Abstract:
A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate, multiple memory cells on the semiconductor substrate arranged along a first dimension and along a second dimension that is orthogonal to the first dimension, in which each memory cell of the multiple memory cells includes a channel region in the semiconductor substrate, a tunnel dielectric layer on the channel region, and a first electrode layer on the tunnel dielectric layer. Along the first dimension, the channel region of each memory cell of the multiple memory cells is separated from the channel region of an adjacent memory cell of the multiple memory cells by a corresponding first air gap, each first air gap extending from below an upper surface of the semiconductor substrate up to an inter-electrode dielectric layer.
Abstract:
Methods, systems and apparatus for three-dimensional (3D) memory devices are provided. In one aspect, a semiconductor device includes: an array-side structure and a device-side structure. The array-side structure includes a memory array of memory cells and an array-side integrated circuit conductively coupled to the memory array. The device-side structure includes a device-side integrated circuit. The array-side structure and the device-side structure are integrated together with one or more connection pads therebetween. The array-side integrated circuit and the device-side integrated circuit are conductively coupled to each other through at least one of the one or more connection pads and configured to perform one or more operations on the memory array.
Abstract:
Provided is a memory device including a stack structure. The stack structure is in the memory array region of a substrate. The stack structure comprises a plurality of first insulating layers and a plurality of conductive layers stacked alternately on each other. A first staircase structure and a second staircase structure are located in a first staircase region and a second staircase region of the substrate respectively. The second staircase structure has steps descending from an upper layer proximal to the memory array region to a lower layer distal to the memory array region. Block slits and zone slit are disposed over the substrate in the second staircase region. The block slits divide the stack structure, the first staircase structure and the second staircase structure into memory blocks. The zone slits divide one of the memory blocks into a plurality of zones separately within the memory blocks.
Abstract:
Provided is a memory device including a substrate, a stack structure, a plurality of pads and an additional dielectric layer. The substrate has an array region and a staircase region. The stack structure is disposed on the substrate. The stack structure includes a plurality of dielectric layers and a plurality of conductive layers stacked alternately. The pads are disposed on the substrate in the staircase region. The pads are respectively connected to the conductive layers, so as to form a staircase structure. The additional dielectric layer is disposed on the stack structure to contact a topmost conductive layer of the conductive layers. A topmost pad of the pads includes a landing portion to contact a plug and an extension portion. The landing portion is laterally adjacent to the additional dielectric layer, and the extension portion extends over a top surface of the additional dielectric layer.
Abstract:
Provided is a memory device including a substrate, a stack structure on the substrate, a contact, and a supporting pillar. The stacked structure includes a plurality of conductive layers and a plurality of insulating layers stacked alternately on each other. The contact is connected to one of the plurality of conductive layers of the stack structure. The supporting pillar penetrates the stack structure and is disposed around the contact. The supporting pillar includes a body portion and a plurality of extension portions. The body portion is arranged around a first side of the contact. The plurality of extension portions are located on two sides of the body portion. A length of each of the extension portions is greater than a width of the contact, and one of the extension portions is disposed around a second side of the contact.
Abstract:
A memory device includes a substrate, a stack structure, a first staircase structure, and a first part of a second staircase structure. The substrate includes a plurality of blocks each having a staircase region, a memory array region, and a word line cutting region. The stack structure is located on the substrate in the memory array region, and includes first insulating layers and conductive layers alternately stacked on each other. The first staircase structure is located on the substrate in the staircase region, and includes first insulating layers and conductive layers alternately stacked on each other. The first part of the second staircase structure is located on the substrate in the word line cutting region, and includes first insulating layers and conductive layers alternately stacked on each other, and two first parts of two second staircase structures in two adjacent blocks are separated from each other.
Abstract:
Provided is a memory device including a substrate, a stack structure, a plurality of pads, and a protective layer. The substrate has an array region and a staircase region. The stack structure is disposed on the substrate. The stack structure includes a plurality of dielectric layers and a plurality of conductive layers stacked alternately. The pads are disposed on the substrate in the staircase region. The pads are respectively connected to the conductive layers, so as to form a staircase structure. The protective layer is disposed on the stack structure to contact a topmost conductive layer. A top surface of the protective layer adjacent to a topmost pad has a curved profile.
Abstract:
Methods and apparatus for fabricating memory devices are provided. In one aspect, an intermediate stack of dielectric layers are formed on a first stack of dielectric layers in a first tier. The intermediate stack of dielectric layers is then partially or fully etched and have a landing pad layer deposited thereon. In response to planarizing the landing pad layer to expose a top surface of the intermediate stack of dielectric layers, a second stack of dielectric layers are deposited above the planarized landing pad layer. A staircase is formed by etching through the second stack, the intermediate stack, and the first stack of dielectric layers in the staircase region of the memory device. The staircase is located adjacent to one end of the center landing pad, where steps of the staircase are formed within the thickness of the center landing pad.
Abstract:
Various embodiments provide a self-merged profile (SMP) method for fabricating a semiconductor device and a device fabricated using an SMP method. In an example embodiment, a semiconductor device is provided. The example semiconductor device comprises (a) a plurality of conductive lines; (b) a plurality of conductive pads; (c) a plurality of dummy tails; and (d) a plurality of closed loops. Each of the plurality of conductive pads is associated with one of the plurality of conductive lines, one of the plurality of dummy tails, and one of the plurality of closed loops. In example embodiments, the plurality of dummy tails and the plurality of closed loops are formed as residuals of the process used to create the plurality of conductive lines and the plurality of conductive pads.
Abstract:
Provided are improved semiconductor memory devices and methods for manufacturing such semiconductor memory devices. A method may incorporate the formation of a first dielectric layer over buried oxide regions and the removal of such dielectric layer to prepare a substantially planar substrate for subsequent formation of word lines. The method may allow for the production of semiconductor memory devices of reduced size with reduced word line stringer residual material.