Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for techniques to manufacture inter-layer vias are described. In some examples, a manufacturing process for a via to one or more metal lines within an integrated circuit may not include forming a metal pad for the via. For example, the manufacturing process may include forming a layer of dielectric material over a set of metal lines. The manufacturing process may further include forming a cavity through the dielectric layer (e.g., using an etching procedure), exposing the upper surfaces and sidewalls of one or more metal lines of the set. Subsequently, the via may be formed by depositing a conductive material within the cavity. In some cases, the conductive material may be deposited to contact the sidewalls of the one or more metal lines. Such an assembly may establish electrical connection to other electrical components of the integrated circuit.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises a structure including an upper insulating material overlying a lower insulating material, a conductive element underlying the lower insulating material, and a conductive material comprising a metal line and a contact. The conductive material extends from an upper surface of the upper insulating material to an upper surface of the conductive element. The structure also comprises a liner material adjacent the metal line. A width of an uppermost surface of the conductive material of the metal line external to the contact is relatively less than a width of an uppermost surface of the conductive material of the contact. Related methods, memory devices, and electronic systems are disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises a structure including an upper insulating material overlying a lower insulating material, a conductive element underlying the lower insulating material, and a conductive material comprising a metal line and a contact. The conductive material extends from an upper surface of the upper insulating material to an upper surface of the conductive element. The structure also comprises a liner material adjacent the metal line. A width of an uppermost surface of the conductive material of the metal line external to the contact is relatively less than a width of an uppermost surface of the conductive material of the contact. Related methods, memory devices, and electronic systems are disclosed.

Abstract: Some embodiments include a memory device having a conductive structure which includes silicon-containing material. A stack is over the conductive structure and includes alternating insulative levels and conductive levels. Channel material pillars extend through the stack and are electrically coupled with the conductive structure. Memory cells are along the channel material pillars. A conductive barrier material is under the silicon-containing material. The conductive barrier material includes one or more metals in combination with one or more nonmetals. An electrical contact is under the conductive barrier material. The electrical contact includes a region reactive with silicon. Silicon is precluded from reaching said region at least in part due to the conductive barrier material. Control circuitry is under the electrical contact and is electrically coupled with the conductive structure through at least the electrical contact and the conductive barrier material.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises a structure including an upper insulating material overlying a lower insulating material, a conductive element underlying the lower insulating material, and a conductive material comprising a metal line and a contact. The conductive material extends from an upper surface of the upper insulating material to an upper surface of the conductive element. The structure also comprises a liner material adjacent the metal line. A width of an uppermost surface of the conductive material of the metal line external to the contact is relatively less than a width of an uppermost surface of the conductive material of the contact. Related methods, memory devices, and electronic systems are disclosed.

Abstract: Some embodiments include a memory assembly having memory cells proximate a conductive source. Channel material extends along the memory cells and is electrically coupled with the conductive source. The conductive source is over an insulative material and includes an adhesion material directly against the insulative material. The adhesion material comprises one or more of metal, silicon nitride, silicon oxynitride, silicon carbide, metal silicide, metal carbide, metal oxide, metal oxynitride and metal nitride. The conductive source includes metal-containing material over and directly against the adhesion material. The metal-containing material consists essentially of metal. The conductive source includes a metal-and-nitrogen-containing material over and directly against the metal-containing material, and includes a conductively-doped semiconductor material over the metal-and-nitrogen-containing material.

Abstract: Some embodiments include a memory assembly having memory cells proximate a conductive source. Channel material extends along the memory cells and is electrically coupled with the conductive source. The conductive source is over an insulative material and includes an adhesion material directly against the insulative material. The adhesion material comprises one or more of metal, silicon nitride, silicon oxynitride, silicon carbide, metal silicide, metal carbide, metal oxide, metal oxynitride and metal nitride. The conductive source includes metal-containing material over and directly against the adhesion material. The metal-containing material consists essentially of metal. The conductive source includes a metal-and-nitrogen-containing material over and directly against the metal-containing material, and includes a conductively-doped semiconductor material over the metal-and-nitrogen-containing material.

Abstract: Some embodiments include a memory assembly having memory cells proximate a conductive source. Channel material extends along the memory cells and is electrically coupled with the conductive source. The conductive source is over an insulative material and includes an adhesion material directly against the insulative material. The adhesion material comprises one or more of metal, silicon nitride, silicon oxynitride, silicon carbide, metal silicide, metal carbide, metal oxide, metal oxynitride and metal nitride. The conductive source includes metal-containing material over and directly against the adhesion material. The metal-containing material consists essentially of metal. The conductive source includes a metal-and-nitrogen-containing material over and directly against the metal-containing material, and includes a conductively-doped semiconductor material over the metal-and-nitrogen-containing material.

Abstract: Some embodiments include a memory assembly having memory cells proximate a conductive source. Channel material extends along the memory cells and is electrically coupled with the conductive source. The conductive source is over an insulative material and includes an adhesion material directly against the insulative material. The adhesion material comprises one or more of metal, silicon nitride, silicon oxynitride, silicon carbide, metal silicide, metal carbide, metal oxide, metal oxynitride and metal nitride. The conductive source includes metal-containing material over and directly against the adhesion material. The metal-containing material consists essentially of metal. The conductive source includes a metal-and-nitrogen-containing material over and directly against the metal-containing material, and includes a conductively-doped semiconductor material over the metal-and-nitrogen-containing material.

Abstract: A manufacturing method of STI in DRAM includes the following steps. Step 1 is providing a substrate and step 2 is forming at least one trench in the substrate. Step 3 is doping at least one of side portions and bottom portions of the trench with a dopant. Step 4 is forming an oxidation inside the trench and step 5 is providing a planarization step to remove the oxidation. The stress of the corners of STI is reduced so as to modify the defect of the substrate and improve the DRAM variability in retention time.

Abstract: Methods to dope transistors with equal or similar dopant concentration are described. In a first alternative, a slow dose per pulse ramp during plasma-assisted doping is proposed. This method results in a thinner surface deposited layer resulting in equal dopant concentration throughout the area. In a second alternative, transistors are placed away from the mask edge in order to achieve equal dopant concentration.

Abstract: A process for fabricating an MOS device specifically a DRAM device, featuring passivation of defects in regions of a semiconductor substrate wherein defects left unpassivated can deleteriously influence data retention time, has been developed. A high density plasma dry etching procedure used to define the DRAM conductive gate electrode can create unwanted defects in a region near the surface of uncovered portions of the semiconductor substrate during the high density plasma procedure over etch cycle. Implantation of a group V element such as arsenic can be used to passivate the unwanted plasma etch defects, thus reducing the risk of defect related device leakage phenomena.

Abstract: A process for fabricating an MOS device specifically a DRAM device, featuring passivation of defects in regions of a semiconductor substrate wherein defects left unpassivated can deleteriously influence data retention time, has been developed. A high density plasma dry etching procedure used to define the DRAM conductive gate electrode can create unwanted defects in a region near the surface of uncovered portions of the semiconductor substrate during the high density plasma procedure over etch cycle. Implantation of a group V element such as arsenic can be used to passivate the unwanted plasma etch defects, thus reducing the risk of defect related device leakage phenomena.