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.

Abstract: Three-dimensional (3D) memory devices and fabricating methods are disclosed. A disclosed 3D memory device includes a first semiconductor structure. The first semiconductor structure includes an array of first-type through stack structures in a first region and an array of second-type through stack structures in a second region, and a slit structure separating the array of first-type through stack structures from the array of second-type through stack structures. The 3D memory device further includes a second semiconductor structure. The second semiconductor structure includes a first periphery circuit and a second periphery circuit at different levels. The second semiconductor structure and the first semiconductor structure are bonded together, such that the first periphery circuit is located between the second periphery circuit and the first semiconductor structure.

Abstract: Three-dimensional (3D) memory devices and fabricating methods are disclosed. A disclosed 3D memory device includes a first semiconductor structure. The first semiconductor structure includes an array of first type through stack structures in a first region of a memory stack, an array of second type through stack structures in a second region of the memory stack, a semiconductor layer including a first portion on the array of first type through stack structures and a second portion on the array of second type through stack structures, multiple vias each penetrating the semiconductor layer and in contact with a corresponding one of the first type through stack structures or the array of second type through stack structures, and a slit structure separating the array of first type through stack structures from the array of second type through stack structures, and separating the first portion of the semiconductor layer from the second portion of the semiconductor layer.

Abstract: Embodiments of three-dimensional memory devices and fabricating methods thereof are disclosed. One disclosed method for forming a memory structure comprises: forming a bottom conductive layer on a substrate; forming a memory stack on the bottom conductive layer, the memory stack comprising a plurality of alternatively arranged dielectric layers and conductive layers; forming an opening penetrating the memory stack and exposing the bottom conductive layer; forming a cap layer on a bottom of the opening; forming a cylindrical body and a top contact on the cap layer and in the opening; and forming a plurality of interconnection structures to electrically connect the bottom conductive layer, the plurality of conductive layers of the memory stack, and the top contact.

Abstract: Embodiments of three-dimensional memory devices are disclosed. A disclosed memory structure comprises a memory cell comprising: a cylindrical body having a cylindrical shape, an insulating layer surrounding the cylindrical body, a word line contact coupled to a word line and surrounding a first portion of the insulating layer, and multiple plate line contact segments coupled to multiple plate lines respectively and surrounding a second portion of the insulating layer. The memory structure further comprises a bit line contact coupled to a bit line and coupled to a first end of the cylindrical body, a source line contact coupled to a source line, and a source cap coupled between the source line contact and a second end of the cylindrical body to increase a distance between the source line contact and the plate line contact segments.

Abstract: Embodiments of three-dimensional memory devices and fabricating methods thereof are disclosed. One disclosed method for forming a memory structure comprises: forming a bottom conductive layer on a substrate; forming a dielectric stack on the bottom conductive layer, the dielectric stack comprising a plurality of alternatively arranged first dielectric layers and second dielectric layers; forming an opening penetrating the dielectric stack and exposing the bottom conductive layer; forming a cap layer on a bottom of the opening; forming a cylindrical body and a top contact on the cap layer and in the opening; and replacing the plurality of second dielectric layers with conductive layers.

Abstract: A three-dimensional (3D) memory device includes a memory cell, a top contact coupled to the memory cell, and a bottom contact coupled to the memory cell. The memory cell can include a pillar, an insulating layer surrounding the pillar, a first gate contact coupled to a word line, a second gate contact coupled to a plate line, and a third gate contact configured to control electrical charge conduction between the first gate contact and the second gate contact. The 3D memory device can utilize dynamic flash memory (DFM), increase storage efficiency, provide tri-gate control, provide different programming options, increase read, program, and erase operation rates, decrease leakage current, increase retention time, and decrease refresh rates.

Abstract: A three-dimensional (3D) memory device includes a memory cell, a top contact coupled to the memory cell, and a bottom contact coupled to the memory cell. The memory cell can include a pillar, an insulating layer surrounding the pillar, a first gate contact surrounding a first portion of the insulating layer, and a second gate contact surrounding a second portion of the insulating layer. The pillar can be configured to store an electrical charge. The pillar can be a monocrystalline material. The 3D memory device can utilize dynamic flash memory (DFM), decrease defects, increase manufacturing efficiency, decrease leakage current, decrease junction current, decrease power consumption, increase storage density, increase charge retention times, and decrease refresh rates.

Abstract: A three-dimensional (3D) memory device includes a memory cell, a top contact coupled to the memory cell, and a bottom contact coupled to the memory cell. The memory cell can include a pillar, an insulating layer surrounding the pillar, a first gate contact coupled to a word line, a second gate contact coupled to a plate line, and an annular dielectric layer within a portion of the pillar. The annular dielectric layer can increase a retention time of electrical charge in the pillar. The 3D memory device can utilize dynamic flash memory (DFM), increase retention times, decrease refresh rates, increase a floating body effect, decrease manufacturing defects, decrease leakage current, decrease junction current, decrease power consumption, increase an upper limit of charge density in the pillar, dynamically adjust a length of the plate line, and decrease parasitic resistance.

Abstract: A three-dimensional (3D) memory device includes a first memory cell, a second memory cell, a control gate between the first and second memory cells, a top contact coupled to the first memory cell, and a bottom contact coupled to the second memory cell. The first memory cell can include a first pillar, a first insulating layer surrounding the first pillar, a first gate contact coupled to a first word line, and a second gate contact coupled to a first plate line. The second memory cell can include a second pillar, a second insulating layer surrounding the second pillar, a third gate contact coupled to a second word line, and a fourth gate contact coupled to a second plate line. The 3D memory device can utilize dynamic flash memory (DFM), increase storage density, provide multi-cell storage, provide a three-state logic, decrease leakage current, increase retention time, and decrease refresh rates.

Abstract: Embodiments of three-dimensional memory devices are disclosed. A disclosed memory structure can comprises a memory cell, a bit line contact coupled to the memory cell, a bit line coupled to the bit line contact, a source line contact coupled to the memory cell, and a source line coupled to the source line contact. The memory cell comprises a cylindrical body having a cylindrical shape, an insulating layer surrounding the cylindrical body, a word line contact surrounding a first portion of the insulating layer, the word line contact coupled to a word line, and a plurality of plate line contact segments surrounding a second portion of the insulating layer, the plurality of plate line contact segments coupled to a common plate line.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a memory structure including a staircase structure. The staircase structure can include a bottom select gate, a plate line formed above the bottom select gate, and a word line formed above the plate line. The pillar can extend through the bottom select gate, the plate line, and the word line. The memory structure can also include a source structure formed under the pillar and a drain cap formed above the pillar. The memory structure can further include a bit line formed above the drain cap.

Abstract: This disclosure is directed to methods for performing operations on a memory device. The memory device can include a bottom select gate, a plate line above the bottom select gate, a word line above the plate line, a pillar extending through the bottom select gate, the plate line, and the word line, a source line under the pillar, a drain cap above the pillar and a bit line formed above the drain cap. The method can include applying a first positive voltage bias to the bottom select gate and applying a second positive voltage bias to the word line. The method can also include applying a third positive voltage bias to the bit line after the word line reaches the second positive voltage bias. The method can further include applying a ground voltage to the word line and applying the ground voltage to the bit line.

Abstract: In certain aspects, a memory device includes a vertical transistor, a storage unit, and a bit line. The vertical transistor includes a semiconductor body extending in a first direction. The semiconductor body includes a doped source, a doped drain, and a channel portion. The storage unit is coupled to a first terminal. The first terminal is one of the source and the drain. The bit line extends in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction and in contact with a second terminal. The second terminal is another one of the source and the drain that is formed on one or some sides, but not all sides, of a protrusion of the semiconductor body. The bit line is separated from the channel portion of the semiconductor body by the second terminal.

Abstract: In certain aspects, a memory device includes a vertical transistor, a storage unit, and a bit line. The vertical transistor includes a semiconductor body extending in a first direction. The semiconductor body includes a doped source, a doped drain, and a channel portion. The storage unit is coupled to a first terminal. The first terminal is one of the source and the drain. The bit line extends in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction and in contact with a second terminal. The second terminal is another one of the source and the drain that is formed on all sides of a protrusion of the semiconductor body. The bit line is separated from the channel portion of the semiconductor body by the second terminal.

Abstract: In certain aspects, a memory device includes an array of memory cells, a plurality of word lines, and a plurality of slit structures. Each memory cell includes a vertical transistor, and a storage unit coupled to the vertical transistor. The array of memory cells is arranged in rows in a first direction and columns in a second direction. Two adjacent rows of the memory cells are staggered with one another, and two adjacent columns of the memory cells are staggered with one another in a plan view. Each word line extends in the second direction. Each slit structure extends in the second direction and separating two adjacent word lines of the plurality of word lines in the first direction.

Abstract: In certain aspects, a memory device includes a vertical transistor including a semiconductor body extending in a first direction, a stack structure including interleaved dielectric layers and conductive layers each extending perpendicularly to the first direction, an electrode layer including a conductive material and coupled to a first end of the semiconductor body, and a storage layer over the electrode layer. The electrode layer and the storage layer extend in the first direction through the stack structure.

Abstract: In certain aspects, a memory device includes a vertical transistor, a storage unit, a bit line, and a body line. The vertical transistor includes a semiconductor body extending in a first direction. The semiconductor body includes a doped source, a doped drain, and a channel portion. The storage unit is coupled to a first terminal. The first terminal is one of the source and the drain. The bit line extends in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction and coupled to a second terminal. The second terminal is another one of the source and the drain. The body line is coupled to the channel portion of the semiconductor body.