The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
May. 27, 2025
Filed:
Jun. 30, 2023
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd., Hsinchu, TW;
Meng-Han Lin, Hsinchu, TW;
Wei Cheng Wu, Hsinchu, TW;
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd., Hsinchu, TW;
Abstract
A method is provided in which a monitor cell is made that is substantially identical to the flash memory cells of an embedded memory array. The monitor cell is formed simultaneously with the cells of the memory array, and so in certain critical aspects, is exactly comparable. An aperture is formed that extends through the control gate and intervening dielectric to the floating gate of the monitor cell. To prevent silicide contamination during a subsequent CMP process, a silicide protection layer (SPL), such as a resist protective oxide, is formed over exposed portions of the control gate prior to formation of a silicide contact formed on the floating gate. The SPL is formed simultaneously with existing manufacturing processes to avoid additional process steps.