Patent · US Expired

Non-uniform threshold voltage adjustment in flash eproms through gate work function alteration

US5888867A · kind A · utility

30Cited by
5References
14Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateFeb 13, 1998
Grant dateMar 30, 1999
Priority date
Expiry dateFeb 13, 2018

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH10D64/667
  • WIPO fieldSemiconductors
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

Aspects for forming a Flash EPROM cell with an adjustable threshold voltage are described. In a method aspect, the method includes forming a substrate structure to establish a foundation for cell formation, and forming a gate structure with a floating gate layer comprising polysilicon-germanium (poly-SiGe) of a non-uniform Ge concentration on the substrate structure. The method further includes forming source and drain regions within the substrate structure, the drain region having a different threshold voltage than the source region. In a further aspect, a Flash EPROM cell with an adjustable threshold voltage includes a substrate structure as a foundation for the cell. The cell further includes a gate structure on the substrate structure, the gate structure comprising a floating gate layer of polysilicon-germanium (poly-SiGe) of non-uniform Ge concentration. Additionally, source and drain regions are included in the substrate structure bordering the gate structure, the drain region having a differing threshold voltage than the source region.

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