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: Joint opening structures of 3D memory devices and fabricating method are provided. A joint opening structure comprises a first through hole penetrating a first stacked layer and a first insulating connection layer, a first channel structure at the bottom of the first through hole, a first functional layer on the sidewall of the first through hole, a second channel structure on the sidewall of the first functional layer, a third channel structure over the first through hole, a second stacked layer on the third channel structure, a second insulating connection layer on the second stacked layer, a second through hole penetrating the second stacked layer and the second insulating connection layer, a second functional layer disposed on the sidewall of the second through hole, a fourth channel structure on the sidewall of the second functional layer, and a fifth channel structure over the second through hole.

Abstract: A method for forming a 3D memory device is disclosed. The method includes: forming an alternating dielectric stack on a substrate; forming a plurality of channel holes penetrating the alternating dielectric stack; forming a channel structure in each channel hole; forming a channel column structure on the channel structure in each channel hole; trimming an upper portion of each channel column structure to form a channel plug; and forming a top selective gate cut between neighboring channel plugs.

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 low-dropout regulator comprises a first switching transistor, a comparator, and a Miller capacitor. The first terminal of the first switching transistor is connected to a load, and the second terminal of the first switching transistor is connected to a power supply voltage. The first input terminal of the comparator is connected to a reference voltage, the second input terminal of the comparator is connected to the first terminal of the first switching transistor, and the output terminal of the comparator is connected to the control terminal of the first switching transistor. The first terminal of the Miller capacitor is connected to the control terminal of the first switching transistor, and the second terminal of the Miller capacitor is connected to the first terminal of the first switching transistor and the load.

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 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 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 substrate, an alternating layer stack including a staircase structure on the substrate, and a barrier structure extending vertically through the alternating layer stack. The alternating layer stack includes an alternating dielectric stack and an alternating conductor/dielectric stack. The alternating dielectric stack includes dielectric layer pairs enclosed by at least the barrier structure. The alternating conductor/dielectric stack includes conductor/dielectric layer pairs. The memory device further includes a channel structure and a slit structure each extending vertically through the alternating conductor/dielectric stack, an etch stop layer on an end of the channel structure, and first contacts.

Abstract: Embodiments of through array contact structures of a 3D memory device and fabricating method thereof are disclosed. The memory device includes an alternating layer stack disposed on a first 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 includes a barrier structure extending vertically through the alternating layer stack to laterally separate the first region from the second region, multiple through array contacts in the first region, each through array contact extending vertically through the alternating dielectric stack, an array interconnection layer in contact with the through array contacts, a peripheral circuit formed on a second substrate. and a peripheral interconnection layer on the peripheral circuit.

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 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 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: Some embodiments include apparatuses and methods having multiple decks of memory cells and associated control gates. A method includes forming a first deck having alternating conductor materials and dielectric materials and a hole containing materials extending through the conductor materials and the dielectric materials. The methods can also include forming a sacrificial material in an enlarged portion of the hole and forming a second deck of memory cells over the first deck. Additional apparatuses and methods are described.

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: 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: Discrete silicon nitride portions can be formed at each level of electrically conductive layers in an alternating stack of insulating layers and the electrically conductive layers. The discrete silicon nitride portions can be employed as charge trapping material portions, each of which is laterally contacted by a tunneling dielectric portion on the front side, and by a blocking dielectric portion on the back side. The tunneling dielectric portions may be formed as discrete material portions or portions within a tunneling dielectric layer. The blocking dielectric portions may be formed as discrete material portions or portions within a blocking dielectric layer. The discrete silicon nitride portions can be formed by depositing a charge trapping material layer and selectively removing portions of the charge trapping material layer at levels of the insulating layers. Various schemes may be employed to singulate the charge trapping material layer.

Abstract: Methods for forming a string of memory cells, apparatuses having a string of memory cells, and systems are disclosed. One such method for forming a string of memory cells forms a source material over a substrate. A capping material may be formed over the source material. A select gate material may be formed over the capping material. A plurality of charge storage structures may be formed over the select gate material in a plurality of alternating levels of control gate and insulator materials. A first opening may be formed through the plurality of alternating levels of control gate and insulator materials, the select gate material, and the capping material. A channel material may be formed along the sidewall of the first opening. The channel material has a thickness that is less than a width of the first opening, such that a second opening is formed by the semiconductor channel material.

Abstract: Some embodiments include apparatuses and methods having multiple decks of memory cells and associated control gates. A method includes forming a first deck having alternating conductor materials and dielectric materials and a hole containing materials extending through the conductor materials and the dielectric materials. The methods can also include forming a sacrificial material in an enlarged portion of the hole and forming a second deck of memory cells over the first deck. Additional apparatuses and methods are described.

Abstract: A multi-function print server administration service implemented on a server computer receives a request, by a user associated with either a vendor-administrator user account or a system administrator account, to modify a first set of one or more application services enabled on one or more multi-function print devices associated with the vendor-administrator user account. In response to receiving the requests, the multi-function print server generates a modified first set of one or more application services, which implements a modification to the one or more application services based on the received request to modify the first set of one or more application services. The multi-function print server administration service enables the modified first set of one or more application services on the one or more multi-function print devices.

Abstract: A server transaction processing service implemented on the apparatus receives requests to authorize user sessions on multi-function print devices. A server application service implemented on the apparatus receives service task requests, which are requests for services that may be at least partially performed at one or more external servers. The application service then sends the service task requests to the appropriate external servers. The transaction processing service receives requests to end active user sessions. Then the transaction processing service is configured to determine whether any service task requests from user sessions were unsuccessfully executed and generate a subset of unsuccessfully executed service task requests. The transaction processing service may generate refund requests for each user session that contained unsuccessfully executed service task requests and send the refund requests to an authorization and capture service for processing.