn diode with a heterojunction, but adds a diffusion barrier junction to the diode structure. 
       FIGS. 30A to 30F  illustrate another sample process flow for an array of gated diode nonvolatile memory cells. 
       FIGS. 31A-31H  illustrate a sample process flow for an array of gated diode nonvolatile memory cells with a diffusion barrier junction in the diode structures. 
       FIG. 32  is a perspective view of an array of gated diode nonvolatile memory cells with a diffusion barrier junction in the diode structures as formed by the process of  FIGS. 31A-31H . 
       FIGS. 33A and 33B  are similar to the simplified diagrams in  FIGS. 6A and 6B  of a gated diode nonvolatile memory cell operation performing electron tunnel injection, but add a diffusion barrier junction to the diode structure. 
       FIGS. 34A and 34B  are similar to the simplified diagrams in  FIGS. 7A and 7B  of a gated diode nonvolatile memory cell operation performing band-to-band hot electron injection, but add a diffusion barrier junction to the diode structure. 
       FIGS. 35A and 35B  are similar to the simplified diagrams in  FIGS. 8A and 8B  of a gated diode nonvolatile memory cell operation performing hole tunnel injection, but add a diffusion barrier junction to the diode structure. 
       FIGS. 36A and 36B  are similar to the simplified diagrams in  FIGS. 9A and 9B  of a gated diode nonvolatile memory cell operation performing band-to-band hot hole injection, but add a diffusion barrier junction to the diode structure. 
       FIGS. 37A and 37B  are similar to the simplified diagrams in  FIGS. 10A and 11B  of a gated diode nonvolatile memory cell operation performing band-to-band sensing with different amounts of net positive or net negative charge characterizing the charge storage structure, but add a diffusion barrier junction to the diode structure. 
       FIGS. 38A and 38B  are similar to the simplified diagrams in  FIGS. 11A and 11B  of a gated diode nonvolatile memory cell operation performing band-to-band sensing with different amounts of net positive or net negative charge characterizing the charge storage structure, but add a diffusion barrier junction to the diode structure, and have a different diode node arrangement than in  FIGS. 37A and 37B . 
       FIGS. 39A and 39B  are similar to the simplified diagrams in  FIGS. 12A and 12B  of neighboring gated diode nonvolatile memory cells, with and without interconnected second nodes, but add a diffusion barrier junction to the diode structure. 
       FIGS. 40A and 40B  are similar to the simplified diagrams in  FIGS. 17A and 17B  of neighboring gated diode nonvolatile memory cells without interconnected second nodes, in which electron tunnel injection is performed on selected cells, but add a diffusion barrier junction to the diode structure. 
       FIGS. 41A and 41B  are similar to the simplified diagrams in  FIGS. 18A ,  1813 , and  18 C of neighboring gated diode nonvolatile memory cells without interconnected second nodes, in which band-to-band hot hole injection is performed on selected cells, but add a diffusion barrier junction to the diode structure. 
       FIGS. 42A and 42B  are similar to the simplified diagrams in  FIGS. 22A and 22B  of neighboring gated diode nonvolatile memory cells without interconnected second nodes, in which band-to-band sensing is performed on selected cells, but add a diffusion barrier junction to the diode structure. 
       FIGS. 43A and 43B  are graphs comparing the doping profiles of diode structures with and without a diffusion barrier junction. 
       FIGS. 44A and 44B  are graphs comparing the doping profiles of diode structures with and without a diffusion barrier junction, under different thermal budget conditions. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     FIG. 1  is a simplified diagram of a gated diode nonvolatile memory cell. Nodes  102  and  104  form a diode separated by a junction. A combined charge storage and dielectric structure  106  substantially surrounds the first diode node  102 . The combined charge storage and dielectric structure  106  is also partly adjacent to the second diode node  104 . In this cross-sectional view, dielectric  110  on either side of the second diode node  104  isolates the second diode node  104  from neighboring devices, such as other gated diode nonvolatile memory cells. 
     FIG. 25  is similar to the simplified diagram in  FIG. 1  of a gated diode nonvolatile memory cell, but adds a diffusion barrier junction to the diode structure. 
     FIGS. 2A ,  2 B and  2 C are simplified diagrams of a gated diode nonvolatile memory cell, showing various charge storage structures having different materials. In  FIG. 2A , a charge trapping material structure  202  locally stores charge, schematically shown here as positive charge on the portion of the charge trapping material near the diode junction. Oxide structures are between the charge trapping material structure  202  and the gate structure, and between the charge trapping material structure  202  and the diode structure. Representative dielectrics between the charge trapping material structure  202  and the gate structure include silicon dioxide and silicon oxynitride having a thickness of about 5 to 10 nanometers, or other similar high dielectric constant materials including for example Al 2 O 3 . Representative between the charge trapping material structure  202  and the diode structure include silicon dioxide and silicon oxynitride having a thickness of about 2 to 10 nanometers, or other similar high dielectric constant materials. 
   Representative charge trapping structures include silicon nitride having a thickness of about 3 to 9 nanometers, or other similar high dielectric constant materials, including metal oxides such as Al 2 O 3 , HfO 2 , and others. 
   In some embodiments, the gate structure comprises a material having a work function greater than the intrinsic work function of n-type silicon, or greater than about 4.1 eV, and preferably greater than about 4.25 eV, including for example greater than about 5 eV. Representative gate materials include p-type poly, TiN, Pt, and other high work function metals and materials. Other materials having a relatively high work function suitable for embodiments of the technology include metals including but not limited to Ru, Ir, Ni, and Co, metal alloys including but not limited to Ru—Ti and Ni—T, metal nitrides, and metal oxides including but not limited to RuO 2 . High work function gate materials result in higher injection barriers for electron tunneling than that of the typical n-type polysilicon gate. The injection barrier for n-type polysilicon gates with silicon dioxide as the outer dielectric is around 3.15 eV. Thus, embodiments of the present technology use materials for the gate and for the outer dielectric having an injection barrier higher than about 3.15 eV, such as higher than about 3.4 eV, and preferably higher than about 4 eV. For p-type polysilicon gates with silicon dioxide outer dielectrics, the injection barrier is about 4.25 eV, and the resulting threshold of a converged cell is reduced about 2 volts relative to a cell having an n-type polysilicon gate with a silicon dioxide outer dielectric. 
     FIG. 2B  shows a gated diode nonvolatile memory cell resembling the gated diode nonvolatile memory cell of  FIG. 2A , but with a floating gate  204 , often made of polysilicon.  FIG. 2C  shows a gated diode nonvolatile memory cell resembling the nonvolatile memory cell of  FIG. 2A , but with a nanoparticle charge storage structure  206 . 
   Each charge storage structure can store one bit or multiple bits. For example, if each charge storage structure stores two bits, then there are four discrete levels of charge stored by the gated diode nonvolatile memory cell. 
   In some embodiments, programming refers to making more positive the net charge stored in the charge trapping structure, such as by the addition of holes to or the removal of electrons from the charge storage structure; and erasing refers to making more negative the net charge stored in the charge storage structure, such as by the removal of holes from or the addition of electrons to the charge trapping structure. However, in other embodiments programming refers to making the net charge stored in the charge storage structure more negative, and erasing refers to making the net charge stored in the charge storage structure more positive. Various charge movement mechanisms are used, such as band-to-band tunneling induced hot carrier injection, E-field induced tunneling, and direct tunneling from the substrate. 
     FIGS. 26A ,  26 B, and  26 C are similar to the simplified diagrams in  FIGS. 2A ,  2 B, and  2 C of a gated diode nonvolatile memory cell, showing various charge storage structures having different materials, but add a diffusion barrier junction to the diode structure. 
     FIGS. 3A ,  3 B,  3 C, and  3 D are simplified diagrams of a gated diode nonvolatile memory cell, showing various examples of a diode structure, such as the pn diode and the Schottky diode. In  FIGS. 3A and 3B , the diode structure is a pn diode. In  FIG. 3A , the first node  302  substantially surrounded by the combined charge storage and dielectric structure is doped n-type, and the second node  304  is doped p-type. The gated diode nonvolatile memory cell of  FIG. 3B  interchanges the node materials of  FIG. 3A , such that the first node  312  substantially surrounded by the combined charge storage and dielectric structure is doped p-type, and the second node  314  is doped n-type. In  FIGS. 3C and 3D , the diode structure is a Schottky diode. In  FIG. 5C , the first node  322  substantially surrounded by the combined charge storage and dielectric structure is a metal material, and the second node  324  is a semiconductor material. The gated diode nonvolatile memory cell of  FIG. 3D  interchanges the node materials of  FIG. 3C , such that the first node  332  substantially surrounded by the combined charge storage and dielectric structure is a semiconductor material, and the second node  334  is a metal material. 
     FIGS. 27A ,  27 B,  27 C, and  27 D are similar to the simplified diagrams in  FIGS. 3A ,  3 B,  3 C, and  3 D of a gated diode nonvolatile memory cell, showing various examples of a diode structure, such as the pn diode and the Schottky diode, but add a diffusion barrier junction to the diode structure. 
     FIGS. 4A and 4B  are simplified diagrams of a gated diode nonvolatile memory cell, showing examples of a pn diode with a homojunction. In  FIG. 4A , both the first node  402  and the second  404  of the diode structure are silicon. In  FIG. 4B , both the first node  412  and the second  414  of the diode structure are germanium. Because of the smaller bandgap of germanium compared to silicon, the gated diode nonvolatile memory cell tends to generate a greater band-to-band current with the configuration of  FIG. 4B  than with the configuration of  FIG. 4A . Regardless of the material used in the homojunction diode structure, the diode structure can be single crystal or polycrystalline. A polycrystalline design results in higher memory cell density, due to the ability to deposit multiple layers of memory cells in the vertical direction. 
     FIGS. 28A and 28B  are similar to the simplified diagrams in  FIGS. 4A and 4B  of a gated diode nonvolatile memory cell, showing examples of a pn diode with a homojunction, but add a diffusion barrier junction to the diode structure. 
     FIG. 5  is a simplified diagram of a gated diode nonvolatile memory cell, showing an example of a pn diode with a heterojunction. The first node  502  substantially surrounded by the combined charge storage and dielectric structure is germanium. The second node  504  is silicon. The first node  502  and the second node  504  are joined by a graded transition layer junction  506 . 
     FIG. 29  is similar to the simplified diagram in  FIG. 5  of a gated diode nonvolatile memory cell, showing an example of a pn diode with a heterojunction, but adds a diffusion barrier junction to the diode structure. 
     FIGS. 6A and 6B  are simplified diagrams of a gated diode nonvolatile memory cell operation performing electron tunnel injection. In  FIG. 6A , the electron tunnel injection mechanism moves electrons from the gate structure  608  biased at −10 V to the charge storage structure  606 . The first diode node is biased at 10 V or is floating, and the second diode node  604  is biased at 10 V. In  FIG. 6B , the electron tunnel injection mechanism moves electrons from the first diode node  602  biased at −10 V or is floating, to the charge storage structure  606 . The gate structure  608  is biased at 10 V, and the second diode node  604  is biased at −10 V. 
     FIGS. 33A and 33B  are similar to the simplified diagrams in  FIGS. 6A and 6B  of a gated diode nonvolatile memory cell operation performing electron tunnel injection, but add a diffusion barrier junction to the diode structure. 
     FIGS. 7A and 7B  are simplified diagrams of a gated diode nonvolatile memory cell operation performing band-to-band hot electron injection. In  FIG. 7A , the band-to-band hot electron injection moves electrons from the diode structure to the charge storage structure  606 . The n-type first diode node  602  biased at 0 V, the gate structure  608  is biased at 10 V, and holes of the resulting electron-hole pairs flow into the p+-type second node  604  biased at −5 V. In  FIG. 7B , the band-to-band hot electron injection moves electrons from the diode structure to the charge storage structure  606 . The n-type second diode node  604  biased at 0 V, the gate structure  608  is biased at 10 V, and holes of the resulting electron-hole pairs flow into the p+-type first node  602  is biased at −5 V. 
     FIGS. 34A and 34B  are similar to the simplified diagrams in  FIGS. 7A and 7B  of a gated diode nonvolatile memory cell operation performing band-to-band hot electron injection, but add a diffusion barrier junction to the diode structure. 
     FIGS. 8A and 8B  are simplified diagrams of a gated diode nonvolatile memory cell operation performing hole tunnel injection. In  FIG. 8A , the hole tunnel injection mechanism moves holes from the gate structure  608  biased at 10 V to the charge storage structure  606 . The first diode node is biased at −10 V or is floating, and the second diode node  604  is biased at −10 V. In  FIG. 5B , the hole tunnel injection mechanism moves holes from the first diode node  602  biased at 10 V or is floating, to the charge storage structure  606 . The gate structure  608  is biased at −10 V, and the second diode node  604  is biased at 10 V. 
     FIGS. 35A and 35B  are similar to the simplified diagrams in  FIGS. 5A and 8B  of a gated diode nonvolatile memory cell operation performing hole tunnel injection, but add a diffusion barrier junction to the diode structure. 
     FIGS. 9A and 9B  are simplified diagrams of a gated diode nonvolatile memory cell operation performing band-to-band hot hole injection. In  FIG. 9A , the band-to-band hot hole injection moves holes from the diode structure to the charge storage structure  606 . The p-type first diode node  602  is biased at 0 V, the gate structure  608  is biased at −10 V, and electrons of the resulting electron-hole pairs flow into the n+-type second node  604  is biased at 5 V. In  FIG. 9B , the band-to-band hot hole injection moves holes from the diode structure to the charge storage structure  606 . The p-type second diode node  604  is biased at 0 V, the gate structure  608  is biased at −10 V, and electrons of the resulting electron-hole pairs flow into the n+-type first node  602  biased at 5 V. 
   Band-to-band currents flowing through the diode structure determine the charge storage state of the charge storage structure with great precision, due to combined is vertical and lateral electrical fields. Larger vertical and lateral electrical fields give rise to larger band-to-band currents. A bias arrangement is applied to the various terminals, such that the energy bands bend sufficiently to cause hand-to-band current in the diode structure, while keeping the potential difference between the diode nodes sufficiently low enough such that programming or erasing does not occur. 
   In example bias arrangements, the diode structure is reverse biased. Additionally, the voltage of the gate structure causes the energy bands to bend sufficiently such that band-to-band tunneling occurs through the diode structure. A high doping concentration in the one of the diode structure nodes, with the resulting high charge density of the space charge region, and the accompanying short length of the space charge region over which the voltage changes, contributes to the sharp energy band bending. Electrons in the valence band on one side of the diode structure junction tunnel through the forbidden gap to the conduction band on the other side of the diode structure junction and drift down the potential hill, deeper into the n-type diode structure node. Similarly, holes drift up the potential hill, away from either n-type diode structure node, and toward the p-type diode structure node. 
   The voltage of the gate structure controls the voltage of the portion of the diode structure by the dielectric structure which is between the diode structure and the charge storage structure. As the voltage of the gate structure becomes more negative, the voltage of the portion of the diode structure by this dielectric structure becomes more negative, resulting in deeper band bending in the diode structure. More band-to-band current flows, as a result of at least some combination of 1) an increasing overlap between occupied electron energy levels on one side of the bending energy bands, and unoccupied electron energy levels on the other side of bending energy bands, and 2) a narrower barrier width between the occupied electron energy levels and the unoccupied electron energy levels (Sze,  Physics of Semiconductor Devices,  1981). 
   The net negative or net positive charge stored on the charge storage structure further affects the degree of band bending. In accordance with Gauss&#39;s Law, when a negative voltage is applied to the gate structure relative to the diode structure, a stronger electric field is experienced by portions of the diode structure which are near portions of the charge storage structure having relatively higher net negative charge. Similarly, when a positive voltage is applied to the gate structure relative to the diode structure, a stronger electric field is experienced by portions of the diode structure which are near portions of the charge storage structure having relatively higher net positive charge. 
   The different bias arrangements for reading, and bias arrangements for programming and erasing, show a careful balance. For reading, the potential difference between the diode structure terminals should not cause a substantial number of charge carriers to transit a dielectric to the charge storage structure and affect the charge storage state. In contrast, for programming and erasing, the potential difference between the diode structure terminals can be sufficient to cause a substantial number of carriers to transit a dielectric and affect the charge storage state by band-to-band hot carrier injection. 
     FIGS. 36A and 36B  are similar to the simplified diagrams in  FIGS. 9A and 9B  of a gated diode nonvolatile memory cell operation performing band-to-band hot hole injection, but add a diffusion barrier junction to the diode structure. 
     FIGS. 10A and 10B  are simplified diagrams of a gated diode nonvolatile memory cell operation performing band-to-band sensing with different amounts of net positive or net negative charge characterizing the charge storage structure. In  FIGS. 10A and 10B , band-to-band sensing mechanism creates electron-hole pairs in the diode structure. Resulting electrons flow into the n+-type first diode node  602  biased at 2 V, and resulting holes flow into the p-type second diode node  604  biased at 0 V. The gate structure  608  is biased at −10 V. In  FIG. 10A , the charge storage structure  606  stores relatively more negative net charge by the diode structure junction between the n+-type first diode node  602  and the p-type second diode node  604 . In  FIG. 10B , the charge storage structure  606  stores relatively more positive net charge by the diode structure junction between the n+-type first diode node  602  and the p-type second diode node  604 . Greater band bending in the diode structure occurs in  FIG. 10A  than in  FIG. 10B , and greater band-to-band sensing current flows in  FIG. 10A  than in  FIG. 10B . 
     FIGS. 37A and 37B  are similar to the simplified diagrams in  FIGS. 10A and 10B  of a gated diode nonvolatile memory cell operation performing band-to-band sensing with different amounts of net positive or net negative charge characterizing the charge storage structure, but add a diffusion barrier junction to the diode structure. 
     FIGS. 11A and 11B  are simplified diagrams of a gated diode nonvolatile memory cell operation performing band-to-band sensing with different amounts of net positive or net negative charge characterizing the charge storage structure, but with a different diode node arrangement from  FIGS. 10A and 10B . In particular, the first node  602  of the diode structure substantially surrounded by the combined charge storage and dielectric structure is p+-type, and the second node of the diode structure  604  is n-type. The band-to-band sensing mechanism creates electron-hole pairs in the diode structure. Resulting holes flow into the p+-type first diode node  602  biased at −2 V, and resulting electrons flow into the n-type second diode node  604  biased at 0 V. The gate structure  608  is biased at 10 V. In  FIG. 11A , the charge storage structure  606  stores relatively more negative net charge by the diode structure junction between the p+-type first diode node  602  and the n-type second diode node  604 . In  FIG. 11B , the charge storage structure  606  stores a relatively more positive net charge by the diode structure junction between the p+-type first diode node  602  and the n-type second diode node  604 . Greater band bending in the diode structure occurs in  FIG. 11B  than in  FIG. 11A , and greater band-to-band sensing current flows in  FIG. 11B  than in  FIG. 11A . 
   In other embodiments, the more heavily doped node is the second node of the diode structure, and the less heavily doped node is the first node of the diode structure substantially surrounded by the combined charge storage and dielectric structure. 
     FIGS. 38A and 38B  are similar to the simplified diagrams in  FIGS. 11A and 11B  of a gated diode nonvolatile memory cell operation performing band-to-band sensing with different amounts of net positive or net negative charge characterizing the charge storage structure, but add a diffusion barrier junction to the diode structure, and have a different diode node arrangement than in  FIGS. 37A and 37B . 
     FIGS. 12A and 12B  are simplified diagrams of neighboring gated diode nonvolatile memory cells, with and without interconnected second nodes. In  FIG. 12A , neighboring gated diode nonvolatile memory cells respectively have second nodes  1204  and  1205 . Both second nodes  1204  and  1205  of the neighboring gated diode nonvolatile memory cells extend beyond the oxide which isolates the upper portions of the second nodes  1204  and  1205  from each other, and connect into a common node structure  1214 . This common node structure is treated as a same bit line used by both neighboring gated diode nonvolatile memory cells. In  FIG. 12B , both second nodes  1204  and  1205  of the neighboring gated diode nonvolatile memory cells do not extend beyond the oxide which isolates the second nodes  1204  and  1205  from each other. Each of the second nodes  1204  and  1205  is treated as a distinct bit line, and the two second nodes  1204  and  1205  are not treated as a same bit line. 
     FIGS. 39A and 39B  are similar to the simplified diagrams in  FIGS. 12A and 12B  of neighboring gated diode nonvolatile memory cells, with and without interconnected second nodes, but add a diffusion barrier junction to the diode structure. 
     FIGS. 13A and 13B  are simplified diagrams of an array of gated diode nonvolatile memory cells with interconnected second node columns, performing band-to-band sensing. The first node columns of the diode structures substantially surrounded by the combined charge storage and dielectric structures are n-type, and the second node columns of the diode structures are p-type. Neighboring second node columns of the diode structures extend beyond the oxide which isolates the upper portions of the second node columns from each other, and connect into a common bit line structure. In  FIG. 13A , the first node columns of the diode structures are shown with bit line labels DL 1  to DL 6 , the second node columns of the diode structures are shown with the bit line label CL, and the word lines are shown with word line labels WL 1  to WL 6 . In  FIG. 13B , voltages are applied to the diode columns and the word lines. The first node column DL 3  is biased at 2 V, and the remaining first node columns are biased at 0 V. The second node columns are biased at 0 V. The word line WL 5  is biased at −10 V, and the remaining word lines are biased at 0 V. A band-to-band sensing operation is thereby performed on the gate diode memory cell at the intersection of word line WL 5  and the first node column DL 3 . By measuring the current flowing through the first node column DL 3  or the second node columns CL, the charge storage state of the charge storage structure of that gate diode memory cell is determined. 
     FIGS. 14A and 14B  are simplified diagrams of an array of gated diode nonvolatile memory cells without interconnected second node columns, performing band-to-band sensing. Unlike the interconnected common bit line structure of the second node columns shown in  FIGS. 13A and 13B , in  FIGS. 14A and 14B  neighboring second node columns of the diode structures are treated as distinct bit lines. In  FIG. 14A , the second node columns of the diode structures are shown with bit line labels CL 1  to CL 6 . In  FIG. 14B , voltages are applied to the diode columns and the word lines. The first node column DL 3  is biased at 2 V, and the remaining first node columns are biased at 0 V. The second node columns are biased at 0 V. The word line WL 5  is biased at −10 V, and the remaining word lines are biased at 0 V. A band-to-band sensing operation is thereby performed on the gate diode memory cell at the intersection of word line WL 5  and the first node column DL 3 /second node column CL 3 . By measuring the current flowing through the first node column DL 3  or second node column CL 3 , the charge storage state of the charge storage structure of that gate diode memory cell is determined. 
     FIGS. 15A and 15B  are simplified diagrams of an array of gated diode nonvolatile memory cells with interconnected second node columns, performing band-to-band sensing, where the doping arrangement of the diode structures is different from  FIGS. 13A ,  13 B,  14 A, and  14 B. In  FIGS. 15A and 15B , the first node columns of the diode structures substantially surrounded by the combined charge storage and dielectric structures are p-type, and the second node columns of the diode structures are n-type. Like  FIGS. 13A and 13B , neighboring second node columns of the diode structures extend beyond the oxide which isolates the upper portions of the second node columns from each other, and connect into a common bit line structure. In  FIG. 15A , the first node columns of the diode structures are shown with bit line labels DL 1  to DL 6 , the second node columns of the diode structures are shown with the bit line label CL, and the word lines are shown with word line labels WL 1  to WL 6 . In  FIG. 15B , voltages are applied to the diode columns and the word lines. The first node column DL 3  is biased at −2 V, and the remaining first node columns are biased at 0 V. The second node columns are biased at 0 V. The word line WL 5  is biased at 10 V, and the remaining word lines are biased at 0 V. A band-to-band sensing operation is thereby performed on the gate diode memory cell at the intersection of word line WL 5  and the first node column DL 3 . By measuring the current flowing through the first node column DL 3  or the second node columns CL, the charge storage state of the charge storage structure of that gate diode memory cell is determined. 
     FIGS. 16A and 16B  are simplified diagrams of an array of gated diode nonvolatile memory cells without interconnected node columns, performing band-to-band sensing, where the doping arrangement of the diode structures is like  FIGS. 15S and 15B . Unlike the interconnected bit line structure of the second node columns shown in  FIGS. 15A and 15B , in  FIGS. 16A and 16B  neighboring second node columns of the diode structures are treated as distinct bit lines. In  FIG. 16A , the second node columns of the diode structures are shown with bit line labels CL 1  to CL 6 . In  FIG. 16B , voltages are applied to the diode columns and the word lines. The first node column DL 3  is biased at −2 V, and the remaining first node columns are biased at 0 V. The second node columns are biased at 0 V. The word line WL 5  is biased at 10 V, and the remaining word lines are biased at 0 V. A band-to-band sensing operation is thereby performed on the gate diode memory cell at the intersection of word line WL 5  and the first node column DL 3 /second node column CL 3 . By measuring the current flowing through the first node column DL 3  or second node column CL 3 , the charge storage state of the charge storage structure of that gate diode memory cell is determined. 
   The arrays of  FIGS. 13A-16B  have embodiments with and without diffusion barrier junctions. 
     FIGS. 17A ,  17 B, and  17 C are simplified diagrams of neighboring gated diode nonvolatile memory cells without interconnected second nodes, in which electron tunnel injection is performed as in  FIG. 6A , but on selected cells. In  FIG. 17A , the electron tunnel injection mechanism moves electrons from the gate structure  608  biased at −10 V to the charge storage structures  606  and  607 . The first diode nodes  602  and  603  are biased at 10 V or are floating, and the second diode nodes  604  and  605  are biased at 10 V. In  FIG. 17B , the first diode node  602  is biased at 10 V or is floating, but the first diode node  603  is biased at −10 V. In  FIG. 17C , the first diode nodes  602  and  603  are biased at 10 V or floating and 0V respectively, and the second diode nodes  604  and  605  are biased at 10 V and 0V respectively. The electron tunnel injection mechanism selectively moves electrons from the gate structure  608  biased at −10 V to the charge storage structure  606  but not to the charge storage structure  607 . In other embodiments, the electron tunnel injection mechanism moves electrons from the first diode node to the charge storage structure as in  FIG. 6B , but on selected cells. In other embodiments, the hole tunnel injection mechanism moves holes from the gate structure to the charge storage structure as in  FIG. 8A , but on selected cells. In other embodiments, the hole tunnel injection mechanism moves holes from the first diode node to the charge storage structure as in  FIG. 8B , but on selected cells. 
     FIGS. 40A and 40B  are similar to the simplified diagrams in  FIGS. 17A and 17B  of neighboring gated diode nonvolatile memory cells without interconnected second nodes, in which electron tunnel injection is performed on selected cells, but add a diffusion barrier junction to the diode structure. 
     FIGS. 18A ,  18 B, and  18 C are simplified diagrams of neighboring gated diode nonvolatile memory cells without interconnected second nodes, in which band-to-band hot hole injection is performed as in  FIG. 9B , but on selected cells. In  FIG. 18A , the band-to-band hot hole injection mechanism moves holes from the diode structure to the charge storage structure  606 . The p-type second diode nodes  604  and  605  are biased at 0 V, the gate structure  608  is biased at −10 V, and electrons of the resulting electron-hole pairs flow into the n+-type first nodes  602  and  603  biased at 5 V. In  FIG. 18B , the first diode node  602  is biased at 5 V, but the first diode node  603  is biased at 0 V. The band-to-band hot hole injection mechanism selectively moves holes from the diode structure to the charge storage structure  606  but not to the charge storage structure  607 .  FIG. 18C  also shows band-to-band hot hole injection being performed selectively on the diode structure formed by the first diode node  602  and the second diode node  604 , but not on the diode structure formed by the first diode node  603  and the second diode node  605 , as in  FIG. 15B . However, in  FIG. 18C , the first diode node  603  is biased at 5 V and the second diode node  605  is biased at 5 V. Because a sufficient reverse bias is still absent in the diode structure formed by the first diode node  603  and the second diode node  605 , the band-to-band hot hole injection mechanism is still absent in this diode structure. In other embodiments, the band-to-band hot hole injection mechanism selectively moves holes from the diode structure with a p-type first diode node and a n+-type second diode node to the charge storage structure as in  FIG. 9A , but on selected cells. In other embodiments, the band-to-band hot electron injection mechanism selectively moves electrons from the diode structure with a p+-type first diode node and an n-type second diode node to the charge storage structure as in  FIG. 7B , but on selected cells. In other embodiments, the band-to-band hot electron injection mechanism selectively moves electrons from the diode structure with an n-type first diode node and a p+-type second diode node to the charge storage structure as in  FIG. 7A , but on selected cells. 
     FIGS. 41A and 41B  are similar to the simplified diagrams in  FIGS. 18A ,  18 B, and  18 C of neighboring gated diode nonvolatile memory cells without interconnected second nodes, in which band-to-band hot hole injection is performed on selected cells, but add a diffusion barrier junction to the diode structure. 
     FIGS. 22A and 22B  are simplified diagrams of neighboring gated diode nonvolatile memory cells without interconnected second nodes, in which band-to-band sensing is performed as in  FIGS. 10A and 10B , but on selected cells. In  FIG. 22A , the band-to-band hot hole sensing mechanism creates electron-hole pairs in the diode structure formed by the n+-type first diode node  602  biased at 2 V and the p-type second diode node  604  biased at 0 V. Resulting electrons flow into the n+-type first diode node  602 , and resulting holes flow into the p-type second diode node  604 . This band-to-band sensing current indicates the amount of net positive or net negative charge characterizing the charge storage structure  606 . The gate structure  608  is biased at −10 V. In the diode structure formed by the n+-type first diode node  603  biased at 0 V and the p-type second diode node  605  biased at 0 V, a band-to-band sensing current indicating the amount of charge characterizing the charge storage structure  607  does not flow, because a sufficient reverse bias is absent.  FIG. 22B  also shows band-to-band sensing being performed selectively on the diode structure formed by the first diode node  602  and the second diode node  604 , but not on the diode structure formed by the first diode node  603  and the second diode node  605 , as in  FIG. 22A . However, in  FIG. 22B , the first diode node  603  is biased at 2 V and the second diode node  605  is biased at 2 V. Because a sufficient reverse bias is still absent in the diode structure formed by the first diode node  603  and the second diode node  605 , the band-to-band sensing mechanism is still absent. In other embodiments, the band-to-band sensing mechanism selectively flows in a diode structure with a p-type first diode node and a n+-type second diode node as in  FIGS. 11A and 11B , but on selected cells. 
     FIGS. 42A and 42B  are similar to the simplified diagrams in  FIGS. 22A and 22B  of neighboring gated diode nonvolatile memory cells without interconnected second nodes, in which band-to-band sensing is performed on selected cells, but add a diffusion barrier junction to the diode structure. 
     FIGS. 19A ,  19 B, and  19 C are exploded view diagrams of multiple arrays of gated diode nonvolatile memory cells, with different interconnections of the word lines, first node columns, and second node columns, between different arrays. Each of the vertically displaced arrays is like the array shown in  FIGS. 16A and 16B . Although the multiple arrays displaced vertically from one another by isolation oxide  1904  are part of the same integrated circuit, the multiple arrays are shown in exploded view to show the labels for all word lines and bit lines of the multiple arrays. 
   In  FIG. 19A , the word lines of different arrays  1900  and  1902  are interconnected. The word lines of array  1900  and the word lines of array  1902  are both labeled WL 1  to WL 6 . However, the first node columns and second node columns of different arrays are isolated from each other. The first node columns of array  1900  are labeled DL 1  to DL 6 , and the first node columns of array  1902  are labeled DL 7  to DL 12 . The second node columns of array  1900  are labeled CL 1  to CL 6 , and the second node columns of array  1902  are labeled CL 7  to CL 12 . 
   In  FIG. 19B , the word lines of different arrays  1910  and  1912  are isolated from each other. The word lines of array  1910  are labeled WL 1  to WL 6 , and the word lines of array  1912  are labeled WL 7  to WL 12 . However, the first node columns and second node columns of the different arrays  1910  and  1912  are interconnected. The first node columns of array  1910  and array  1912  are both labeled DL 1  to DL 6 , and the second node columns of array  1910  and array  1912  are both labeled CL 1  to CL 6 . 
   In  FIG. 19C , the word lines of different arrays  1920  and  1922 , and the first node columns and second node columns of different arrays  1920  and  1922 , are isolated from each other. The word lines of array  1920  are labeled WL 1  to WL 6 , and the word lines of array  1922  are labeled WL 7  to WL 12 . The first node columns of array  1920  are labeled DL 1  to DL 6 , and the first node columns of array  1922  are labeled DL 7  to DL 12 . The second node columns of array  1920  are labeled CL 1  to CL 6 , and the second node columns of array  1922  are labeled CL 7  to CL 12 . 
   In other embodiments, the multiple arrays have interconnected second node columns, such that a particular array of the multiple arrays has a common bit line structure for the second node columns of that array, or alternatively, for all of the arrays. In other embodiments, the first node columns are n-type and the second columns are p-type. The arrays of  FIGS. 19A-C  have embodiments with and without diffusion barrier junctions. 
     FIG. 20  is a simplified diagram of an integrated circuit with an array of gated diode nonvolatile memory cells and control circuitry. The integrated circuit  2050  includes a memory array  2000  implemented using gate diode nonvolatile memory cells, on a semiconductor substrate. The gated diode memory cells of array  2000  may be individual cells, interconnected in arrays, or interconnected in multiple arrays. A row decoder  2001  is coupled to a plurality of word lines  2002  arranged along rows in the memory array  2000 . A column decoder  2003  is coupled to a plurality of bit lines  2004  arranged along columns in the memory array  2000 . Addresses are supplied on bus  2005  to column decoder  2003  and row decoder  2001 . Sense amplifiers and data-in structures in block  2006  are coupled to the column decoder  2003  via data bus  2007 . Data is supplied via the data-in line  2011  from input/output ports on the integrated circuit  2050 , or from other data sources internal or external to the integrated circuit  2050 , to the data-in structures in block  2006 . Data is supplied via the data-out line  2015  from the sense amplifiers in block  2006  to input/output ports on the integrated circuit  2050 , or to other data destinations internal or external to the integrated circuit  2050 . A bias arrangement state machine  2009  controls the application of bias arrangement supply voltages  2008 , such as for the erase verify and program verify voltages, and the arrangements for programming, erasing, and reading the memory cells, such as with the band-to-band currents. The integrated circuit of  FIG. 20  has embodiments with and without diffusion barrier junctions. 
     FIGS. 21A-21H  illustrate a sample process flow for multiple arrays of gated diode nonvolatile memory cells.  FIG. 21A  shows a structure with a p-type polysilicon layer  2112  on an oxide layer  2104  on a silicon substrate  2102 . In  FIG. 21B , sacrificial oxide  2116  is formed and nitride  2118  is formed. Shallow trench isolation is performed, resulting in multiple p-type polysilicon structures  2113 . In  FIG. 21C , the sacrificial oxide  2116  and nitride  2118  are removed. The multiple p-type polysilicon structures  2113  are implanted, resulting in p-type second nodes  2114  and n+-type first nodes  2121  of the gated diode nonvolatile memory cells. In  FIG. 21D , the combined charge storage and dielectric structure  2123  and gate polysilicon  2132  are formed, completing the first array of gated diode nonvolatile memory cells. In  FIG. 21E , another layer of oxide  2104  and another layer of p-type polysilicon  2112  are formed. In  FIGS. 21F-21H , the steps of  FIGS. 21B-D  are substantially repeated to form another array of gated diode nonvolatile memory cells that is displaced vertically from the first array. 
     FIGS. 23A-H  illustrate a sample process flow for multiple arrays of gated diode nonvolatile memory cells.  FIG. 23A  shows a substrate  10  with a photoresist pattern  12  that defines shallow trenches to isolate neighboring devices from each other. The substrate may be either p-type or n-type.  FIG. 23B  shows the shallow trenches  14  etched in the substrate  10  between the photoresist pattern  12 . The photoresist pattern  12  has been removed.  FIG. 23C  shows isolation oxide  16  filling the shallow trenches  14  to isolate neighboring devices from each other.  FIG. 23D  shows ion implantation  18 . Ion implantation  18  with different ions creates deep well  8  in substrate  10 , and well  6  in deep well  8 . For example, if the substrate  10  is p-type, then deep well  8  is n-type and well  6  is p-type. Alternatively, if the substrate  10  is n-type, then deep well  8  is p-type and well  6  is n-type. For simplicity in the subsequent drawings, the combination of wells and substrate is not shown as it is understood that the devices may be formed in either a well or a substrate.  FIG. 23E  shows the diffusion bit lines  20  also formed by the ion implantation  18  between the isolation oxide  16 . The diffusion bit lines  20  are implanted with a dopant having a charge type opposite to that of the well  6  (which alternatively may be a substrate  10 ).  FIG. 23F  shows the partial removal of the isolation oxide  16 . Partial removal by dip back or etch back from the isolation oxide  16 , results in shallower isolation oxide  22 . The surface of the shallower isolation oxide  22  is lower than the pn junction between the diffusion bit lines  20  and the well  6 .  FIG. 23G  shows the formation of the ONO film  30 , having an upper oxide  24 , a nitride  26 , and a lower oxide  28 . The nitride structure in other embodiments is a floating gate or nanocrystal. Because the surface of the shallower isolation oxide  22  is lower than the pn junction between the diffusion bit lines  20  and the well  6 , the ONO film  30  controls the voltage at the pn junction between the diffusion bit lines  20  and the well  6 .  FIG. 23H  shows the formation of word lines  32  that provide a gate voltage to the devices. An n+ or p+ polysilicon film is deposited and etched to form multiple word lines. The gate material can also be a metal gate, such as silicide, Ry, Mo, and W. 
     FIG. 24  is a perspective view of an array of gated diode nonvolatile memory cells as formed by the process of  FIGS. 23A-23H . 
     FIGS. 30A to 30F  illustrate another sample process flow for an array of gated diode nonvolatile memory cells. 
     FIG. 30A  shows a p-type substrate  6  with n-type poly deposition  40  being performed.  FIG. 30B  shows the resulting n+ poly film  42  over the p-type substrate  6 .  FIG. 30C  shows the subsequently formed mask layer, with a layer of pad oxide  44  over the n+ poly film  42  and a layer of SiN  46  over the pad oxide  44 . Photoresist layer  48  over the layer of SiN  46  is part of the photolithography process to form trenches.  FIG. 30D  shows the shallow trenches anisotropically formed on the substrate  6 . The n+ poly film  42  has been divided by the trenches into discrete first diode nodes, with corresponding second diode nodes being the portion of the neighboring substrate  6 . Similarly, pad oxide  44  is divided into discrete pad oxides  52  and SiN  46  is divided into discrete SiN  54 . Photoresist layer  48  is removed. In  FIG. 30E , isolation oxide  56  fills the trenches and isolates neighboring diode structures from each other. A chemical mechanical polishing process and SiN removal follow.  FIG. 30F  shows the partial removal of the isolation oxide, resulting in isolation oxide parts  22  which isolate neighboring diode structures from each other, by isolating parts of the neighboring second diode nodes from each other. The remainder of the process is similar to that shown in  FIGS. 23G and 23H . 
     FIGS. 31A-31H  illustrate a sample process flow for an array of gated diode nonvolatile memory cells with a diffusion barrier junction in the diode structures. 
   The process flow of  FIGS. 31A-31H  is similar to that of  FIGS. 30A to 30F  and  FIGS. 23G and 23H , except that, prior to the formation of the n+ poly film  42  over the p-type substrate  6 , an ultra thin film  58  is formed over the over the p-type substrate  6 . Film  58  is in various embodiments an oxide, nitride, or oxynitride, with a thickness of about 10-20 Angstroms After the film  58  is divided into discrete sections, each discrete section is the diffusion barrier junction that helps to discourage the movement of dopants between the first and second diode nodes of each diode structure. 
     FIG. 32  is a perspective view of an array of gated diode nonvolatile memory cells with a diffusion barrier junction in the diode structures as formed by the process of  FIGS. 31A-31H . 
     FIGS. 43A and 43B  are graphs comparing the doping profiles of diode structures with and without a diffusion barrier junction. 
     FIG. 43A  is graph showing the doping profiles of a diode structure with a diffusion harrier junction. Curves  4304  and  4306  respectively represent the doping profiles of p-type dopant boron and n-type dopant phosphorus. Curve  4302  represents the net doping profile of curves  4304  and  4306 . The x-axis represents the vertical position in microns along the diode structure, such that the origin is the interface between the diffusion barrier junction and the second diode node, the positive x-axis direction goes deeper into the second diode node (and increasingly surrounded by isolation dielectric), and the negative x-axis direction goes deeper into the first diode node (and increasingly surrounded by charge storage structure and storage dielectric). The first diode node is n+ polysilicon doped 10 20  cm −3 . 
     FIG. 43B  is graph showing the doping profiles of a diode structure similar to that of  FIG. 43A , but without a diffusion barrier junction. Curves  4310  and  4312  respectively represent the doping profiles of p-type dopant boron and n-type dopant phosphorus. Curve  4308  represents the net doping profile of curves  4304  and  4306 . The following table compares the p-type boron doping concentration, the n-type phosphorus doping concentration, and the net doping type, at a depth in the second diode node corresponding to an x-axis value of x=0.1 um. The table indicates that the diffusion barrier junction helps to discourage the movement of n-type dopants in the first diode node from moving into the second diode node. 
   
     
       
             
             
             
           
             
             
             
           
         
             
                 
                 
             
             
                 
               FIG. 43A, 
                 
             
             
                 
               w/diffusion 
               FIG. 43B, w/o diffusion 
             
             
                 
               barrier junction 
               barrier junction 
             
             
                 
                 
             
           
           
             
                 
             
           
        
         
             
               p-type boron (cm −3 ) 
               6.58 × 10 17   
               6.42 × 10 17   
             
             
               n-type phosphorus (cm −3 ) 
               1.66 × 10 17   
               1.47 × 10 19   
             
             
               Net doping type of second 
               p-type 
               n-type 
             
             
               diode node 
             
             
                 
             
           
        
       
     
   
     FIGS. 44A and 44B  are graphs comparing the doping profiles of diode structures with and without a diffusion barrier junction, under different thermal budget conditions. In both  FIGS. 44A and 44B , the diode structure has a 15 Angstrom thick diffusion barrier junction. The x-axis convention is the same as in  FIGS. 43A and 43B . In  FIG. 44A , curves  4402  and  4404  respectively represent the doping profiles of p-type dopant boron and n-type dopant phosphorus. In  FIG. 44B , curves  4406  and  4408  respectively represent the doping profiles of p-type dopant boron and n-type dopant phosphorus.  FIG. 44A  corresponds to a relatively light thermal budget, with an ISSG (in situ steam generation) process at 900° C. for 21 seconds followed by an HTO (high temperature oxide) process at 900° C. for 30 minutes.  FIG. 44B  corresponds to a relatively heavy thermal budget, with a thermal process at 950° C. for 10 minutes followed by another thermal process at 1000° C. for 43.5 minutes. The respective doping profiles appear very similar between  FIGS. 44A and 44B , despite the very different thermal budgets. 
   While the present invention is disclosed by reference to the preferred embodiments and examples detailed above, it is to be understood that these examples are intended in an illustrative rather than in a limiting sense. It is contemplated that modifications and combinations will readily occur to those skilled in the art, which modifications and combinations will be within the spirit of the invention and the scope of the following claims.

Technology Category: 5