Abstract: A microelectronic device comprises a stack structure, a staircase structure, a first liner material, an etch stop structure, and conductive contact structures. The stack structure includes conductive structures and insulative structures arranged in tiers. The stack structure includes sidewalls horizontally bounding the staircase structure. The staircase structure has steps includes edges of tiers of the stack structure. The first liner material is on the steps and the sidewalls and includes horizontally extending portions on the steps and vertically extending portions on the sidewalls. The etch stop structure is on the horizontally extending portions of the first liner material, the vertically extending portions of the first liner material being free of the etch stop structure. The conductive contact structures extend through the etch stop structure and the first liner material and to the conductive structures.

Abstract: A microelectronic device comprises lateral contact structures overlying a source structure and comprising conductive material, a cap material overlying the lateral contact structures and comprising implant regions therein, a stack structure overlying the cap material and comprising a vertically alternating sequence of insulative structures and conductive structures arranged in tiers, and pillars vertically extending through the stack structure and into the source structure. The pillars individually comprise semiconductive channel material in physical contact with the lateral contact structures. The microelectronic device comprises filled slot structures vertically extending at least through the stack structure and the cap material. The filled slot structures are positioned within horizontal areas of the implant regions of the cap material. Related memory devices, electronic systems, and methods of forming the microelectronic devices are also described.

Abstract: A microelectronic device includes a stack structure including a vertically alternating sequence of conductive structures and insulating structures arranged in tiers, a dielectric-filled opening vertically extending into the stack structure and defined between two internal sidewalls of the stack structure, a stadium structure within the stack structure and comprising steps defined by horizontal ends of at least some of the tiers, a first ledge extending upward from a first uppermost step of the steps of the stadium structure and interfacing with a first internal sidewall of the two internal sidewalls of the stack structure, and a second ledge extending upward from a second, opposite uppermost step of the steps of the stadium structure and interfacing with a second, opposite internal sidewall of the two internal sidewalls.