Patent · US Active

Silicon dot formation by self-assembly method and selective silicon growth for flash memory

US9385136B2 · kind B2 · utility

1Cited by
43References
20Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJun 22, 2015
Grant dateJul 5, 2016
Priority date
Expiry dateJun 22, 2035

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10S977/774
  • WIPO fieldSemiconductors
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

Some embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a method that achieves a substantially uniform pattern of discrete storage elements within a memory cell. A copolymer solution having first and second polymer species is spin-coated onto a surface of a substrate and subjected to self-assembly into a phase-separated material having a regular pattern of micro-domains of the second polymer species within a polymer matrix having the first polymer species. The second polymer species is then removed resulting with a pattern of holes within the polymer matrix. An etch is then performed through the holes utilizing the polymer matrix as a hard-mask to form a substantially identical pattern of holes in a dielectric layer disposed over a seed layer disposed over the substrate surface. Epitaxial deposition onto the seed layer then utilized to grow a substantially uniform pattern of discrete storage elements within the dielectric layer.

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