Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Comp. Ltd.

Chi-Wei Ho

Chia-Ta Hsieh

Chen-Ming Huang

Josh Lin

Kao-Chao Lin

Po-Kai Hsu

Shih-Jung Tu

Nai-Chao Su

Tsung-Hua Yang

Shih-Ching Lee

Ching-Tzer Weng

Chia-Shiung Tsai

Shih-Chang Liu

Chi-Hsin Lo

Yu-Ting Tsai

Kao-chao Lin

Yu-ting Tsai

The present disclosure, in some embodiments, relates to a method of forming an integrated chip. The method includes forming a first conductive structure over a substrate. A first intermediate sidewall spacer is formed to surround the first conductive structure. A masking material is formed over the substrate and around the first intermediate sidewall spacer. A part of the first intermediate sidewall spacer protrudes outward from the masking material. The part of the first intermediate sidewall spacer that protrudes outward from the masking material is etched to form a first sidewall spacer.

Semiconductor device and method of manufacturing

A semiconductor device and method of manufacturing the same are provided. The semiconductor device includes a substrate and a first gate electrode disposed on the substrate and located in a first region of the semiconductor device. The semiconductor device also includes a first sidewall structure covering the first gate electrode. The semiconductor device further includes a protective layer disposed between the first gate electrode and the first sidewall structure. In addition, the semiconductor device includes a second gate electrode disposed on the substrate and located in a second region of the semiconductor device. The semiconductor device also includes a second sidewall structure covering a lateral surface of the second gate electrode.

Semiconductor device and method of manufacturing the same

The present disclosure, in some embodiments, relates to an integrated chip. The integrated chip includes a first gate structure over a substrate and laterally surrounded by a first sidewall spacer. The first gate structure protrudes outward from a top of the first sidewall spacer. A second gate structure is over the substrate and is laterally surrounded by a second sidewall spacer. The first gate structure has a first height that is larger than a second height of the second gate structure. The first sidewall spacer has a first cross-sectional profile that is a different shape and a different size than a second cross-sectional profile of the second sidewall spacer.

The present disclosure, in some embodiments, relates to an integrated chip. The integrated chip having a flash gate structure disposed over a substrate and including a control gate separated from a floating gate by an inter-electrode dielectric. One or more first sidewall spacers laterally surround the flash gate structure. The inter-electrode dielectric is directly between the one or more first sidewall spacers. A logic gate structure is disposed over the substrate and is laterally surrounded by one or more second sidewall spacers having a smaller height than the one or more first sidewall spacers.

The present disclosure, in some embodiments, relates to an integrated chip. The integrated chip includes a first gate disposed over a substrate and having a first height measured between an upper surface of the substrate and a first uppermost surface of the first gate structure. A second gate structure is disposed over the substrate and has a second height measured between the upper surface of the substrate and a second uppermost surface of the second gate structure. The second height is smaller than the first height. A first sidewall spacer laterally surrounds the first gate structure and is recessed below the first uppermost surface. A second sidewall spacer laterally surrounds the second gate structure. A top of the first sidewall spacer is arranged along a horizontal plane that is vertically between the first uppermost surface and the second uppermost surface.

The present disclosure relates to a method of forming sidewall spacers configured to improve dielectric fill between adjacent gate structures. In some embodiments, the method may be performed by depositing a sidewall spacer material over a first gate structure and a second gate structure. A first etching process is performed on the sidewall spacer material to form a first intermediate sidewall spacer surrounding the first gate structure and a second sidewall spacer surrounding the second gate structure. A masking material is formed over the substrate. Parts of the first intermediate sidewall spacer protrude outward from the masking material, while the second sidewall spacer is completely covered by the masking material. A second etching process is then performed on the parts of the first intermediate sidewall spacer protruding outward from the masking material to form a first sidewall spacer recessed below an uppermost surface of the first gate structure.

A flash memory device is disposed on a semiconductor substrate. The flash memory device includes flash memory cells arranged in rows and columns. Respective flash memory cells include respective access transistors and respective floating gate transistors. The respective access transistors have respective access gates, and the respective floating gate transistors have respective control gates arranged over respective floating gates. First and second wordlines extend substantially in parallel with one another and correspond to first and second rows which neighbor one another. The first wordline is coupled to access gates of access transistors along the first row. The second wordline is coupled to access gates of access transistors along the second row. Nearest edges of the first and second wordlines include at least one wing which extends laterally outward from a sidewall of one of the first and second wordlines towards a sidewall the other of the first and second wordlines.

Wing-type projection between neighboring access transistors in memory devices

A split-gate flash memory device has a floating gate with a lateral recess at its bottom sidewall by adding an undercutting step. The split-gate flash memory device has a floating gate with a lateral recess on a substrate, an integrated dielectric layer lining the substrate, the sidewall and the lateral recess of the floating gate; a control gate on the integrated dielectric layer and covering at least part of the floating gate; and a dielectric spacer in the lateral recess between the integrated dielectric layer and the control gate.

Growing community of inventors

Tainan, Taiwan

Chi-Wei Ho