Abstract: A semiconductor die includes semiconductor devices located over a substrate, at least one dielectric material portion that laterally surrounds the semiconductor devices, and interconnect-level dielectric material layers. At least one edge seal ring structure can be provided, each including a composite edge seal via structure and a set of metal barrier structures. The composite edge seal via structure includes a metallic material layer and a dielectric fill material portion. Alternatively or additionally, at least one slit ring structure can laterally surround the semiconductor devices and the metal interconnect structures. Each slit ring structure continuously extends through each of the interconnect-level dielectric material layers and into the at least one dielectric material portion, and includes at least one dielectric material.

Abstract: A semiconductor die includes semiconductor devices located over a substrate, at least one dielectric material portion that laterally surrounds the semiconductor devices, and interconnect-level dielectric material layers. At least one edge seal ring structure can be provided, each including a composite edge seal via structure and a set of metal barrier structures. The composite edge seal via structure includes a metallic material layer and a dielectric fill material portion. Alternatively or additionally, at least one slit ring structure can laterally surround the semiconductor devices and the metal interconnect structures. Each slit ring structure continuously extends through each of the interconnect-level dielectric material layers and into the at least one dielectric material portion, and includes at least one dielectric material.

Abstract: A semiconductor die includes semiconductor devices located over a substrate, at least one dielectric material portion that laterally surrounds the semiconductor devices, and interconnect-level dielectric material layers. At least one edge seal ring structure can be provided, each including a composite edge seal via structure and a set of metal barrier structures. The composite edge seal via structure includes a metallic material layer and a dielectric fill material portion. Alternatively or additionally, at least one slit ring structure can laterally surround the semiconductor devices and the metal interconnect structures. Each slit ring structure continuously extends through each of the interconnect-level dielectric material layers and into the at least one dielectric material portion, and includes at least one dielectric material.

Abstract: A semiconductor die includes semiconductor devices located over a substrate, at least one dielectric material portion that laterally surrounds the semiconductor devices, and interconnect-level dielectric material layers. At least one edge seal ring structure can be provided, each including a composite edge seal via structure and a set of metal barrier structures. The composite edge seal via structure includes a metallic material layer and a dielectric fill material portion. Alternatively or additionally, at least one slit ring structure can laterally surround the semiconductor devices and the metal interconnect structures. Each slit ring structure continuously extends through each of the interconnect-level dielectric material layers and into the at least one dielectric material portion, and includes at least one dielectric material.

Abstract: A contact via structure vertically extending through an alternating stack of insulating layers and electrically conductive layers is provided in a staircase region having stepped surfaces. The contact via structure is electrically isolated from each electrically conductive layer of the alternating stack except for an electrically conductive layer that directly underlies a horizontal interface of the stepped surfaces.

Abstract: A first alternating stack of first insulating layers and first sacrificial material layers with first stepped surfaces is formed over a substrate. A first retro-stepped dielectric material portion is formed on the first stepped surfaces. A second alternating stack of second insulating layers and second sacrificial material layers with second stepped surfaces is formed over the first alternating stack. A second retro-stepped dielectric material portion is formed on the second stepped surfaces. A first conductive via structure is formed through the second retro-stepped dielectric material portion, a bottommost insulating layer of the second alternating stack, and the first retro-stepped dielectric material portion. The sacrificial material layers are replaced with electrically conductive layers.

Abstract: A contact via structure vertically extending through an alternating stack of insulating layers and electrically conductive layers is provided in a staircase region having stepped surfaces. The contact via structure is electrically isolated from each electrically conductive layer of the alternating stack except for an electrically conductive layer that directly underlies a horizontal interface of the stepped surfaces.

Abstract: A contact via structure vertically extending through an alternating stack of insulating layers and electrically conductive layers is provided in a staircase region having stepped surfaces. The contact via structure is electrically isolated from each electrically conductive layer of the alternating stack except for an electrically conductive layer that directly underlies a horizontal interface of the stepped surfaces.

Abstract: A first alternating stack of first insulating layers and first sacrificial material layers is formed with a first stepped surfaces located in a staircase region. A second alternating stack of second insulating layers and second sacrificial material layers with second stepped surfaces is formed over the first alternating stack. Areas of the second stepped surfaces overlap areas of the first stepped surfaces to reduce the size of the staircase region. The sacrificial material layers are subsequently replaced with electrically conductive layers. Laterally-insulated staircase region via structures contacting a respective one of the electrically conductive layers may be provided by forming stepped via cavities such that an annular surface of a respective sacrificial material layer is physically exposed at an annular step of the stepped via cavities. Laterally-insulated staircase region via structures may be formed in the stepped via cavities tot provide electrical connections to the electrically conductive layers.

Abstract: A first alternating stack of first insulating layers and first sacrificial material layers with first stepped surfaces is formed over a substrate. A first retro-stepped dielectric material portion is formed on the first stepped surfaces. A second alternating stack of second insulating layers and second sacrificial material layers with second stepped surfaces is formed over the first alternating stack. A second retro-stepped dielectric material portion is formed on the second stepped surfaces. A first conductive via structure is formed through the second retro-stepped dielectric material portion, a bottommost insulating layer of the second alternating stack, and the first retro-stepped dielectric material portion. The sacrificial material layers are replaced with electrically conductive layers.

Abstract: A first alternating stack of first insulating layers and first sacrificial material layers is formed with a first stepped surfaces located in a staircase region. A second alternating stack of second insulating layers and second sacrificial material layers with second stepped surfaces is formed over the first alternating stack. Areas of the second stepped surfaces overlap areas of the first stepped surfaces to reduce the size of the staircase region. The sacrificial material layers are subsequently replaced with electrically conductive layers. Laterally-insulated staircase region via structures contacting a respective one of the electrically conductive layers may be provided by forming stepped via cavities such that an annular surface of a respective sacrificial material layer is physically exposed at an annular step of the stepped via cavities. Laterally-insulated staircase region via structures may be formed in the stepped via cavities tot provide electrical connections to the electrically conductive layers.

Abstract: A contact via structure vertically extending through an alternating stack of insulating layers and electrically conductive layers is provided in a staircase region having stepped surfaces. The contact via structure is electrically isolated from each electrically conductive layer of the alternating stack except for an electrically conductive layer that directly underlies a horizontal interface of the stepped surfaces.

Abstract: A three-dimensional memory device includes an alternating stack having stepped surfaces and including insulating layers and electrically conductive layers, memory stack structures extending through each layer of the alternating stack in a memory array region, and support pillar structures extending through the stepped surfaces of the alternating stack. The support pillar structures include first-type support pillar structures vertically extending through at least two electrically conductive layers and including a respective first dummy pedestal channel portion having a respective first maximum lateral dimension along a first horizontal direction, and second-type support pillar structures vertically extending through no more than a single electrically conductive layer, and including a respective second dummy pedestal channel portion having a respective second maximum lateral dimension along the first horizontal direction that is greater than the first maximum lateral dimension.

Abstract: A semiconductor device with enhanced reliability in which a gate electrode for a trench-gate field effect transistor is formed through a gate insulating film in a trench made in a semiconductor substrate. The upper surface of the gate electrode is in a lower position than the upper surface of the semiconductor substrate in an area adjacent to the trench. A sidewall insulating film is formed over the gate electrode and over the sidewall of the trench. The gate electrode and the sidewall insulating film are covered by an insulating film as an interlayer insulating film.

Abstract: A semiconductor device with enhanced reliability in which a gate electrode for a trench-gate field effect transistor is formed through a gate insulating film in a trench made in a semiconductor substrate. The upper surface of the gate electrode is in a lower position than the upper surface of the semiconductor substrate in an area adjacent to the trench. A sidewall insulating film is formed over the gate electrode and over the sidewall of the trench. The gate electrode and the sidewall insulating film are covered by an insulating film as an interlayer insulating film.

Abstract: A semiconductor device with enhanced reliability in which a gate electrode for a trench-gate field effect transistor is formed through a gate insulating film in a trench made in a semiconductor substrate. The upper surface of the gate electrode is in a lower position than the upper surface of the semiconductor substrate in an area adjacent to the trench. A sidewall insulating film is formed over the gate electrode and over the sidewall of the trench. The gate electrode and the sidewall insulating film are covered by an insulating film as an interlayer insulating film.

Abstract: A semiconductor device with enhanced reliability in which a gate electrode for a trench-gate field effect transistor is formed through a gate insulating film in a trench made in a semiconductor substrate. The upper surface of the gate electrode is in a lower position than the upper surface of the semiconductor substrate in an area adjacent to the trench. A sidewall insulating film is formed over the gate electrode and over the sidewall of the trench. The gate electrode and the sidewall insulating film are covered by an insulating film as an interlayer insulating film.

Abstract: To enhance the write speed of a nonvolatile memory. A charge injection/emission part of a nonvolatile memory cell includes an active region having an upper face, a side wall, and a shoulder part connecting the upper face and the side wall, a conductor film covering the upper face and the shoulder part of the active region, and a capacitance insulating film provided between the conductor film and the active region. Furthermore, the active region has a protrusion part constituted of a first concave part with respect to the upper face and a second concave part with respect to the side wall, in the shoulder part.

Abstract: A semiconductor substrate includes scribe and product regions, with grooves formed in the scribe region. The grooves are embedded with an insulating film to provide an isolation region, and an active region, including semiconductor elements, is formed in the product region. Dummy patterns are formed in the scribe region, which include a first dummy pattern and second dummy patterns for preventing dishing of the insulating film. The second dummy patterns are surrounded and defined by the isolation region. A target pattern for optical pattern recognition is arranged over the first dummy pattern, and includes a first conductive film. A plane area of the first dummy pattern is larger than a plane area of each of the second dummy patterns, and the first dummy pattern and the second dummy patterns are arranged in order from an edge of the semiconductor substrate toward the product region.

Abstract: A semiconductor device with enhanced reliability in which a gate electrode for a trench-gate field effect transistor is formed through a gate insulating film in a trench made in a semiconductor substrate. The upper surface of the gate electrode is in a lower position than the upper surface of the semiconductor substrate in an area adjacent to the trench. A sidewall insulating film is formed over the gate electrode and over the sidewall of the trench. The gate electrode and the sidewall insulating film are covered by an insulating film as an interlayer insulating film.