Yangtze Memory Technologies Co., Ltd.

Yongna Li

Zhenyu Lu

Lidong Song

Steve Weiyi Yang

Feng Pan

Xiaowang Dai

Simon Shi-Ning Yang

Jun Chen

Jifeng Zhu

Yushi Hu

Qian Tao

Wenguang Shi

Yu Huang

Dan Liu

Youn Cheul Kim

Jong Jun Kim

Jong Seuk Lee

A memory device includes an alternating layer stack including conductive/dielectric layer pairs stacked in a first direction, a first insulating layer on the alternating layer stack, a thickness of the first insulating layer being larger than a thickness of the dielectric layer, and a channel structure extending through the alternating layer stack and the first insulating layer along the first direction. The channel structure includes an epitaxial layer disposed at a first end of the channel structure away from the first insulating layer, a functional layer on the epitaxial layer and extending along the first direction, a channel layer covering a sidewall of the functional layer and in contact with the epitaxial layer, and a filling structure covering a sidewall of the channel layer. The memory device further includes a channel column structure at a second end of the channel structure near the first insulating layer and in contact with the channel layer, and a top selective gate structure over the first insulating layer and between neighboring channel column structures.

Three-dimensional memory devices and fabricating methods thereof

Embodiments of three-dimensional (3D) memory devices and methods for controlling a photoresist (PR) trimming rate in the formation of the 3D memory devices are disclosed. In an example, a method includes forming a dielectric stack over a substrate, measuring a first distance between the first trimming mark and the PR layer along a first direction, and trimming the PR layer along the first direction. The method also includes etching the dielectric stack using the trimmed PR layer as an etch mask to form a staircase, forming a second trimming mark using the first trimming mark as an etch mask, measuring a second distance between the second trimming mark and the trimmed PR layer, comparing the first distance with the second distance to determine a difference between an actual PR trimming rate and an estimated PR trimming rate, and adjusting PR trimming parameters based on the difference.

Staircase etch control in forming three-dimensional memory device

Embodiments of interconnect structures of a three-dimensional (3D) memory device and method for forming the interconnect structures are disclosed. In an example, a 3D NAND memory device includes a substrate, an alternating layer stack including a staircase structure on the substrate, and a barrier structure extending vertically through the alternating layer stack. The alternating layer stack includes an alternating dielectric stack and an alternating conductor/dielectric stack. The alternating dielectric stack includes dielectric layer pairs enclosed by at least the barrier structure. The alternating conductor/dielectric stack includes conductor/dielectric layer pairs. The memory device further includes a channel structure and a slit structure each extending vertically through the alternating conductor/dielectric stack, an etch stop layer on an end of the channel structure, and first contacts. Each of a conductor layer of the alternating conductor/dielectric stack in the staircase structure, the etch stop layer, and the slit structure is in contact with one of the first contacts.

Interconnect structure of three-dimensional memory device

A method for forming a 3D memory device is disclosed. The method includes: forming an alternating dielectric stack on a substrate; forming a plurality of channel holes penetrating the alternating dielectric stack; forming a channel structure in each channel hole; forming a channel column structure on the channel structure in each channel hole; trimming an upper portion of each channel column structure to form a channel plug; and forming a top selective gate cut between neighboring channel plugs.

Embodiments of methods for testing three-dimensional memory devices are disclosed. The method can include: applying an input signal to a first conductive pad of the memory device by a first probe of a probe card; transmitting the input signal through the first conductive pad, a first TAC, a first interconnect structure passing through a bonding interface of the memory device, at least one of a memory array contact and a test circuit to a test structure; receiving an output signal through a second interconnect structure passing through the bonding interface, a second TAC, at least one of the memory array contact and the test circuit from the test structure; measuring the output signal from a second conductive pad of the memory device by a second probe of the probe card; and determining a characteristic of the test structure based on the input signal and the output signal.

Structure and method for testing three-dimensional memory device

Embodiments of structures and methods for testing three-dimensional (3D) memory devices are disclosed. In one example, a 3D memory device includes a memory array structure, a peripheral device structure, and an interconnect layer in contact with a front side of the memory array structure and a front side of the peripheral device structure, and a conductive pad at a back side of the memory array structure and that overlaps the memory array structure. The memory array structure includes a memory array stack, a through array contact (TAC) extending vertically through at least part of the memory array stack, and a memory array contact. The peripheral device structure includes a test circuit. The interconnect layer includes an interconnect structure. The conductive pad, the TAC, the interconnect structure, and at least one of the test circuit and the memory array contact are electrically connected.

Growing community of inventors

Hubei, China

Yongna Li