Abstract: A non-volatile memory device comprises a substrate, a mold structure that includes gate electrodes stacked on the substrate and mold insulating layers alternately stacked with the gate electrodes, a cell contact on the substrate, wherein the cell contact is electrically connected to a selection gate electrode of the gate electrodes and is not electrically connected to a non-selection gate electrode of the gate electrodes, an insulating ring on the substrate, wherein the insulating ring is between the non-selection gate electrode and a sidewall of the cell contact and is in contact with the non-selection gate electrode, and a high dielectric constant layer between respective ones of the gate electrodes and the mold insulating layers, wherein the insulating ring includes a first portion that overlaps the high dielectric constant layer in a vertical direction, and a second portion that does not overlap the high dielectric constant layer in the vertical direction.

Abstract: A wet etching system operating method includes providing an etching apparatus having an Nth etching solution, loading Nth batch substrates into the etching apparatus and performing an Nth etching process, discharging some of the Nth etching solution, refilling the etching apparatus with an (N+1)th etching solution supplied from a supply apparatus connected to the etching apparatus, and loading (N+1)th batch substrates into the etching apparatus and performing an (N+1)th etching process, wherein the (N+1)th etching solution has a temperature within or higher than a temperature management range of the (N+1)th etching process, and wherein the (N+1)th etching solution has a concentration within or higher than a concentration management range of the (N+1)th etching solution, N being a positive integer.

Abstract: A wet etching system operating method includes providing an etching apparatus having an Nth etching solution, loading Nth batch substrates into the etching apparatus and performing an Nth etching process, discharging some of the Nth etching solution, refilling the etching apparatus with an (N+1)th etching solution supplied from a supply apparatus connected to the etching apparatus, and loading (N+1)th batch substrates into the etching apparatus and performing an (N+1)th etching process, wherein the (N+1)th etching solution has a temperature within or higher than a temperature management range of the (N+1)th etching process, and wherein the (N+1)th etching solution has a concentration within or higher than a concentration management range of the (N+1)th etching solution, N being a positive integer.

Abstract: A plasma etching apparatus includes an etching chamber and at least one processor. The etching chamber is configured to support a target therein. The at least one processor is configured to: determine a process condition for plasma etching the target before execution of a plasma etching process; and control an aspect of the chamber according to the process condition. The process condition includes a unit etching time over which the plasma etching process is to be continuously performed.

Abstract: A plasma etching apparatus includes an etching chamber and at least one processor. The etching chamber is configured to support a target therein. The at least one processor is configured to: determine a process condition for plasma etching the target before execution of a plasma etching process; and control an aspect of the chamber according to the process condition. The process condition includes a unit etching time over which the plasma etching process is to be continuously performed.

Abstract: Three dimensional semiconductor memory devices and methods of fabricating the same are provided. According to the method, sacrificial layers and insulating layers are alternately and repeatedly stacked on a substrate, and a cutting region penetrating an uppermost sacrificial layer of the sacrificial layers is formed. The cutting region is filled with a non sacrificial layer. The insulating layers and the sacrificial layers are patterned to form a mold pattern. The mold pattern includes insulating patterns, sacrificial patterns, and the non sacrificial layer in the cutting region. The sacrificial patterns may be replaced with electrodes. The related semiconductor memory device is also provided.

Abstract: A plasma etching apparatus includes an etching chamber and at least one processor. The etching chamber is configured to support a target therein. The at least one processor is configured to: determine a process condition for plasma etching the target before execution of a plasma etching process; and control an aspect of the chamber according to the process condition. The process condition includes a unit etching time over which the plasma etching process is to be continuously performed.

Abstract: A plasma etching apparatus includes an etching chamber and at least one processor. The etching chamber is configured to support a target therein. The at least one processor is configured to: determine a process condition for plasma etching the target before execution of a plasma etching process; and control an aspect of the chamber according to the process condition. The process condition includes a unit etching time over which the plasma etching process is to be continuously performed.

Abstract: The present disclosure herein relates to methods of forming conductive patterns and to methods of manufacturing semiconductor devices using the same. In some embodiments, a method of forming a conductive pattern includes forming a first conductive layer and a second conductive layer on a substrate. The first conductive layer and the second conductive layer may include a metal nitride and a metal, respectively. The first conductive layer and the second conductive layer may be etched using an etchant composition that includes phosphoric acid, nitric acid, an assistant oxidant and a remainder of water. The etchant composition may have substantially the same etching rate for the metal nitride and the metal.

Abstract: The present disclosure herein relates to methods of forming conductive patterns and to methods of manufacturing semiconductor devices using the same. In some embodiments, a method of forming a conductive pattern includes forming a first conductive layer and a second conductive layer on a substrate. The first conductive layer and the second conductive layer may include a metal nitride and a metal, respectively. The first conductive layer and the second conductive layer may be etched using an etchant composition that includes phosphoric acid, nitric acid, an assistant oxidant and a remainder of water. The etchant composition may have substantially the same etching rate for the metal nitride and the metal.

Abstract: Three dimensional semiconductor memory devices and methods of fabricating the same are provided. According to the method, sacrificial layers and insulating layers are alternately and repeatedly stacked on a substrate, and a cutting region penetrating an uppermost sacrificial layer of the sacrificial layers is formed. The cutting region is filled with a non sacrificial layer. The insulating layers and the sacrificial layers are patterned to form a mold pattern. The mold pattern includes insulating patterns, sacrificial patterns, and the non sacrificial layer in the cutting region. The sacrificial patterns may be replaced with electrodes. The related semiconductor memory device is also provided.

Abstract: Three dimensional semiconductor memory devices and methods of fabricating the same are provided. According to the method, sacrificial layers and insulating layers are alternately and repeatedly stacked on a substrate, and a cutting region penetrating an uppermost sacrificial layer of the sacrificial layers is formed. The cutting region is filled with a non sacrificial layer. The insulating layers and the sacrificial layers are patterned to form a mold pattern. The mold pattern includes insulating patterns, sacrificial patterns, and the non sacrificial layer in the cutting region. The sacrificial patterns may be replaced with electrodes. The related semiconductor memory device is also provided.

Abstract: According to an example embodiment, a non-volatile memory device includes a semiconductor layer pattern on a substrate, a plurality of gate patterns and a plurality of interlayer insulating layer patterns that are alternately stacked along a side wall of the semiconductor layer pattern, and a storage structure between the plurality of gate patterns and the semiconductor layer pattern. The semiconductor layer pattern extends in a vertical direction from the substrate. The gate patterns are recessed in a direction from a side wall of the interlayer insulating layer patterns opposing the side wall of the semiconductor layer pattern. A recessed surface of the gate patterns may be formed to be vertical to a surface of the substrate.

Abstract: A mold stack including alternating insulation layers and sacrificial layers is formed on a substrate. Vertical channel regions extending through the insulation layers and sacrificial layers of the mold stack are formed. Gate electrodes are formed between adjacent ones of the insulation layers and surrounding the vertical channel regions. The gate electrodes have a greater thickness at a first location near sidewalls of the insulation layers than at a second location further away from the sidewalls of the insulation layers.

Abstract: A mold stack including alternating insulation layers and sacrificial layers is formed on a substrate. Vertical channel regions extending through the insulation layers and sacrificial layers of the mold stack are formed. Gate electrodes are formed between adjacent ones of the insulation layers and surrounding the vertical channel regions. The gate electrodes have a greater thickness at a first location near sidewalls of the insulation layers than at a second location further away from the sidewalls of the insulation layers.

Abstract: A mold stack including alternating insulation layers and sacrificial layers is formed on a substrate. Vertical channel regions extending through the insulation layers and sacrificial layers of the mold stack are formed. Gate electrodes are formed between adjacent ones of the insulation layers and surrounding the vertical channel regions. The gate electrodes have a greater thickness at a first location near sidewalls of the insulation layers than at a second location further away from the sidewalls of the insulation layers.

Abstract: According to an example embodiment, a non-volatile memory device includes a semiconductor layer pattern on a substrate, a plurality of gate patterns and a plurality of interlayer insulating layer patterns that are alternately stacked along a side wall of the semiconductor layer pattern, and a storage structure between the plurality of gate patterns and the semiconductor layer pattern. The semiconductor layer pattern extends in a vertical direction from the substrate. The gate patterns are recessed in a direction from a side wall of the interlayer insulating layer patterns opposing the side wall of the semiconductor layer pattern. A recessed surface of the gate patterns may be formed to be vertical to a surface of the substrate.

Abstract: A mold stack including alternating insulation layers and sacrificial layers is formed on a substrate. Vertical channel regions extending through the insulation layers and sacrificial layers of the mold stack are formed. Gate electrodes are formed between adjacent ones of the insulation layers and surrounding the vertical channel regions. The gate electrodes have a greater thickness at a first location near sidewalls of the insulation layers than at a second location further away from the sidewalls of the insulation layers.

Abstract: Three dimensional semiconductor memory devices and methods of fabricating the same are provided. According to the method, sacrificial layers and insulating layers are alternately and repeatedly stacked on a substrate, and a cutting region penetrating an uppermost sacrificial layer of the sacrificial layers is formed. The cutting region is filled with a non sacrificial layer. The insulating layers and the sacrificial layers are patterned to form a mold pattern. The mold pattern includes insulating patterns, sacrificial patterns, and the non sacrificial layer in the cutting region. The sacrificial patterns may be replaced with electrodes. The related semiconductor memory device is also provided.

Abstract: In an etching method, a thin layer is formed on a first surface of a first substrate doped with first impurities having a first doping concentration. The thin layer is doped with second impurities having a second doping concentration lower than the first doping concentration. A second substrate is formed on the thin layer. A second surface of the first substrate is polished. The polished first substrate is cleaned using a cleaning solution including ammonia and deionized water. The cleaned first substrate is etched to expose the thin layer.