Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes at least one set of vertical field effect transistors embedded within dielectric material layers overlying a substrate. Each vertical field effect transistor includes a bottom electrode, a metal oxide semiconductor vertical transistor channel, a cylindrical gate dielectric, and a top electrode. A three-dimensional NAND memory array can be provided over the first field effect transistors, and can be electrically connected to the vertical field effect transistors via metal interconnect structures. Alternatively, a three-dimensional NAND memory array can be formed on another substrate, which can be bonded to the substrate via metal-to-metal bonding. The vertical field effect transistors can be employed as switches for bit lines, word lines, or other components of the three-dimensional NAND memory array.

Abstract: A bonded assembly includes a first semiconductor die containing a first substrate, first semiconductor devices, and first bonding pads laterally surrounded by a first pad-level dielectric layer. The first pad-level dielectric layer includes at least one first encapsulated airgap located between neighboring pairs of first bonding pads and encapsulated by a first dielectric fill material of the first pad-level dielectric layer. The bonded assembly includes a second semiconductor die containing a second substrate, second semiconductor devices, and second bonding pads laterally surrounded by a second pad-level dielectric layer. Each of the second bonding pads is bonded to a respective one of the first bonding pads.

Abstract: A bonded assembly includes a first semiconductor die and a second semiconductor die that are bonded to each other by dielectric-to-dielectric bonding. First conductive via structures vertically extend through the second semiconductor die and a respective subset of the first dielectric material layers in the first semiconductor die, and contact a respective first metal interconnect structure in the first semiconductor die. Second conductive via structures vertically extend through a second substrate and a respective subset of the second dielectric material layers in the second semiconductor die, and contacting a respective second metal interconnect structure in the second semiconductor die. Redistribution metal interconnect structures located over a backside surface of the second substrate electrically connect the first conductive via structures and the second conductive via structures, and provide electrical interconnection between the first semiconductor die and the second semiconductor die.

Abstract: A memory die includes an alternating stack of insulating layers and electrically conductive layers, a memory opening vertically extending through the alternating stack, and a memory opening fill structure located in the memory opening and including a memory film and a vertical composite metal oxide semiconductor channel having a different composition between its inner and outer portions.

Abstract: A three-dimensional memory device includes an alternating stack of insulating layers and electrically conductive layers, a memory opening vertically extending through the alternating stack, and a memory opening fill structure located in the memory opening and including a memory film and a vertical composite metal oxide semiconductor channel that contains an outer semiconducting metal oxide channel layer having a first band gap and an inner semiconducting metal oxide channel layer having a second band gap that is different from the first band gap.

Abstract: A three-dimensional memory device includes an alternating stack of insulating layers and electrically conductive layers, a memory opening vertically extending through the alternating stack, a memory film located in the memory opening, and a composite metal oxide semiconductor channel containing a first semiconducting metal oxide channel layer having a first band gap and a second semiconducting metal oxide channel layer having a second band gap that is different from the first band gap.

Abstract: A stack including a silicon oxide layer, a germanium-containing layer, and a III-V compound semiconductor layer is formed over a substrate. An alternating stack of insulating layers and spacer material layers is formed over the III-V compound semiconductor layer. The spacer material layers are formed as, or are subsequently replaced with, electrically conductive layers. Memory openings are formed through the alternating stack and into the III-V compound semiconductor layer. Memory opening fill structures including a memory film and a vertical semiconductor channel are formed in the memory openings. The vertical semiconductor channels can include a III-V compound semiconductor channel material that is electrically connected to the III-V compound semiconductor layer. The substrate and at least a portion of the silicon oxide layer can be subsequently detached.

Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes a bonded assembly of a first semiconductor die including first metal bonding pads and a second semiconductor die including second metal bonding pads, and a capacitor structure including a first electrode, a second electrode, and a node dielectric. The first electrode includes first bonded pairs of metal bonding pads. The second electrode includes second bonded pairs of metal bonding pads. The node dielectric includes portions dielectric material layers laterally surrounding the metal bonding pads.

Abstract: A bonded assembly of a primary semiconductor die and a complementary semiconductor die includes first pairs of first primary bonding pads and first complementary bonding pads that are larger in area than the first primary bonding pads, and second pairs of second primary bonding pads and second complementary bonding pads that are smaller in area than the second primary bonding pads.

Abstract: A memory device includes a silicon-germanium source contact layer, an alternating stack of insulating layers and electrically conductive layers located over the silicon-germanium source contact layer, and a memory stack structure vertically extending through the alternating stack. The memory stack structure comprises a memory film and a vertical semiconductor channel that contacts the memory film. The silicon-germanium source contact layer contacts a cylindrical portion of an outer sidewall of the vertical semiconductor channel. Logic circuits for operating the memory elements may be provided on a substrate within a same semiconductor die, or may be provided in another semiconductor die that is bonded to the semiconductor die containing the memory device.

Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes a memory die bonded to a logic die. The memory die includes an alternating stack of insulating layers and electrically conductive layers; memory openings extending through the alternating stack, memory opening fill structures located in the memory openings and comprising a respective vertical semiconductor channel and a respective memory film, a source layer contacting the vertical semiconductor channels, a backside isolation dielectric layer contacting a backside surface of the source layer, and a source power supply mesh including a planar portion of a source-side electrically conductive layer that is located on a backside of the backside isolation dielectric layer and electrically connected to the source layer by conductive material portions that extend through the backside isolation dielectric layer.

Abstract: A first metal layer can be deposited over first dielectric material layers of a first substrate, and can be patterned into first bonding pads. A first low-k material layer can be formed over the first bonding pads. The first low-k material layer includes a low-k dielectric material such as a MOF dielectric material or organosilicate glass. A second semiconductor die including second bonding pads can be provided. The first bonding pads are bonded to the second bonding pads to form a bonded assembly.

Abstract: Technology is provided for extending the useful life of a block of memory cells by changing an operating parameter in a physical region of the block that is more susceptible to wear than other regions. Changing the operating parameter in the physical region extends the life of that region, which extends the life of the block. The operating parameter may be, for example, a program voltage step size or a storage capacity of the memory cells. For example, using a smaller program voltage step size in a sub-block that is more susceptible to wear extends the life of that sub-block, which extends the life of the block. For example, programming memory cells to fewer bits per cell in the region of the block (e.g., sub-block, word line) that is more susceptible to wear extends the useful life of that region, which extends the life of the block.

Abstract: A bonded assembly includes a first semiconductor die and a second semiconductor die. The first semiconductor die includes first metallic bonding pads embedded in first dielectric material layers, the second semiconductor die includes second metallic bonding pads embedded in second dielectric material layers, the first metallic bonding pads are bonded to a respective one of the second metallic bonding pads; and each of the first metallic bonding pads includes a corrosion barrier layer containing an alloy of a primary bonding metal and at least one corrosion-suppressing element that is different from the primary bonding metal.

Abstract: A bonded assembly includes a first semiconductor die and a second semiconductor die that are bonded to each other by dielectric-to-dielectric bonding. First conductive via structures vertically extend through the second semiconductor die and a respective subset of the first dielectric material layers in the first semiconductor die, and contact a respective first metal interconnect structure in the first semiconductor die. Second conductive via structures vertically extend through a second substrate and a respective subset of the second dielectric material layers in the second semiconductor die, and contacting a respective second metal interconnect structure in the second semiconductor die. Redistribution metal interconnect structures located over a backside surface of the second substrate electrically connect the first conductive via structures and the second conductive via structures, and provide electrical interconnection between the first semiconductor die and the second semiconductor die.

Abstract: Technology is provided for extending the useful life of a block of memory cells by changing an operating parameter in a physical region of the block that is more susceptible to wear than other regions. Changing the operating parameter in the physical region extends the life of that region, which extends the life of the block. The operating parameter may be, for example, a program voltage step size or a storage capacity of the memory cells. For example, using a smaller program voltage step size in a sub-block that is more susceptible to wear extends the life of that sub-block, which extends the life of the block. For example, programming memory cells to fewer bits per cell in the region of the block (e.g., sub-block, word line) that is more susceptible to wear extends the useful life of that region, which extends the life of the block.

Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes at least one set of vertical field effect transistors embedded within dielectric material layers overlying a substrate. Each vertical field effect transistor includes a bottom doped semiconductor electrode, a vertical transistor channel, a cylindrical gate dielectric, and a top doped semiconductor electrode. A three-dimensional NAND memory array can be provided over the first field effect transistors, and can be electrically connected to the vertical field effect transistors via metal interconnect structures. Alternatively, a three-dimensional NAND memory array can be formed on another substrate, which can be bonded to the substrate via metal-to-metal bonding. The vertical field effect transistors can be employed as switches for bit lines, word lines, or other components of the three-dimensional NAND memory array.

Abstract: A bonded assembly of a first semiconductor die and a second semiconductor die includes first and second semiconductor dies. The first semiconductor die includes first semiconductor devices, first metal interconnect structures embedded in first dielectric material layers, and first metal bonding pads laterally surrounded by a semiconductor material layer. The second semiconductor die includes second semiconductor devices, second metal interconnect structures embedded in second dielectric material layers, and second metal bonding pads that include primary metal bonding pads and auxiliary metal bonding pads. The auxiliary metal bonding pads are bonded to the semiconductor material layer through metal-semiconductor compound portions formed by reaction of surface portions of the semiconductor material layer and an auxiliary metal bonding pad. The primary metal bonding pads are bonded to the first metal bonding pads by metal-to-metal bonding.

Abstract: A bonded assembly includes a first semiconductor die containing a first substrate, first semiconductor devices, and first bonding pads laterally surrounded by a first pad-level dielectric layer. The first pad-level dielectric layer includes at least one first encapsulated airgap located between neighboring pairs of first bonding pads and encapsulated by a first dielectric fill material of the first pad-level dielectric layer. The bonded assembly includes a second semiconductor die containing a second substrate, second semiconductor devices, and second bonding pads laterally surrounded by a second pad-level dielectric layer. Each of the second bonding pads is bonded to a respective one of the first bonding pads.

Abstract: A memory device can include a strained single-crystalline silicon layer and an alternating stack of insulating layers and electrically conductive layers located over the strained single-crystalline silicon layer. A memory opening fill structure extending through the alternating stack may include an epitaxial silicon-containing pedestal channel portion, and a vertical semiconductor channel, and a vertical stack of memory elements located adjacent to the vertical semiconductor channel. Additionally or alternatively, a drain region can include a semiconductor drain portion and a nickel-aluminum-semiconductor alloy drain portion.