Abstract: A method for fabricating a semiconductor device includes forming a stacked structure on a substrate, forming a first interlayer dielectric covering the stacked structure, and forming a second interlayer dielectric covering the first interlayer dielectric. The stacked structure includes a stepwise shape. The first interlayer dielectric includes at least one step portion having a slope surface connecting a first top surface to a second top surface. The first top surface and the sloped surface define a first angle that is an obtuse angle. A level of the second top surface is higher than a level of the first top surface.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a semiconductor device includes forming a stacked structure on a substrate, forming a first interlayer dielectric covering the stacked structure, and forming a second interlayer dielectric covering the first interlayer dielectric. The stacked structure includes a stepwise shape. The first interlayer dielectric includes at least one step portion having a slope surface connecting a first top surface to a second top surface. The first top surface and the sloped surface define a first angle that is an obtuse angle. A level of the second top surface is higher than a level of the first top surface.

Abstract: In a method of a vertical memory device, insulation layers and sacrificial layers are alternately and repeatedly formed on a substrate. A hole is formed through the insulation layers and the sacrificial layers that expose a top surface of the substrate. Then, an interior portion of the hole may be enlarged. A semiconductor pattern is formed to partially fill the enlarged portion of the hole. A blocking layer, a charge storage layer and a tunnel insulation layer may be formed on a sidewall of the hole and the semiconductor pattern. Then, the tunnel insulation layer, the charge storage layer and the blocking layer are partially removed to expose a top surface of the semiconductor pattern. A channel is formed on the exposed top surface of the semiconductor pattern and the tunnel insulation layer. The sacrificial layers are replaced with gate electrodes.

Abstract: Methods of manufacturing a three-dimensional semiconductor device are provided. The method includes: forming a thin film structure, where first and second material layers of at least 2n (n is an integer more than 2) are alternately and repeatedly stacked, on a substrate; wherein the first material layer applies a stress in a range of about 0.1×109 dyne/cm2 to about 10×109 dyne/cm2 to the substrate and the second material layer applies a stress in a range of about ?0.1×109 dyne/cm2 to about ?10×109 dyne/cm2 to the substrate.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a substrate, a plurality of insulating layers vertically stacked on the substrate, a plurality of channels arranged in vertical openings formed through at least some of the plurality of insulating layers, and a plurality of portions alternatingly positioned with the plurality of insulating layers in the vertical direction. At least some of the portions are adjacent corresponding channels of the plurality of channels. Each of the portions includes a conductive barrier pattern formed on an inner wall of the portion, a filling layer pattern positioned in the portion on the conductive barrier pattern, and a gate electrode positioned in a remaining area of the portion not occupied by the conductive barrier or filling layer pattern.

Abstract: In a method of a vertical memory device, insulation layers and sacrificial layers are alternately and repeatedly formed on a substrate. A hole is formed through the insulation layers and the sacrificial layers that expose a top surface of the substrate. Then, an interior portion of the hole may be enlarged. A semiconductor pattern is formed to partially fill the enlarged portion of the hole. A blocking layer, a charge storage layer and a tunnel insulation layer may be formed on a sidewall of the hole and the semiconductor pattern. Then, the tunnel insulation layer, the charge storage layer and the blocking layer are partially removed to expose a top surface of the semiconductor pattern. A channel is formed on the exposed top surface of the semiconductor pattern and the tunnel insulation layer. The sacrificial layers are replaced with gate electrodes.

Abstract: Methods of manufacturing a three-dimensional semiconductor device are provided. The method includes: forming a thin film structure, where first and second material layers of at least 2n (n is an integer more than 2) are alternately and repeatedly stacked, on a substrate; wherein the first material layer applies a stress in a range of about 0.1×109 dyne/cm2 to about 10×109 dyne/cm2 to the substrate and the second material layer applies a stress in a range of about ?0.1×109 dyne/cm2 to about ?10×109 dyne/cm2 to the substrate.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a substrate, a plurality of insulating layers vertically stacked on the substrate, a plurality of channels arranged in vertical openings formed through at least some of the plurality of insulating layers, and a plurality of portions alternatingly positioned with the plurality of insulating layers in the vertical direction. At least some of the portions are adjacent corresponding channels of the plurality of channels. Each of the portions includes a conductive barrier pattern formed on an inner wall of the portion, a filling layer pattern positioned in the portion on the conductive barrier pattern, and a gate electrode positioned in a remaining area of the portion not occupied by the conductive barrier or filling layer pattern.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a substrate, a plurality of insulating layers vertically stacked on the substrate, a plurality of channels arranged in vertical openings formed through at least some of the plurality of insulating layers, and a plurality of portions alternatingly positioned with the plurality of insulating layers in the vertical direction. At least some of the portions are adjacent corresponding channels of the plurality of channels. Each of the portions includes a conductive barrier pattern formed on an inner wall of the portion, a filling layer pattern positioned in the portion on the conductive barrier pattern, and a gate electrode positioned in a remaining area of the portion not occupied by the conductive barrier or filling layer pattern.

Abstract: Methods of forming a semiconductor device include forming an insulation layer on a semiconductor structure, forming an opening in the insulation layer, the opening having a sidewall defined by one side of the insulation layer, forming a first metal layer in the opening, at least partially exposing the sidewall of the opening by performing a wet-etching process on the first metal layer, and selectively forming a second metal layer on the etched first metal layer. An average grain size of the first metal layer is smaller than an average grain size of the second metal layer. Related semiconductor devices are also disclosed.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a substrate, a plurality of insulating layers vertically stacked on the substrate, a plurality of channels arranged in vertical openings formed through at least some of the plurality of insulating layers, and a plurality of portions alternatingly positioned with the plurality of insulating layers in the vertical direction. At least some of the portions are adjacent corresponding channels of the plurality of channels. Each of the portions includes a conductive barrier pattern formed on an inner wall of the portion, a filling layer pattern positioned in the portion on the conductive barrier pattern, and a gate electrode positioned in a remaining area of the portion not occupied by the conductive barrier or filling layer pattern.

Abstract: A vertical non-volatile memory device includes a semiconductor pattern disposed on a substrate; and a plurality of transistors of first through n-th layers that are stacked on a side of the semiconductor pattern at predetermined distances from each other, wherein the transistors are spaced apart and insulated from one another at the predetermined distances via air gap, where n is a natural number equal to or greater than 2.

Abstract: Methods of forming vertical nonvolatile memory devices utilize carbon-blocking sacrificial capping layers to increase device yield by reducing the likelihood that one or more vertically-stacked layers of materials will lift-off during fabrication. These capping layers may be provided to cover carbon-containing sacrificial layers that are highly polymerized.

Abstract: Methods of forming a semiconductor device include forming an insulation layer on a semiconductor structure, forming an opening in the insulation layer, the opening having a sidewall defined by one side of the insulation layer, forming a first metal layer in the opening, at least partially exposing the sidewall of the opening by performing a wet-etching process on the first metal layer, and selectively forming a second metal layer on the etched first metal layer. An average grain size of the first metal layer is smaller than an average grain size of the second metal layer. Related semiconductor devices are also disclosed.

Abstract: Methods of forming vertical nonvolatile memory devices utilize carbon-blocking sacrificial capping layers to increase device yield by reducing the likelihood that one or more vertically-stacked layers of materials will lift-off during fabrication. These capping layers may be provided to cover carbon-containing sacrificial layers that are highly polymerized.

Abstract: Methods of manufacturing a three-dimensional semiconductor device are provided. The method includes: forming a thin film structure, where first and second material layers of at least 2n (n is an integer more than 2) are alternately and repeatedly stacked, on a substrate; wherein the first material layer applies a stress in a range of about 0.1×109 dyne/cm2 to about 10×109 dyne/cm2 to the substrate and the second material layer applies a stress in a range of about ?0.1×109 dyne/cm2 to about ?10×109 dyne/cm2 to the substrate.

Abstract: A vertical non-volatile memory device includes a semiconductor pattern disposed on a substrate; and a plurality of transistors of first through n-th layers that are stacked on a side of the semiconductor pattern at predetermined distances from each other, wherein the transistors are spaced apart and insulated from one another at the predetermined distances via air gap, where n is a natural number equal to or greater than 2.

Abstract: A stacked semiconductor device includes a first gate structure formed on a substrate, a first insulating interlayer covering the first gate structure on the substrate, a first active pattern formed through and on the first insulating interlayer and contacting the substrate, a second gate structure formed on the first active pattern and the first insulating interlayer, a buffer layer covering the second gate structure on the first active pattern and the first insulating interlayer, a second insulating interlayer formed on the buffer layer, and a contact plug formed through the first and second insulating interlayers, which contacts with the substrate and is insulated from the second gate structure by the buffer layer. Operation failures of a transistor in the stacked semiconductor device can be reduced because the buffer layer prevents a word line from being electrically connected to the contact plug.

Abstract: Methods of forming a semiconductor device include forming an insulation layer on a semiconductor structure, forming an opening in the insulation layer, the opening having a sidewall defined by one side of the insulation layer, forming a first metal layer in the opening, at least partially exposing the sidewall of the opening by performing a wet-etching process on the first metal layer, and selectively forming a second metal layer on the etched first metal layer. An average grain size of the first metal layer is smaller than an average grain size of the second metal layer. Related semiconductor devices are also disclosed.

Abstract: In a semiconductor device and method of manufacturing the semiconductor device, a punch-through prevention film pattern and a channel film pattern are formed on an insulation layer. The punch-through prevention pattern and the insulation layer may include nitride and oxide, respectively. The punch-through prevention pattern is located under the channel pattern.