Patent · US Active

Memory array with an air gap between memory cells and the formation thereof

US8716084B2 · kind B2 · utility

4Cited by
9References
24Claims
0Family size

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Key dates

Filing dateMay 24, 2013
Grant dateMay 6, 2014
Priority date
Expiry dateMay 24, 2033

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH10D30/0413
  • WIPO fieldSemiconductors
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

A method of forming a memory array includes forming a dielectric over a semiconductor, forming a charge-storage structure over the dielectric, forming an isolation region through the dielectric and the charge-storage structure and extending into the semiconductor, recessing the isolation region to a level below a level of an upper surface of the dielectric and at or above a level of an upper surface of the semiconductor, forming an access line over the charge-storage structure and the recessed isolation region, and forming an air gap over the recessed isolation region so that the air gap passes through the charge-storage structure, so that the air gap extends to and terminates at a bottom surface of the access line, and so that the entire air gap is between the bottom surface of the access line and the upper surface of the semiconductor.

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