Abstract: A method for forming a gate structure of a 3D memory device is provided. The method comprises: forming an alternating layer stack on a substrate; forming a plurality of channel holes in the alternating layer stack, each penetrating vertically through the alternating layer stack; forming a functional layer including a storage layer on a sidewall of each channel hole, wherein the storage layer has an uneven surface; forming a channel layer to cover the functional layer in each channel hole; and forming a filling structure to cover the channel layer and fill each channel hole.

Abstract: Embodiments of three-dimensional (3D) memory devices with stacked device chips using interposers and fabrication methods thereof are disclosed. In an example, a method for forming a 3D memory device is disclosed. An alternating conductor/dielectric stack is formed at a first side of a chip substrate. A memory string extending vertically through the alternating conductor/dielectric stack is formed. A chip contact is formed at a second side opposite to the first side of the chip substrate and is electrically connected to the memory string. A first interposer contact is formed at a first side of an interposer substrate. A second interposer contact is formed at a second side opposite to the first side of the interposer substrate and is electrically connected to the first interposer contact through the interposer substrate. The first interposer contact is attached to the chip contact.

Abstract: A memory device includes a first semiconductor structure and a second semiconductor structure. The first semiconductor structure includes a first substrate and one or more peripheral devices on the first substrate. The second semiconductor structure includes a first set of conductive lines electrically coupled with a first set of a plurality of vertical structures and a second set of conductive lines electrically coupled with a second set of the plurality of vertical structures different from the first set of the plurality of vertical structures. The first set of conductive lines are vertically distanced from one end of the plurality of vertical structures and the second set of conductive lines are vertically distanced from an opposite end of the plurality of vertical structures.

Abstract: Embodiments of three-dimensional (3D) memory devices having multiple memory stacks and methods for forming the 3D memory devices are disclosed. In an example, a 3D memory device includes a first device chip, a second device chip, and a bonding interface. The first device chip includes a peripheral device and a first interconnect layer. The second device chip includes a substrate, two memory stacks disposed on opposite sides of the substrate, two memory strings each extending vertically through one of the two memory stacks, and a second interconnect layer. The bonding interface is formed vertically between the first interconnect layer of the first device chip and the second interconnect layer of the second device chip.

Abstract: A semiconductor structure is disclosed. The semiconductor structure includes a staircase structure disposed over a substrate. The staircase structure includes a plurality of layer stacks, where each layer stack is made of a first material layer over a portion of a second material layer. The staircase structure further includes a plurality of landing pads, where each landing pad is disposed over another portion of the second material layer of a respective layer stack.

Abstract: A method for forming a gate structure of a 3D memory device is provided. The method comprises: forming an alternating layer stack on a substrate; forming a plurality of channel holes in the alternating layer stack, each penetrating vertically through the alternating layer stack; forming a functional layer including a storage layer on a sidewall of each channel hole, wherein the storage layer has an uneven surface; forming a channel layer to cover the functional layer in each channel hole; and forming a filling structure to cover the channel layer and fill each channel hole.

Abstract: Embodiments of 3D memory devices and methods for forming the same are disclosed. In an example, a 3D memory device includes a substrate, a memory stack, and a NAND memory string. The memory stack includes a plurality of interleaved gate conductive layers and gate-to-gate dielectric layers above the substrate. Each of the gate-to-gate dielectric layers includes a silicon oxynitride layer. The NAND memory string extends vertically through the interleaved gate conductive layers and gate-to-gate dielectric layers of the memory stack.

Abstract: Embodiments of three-dimensional memory device architectures and fabrication methods therefor are disclosed. In an example, the memory device includes a substrate and one or more peripheral devices on the substrate. The memory device also includes one or more interconnect layers and a semiconductor layer disposed over the one or more interconnect layers. A layer stack having alternating conductor and insulator layers is disposed above the semiconductor layer. A plurality of structures extend vertically through the layer stack. A first set of conductive lines are electrically coupled with a first set of the plurality of structures and a second set of conductive lines are electrically coupled with a second set of the plurality of structures different from the first set. The first and second sets of conductive lines are vertically distanced from opposite ends of the plurality of structures.

Abstract: A three-dimensional (3D) memory device includes a peripheral device, a plurality of memory strings, a layer between the peripheral device and the plurality of memory strings, and a contact. The layer includes a conduction region and an isolation region. The contact extends through the isolation region of the layer.

Abstract: Embodiments of staircase and contact structures of a three-dimensional (3D) memory device and fabrication method thereof are disclosed. The 3D memory device includes a semiconductor substrate and a plurality of through-substrate-trenches penetrating the semiconductor substrate. The 3D memory device also includes a film stack disposed on a first surface of the semiconductor substrate extending through the through-substrate-trenches to a second surface of the semiconductor substrate, wherein the film stack includes alternating conductive and dielectric layers. The 3D memory device also includes a staircase structure formed at an edge of the film stack.

Abstract: Embodiments of 3D memory devices are disclosed. A disclosed 3D memory device can comprises an array interconnect layer disposed over an alternating conductor/dielectric stack and including a first array interconnect structure. Tbe 3D memory device can further comprises a peripheral interconnect layer disposed over a first peripheral device and including a first peripheral interconnect structure. A pad can be embedded in the peripheral interconnect layer and electrically connected with the first peripheral device through the first peripheral interconnect structure. The array interconnect layer is bonded with the peripheral interconnect layer, such that the first array interconnect structure is in electrical contact with the first peripheral interconnect structure.

Abstract: Embodiments of semiconductor structures including word line contact structures for three-dimensional memory devices and fabrication methods for forming word line contact structures are disclosed. The semiconductor structures include a staircase structure having a plurality of steps, and each step includes a conductive layer disposed over a dielectric layer. The semiconductor structures further include a barrier layer disposed over a portion of the conductive layer of each step. The semiconductor structures also include an etch-stop layer disposed on the barrier layer and an insulating layer disposed on the etch-stop layer. The semiconductor structures also include a plurality of conductive structures formed in the insulating layer and each conductive structure is formed on the conductive layer of each step.

Abstract: Embodiments of a method for forming three-dimensional (3D) memory devices include the following operations. First, an initial channel hole is formed in a stack structure of a plurality first layers and a plurality of second layers alternatingly arranged over a substrate. An offset is formed between a side surface of each one of the plurality of first layers and a side surface of each one of the plurality of second layers on a sidewall of the initial channel hole to form a channel hole. A semiconductor channel is further formed by filling the channel hole with a channel-forming structure. The semiconductor channel may have a memory layer having a first memory portion surrounding a bottom of each second layer and a second memory portion connecting adjacent first memory portions. The first memory portion and the second memory portion may be staggered along a vertical direction.

Abstract: Embodiments of a three-dimensional (3D) memory device are provided. The 3D memory device includes a stack structure over a substrate. The stack structure includes a plurality of conductor layers insulated from one another by a gate-to-gate dielectric structure. The gate-to-gate dielectric structure includes a gate-to-gate dielectric layer between adjacent conductor layers along a vertical direction perpendicular to a top surface of the substrate. The 3D memory device also includes a channel structure extending in the stack structure. The channel structure includes a memory layer that protrudes towards the gate-to-gate dielectric layer.

Abstract: Embodiments of three-dimensional (3D) memory devices having a shielding layer and methods for forming the 3D memory devices are disclosed. In an example, a 3D memory device includes a substrate, a peripheral device disposed on the substrate, a plurality of memory strings each extending vertically above the peripheral device, a semiconductor layer disposed above and in contact with the plurality of memory strings, and a shielding layer disposed between the peripheral device and the plurality of memory strings. The shielding layer includes a conduction region configured to receive a grounding voltage during operation of the 3D memory device.

Abstract: A method for forming a gate structure of a 3D memory device is provided. The method comprises: forming multiple hybrid shallow trench isolation structures in a substrate; forming an alternating dielectric stack on the substrate, the alternating dielectric stack including multiple dielectric layer pairs each comprising a first dielectric layer and a second dielectric layer different from the first dielectric layer; forming multiple channel structures in the alternating dielectric stack; forming a slit penetrating vertically through the alternating dielectric stack and extending in a horizontal direction to divide the multiple channel structures and to expose a row of hybrid shallow trench isolation structures; replacing the second dielectric layers in the alternating dielectric stack with multiple gate structures through the slit; forming a spacer wall to fill the slit; and forming multiple array common source contacts each in electric contact with a corresponding hybrid shallow trench isolation structure.

Abstract: A method for forming a gate structure of a 3D memory device is provided. The method comprises: forming a plurality of hybrid shallow trench isolation structures in a substrate, each hybrid shallow trench isolation structure comprising a dielectric sublayer and a conductive sublayer, both of which are embedded in the substrate; forming an alternating dielectric stack on the substrate; forming a slit penetrating vertically through the alternating dielectric stack and extending in a horizontal direction to expose a row of hybrid shallow trench isolation structures; forming a plurality of array common source contacts in the slit, each array common source contact being in electric contact with a corresponding hybrid shallow trench isolation structure.

Abstract: Embodiments of three-dimensional memory device architectures and fabrication methods therefor are disclosed. In an example, the memory device includes a substrate and one or more peripheral devices on the substrate. The memory device also includes one or more interconnect layers and a semiconductor layer disposed over the one or more interconnect layers. A layer stack having alternating conductor and insulator layers is disposed above the semiconductor layer. A plurality of structures extend vertically through the layer stack. A first set of conductive lines are electrically coupled with a first set of the plurality of structures and a second set of conductive lines are electrically coupled with a second set of the plurality of structures different from the first set. The first and second sets of conductive lines are vertically distanced from opposite ends of the plurality of structures.

Abstract: Embodiments of a method for forming a three-dimensional (3D) memory device includes the following operations. First, a channel hole is formed in a stack structure of a plurality first layers and a plurality of second layers alternatingly arranged over a substrate. A semiconductor channel is formed by filling the channel hole with a channel-forming structure. The plurality of first layers is removed. A plurality of conductor layers is formed from the plurality of second layers. Further, a gate-to-gate dielectric layer is formed between the adjacent conductor layers, the gate-to-gate dielectric layer including at least one sub-layer of silicon oxynitride.

Abstract: Embodiments of three-dimensional (3D) memory devices and methods for forming the 3D memory devices are disclosed. In an example, a 3D memory device includes a substrate, a first single-crystal silicon layer above the substrate, a first memory stack above the first single-crystal silicon layer, a first channel structure extending vertically through the first memory stack, and a first interconnect layer above the first memory stack. The first memory stack includes a first plurality of interleaved conductor layers and dielectric layers. The first channel structure includes a first lower plug extending into the first single-crystal silicon layer and including single-crystal silicon. The first interconnect layer includes a first bit line electrically connected to the first channel structure.