Abstract: A three-dimensional (3D) memory device includes a memory stack including conductive layers and dielectric layers interleaving the conductive layers, and a channel structure extending through the memory stack along a vertical direction. The channel structure has a plurality of protruding portions protruding along a lateral direction and facing the conductive layers, respectively, and a plurality of normal portions facing the dielectric layers, respectively, without protruding along the lateral direction. The channel structure includes a plurality of blocking structures in the protruding portions, respectively, and a plurality of storage structures in the protruding portions and over the plurality of blocking structures, respectively. A vertical dimension of each of the blocking structures is nominally the same as a vertical dimension of a respective one of the storage structures over the blocking structure.

Abstract: A first opening extending vertically through a dielectric stack is formed above a substrate. The dielectric stack includes vertically interleaved dielectric layers and sacrificial layers. Parts of the sacrificial layers facing the opening are removed to form a plurality of first recesses. A plurality of stop structures are formed along sidewalls of the plurality of first recesses. A plurality of storage structures are formed over the plurality of stop structures in the plurality of first recesses. The plurality of sacrificial layers are removed to expose the plurality of stop structures from a plurality of second recesses opposing the plurality of first recesses. The plurality of stop structures are removed to expose the plurality of storage structures. A plurality of blocking structures are formed over the plurality of storage structures in the plurality of second recesses.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a discrete element method (DEM)-based simulation method and system for acoustic emission (AE). The simulation method includes: arranging a monitoring point on a surface of a numerical model; monitoring a velocity waveform of the monitoring point; and analyzing the velocity waveform to obtain a hit, energy, and a b-value of AE. The method in the present disclosure can resolve problems of principle incompliance, poor authenticity, and high occupation of calculation resources in a traditional simulation method for AE.

Abstract: A semiconductor device is provided. The semiconductor device includes word line layers and insulating layers that are alternatingly stacked along a vertical direction perpendicular to a substrate of the semiconductor device. The semiconductor device includes a channel structure that extends along the vertical direction through the word line layers and the insulating layers. A cross-section of the channel structure that is perpendicular to the vertical axis includes channel layer sections that are spaced apart from one another.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure provide a semiconductor device and a method for manufacturing the semiconductor device. A channel hole is formed through a stack over a substrate of the semiconductor device. A sidewall of the channel hole extends along a vertical direction perpendicular to the substrate. A gate dielectric structure, a channel layer, and a dielectric structure that extend along the vertical direction are formed in the channel hole. The gate dielectric structure can be formed along the sidewall of the channel hole, and the dielectric structure can be formed over the channel layer. The channel layer can be separated into channel layer sections to form a channel structure that includes the gate dielectric structure and the channel layer sections for respective strings of transistors.

Abstract: A semiconductor device is provided. The semiconductor device includes word line layers and insulating layers that are alternatingly stacked along a vertical direction perpendicular to a substrate of the semiconductor device. A first channel structure of the semiconductor device extends along a first vertical axis in the vertical direction through the word line layers and the insulating layers. The first channel structure includes a plurality of storage structures and a first isolation structure. The storage structures are arranged around the first isolation structure. The first isolation structure extends along the first vertical axis and separates the storage structures from one another.

Abstract: Embodiments of three-dimensional (3D) memory devices and methods for forming the same are disclosed. In an example, a 3D memory device includes a substrate and a channel structure extending vertically above the substrate and having a plum blossom shape including a plurality of petals in a plan view. The channel structure includes, in each of the plurality of petals, a semiconductor channel and a channel plug above and in contact with the semiconductor channel.

Abstract: Embodiments of three-dimensional (3D) memory devices and methods for forming the same are disclosed. In an example, a 3D memory device includes a substrate and a channel structure extending vertically above the substrate and having a plum blossom shape including a plurality of petals in a plan view. The channel structure includes, in each of the plurality of petals, a charge trapping layer, a tunneling layer, a semiconductor channel, and a channel plug. The channel plug is above and in contact with the charge trapping layer, the tunneling layer, and the semiconductor channel.

Abstract: A three-dimensional (3D) memory device includes a stack structure and a channel structure. The stack structure includes interleaved conductive layers and dielectric layers. The channel structure extends through the stack structure along a first direction. The channel structure includes a semiconductor channel, and a memory film over the semiconductor channel. The memory film includes a tunneling layer over the semiconductor channel, a storage layer over the tunneling layer, and a blocking layer over the storage layer. The blocking layer and the storage layer are separated by the dielectric layers into a plurality of sections.

Abstract: Embodiments of three-dimensional (3D) semiconductor devices and methods for forming the same are disclosed. In an example, a 3D memory device includes a memory stack, an isolation structure, and a plurality of capacitor contacts. The memory stack includes vertically interleaved conductive layers and first dielectric layers. The isolation structure extends vertically through at least part of the memory stack to electrically separate the conductive layers into gate electrodes in a core array region and capacitor electrodes in a dummy staircase region. The plurality of capacitor contacts are in contact with at least two of the capacitor electrodes in the dummy staircase region, respectively.

Abstract: Embodiments of three-dimensional (3D) semiconductor devices and methods for forming the same are disclosed. In an example, a 3D memory device includes a memory stack, an isolation structure, and a plurality of capacitor contacts. The memory stack includes vertically interleaved conductive layers and first dielectric layers. The isolation structure extends vertically through at least part of the memory stack to electrically separate the conductive layers into gate electrodes in a core array region and capacitor electrodes in a dummy staircase region. The plurality of capacitor contacts are in contact with at least two of the capacitor electrodes in the dummy staircase region, respectively.

Abstract: A variable angle loading testing machine is provided, which may include a bottom plate and a base fixedly connected to the bottom plate. A rock-sample accommodating cavity is formed in the base, and a rectangle-shaped sample is suitable for being placed into the rock-sample accommodating cavity. A side of the base is fixedly connected to two arc-shaped tension beams arranged in parallel, and a variable angle loading mechanism is slidably connected between the two arc-shaped tension beams. Through-holes are formed on the base, and an output end of the variable angle loading mechanism abuts against the rectangle-shaped sample through one of the through-holes. Loading and unloading of a stress with variable direction and magnitude under excavation disturbance can be simulated, which is of great significance for understanding mechanical behaviors of rock-soil mass under excavation disturbance.

Abstract: Embodiments of three-dimensional (3D) memory devices and methods for forming the same are disclosed. In an example, a 3D memory device includes a substrate, a memory stack disposed on the substrate and including a plurality of interleaved conductive layers and dielectric layers, and a plurality of channel structures each extending vertically through the memory stack and having a plurality of protruding portions abutting the conductive layers and a plurality of normal portions abutting the dielectric layers. Each of the plurality of channel structures includes a blocking layer along a sidewall of the channel structure, and a storage layer over the blocking layer. The storage layer includes a plurality of charge trapping structures in the protruding portions of the channel structure, and a plurality of protecting structures in the normal portions of the channel structure and connecting the plurality of charge trapping structures.

Abstract: Embodiments of semiconductor devices and methods for forming the same are disclosed. In an example, a semiconductor device includes at least one dielectric layer pair including a first dielectric layer and a second dielectric layer different from the first dielectric layer, an interlayer dielectric (ILD) layer in contact with the at least one dielectric layer pair, and one or more capacitors each extending vertically through the ILD layer and in contact with the at least one dielectric layer pair.

Abstract: Embodiments of semiconductor devices and methods for forming the same are disclosed. In an example, a semiconductor device includes at least one dielectric layer pair including a first dielectric layer and a second dielectric layer different from the first dielectric layer, an interlayer dielectric (ILD) layer in contact with the at least one dielectric layer pair, and one or more capacitors each extending vertically through the ILD layer and in contact with the at least one dielectric layer pair.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method of processing a semiconductor device having a stack formed over a source sacrificial layer above a substrate, a channel structure extending vertically through the stack and the source sacrificial layer, a gate line cut trench extending vertically through the stack, and a spacer layer covering uncovered top and side surfaces of the stack. The method can include exposing a lower sidewall of the channel structure by removing the source sacrificial layer, forming a protection layer on all uncovered surfaces, exposing a channel layer of the channel structure by removing a first portion of the protection layer and an insulating layer of the channel structure, forming an initial source connection layer over the exposed channel layer, exposing the substrate by removing a second portion of the protection layer, and forming a source connection layer over the initial source connection layer and the exposed substrate.

Abstract: Embodiments of three-dimensional (3D) memory devices and methods for forming the same are disclosed. In an example, a 3D memory device includes a substrate and a channel structure extending vertically above the substrate and having a plum blossom shape including a plurality of petals in a plan view. The channel structure includes a plurality of semiconductor channels in the plurality of petals, respectively.

Abstract: Embodiments of three-dimensional (3D) memory devices and methods for forming the same are disclosed. In an example, a method for forming a 3D memory device is disclosed. A channel hole extending vertically above a substrate and having a plum blossom shape in a plan view is formed. A continuous blocking layer, a continuous charge trapping layer, and a continuous tunneling layer each following the plum blossom shape are formed from outside to inside in this order along sidewalls of the channel hole. A plurality of separate semiconductor channels each disposed over part of the continuous tunneling layer at a respective apex of the plum blossom shape are formed.

Abstract: A rock mass shear test system for high-energy accelerator computed tomography (CT) scanning includes double horizontal loading devices, a first bearing device for bearing a static shear box, a second bearing device for bearing a dynamic shear box, and a normal loading device, etc. In the test, the double horizontal loading devices simultaneously apply an identical loading force to the rock mass, and the normal loading device applies a shear force to the rock mass. The double horizontal loading devices are provided in parallel and spaced apart, a loading force is applied in the horizontal direction, and a shear force is applied in the vertical direction, so that the loading cylinder and the rock mass sample are effectively prevented from interfering with each other during the accurate scanning process of the shearing progressive failure process of the rock mass.

Abstract: An approach to use silicided bit line contacts that do not short to the underlying substrate in memory devices. The approach provides for silicide formation in the bit line contact area, using a process that benefits from being self-aligned to the oxide-nitride-oxide (ONO) nitride edges. A further benefit of the approach is that the bit line contact implant and rapid temperature anneal process can be eliminated. This approach is applicable to embedded flash, integrating high density devices and advanced logic processes.