Non-volatile semiconductor memory devices having self-aligned gate conductive layers and methods of fabricating such devices

Abstract

A semiconductor device having a self-aligned gate conductive layer and a method of fabricating the same are disclosed. In embodiments of the present invention, a plurality of field isolation patterns are formed on a semiconductor substrate to define a plurality of active regions in the semiconductor substrate. The density of the field isolation patterns is then increased by, for example, a thermal annealing process. A plurality of gate insulation patterns are then formed on respective of the active regions. A plurality of first conductive patterns are then formed on respective of the gate insulation patterns.