Abstract: A method for forming a gate structure of a 3D memory device is provided. The method comprises forming an etch stop structure in a first wafer, forming a first through contact in contact with the etch stop structure, bonding the first wafer to a second wafer to electrically connect the first through contact to a CMOS device of the second wafer, and forming a through substrate contact penetrating a first substrate of the first wafer and the etch stop structure, and in electrically contact with the CMOS device through the first through contact.

Abstract: A variable capacitor includes a semiconductor substrate, a well region, and a gate electrode. The well region is disposed in the semiconductor substrate. The gate electrode is disposed on the semiconductor substrate, and the gate electrode overlaps a part of the well region in a thickness direction of the semiconductor substrate. A conductivity type of the gate electrode is complementary to a conductivity type of the well region for improving electrical performance of the variable capacitor.

Abstract: A method for forming a 3D memory device is provided. The method comprises forming a sacrificial layer on a substrate, forming an alternating dielectric stack on the sacrificial layer, forming a plurality of channel holes vertically penetrating the alternating dielectric stack and the sacrificial layer, and forming a first channel layer in each channel hole. The method further comprises forming a second channel layer on the first channel layer in each channel hole, such that a merging point of the second channel layer is higher than a bottom surface of the alternating dielectric stack. The method further comprises removing the sacrificial layer to form a horizontal trench, and forming a selective epitaxial growth layer in the horizontal trench.

Abstract: Embodiments of a three-dimensional (3D) memory device and method for forming the 3D memory device are provided. In an example, the 3D memory device includes a plurality of conductor layers extending over a substrate, a channel structure vertically extending through the conductor layers to the substrate, and a source structure extending through the conductor layers to the substrate. The channel structure may include a blocking layer having a plurality of blocking portions disconnected from one another. Each of the blocking portions may include (i) a vertical blocking portion under a respective conductor layer, and (ii) at least one lateral blocking portion covering a respective lateral surface of the respective conductor layer. The channel structure may also include a memory layer having a plurality of memory portions disconnected from one another, each of the memory portions under and in contact with the respective vertical blocking portion.

Abstract: A method for forming a memory device includes providing an initial semiconductor structure, including a base substrate; a first sacrificial layer formed on the base substrate; a stack structure, disposed on the first sacrificial layer; a plurality of channels, formed through the stack structure and the first sacrificial layer; and a gate-line trench, formed through the stack structure and exposing the first sacrificial layer. The method also includes forming at least one protective layer on the sidewalls of the gate-line trench; removing the first sacrificial layer to expose a portion of each of the plurality of channels and the surfaces of the base substrate, using the at least one protective layer as an etch mask; and forming an epitaxial layer on the exposed surfaces of the base substrate and the plurality of channels.

Abstract: Embodiments of a three-dimensional (3D) memory device and method for forming the 3D memory device are provided. In an example, the 3D memory device includes a plurality of conductor layers extending over a substrate, a channel structure vertically extending through the conductor layers to the substrate, and a source structure extending through the conductor layers to the substrate. The channel structure may include a blocking layer having a plurality of blocking portions disconnected from one another. Each of the blocking portions may include (i) a vertical blocking portion under a respective conductor layer, and (ii) at least one lateral blocking portion covering a respective lateral surface of the respective conductor layer. The channel structure may also include a memory layer having a plurality of memory portions disconnected from one another, each of the memory portions under and in contact with the respective vertical blocking portion.

Abstract: A method for forming a gate structure of a 3D memory device is provided. The method comprises forming an array wafer including a periphery region and a staircase and array region. A process of forming an array wafer comprises forming an alternating dielectric etch stop structure on a first substrate in the periphery region, forming an array device on the first substrate in the staircase and array region, and forming at least one first vertical through contact in the periphery region and in contact with the alternating dielectric etch stop structure. The method further comprises forming a CMOS wafer and bonding the array wafer and the CMOS wafer. The method further comprises forming at least one through substrate contact penetrating the first substrate and the alternating dielectric etch stop structure, and in contact with the at least one first vertical through contact.

Abstract: A three-dimensional (3D) memory device and a manufacturing method thereof are provided. The method includes the following steps. An alternating dielectric stack is formed on a substrate. A vertical structure is formed penetrating the alternating dielectric stack in a vertical direction. A bottom dielectric layer of the alternating dielectric stack is removed. An epitaxial layer is formed between the substrate and the alternating dielectric stack after removing the bottom dielectric layer. An insulating layer is formed on the epitaxial layer. The insulating layer is located between the epitaxial layer and the alternating dielectric stack. The influence of the step of forming the vertical structure on the epitaxial layer may be avoided, and defects at the interface between the epitaxial layer and the bottom dielectric layer may be avoided accordingly.

Abstract: A three-dimensional (3D) memory device is provided. The 3D memory device includes a substrate, an alternating conductive/dielectric stack, an epitaxial layer, and a vertical structure. The alternating conductive/dielectric stack is disposed on the substrate. The alternating conductive/dielectric stack includes a plurality of dielectric layers and a plurality of conductive layers alternately stacked in a vertical direction perpendicular to a surface of the substrate. The epitaxial layer is disposed between the substrate and the alternating conductive/dielectric stack in the vertical direction. The vertical structure penetrates the alternating conductive/dielectric stack in the vertical direction for being partly disposed in the epitaxial layer. The epitaxial layer includes a protruding part disposed between the vertical structure and a bottom dielectric layer of the alternating conductive/dielectric stack in a horizontal direction orthogonal to the vertical direction.

Abstract: Embodiments of a three-dimensional (3D) memory device and fabrication method thereof are disclosed. The 3D memory device has an architecture with an increased number of bit lines. In an example, a stack structure is formed above a substrate. A plurality of memory strings each extending vertically through a memory region of the stack structure are formed. A plurality of bit lines are formed over the plurality of memory strings, such that at least one of the plurality of bit lines is electrically connected to a single one of the plurality of memory strings.

Abstract: A method for forming a gate structure of a 3D memory device is provided. The method comprises forming an array wafer including a periphery region and a staircase and array region. A process of forming the array wafer comprises forming an array well structure in a first substrate in the periphery region, forming an array device on the first substrate in the staircase and array region, and forming at least one vertical through contact in the periphery region and in contact with the array well structure. The method further comprises forming a CMOS wafer, and bonding the array wafer and the CMOS wafer. The method further comprises forming at least one through substrate contact penetrating the first substrate and the array well structure, and in contact with the at least one vertical through contact.

Abstract: A method for forming a gate structure of a 3D memory device is provided. The method comprises forming an array wafer including a periphery region and a staircase and array region. A process of forming the array wafer comprises forming an etch stop layer on a first substrate in the periphery region, forming an array device on the first substrate in the staircase and array region, and forming at least one first vertical through in the periphery region and in contact with the etch stop layer. The method further comprises forming a CMOS wafer, and bonding the array wafer and the CMOS wafer. The method further comprises forming at least one through substrate contact penetrating the first substrate and the etch stop layer, and in contact with the at least one first vertical through contact.

Abstract: A method for forming a gate structure of a 3D memory device is provided. The method comprises forming an array wafer including a periphery region and a staircase and array region. A process of forming an array wafer comprises forming an alternating dielectric etch stop structure on a first substrate in the periphery region, forming an array device on the first substrate in the staircase and array region, and forming at least one first vertical through contact in the periphery region and in contact with the alternating dielectric etch stop structure. The method further comprises forming a CMOS wafer and bonding the array wafer and the CMOS wafer. The method further comprises forming at least one through substrate contact penetrating the first substrate and the alternating dielectric etch stop structure, and in contact with the at least one first vertical through contact.

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.

Abstract: Embodiments of a three-dimensional (3D) memory device are disclosed. The 3D memory device has an architecture with an increased number of bit lines. In an example, the 3D memory device includes a substrate, a plurality of memory strings each extending vertically above the substrate in a memory region, and a plurality of bit lines over the plurality of memory strings. At least one of the plurality of bit lines is electrically connected to a single one of the plurality of memory strings.

Abstract: A three-dimensional (3D) memory device and a manufacturing method thereof are provided. The method includes the following steps. An alternating dielectric stack is formed on a substrate. A vertical structure is formed penetrating the alternating dielectric stack in a vertical direction. A bottom dielectric layer of the alternating dielectric stack is removed. An epitaxial layer is formed between the substrate and the alternating dielectric stack after removing the bottom dielectric layer. An insulating layer is formed on the epitaxial layer. The insulating layer is located between the epitaxial layer and the alternating dielectric stack. The influence of the step of forming the vertical structure on the epitaxial layer may be avoided, and defects at the interface between the epitaxial layer and the bottom dielectric layer may be avoided accordingly.

Abstract: A three-dimensional (3D) memory device is provided. The 3D memory device includes a substrate, an alternating conductive/dielectric stack, an epitaxial layer, and a vertical structure. The alternating conductive/dielectric stack is disposed on the substrate. The alternating conductive/dielectric stack includes a plurality of dielectric layers and a plurality of conductive layers alternately stacked in a vertical direction perpendicular to a surface of the substrate. The epitaxial layer is disposed between the substrate and the alternating conductive/dielectric stack in the vertical direction. The vertical structure penetrates the alternating conductive/dielectric stack in the vertical direction for being partly disposed in the epitaxial layer. The epitaxial layer includes a protruding part disposed between the vertical structure and a bottom dielectric layer of the alternating conductive/dielectric stack in a horizontal direction orthogonal to the vertical direction.

Abstract: Embodiments of a three-dimensional (3D) memory device are disclosed. The 3D memory device has an architecture with an increased number of bit lines. In an example, the 3D memory device includes a substrate, a plurality of memory strings each extending vertically above the substrate in a memory region, and a plurality of bit lines over the plurality of memory strings. At least one of the plurality of bit lines is electrically connected to a single one of the plurality of memory strings.

Abstract: A three-dimensional (3D) memory device and a manufacturing method thereof are provided. The method includes the following steps. An alternating dielectric stack is formed on a substrate. A vertical structure is formed penetrating the alternating dielectric stack in a vertical direction. A bottom dielectric layer of the alternating dielectric stack is removed. An epitaxial layer is formed between the substrate and the alternating dielectric stack after removing the bottom dielectric layer. An insulating layer is formed on the epitaxial layer. The insulating layer is located between the epitaxial layer and the alternating dielectric stack. The influence of the step of forming the vertical structure on the epitaxial layer may be avoided, and defects at the interface between the epitaxial layer and the bottom dielectric layer may be avoided accordingly.