Semiconductor device

This application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority from Japanese Patent Application No. 2019-168419, filed on Sep. 17, 2019; the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

Embodiments relate to a semiconductor device.

Conventionally, a semiconductor device has been manufactured in which a logic circuit and a memory element are provided together. Even in such a semiconductor device, it is desirable to downsize the memory element.

FIG. 1 is a circuit diagram showing a semiconductor device according to an embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram showing a memory element of the semiconductor device according to the embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a plan view showing the semiconductor device according to the embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a plan view showing the semiconductor device according to the embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a plan view showing the semiconductor device according to the embodiment;

FIG. 6 is a plan view showing the semiconductor device according to the embodiment;

FIG. 7 is a plan view showing the semiconductor device according to the embodiment;

FIG. 8 is a plan view showing the semiconductor device according to the embodiment;

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view along line A-A′ shown in FIG. 3 to FIG. 8 ;

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view along line B-B′ shown in FIG. 3 to FIG. 8 ;

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view along line C-C′ shown in FIG. 3 to FIG. 8 ;

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view along line D-D′ shown in FIG. 3 to FIG. 8 ;

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view along line E-E′ shown in FIG. 3 to FIG. 8 ;

FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view along line F-F′ shown in FIG. 3 to FIG. 8 ; and

FIG. 15 is a table showing potential applied to interconnects in operations of the semiconductor device according to the embodiment.

In general, according to one embodiment, a semiconductor device includes: a semiconductor substrate; a first transistor provided at an upper surface of the semiconductor substrate; and a first capacitor provided above the first transistor and connected to a gate of the first transistor. A tunnel current is able to flow between the gate and the semiconductor substrate.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described.

FIG. 1 is a circuit diagram showing a semiconductor device according to the embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram showing a memory element of the semiconductor device according to the embodiment.

FIG. 3 to FIG. 8 are plan views showing the semiconductor device according to the embodiment. FIG. 3 to FIG. 8 show slightly different planes from the lower layer toward the upper layer.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view along line A-A′ shown in FIG. 3 to FIG. 8 .

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view along line B-B′ shown in FIG. 3 to FIG. 8 .

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view along line C-C′ shown in FIG. 3 to FIG. 8 .

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view along line D-D′ shown in FIG. 3 to FIG. 8 .

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view along line E-E′ shown in FIG. 3 to FIG. 8 .

FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view along line F-F′ shown in FIG. 3 to FIG. 8 .

The drawings are schematic and have appropriate exaggerations and omissions. The positional relationships and the vertical:horizontal ratios of the components do not match strictly between the drawings.

As shown in FIG. 1 , decoders 101 and 102 are provided in the semiconductor device 100 according to the embodiment. A first gate line CG 1 , a source line SL, a second gate line CG 2 , and an erase gate line EG each have multiple lines drawn out from the decoder 101 . A first bit line BL 1 and a second bit line BL 2 each have multiple lines drawn out from the decoder 102 . A memory unit 103 is formed at a portion where the first bit line BL 1 and the second bit line BL 2 cross with the first gate line CG 1 , the source line SL, the second gate line CG 2 , and the erase gate line EG. As described below, four memory elements 104 are provided in each memory unit 103 .

As shown in FIG. 2 , a transistor 106 a is provided between the first bit line BL 1 and the source line SL in one of the memory elements 104 provided in the memory unit 103 . A floating gate electrode FL is provided in the transistor 106 a . A capacitor 107 is provided between the floating gate electrode FL and the erase gate line EG. The floating gate electrode FL and the erase gate line EG have a tunnel junction via the capacitor 107 . A MIM (Metal-Insulator-Metal) capacitor 108 a is provided between the floating gate electrode FL and the first gate line CG 1 . The floating gate electrode FL and the first gate line CG 1 are capacitively coupled via the MIM capacitor 108 a.

The memory element 104 may be connected to the second bit line BL 2 instead of the first bit line BL 1 , and may be connected to the second gate line CG 2 instead of the first gate line CG 1 . The memory element 104 is provided at each crossing point between the bit lines and the gate lines. A first memory element 104 which is connected to the first bit line BL 1 and the first gate line CG 1 (referring to FIG. 2 ), a second memory element 104 which is connected to the first bit line BL 1 and the second gate line CG 2 , a third memory element 104 which is connected to the second bit line BL 2 and the first gate line CG 1 , and a fourth memory element 104 which is connected to the second bit line BL 2 and the second gate line CG 2 , i.e., a total of four memory elements 104 , are provided in the memory unit 103 .

As shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 9 to FIG. 14 , a silicon substrate 10 is provided as a semiconductor substrate in the semiconductor device 100 . A region that substantially corresponds to one memory unit 103 is shown in FIG. 9 to FIG. 14 . However, portions of the adjacent memory units 103 also are shown to illustrate the relationship between the components between the adjacent memory units 103 . Although the configuration of one memory unit 103 is described hereinbelow, this is similar for the configurations of the other memory units 103 as well.

Hereinbelow, an XYZ orthogonal coordinate system is employed in the specification for convenience of description. Two mutually-orthogonal directions parallel to an upper surface 10 a of the silicon substrate 10 are taken as an “X-direction” and a “Y-direction”; and a direction orthogonal to the upper surface 10 a of the silicon substrate 10 is taken as a “Z-direction.” In the “Z-direction,” a direction away from the silicon substrate 10 when referenced to the upper surface 10 a of the silicon substrate 10 also is called “up”; and a direction into the silicon substrate 10 also is called “down”; but these expressions are for convenience and are independent of the direction of gravity. The Z-direction also is called the “vertical direction.”

The conductivity type of the upper layer portion of the silicon substrate 10 is, for example, a p-type. A first semiconductor region 11 , a second semiconductor region 12 , and an EG diffusion region 13 are provided in the upper layer portion of the silicon substrate 10 . One of each of the first semiconductor region 11 , the second semiconductor region 12 , and the EG diffusion region 13 are provided in one memory unit 103 .

The first semiconductor region 11 and the second semiconductor region 12 have band configurations extending in the X-direction. The first semiconductor region 11 and the second semiconductor region 12 may be formed for each memory unit 103 , or may be formed over multiple memory units 103 arranged in the X-direction. The first semiconductor region 11 and the second semiconductor region 12 are arranged alternately along the Y-direction. The first semiconductor region 11 and the second semiconductor region 12 are active areas.

The EG diffusion region 13 is provided between the first semiconductor region 11 and the second semiconductor region 12 in the Y-direction. When viewed from above, the configuration of the EG diffusion region 13 is, for example, a rectangle. Accordingly, four corner portions 13 a , 13 b , 13 c , and 13 d exist in the EG diffusion region 13 . The conductivity type of the EG diffusion region 13 is, for example, the p + -type. The impurity concentration of the EG diffusion region 13 is higher than the impurity concentration of the upper layer portion of the silicon substrate 10 .

A STI (Shallow Trench Isolation; an element-separation insulating film) 14 is formed at a region of the upper surface 10 a of the silicon substrate 10 other than the first semiconductor region 11 , the second semiconductor region 12 , and the EG diffusion region 13 . The first semiconductor region 11 , the second semiconductor region 12 , and the EG diffusion region 13 are electrically isolated from each other by the STI 14 . Two regions being electrically isolated refers to the effects of the operation of one region on the operation of another region being such that practical problems are not caused. The first semiconductor region 11 , the second semiconductor region 12 , and the EG diffusion region 13 are in an opening of the STI 14 .

An inter-layer insulating film 20 is provided on the silicon substrate 10 . The components described below are provided inside the inter-layer insulating film 20 . The inter-layer insulating film 20 is not illustrated in FIG. 3 to FIG. 8 .

Four floating gate electrode layers 21 a , 21 b , 21 c , and 21 d (hereinbelow, also generally referred to as the “floating gate electrode layer 21 ”) are provided as the floating gate electrodes FL on the silicon substrate 10 , The floating gate electrode layers 21 a , 21 b , 21 c , and 21 d are provided in a matrix configuration of two rows and two columns along the X-direction and the Y-direction. When viewed from above, the configuration of each floating gate electrode layer 21 is a rectangle having the longitudinal direction in the Y-direction. The floating gate electrode layers 21 a and 21 b straddle the first semiconductor region 11 ; and the floating gate electrode layers 21 c and 21 d straddle the second semiconductor region 12 . The floating gate electrode layer 21 is formed of a conductive material, e.g., polysilicon. A gate insulating layer 22 is provided between the silicon substrate 10 and the floating gate electrode layer 21 and between the STI 14 and the floating gate electrode layer 21 . For example, the gate insulating layer 22 is formed of silicon oxide (SiO).

One corner portion of the floating gate electrode layer 21 extends onto one corner portion of the EG diffusion region 13 for each of the floating gate electrode layers 21 . In other words, the four corner portions of the EG diffusion region 13 are covered with four of the floating gate electrode layers 21 . Therefore, in the vertical direction (the Z-direction), the corner portions of the floating gate electrode layers 21 overlap the corner portions of the EG diffusion region 13 . Specifically, a corner portion 23 a of the floating gate electrode layer 21 a is disposed on the corner portion 13 a of the EG diffusion region 13 . A corner portion 23 b of the floating gate electrode layer 21 b is disposed on the corner portion 13 b of the EG diffusion region 13 . A corner portion 23 c of the floating gate electrode layer 21 c is disposed on the corner portion 13 c of the EG diffusion region 13 . A corner portion 23 d of the floating gate electrode layer 21 d is disposed on the corner portion 13 d of the EG diffusion region 13 . Thereby, the capacitors 107 are formed between the EG diffusion region 13 and the floating gate electrode layers 21 . The floating gate electrode layers 21 have tunnel junctions with the EG diffusion region 13 . In other words, tunnel currents can flow via the gate insulating layer 22 between the silicon substrate 10 and the floating gate electrode layers 21 . In other words, the tunnel current is able to flow between the EG diffusion region 13 of the silicon substrate 10 and the floating gate electrode layer for each of the floating gate electrode layer 21 a , the floating gate electrode layer 21 b , the floating gate electrode layer 21 c , and the floating gate electrode layer 21 d ; and these tunnel currents are able to flow via the same opening of the STI 14 .

The region of the first semiconductor region 11 directly under the floating gate electrode layer 21 a is a channel region 16 a . The region of the first semiconductor region 11 directly under the floating gate electrode layer 21 b is a channel region 16 b . The region of the second semiconductor region 12 directly under the floating gate electrode layer 21 c is a channel region 16 c . The region of the second semiconductor region 12 directly under the floating gate electrode layer 21 d is a channel region 16 d . The conductivity types of the channel regions 16 a , 16 b , 16 c , and 16 d are the p-type.

The regions of the first semiconductor region 11 sandwiching the channel region 16 a are a drain region 18 a and a source region 17 a . The regions of the first semiconductor region 11 sandwiching the channel region 16 b are the source region 17 a and a drain region 18 b . In other words, in the first semiconductor region 11 , the drain region 18 a , the channel region 16 a , the source region 17 a , the channel region 16 b , and the drain region 18 b are arranged in this order along the Y-direction.

The regions of the second semiconductor region 12 sandwiching the channel region 16 c are a drain region 18 c and a source region 17 b . The regions of the second semiconductor region 12 sandwiching the channel region 16 d are the source region 17 b and a drain region 18 d . In other words, in the second semiconductor region 12 , the drain region 18 c , the channel region 16 c , the source region 17 b , the channel region 16 d , and the drain region 18 d are arranged in this order along the Y-direction. The conductivity types of the source regions 17 a and 17 b and the drain regions 18 a to 18 d are, for example, the n + -type.

The transistor 106 a is formed of the drain region 18 a , the channel region 16 a , the source region 17 a , the gate insulating layer 22 , and the floating gate electrode layer 21 a in the upper surface 10 a of the silicon substrate 10 . Similarly, a transistor 106 b is formed of the source region 17 a , the channel region 16 b , the drain region 18 b , the gate insulating layer 22 , and the floating gate electrode layer 21 b in the upper surface 10 a of the silicon substrate 10 . A transistor 106 c is formed of the drain region 18 c , the channel region 16 c , the source region 17 b , the gate insulating layer 22 , and the floating gate electrode layer 21 c in the upper surface 10 a of the silicon substrate 10 . A transistor 106 d is formed of the source region 17 b , the channel region 16 d , the drain region 18 c , the gate insulating layer 22 , and the floating gate electrode layer 21 d in the upper surface 10 a of the silicon substrate 10 . The transistors 106 a to 106 d (also generally referred to as the “transistor 106 ”) are n-channel MOSFETs (Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor Field-Effect Transistors).

As shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 9 to FIG. 14 , contacts 24 a , 24 b , and 24 c are provided on the first semiconductor region 11 ; and first interconnects 25 a , 25 b , and 25 c are provided respectively on the contacts 24 a , 24 b , and 24 c . The first interconnect 25 a is connected to the drain region 18 a of the first semiconductor region 11 via the contact 24 a . The first interconnect 25 b is connected to the source region 17 a of the first semiconductor region 11 via the contact 24 b . The first interconnect 25 c is connected to the drain region 18 b of the first semiconductor region 11 via the contact 24 c.

Contacts 24 d , 24 e , and 24 f are provided on the second semiconductor region 12 ; and first interconnects 25 d , 25 e , and 25 f are provided respectively on the contacts 24 d , 24 e , and 24 f . The first interconnect 25 d is connected to the drain region 18 c of the second semiconductor region 12 via the contact 24 d . The first interconnect 25 e is connected to the source region 17 b of the second semiconductor region 12 via the contact 24 e . The first interconnect 25 f is connected to the drain region 18 d of the second semiconductor region 12 via the contact 24 f.

A contact 24 g is provided on the end portion of the floating gate electrode layer 21 a separated in the Y-direction from the EG diffusion region 13 ; and a first interconnect 25 g is provided on the contact 24 g . The first interconnect 25 g is connected to the floating gate electrode layer 21 a via the contact 24 g . Similarly, a contact 24 h is provided on the end portion of the floating gate electrode layer 21 b separated in the Y-direction from the EG diffusion region 13 ; and a first interconnect 25 h is provided on the contact 24 h . The first interconnect 25 h is connected to the floating gate electrode layer 21 b via the contact 24 h . A contact 24 i is provided on the end portion of the floating gate electrode layer 21 c separated in the Y-direction from the EG diffusion region 13 ; and a first interconnect 25 i is provided on the contact 24 i . The first interconnect 25 i is connected to the floating gate electrode layer 21 a via the contact 24 i . A contact 24 j is provided on the end portion of the floating gate electrode layer 21 d separated in the Y-direction from the EG diffusion region 13 ; and a first interconnect 25 j is provided on the contact 24 j . The first interconnect 25 j is connected to the floating gate electrode layer 21 d via the contact 24 j.

A contact 24 k is provided on the EG diffusion region 13 ; and a first interconnect 25 k is provided on the contact 24 k . The first interconnect 25 k is connected to the EG diffusion region 13 via the contact 24 k . The first interconnect 25 k has a rectangular configuration having the longitudinal direction in the X-direction. For example, the first interconnects 25 a to 25 k are made of a metal and have substantially the same position in the Z-direction.

As shown in FIG. 5 and FIG. 9 to FIG. 14 , a first via 26 a is provided on the first interconnect 25 a ; and a second interconnect 27 a is provided on the first via 26 a . The second interconnect 27 a is connected to the first interconnect 25 a by the first via 26 a . A first via 26 b is provided on the first interconnect 25 b ; and a second interconnect 27 b is provided on the first via 26 b . The second interconnect 27 b is connected to the first interconnect 25 b by the first via 26 b . The second interconnect 27 b is the source line SL. The source line SL (the second interconnect 27 b ) extends in the Y-direction and is used commonly by the multiple memory units 103 arranged along the Y-direction.

A first via 26 c is provided on the first interconnect 25 c ; and a second interconnect 27 c is provided on the first via 26 c . The second interconnect 27 c is connected to the first interconnect 25 c by the first via 26 c . A first via 26 d is provided on the first interconnect 25 d ; and a second interconnect 27 d is provided on the first via 26 d . The second interconnect 27 d is connected to the first interconnect 25 d by the first via 26 d.

A first via 26 e is provided on the first interconnect 25 e ; and the second interconnect 27 b is disposed on the first via 26 e . The second interconnect 27 b is connected to the first interconnect 25 e by the first via 26 e . As described above, the second interconnect 27 b is the source line SL. Accordingly, the source line SL (the second interconnect 27 b ) is connected to the source region 17 a of the first semiconductor region 11 by the first via 26 b , the first interconnect 25 b , and the contact 24 b and is connected to the source region 17 b of the second semiconductor region 12 by the first via 26 e , the first interconnect 25 e , and the contact 24 e.

A first via 26 f is provided on the first interconnect 25 f ; and a second interconnect 27 f is provided on the first via 26 f . The second interconnect 27 f is connected to the first interconnect 25 f by the first via 26 f . A first via 26 g is provided on the first interconnect 25 g ; and a second interconnect 27 g is provided on the first via 26 g . The second interconnect 27 g is connected to the first interconnect 25 g by the first via 26 g . A first via 26 h is provided on the first interconnect 25 h ; and a second interconnect 27 h is provided on the first via 26 h . The second interconnect 27 h is connected to the first interconnect 25 h by the first via 26 h . A first via 26 i is provided on the first interconnect 25 i ; and a second interconnect 27 i is provided on the first via 26 i , The second interconnect 27 i is connected to the first interconnect 25 i by the first via 26 i . A first via 26 j is provided on the first interconnect 25 j ; and a second interconnect 27 j is provided on the first via 26 j . The second interconnect 27 j is connected to the first interconnect 25 j by the first via 26 j.

A first via 26 k is provided on the first interconnect 25 k ; and a second interconnect 27 k is provided on the first via 26 k . The second interconnect 27 k is connected to the first interconnect 25 k by the first via 26 k . However, the first via 26 k and the second interconnect 27 k are disposed at a position shifted in the X-direction from the region directly above the contact 24 k.

As shown in FIG. 6 and FIG. 9 to FIG. 14 , a second via 28 a is provided on the second interconnect 27 a ; and a third interconnect 29 a is provided on the second via 28 a . The third interconnect 29 a is connected to the second interconnect 27 a by the second via 28 a . The third interconnect 29 a is the first bit line BL 1 . The first bit line BL 1 (the third interconnect 29 a ) extends in the X-direction and is used commonly by the multiple memory units 103 arranged along the X-direction.

A second via 28 c is provided on the second interconnect 27 c ; and the third interconnect 29 a (the first bit line BL 1 ) is disposed on the second via 28 c . The third interconnect 29 a is connected to the second interconnect 27 c by the second via 28 c . Accordingly, the first bit line BL 1 (the third interconnect 29 a ) is connected to the drain region 18 a of the first semiconductor region 11 by the second via 28 a , the second interconnect 27 a , the first via 26 a , the first interconnect 25 a , and the contact 24 a and is connected to the drain region 18 c of the first semiconductor region 11 by the second via 28 c , the second interconnect 27 c , the first via 26 c , the first interconnect 25 c , and the contact 24 c.

A second via 28 d is provided on the second interconnect 27 d ; and a third interconnect 29 b is provided on the second via 28 d . The third interconnect 29 b is connected to the second interconnect 27 d by the second via 28 d . The third interconnect 29 b is the second bit line BL 2 . The second bit line BL 2 (the third interconnect 29 b ) extends in the X-direction and is used commonly by the multiple memory units 103 arranged along the X-direction.

A second via 28 f is provided on the second interconnect 27 f ; and the third interconnect 29 b (the second bit line BL 2 ) is disposed on the second via 28 f . The third interconnect 29 b is connected to the second interconnect 27 f by the second via 28 f . Accordingly, the second bit line BL 2 (the third interconnect 29 b ) is connected to the drain region 18 c of the second semiconductor region 12 by the second via 28 d , the second interconnect 27 d , the first via 26 d , the first interconnect 25 d , and the contact 24 d and is connected to the drain region 18 d of the second semiconductor region 12 by the second via 28 f , the second interconnect 27 f , the first via 26 f , the first interconnect 25 f , and the contact 24 f.

A second via 28 g is provided on the second interconnect 27 g ; and a third interconnect 29 g is provided on the second via 28 g . The third interconnect 29 g is connected to the second interconnect 27 g by the second via 28 g . A second via 28 h is provided on the second interconnect 27 h ; and a third interconnect 29 h is provided on the second via 28 h . The third interconnect 29 h is connected to the second interconnect 27 h by the second via 28 h . A second via 28 i is provided on the second interconnect 27 i ; and a third interconnect 29 i is provided on the second via 28 i . The third interconnect 29 i is connected to the second interconnect 27 i by the second via 28 i . A second via 28 j is provided on the second interconnect 27 j ; and a third interconnect 29 j is provided on the second via 28 j . The third interconnect 29 j is connected to the second interconnect 27 j by the second via 28 j . A second via 28 k is provided on the second interconnect 27 k ; and a third interconnect 29 k is provided on the second via 28 k . The third interconnect 29 k is connected to the second interconnect 27 k by the second via 28 k.

As shown in FIG. 7 and FIG. 9 to FIG. 14 , a third via 30 g is provided on the third interconnect 29 g ; and a fourth interconnect 31 g is provided on the third via 30 g . The fourth interconnect 31 g is connected to the third interconnect 29 g by the third via 30 g . Similarly, a third via 30 h is provided on the third interconnect 29 h ; and a fourth interconnect 31 h is provided on the third via 30 h . The fourth interconnect 31 h is connected to the third interconnect 29 h by the third via 30 h . A third via 30 i is provided on the third interconnect 29 i ; and a fourth interconnect 31 i is provided on the third via 30 i , The fourth interconnect 31 i is connected to the third interconnect 29 i by the third via 30 i . A third via 30 j is provided on the third interconnect 29 j ; and a fourth interconnect 31 j is provided on the third via 30 j . The fourth interconnect 31 j is connected to the third interconnect 29 j by the third via 30 j.

A third via 30 k is provided on the third interconnect 29 k ; and a fourth interconnect 31 k is provided on the third via 30 k . The fourth interconnect 31 k is connected to the third interconnect 29 k by the third via 30 k . The fourth interconnect 31 k is the erase gate line EG. The erase gate line EG (the fourth interconnect 31 k ) extends in the Y-direction and is used commonly by the multiple memory units 103 arranged along the Y-direction.

As shown in FIG. 8 and FIG. 9 to FIG. 14 , a fourth via 32 g is provided on the fourth interconnect 31 g ; and a lower electrode layer 33 a is provided on the fourth via 32 g . The lower electrode layer 33 a is connected to the fourth interconnect 31 g by the fourth via 32 g . Accordingly, the lower electrode layer 33 a is connected to the floating gate electrode layer 21 a via the fourth interconnect 31 g , the third interconnect 29 g , the second interconnect 27 g , and the first interconnect 25 g.

A fourth via 32 h is provided on the fourth interconnect 31 h ; and a lower electrode layer 33 b is provided on the fourth via 32 h . The lower electrode layer 33 b is connected to the fourth interconnect 31 h by the fourth via 32 h . Accordingly, the lower electrode layer 33 b is connected to the floating gate electrode layer 21 b via the fourth interconnect 31 h , the third interconnect 29 h , the second interconnect 27 h , and the first interconnect 25 h.

A fourth via 32 i is provided on the fourth interconnect 31 i ; and a lower electrode layer 33 c is provided on the fourth via 32 i . The lower electrode layer 33 c is connected to the fourth interconnect 31 i by the fourth via 32 i . Accordingly, the lower electrode layer 33 c is connected to the floating gate electrode layer 21 c via the fourth interconnect 31 i , the third interconnect 29 i , the second interconnect 27 i , and the first interconnect 25 i.

A fourth via 32 j is provided on the fourth interconnect 31 j ; and a lower electrode layer 33 d is provided on the fourth via 32 j . The lower electrode layer 33 d is connected to the fourth interconnect 31 j by the fourth via 32 j . Accordingly, the lower electrode layer 33 d is connected to the floating gate electrode layer 21 d via the fourth interconnect 31 j , the third interconnect 29 j , the second interconnect 27 j , and the first interconnect 25 j.

When viewed from above, the configurations of the lower electrode layers 33 a to 33 d each are rectangles having longitudinal directions in, for example, the Y-direction. When viewed from above, each of the lower electrode layers 33 a to 33 d occupies about ¼ of the region corresponding to the memory unit 103 . The lower electrode layer 33 a and the lower electrode layer 33 b are arranged in the X-direction; the lower electrode layer 33 c and the lower electrode layer 33 d are arranged in the X-direction; the lower electrode layer 33 a and the lower electrode layer 33 c are arranged in the Y-direction; and the lower electrode layer 33 b and the lower electrode layer 33 d are arranged in the Y-direction. The lower electrode layers 33 a to 33 d are separated from each other.

Capacitance insulating layers 34 a to 34 d are provided respectively on the lower electrode layers 33 a to 33 d . An upper electrode layer 35 a is provided in a region including a region on the capacitance insulating layer 34 a and a region on the capacitance insulating layer 34 c . The upper electrode layer 35 a is the first gate line CG 1 . The capacitance insulating layers 34 a to 34 d may be portions of a continuous insulating film.

An upper electrode layer 35 b is provided in a region including a region on the capacitance insulating layer 34 b and a region on the capacitance insulating layer 34 d . The upper electrode layer 35 b is the second gate line CG 2 . The first gate line CG 1 (the upper electrode layer 35 a ) and the second gate line CG 2 (the upper electrode layer 35 b ) extend in the Y-direction and are used commonly by the multiple memory units 103 arranged along the Y-direction.

The MIM capacitor 108 a is formed of the lower electrode layer 33 a , the capacitance insulating layer 34 a , and the upper electrode layer 35 a . A MIM capacitor 108 b is formed of the lower electrode layer 33 b , the capacitance insulating layer 34 b , and the upper electrode layer 35 b . A MIM capacitor 108 c is formed of the lower electrode layer 33 c , the capacitance insulating layer 34 c , and the upper electrode layer 35 a . A MIM capacitor 108 d is formed of the lower electrode layer 33 d , the capacitance insulating layer 34 d , and the upper electrode layer 35 b . The MIM capacitors 108 a to 108 d also are generally referred to as the “MIM capacitor 108 .”

Operations of the semiconductor device according to the embodiment will now be described.

FIG. 15 is a table showing the potential applied to the interconnects in the operations of the semiconductor device according to the embodiment.

Program Operation

As shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 15 , when programming data to the memory element 104 , the first bit line BL 1 (the third interconnect 29 a ) and the source line SL (the second interconnect 27 b ) are set to the floating state; subsequently, a high potential HV is applied to the first gate line CG 1 (the upper electrode layer 35 a ); and a ground potential GND is applied to the erase gate line EG (the fourth interconnect 31 k ). The high potential HV is, for example, 10 V.

Thereby, the potential of the floating gate electrode FL (the floating gate electrode layer 21 a ) is increased near the high potential HV by the coupling effect of the MIM capacitor 108 a ; and a voltage is applied to the capacitor 107 . As a result, a tunnel current flows through the gate insulating layer 22 between the corner portion 13 a of the EG diffusion region 13 and the corner portion 23 a of the floating gate electrode layer 21 a ; and electrons are injected into the floating gate electrode layer 21 a . Thereby, the data is programmed to the transistor 106 a.

Read Operation

When reading the data programmed to the memory element 104 , a bit line potential VBL is applied to the first bit line BL 1 ; and the ground potential GND is applied to the source line SL. In this state, a read potential Vread is applied to the first gate line CG 1 ; and the ground potential GND is applied to the erase gate line EG. The bit line potential VBL and the read potential Vread are, for example, potentials between the ground potential GND and the high potential HV and are, for example, several V. At this time, whether or not a current flows between the source-drain of the transistor 106 a is dependent on the charge amount stored in the floating gate electrode FL (the floating gate electrode layer 21 a ). Thus, the data that is programmed to the transistor 106 a can be read.

Erase Operation

When erasing the data programmed to the memory element 104 , the first bit line BL 1 and the source line SL are set to the floating state; subsequently, the ground potential GND is applied to the first gate line CG 1 ; and the high potential HV is applied to the erase gate line EG.

Thereby, the potential of the floating gate electrode FL is reduced near the ground potential GND by the coupling effect of the MIM capacitor 108 a ; and a voltage is applied to the capacitor 107 . As a result, a tunnel current flows through the gate insulating layer 22 between the corner portion 13 a of the EG diffusion region 13 and the corner portion 23 a of the floating gate electrode layer 21 a ; and electrons are discharged from the floating gate electrode layer 21 a . The data that is programmed to the transistor 106 a is erased thereby.

Operations of the embodiment will now be described.

In the embodiment, the MIM capacitor 108 is disposed above the transistor 106 and the capacitor 107 . The surface area of the memory unit 103 can be reduced thereby.

In the embodiment, the capacitor 107 is formed between one common EG diffusion region 13 and the floating gate electrode layers 21 of four transistors 106 . Thereby, it is sufficient to provide one EG diffusion region 13 for four memory elements 104 ; therefore, the surface area of the memory unit 103 can be reduced further.

In the embodiment, when viewed from above, the configuration of the EG diffusion region 13 is set to be a rectangle; and the four corner portions 13 a to 13 d of the EG diffusion region 13 respectively overlap the corner portions 23 a to 23 d of the four floating gate electrode layers 21 a to 21 g . Thereby, higher uniformity of the overlapping surface areas between the EG diffusion region 13 and the floating gate electrode layers 21 is easy; and higher uniformity of the operations of the memory element 104 can be realized.

According to the embodiments described above, a semiconductor device can be realized in which downsizing is possible.

While certain embodiments have been described, these embodiments have been presented by way of example only, and are not intended to limit the scope of the inventions. Indeed, the novel embodiments described herein may be embodied in a variety of other forms; furthermore, various omissions, substitutions and changes in the form of the embodiments described herein may be made without departing from the spirit of the inventions. The accompanying claims and their equivalents are intended to cover such forms or modifications as would fall within the scope and spirit of the inventions.