Abstract: Embodiments of a channel hole plug structure of 3D memory devices and fabricating methods thereof are disclosed. The memory device includes an alternating layer stack disposed on a substrate, an insulating layer disposed on the alternating dielectric stack, a channel hole extending vertically through the alternating dielectric stack and the insulating layer, a channel structure including a channel layer in the channel hole, and a channel hole plug in the insulating layer and above the channel structure. The channel hole plug is electrically connected with the channel layer. A projection of the channel hole plug in a lateral plane covers a projection of the channel hole in the lateral plane.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure provide a method for fabricating semiconductor device. The method includes characterizing an etch process that is used to etch channel holes and dummy channel holes in a stack of alternating sacrificial gate layers and insulating layers upon a substrate of a semiconductor device. The channel holes are in a core region and the dummy channel holes are in a staircase region. The stack of alternating sacrificial gate layers and insulating layers extend from the core region into in the staircase region of a stair-step form. The method further includes determining a first shape for defining the dummy channel holes in a layout based on the characterization of the etch process. The first shape is different from a second shape for defining the channel holes.

Abstract: In certain aspects, a semiconductor device includes a substrate, a stack structure over the substrate and including interleaved conductive layers and dielectric layers, and a connection structure extending through the stack structure into the substrate. The connection structure includes a conductor layer and a spacer over a sidewall of the conductor layer. The conductor layer of the connection structure is in direct contact with the substrate.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a peripheral circuit, a stacked structure including a first side and a second side along a vertical direction, and alternating conductive layers and first insulating layers, a memory string extending through the stacked structure, a bonding structure located between the first side of the stacked structure and the peripheral circuit in the vertical direction and connected with the memory string and the peripheral circuit, a second insulating layer located at the second side of the stacked structure; and a conductor structure located in the second insulating layer.

Abstract: A memory device includes a plurality of memory cells. Each memory cell includes at least one transistor and at least one capacitor electrically coupled to the at least one transistor. Each capacitor includes a first electrode, a second electrode surrounding at least a first portion of the first electrode, and a ferroelectric layer disposed between the first electrode and the second electrode.

Abstract: Embodiments of ferroelectric memory devices and methods for forming the ferroelectric memory devices are disclosed. In an example, a ferroelectric memory cell includes a first electrode, a second electrode, and a ferroelectric layer disposed between the first electrode and the second electrode. An edge region exposed by the first electrode and the second electrode is covered by at least one of a healing layer or a block layer.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure provide methods for manufacturing semiconductor devices. One of the methods forms a string of transistors in a semiconductor device over a substrate of the semiconductor device. The method includes forming a first substring of transistors having a first channel structure that includes a first channel layer and a first gate dielectric structure that extend along a vertical direction over the substrate. The method includes forming a channel connector over the first substring and forming the second substring above the channel connector. The second substring has a second channel structure. The second channel structure includes the second channel layer and a second gate dielectric structure that extend along the vertical direction. The second gate dielectric structure is formed above the channel connector. The channel connector electrically couples the first channel layer and the second channel layer.

Abstract: Embodiments of three-dimensional (3D) memory devices and methods for forming the 3D memory devices are disclosed. In an example, a NAND memory device includes a substrate, one or more peripheral devices on the substrate, a plurality of NAND strings above the peripheral devices, a single crystalline silicon layer above and in contact with the NAND strings, and interconnect layers formed between the peripheral devices and the NAND strings. In some embodiments, the NAND memory device includes a bonding interface at which an array interconnect layer contacts a peripheral interconnect layer.

Abstract: In a three-dimensional memory device, an interconnect structure is formed over a substrate and a first deck is formed over the interconnect structure. The first deck includes alternating first insulating layers and first word line layers, and a first channel structure extending through the first stack. The first channel structure has a first channel dielectric region and a first channel layer. The first channel dielectric region is formed along sidewalls of the first channel structure, positioned over a top surface of the interconnect structure, and in contact with the first insulating layers and the first word line layers. The first channel layer is formed along the first channel dielectric region, and includes a rounded projection that extends away from the top surface of the interconnect structure, extends outwards into the first stack at an interface of the interconnect structure, the first channel structure and the first stack.

Abstract: In a three-dimensional memory device, an interconnect structure is formed over a substrate and a first deck is formed over the interconnect structure. The first deck includes alternating first insulating layers and first word line layers, and a first channel structure extending through the first stack. The first channel structure has a first channel dielectric region and a first channel layer. The first channel dielectric region is formed along sidewalls of the first channel structure, positioned over a top surface of the interconnect structure, and in contact with the first insulating layers and the first word line layers. The first channel layer is formed along the first channel dielectric region, and includes a rounded projection that extends away from the top surface of the interconnect structure, extends outwards into the first stack at an interface of the interconnect structure, the first channel structure and the first stack.

Abstract: In certain aspects, a semiconductor device includes a substrate, a stack structure over the substrate and including interleaved conductive layers and dielectric layers, and a connection structure extending through the stack structure into the substrate. The connection structure includes a conductor layer and a spacer over a sidewall of the conductor layer. The conductor layer of the connection structure is in direct contact with the substrate.

Abstract: Embodiments of source structure of a three-dimensional (3D) memory device and method for forming the source structure of the 3D memory device are disclosed. In an example, a NAND memory device includes a substrate, an alternating conductor/dielectric stack, a NAND string, a source conductor layer, and a source contact. The alternating conductor/dielectric stack includes a plurality of conductor/dielectric pairs above the substrate. The NAND string extends vertically through the alternating conductor/dielectric stack. The source conductor layer is above the alternating conductor/dielectric stack and is in contact with an end of the NAND string. The source contact includes an end in contact with the source conductor layer. The NAND string is electrically connected to the source contact by the source conductor layer. In some embodiments, the source conductor layer includes one or more conduction regions each including one or more of a metal, a metal alloy, and a metal silicide.

Abstract: In certain aspects, a three-dimensional (3D) memory device includes a memory stack including interleaved conductive layers and dielectric layers, a channel structure extending through the memory stack, and a through array contact (TAC) extending through the memory stack. Edges of the conductive layers along a sidewall of the TAC are recessed. The TAC includes a conductor layer and a spacer over the sidewall of the TAC.

Abstract: Some embodiments include an integrated assembly having a first semiconductor structure containing heavily-doped silicon, a germanium-containing interface material over the first semiconductor structure, and a second semiconductor structure over the germanium-containing interface material. The second semiconductor structure has a heavily-doped lower region adjacent the germanium-containing interface material and has a lightly-doped upper region above the heavily-doped lower region. The lightly-doped upper region and heavily-doped lower region are majority doped to a same dopant type, and join to one another along a boundary region. Some embodiments include an integrated assembly having germanium oxide between a first silicon-containing structure and a second silicon-containing structure. Some embodiments include methods of forming assemblies.

Abstract: Some embodiments include apparatuses and methods having a source material, a dielectric material over the source material, a select gate material over the dielectric material, a memory cell stack over the select gate material, a conductive plug located in an opening of the dielectric material and contacting a portion of the source material, and a channel material extending through the memory cell stack and the select gate material and contacting the conductive plug.

Abstract: Embodiments of three-dimensional (3D) memory devices having through array contacts (TACs) and methods for forming the same are disclosed. In an example, a 3D memory device includes a substrate, a memory stack on the substrate comprising a plurality of conductor/dielectric layer pairs, a channel structure extending vertically through the conductor/dielectric layer pairs in the memory stack, a TAC extending vertically through the conductor/dielectric layer pairs in the memory stack, and a dummy channel structure filled with a dielectric layer and extending vertically through the conductor/dielectric layer pairs in the memory stack.

Abstract: Embodiments of three-dimensional (3D) memory devices having through array contacts (TACs) and methods for forming the same are disclosed. In an example, a method for forming a 3D memory device is disclosed. A dielectric stack including interleaved a plurality of dielectric layers and a plurality of sacrificial layers is formed above a substrate. A channel structure extending vertically through the dielectric stack is formed. A first opening extending vertically through the dielectric stack is formed. A spacer is formed in a plurality of shallow recesses and on a sidewall of the first opening. The plurality of shallow recesses abut the sidewall of the first opening. A TAC extending vertically through the dielectric stack is formed by depositing a conductor layer in contact with the spacer in the first opening. A slit extending vertically through the dielectric stack is formed.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a string of transistors stacked along a vertical direction above a substrate of the semiconductor device. The string can include a first substring, a channel connector disposed above the first substring, and a second substring. The first substring includes a first channel structure having a first channel layer and a first gate dielectric structure that extend along the vertical direction. The second substring is stacked above the channel connector, and has a second channel structure that includes a second channel layer and a second gate dielectric structure that extend along the vertical direction. The channel connector, electrically coupling the first and the second channel layer, is disposed below the second gate dielectric structure to enable formation of a conductive path in a bottom region of the second channel layer. The bottom region is associated with a lowermost transistor in the second substring.

Abstract: A memory device includes a bit line group having a first bit line and a second bit line. The bit line group includes a first segment, a second segment, and a twist segment conductively connected to the first segment and the second segment. The first segment includes a first portion of the first bit line and a first portion of the second bit line. The second segment includes a second portion of the first bit line and a second portion of the second bit line. The twist segment includes a third portion of the first bit line and a third portion of the second bit line. The first and second portions of the first bit line and the second bit line each extends in a first lateral direction. The third portion of the first bit line is conductively connected to the first and second portions of the first bit line.

Abstract: Embodiments of three-dimensional (3D) memory devices and methods for forming the 3D memory devices are disclosed. In an example, a NAND memory device includes a substrate, a plurality of NAND strings on the substrate, one or more peripheral devices above the NAND strings, a single crystalline silicon layer above the peripheral devices, and one or more interconnect layers between the peripheral devices and the NAND strings. In some embodiments, the NAND memory device includes a bonding interface at which an array interconnect layer contacts a peripheral interconnect layer.