Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices related to a memory device with a thermal barrier are described. The thermal barrier (e.g., a low density thermal barrier) may be positioned between an access line (e.g., a digit line or a word line) and a cell component. The thermal barrier may be formed on the surface of a barrier material by applying a plasma treatment to the barrier material. The thermal barrier may have a lower density than the barrier material and may be configured to thermally insulate the cell component from thermal energy generated in the memory device, among other benefits.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for access line grain modulation in a memory device are described. A memory cell stack in a cross-point memory array may be formed. In some examples, the memory cell stack may comprise a storage element. A barrier material may be formed above the memory cell stack. The barrier material may initially have an undulating top surface. In some cases, the top surface of the barrier material may be planarized. After the top surface of the barrier material is planarized, a metal layer for an access line may be formed on the top surface of the barrier material. Planarizing the top surface of the barrier material may impact the grain size of the metal layer. In some cases, planarizing the top surface of the barrier material may decrease the resistivity of access lines formed from the metal layer and thus increase current delivery throughout the memory device.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for via formation in a memory device are described. A memory cell stack for a memory array may be formed. In some examples, the memory cell stack may comprise a storage element. A via may also be formed in an area outside of the memory array, and the via may protrude from a material that surrounds the via. A material may then be formed above the memory cell stack and also above the via, and the top surface of the barrier material may be planarized until at least a portion of the via is exposed. A subsequently formed material may thereby be in direct contact with the top of the via, while a portion of the initially formed material may remain above the memory cell stack.

Abstract: Some embodiments include a memory array having a vertical stack of alternating insulative levels and control gate levels. Channel material extends vertically along the stack. The control gate levels comprising conductive regions. The conductive regions include at least three different materials. Charge-storage regions are adjacent the control gate levels. Charge-blocking regions are between the charge-storage regions and the conductive regions.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices related to a memory device with a thermal barrier are described. The thermal barrier (e.g., a low density thermal barrier) may be positioned between an access line (e.g., a digit line or a word line) and a cell component. The thermal barrier may be formed on the surface of a barrier material by applying a plasma treatment to the barrier material. The thermal barrier may have a lower density than the barrier material and may be configured to thermally insulate the cell component from thermal energy generated in the memory device, among other benefits.

Abstract: A method used in forming a memory array comprising strings of memory cells comprises forming memory block regions individually comprising a vertical stack comprising alternating insulative tiers and conductive tiers. Channel-material strings extend through the insulative tiers and the conductive tiers. The conductive tiers individually comprise a void-space extending laterally-across individual of the memory-block regions. At least one of conductive or semiconductive material is formed in the void-space laterally-outward of individual of the channel-material strings. Conductive molybdenum-containing metal material is formed in the void-space directly against the at least one of the conductive or the semiconductive material and a conductive line comprising the conductive molybdenum-containing metal material is formed therefrom. The at least one of the conductive or the semiconductive material is of different composition from that of the conductive molybdenum-containing metal material.

Abstract: A method of forming a microelectronic device includes forming conductive interconnect structures vertically extending through isolation material to conductive contact structures coupled to pillar structures, forming a metal silicide material on the interconnect structures and the first isolation material, forming a conductive material on the metal silicide material, and forming a dielectric material over the conductive material. The method further includes forming openings vertically extending through the dielectric material, the conductive material, the metal silicide material, and the isolation material and forming additional isolation material to extend over remaining portions of the dielectric material and at least partially fill the openings. Related devices and systems are disclosed.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for a memory device with a high resistivity thermal barrier are described. In some examples a barrier material may be positioned over a memory cell region, an oxide region, and/or a through-silicon via (TSV). The barrier may include a first region above the memory cell region and a second region above the TSV. A process, such as a plasma treatment, may be applied to the barrier, which may result in the first and second regions having different thermal resistivities (e.g., different densities). Accordingly, due to the different thermal resistivities, the memory cells may be thermally insulated from thermal energy generated in the memory device.

Abstract: Some embodiments include a memory array having a vertical stack of alternating insulative levels and control gate levels. Channel material extends vertically along the stack. The control gate levels comprising conductive regions. The conductive regions include at least three different materials. Charge-storage regions are adjacent the control gate levels. Charge-blocking regions are between the charge-storage regions and the conductive regions.

Abstract: Bit lines having high electrical conductivity and low mutual capacitance and related apparatuses, computing systems, and methods are disclosed. An apparatus includes bit lines including copper, a low-k dielectric material between the bit lines, and air gaps between the bit lines. The low-k dielectric material mechanically supports the bit lines. A method of manufacturing a memory device includes forming a first electrically conductive material in bit line trenches of an electrically insulating material, removing portions of the electrically insulating material between the bit line trenches, conformally forming a low-k dielectric material on the first electrically conductive material and remaining portions of the electrically insulating material, and forming a subconformal dielectric material to form air gaps between the bit line trenches.

Abstract: Bit lines having high electrical conductivity and low mutual capacitance and related apparatuses, computing systems, and methods are disclosed. An apparatus includes an electrically insulating material and bit lines including copper in the electrically insulating material. The electrically insulating material defines air gaps between the bit lines. A method of manufacturing a memory device includes forming trenches in an electrically insulating material on or in circuitry of the memory device, forming a first electrically conductive material in the trenches, removing portions of the electrically insulating material to form air gaps between the trenches, recessing the first electrically conductive material, and replacing the first electrically conductive material that was removed with a second electrically conductive material. The second electrically conductive material is more electrically conductive than the first electrically conductive material. A memory device includes the apparatus.

Abstract: Described are methods for forming a multilayer conductive structure for semiconductor devices. A seed layer is formed comprising a metal and an additional constituent that in combination with the metal inhibits nucleation of a fill layer of the metal formed over the seed layer. Tungsten may be doped or alloyed with silicon to form the seed layer, with a tungsten fill being formed over the seed layer.

Abstract: Some embodiments include a memory array having a vertical stack of alternating insulative levels and control gate levels. Channel material extends vertically along the stack. The control gate levels comprising conductive regions. The conductive regions include at least three different materials. Charge-storage regions are adjacent the control gate levels. Charge-blocking regions are between the charge-storage regions and the conductive regions.

Abstract: A method of forming an apparatus includes forming pillar structures extending vertically through a first isolation material, forming conductive lines operatively coupled to the pillar structures, forming dielectric structures overlying the conductive lines, and forming air gaps between neighboring conductive lines. The air gaps are laterally adjacent to the conductive lines with a portion of the air gaps extending above a plane of an upper surface of the laterally adjacent conductive lines and a portion of the air gaps extending below a plane of a lower surface of the laterally adjacent conductive lines. Apparatuses, memory devices, methods of forming a memory device, and electronic systems are also disclosed.

Abstract: Some embodiments include apparatuses and methods of forming the apparatuses. One of the apparatuses includes a first dielectric material; a second dielectric material separated from the first dielectric material; a memory cell string including a pillar extending through the first and second dielectric materials, the pillar including a portion between the first and second dielectric materials; an additional dielectric material contacting the portion of the pillar; a conductive material contacting the additional dielectric material; and a tungsten structure including a portion of tungsten contacting the conductive material, wherein a majority of the portion of tungsten is beta-phase tungsten.

Abstract: A method of forming an apparatus includes forming pillar structures extending vertically through a first isolation material, forming conductive lines operatively coupled to the pillar structures, forming dielectric structures overlying the conductive lines, and forming air gaps between neighboring conductive lines. The air gaps are laterally adjacent to the conductive lines with a portion of the air gaps extending above a plane of an upper surface of the laterally adjacent conductive lines and a portion of the air gaps extending below a plane of a lower surface of the laterally adjacent conductive lines. Apparatuses, memory devices, methods of forming a memory device, and electronic systems are also disclosed.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for via formation in a memory device are described. A memory cell stack for a memory array may be formed. In some examples, the memory cell stack may comprise a storage element. A via may also be formed in an area outside of the memory array, and the via may protrude from a material that surrounds the via. A material may then be formed above the memory cell stack and also above the via, and the top surface of the barrier material may be planarized until at least a portion of the via is exposed. A subsequently formed material may thereby be in direct contact with the top of the via, while a portion of the initially formed material may remain above the memory cell stack.

Abstract: A method of forming an apparatus includes forming pillar structures extending vertically through a first isolation material, forming conductive lines operatively coupled to the pillar structures, forming dielectric structures overlying the conductive lines, and forming air gaps between neighboring conductive lines. The air gaps are laterally adjacent to the conductive lines with a portion of the air gaps extending above a plane of an upper surface of the laterally adjacent conductive lines and a portion of the air gaps extending below a plane of a lower surface of the laterally adjacent conductive lines. Apparatuses, memory devices, methods of forming a memory device, and electronic systems are also disclosed.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices related to a memory device with a thermal barrier are described. The thermal barrier (e.g., a low density thermal barrier) may be positioned between an access line (e.g., a digit line or a word line) and a cell component. The thermal barrier may be formed on the surface of a barrier material by applying a plasma treatment to the barrier material. The thermal barrier may have a lower density than the barrier material and may be configured to thermally insulate the cell component from thermal energy generated in the memory device, among other benefits.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for via formation in a memory device are described. A memory cell stack for a memory array may be formed. In some examples, the memory cell stack may comprise a storage element. A via may also be formed in an area outside of the memory array, and the via may protrude from a material that surrounds the via. A material may then be formed above the memory cell stack and also above the via, and the top surface of the barrier material may be planarized until at least a portion of the via is exposed. A subsequently formed material may thereby be in direct contact with the top of the via, while a portion of the initially formed material may remain above the memory cell stack.