Yangtze Memory Technologies Co., Ltd.

Zhong Zhang

Wenxi Zhou

Zhiliang Xia

Zhongwang Sun

Kun Zhang

Di Wang

Linchun Wu

Lei Liu

Wenyu Hua

Yan Ni Li

Zongliang Huo

Jun Chen

Zhenyu Lu

Yushi Hu

Jifeng Zhu

Qian Tao

Ji Xia

Xiaowang Dai

Jin Wen Dong

Cuicui Kong

Bo Huang

Zhi Zhang

Yuhui Han

Rui Su

Wei Xie

Ling Xu

In certain aspects, a method for forming a three-dimensional (3D) memory device is disclosed. A stack structure including interleaved first dielectric layers and second dielectric layers is formed. Channel structures extending through the first dielectric layers and the second dielectric layers in a first region of the stack structure are formed. All the second dielectric layers in the first region and parts of the second dielectric layers in a second region of the stack structure are replaced with conductive layers. Word line pick-up structures extending through the first dielectric layers and remainders of the second dielectric layers in the second region of the stack structure are formed at different depths, such that the word line pick-up structures are electrically connected to the conductive layers, respectively, in the second region of the stack structure.

Three-dimensional memory devices and methods for forming the same

A three-dimensional (3D) memory device includes a memory stack including a memory block. The memory block includes a memory array structures and a staircase structure in a first lateral direction, and fingers in a second lateral direction perpendicular to the first lateral direction. The fingers include a first finger and a second finger. The 3D memory device also includes a source-select-gate (SSG) cut structure extending through a portion of the memory stack and between the first finger and the second finger. The staircase structure includes a first staircase connected to first memory cells in the first finger and a second staircase connected to second memory cells in the second finger.

Three-dimensional memory device having source-select-gate cut structures and methods for forming the same

A memory device includes a stack structure and a first beam structure. The memory device includes array regions and an intermediate region arranged between the array regions in a first lateral direction. The stack structure includes a first block and a second block arranged in a second lateral direction. Each of the first block and the second block includes a wall-structure region. In the intermediate region, the wall-structure regions of the first block and the second block are separated by a staircase structure. The first beam structure is located in the intermediate region and extends along the second lateral direction. The first beam structure is connected to the wall-structure regions of the first block and the second block. The first beam structure includes first dielectric layers and electrode layers that are alternately stacked.

Memory device and fabrication method thereof

A three-dimensional memory includes a stack structure, a dummy structure and a gate line slit. The stack structure includes gate line layers and isolation layers stacked alternatively in the vertical direction. The dummy structure includes a first dummy section and a second dummy section. The gate line slit has one end extending into a gap formed by at least one of the first dummy section or the second dummy section. At least one of the first dummy section and the second dummy section partially overlaps a projection of the gate line slit onto the horizontal plane to realize connection between the dummy structure and the gate line slit.

Three-dimensional memory and manufacturing method thereof

A three-dimensional (3D) memory device includes a memory stack including interleaved conductive layers and dielectric layers over a first side of a second semiconductor layer, channel structures extending vertically through the memory stack and into the second semiconductor layer, source contacts in contact with a second side of the second semiconductor layer opposite to the first side; and a backside interconnect layer over the second side of the second semiconductor layer and including interlayer dielectric (ILD) layers and a source line mesh on the ILD layers. The source contacts are distributed on a side of the source line mesh. The source contacts extend through the ILD layers and into the second semiconductor layer.

Three-dimensional memory device with backside interconnect structures

The present disclosure describes a three-dimensional (3D) memory device includes first and second memory arrays disposed on a semiconductor layer. The 3D memory device can also include a staircase structure disposed between the first and second memory arrays. The staircase structure includes first and second staircase regions. The first staircase region includes a first staircase structure that contains a first plurality of stairs descending in a first direction. The second staircase region includes a second staircase structure that contains a second plurality of stairs descending in a second direction. The 3D memory device can also include a contact region disposed between the first and second staircase regions. The contact region includes a plurality of contacts the extending through an insulating layer and into the semiconductor layer.

Contact structures for three-dimensional memory devices and methods for forming the same

Embodiments of 3D memory devices and methods for forming the same are disclosed. In an example, a 3D memory device includes a memory stack, a semiconductor layer, a supporting structure, a spacer structure, and a contact structure. The memory stack includes interleaved conductive layers and dielectric layers and includes a staircase region in a plan view. The semiconductor layer is in contact with the memory stack. The supporting structure overlaps the staircase region of the memory stack and is coplanar with the semiconductor layer. The supporting structure includes a material other than a material of the semiconductor layer. The spacer structure is outside the memory stack and is coplanar with the supporting structure and the semiconductor layer. The contact structure extends vertically and is surrounded by the spacer structure.

Three-dimensional memory devices with supporting structure for staircase region and spacer structure for contact structure and methods for forming the same

In an example, a three-dimensional (3D) memory device includes a memory array structure including a first and a second memory array structures, a staircase structure between the first and a second memory array structures in a first lateral direction and including a first and a second staircase zones, and a bridge structure between the first and second staircase zones in a second lateral direction perpendicular to the first lateral direction. Each of the first and second staircase zones includes first and second sub-staircases arranged alternately. Each first sub-staircase includes ascending stairs at different depths. Each second sub-staircase includes descending stairs at different depths. At least one stair in each of the first and second sub-staircases is connected to at least one of the first and second memory array structures through the bridge structure.

Staircase structure in three-dimensional memory device and method for forming the same

In a method for fabricating a semiconductor device, an initial stack of alternatingly sacrificial word line layers and insulating layers is formed over a substrate of the semiconductor device. A connection region, a first staircase region, and a second staircase region are patterned in the initial stack. The first staircase region is shaped in the initial stack to form a first staircase, and the second staircase region is shaped in the initial stack to form a second staircase. The first staircase is formed in a first block of the initial stack and extends between first array regions of the first block. The second staircase is formed in a second block of the initial stack and extends between second array regions of the second block. The connection region is formed in the initial stack between the first staircase and the second staircase.

Method of forming a three-dimensional NAND memory device with reduced RC delay

A three-dimensional (3D) memory device includes interleaved conductive layers and dielectric layers. Edges of the conductive layers and dielectric layers define a plurality of stairs. The 3D memory device may also include a plurality of landing structures each disposed on a respective conductive layer at a respective stair. Each of the landing structures comprises a first layer of a first material and a second layer of a second material. The first layer is over the second layer. The second material is different from the first material.

Three-dimensional memory device having staircase structure and method for forming the same

In a semiconductor device, a stack of alternating gate layers and insulating layers is formed. Channel structures are formed in an array region of the stack. A first staircase is formed at a first section of the stack. A second staircase is formed at a second section of the stack. A dummy staircase is formed at the first section and disposed between the first staircase and the second staircase. The dummy staircase includes dummy group stair steps descending in a second direction parallel to a plane defined by any one of the gate layers and the insulating layers, and dummy division stair steps descending in a third direction and a fourth direction parallel to the plane and perpendicular to the second direction. The third direction and the fourth direction are opposite to each other.

Vertical memory devices

A semiconductor device includes an insulating layer, a conductive layer stacking with the insulating layer, a spacer structure through the conductive layer and in contact with the insulating layer, a contact structure in the spacer structure and extending vertically through the insulating layer, and a channel structure including a semiconductor channel, a portion of the semiconductor channel being in contact with the conductive layer. The contact structure includes a first contact portion and a second contact portion in contact with each other.

Semiconductor devices having a conductive layer stacking with an insulating layer and a spacer structure through the conductive layer

The present disclosure provides a method for forming a three-dimensional memory device. The method includes disposing an alternating dielectric stack on a substrate in a first direction perpendicular to the substrate; and forming a staircase structure and a dividing wall in the alternating dielectric stack. The staircase structure and the dividing wall extend in a second direction parallel to the substrate, and the dividing wall is adjacent to the staircase structure. The method also includes forming, sequentially on the staircase structure, a first barrier layer and a second barrier layer different from the first barrier layer. The method further includes forming a gate line slit (GLS) opening in the dividing wall. The GLS opening penetrates through the alternating dielectric stack in the first direction and is distant from the second barrier layer in a third direction that is parallel to the substrate and is perpendicular to the second direction.

Barrier layers for word line contacts in a three-dimensional NAND memory and fabrication methods thereof

In a method for fabricating a semiconductor device, an initial stack is formed. The initial stack is formed of sacrificial layers and insulating layers that are alternatingly disposed over a substrate, and includes a first connection region, a first array region, and a second connection region that are disposed sequentially. A first initial staircase is formed in the first connection region and formed in a first group of sacrificial layers and insulating layers. A first top select gate staircase is formed in the second connection region, and formed in a second group of sacrificial layers and insulating layers. An etching process is subsequently performed in the first connection region to shift the first initial staircase toward the substrate along a vertical direction perpendicular to the substrate so as to form a first bottom select gate staircase.

Three-dimensional NAND memory device and method of forming the same

Embodiments of 3D memory devices and methods for forming the same are disclosed. In an example, a 3D memory device includes a substrate, a memory stack including interleaved conductive layers and dielectric layers above the substrate, a plurality of channel structures each extending vertically through the memory stack, a semiconductor layer above and in contact with the plurality of channel structures, a plurality of source contacts above the memory stack and in contact with the semiconductor layer, a plurality of contacts through the semiconductor layer, and a backside interconnect layer above the semiconductor layer including a source line mesh in a plan view. The plurality of source contacts are distributed below and in contact with the source line mesh. A first set of the plurality of contacts are distributed below and in contact with the source line mesh.

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Wuhan, China

Zhong Zhang