Patents by Inventor Wenxi Zhou

Wenxi Zhou has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 11862558
    Abstract: A semiconductor device is provided. The semiconductor device includes a substrate, a stack of word line layers and insulating layers that are stacked alternatingly over the substrate, and channel structures formed in a first array region and a second array region of the stack. The first array region and the second array region are positioned at opposing sides of the stack. A first staircase is formed in a connection region of the stack over the substrate. The connection region is arranged between the first and second array regions and the first staircase has non-quadrilateral treads. A second staircase is formed in the connection region of the stack over the substrate and the second staircase has non-quadrilateral treads. The connection region in the stack includes a separation region between the first and second staircases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: Yangtze Memory Technologies Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Rui Su, Zhongwang Sun, Wenxi Zhou, Zhiliang Xia
  • Publication number: 20230420372
    Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure provide a semiconductor device. The semiconductor device includes a stack structure and a contact structure. The stack structure comprises interleaved gate layers and insulating layers. The contact structure comprises a conductive structure and one or more insulating structures. The conductive structure can extend through the stack structure and form a conductive connection with one of the gate layers. The one or more insulating structures surround the conductive structure and electrically isolate the conductive structure from remaining ones of the gate layers. The one or more insulating structures further include one or more first insulating structures. Each of the one or more first insulating structures is disposed between an adjacent pair of the insulating layers, and the one or more first insulating structures are disposed on a first side of the one of the gate layers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2022
    Publication date: December 28, 2023
    Applicant: Yangtze Memory Technologies Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jingtao XIE, Bingjie YAN, Wenxi ZHOU, Di WANG, Zhiliang XIA, Zongliang HUO
  • Publication number: 20230422524
    Abstract: Three-dimensional (3D) memory devices and fabricating methods are disclosed. A disclosed 3D memory device includes a first semiconductor structure. The first semiconductor structure includes an array of first type through stack structures in a first region of a memory stack, an array of second type through stack structures in a second region of the memory stack, a semiconductor layer including a first portion on the array of first type through stack structures and a second portion on the array of second type through stack structures, multiple vias each penetrating the semiconductor layer and in contact with a corresponding one of the first type through stack structures or the array of second type through stack structures, and a slit structure separating the array of first type through stack structures from the array of second type through stack structures, and separating the first portion of the semiconductor layer from the second portion of the semiconductor layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2023
    Publication date: December 28, 2023
    Inventors: Dongxue Zhao, Tao Yang, Wenxi Zhou, Yuancheng Yang, Zhiliang Xia, Zongliang Huo
  • Publication number: 20230422520
    Abstract: Three-dimensional (3D) memory devices and fabricating methods are disclosed. A disclosed 3D memory device includes a first semiconductor structure. The first semiconductor structure includes an array of first-type through stack structures in a first region and an array of second-type through stack structures in a second region, and a slit structure separating the array of first-type through stack structures from the array of second-type through stack structures. The 3D memory device further includes a second semiconductor structure. The second semiconductor structure includes a first periphery circuit and a second periphery circuit at different levels. The second semiconductor structure and the first semiconductor structure are bonded together, such that the first periphery circuit is located between the second periphery circuit and the first semiconductor structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2023
    Publication date: December 28, 2023
    Inventors: Dongyu Fan, Dongxue Zhao, Wenxi Zhou, Zhiliang Xia, Zongliang Huo, Wei Liu
  • Publication number: 20230411285
    Abstract: In certain aspects, a three-dimensional (3D) memory device includes a stack structure, and a slit structure extending. The stack structure includes interleaved conductive layers and dielectric layers. Edges of the interleaved conductive layers and dielectric layers define a staircase structure. Each one of the conductive layers has a thickened portion in the staircase structure. The thickened portion extends along a first direction. The slit structure extends through the stack structure and along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, such that the slit structure cuts off at least one, but not all, of the thickened portions of the conductive layers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2022
    Publication date: December 21, 2023
    Inventors: Di Wang, Wenxi Zhou, Zhong Zhang
  • Publication number: 20230413542
    Abstract: A three-dimensional (3D) memory device includes interleaved conductive layers and dielectric layers. Edges of the conductive layers and dielectric layers define a plurality of stairs. The 3D memory device also includes a plurality of landing structures each over a respective conductive layer at a respective stair. Each of the landing structures includes a first layer having a first material and a second layer having a second material, the first layer being over the second layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2022
    Publication date: December 21, 2023
    Inventors: Ling Xu, Zhong Zhang, Wenxi Zhou, Di Wang, Zhiliang Xia, Zongliang Huo
  • Publication number: 20230413570
    Abstract: A three-dimensional (3D) memory device includes a plurality of memory planes and a separation block. Each memory plane includes a plurality of memory blocks. Each memory block includes a memory stack including interleaved conductive layers and first dielectric layers, and a plurality of channel structures each extending through the memory stack. The separation block extending laterally to separate each two adjacent memory planes. Each separation block includes a dielectric stack including interleaved second dielectric layers and the first dielectric layers. The first dielectric layers extend across the memory blocks and the separation block, and the second dielectric layers separate the conductive layers of two adjacent memory blocks.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2022
    Publication date: December 21, 2023
    Inventors: Kun Zhang, Wenxi Zhou, Zhiliang Xia, Di Wang, Wei Liu, Zongliang Huo
  • Publication number: 20230413541
    Abstract: Three-dimensional (3D) memory devices and methods for forming the same are disclosed. The 3D memory device includes a doped semiconductor layer, a source select gate line disposed on the doped semiconductor layer, a stack structure including interleaved conductive layers and dielectric layers formed on the source select gate line, and a channel structure extending through the stack structure and the source select gate line and in contact with the doped semiconductor layer. The channel structure includes a semiconductor channel and a memory film. The source select gate line is in contact with the semiconductor channel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2022
    Publication date: December 21, 2023
    Inventors: Kun Zhang, Wenxi Zhou, Shuangshuang Wu
  • Patent number: 11849575
    Abstract: Embodiments of 3D memory devices having a concentric staircase structure and methods for forming the same are disclosed. In an example, a 3D memory device includes a memory array structure and a concentric staircase structure in an intermediate of the memory array structure. The concentric staircase structure includes a plurality of concentric zones in a radial direction in a plan view. Each of the plurality of concentric zones includes a plurality of stairs in a tangential direction in the plan view.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2023
    Assignee: YANGTZE MEMORY TECHNOLOGIES CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kun Zhang, Cuicui Kong, Zhong Zhang, Wenxi Zhou
  • Patent number: 11839083
    Abstract: In a method for forming a semiconductor device, a channel structure is formed that extends from a side of a substrate, where the channel structure includes sidewalls and a bottom region. The channel structure further includes a bottom channel contact that is positioned at the bottom region and a channel layer that is formed along the sidewalls and over the bottom channel contact. A high-k layer is formed over the channel layer along the sidewalls of the channel structure and over the bottom channel contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: Yangtze Memory Technologies Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yingjie Ouyang, Zhiliang Xia, Lei Jin, Qiguang Wang, Wenxi Zhou, Zhongwang Sun, Rui Su, Yueqiang Pu, Jiwei Cheng
  • Patent number: 11837541
    Abstract: A memory device includes a substrate; and a stack structure, including alternately arranged first dielectric layers and electrode layers. In a first lateral direction, the memory device includes an intermediate region and array regions. In a second lateral direction, the stack structure includes a first block and a second block, each including a wall-structure region. In the intermediate region, wall-structure regions of the first block and the second block are separated by a staircase structure. The memory device further includes a beam structure, located in the intermediate region and including at least a plurality of discrete first beam structures, each extending along the second lateral direction and connecting the wall-structure regions of the first block and the second block; and a plurality of second dielectric layers, located in the beam structure. In the first beam structures, the second dielectric layers is alternated with the first dielectric layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: YANGTZE MEMORY TECHNOLOGIES CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Zhong Zhang, Kun Zhang, Wenxi Zhou, Zhiliang Xia
  • Patent number: 11839079
    Abstract: Embodiments of structure and methods for forming a three-dimensional (3D) memory device are provided. In an example, the memory device includes a stack structure having interleaved a plurality of conductor layers and a plurality of dielectric layers over a substrate along a vertical direction. The memory device also includes a channel structure extending in the stack structure along the vertical direction. A thickness of at least one of the plurality of dielectric layers is nominally inversely proportional to a width of the channel structure at the same depth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: YANGTZE MEMORY TECHNOLOGIES CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Qiguang Wang, Wenxi Zhou
  • Publication number: 20230361030
    Abstract: Embodiments of three-dimensional memory devices and fabricating methods thereof are disclosed. One disclosed method for forming a memory structure comprises: forming a bottom conductive layer on a substrate; forming a memory stack on the bottom conductive layer, the memory stack comprising a plurality of alternatively arranged dielectric layers and conductive layers; forming an opening penetrating the memory stack and exposing the bottom conductive layer; forming a cap layer on a bottom of the opening; forming a cylindrical body and a top contact on the cap layer and in the opening; and forming a plurality of interconnection structures to electrically connect the bottom conductive layer, the plurality of conductive layers of the memory stack, and the top contact.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2022
    Publication date: November 9, 2023
    Applicant: Yangtze Memory Technologies Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yuancheng Yang, Dongxue Zhao, Tao Yang, Lei Liu, Di Wang, Kun Zhang, Wenxi Zhou, Zhiliang Xia, Zongliang Huo
  • Publication number: 20230361031
    Abstract: Embodiments of three-dimensional memory devices and fabricating methods thereof are disclosed. One disclosed method for forming a memory structure comprises: forming a bottom conductive layer on a substrate; forming a dielectric stack on the bottom conductive layer, the dielectric stack comprising a plurality of alternatively arranged first dielectric layers and second dielectric layers; forming an opening penetrating the dielectric stack and exposing the bottom conductive layer; forming a cap layer on a bottom of the opening; forming a cylindrical body and a top contact on the cap layer and in the opening; and replacing the plurality of second dielectric layers with conductive layers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2022
    Publication date: November 9, 2023
    Applicant: Yangtze Memory Technologies Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Lei LIU, Yuancheng Yang, Wenxi Zhou, Kun Zhang, Di Wang, Tao Yang, Dongxue Zhao, Zhiliang Xia, Zongliang Huo
  • Publication number: 20230363138
    Abstract: Embodiments of three-dimensional memory devices are disclosed. A disclosed memory structure comprises a memory cell comprising: a cylindrical body having a cylindrical shape, an insulating layer surrounding the cylindrical body, a word line contact coupled to a word line and surrounding a first portion of the insulating layer, and multiple plate line contact segments coupled to multiple plate lines respectively and surrounding a second portion of the insulating layer. The memory structure further comprises a bit line contact coupled to a bit line and coupled to a first end of the cylindrical body, a source line contact coupled to a source line, and a source cap coupled between the source line contact and a second end of the cylindrical body to increase a distance between the source line contact and the plate line contact segments.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2022
    Publication date: November 9, 2023
    Applicant: Yangtze Memory Technologies Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yuancheng YANG, Dongxue ZHAO, Tao YANG, Lei LIU, Di WANG, Kun ZHANG, Wenxi ZHOU, Zhiliang XIA, Zongliang HUO
  • Patent number: 11812611
    Abstract: Embodiments of structure and methods for forming a three-dimensional (3D) memory device are provided. In an example, the memory device includes a stack structure having interleaved a plurality of conductor layers and a plurality of dielectric layers over a substrate along a vertical direction. The memory device also includes a channel structure extending in the stack structure along the vertical direction. A thickness of at least one of the plurality of conductor layers is nominally proportional to a width of the channel structure at the same depth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: YANGTZE MEMORY TECHNOLOGIES CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Qiguang Wang, Wenxi Zhou
  • Patent number: 11812614
    Abstract: In a semiconductor device, a stack of alternating gate layers and insulating layers is formed over a substrate. Channel structures are formed in an array region of the stack. A first staircase is formed at a first section of the stack. A second staircase is formed at a second section of the stack. The first staircase is positioned over the second staircase. The first staircase includes first group stair steps descending in a second direction parallel to the substrate and first division stair steps descending in a third direction and a fourth direction that are parallel to the substrate and perpendicular to the second direction. The third direction and the fourth direction are opposite to each other. The second staircase includes second group stair steps descending in the second direction and second division stair steps descending in the third direction and the fourth direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: Yangtze Memory Technologies Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Zhong Zhang, Wenxi Zhou, Zhiliang Xia
  • Publication number: 20230354577
    Abstract: A three-dimensional (3D) memory device includes a memory cell, a top contact coupled to the memory cell, and a bottom contact coupled to the memory cell. The memory cell can include a pillar, an insulating layer surrounding the pillar, a first gate contact coupled to a word line, a second gate contact coupled to a plate line, and a third gate contact configured to control electrical charge conduction between the first gate contact and the second gate contact. The 3D memory device can utilize dynamic flash memory (DFM), increase storage efficiency, provide tri-gate control, provide different programming options, increase read, program, and erase operation rates, decrease leakage current, increase retention time, and decrease refresh rates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2022
    Publication date: November 2, 2023
    Applicant: Yangtze Memory Technologies Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Dongxue ZHAO, Tao Yang, Yuancheng Yang, Lei Liu, Di Wang, Kun Zhang, Wenxi Zhou, Zhiliang Xia, Zongliang Huo
  • Publication number: 20230354599
    Abstract: A three-dimensional (3D) memory device includes a first memory cell, a second memory cell, a control gate between the first and second memory cells, a top contact coupled to the first memory cell, and a bottom contact coupled to the second memory cell. The first memory cell can include a first pillar, a first insulating layer surrounding the first pillar, a first gate contact coupled to a first word line, and a second gate contact coupled to a first plate line. The second memory cell can include a second pillar, a second insulating layer surrounding the second pillar, a third gate contact coupled to a second word line, and a fourth gate contact coupled to a second plate line. The 3D memory device can utilize dynamic flash memory (DFM), increase storage density, provide multi-cell storage, provide a three-state logic, decrease leakage current, increase retention time, and decrease refresh rates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2022
    Publication date: November 2, 2023
    Applicant: Yangtze Memory Technologies Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tao Yang, Dongxue ZHAO, Yuancheng YANG, Lei LIU, Kun ZHANG, Di WANG, Wenxi ZHOU, Zhiliang XIA, Zongliang HUO
  • Publication number: 20230354578
    Abstract: A three-dimensional (3D) memory device includes a memory cell, a top contact coupled to the memory cell, and a bottom contact coupled to the memory cell. The memory cell can include a pillar, an insulating layer surrounding the pillar, a first gate contact surrounding a first portion of the insulating layer, and a second gate contact surrounding a second portion of the insulating layer. The pillar can be configured to store an electrical charge. The pillar can be a monocrystalline material. The 3D memory device can utilize dynamic flash memory (DFM), decrease defects, increase manufacturing efficiency, decrease leakage current, decrease junction current, decrease power consumption, increase storage density, increase charge retention times, and decrease refresh rates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2022
    Publication date: November 2, 2023
    Applicant: Yangtze Memory Technologies Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Di WANG, Lei LIU, Yuancheng YANG, Wenxi ZHOU, Kun ZHANG, Tao YANG, Dongxue ZHAO, Zhiliang XIA, Zongliang HUO