Semiconductor devices comprising a plurality of gate structures

Abstract

Semiconductor devices including a plurality of gate structures disposed on a semiconductor substrate are provided. Each of the gate structures includes a tunnel dielectric layer, a floating gate, an inter-gate dielectric layer, a control gate, and a mask layer. Liners cover opposing sidewalls of adjacent floating gates. Spacers are disposed on the liners, the spacers protruding from opposing sidewalls of adjacent ones of the gate structures, and a top of each of the spacers is disposed below a top of a corresponding one of the gate structures. The liners define sidewalls of respective air gaps and the spacers define tops of the respective air gaps.