Abstract:
Semiconductor memory array and process of fabrication in which a plurality of bit line diffusions are formed in a substrate, and memory cells formed in pairs between the bit line diffusions, with each of the pairs of cells having first and second conductors adjacent to the bit line diffusions, floating gates beside the first and second conductors, an erase gate between the floating gates, and a source line diffusion in the substrate beneath the erase gate, and at least one additional conductor capacitively coupled to the floating gates. In some disclosed embodiments, the conductors adjacent to the bit line diffusions are word lines, and the additional conductors consist of either a pair of coupling gates which are coupled to respective ones of the floating gates or a single coupling gate which is coupled to both of the floating gates. In another embodiment, the conductors adjacent to the bit line diffusions are program lines, and the third conductors are word lines which extend in a direction perpendicular to the program lines and the diffusions.
Abstract:
Semiconductor memory array and process of fabrication in which a plurality of bit line diffusions are formed in a substrate, and memory cells formed in pairs between the bit line diffusions, with each of the pairs of cells having first and second conductors adjacent to the bit line diffusions, floating gates beside the first and second conductors, an erase gate between the floating gates, and a source line diffusion in the substrate beneath the erase gate, and at least one additional conductor capacitively coupled to the floating gates. In some disclosed embodiments, the conductors adjacent to the bit line diffusions are word lines, and the additional conductors consist of either a pair of coupling gates which are coupled to respective ones of the floating gates or a single coupling gate which is coupled to both of the floating gates. In another embodiment, the conductors adjacent to the bit line diffusions are program lines, and the third conductors are word lines which extend in a direction perpendicular to the program lines and the diffusions.
Abstract:
A flash memory cell is of the type having a substrate of a first conductivity type having a first region of a second conductivity type at a first end, and a second region of the second conductivity type at a second end, spaced apart from the first end, with a channel region between the first end and the second end. The flash memory cell has a plurality of stacked pairs of floating gates and control gates with the floating gates positioned over portions of the channel region and are insulated therefrom, and each control gate over a floating gate and insulated therefrom. The flash memory cell further has a plurality of erase gates over the channel region which are insulated therefrom, with an erase gate between each pair of stacked pair of floating gate and control gate. In a method of erasing the flash memory cell, a pulse of a first positive voltage is applied to alternating erase gates (“first alternating gates”). In addition, a ground voltage is applied to erase gates other than the first alternating gates (“second alternating gates”). In a second method to erase the flash memory cell, a pulse of a first positive voltage is applied to the first alternating gates and a negative voltage is applied to the second alternating gates and to all control gates.
Abstract:
Self-aligned split-gate NAND flash memory cell array and process of fabrication in which rows of self-aligned split-gate cells are formed between a bit line diffusion and a common source diffusion in the active area of a substrate. Each cell has control and floating gates which are stacked and self-aligned with each other, and erase and select gates which are split from and self-aligned with the stacked gates, with select gates at both ends of each row which partially overlap the bit line the source diffusions. The channel regions beneath the erase gates are heavily doped to reduce the resistance of the channel between the bit line and source diffusions, and the floating gates are surrounded by the other gates in a manner which provides significantly enhanced high voltage coupling to the floating gates from the other gates. The memory cells are substantially smaller than prior art cells, and the array is biased so that all of the memory cells in it can be erased simultaneously, while programming is bit selectable.
Abstract:
NAND flash memory cell array and fabrication process in which control gates and floating gates are stacked in pairs arranged in rows between a bit line diffusion and a common source diffusion, with select gates on both sides of each of the pairs of stacked gates. The gates in each stacked pair are self-aligned with each other and
Abstract:
Self-aligned split-gate NAND flash memory cell array and process of fabrication in which rows of self-aligned split-gate cells are formed between a bit line diffusion and a common source diffusion in the active area of a substrate. Each cell has control and floating gates which are stacked and self-aligned with each other, and erase and select gates which are split from and self-aligned with the stacked gates, with select gates at both ends of each row which partially overlap the bit line the source diffusions. The channel regions beneath the erase gates are heavily doped to reduce the resistance of the channel between the bit line and source diffusions, and the floating gates are surrounded by the other gates in a manner which provides significantly enhanced high voltage coupling to the floating gates from the other gates. The memory cells are substantially smaller than prior art cells, and the array is biased so that all of the memory cells in it can be erased simultaneously, while programming is bit selectable.
Abstract:
Flash memory and process of fabrication in which memory cells are formed with select gates in trenches between stacked, self-aligned floating and control gates, with buried source and drain regions which are gated by the select gates. Erase paths are formed between projecting rounded edges of the floating gates and the select gates, and programming paths extend from the mid-channel regions between the select gates and floating gates through the gate oxide to the edges of the floating gates. Trenched select gates can be provided on one or both sides of the floating and control gates, depending upon array architecture, and the stacked gates and dielectric covering them are used as a self-aligned mask in etching the substrate and other materials to form the trenches.
Abstract:
Self-aligned split-gate NAND flash memory cell array and method of fabrication in which a series of self-aligned split cells are formed between a bit line diffusion and a common source diffusion. Each cell has control and floating gates which are stacked and self-aligned with each other, and a third gate which is split from but self-aligned with the other two. In some disclosed embodiments, the split gates are utilized as erase gates, and in others they are utilized as select gates. The memory cells are substantially smaller than prior art cells, and the array is biased so that all of the memory cells in it can be erased simultaneously, while programming is bit selectable.
Abstract:
A flash memory cell is of the type having a substrate of a first conductivity type having a first region of a second conductivity type at a first end, and a second region of the second conductivity type at a second end, spaced apart from the first end, with a channel region between the first end and the second end. The flash memory cell has a plurality of stacked pairs of floating gates and control gates with the floating gates positioned over portions of the channel region and are insulated therefrom, and each control gate over a floating gate and insulated therefrom. The flash memory cell further has a plurality of erase gates over the channel region which are insulated therefrom, with an erase gate between each pair of stacked pair of floating gate and control gate. In a method of erasing the flash memory cell, a pulse of a first positive voltage is applied to alternating erase gates (“first alternating gates”). In addition, a ground voltage is applied to erase gates other than the first alternating gates (“second alternating gates”). In a second method to erase the flash memory cell, a pulse of a first positive voltage is applied to the first alternating gates and a negative voltage is applied to the second alternating gates and to all control gates.
Abstract:
Self-aligned split-gate flash memory cell array and process of fabrication in which erase and select gates are positioned on opposite sides of stacked floating and control gates, with source regions in the substrate beneath the erase gates, bit line diffusions which are partially overlapped by select gates at the ends of the rows of the cells. The floating and control gates are self-aligned with each other, and the erase and select gates are split from but self-aligned with the stacked gates. With the floating gates surrounded by the other gates and the source regions, high voltage coupling for both programming and erase operations is significantly enhanced. The memory cells are substantially smaller than prior art cells, and the array is biased so that all of the memory cells in it can be erased simultaneously, while programming is bit selectable.