Integration Technology of 30nm Generation Multi-Level NAND Flash for 64Gb NAND Flash Memory

Multi-level NAND flash memories with a 38 nm design rule have been successfully developed for the first time. A breakthrough patterning technology of Self Aligned Double Patterning (SADP) together with ArF lithography is applied to three critical lithographic steps. Other key integration technologies include low thermal budget ILD process and twisted bit-line contact for excellent isolation between adjacent bit lines. Hemi-Cylindrical FET (HCFET) together with charge trapping memory cell of Si/SiO2 /SiN/Al2O3/TaN (TANOS) was found to be effective in sufficing various electrical requirements of 30 nm generation flash cells. Finally, MLC operation is successfully demonstrated with flash cells of 8 Gb density in which all the technologies aforementioned are combined.