Abstract: Embodiments of 3D memory devices having staircase structures and methods for forming the same are disclosed. In an example, a 3D memory device includes a memory array structure and a staircase structure in an intermediate of the memory array structure and laterally dividing the memory array structure into a first memory array structure and a second memory array structure. The staircase structure includes a first staircase zone and a bridge structure connecting the first and second memory array structures. The bridge structure includes a lower wall portion and an upper staircase portion. The first staircase zone includes a first pair of staircases facing each other in a first lateral direction and at different depths. Each staircase includes stairs. At least one stair in the first pair of staircases is electrically connected to at least one of the first memory array structure and the second memory array structure through the bridge structure.

Abstract: In a semiconductor device, a stack of alternating gate layers and insulating layers is formed. 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. A dummy staircase is formed at the first section and disposed between the first staircase and the second staircase. The dummy staircase includes dummy group stair steps descending in a second direction parallel to a plane defined by any one of the gate layers and the insulating layers, and dummy division stair steps descending in a third direction and a fourth direction parallel to the plane and perpendicular to the second direction. The third direction and the fourth direction are opposite to each other.

Abstract: This disclosure is directed to methods for performing operations on a memory device. The memory device can include a bottom select gate, a plate line above the bottom select gate, a word line above the plate line, a pillar extending through the bottom select gate, the plate line, and the word line, a source line under the pillar, a drain cap above the pillar and a bit line formed above the drain cap. The method can include applying a first positive voltage bias to the bottom select gate and applying a second positive voltage bias to the word line. The method can also include applying a third positive voltage bias to the bit line after the word line reaches the second positive voltage bias. The method can further include applying a ground voltage to the word line and applying the ground voltage to the bit line.

Abstract: Embodiments of 3D memory devices and methods for forming the same are disclosed. In an example, a 3D memory device includes a memory stack, a first semiconductor layer, a supporting structure, a second semiconductor layer, and a plurality of channel structures. The memory stack includes vertically interleaved conductive layers and dielectric layers and has a core array region and a staircase region in a plan view. The first semiconductor layer is above and overlaps the core array region of the memory stack. The supporting structure is above and overlaps the staircase region of the memory stack. The supporting structure and the first semiconductor layer are coplanar. The second semiconductor layer is above and in contact with the first semiconductor layer and the supporting structure. Each channel structure extends vertically through the core array region of the memory stack and the first semiconductor layer into the second semiconductor layer.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure provide a semiconductor device including a first die. The first die includes a first stack of layers including a semiconductor layer on a backside of the first die. A second stack of layers is formed that includes gate layers and first insulating layers alternatingly stacked on a face side of the first die. The face side is opposite to the backside. A vertical structure includes a first portion disposed in the first stack of layers and a second portion extending through the second stack of layers. The first portion has a different dimension than the second portion in a direction parallel to a main surface of the first die.

Abstract: Methods for thermal treatment on a semiconductor device is disclosed. One method includes obtaining a pattern of a treatment area having amorphous silicon, aligning a laser beam with the treatment area, the laser beam in a focused laser spot having a spot area equal to or greater than the treatment area, and performing a laser anneal on the treatment area by emitting the laser beam towards the treatment area for a treatment period.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure provide a method for semiconductor device fabrication. The method includes forming a vertical structure in a stack of layers with an end in a first layer by processing on a first side of a first die. The first layer has a better etch selectivity to the stack of layers than a second layer. The method further includes replacing the first layer with the second layer by processing on a second side of the first die that is opposite to the first side.

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 may also include a plurality of landing structures each disposed on a respective conductive layer at a respective stair. Each of the landing structures comprises a first layer of a first material and a second layer of a second material. The first layer is over the second layer. The second material is different from the first material.

Abstract: In an example, a method for forming a three-dimensional (3D) memory device is disclosed. A semiconductor layer is formed. A memory stack on the semiconductor is formed. A channel structure extending through the memory stack and the semiconductor layer is formed. An end of the channel structure abutting the semiconductor layer is exposed. A portion of the channel structure abutting the semiconductor layer is replaced with a semiconductor plug.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes an insulating layer, a conductive layer stacking with the insulating layer, a spacer structure through the conductive layer and in contact with the insulating layer, a contact structure in the spacer structure and extending vertically through the insulating layer, and a channel structure including a semiconductor channel, a portion of the semiconductor channel being in contact with the conductive layer. The contact structure includes a first contact portion and a second contact portion in contact with each other.

Abstract: A three-dimensional (3D) memory device is disclosed. The 3D memory device includes a memory stack, a semiconductor layer above the memory stack, a plurality of channel structures each extending vertically through the memory stack, and a source contact above the memory stack and in contact with the semiconductor layer. A semiconductor plug, in contact with the semiconductor layer, surrounds an end of one of the channel structures. The source contact is electrically connected with the one of the channel structures. At least a portion of the source contact is buried within the semiconductor layer.

Abstract: Embodiments of 3D memory devices and methods for forming the same are disclosed. In an example, a method for forming a 3D memory device is disclosed. A sacrificial layer above a second semiconductor layer at a first side of a substrate and a dielectric stack on the sacrificial layer are subsequently formed. A channel structure extending vertically through the dielectric stack and the sacrificial layer into the second semiconductor layer is formed. The sacrificial layer is replaced with a first semiconductor layer in contact with the second semiconductor layer. The dielectric stack is replaced with a memory stack, such that the channel structure extends vertically through the memory stack and the first semiconductor layer into the second semiconductor layer. A source contact is formed at a second side opposite to the first side of the substrate to be in contact with the second semiconductor layer.

Abstract: Embodiments of 3D memory devices and methods for forming the same are disclosed. In an example, a 3D memory device includes a memory stack including interleaved stack conductive layers and stack dielectric layers, a semiconductor layer, a plurality of channel structures each extending vertically through the memory stack into the semiconductor layer, and an insulating structure extending vertically through the memory stack and including a dielectric layer doped with at least one of hydrogen or an isotope of hydrogen.

Abstract: A semiconductor device is provided that can include a stack formed of word line layers and insulating layers that are alternatingly stacked over a substrate. A first staircase of a first block can be formed in the stack and extend between first array regions of the first block. A second staircase of a second block can be formed in the stack and extend between second array regions of the second block. The semiconductor device further can have a connection region that is formed in the stack between the first staircase and second staircase.

Abstract: Three-dimensional (3D) memory devices and methods for forming the same are disclosed. In certain aspects, a 3D memory device includes a stack structure containing a core region and a staircase region, a channel structure extending through the stack structure in the core region, and a first support structure extending through the stack structure in the staircase region. The first support structure includes a first portion extending along a first direction and a second portion protruding from the first portion along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction.

Abstract: Embodiments of 3D memory devices and methods for forming the same are disclosed. In an example, a 3D memory device includes a substrate, a memory stack, a channel structure, a channel local contact, and a slit structure. The memory stack includes interleaved conductive layers and dielectric layers above the substrate. The channel structure extends vertically through the memory stack. The channel local contact is above and in contact with the channel structure. The slit structure extends vertically through the memory stack. The slit structure includes a contact including a first contact portion and a second contact portion above the first contact portion and having a different material of the first contact portion. An upper end of the second contact portion of the slit structure is flush with an upper end of the channel local contact.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a three-dimensional (3D) memory and a fabrication method thereof. The method includes forming a memory chip on a first substrate, disposing a first semiconductor layer on the memory chip, forming a plurality of first contacts through the first semiconductor layer, forming a first peripheral circuit chip based on the first semiconductor layer, disposing a second semiconductor layer on the first peripheral circuit chip, forming a plurality of second contacts through the second semiconductor layer, and forming a second peripheral circuit chip based on the second semiconductor layer. The first peripheral circuit chip is electrically connected with the memory chip through the plurality of first contacts, and the second peripheral circuit chip is electrically connected with the memory chip through the plurality of first and second contacts.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method for forming a three-dimensional (3D) memory device. The method includes forming an alternating dielectric stack on a substrate, wherein the alternating dielectric stack includes a plurality of dielectric layer pairs, each dielectric layer pair comprising a first dielectric layer and a second dielectric layer different from the first dielectric layer. The method also includes forming a staircase structure in the alternating dielectric stack and disposing an insulating layer on the staircase structure and the alternating dielectric stack. The method further includes forming an embedded hard mask on the insulating layer, wherein the embedded hard mask includes two or more sets of patterns configured to form two or more sets of vertical structures that are fabricated sequentially. The two or more sets of patterns are embedded in the 3D memory device.

Abstract: Embodiments of three-dimensional (3D) memory devices and fabricating methods thereof are disclosed. A disclosed 3D memory device can comprise an alternating conductive/dielectric stack on a substrate, a plurality of channel structures in the alternating conductive/dielectric stack, and a plurality of gate line slit (GLS) structures in the alternating conductive/dielectric stack. Each GLS structure can include a plurality of first type GLS portions penetrating the alternating conductive/dielectric stack, and a plurality of second type GLS portions in an upper portion of the alternating conductive/dielectric stack.

Abstract: A three-dimensional (3D) memory device includes a stack structure having interleaved conductive layers and dielectric layers, and a channel structure extending through the stack structure along a first direction. The channel structure is in contact with a source of the 3D memory device at a bottom portion of the channel structure. The channel structure includes a semiconductor channel, and a memory film over the semiconductor channel. The memory film includes a first angled structure, and a first diameter of the memory film at the bottom portion below the first angled structure is smaller than a second diameter of the memory film at an upper portion above the first angled structure.