Abstract: A method for fabricating a three-dimensional (3D) static random-access memory (SRAM) architecture using catalyst influenced chemical etching (CICE). Utilizing CICE, semiconductor fins can be etched with no etch taper, smooth sidewalls and no maximum height limitation. CICE enables stacking of as many nanosheet layers a desired and also enables a 3D stacked architecture for SRAM cells. Furthermore, CICE can be used to etch silicon waveguides thereby creating waveguides with smooth sidewalls to improve transmission efficiency and, for photon-based quantum circuits, to eliminate charge fluctuations that may affect photon indistinguishability.

Abstract: A semiconductor device and method of making the same are disclosed. The semiconductor device includes a memory gate on a charge storage structure formed on a substrate, a select gate on a gate dielectric on the substrate proximal to the memory gate, and a dielectric structure between the memory gate and the select gate, and adjacent to sidewalls of the memory gate and the select gate, wherein the memory gate and the select gate are separated by a thickness of the dielectric structure. Generally, the dielectric structure comprises multiple dielectric layers including a first dielectric layer adjacent the sidewall of the memory gate, and a nitride dielectric layer adjacent to the first dielectric layer and between the memory gate and the select gate. Other embodiments are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present technology relates to a semiconductor device, a solid-state imaging device, and electronic equipment, which are able to suppress increase of resistivity to a high level at a connection portion between an ESV and a wiring layer and to improve reliability of an electric connection using an ESV. The semiconductor device according to the present technology has a plurality of semiconductor substrates layered, and includes a through electrode penetrating a silicon layer of the semiconductor substrates, a wiring layer formed inside the semiconductor substrates, and a through electrode reception part. The through electrode reception part is connected to the wiring layer, in which the through electrode has a width smaller than the through electrode reception part, and the through electrode is electrically connected to the wiring layer via the through electrode reception part. The present technology is applicable, for example, to a CMOS image sensor.

Abstract: Some embodiments include apparatuses and methods of forming the apparatuses. One of the apparatuses includes a channel to conduct current, the channel including a first channel portion and a second channel portion, a first memory cell structure located between a first gate and the first channel portion, a second memory cell structure located between a second gate and the second channel portion, and a void located between the first and second gates and between the first and second memory cell structures.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a magnetic memory device includes a substrate, a first layer stack, and a second layer stack at a same side of the first layer stack relative to the substrate, and farther than the first layer stack from the substrate. Each of the first and second layer stack includes a reference layer, a tunnel barrier layer provided in a direction relative to the reference layer, the direction being perpendicular to the substrate, a storage layer provided in the direction relative to the tunnel barrier layer, and a first nonmagnetic layer provided in the direction relative to the storage layer. A heat absorption rate of the first nonmagnetic layer of the first layer stack is lower than a heat absorption rate of the first nonmagnetic layer of the second layer stack.

Abstract: A memory device, and method of making the same, that includes a substrate of semiconductor material of a first conductivity type, first and second regions spaced apart in the substrate and having a second conductivity type different than the first conductivity type, with a first channel region in the substrate extending between the first and second regions, a first floating gate disposed over and insulated from a first portion of the first channel region adjacent to the second region, a first coupling gate disposed over and insulated from the first floating gate, a first word line gate disposed over and insulated from a second portion of the first channel region adjacent the first region, and a first erase gate disposed over and insulated from the first word line gate.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a semiconductor device structure with an air gap structure and a method for forming the semiconductor device structure. The semiconductor device structure includes a first conductive contact and a second conductive contact disposed over a semiconductor substrate. The semiconductor device structure also includes a first dielectric layer surrounding the first conductive contact and the second conductive contact, and a second dielectric layer disposed over the first conductive contact, the second conductive contact and the first dielectric layer. The first dielectric layer is separated from the semiconductor substrate by a first air gap structure, the first dielectric layer is separated from the second dielectric layer by a second air gap structure, and the air gap structures reduce capacitive coupling between conductive features.

Abstract: A method addresses low cost, low resistance metal interconnects and mechanical stability in a high aspect ratio structure. According to the various implementations disclosed herein, a replacement metal process, which defers the need for a metal etching step in the fabrication process until after all patterned photoresist is no longer present. Under this process, the conductive sublayers may be both thick and numerous. The present invention also provides for a strut structure which facilitates etching steps on high aspect ratio structures, which enhances mechanical stability in a high aspect ratio memory stack.

Abstract: The present application discloses a semiconductor device with an oxidized intervention layer and a method for fabricating the semiconductor device. The semiconductor device includes a substrate, a tunneling insulating layer disposed over the substrate, a floating gate disposed over the tunnel oxide layer, a lateral oxidized intervention layer disposed over the floating gate, and a control gate disposed over the dielectric layer. The lateral oxidized intervention layer comprises a sidewall portion and a center portion, and the sidewall portion has a greater concentration of oxygen than the center portion.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for to memories using dynamic voltage scaling are presented. The apparatus includes memory configured to communicate with a host. The memory includes a peripheral portion and a memory array. The memory is further configured to receive, from at least one power management circuit, a first supply voltage and a second supply voltage. The memory further includes a switch circuit. The switch circuit is configured to selectively provide the first supply voltage and the second supply voltage to the peripheral portion. The first supply voltage is static and has a first voltage range. The second supply voltage has a low second voltage range and a high second voltage range.

Abstract: Three-dimensional (3D) memory devices and methods for forming the 3D memory devices are provided. For example, a method for forming a 3D memory device is provided. A dielectric stack including interleaved sacrificial layers and dielectric layers is formed on a substrate. A staircase structure is formed on at least one side of the dielectric stack. Dummy channel holes and dummy source holes extending vertically through the staircase structure are formed. A subset of the dummy channel holes is surrounded by the dummy source holes. A dummy channel structure is formed in each dummy channel hole, and interleaved conductive layers and dielectric layers are formed in the staircase structure by replacing, through the dummy source holes, the sacrificial layers in the staircase structure with the conductive layers. A spacer is formed along a sidewall of each dummy source hole to cover the conductive layers in the staircase structure, and a contact is formed within the spacer in each dummy source hole.

Abstract: Some embodiments include apparatuses and methods of forming such apparatuses. One of the apparatus includes first memory cells located in different levels in a first portion of the apparatus, second memory cells located in different levels in a second portion of the apparatus, a switch located in a third portion of the apparatus between the first and second portions, first and second control gates to access the first and second memory cells, an additional control gate located between the first and second control gates to control the switch, a first conductive structure having a thickness and extending perpendicular to the levels in the first portion of the apparatus, a first dielectric structure between the first conductive structure and charge-storage portions of the first memory cells, a second dielectric structure having a second thickness between the second conductive structure and a sidewall of the additional control gate, the second thickness being greater than the first thickness.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a memory device includes: a third layer between first and a second layers above a substrate; a pillar being adjacent to the first to third layers and including a ferroelectric layer; a memory cell between the third layer and the pillar; and a circuit which executes a first operation for a programming, a second operation for an erasing using a first voltage, and a third operation of applying a second voltage between the third layer and the pillar. The first voltage has a first potential difference, the second voltage has a second potential difference smaller than the first potential difference. A potential of the third conductive layer is lower than a potential of the pillar in each of the first and second voltages. The third operation is executed between the first operation and the second operation.

Abstract: In a method of programming in a nonvolatile memory device including a memory cell region including a first metal pad and a peripheral circuit region including a second metal pad, wherein the peripheral circuit region is vertically connected to the memory cell region by the first metal pad and the second metal pad, a memory block in the memory cell region including a plurality of stacks disposed in a vertical direction is provided where the memory block includes cell strings each of which includes memory cells connected in series in the vertical direction between a source line and each of bitlines. A plurality of intermediate switching transistors disposed in a boundary portion between two adjacent stacks in the vertical direction is provided, where the intermediate switching transistors perform a switching operation to control electrical connection of the cell strings, respectively.

Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes a semiconductor strip in a seal ring area. The semiconductor structure further includes a dielectric structure extending into the semiconductor strip, wherein a plurality of metal structures and a plurality of via structures stack over the dielectric structure to form a seal ring structure.

Abstract: A memory device includes a first memory cell array, a second memory cell array disposed in a first direction with respect to the first memory cell array, a first contact plug extending in the first direction through the first memory cell array, and a second contact plug extending in the first direction through the second memory cell array. The first memory cell array includes first electrode layers stacked in a first direction, and a first semiconductor pillar extending through the first electrode layers in the first direction. The second memory cell array including second electrode layers stacked in the first direction, and a second semiconductor pillar extending in the first direction through the second electrode layers. The first contact plug is electrically connected to the first semiconductor pillar, and the second contact plug is electrically connected to the second semiconductor pillar and the first contact plug.

Abstract: A neural network device with synapses having memory cells each having a floating gate and a first gate over first and second portions of a channel region disposed between source and drain regions, and a second gate over the floating gate or the source region. First lines each electrically connect the first gates in one of the memory cell rows, second lines each electrically connect the second gates in one of the memory cell rows, third lines each electrically connect the source regions in one of the memory cell columns, and fourth lines each electrically connect the drain regions in one of the memory cell columns. The synapses receive a first plurality of inputs as electrical voltages on the first or second lines, and provide a first plurality of outputs as electrical currents on the third or fourth lines.

Abstract: A semiconductor memory device according to an embodiment, includes a semiconductor pillar extending in a first direction, a first electrode extending in a second direction crossing the first direction, a second electrode provided between the semiconductor pillar and the first electrode, a first insulating film provided between the first electrode and the second electrode and on two first-direction sides of the first electrode, a second insulating film provided between the second electrode and the first insulating film and on two first-direction sides of the second electrode, a third insulating film provided between the second electrode and the semiconductor pillar, and a conductive film provided inside a region interposed between the first insulating film and the second insulating film.

Abstract: A semiconductor device structure for a vertical field effect transistor comprises a substrate with a shallow trench isolation (STI) region. A lower source/drain area is formed on the STI region with a first semiconductor fin, a second semiconductor fin, and a third semiconductor fin. The third semiconductor fin is formed to couple the first semiconductor fin to the second semiconductor fin across the lower source/drain area. The STI region that is beneath the lower source/drain area comprises opposing sidewall portions curved in opposing directions. In one example the lower source/drain area is formed only at an intersection between the STI region and one or more of the first semiconductor fin, the second semiconductor fin, and the third semiconductor fin. In other example, the second semiconductor fin is disposed parallel to the first semiconductor fin and together with the third semiconductor fin resulting in an H-shaped structure from a top-down view.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a vertical stack of gate electrodes. The gate electrodes extend in different lengths to provide contact regions. The gate electrodes have a conductive region and an insulating region. Contact plugs fills contact holes that pass through the stack of gate electrodes in the contact regions. The contact plugs are connected to the gate electrodes. The contact plugs pass through a conductive region of one gate electrode and are electrically connected to the one gate electrode and pass through the insulating region of other gate electrodes in the contact region. The insulating region is disposed outside of the contact holes in a region in which the gate electrodes intersect the contact plugs.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes an active area having source and drain regions and a channel region between the source and drain regions, an isolation structure surrounding the active area, and a gate structure over the channel region of the active area and over the isolation structure, wherein the isolation structure has a first portion under the gate structure and a second portion free from coverage by the gate structure, and a top of the first portion of the isolation structure is lower than a top of the second portion of the isolation structure.

Abstract: A semiconductor memory device includes a cell region defined with vertical channels which pass through electrode layers and interlayer dielectric layers alternately stacked; a step region disposed adjacent to the cell region in a first direction, and defined with contacts coupled to the electrode layers extending in different lengths; a first opening passing through the electrode layers and the interlayer dielectric layers in the step region; a second opening passing through the electrode layers and the interlayer dielectric layers in the cell region; under wiring lines coupled with a peripheral circuit defined on a substrate; top wiring lines disposed over the electrode layers and the interlayer dielectric layers, and coupled with the contacts; and vertical vias coupling the under and top wiring lines, wherein the vertical vias include first vertical vias which pass through the first opening and second vertical vias which pass through the second opening.

Abstract: Some embodiments include a method of forming an integrated assembly. A construction is formed to include a conductive structure having a top surface, and a pair of sidewall surfaces extending downwardly from the top surface. Insulative material is over the top surface, and rails are along the sidewall surfaces. The rails include sacrificial material. The sacrificial material is removed to leave openings. Sealant material is formed to extend within the openings. The sealant material has a lower dielectric constant than the insulative material. Some embodiments include an integrated assembly having a conductive structure with a top surface and a pair of opposing sidewall surfaces extending downwardly from the top surface. Insulative material is over the top surface. Voids are along the sidewall surfaces and are capped by sealant material. The sealant material has a lower dielectric constant than the insulative material.

Abstract: Some embodiments include an integrated assembly having a semiconductor die with memory array regions and one or more regions peripheral to the memory array regions. A stack of alternating insulative and conductive levels extends across the memory array regions and passes into at least one of the peripheral regions. The stack generates bending stresses on the die. At least one stress-moderating region extends through the stack and is configured to alleviate the bending stresses.

Abstract: Some embodiments include a method of forming an arrangement. A first tier is formed to include CMOS circuitry. A second tier is formed to include an assembly which has first and second sets of memory cells on opposing sides of a coupling region. A support material is adjacent the first and second sets of the memory cells, and an intervening material is adjacent the support material. The support material has a different composition than the intervening material. A conductive interconnect extends through the intervening material. An upper surface of the assembly is polished to reduce an overall height of the assembly. The support material provides support during the polishing to protect the memory cells from being eroded during the polishing. The conductive interconnect of the second tier is coupled with the CMOS circuitry of the first tier. Some embodiments include multitier arrangements.

Abstract: A floating body SRAM cell that is readily scalable for selection by a memory compiler for making memory arrays is provided. A method of selecting a floating body SRAM cell by a memory compiler for use in array design is provided.

Abstract: A system and method for efficiently creating layout for a standard cell are described. A standard cell to be used for an integrated circuit uses a full trench silicide strap as drain regions for a pmos transistor and an nmos transistor. Multiple unidirectional routes in metal zero are placed across the standard cell where each route connects to a trench silicide contact. Power and ground connections utilize pins rather than end-to-end rails in the standard cell. Additionally, intermediate nodes are routed in the standard cell with unidirectional routes.

Abstract: There are provided a semiconductor memory device and a manufacturing method thereof. The semiconductor memory device includes: a first etch stop layer; a source layer on the first etch stop layer; a second etch stop layer on the source layer; a stack structure on the second etch stop layer; and a channel structure penetrating the first and second etch stop layers, the source layer, and the stack structure, the channel structure being electrically connected to the source layer. A material of each of the first and second etch stop layers has an etch selectivity with respect to a material of the source layer.

Abstract: A semiconductor apparatus includes a first chip that generates a first oscillator signal in response to a detection enable signal and activates a ZQ circuit in response to a ZQ enable signal, and a second chip generates the ZQ enable signal by comparing frequencies of the first oscillator signal and a second oscillator signal with each other in response to the detection enable signal.

Abstract: In a non-limiting embodiment, a memory array is provided having a transistor device. The transistor device includes transistor device first, second and third doped regions in a substrate. The transistor device further includes a first transistor device select gate over a region between the transistor device first doped region and the transistor device second doped region, and a second transistor device select gate over a region between the transistor device first doped region and the transistor device third doped region. The transistor device further includes a transistor device dielectric barrier extending between the first transistor device select gate and the second transistor device select gate. A width of the dielectric barrier compared to a width of the first transistor device select gate and/or the second transistor device select gate may have a ratio ranging from 0.33:1 to 5:1.

Abstract: A semiconductor device that conducts error detection and correction on multilevel data is provided. The semiconductor device includes a first gray code converter circuit, a second gray code converter circuit, a gray code inverter circuit, an ECC encoder circuit, an ECC decoder circuit, and a memory portion. When input data is retained in the semiconductor device, the first gray code converter circuit converts the input data to data in a gray code format, and the ECC encoder circuit generates inspection data in accordance with the data. The memory portion retains the input data and the inspection data. When the input data that has been retained is output from the semiconductor device, the second gray code converter circuit converts the input data read out from the memory portion into data in a gray code format, and the ECC decoder circuit conducts error detection and correction on the data and the inspection data read out from the memory portion.

Abstract: The present application discloses a semiconductor device with an oxidized intervention layer and a method for fabricating the semiconductor device. The semiconductor device includes a substrate, a memory unit including a memory unit conductive layer positioned above the substrate and a lateral oxidized intervention layer positioned below the memory unit conductive layer, and a control unit positioned in the substrate and below the lateral oxidized intervention layer. The lateral oxidized intervention layer includes a sidewall portion and a center portion, and the sidewall portion has a greater concentration of oxygen than the center portion.

Abstract: A three-dimensional memory device includes alternating stacks of insulating layers and electrically conductive layers located over a substrate, a first memory array region and a second memory array region that are laterally spaced apart along the first horizontal direction by an inter-array region therebetween, and memory stack structures extending through the alternating stacks in the first or second memory array region. Each of the alternating stacks includes a respective terrace region in which layers of a respective alternating stack have variable lateral extents within an area of the inter-array region, and a respective array interconnection region laterally offset from the respective terrace region and which continuously extends from the first memory array region to the second memory array region. Each of the alternating stacks has a width modulation along a second horizontal direction that is perpendicular to the first horizontal direction within the area of the inter-array region.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a semiconductor memory device includes forming a first polysilicon layer on a conductive layer, forming a second polysilicon layer stacked on the first polysilicon layer, and forming a third polysilicon layer stacked on the second polysilicon layer. In the method, a stacked structure of the first, second and third polysilicon layers is patterned into a plurality of stacked structures spaced apart from each other on the conductive layer. Ferroelectric dielectric layers are formed on respective second polysilicon layers of the plurality of stacked structures, and metal layers are formed on the ferroelectric dielectric layers.

Abstract: A semiconductor memory includes a plurality of stripe-like active areas formed by stacking, in a direction perpendicular to a substrate, a plurality of layers extending parallel to the substrate, a first gate electrode formed on first side surfaces of the active areas, the first side surfaces being perpendicular to the substrate, a second gate electrode formed on second side surfaces of the active areas, the second side surfaces being perpendicular to the substrate. The layers are patterned in self-alignment with each other, intersections of the active areas and the first gate electrode form a plurality of memory cells, and the plurality of memory cells in an intersecting plane share the first gate electrode.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a semiconductor memory device includes the following configuration. First Lower word line drivers are arranged between adjacent mats, and first upper word line drivers are arranged between the first Lower word line drivers. Second Lower word line drivers are arranged between another adjacent mats, and second upper word line drivers are arranged between the second lower word line drivers. The first and second upper word line drivers are shared by the adjacent mats respectively.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate including a first region for a nonvolatile memory cell and a second region that is formed outside the first region and in which a semiconductor element differing from the nonvolatile memory cell is formed, a plurality of first element separating portions by which the first region and the second region are electrically separated from each other, a second element separating portion that is formed in the first region and that partitions the first region into a plurality of active regions, and a dummy region formed adjacently to a first portion that is one, which is closest to the first region, of the plurality of first element separating portions, and, in the semiconductor device, the first portion of the first element separating portion is equivalent in width to the second element separating portion.

Abstract: An integrated circuit includes a first domain supplied with power at a first supply voltage. A first transistor comprising in the first domain includes a first gate region and a first gate dielectric region. A second domain is supply with power at a second supply voltage and includes a second transistor having a second gate region and a second gate dielectric region, the second gate region being biased at a voltage that is higher than the first supply voltage. The first and second gate dielectric regions have the same composition, wherein that composition configures the first transistor in a permanently turned off condition in response to a gate bias voltage lower than or equal to the first supply voltage. The second transistor is a floating gate memory cell transistor, with the second gate dielectric region located between the floating and control gates.

Abstract: Some embodiments relate to a sense amplifier. The sense amplifier includes a fully-depleted silicon on insulator (FDSOI) substrate, including a handle substrate region, an insulator layer over the handle substrate region, and a device region over the insulator layer. An n-well region is disposed in the handle substrate region, and an n-well contact region extends from the n-well region through the insulator layer to an upper surface of the device region. A pair of pull-down transistors are disposed in the device region and over the n-well. The pair of pull-down transistors have their respective gates coupled to a pair of complementary bitlines, respectively, and coupled to the n-well through the n-well contact region.

Abstract: Improved bonding surfaces for microelectronics are provided. An example method of protecting a dielectric surface for direct bonding during a microelectronics fabrication process includes overfilling cavities and trenches in the dielectric surface with a temporary filler that has an approximately equal chemical and mechanical resistance to a chemical-mechanical planarization (CMP) process as the dielectric bonding surface. The CMP process is applied to the temporary filler to flatten the temporary filler down to the dielectric bonding surface. The temporary filler is then removed with an etchant that is selective to the temporary filler, but nonreactive toward the dielectric surface and toward inner surfaces of the cavities and trenches in the dielectric bonding surface. Edges of the cavities remain sharp, which minimizes oxide artifacts, strengthens the direct bond, and reduces the bonding seam.

Abstract: An electronic device includes a semiconductor memory comprising column lines, row lines crossing the column lines, memory cells located at intersections between the column lines and the row lines, dummy insulating patterns located adjacent to the memory cells, liner layers formed on sidewalls of the memory cells, and dummy liner layers formed on sidewalls of the dummy insulating patterns.

Abstract: A semiconductor device structure comprises blocks having substantially uniform pitch laterally-extending throughout a first region, a second region laterally-neighboring the first memory region, and a third region laterally-neighboring the second region; memory strings longitudinally-extending through a first portion of the blocks located in the first region; pillar structures longitudinally-extending through a second portion of the blocks located in the second region; conductive contacts longitudinally-extending through a third portion of the blocks located in the third region; and conductive line structures electrically coupled to and laterally-extending between the memory strings and the conductive contacts. Each of the blocks comprises tiers, each tier comprising a conductive structure and an insulating structure longitudinally-neighboring the conductive structure. Semiconductor devices and electronic systems are also described.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate, and a nonvolatile memory cell disposed on the semiconductor substrate. The nonvolatile memory cell includes a field-effect transistor for data writing, and a field-effect transistor for data readout that is adjacent to the field-effect transistor for data writing. Each of the field-effect transistor for data writing and the field-effect transistor for data readout includes a gate insulating film formed on the semiconductor substrate, a floating gate formed on the gate insulating film, and diffusion layers configuring a source region and a drain region on respective sides of the floating gate viewed in the thickness direction of the semiconductor substrate. The thickness of the gate insulating film of the field-effect transistor for data readout, and the thickness of the gate insulating film of the field-effect transistor for data writing, are different.

Abstract: Methods of operating a memory include determining a target voltage level for an access line voltage, determining a target overdrive voltage level for gating the access line voltage to an access line coupled to a plurality of memory cells, generating a voltage level for the access line voltage in response to its target voltage level and generating a voltage level for gating the access line voltage to the access line in response to the target overdrive voltage level, and applying the access line voltage to the access line while applying the voltage level for gating the access line voltage to a control gate of a string driver connected to the access line.

Abstract: A method of forming a vertical metal-air transistor device is provided. The method includes forming a precursor stack with a stack template on the precursor stack on a substrate. The method further includes forming a bottom spacer on the substrate around the precursor stack, and depositing a liner casing on the precursor stack. The method further includes depositing a conductive gate layer on the bottom spacer and liner casing. The method further includes reducing the size of the stack template to form a template post on the precursor stack, and forming a stack cap on the template post and precursor stack.

Abstract: A dynamic random access memory applied to an embedded display port includes a memory core unit, a peripheral circuit unit, and an input/output unit. The memory core unit is used for operating in a first predetermined voltage. The peripheral circuit unit is electrically connected to the memory core unit for operating in a second predetermined voltage, where the second predetermined voltage is lower than 1.1V. The input/output unit is electrically connected to the memory core unit and the peripheral circuit unit for operating in a third predetermined voltage, where the third predetermined voltage is lower than 1.1V.

Abstract: A semiconductor device and method includes: forming a first fin and a second fin on a substrate; forming a dummy gate material over the first fin and the second fin; forming a recess in the dummy gate material between the first fin and the second fin; forming a sacrificial oxide on sidewalls of the dummy gate material in the recess; filling an insulation material between the sacrificial oxide on the sidewalls of the dummy gate material in the recess; removing the dummy gate material and the sacrificial oxide; and forming a first replacement gate over the first fin and a second replacement gate over the second fin.

Abstract: The total chip area for a three-dimensional memory device can be reduced employing a design layout in which the word line decoder circuitry is formed underneath an array of memory stack structures. The interconnection between the word lines and the word line decoder circuitry can be provided by forming discrete word line contact via structures. The discrete word line contact via structures can be formed by employing multiple sets of etch masks with overlapping opening areas and employed to etch a different number of pairs of insulating layers and electrically conductive layers, thereby obviating the need to form staircase regions having stepped surfaces. Sets of at least one conductive interconnection structure can be employed to provide vertical electrical connection to the word line decoder circuitry. Bit line drivers can also be formed underneath the array of memory stack structures to provide greater areal efficiency.

Abstract: A SONOS nonvolatile memory includes a second gate structure of a selectron isolated from a first gate structure of a memotron by an inter-gate dielectric isolation layer formed on a first side of the first gate structure through self-alignment. The second gate structure is formed on a first side of the inter-gate dielectric isolation layer through self-alignment. A cell structure is formed by two adjacent cell structures. A first window defines an area formed by the two first gate structures. Two sides of each first gate structure are defined through self-alignment by first top silicon nitride layers formed on inner sides of the first window. First silicon nitride spacers are formed on second sides of the first gate structures through self-alignment. The bottom area of a contact hole between the second sides of the first gate structures is defined through self-alignment by the two first silicon nitride spacers.

Abstract: A non-volatile memory structure including a substrate, a stacked structure, a conductive pillar, a channel layer, a charge storage structure, and a second dielectric layer is provided. The stacked structure is disposed on the substrate and has an opening. The stacked structure includes first conductive layers and first dielectric layers alternately stacked. The conductive pillar is disposed in the opening. The channel layer is disposed between the stacked structure and the conductive pillar. The charge storage structure is disposed between the stacked structure and the channel layer. The second dielectric layer is disposed between the channel layer and the conductive pillar. The non-volatile memory structure can effectively improve the electrical performance and the reliability of the memory device.