Abstract: A semiconductor device includes interlayer insulating layers and conductive patterns alternately stacked over a pipe gate, a first slit and a second slit penetrating the interlayer insulating layers and the conductive patterns and crossing each other, an etch stop pad groove overlapping an intersection of the first slit and the second slit, arranged in the pipe gate, and connected to the first slit or the second slit, and slit insulating layers filling the first slit, the second slit and the etch stop pad groove.

Abstract: Various aspects of tunable barrier transistors that can be used in high power electronics are provided. In one example, among others, a tunable barrier transistor includes an inorganic semiconducting layer; a source electrode including a nano-carbon film disposed on the inorganic semiconducting layer; a gate dielectric layer disposed on the nano-carbon film; and a gate electrode disposed on the gate dielectric layer over at least a portion of the nano-carbon film. The nano-carbon film can form a source-channel interface with the inorganic semiconducting layer. A gate field produced by the gate electrode can modulate a barrier height at the source-channel interface. The gate field may also modulate a barrier width at the source-channel interface.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes gate stacked structures surrounding channel layers, a common source line filling a separation area between the gate stacked structures adjacent to each other and having an upper surface including first concave portions, and a support insulating layer filling the first concave portions and having sidewalls facing portions of the channel layers.

Abstract: A semiconductor memory device according to an embodiment comprises: a memory cell array region including a plurality of conductive layers that are electrically connected to a plurality of memory cells arranged in a first direction on a semiconductor substrate, the first direction intersecting a surface of the semiconductor substrate; a stepped part for contacting the plurality of conductive layers to a wiring line; a contact extending in the first direction and being connected to the conductive layer in the stepped part; and a plurality of columnar bodies extending in the first direction and penetrates the conductive layer in the stepped part and including a first columnar body having a first height and a second columnar body having a second height which is lower than the first height.

Abstract: A three-dimensional NAND memory string includes an alternating stack of insulating layers and word line layers extending in a word line direction, a memory array region in the alternating stack containing memory stack structures, a group of more than two column stairs located in the alternating stack and extending in the word line direction from one side of the memory array region, and bit lines electrically contacting the vertical semiconductor channels and extending in a bit line direction which is perpendicular to the word line direction. Each column stair of the group of N column stairs has a respective step in a first vertical plane which extends in the bit line direction, and the respective steps in the first vertical plane decrease and then increase from one end column stair to another end column stair.

Abstract: A semiconductor device comprises a plurality of stack structures that include gate electrodes sequentially stacked on a substrate and are disposed along a first direction, and a plurality of separating insulation layers each of which is disposed between the stack structures. A plurality of vertical pillars penetrate each of the stack structures and are connected to the substrate. A plurality of bit lines are disposed on the vertical pillars and run across the stack structures in the first direction. A plurality of bit line contact structures connect the vertical pillars to the bit lines. A plurality of first cell dummy lines are disposed on the plurality of separating insulation layers and extend in a second direction crossing the first direction.

Abstract: A memory device that includes: a memory controller; a control unit; and a memory cell array that includes memory blocks, each memory block comprising: memory cells, word lines respectively coupled to the memory cells, signal lines to transfer signals to perform programming operations to one or more memory cells of the memory cells, a first metal layer coupled to a first group of lines and configured to route the first group of the lines to the control unit, the lines comprising the word lines and the signal lines, and a second metal layer coupled to a second group of the lines and configured to route the second group of the lines to the control unit, wherein the memory controller is configured to: control the control unit to (i) select particular memory cells and (ii) program data to the particular memory cells is disclosed.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes lower gate electrodes placed on a substrate and spaced apart from one another; upper gate electrodes placed over the lower gate electrodes and spaced apart from one another; an R-type pad extending from one end of at least one electrode among the lower gate electrodes or the upper gate electrodes and having a greater thickness than the lower gate electrode or upper gate electrode connected to the R-type pad; and a P-type pad extending from one end of at least one electrode to which the R-type pad is not connected among the lower gate electrodes or the upper gate electrodes and having a different thickness than the R-type pad, wherein the P-type pad includes a first pad connected to an uppermost lower gate electrode among the lower gate electrodes.

Abstract: Provided are a resistive memory and a method of fabricating the resistive memory. The resistive memory includes a first electrode, a second electrode, a variable resistance layer, an oxygen exchange layer, and a protection layer. The first electrode and the second electrode are arranged opposite to each other. The variable resistance layer is arranged between the first electrode and the second electrode. The oxygen exchange layer is arranged between the variable resistance layer and the second electrode. The protection layer is arranged at least on sidewalls of the oxygen exchange layer.

Abstract: A nonvolatile memory embedded in an advanced logic circuit and a method forming the same are provided. In the nonvolatile memory, the word lines and erase gates have top surfaces lower than the top surfaces of the control gate. In addition, the word lines and the erase gates are surrounded by dielectric material before a self-aligned silicidation process is performed. Therefore, no metal silicide can be formed on the word lines and the erase gate to produce problems of short circuit and current leakage in a later chemical mechanical polishing process.

Abstract: Display integration schemes are described for passivating LEDs and providing conductive terminal connections. In accordance with embodiments, a sidewall passivation layer is formed around the LEDs. The sidewall passivation layer may or may not be contained within a well structure. A top electrode layer is formed to electrically connect the LEDs to conductive terminal routing.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, the insulating layer is provided on the terrace portions. The plurality of contact portions extend through the insulating layer in the stacking direction and contact the terrace portions. The second columnar portion extends through the insulating layer and through the second stacked portion in the stacking direction, and includes a second semiconductor body contacting the first semiconductor region. The first insulating portion divides the first semiconductor region in the first direction. The first insulating portion is provided under a boundary portion between the first stacked portion and the second stacked portion.

Abstract: Three-dimensional vertical memory array cell structures and processes. In an exemplary embodiment, a cell structure includes a word line, a selector layer, and a memory layer. The word line, the selector layer, and the memory layer form a vertical cell structure in which at least one of the selector layer and the memory layer are segmented to form a segment that blocks sneak path leakage current on the word line.

Abstract: A method for forming an aligned mask comprises etching a reference mark on a substrate to demarcate a boundary of an etch region; forming an etch mask on the substrate, using an exposure setting, the etch mask having a boundary; and measuring a distance between the reference mark and the boundary. When the measured distance is outside a margin of a target distance, then the etch mask is removed from the substrate, the exposure setting is changed, a next etch mask is formed using the changed exposure setting, and said measuring is repeated. A set of reference marks can be etched on a top level in a set of levels to demarcate boundaries of etch regions. An etch-trim process can be performed to form steps in the set of levels, wherein the etch-trim process includes at least first and second etch-trim cycles using first and second reference marks.

Abstract: A three-dimensional memory device includes an alternating stack of insulating layers and word-line-level electrically conductive layers located over a substrate, and a drain-select-level electrically conductive layer located over the alternating stack. Memory stack structures extend through the alternating stack and the drain-select-level electrically conductive layer. Dielectric divider structures including a respective pair of straight sidewalls and drain-select-level isolation structures including a respective pair of sidewalls that include a respective set of concave vertical sidewall segments divide the drain-select-level electrically conductive layer into multiple strips. The drain-select-level electrically conductive layer and the drain-select-level isolation structures are formed by replacement of a drain-select-level sacrificial material layer with a conductive material and by replacement of drain-select-level sacrificial line structures with dielectric material portions.

Abstract: A semiconductor device may include a source layer, a stack structure, a channel layer, a slit, and a source pick-up line. The source layer may include at least one groove in an upper surface thereof. The stack structure may be formed over the source layer. The channel layer may pass through the stack structure. The channel layer may be in contact with the source layer. The slit may pass through the stack structure. The slit may expose the groove of the source layer therethrough. The source pick-up line may be formed in the slit and the groove. The source pick-up line may be contacted with the source layer.

Abstract: Semiconductor memory devices are provided. A semiconductor memory device includes a substrate and a stack including a plurality of layers on the substrate. Each of the plurality of layers includes semiconductor patterns and a first conductive line that is connected to at least one of the semiconductor patterns. A second conductive line and a third conductive line penetrate the stack. The semiconductor patterns include a first semiconductor pattern and a second semiconductor pattern that are adjacent and spaced apart from each other in a first layer among the plurality of layers. The third conductive line is between, and connected in common to, the first and second semiconductor patterns.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatus are provided for tuning a memristive property of a device. The device (500) includes a layer of a dielectric material (507) disposed over and forming an interface with a layer of an electrically conductive material (506), and a gate electrode (508) disposed over the dielectric material. The dielectric material layer includes at least one ionic species (302) having a high ion mobility. The electrically conductive material is configured such that a potential difference applied to the device can cause the at least one ionic species to migrate reversibly across the interface into or out of the electrically conductive material layer, to modify the resistive state of the electrically conductive material layer.

Abstract: A three-dimensional memory device includes laterally spaced apart vertically alternating stacks of insulating strips and word line electrically conductive strips located over a substrate, memory stack structures extending through the multiple vertically alternating stacks, word line contact via structures contacting a top surface of the respective word line electrically conductive strips, field effect transistors overlying the word line contact via structures, and connector line structures which are electrically connected to respective subsets of the word line electrically conductive strips in different vertically alternating stacks through the field effect transistors.

Abstract: Integrated circuits and methods of producing the same are provided. In an exemplary embodiment, an integrated circuit includes a source, a drain, and a channel defined between the source and drain. A memory cell overlies the channel, where the memory cell includes a floating gate and a control gate overlying the floating gate. A block overlies a portion of the drain referred to as a blocked drain region, where the blocked drain region is adjacent to the channel. A drain silicide overlies the drain and terminates at the blocked drain region such that the blocked drain region is between the drain silicide and the channel.

Abstract: A method provides a gate structure for a plurality of components of a semiconductor device. A silicate layer is provided. In one aspect, the silicate layer is provided on a channel of a CMOS device. A high dielectric constant layer is provided on the silicate layer. The method also includes providing a work function metal layer on the high dielectric constant layer. A low temperature anneal is performed after the high dielectric constant layer is provided. A contact metal layer is provided on the work function metal layer.

Abstract: A three-dimensional (3D) nonvolatile memory includes a stacked structure that includes a plurality of conductive layers that alternate with and are spaced apart from each other by a plurality of interlayer insulating layers. The stacked structure includes a first cell region, a second cell region spaced apart from the first cell region, and a connection region between the first cell region and the second cell region. The connection region includes a first step portion that contacts the first cell region and has a stepped shape that descends in a direction approaching the second cell region, a second step portion that contacts the second cell region and has a stepped shape that descends in a direction approaching the first cell region, and a connection portion that connects the first cell region and the second cell region.

Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes a plurality of sub-array structures separated from each other by a plurality of isolation structures. The semiconductor structure further includes a three-dimensional array of memory cells. The memory cells include a plurality of cell groups disposed in the sub-array structures, respectively. The semiconductor structure further includes a plurality of conductive structures. Each of the conductive structures includes a plurality of conductive columns correspondingly disposed in each of the isolation structures along an extending direction of the isolation structures. The conductive columns penetrate through the each of the isolation structures. Each of the conductive columns has a circular cross section.

Abstract: Some embodiments include a memory array which has a stack of alternating first and second levels. Channel material pillars extend through the stack, and vertically-stacked memory cell strings are along the channel material pillars. A common source is under the stack and electrically coupled to the channel material pillars. The common source has conductive protective material over and directly against metal silicide, with the conductive protective material being a composition other than metal silicide. Some embodiments include methods of fabricating integrated structures.

Abstract: A memory structure including a substrate, a memory cell structure, and a protective layer structure is provided. The memory cell structure is disposed on the substrate and has a first side and a second side opposite to each other. The protective layer structure covers the memory cell structure. The material of the protective layer structure is nitride. The protective layer structure is a continuous structure. The height of the protective layer structure adjacent to the second side of the memory cell structure is greater than the height of the protective layer structure adjacent to the first side of the memory cell structure.

Abstract: Provided herein is a semiconductor device and a method of manufacturing the same. The semiconductor device has improved erase characteristics by using a select gate enclosing a portion a first semiconductor region overlapping a second semiconductor region. The first semiconductor region and the second semiconductor region are formed of different semiconductor materials.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a panel is provided, including forming a first conductive pattern including a first portion and a second portion, forming a second conductive pattern connecting between the first portion and the second portion, and thermally treating a mask pattern of an insulation material to form an insulation pattern substantially covering a side surface of the second conductive pattern. A panel manufactured by using the foregoing method is also provided. A horizontal distance between an outer side surface of the insulation pattern and an inner side surface adjacent to the second conductive pattern is less than 3 micrometers.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a memory device is described. Generally, the method includes: forming on a surface of a substrate a dielectric stack including a tunneling dielectric and a charge-trapping layer overlying the tunneling dielectric; forming a cap layer overlying the dielectric stack, wherein the cap layer comprises a multi-layer cap layer including at least a first cap layer overlying the charge-trapping layer, and a second cap layer overlying the first cap layer; patterning the cap layer and the dielectric stack to form a gate stack of a memory device; removing the second cap layer; and performing an oxidation process to oxidize the first cap layer to form a blocking oxide overlying the charge-trapping layer, wherein the oxidation process consumes the first cap layer. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a substrate including a cell array region and a peripheral circuit region. The semiconductor device further includes a cell array disposed in the cell array region and including a plurality of cell strings connected to a bit line. The bit line extends in a first direction. The semiconductor device additionally includes a first cell row disposed in the peripheral circuit region and including a plurality of first cells arranged in a second direction crossing the first direction. The first and second directions being parallel to an upper surface of the substrate. The semiconductor device further includes a plurality of first interconnect lines each having a longitudinal axis in the first direction and connected to the plurality of first cells, and a plurality of first power lines extending in the second direction and connected to the plurality of first cells through the first interconnect lines.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for tapered memory cell profiles are described. A tapered profile memory cell may mitigate shorts in adjacent word lines, which may be leveraged for accurately reading a stored value of the memory cell. The memory device may include a self-selecting memory component with a bottom surface and a top surface opposite the bottom surface. In some cases, the self-selecting memory component may taper from the bottom surface to the top surface. In other examples, the self-selecting memory component may taper from the top surface to the bottom surface. The top surface of the self-selecting memory component may be coupled to a top electrode, and the bottom surface of the self-selecting memory component may be coupled to a bottom electrode.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a manufacturing method for a semiconductor device. The manufacturing method includes: providing a substrate; forming a semiconductor stacked structure on the substrate; forming at least apart of a stacked cap layer on the semiconductor stacked structure, wherein the part of the stacked cap layer includes a nitride layer; removing a part of the nitride layer; forming the rest part of the stacked cap layer; forming a protection layer on the stacked cap layer, and etching the protection layer to form an opening, wherein the nitride layer is not exposed by the opening; and introducing an etchant material into the opening to etch the substrate. The present invention also provides a semiconductor device made by the method.

Abstract: Some embodiments include an assembly having a CMOS tier. The CMOS tier includes a PMOS deck and an NMOS deck, with the decks being vertically offset relative to one another. The PMOS deck has p-channel transistors which are substantially identical to one another, and the NMOS deck has n-channel transistors which are substantially identical to one another. An insulative region is between the PMOS deck and the NMOS deck. The CMOS tier has one or more circuit components which include one or more of the n-channel transistors coupled with one or more of the p-channel transistors through one or more conductive interconnects extending through the insulative region. Some embodiments include methods of forming assemblies to comprise one or more CMOS tiers.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a substrate having a cell region and a circuit region, an upper wiring layer on the substrate, and a redistribution wiring layer on the upper wiring layer. The upper wiring layer includes a secondary uppermost wiring in the circuit region and an uppermost wiring on the secondary uppermost wiring. The uppermost wiring includes an uppermost chip pad electrically connected to the secondary uppermost wiring. At least a portion of the uppermost chip pad in the cell region. The redistribution wiring layer includes a redistribution wiring electrically connected to the uppermost chip pad. At least a portion of the redistribution wiring serving as a landing pad connected to an external connector.

Abstract: Provided is a semiconductor device including a lower layer structure on a substrate, the lower layer structure having different thicknesses on first and second regions of the substrate, the lower layer structure including an electrode layer at a top and an insulating layer thereunder, an etch stop layer on the lower layer structure, an upper layer structure on the etch stop layer, the etch stop layer having an etch selectivity to the upper and lower layer structures, first and second contact plugs filling first and second openings defined in the upper layer structure and the etch stop layer on the first and second regions, respectively, and contacting corresponding electrode layers of the lower layer structure, respectively, such that one of the first and second contact plugs downwardly extends further with respect to a bottom of the etch stop layer than the other one of the first and second contact plugs.

Abstract: There are provided a semiconductor device and a manufacturing method thereof. The semiconductor device includes a pipe gate stack structure in which a portion of a first channel layer is buried. The semiconductor device includes the pipe gate stack structure in which a portion of a second channel layer is buried. The semiconductor device configured to individually control the first and second channel layers.

Abstract: Some embodiments include an integrated structure having a stack of alternating dielectric levels and conductive levels, vertically-stacked memory cells within the conductive levels, an insulative material over the stack and a select gate material over the insulative material. An opening extends through the select gate material, through the insulative material, and through the stack of alternating dielectric and conductive levels. A first region of the opening within the insulative material is wider along a cross-section than a second region of the opening within the select gate material, and is wider along the cross-section than a third region of the opening within the stack of alternating dielectric levels and conductive levels. Channel material is within the opening and adjacent the insulative material, the select gate material and the memory cells. Some embodiments include methods of forming vertically-stacked memory cells.

Abstract: The position of the side wall of a metal electrode is precisely controlled and the coverage of a layer above the metal electrode is improved. A semiconductor device is provided, including: a semiconductor substrate; and a metal electrode formed above an upper surface of the semiconductor substrate, wherein a side wall of the metal electrode includes a lower portion contacting the semiconductor substrate, and an upper portion that is formed upper than the lower portion and has a smaller inclination relative to the upper surface of the semiconductor substrate than the lower portion. An active region formed in the semiconductor substrate is further included, and the metal electrode may be a field plate formed on an outer side relative to the active region on the upper surface of the semiconductor substrate. The upper portion of the side wall of the field plate may have an upward-convex shape.

Abstract: An alternating stack of insulating layers and spacer material layers is formed over a substrate. The spacer material layers are formed as, or are replaced with, electrically conductive layers. An insulating cap layer is formed over the alternating stack. After formation of memory stack structures through each layer of the alternating stack and the insulating cap layer, a line trench straddling a neighboring pair of rows of the memory stack is formed. Sidewalls of the line trench include a sidewall of each memory stack structure within the neighboring pair of rows of the memory stack structures. A drain select gate dielectric and a drain select electrode line are formed within the line trench. The drain select electrode line controls flow of electrical current through an upper portion of a vertical semiconductor channel within each memory stack structure below the drain regions to activate or deactivate the neighboring rows.

Abstract: A method of forming a three-dimensional memory device includes forming at the least one lower level dielectric layer over a semiconductor substrate, forming a buried source line over the least one lower level dielectric layer and over the semiconductor substrate, such that the buried source line is electrically connected to the semiconductor substrate, forming an alternating stack of insulating layers and sacrificial material layers over the buried source line, such that the sacrificial material layers are subsequently replaced with, electrically conductive layers, forming memory openings through the alternating stack by etching through the alternating stack after the buried source line is electrically connected to the semiconductor substrate, and forming memory stack structures in the memory openings. Each memory stack structure includes a vertical semiconductor channel electrically connected to the buried source line and a memory film laterally surrounding the vertical semiconductor channel.

Abstract: In a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device including a non-volatile memory formed in a memory cell area and a logic circuit formed in a peripheral area, a mask layer is formed over a substrate in the memory cell area and the peripheral area. A resist mask is formed over the peripheral area. The mask layer in the memory cell area is patterned by using the resist mask as an etching mask. The substrate is etched in the memory cell area. After etching the substrate, a memory cell structure in the memory cell area and a gate structure for the logic circuit are formed. A dielectric layer is formed to cover the memory cell structure and the gate structure. A planarization operation is performed on the dielectric layer. An upper portion of the memory cell structure is planarized during the planarization operation.

Abstract: A semiconductor memory device includes a substrate, a ground selection line, a word line, an insulating layer, a vertical channel portion, and a first peripheral circuit gate pattern. The substrate includes a cell array region and a peripheral circuit region. The ground selection line is on the cell array region. The word line is on the ground selection line. The insulating layer is between the ground selection line and the word line. The vertical channel portion penetrates the ground selection line, word line, and insulating layer in a direction vertical to a top surface of the substrate. The first peripheral circuit gate pattern is on the peripheral circuit region of the substrate. The insulating layer extends from the cell array region onto the peripheral circuit region to cover a top surface of the first peripheral circuit gate pattern.

Abstract: A memory device may include multiple channel regions extending in a direction perpendicular to an upper surface of a substrate, a plurality of gate electrode layers and a plurality of insulating layers stacked on the substrate to be adjacent at least a portion of the plurality of channel regions, an interlayer insulating layer disposed on the plurality of gate electrode layers, a plurality of cell contact plugs passing through the interlayer insulating layer. Each of the plurality of cell contacts is connected to each of the plurality of gate electrode layers. A vertical insulating layer extends from the interlayer insulating layer disposed between the plurality of channel regions and the plurality of cell contact plugs and has a portion surrounded by at least one of the plurality of gate electrode layers.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a light-receiving element which outputs electric charges in response to incident light, and a drive transistor which is gated by an output of the light-receiving element to generate a source-drain current in proportion to the incident light, wherein the drive transistor include a first gate electrode, a first channel region which is disposed under the first gate electrode, first source-drain regions which are disposed at respective ends of the first channel region and that have a first conductivity type, and a first channel stop region which is disposed on a side of the first channel region, and that separates the light-receiving element and the first channel region, the first channel stop region having a second conductivity type that is different from the first conductivity type.

Abstract: A hard disk data interface pitch converter is disclosed, which comprises: a converting part, comprising converting terminals and contact terminals, the converting terminals comprising metallic conductors having a relatively large interval at one end and a relatively small interval at the other end; a short connection part for connecting any two or more non-adjacent metallic conductors in the contact terminals through metallic conductors; a base with a channel for accommodating the contact terminals and a slot for fixing the short connection part; a cover body cooperating with the base for protecting the converting part and short connection part. An extension part is formed by digging each metallic conductor in the contact terminals, and exactly shields a gap between the contact terminals and channel. The short connection part enables miniaturization of a device. It is possible to prevent adhesives or foreign objects from falling onto contacting ends of the contact terminals.

Abstract: A vertical memory device includes a mold structure and channels. The mold structure includes gate electrodes and insulation patterns arranged on a substrate in which the gate electrodes are disposed at a plurality of levels, respectively, in a vertical direction substantially perpendicular to an upper surface of the substrate. The insulation patterns are disposed between neighboring ones of the gate electrodes. The channels extend through the mold structure in the vertical direction in a hole, and are spaced apart from each other in a horizontal direction substantially parallel to the upper surface of the substrate in the hole. The gate electrodes each includes a plurality of first gate electrodes spaced apart from each other substantially horizontally. The hole extends through one of the first gate electrodes included in each of the gate electrodes. A plurality of channels may be formed in the one hole in the one first gate electrode.

Abstract: A method is provided that includes forming a first vertically-oriented transistor above a substrate, the first vertically-oriented transistor comprising a first sidewall gate disposed in a first direction, forming a second vertically-oriented transistor above the substrate, the second vertically-oriented transistor including a second sidewall gate disposed in the first direction, and forming an air gap chamber above the substrate disposed between the first sidewall gate and the second sidewall gate, and extending in the first direction, the air gap chamber including an air gap.

Abstract: An alternating stack of insulating layers and spacer material layers is formed over a substrate. The spacer material layers are formed as, or are subsequently replaced with, electrically conductive layers. A retro-stepped dielectric material portion comprising a compressive-stress-generating dielectric material on stepped surfaces of the alternating stack. Memory stack structures are formed through the first-tier alternating stack. Each of the memory stack structures includes a vertical semiconductor channel and a memory film. A patterned tensile-stress-generating material layer is formed over the retro-stepped dielectric material portion in a region that is laterally spaced outward from an outer periphery of a topmost layer within the alternating stack. The patterned tensile-stress-generating material layer applies a tensile stress to the retro-stepped dielectric material portion and to the alternating stack to compensate for the compressive stress generated by the retro-stepped dielectric material portion.

Abstract: A memory device contains a stack of insulating layers and electrically conductive word line layers, at least one first drain select gate electrode located over the stack and extending through a first drain select transistor and a second drain select transistor, at least one second drain select gate electrode located between the first drain select electrode and the stack, and extending through a third drain select transistor and a fourth drain select transistor. The first drain select transistor and the third drain select transistor are located in a first NAND memory string. The second drain select transistor and the fourth drain select transistor are located in a second NAND memory string different from the first NAND memory string. The first drain select transistor has a higher threshold voltage than the second drain select transistor. The third drain select transistor has a lower threshold voltage than the fourth drain select transistor.

Abstract: Memory openings and backside openings are formed through an alternating stack of insulating layers and sacrificial material layers over a substrate. Memory opening fill structures are formed in the memory openings, and sacrificial backside opening fill structures are formed in the backside openings. Cavities are formed in volumes of the backside openings by removing the sacrificial backside opening fill structures. Remaining portions of the sacrificial material layers are replaced with material portions including electrically conductive layers. Each electrically conductive layer is formed as a continuous material layer including holes around the backside openings. Each electrically conductive layer is singulated into a plurality of electrically conductive strips by isotropically recessing the electrically conductive layers around each backside opening. Width-modulated cavities including expanded volumes of the backside openings are formed, and are filled with width-modulated insulating wall structures.

Abstract: Structures for spacers of a field-effect transistor and methods for forming such spacers. A mask layer has a feature separated from a vertical sidewall of a first gate structure by a space of predetermined width that exposes a top surface of a semiconductor body. A spacer is formed adjacent to the vertical sidewall of the first gate structure. The spacer has a first section in the space and a second section. The first section of the spacer is located vertically between the second section of the spacer and the top surface of the semiconductor body. The first section of the spacer extends through the space to the top surface of the semiconductor body, and the first section of the spacer fully fills the space.