Patents by Inventor Wenxi Zhou

Wenxi Zhou has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 11996152
    Abstract: In certain aspects, a three-dimensional (3D) memory device includes a first semiconductor structure, a second semiconductor structure, a third semiconductor structure, a first bonding interface between the first semiconductor structure and the second semiconductor structure, and a second bonding interface between the first semiconductor structure and the third semiconductor structure. The first semiconductor structure includes an array of NAND memory strings and a first semiconductor layer in contact with sources of the array of NAND memory strings. The second semiconductor structure includes a first peripheral circuit of the array of NAND memory strings including a first transistor, and a second semiconductor layer in contact with the first transistor. A third semiconductor structure includes a second peripheral circuit of the array of NAND memory strings including a second transistor, and a third semiconductor layer in contact with the second transistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2024
    Assignee: YANGTZE MEMORY TECHNOLOGIES CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kun Zhang, Yuancheng Yang, Wenxi Zhou, Wei Liu, Zhiliang Xia, Liang Chen, Yanhong Wang
  • Publication number: 20240170424
    Abstract: Three-dimensional (3D) memory devices and fabricating methods thereof are disclosed. In certain aspects, a method for forming a 3D memory device can comprise forming a first semiconductor structure, comprising forming a stack structure on a first substrate, and forming a gate line slit structure including a filling structure penetrating the stack structure and extending into the first substrate. The method can further comprise forming a second semiconductor structure including a periphery circuit on a second substrate, and bonding the second semiconductor structure to the first semiconductor structure. The method can further comprise removing a portion of the first substrate and a portion of the gate line slit structure extended into the first substrate, and forming a supplemental semiconductor layer on a remaining portion of the first substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2022
    Publication date: May 23, 2024
    Inventors: Kun Zhang, Wenxi Zhou, Jing Gao, Zhiliang Xia, Zongliang Huo
  • Publication number: 20240170425
    Abstract: Three-dimensional (3D) memory devices and fabricating methods thereof are disclosed. In certain aspects, a disclosed 3D memory device comprises a first semiconductor structure including a core region, a spacer region, and a periphery region, and a second semiconductor structure including a second periphery circuit on a substrate. The first semiconductor structure comprises a memory stack on a semiconductor layer in the core region, a first periphery circuit on the semiconductor layer in the periphery region, and a spacer structure in the spacer region to separate the memory stack and the first periphery circuit. The second semiconductor structure is connected to the first semiconductor structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2022
    Publication date: May 23, 2024
    Inventors: Kun Zhang, Wenxi Zhou, Di Wang, Lei Xue
  • Publication number: 20240170393
    Abstract: A 3D memory device includes a conductor/insulator stack, a channel hole structure extending through the conductor/insulator stack, and a staircase contact (SCT). The conductor/insulator stack includes a first conductive layer and a first dielectric layer alternatingly stacked. The SCT includes a conductive structure, extends through the first dielectric layer, contacts a second dielectric layer, and is electrically connected to the first conductive layer. The second dielectric layer is parallel to the first conductive layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2022
    Publication date: May 23, 2024
    Inventors: Linchun WU, Wenxi ZHOU, Cuicui KONG, Zhiliang XIA, Zongliang HUO
  • Publication number: 20240164096
    Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure provide a semiconductor device including a stack structure and a first conductive pillar. The stack structure can include a plurality of interlayer insulating layers and gate layers arranged alternately along a stack direction, and stack structure an array region and a staircase region adjoining the array region. The stack structure has a plurality of staircases in the staircase region arranged corresponding to the gate layers. Each of the gate layers can include a first gate part at the corresponding staircase and a second gate part connected to the first gate part, and a thickness of the first gate part along the stack direction is less than that of the second gate part along the stack direction. The first conductive pillar is arranged in the staircase region and penetrates through the stack structure along the stack direction, and the first conductive pillar is electrically connected with the first gate part.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2022
    Publication date: May 16, 2024
    Applicant: Yangtze Memory Technologies Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kun ZHANG, Wenxi ZHOU, LinChun WU, ZhiLiang XIA, ZongLiang HUO
  • Publication number: 20240164107
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a memory device that includes a film stack having functional tiers stacked in a first direction. Each functional tier includes a first dielectric layer and a conductive layer. The memory device also includes channel structures disposed in an array core region, wherein each channel structure extends through the film stack in the first direction. Each channel structure includes a control gate in a center, a memory film that is disposed on a sidewall of the control gate and includes a ferroelectric film. Each channel structure also includes a channel layer disposed on a sidewall of the memory film.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2022
    Publication date: May 16, 2024
    Applicant: Yangtze Memory Technologies Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: DongXue ZHAO, Tao YANG, Wenxi ZHOU, Yuancheng YANG, ZhiLiang XIA, ZongLiang HUO
  • Publication number: 20240164105
    Abstract: A memory, a controlling method thereof, a memory system and an electronic device are disclosed. The memory can include a semiconductor layer and a memory array disposed on the semiconductor layer. The memory array can include a plurality of memory strings connected with the same bit line. Each memory string can include a memory cell and a select cell connected on at least one side of the memory cell. The select cell can include a first kind of transistors with a first threshold voltage and a second kind of transistors with a second threshold voltage. The first kind of transistors can be connected with the second kind of transistors. The first threshold voltage can be different from the second threshold voltage. Different memory strings can be controlled to be on or off to realize selective controlling functions for a plurality of memory strings connected with the same bit line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2022
    Publication date: May 16, 2024
    Applicant: Yangtze Memory Technologies Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tao YANG, Dongxue ZHAO, Wenxi ZHOU, Zhiliang XIA
  • Patent number: 11978737
    Abstract: Three-dimensional (3D) NAND memory devices and methods are provided. In one aspect, a 3D NAND memory device includes a substrate, a layer stack, memory cells, a semiconductor layer, a contact structure, and gate line slit structures. The substrate includes a doped region. The layer stack is formed over the substrate. The memory cells are formed through the layer stack over the substrate. The semiconductor layer is formed on the doped region and a side portion of a channel layer that extends through the layer stack. The contact structure electrically contacts the doped region. A dielectric material is filled in the gate line slit structures. Air gaps are formed in the gate line slit structures by the dielectric material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2024
    Assignee: YANGTZE MEMORY TECHNOLOGIES CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kun Zhang, Wenxi Zhou
  • Patent number: 11980030
    Abstract: Three-dimensional (3D) NAND memory devices and methods are provided. In one aspect, a 3D NAND memory device includes a substrate, core regions, isolation regions, a layer stack, channel structures, and an isolation structure. Each core region is surrounded by one or more of the isolation regions. The layer stack is formed in each core region and includes first dielectric layers and conductor layers that are alternatingly stacked over each other. The channel structures are formed through the layer stack. The isolation structure is formed in one or more of the isolation regions, and includes second dielectric layers and third dielectric layers that are alternatingly stacked over each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2024
    Assignee: Yangtze Memory Technologies Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Zhong Zhang, Wenxi Zhou, Zhiliang Xia
  • Patent number: 11963349
    Abstract: Embodiments of 3D memory devices and methods for forming the same are disclosed. In an example, a method for forming a 3D memory device is disclosed. A sacrificial layer on a substrate, a first stop layer on the sacrificial layer, an N-type doped semiconductor layer on the first stop layer, and a dielectric stack on the N-type doped semiconductor layer are sequentially formed. A plurality of channel structures each extending vertically through the dielectric stack and the N-type doped semiconductor layer are formed, stopping at the first stop layer. The dielectric stack is replaced with a memory stack, such that each of the plurality of channel structures extends vertically through the memory stack and the N-type doped semiconductor layer. The substrate, the sacrificial layer, and the first stop layer are sequentially removed to expose an end of each of the plurality of channel structures. A conductive layer is formed in contact with the ends of the plurality of channel structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: YANGTZE MEMORY TECHNOLOGIES CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kun Zhang, Ziqun Hua, Wenxi Zhou, Zhiliang Xia, Zongliang Huo
  • Patent number: 11948894
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a first stack of layers stacked on a substrate. The first stack of layers includes a source connection layer that is formed by replacing source sacrificial layers. The semiconductor device includes a channel structure that extends in the first stack of layers. The channel structure includes a channel layer that is in contact with the source connection layer in the first stack of layers. Further, the semiconductor device includes a shield structure formed in the first stack of layers. The shied structure encloses a stack of layers without the source connection layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: Yangtze Memory Technologies Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yuhui Han, Zhiliang Xia, Wenxi Zhou
  • Publication number: 20240105266
    Abstract: A method for data erasing of a non-volatile memory device is disclosed. The memory includes multiple memory cell strings each including a select gate transistor and multiple memory cells that are connected in series. The method comprises applying a step erase voltage to one memory cell string for an erase operation, the step erase voltage having a step-rising shaped voltage waveform. The method further comprises, during a period when the step erase voltage rises from an intermediate level to a peak level, raising a voltage of the select gate transistor from a starting level to a peak level, and raising a voltage of a predetermined region from a starting level to a peak level, such that a gate-induced drain leakage current is generated in the one memory cell string. The predetermined region is adjacent to the at least one select gate transistor and includes at least one memory cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2022
    Publication date: March 28, 2024
    Applicant: YANGTZE MEMORY TECHNOLOGIES CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tao YANG, Dongxue ZHAO, Lei LIU, Kun ZHANG, Wenxi ZHOU, Zhiliang XIA, Zongliang HUO
  • Publication number: 20240107761
    Abstract: 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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2022
    Publication date: March 28, 2024
    Inventors: Di Wang, Zhong Zhang, Wenxi Zhou, Zhiliang Xia, Zongliang Huo, Wei Xie
  • Publication number: 20240107760
    Abstract: In certain aspects, a three-dimensional (3D) memory device includes channel structures in a first region, word line pick-up structures in a dielectric portion of a second region, and word lines each extending in the first region and a conductive portion of the second region. The first region and the second region are arranged in a first direction. The dielectric portion and the conductive portion of the second region are arranged in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. The word lines are discontinuous in the dielectric portion of the second region and are electrically connected to the word line pick-up structures, respectively.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2022
    Publication date: March 28, 2024
    Inventors: Di Wang, Zhong Zhang, Wenxi Zhou, Zhiliang Xia, Zongliang Huo, Wei Xie
  • Publication number: 20240107762
    Abstract: In certain aspects, a three-dimensional (3D) memory device includes channel structures in a first region and word line pick-up structures in a first portion of a second region. The first region and the second region are arranged in a first direction. The 3D memory device also includes word lines each extending in the first region and a second portion of the second region. The first portion and the second portion of the second region are arranged in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. The 3D memory device also includes dummy channel structures in the second portion of the second region. Adjacent channel structures are spaced apart from each other by a first distance. Adjacent dummy channel structures are spaced apart from each other by a second distance that is smaller than the first distance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2022
    Publication date: March 28, 2024
    Inventors: Di Wang, Wenxi Zhou, Zhiliang Xia, Zongliang Huo
  • Patent number: 11935596
    Abstract: In certain aspects, a three-dimensional (3D) memory device includes a first semiconductor structure, a second semiconductor structure, and a bonding interface between the first semiconductor structure and the second semiconductor structure. The first semiconductor structure includes an array of memory cells, a first peripheral circuit of the array of memory cells, and a polysilicon layer between the array of memory cells and the first peripheral circuit. The first peripheral circuit includes a first transistor. The second semiconductor structure includes a second peripheral circuit of the array of memory cells. The second peripheral circuit includes a second transistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: YANGTZE MEMORY TECHNOLOGIES CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yanhong Wang, Wei Liu, Liang Chen, Zhiliang Xia, Wenxi Zhou, Kun Zhang, Yuancheng Yang
  • Patent number: 11929119
    Abstract: In certain aspects, a three-dimensional (3D) memory device includes a first semiconductor structure, a second semiconductor structure, a third semiconductor structure, and a first bonding interface between the first semiconductor structure and the second semiconductor structure. The first semiconductor structure includes an array of memory cells. The second semiconductor structure includes a first peripheral circuit of the array of memory cells. The first peripheral circuit includes a first transistor. A third semiconductor structure includes a second peripheral circuit of the array of memory cells. The second peripheral circuit includes a second transistor. The first semiconductor structure, the second semiconductor structure, and the third semiconductor structure are stacked over one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignee: YANGTZE MEMORY TECHNOLOGIES CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Liang Chen, Wei Liu, Yanhong Wang, Zhiliang Xia, Wenxi Zhou, Kun Zhang, Yuancheng Yang
  • Publication number: 20240074197
    Abstract: 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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2023
    Publication date: February 29, 2024
    Applicant: Yangtze Memory Technologies Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Zhong ZHANG, Wenxi ZHOU, Zhiliang XIA
  • Publication number: 20240074181
    Abstract: A memory device includes a stack structure, channel structures, and a slit structure. The stack structure includes interleaved conductive layers and dielectric layers, and the conductive layers include a plurality of word lines. Each of the channel structures extends vertically through the stack structure. The slit structure extends vertically through the stack structure. An outer region of the stack structure includes a staircase structure, and the interleaved conductive layers and dielectric layers in a bottom portion of the stack structure are wider than the interleaved conductive layers and dielectric layers in a top portion of the stack structure. A first outer width of the slit structure in the bottom portion of the stack structure is greater than a second outer width of the slit structure in the top portion of the stack structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2022
    Publication date: February 29, 2024
    Inventors: Linchun Wu, Kun Zhang, Wenxi Zhou, Cuicui Kong, Shuangshuang Wu, Zhiliang Xia, Zongliang Huo
  • Publication number: 20240064978
    Abstract: A three-dimensional (3D) memory device includes a stack, a plurality of contact structures, and a plurality of support structures. The stack in an insulating structure includes a plurality of conductive layers and a plurality of dielectric layers stacked alternatingly, and the stack includes a staircase structure. The plurality of contact structures each extends through the insulating structure and in contact with a respective conductive layer of the plurality of conductive layers in the staircase structure. The plurality of support structures extends through the stack in the staircase structure. Each support structure is in contact with one of the plurality of contact structures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2022
    Publication date: February 22, 2024
    Inventors: Jingtao Xie, Bingjie Yan, Kun Zhang, Wenxi Zhou, Zhiliang Xia, Zongliang Huo