Methods of forming a gate structure for an integrated circuit memory
device include forming a first dielectric layer having a dielectric
constant of under 7 on an integrated circuit substrate. Ions of a
selected element from group 4 of the periodic table and having a thermal
diffusivity of less than about 0.5 centimeters per second (cm.sup.2/s)
are injected into the first dielectric layer to form a charge storing
region in the first dielectric layer with a tunnel dielectric layer under
the charge storing region. A metal oxide second dielectric layer is
formed on the first dielectric layer, the second dielectric layer. The
substrate including the first and second dielectric layers is thermally
treated to form a plurality of discrete charge storing nano crystals in
the charge storing region and a gate electrode layer is formed on the
second dielectric layer. Gate structures for integrated circuit devices
and memory cells are also provided.