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US4163985A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Nonvolatile punch through memory cell with buried n+ region in channel

Assignee: United States Department of the Air Force
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Filing: 1977-09-30
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Granted: 1979-08-07
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Expires: 1997-09-30
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Abstract

Abstract A nonvolatile memory cell is disclosed that has a buried n+ layer from which charge (electrons) is injected into the insulator of n-channel MNOS (Metal Nitride Oxide Semiconductor) type devices.

Inventors

  • 👤 Fritz L. Schuermeyer
  • 👤 Charles R. Young

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-10-27 06:40
CPC Classifications
G; G11; G11C; G11C16/00; G11C16/02; G11C16/04; G11C16/0466; H; H10; H10D; H10D30/00; H10D30/60; H10D30/69

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim 115 words
A five terminal nonvolatile punch through memory cell comprising: a. a p type substrate having a surface; b. a first and a second n+ region positioned in spaced apart relationship in the said substrate providing a source and a drain, respectively; c. a very thin oxide layer positioned over a portion of said substrate surface in contacting relationship; d. nitride layer positioned over the said oxide layer in contacting relationship; e. a gate layer positioned over the said nitride layer; and f. an n+ layer buried in the said p type substrate below the said surface of the substrate and substantially between and in spaced apart relationship to the said first and second n+ regions.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 115 words
A five terminal nonvolatile punch through memory cell comprising: a. a p type substrate having a surface; b. a first and a second n+ region positioned in spaced apart relationship in the said substrate providing a source and a drain, respectively; c. a very thin oxide layer positioned over a portion of said substrate surface in contacting relationship; d. nitride layer positioned over the said oxide layer in contacting relationship; e. a gate layer positioned over the said nitride layer; and f. an n+ layer buried in the said p type substrate below the said surface of the substrate and substantially between and in spaced apart relationship to the said first and second n+ regions.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 83 words
A nonvolatile punch through transistor memory cell comprising: a. a p type substrate having a surface; b. a first and a second n+ diffusion area positioned in the said substrate providing, respectively, a source and a drain; c. a vertically justapositioned double dielectric including a very thin oxide layer, the said oxide layer positioned on the surface of the substrate; and d. an isolated n+ region buried in the said substrate below the said surface for injecting charge into the said double dielectric.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 83 words
A nonvolatile punch through transistor memory cell comprising: a. a p type substrate having a surface; b. a first and a second n+ diffusion area positioned in the said substrate providing, respectively, a source and a drain; c. a vertically justapositioned double dielectric including a very thin oxide layer, the said oxide layer positioned on the surface of the substrate; and d. an isolated n+ region buried in the said substrate below the said surface for injecting charge into the said double dielectric.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 229 words
A nonvolatile punch through transistor memory cell comprising: a. a p type silicon substrate having a surface; b. a silicon dioxide layer positioned on the surface of the said substrate; c. a silicon nitride layer positioned in cooperation with the said silicon dioxide layer to provide a silicon dioxide thickness between the substrate surface and the said silicon nitride layer less than approximately 100 Angstroms; d. a gate layer positioned on the said silicon nitride layer providing a gate terminal; e. a first n+ diffusion region positioned in the said substrate horizontally to one side of the position of the said silicon nitride layer, providing a source element terminal; f. a second n+ diffusion region positioned in the said substrate in horizontal spaced apart relationship to the said first n+ diffusion region and positioned to the other side of the position of the said silicon nitride layer, providing a drain element terminal; and g. an n+ region positioned approximately 2 microns below the surface of the said substrate, positioned in horizontal spaced apart relationship between the said source and drain elements and in a vertical relationship substantially below the said silicon nitride layer providing a terminal for injecting charge whereby punch through of electrons from the n+ buried region through the said substrate and the said silicon dioxide layer provides a nonvolatile charge in the said silicon nitride layer.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 229 words
A nonvolatile punch through transistor memory cell comprising: a. a p type silicon substrate having a surface; b. a silicon dioxide layer positioned on the surface of the said substrate; c. a silicon nitride layer positioned in cooperation with the said silicon dioxide layer to provide a silicon dioxide thickness between the substrate surface and the said silicon nitride layer less than approximately 100 Angstroms; d. a gate layer positioned on the said silicon nitride layer providing a gate terminal; e. a first n+ diffusion region positioned in the said substrate horizontally to one side of the position of the said silicon nitride layer, providing a source element terminal; f. a second n+ diffusion region positioned in the said substrate in horizontal spaced apart relationship to the said first n+ diffusion region and positioned to the other side of the position of the said silicon nitride layer, providing a drain element terminal; and g. an n+ region positioned approximately 2 microns below the surface of the said substrate, positioned in horizontal spaced apart relationship between the said source and drain elements and in a vertical relationship substantially below the said silicon nitride layer providing a terminal for injecting charge whereby punch through of electrons from the n+ buried region through the said substrate and the said silicon dioxide layer provides a nonvolatile charge in the said silicon nitride layer.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1982-08-06 1983-02-05 1983-08-07 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1986-08-06 1987-02-05 1987-08-07 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 1990-08-06 1991-02-05 1991-08-07 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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