Semiconductor memory device

Claim 1

In a semiconductor memory formed on a semiconductor substrate with a major planar surface comprising a plurality of MOS type memory cells each having a source, control gate and drain arranged in an array of rows and columns; a plurality of row conductive layers each of which is electrically connected to the control gates of said MOS type memory cells located along a corresponding row; and a plurality of column conductive layers, adjacent column conductive layers being electrically connected to the source and drain respectively of each MOS type memory cell interposed therebetween, the improvement comprising: a thick insulating layer which is formed by selectively oxidizing said major planar surface of said semiconductor substrate so as to leave at least areas of said major surface which are arrayed along said rows, said thick insulating layer having portions which extend along said columns, said areas interposed between adjacent thick insulating layer portions; said plural MOS type memory cells being formed at said areas; said plurality of column conductive layers being respectively constructed of semiconductor layers which are formed in said semiconductor substrate beneath and along said thick insulating layer portions and which are self-aligned with said thick insulating layer portions; and said plural row conductive layers extending respectively across and above said thick insulating layer portions.