Abstract: A memory device, a semiconductor device and manufacturing methods for forming the memory device and the semiconductor device are provided. The memory device includes a stacking structure, a switching layer, channel layers and pairs of conductive pillars. The stacking structure includes alternately stacked isolation layers and word lines, and extends along a first direction. The stacking structure has a staircase portion and a connection portion at an edge region of the stacking structure. The connection portion extends along the staircase portion and located aside the staircase portion, and may not be shaped into a staircase structure. The switching layer covers a sidewall of the stacking structure. The channel layers cover a sidewall of the switching layer, and are laterally spaced apart from one another along the first direction. The pairs of conductive pillars stand on the substrate, and in lateral contact with the switching layer through the channel layers.

Abstract: A memory device includes a first signal line, a second signal line, a first memory cell, a second memory cell, a third memory cell and a fourth memory cell. The first memory cell is coupled to the first signal line. The second memory cell has a first terminal coupled to the first signal line through the first memory cell and a second terminal coupled to the second signal line. The third memory cell is coupled to the first signal line. The fourth memory cell is coupled to the first signal line through the third memory cell, wherein a parasitic capacitance of the fourth memory cell is isolated from the second memory cell through the third memory cell.

Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes a first fin and a second fin protruding from a substrate, isolation features over the substrate to separate the first and the second fins, where a top surface of each of the first and the second fins is below a top surface of the isolation features, inner fin spacers disposed along inner sidewalls of the first and the second fins, where the inner fin spacers have a first height measured from a top surface of the isolation features, outer fin spacers disposed along outer sidewalls of the first and the second fins, where the outer fin spacers have a second height measured from the top surface of the isolation features that is less than the first height, and a source/drain (S/D) structure merging the first and the second fins, where the S/D structure includes an air gap having a top portion over the inner fin spacers.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a device includes: a first dielectric layer having a first sidewall; a second dielectric layer having a second sidewall; a word line between the first dielectric layer and the second dielectric layer, the word line having an outer sidewall and an inner sidewall, the inner sidewall recessed from the outer sidewall, the first sidewall, and the second sidewall; a memory layer extending along the outer sidewall of the word line, the inner sidewall of the word line, the first sidewall of the first dielectric layer, and the second sidewall of the second dielectric layer; and a semiconductor layer extending along the memory layer.

Abstract: A 3D memory array includes a row of stacks, each stack having alternating gate strips and dielectric strips. Dielectric plugs are disposed between the stacks and define cell areas. A data storage film and a channel film are disposed adjacent the stacks on the sides of the cell areas. The middles of the cell areas are filled with an intracell dielectric. Source lines and drain lines form vias through the intracell dielectric. The source lines and the drain lines are each provided with a bulge toward the interior of the cell area. The bulges increase the areas of the source line and the drain line without reducing the channel lengths. In some of these teachings, the areas of the source lines and the drain lines are increased by restricting the data storage film or the channel layer to the sides of the cell areas adjacent the stacks.

Abstract: A memory device includes a first signal line, a second signal line, a first memory cell and a plurality of second memory cells. The first memory cell is coupled to the first signal line. Each of the second memory cells has a first terminal coupled to the first signal line through the first memory cell and a second terminal coupled to the second signal line.

Abstract: Routing arrangements for 3D memory arrays and methods of forming the same are disclosed. In an embodiment, a semiconductor device includes a memory array including a gate dielectric layer contacting a first word line and a second word line; and an oxide semiconductor (OS) layer contacting a source line and a bit line, the gate dielectric layer being disposed between the OS layer and each of the first word line and the second word line; an interconnect structure over the memory array, a distance between the second word line and the interconnect structure being less than a distance between the first word line and the interconnect structure; and an integrated circuit die bonded to the interconnect structure opposite the memory array, the integrated circuit die being bonded to the interconnect structure by dielectric-to-dielectric bonds and metal-to-metal bonds.

Abstract: A semiconductor structure and method of forming the same are provided. The semiconductor structure includes a circuit structure, an interlayer structure and a memory structure. The circuit structure includes a substrate having semiconductor devices formed thereon; a dielectric structure disposed over the semiconductor devices; and an interconnect layer embedded in the dielectric structure and connected to the semiconductor devices. The interlayer structure is disposed over the circuit structure. The memory structure is disposed over the interlayer structure and physically separated from the circuit structure by the interlayer structure.

Abstract: A 3D memory array has data storage structures provided at least in part by one or more vertical films that do not extend between vertically adjacent memory cells. The 3D memory array includes conductive strips and dielectric strips, alternately stacked over a substrate. The conductive strips may be laterally indented from the dielectric strips to form recesses. A data storage film may be disposed within these recesses. Any portion of the data storage film deposited outside the recesses may have been effectively removed, whereby the data storage film is essentially discontinuous from tier to tier within the 3D memory array. The data storage film within each tier may have upper and lower boundaries that are the same as those of a corresponding conductive strip. The data storage film may also be made discontinuous between horizontally adjacent memory cells.

Abstract: A three-dimensional memory device and a manufacturing method thereof are provided. The three-dimensional memory device includes first and second stacking structures, isolation pillars, gate dielectric layers, channel layers and conductive pillars. The stacking structures are laterally spaced apart from each other. The stacking structures respectively comprises alternately stacked insulating layers and conductive layers. The isolation pillars laterally extend between the stacking structures. The isolation pillars further protrude into the stacking structures, and a space between the stacking structures is divided into cell regions. The gate dielectric layers are respectively formed in one of the cell regions, and cover opposing sidewalls of the stacking structures and sidewalls of the isolation pillars. The channel layers respectively cover an inner surface of one of the gate dielectric layers.

Abstract: Doping techniques for fin-like field effect transistors (FinFETs) are disclosed herein. An exemplary method includes forming a fin structure, forming a doped amorphous layer over a portion of the fin structure, and performing a knock-on implantation process to drive a dopant from the doped amorphous layer into the portion of the fin structure, thereby forming a doped feature. The doped amorphous layer includes a non-crystalline form of a material. In some implementations, the knock-on implantation process crystallizes at least a portion of the doped amorphous layer, such that the portion of the doped amorphous layer becomes a part of the fin structure. In some implementations, the doped amorphous layer includes amorphous silicon, and the knock-on implantation process crystallizes a portion of the doped amorphous silicon layer.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a device includes: a first dielectric layer having a first sidewall; a second dielectric layer having a second sidewall; a word line between the first dielectric layer and the second dielectric layer, the word line having an outer sidewall and an inner sidewall, the inner sidewall recessed from the outer sidewall, the first sidewall, and the second sidewall; a memory layer extending along the outer sidewall of the word line, the inner sidewall of the word line, the first sidewall of the first dielectric layer, and the second sidewall of the second dielectric layer; and a semiconductor layer extending along the memory layer.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a device includes: a first word line over a substrate, the first word line including a first conductive material; a first bit line intersecting the first word line; a first memory film between the first bit line and the first word line; and a first conductive spacer between the first memory film and the first word line, the first conductive spacer including a second conductive material, the second conductive material having a different work function than the first conductive material, the first conductive material having a lower resistivity than the second conductive material.

Abstract: A 3D memory array includes a row of stacks, each stack having alternating gate strips and dielectric strips. Dielectric plugs are disposed between the stacks and define cell areas. A data storage film and a channel film are disposed adjacent the stacks on the sides of the cell areas. The middles of the cell areas are filled with an intracell dielectric. Source lines and drain lines form vias through the intracell dielectric. The source lines and the drain lines are each provided with a bulge toward the interior of the cell area. The bulges increase the areas of the source line and the drain line without reducing the channel lengths. In some of these teachings, the areas of the source lines and the drain lines are increased by restricting the data storage film or the channel layer to the sides of the cell areas adjacent the stacks.

Abstract: A semiconductor structure and method of forming the same are provided. The semiconductor structure includes a circuit structure, an interlayer structure and a memory structure. The circuit structure includes a substrate having semiconductor devices formed thereon; a dielectric structure disposed over the semiconductor devices; and an interconnect layer embedded in the dielectric structure and connected to the semiconductor devices. The interlayer structure is disposed over the circuit structure. The memory structure is disposed over the interlayer structure and physically separated from the circuit structure by the interlayer structure.

Abstract: A pad removal device includes a pad guide extending along a first direction. The pad guide includes a first affixing component configured to affix a first end of the pad guide to a pad at a first pad location, and a second affixing component configured to affix a second end of the pad guide to the pad at a second pad location different from the first pad location. The pad removal device further includes a first actuator attached to the first end of the pad guide. The pad removal device further includes a control assembly coupled to the actuator, wherein the control assembly is configured to cause the first actuator to move the first end toward the second end along the first direction.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a device includes: a first dielectric layer over a substrate; a word line over the first dielectric layer, the word line including a first main layer and a first glue layer, the first glue layer extending along a bottom surface, a top surface, and a first sidewall of the first main layer; a second dielectric layer over the word line; a first bit line extending through the second dielectric layer and the first dielectric layer; and a data storage strip disposed between the first bit line and the word line, the data storage strip extending along a second sidewall of the word line.

Abstract: A 3D memory array has data storage structures provided at least in part by one or more vertical films that do not extend between vertically adjacent memory cells. The 3D memory array includes conductive strips and dielectric strips, alternately stacked over a substrate. The conductive strips may be laterally indented from the dielectric strips to form recesses. A data storage film may be disposed within these recesses. Any portion of the data storage film deposited outside the recesses may have been effectively removed, whereby the data storage film is essentially discontinuous from tier to tier within the 3D memory array. The data storage film within each tier may have upper and lower boundaries that are the same as those of a corresponding conductive strip. The data storage film may also be made discontinuous between horizontally adjacent memory cells.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for predicting irregular motions of one or more mechanical components of a semiconductor processing apparatus. A mechanical motion irregular prediction system includes one or more motion sensors that sense motion-related parameters associated with at least one mechanical component of a semiconductor processing apparatus. The one or more motion sensors output sensing signals based on the sensed motion-related parameters. Defect prediction circuitry predicts an irregular motion of the at least one mechanical component based on the sensing signals.

Abstract: A memory device includes a substrate, a first stacking structure, a second stacking structure, struts, an isolation structure, memory films, channel layers, and conductive pillars. The first stacking structure includes first gate layers and is located on the substrate. The second stacking structure includes second gate layers and is located on the substrate, where the second stacking structure is separated from the first stacking structure through a trench. The struts stand on the substrate and are located in the trench, where the struts each have two opposite surfaces respectively in contact with the first stacking structure and the second stacking structure. The isolation structure stands on the substrate and is located in the trench, where cell regions are located in the trenches, and at least two of the cell regions are separated from one another through a respective one strut and the isolation structure connected therewith.