Abstract: Embodiments of interconnect structures of a three-dimensional (3D) memory device and method for forming the interconnect structures are disclosed. In an example, a 3D NAND memory device includes a semiconductor substrate, an alternating layer stack disposed on the semiconductor substrate, and a dielectric structure, which extends vertically through the alternating layer stack, on an isolation region of the substrate. Further, the alternating layer stack abuts a sidewall surface of the dielectric structure and the dielectric structure is formed of a dielectric material. The 3D memory device additionally includes one or more through array contacts that extend vertically through the dielectric structure and the isolation region, and one or more channel structures that extend vertically through the alternating layer stack.

Abstract: Embodiments of semiconductor structures including word line contact structures for three-dimensional memory devices and fabrication methods for forming word line contact structures are disclosed. The semiconductor structures include a staircase structure having a plurality of steps, and each step includes a conductive layer disposed over a dielectric layer. The semiconductor structures further include a barrier layer disposed over a portion of the conductive layer of each step. The semiconductor structures also include an etch-stop layer disposed on the barrier layer and an insulating layer disposed on the etch-stop layer. The semiconductor structures also include a plurality of conductive structures formed in the insulating layer and each conductive structure is formed on the conductive layer of each step.

Abstract: A method to fabricate a three dimensional memory structure may include creating a stack of layers including a conductive source layer, a first insulating layer, a select gate source layer, and a second insulating layer, and an array stack. A hole through the stack of layers may then be created using the conductive source layer as a stop-etch layer. The source material may have an etch rate no faster than 33% as fast as an etch rate of the insulating material for the etch process used to create the hole. A pillar of semiconductor material may then fill the hole, so that the pillar of semiconductor material is in electrical contact with the conductive source layer.

Abstract: Various embodiments disclose a 3D memory device, including a substrate; a plurality of conductor layers disposed on the substrate; a plurality of NAND strings disposed on the substrate; and a plurality of slit structures disposed on the substrate. The plurality of NAND strings can be arranged perpendicular to the substrate and in a hexagonal lattice orientation including a plurality of hexagons, and each hexagon including three pairs of sides with a first pair perpendicular to a first direction and parallel to a second direction. The second direction is perpendicular to the first direction. The plurality of slit structures can extend in the first direction.

Abstract: Some embodiments include a semiconductor device having a stack structure including a source comprising polysilicon, an etch stop of oxide on the source, a select gate source on the etch stop, a charge storage structure over the select gate source, and a select gate drain over the charge storage structure. The semiconductor device may further include an opening extending vertically into the stack structure to a level adjacent to the source. A channel comprising polysilicon may be formed on a side surface and a bottom surface of the opening. The channel may contact the source at a lower portion of the opening, and may be laterally separated from the charge storage structure by a tunnel oxide. A width of the channel adjacent to the select gate source is greater than a width of the channel adjacent to the select gate drain.

Abstract: Embodiments of three-dimensional (3D) memory devices and methods for controlling a photoresist (PR) trimming rate in the formation of the 3D memory devices are disclosed. In an example, a method includes forming a dielectric stack over a substrate, measuring a first distance between the first trimming mark and the PR layer along a first direction, and trimming the PR layer along the first direction. The method also includes etching the dielectric stack using the trimmed PR layer as an etch mask to form a staircase, forming a second trimming mark using the first trimming mark as an etch mask, measuring a second distance between the second trimming mark and the trimmed PR layer, comparing the first distance with the second distance to determine a difference between an actual PR trimming rate and an estimated PR trimming rate, and adjusting PR trimming parameters based on the difference.

Abstract: Embodiments of methods and structures for forming a 3D integrated wiring structure are disclosed. The method can include forming an insulating layer on a front side of a first substrate; forming a semiconductor layer on a front side of the insulating layer; patterning the semiconductor layer to expose at least a portion of a surface of the insulating layer; forming a plurality of semiconductor structures over the front side of the first substrate, wherein the semiconductor structures include a plurality of conductive contacts and a first conductive layer; joining a second substrate with the semiconductor structures; performing a thinning process on a backside of the first substrate to expose the insulating layer and one end of the plurality of conductive contacts; and forming a conductive wiring layer on the exposed insulating layer.

Abstract: A semiconductor structure is disclosed. The semiconductor structure includes a staircase structure disposed over a substrate. The staircase structure includes a plurality of layer stacks, where each layer stack is made of a first material layer over a portion of a second material layer. The staircase structure further includes a plurality of landing pads, where each landing pad is disposed over another portion of the second material layer of a respective layer stack.

Abstract: Embodiments of structures and methods for testing three-dimensional (3D) memory devices are disclosed. In one example, a 3D memory device includes a memory array structure, a peripheral device structure, and an interconnect layer in contact with a front side of the memory array structure and a front side of the peripheral device structure, and a conductive pad at a back side of the memory array structure and that overlaps the memory array structure. The memory array structure includes a memory array stack, a through array contact (TAC) extending vertically through at least part of the memory array stack, and a memory array contact. The peripheral device structure includes a test circuit. The interconnect layer includes an interconnect structure. The conductive pad, the TAC, the interconnect structure, and at least one of the test circuit and the memory array contact are electrically connected.

Abstract: Embodiments of semiconductor structures including word line contact structures for three-dimensional memory devices and fabrication methods for forming word line contact structures are disclosed. The semiconductor structures include a staircase structure having a plurality of steps, and each step includes a conductive layer disposed over a dielectric layer. The semiconductor structures further include a barrier layer disposed over a portion of the conductive layer of each step. The semiconductor structures also include an etch-stop layer disposed on the barrier layer and an insulating layer disposed on the etch-stop layer. The semiconductor structures also include a plurality of conductive structures formed in the insulating layer and each conductive structure is formed on the conductive layer of each step.

Abstract: A method for forming a 3D memory device is disclosed. The method comprises: forming an alternating conductive/dielectric stack on a substrate; forming a slit vertically penetrating the alternating conductive/dielectric stack; forming an isolation layer on a sidewall of the slit; forming a first conductive layer covering the isolation layer; performing a plasma treatment followed by a first doping process to the first conductive layer; forming a second conductive layer covering the first conductive and filling the slit; performing a second doping process followed by a rapid thermal crystallization process to the second conductive layer; removing an upper portion of the first conductive layer and the second conductive layer to form a recess in the slit; and forming a third conductive layer in the recess.

Abstract: Embodiments of interconnect structures of a three-dimensional (3D) memory device and method for forming the interconnect structures are disclosed. In an example, a 3D NAND memory device includes a semiconductor substrate, an alternating layer stack disposed on the semiconductor substrate, and a dielectric structure, which extends vertically through the alternating layer stack, on an isolation region of the substrate. Further, the alternating layer stack abuts a sidewall surface of the dielectric structure and the dielectric structure is formed of a dielectric material. The 3D memory device additionally includes one or more through array contacts that extend vertically through the dielectric structure and the isolation region, and one or more channel structures that extend vertically through the alternating layer stack.

Abstract: Embodiments of methods and structures for forming a 3D integrated wiring structure are disclosed. The method can include forming a dielectric layer in a first substrate; forming a semiconductor structure having a first conductive contact over a front side of the first substrate; and forming a second conductive contact at a backside of the first substrate, wherein the second conductive contact extends through a backside of the dielectric layer and connects to a second end of the first conductive contact. The 3D integrated wiring structure can include a first substrate; a dielectric layer in the first substrate; a semiconductor structure over the front side of the first substrate, having a first conductive contact; and a second conductive contact at the backside of the first substrate, and the second conductive contact extends through a backside of the dielectric layer and connects to the second end of the first conductive contact.

Abstract: Embodiments of through array contact structures of a 3D memory device and fabricating method thereof are disclosed. The 3D NAND memory device includes an alternating layer stack disposed on a substrate. The alternating layer stack includes a first region including an alternating dielectric stack, and a second region including an alternating conductor/dielectric stack. The memory device further comprises a barrier structure extending vertically through the alternating layer stack to laterally separate the first region from the second region, and multiple through array contacts in the first region each extending vertically through the alternating dielectric stack. At least one through array contact is electrically connected with a peripheral circuit.

Abstract: A method to fabricate a three dimensional memory structure may include creating a stack of layers including a conductive source layer, a first insulating layer, a select gate source layer, and a second insulating layer, and an array stack. A hole through the stack of layers may then be created using the conductive source layer as a stop-etch layer. The source material may have an etch rate no faster than 33% as fast as an etch rate of the insulating material for the etch process used to create the hole. A pillar of semiconductor material may then fill the hole, so that the pillar of semiconductor material is in electrical contact with the conductive source layer.

Abstract: Embodiments of methods and structures for forming a 3D integrated wiring structure are disclosed. The method can include forming a dielectric layer in a first substrate; forming a semiconductor structure having a first conductive contact over a front side of the first substrate; and forming a second conductive contact at a backside of the first substrate, wherein the second conductive contact extends through a backside of the dielectric layer and connects to a second end of the first conductive contact. The 3D integrated wiring structure can include a first substrate; a dielectric layer in the first substrate; a semiconductor structure over the front side of the first substrate, having a first conductive contact; and a second conductive contact at the backside of the first substrate, and the second conductive contact extends through a backside of the dielectric layer and connects to the second end of the first conductive contact.

Abstract: Various embodiments disclose a 3D memory device, including a substrate; a plurality of conductor layers disposed on the substrate; a plurality of NAND strings disposed on the substrate; and a plurality of slit structures disposed on the substrate. The plurality of NAND strings can be arranged perpendicular to the substrate and in a hexagonal lattice orientation including a plurality of hexagons, and each hexagon including three pairs of sides with a first pair perpendicular to a first direction and parallel to a second direction. The second direction is perpendicular to the first direction. The plurality of slit structures can extend in the first direction.

Abstract: Some embodiments include a semiconductor device having a stack structure including a source comprising polysilicon, an etch stop of oxide on the source, a select gate source on the etch stop, a charge storage structure over the select gate source, and a select gate drain over the charge storage structure. The semiconductor device may further include an opening extending vertically into the stack structure to a level adjacent to the source. A channel comprising polysilicon may be formed on a side surface and a bottom surface of the opening. The channel may contact the source at a lower portion of the opening, and may be laterally separated from the charge storage structure by a tunnel oxide. A width of the channel adjacent to the select gate source is greater than a width of the channel adjacent to the select gate drain.

Abstract: Embodiments of methods and structures for forming a 3D integrated wiring structure are disclosed. The method can include forming a dielectric layer in a contact hole region at a front side of a first substrate; forming a semiconductor structure at the front side of the first substrate and the semiconductor structure having a first conductive contact, forming a recess at a backside of the first substrate to expose at least a portion of the dielectric layer; and forming a second conductive layer above the exposed dielectric layer to connect the first conductive contact. The 3D integrated wiring structure can include a first substrate having a contact hole region; a dielectric layer disposed in the contact hole region; a semiconductor structure formed at the front side of the first substrate, having a first conductive contact; a recess formed at the backside of the first substrate to expose at least a portion of the dielectric layer; and a second conductive layer above the exposed dielectric layer.

Abstract: Embodiments of methods for operating ferroelectric memory cells are disclosed. In one example, a method for writing a ferroelectric memory cell is provided. The ferroelectric memory cell includes a transistor and N capacitors. The transistor is electrically connected to a bit line and a word line, respectively, and each of the N capacitors is electrically connected to a respective one of N plate lines in parallel. A plate line signal pulsed between 0 V and Vdd is applied to each of the N plate lines according to a plate line time sequence. A bit line signal pulsed between 0 V and the Vdd is applied to the bit line according to a bit line time sequence to write a valid state of data into the N capacitors. The data consists of N+1 valid states that can be written into the N capacitors. The valid states of the data are determined based on the plate line time sequence. The bit line time sequence is determined based on the valid state of the data written into the N capacitors.