Patent · US Active

Polysilicon removal in word line contact region of memory devices

US12376297B2 · kind B2 · utility

0Cited by
7References
20Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateAug 10, 2023
Grant dateJul 29, 2025
Priority date
Expiry dateAug 10, 2043

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH10D64/035
  • WIPO fieldComputer technology
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

The present disclosure describes a patterning process for a strap region in a memory cell for the removal of material between polysilicon lines. The patterning process includes depositing a first hard mask layer in a divot formed on a top portion of a polysilicon layer interposed between a first polysilicon gate structure and a second polysilicon gate; depositing a second hard mask layer on the first hard mask layer. The patterning process also includes performing a first etch to remove the second hard mask layer and a portion of the second hard mask layer from the divot; performing a second etch to remove the second hard mask layer from the divot; and performing a third etch to remove the polysilicon layer not covered by the first and second hard mask layers to form a separation between the first polysilicon gate structure and the second polysilicon structure.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.