The present invention relates to a method for forming a set of floating
gates which are isolated from each other by means of slits, as well as
semiconductor devices using the floating gate. The present invention
provides a method for manufacturing an array of semiconductor devices on
a substrate (10), each device having a floating gate (36), comprising:
first forming isolation zones (14) in the substrate (10), thereafter
forming a floating gate separator (32) on the isolation zones (14) at
locations where separations between adjacent floating gates (36) are to
be formed, after forming the floating gate separator (32), forming the
floating gates (36) on the substrate (10) between parts of the floating
gate separator (32), and thereafter removing the floating gate separator
(32) so as to obtain slits in between neighboring floating gates (36).
This method has an advantage over prior art in that less residues of
floating gate material, or less floating gate material shorts between
adjacent floating gates occur. Furthermore, the gate profile is damaged
less than in prior art slit processing methods.