Three-dimensional memory device containing width-modulated connection strips and methods of forming the same

Abstract

A three-dimensional memory device includes alternating stacks of insulating layers and electrically conductive layers located over a substrate, a first memory array region and a second memory array region that are laterally spaced apart along the first horizontal direction by an inter-array region therebetween, and memory stack structures extending through the alternating stacks in the first or second memory array region. Each of the alternating stacks includes a respective terrace region in which layers of a respective alternating stack have variable lateral extents within an area of the inter-array region, and a respective array interconnection region laterally offset from the respective terrace region and which continuously extends from the first memory array region to the second memory array region. Each of the alternating stacks has a width modulation along a second horizontal direction that is perpendicular to the first horizontal direction within the area of the inter-array region.