Abstract: A bonded assembly includes a memory die bonded to a support die. The memory die contains at least one three-dimensional array of memory elements, memory-die dielectric material layers, and memory-die bonding pads. The support die contains at least one peripheral circuitry including complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) devices and configured to generate control signals for, and receive sense signals from, the at least one three-dimensional array of memory elements and a functional module and configured to provide a functionality that is independent of operation of the at least one three-dimensional array of memory elements. The functional module may include an error correction code (ECC) module, a memory module configured to interface with an external processor module located outside of the memory die, a microprocessor unit module, a wireless communication module, and/or a system level controller module.

Abstract: An alternating stack of insulating layers and sacrificial material layers is formed over a substrate. Memory stack structures are formed through the alternating stack. Drain-select-level trenches through an upper subset of the sacrificial material layers, and backside trenches are formed through each layer of the alternating stack. Backside recesses are formed by removing the sacrificial material layers. A first electrically conductive material and a second electrically conductive material are sequentially deposited in the backside recesses and the drain-select-level trenches. Portions of the second electrically conductive material and the first electrically conductive material may be removed by at least one anisotropic etch process from the drain-select-level trenches to provide drain-select-level electrically conductive layers as multiple groups that are laterally spaced apart and electrically isolated from one another by cavities within the drain-select-level trenches.

Abstract: An alternating stack of insulating layers and sacrificial material layers is formed over a substrate. Memory stack structures are formed through the alternating stack. Drain-select-level trenches through an upper subset of the sacrificial material layers, and backside trenches are formed through each layer of the alternating stack. Backside recesses are formed by removing the sacrificial material layers. A first electrically conductive material and a second electrically conductive material are sequentially deposited in the backside recesses and the drain-select-level trenches. Portions of the second electrically conductive material and the first electrically conductive material may be removed by at least one anisotropic etch process from the drain-select-level trenches to provide drain-select-level electrically conductive layers as multiple groups that are laterally spaced apart and electrically isolated from one another by cavities within the drain-select-level trenches.

Abstract: A three-dimensional memory device includes an alternating stack of insulating layers and electrically conductive layers located over a substrate, memory stack structures extending through the alternating stack, drain-select-level trenches that vertically extend through at least one drain-select-level electrically conductive layer and laterally extend along a first horizontal direction and divide each drain-select-level electrically conductive layer into multiple drain-select-level electrically conductive strips, and pairs of vertical conductive strips located within a respective one of the drain-select-level trenches. Each of the vertical conductive strips has a pair of vertical straight sidewalls that laterally extends along the first horizontal direction. Each drain-select-level electrode may have at least one drain-select-level electrically conductive layer and at least one vertical conductive strip.

Abstract: A three-dimensional memory device includes an alternating stack of insulating layers and electrically conductive layers located over a substrate, memory stack structures extending through the alternating stack, drain-select-level trenches that vertically extend through at least one drain-select-level electrically conductive layer and laterally extend along a first horizontal direction and divide each drain-select-level electrically conductive layer into multiple drain-select-level electrically conductive strips, and pairs of vertical conductive strips located within a respective one of the drain-select-level trenches. Each of the vertical conductive strips has a pair of vertical straight sidewalls that laterally extends along the first horizontal direction. Each drain-select-level electrode may have at least one drain-select-level electrically conductive layer and at least one vertical conductive strip.

Abstract: A memory die including a three-dimensional array of memory elements and a logic die including a peripheral circuitry that support operation of the three-dimensional array of memory elements can be bonded by die-to-die bonding to provide a bonded assembly. External bonding pads for the bonded assembly can be provided by forming recess regions through the memory die or through the logic die to physically expose metal interconnect structures within interconnect-level dielectric layers. The external bonding pads can include, or can be formed upon, a physically exposed subset of the metal interconnect structures. Alternatively or additionally, laterally-insulated external connection via structures can be formed through the bonded assembly to multiple levels of the metal interconnect structures. Further, through-dielectric external connection via structures extending through a stepped dielectric material portion of the memory die can be physically exposed, and external bonding pads can be formed thereupon.

Abstract: A contact via structure vertically extending through an alternating stack of insulating layers and electrically conductive layers is provided in a staircase region having stepped surfaces. The contact via structure is electrically isolated from each electrically conductive layer of the alternating stack except for an electrically conductive layer that directly underlies a horizontal interface of the stepped surfaces.

Abstract: A three-dimensional memory device includes alternating stacks of electrically conductive strips and spacer strips located over a substrate and laterally spaced apart among one another by memory stack assemblies. The spacer strips may include air gap strips or insulating strips. Each of the memory stack assemblies includes two two-dimensional arrays of lateral protrusion regions. Each of the lateral protrusion regions comprises a respective curved charge storage element. The charge storage elements may be discrete elements located within a respective lateral protrusion region, or may be a portion of a charge storage material layer that extends vertically over multiple electrically conductive strips. Each of the memory stack assemblies may include two rows of vertical semiconductor channels that laterally overlie a respective vertical stack of charge storage elements.

Abstract: A three-dimensional memory device includes alternating stacks of electrically conductive strips and spacer strips located over a substrate and laterally spaced apart among one another by memory stack assemblies. The spacer strips may include air gap strips or insulating strips. Each of the memory stack assemblies includes two two-dimensional arrays of lateral protrusion regions. Each of the lateral protrusion regions comprises a respective curved charge storage element. The charge storage elements may be discrete elements located within a respective lateral protrusion region, or may be a portion of a charge storage material layer that extends vertically over multiple electrically conductive strips. Each of the memory stack assemblies may include two rows of vertical semiconductor channels that laterally overlie a respective vertical stack of charge storage elements.

Abstract: A three-dimensional memory device includes an alternating stack of insulating layers and electrically conductive layers containing word lines and drain select gate electrodes located over a substrate, and memory stack structures containing a respective vertical semiconductor channel and a memory film including a tunneling dielectric and a charge storage layer. A first portion of a first charge storage layer located in a first memory stack structure at level of a first drain select gate electrode is thicker than a first portion of a second charge storage layer located in a second memory stack structure at the level of the first drain select electrode.

Abstract: A three-dimensional memory device includes an alternating stack of insulating layers and electrically conductive layers located over a substrate. The alternating stack includes a first region in which all layers of the alternating stack are present and a second region in which at least a topmost one of the electrically conductive layers is absent. First memory opening fill structures extend through the first region of the alternating stack, and second memory opening fill structures extend through the second region of the alternating stack. The first memory opening fill structures have a greater height than the second memory opening fill structures. Pocket doping regions extending over a respective subset of topmost electrically conductive layers for the memory opening fill structures can be formed to provide higher threshold voltages and to enable selective activation of vertical semiconductor channels connected a same bit line.

Abstract: A bonded assembly includes a memory die bonded to a support die. The memory die contains at least one three-dimensional array of memory elements, memory-die dielectric material layers, and memory-die bonding pads. The support die contains at least one peripheral circuitry including complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) devices and configured to generate control signals for, and receive sense signals from, the at least one three-dimensional array of memory elements and a functional module and configured to provide a functionality that is independent of operation of the at least one three-dimensional array of memory elements. The functional module may include an error correction code (ECC) module, a memory module configured to interface with an external processor module located outside of the memory die, a microprocessor unit module, a wireless communication module, and/or a system level controller module.

Abstract: A three-dimensional memory device includes source-level material layers located over a substrate and including a lower semiconductor layer, a source contact layer, and an upper semiconductor layer. The lower semiconductor layer includes a first boron-doped semiconductor material, the upper semiconductor layer includes carbon doped second boron-doped semiconductor material, and the source contact layer includes a boron-doped semiconductor material. An alternating stack of insulating layers and electrically conductive layers is located over the source-level material layers. Memory stack structures vertically extend through the alternating stack, the upper semiconductor layer, and the source contact layer. Each of the memory stack structures includes a respective memory film and a respective vertical semiconductor channel that contacts the source contact layer.

Abstract: An alternating stack of insulating layers and sacrificial material layers is formed over a substrate. Memory stack structures are formed through the alternating stack. Drain-select-level trenches through an upper subset of the sacrificial material layers, and backside trenches are formed through each layer of the alternating stack. Backside recesses are formed by removing the sacrificial material layers. A first electrically conductive material and a second electrically conductive material are sequentially deposited in the backside recesses and the drain-select-level trenches. Portions of the second electrically conductive material and the first electrically conductive material may be removed by at least one anisotropic etch process from the drain-select-level trenches to provide drain-select-level electrically conductive layers as multiple groups that are laterally spaced apart and electrically isolated from one another by cavities within the drain-select-level trenches.

Abstract: A three-dimensional memory device includes alternating stacks of electrically conductive strips and spacer strips located over a substrate and laterally spaced apart among one another by memory stack assemblies. The spacer strips may include air gap strips or insulating strips. Each of the memory stack assemblies includes two two-dimensional arrays of lateral protrusion regions. Each of the lateral protrusion regions comprises a respective curved charge storage element. The charge storage elements may be discrete elements located within a respective lateral protrusion region, or may be a portion of a charge storage material layer that extends vertically over multiple electrically conductive strips. Each of the memory stack assemblies may include two rows of vertical semiconductor channels that laterally overlie a respective vertical stack of charge storage elements.

Abstract: A three-dimensional memory device includes alternating stacks of electrically conductive strips and spacer strips located over a substrate and laterally spaced apart among one another by memory stack assemblies. The spacer strips may include air gap strips or insulating strips. Each of the memory stack assemblies includes two two-dimensional arrays of lateral protrusion regions. Each of the lateral protrusion regions comprises a respective curved charge storage element. The charge storage elements may be discrete elements located within a respective lateral protrusion region, or may be a portion of a charge storage material layer that extends vertically over multiple electrically conductive strips. Each of the memory stack assemblies may include two rows of vertical semiconductor channels that laterally overlie a respective vertical stack of charge storage elements.

Abstract: A three-dimensional memory device includes an alternating stack of insulating layers and electrically conductive layers located over a substrate, drain-select-level gate electrodes located over the alternating stack, memory openings extending through the alternating stack and a respective one of the drain-select-level gate electrodes, and memory opening fill structures located in the memory openings. The memory opening fill structures can have a stepped profile to provide a smaller lateral dimension at the level of the drain-select-level gate electrodes than within the alternating stack. Each of the drain-select-level gate electrodes includes a planar portion having two sets of vertical sidewall segments, and a set of cylindrical portions vertically protruding upward from the planar portion and laterally surrounding a respective one of the memory opening fill structures. The memory opening fill structures can be formed on-pitch as a two-dimensional array.

Abstract: A three-dimensional memory device includes an alternating stack of insulating layers and electrically conductive layers located over a substrate. The alternating stack includes a first region in which all layers of the alternating stack are present and a second region in which at least a topmost one of the electrically conductive layers is absent. First memory opening fill structures extend through the first region of the alternating stack, and second memory opening fill structures extend through the second region of the alternating stack. The first memory opening fill structures have a greater height than the second memory opening fill structures. Pocket doping regions extending over a respective subset of topmost electrically conductive layers for the memory opening fill structures can be formed to provide higher threshold voltages and to enable selective activation of vertical semiconductor channels connected a same bit line.

Abstract: A three-dimensional memory device includes an alternating stack of insulating layers and electrically conductive layers containing word lines and drain select gate electrodes located over a substrate, and memory stack structures containing a respective vertical semiconductor channel and a memory film including a tunneling dielectric and a charge storage layer. A first portion of a first charge storage layer located in a first memory stack structure at level of a first drain select gate electrode is thicker than a first portion of a second charge storage layer located in a second memory stack structure at the level of the first drain select electrode.

Abstract: A method of forming a three-dimensional memory device includes forming an alternating stack of insulating layers and sacrificial material layers over a substrate, forming a patterned template structure around memory openings in a drain-select-level above the alternating stack, forming drain-select-level isolation structures in trenches in the patterned template structure, forming memory stack structures in the memory openings extending through the alternating stack, where each of the memory stack structures includes a memory film and a vertical semiconductor channel, replacing the sacrificial material layers with word lines, and separately replacing the patterned template structure with a drain select gate electrode.