Multiple Insulator Layers (e.g., Mnos Structure) Patents (Class 257/324)
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Patent number: 12295140Abstract: A memory array comprising strings of memory cells comprises laterally-spaced memory blocks individually comprising a vertical stack comprising alternating insulative tiers and conductive tiers. Strings of memory cells comprise channel-material strings that extend through the insulative tiers and the conductive tiers in the memory blocks. A through-array-via (TAV) region comprises TAV constructions that extend through the insulative tiers and the conductive tiers. The TAV constructions individually comprise a radially-outer insulative lining and a conductive core radially-inward of the insulative lining. The insulative lining comprises a radially-inner insulative material and a radially-outer insulative material that are of different compositions relative one another. The radially-outer insulative material is in radially-outer recesses that are in the first tiers as compared to the second tiers. The radially-inner insulative material extends elevationally along the insulative tiers and the conductive tiers.Type: GrantFiled: November 23, 2021Date of Patent: May 6, 2025Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.Inventors: Jordan D. Greenlee, Allen McTeer, Rita J. Klein, John D. Hopkins, Nancy M. Lomeli, Xiao Li, Alyssa N. Scarbrough, Jiewei Chen, Naiming Liu, Shuangqiang Luo, Silvia Borsari, John Mark Meldrim, Shen Hu
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Patent number: 12294021Abstract: A semiconductor memory device according to an embodiment includes a substrate, a source line, word lines, a pillar, and a first member. The first member is provided to penetrate the source line. The first member includes a first portion which is far from the substrate, and a second portion which is near the substrate. The first member includes a first contact and a first insulating film. The first contact is provided to extend from the first portion to the second portion. The first contact is electrically connected to the substrate. The first insulating film insulates the source line from the first contact. The first member includes a stepped portion at a boundary part between the first portion and the second portion.Type: GrantFiled: March 7, 2024Date of Patent: May 6, 2025Assignee: KIOXIA CORPORATIONInventors: Tomonori Kajino, Taichi Iwasaki, Tatsuya Fujishima, Masayuki Shishido, Nozomi Kido
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Patent number: 12274059Abstract: According to one embodiment, a semiconductor storage device includes a substrate, a first electric charge holder, and a channel layer. At least a part of the first electric charge holder is curved in a first cross section along a surface of the substrate. The channel layer is inside the first electric charge holder in the first cross section. At least a part of the channel layer is curved in the first cross section. The first electric charge holder has a curvature varying in accordance with a position in the first cross section. The channel layer has a film thickness varying in accordance with the curvature of the first electric charge holder in the first cross section.Type: GrantFiled: March 17, 2021Date of Patent: April 8, 2025Assignee: Kioxia CorporationInventors: Tomohiro Kuki, Tatsufumi Hamada, Shinichi Sotome, Yosuke Mitsuno, Muneyuki Tsuda
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Patent number: 12266659Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a substrate including a first device region and a second device region, active regions spaced apart from each other on the substrate, having a constant width, extending in a first direction parallel to an upper surface of the substrate and including a first active region and a second active region provided on the first device region and a third active region and a fourth active region provided on the second device region, a plurality of channel layers provided on the active regions and configured to be spaced apart from each other in a direction perpendicular to the upper surface of the substrate, gate structures provided on the substrate and extending to cross the active regions and the plurality of channel layers, and source/drain regions provided on the active regions on at least one side of the gate structures.Type: GrantFiled: June 17, 2022Date of Patent: April 1, 2025Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.Inventors: Keunhwi Cho, Jinkyu Kim, Myunggil Kang, Dongwon Kim, Jaechul Kim, Sanghoon Lee
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Patent number: 12232315Abstract: A semiconductor storage device includes a plurality of conductor layers that are stacked in a first direction and a plurality of bit lines that are spaced from each other in a second direction. Pillars extend in the first direction through the conductor layers and are electrically connected to the bit lines. An insulator is provided that divides the region in which the plurality of pillars are disposed into adjacent regions. An interval between the pillars in an end row adjacent to the insulator is greater than an interval between the pillars in an inner row that is not directly adjacent to the insulator.Type: GrantFiled: August 23, 2021Date of Patent: February 18, 2025Assignee: Kioxia CorporationInventors: Yusuke Ochi, Ryota Katsumata, Masahiro Fukuda
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Patent number: 12225720Abstract: A vertically alternating sequence of continuous insulating layers and continuous sacrificial material layers is formed over a substrate, and memory opening fill structures including vertical stacks of memory elements are formed through the vertically alternating sequence. Backside trenches are formed to divide the vertically alternating sequence into a plurality of alternating stacks of insulating layers and sacrificial material layers. Bridge structures are formed within each of the backside trenches. The sacrificial material layers are replaced with electrically conductive layers while the bridge structure are present within the backside trenches.Type: GrantFiled: November 19, 2021Date of Patent: February 11, 2025Assignee: SANDISK TECHNOLOGIES LLCInventors: Ryousuke Itou, Akihisa Sai, Kenzo Iizuka
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Patent number: 12225714Abstract: Embodiments of the present application relate to the field of semiconductors, and provide a semiconductor structure and a manufacturing method thereof. The semiconductor structure includes: a substrate, including active regions arranged at intervals and an isolation structure located between the active regions; a word line (WL) trench, penetrating through the active region and the isolation structure along a first direction; and a WL, located in the WL trench, wherein on a section in a second direction, a first height difference is formed between the active region and the isolation structure; and the second direction is parallel to the substrate and perpendicular to the first direction.Type: GrantFiled: April 28, 2022Date of Patent: February 11, 2025Assignee: CHANGXIN MEMORY TECHNOLOGIES, INC.Inventor: Jingwen Lu
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Patent number: 12218211Abstract: Structures and methods that facilitate the formation of gate contacts for vertical transistors constructed with semiconductor pillars and spacer-like gates are disclosed. In a first embodiment, a gate contact rests on an extended gate region, a piece of a gate film, patterned at a side of a vertical transistor at the bottom of the gate. In a second embodiment, an extended gate region is patterned on top of one or more vertical transistors, resulting in a modified transistor structure. In a third embodiment, a gate contact rests on a top surface of a gate merged between two closely spaced vertical transistors. Optional methods and the resultant intermediate structures are included in the first two embodiments in order to overcome the related topography and ease the photolithography. The third embodiment includes alternatives for isolating the gate contact from the semiconductor pillars or for isolating the affected semiconductor pillars from the substrate.Type: GrantFiled: August 11, 2023Date of Patent: February 4, 2025Assignee: BESANG, INC.Inventor: Sang-Yun Lee
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Patent number: 12213315Abstract: A semiconductor device is provided. The semiconductor device includes a stack structure that includes a plurality of dielectric layers spaced apart from each other on a substrate, a plurality of electrodes interposed between the plurality of dielectric layers, and a plurality of stopper layers interposed between the plurality of dielectric layers; and a vertical channel structure that penetrates the stack structure. Each of the plurality of electrodes and the plurality of stopper layers is disposed in a corresponding empty space interposed between the plurality of dielectric layers, the plurality of stopper layers includes a first stopper layer and a second stopper layer that is interposed between the first stopper layer and the substrate, and at least one of the plurality of electrodes is interposed between the first stopper layer and the second stopper layer.Type: GrantFiled: March 4, 2022Date of Patent: January 28, 2025Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.Inventors: Byungjin Lee, Dong-Sik Lee, Joon-Sung Lim
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Patent number: 12207466Abstract: In a method for fabricating a semiconductor device, an initial stack of alternatingly sacrificial word line layers and insulating layers is formed over a substrate of the semiconductor device. A connection region, a first staircase region, and a second staircase region are patterned in the initial stack. The first staircase region is shaped in the initial stack to form a first staircase, and the second staircase region is shaped in the initial stack to form a second staircase. The first staircase is formed in a first block of the initial stack and extends between first array regions of the first block. The second staircase is formed in a second block of the initial stack and extends between second array regions of the second block. The connection region is formed in the initial stack between the first staircase and the second staircase.Type: GrantFiled: October 20, 2021Date of Patent: January 21, 2025Assignee: Yangtze Memory Technologies Co., Ltd.Inventors: Zhong Zhang, Zhongwang Sun, Wenxi Zhou, Zhiliang Xia, Zhi Zhang
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Patent number: 12193233Abstract: A three-dimensional (3D) memory device includes a first stack structure, a first channel structure, a second stack structure, and a second channel structure. The first stack structure includes interleaved first conductive layers and first dielectric layers. The first channel structure extends through the first stack structure along a first direction. The first channel structure includes a first semiconductor channel, and a first memory film over the first semiconductor channel. The first memory film includes a storage layer. The storage layer is separated by the first dielectric layers into a plurality of sections.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 2021Date of Patent: January 7, 2025Assignee: YANGTZE MEMORY TECHNOLOGIES CO., LTD.Inventor: Xiaoxin Liu
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Patent number: 12176286Abstract: A memory device includes an alternating stack of dielectric layers and word line layers, pairs of bit lines and source lines spaced apart from one another, a data storage layer covering a sidewall of the alternating stack, and channel layers interposed between the data storage layer and the pairs of bit lines and source lines. The alternating stack includes a staircase structure in a staircase-shaped region, and the staircase structure steps downward from a first direction and includes at least one turn. The pairs of bit lines and source lines extend in a second direction that is substantially perpendicular to the first direction and are in lateral contact with the data storage layer through the channel layers. A semiconductor structure and a method are also provided.Type: GrantFiled: February 11, 2022Date of Patent: December 24, 2024Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.Inventors: Li-Shyue Lai, Chien-Hao Huang, Chia-Yu Ling, Katherine H Chiang, Chung-Te Lin
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Patent number: 12178046Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a lower stack structure that includes a lower word line, an upper stack structure that is on the lower stack structure and includes an upper word line, a decoder that is adjacent to the lower stack structure and the upper stack structure, a signal interconnection that is connected to the decoder, a lower selector that is connected to the signal interconnection and further connected to the lower word line, and an upper selector that is connected to the signal interconnection, isolated from direct contact with the lower selector, and further connected to the upper word line.Type: GrantFiled: July 6, 2023Date of Patent: December 24, 2024Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventors: Kohji Kanamori, Yong Seok Kim, Kyung Hwan Lee, Jun Hee Lim, Jee Hoon Han
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Patent number: 12171098Abstract: A three-dimensional (3D) memory device includes a stack structure and a channel structure. The stack structure includes interleaved conductive layers and dielectric layers. The channel structure extends through the stack structure along a first direction. The channel structure includes a semiconductor channel, and a memory film over the semiconductor channel. The memory film includes a tunneling layer over the semiconductor channel, a storage layer over the tunneling layer, and a blocking layer over the storage layer. The blocking layer and the storage layer are separated by the dielectric layers into a plurality of sections.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 2021Date of Patent: December 17, 2024Assignee: YANGTZE MEMORY TECHNOLOGIES CO., LTD.Inventors: Xiaoxin Liu, Lei Xue, Zhiliang Xia
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Patent number: 12167602Abstract: Some embodiments include an integrated assembly having a conductive structure which includes a semiconductor material over a metal-containing material. A stack of alternating conductive levels and insulative levels is over the conductive structure. A partition extends through the stack. The partition has wall regions, and has corner regions where two or more wall regions meet. The conductive structure includes a first portion which extends directly under the corner regions, and includes a second portion which is directly under the wall regions and is not directly under the corner regions. The first portion has a first thickness of the semiconductor material and the second portion has a second thickness of the semiconductor material. The first thickness is greater than the second thickness. Some embodiments include methods of forming integrated assemblies.Type: GrantFiled: May 11, 2023Date of Patent: December 10, 2024Inventor: Kunal R. Parekh
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Patent number: 12165970Abstract: A semiconductor memory structure includes a first cell including a first source structure and a first drain structure, a second cell including a second source structure and a second drain structure, a first bit line, a first source line, a second bit line and a second source line. The first source line is coupled to the first source structure. The first bit line is coupled to the first drain structure. The second source line is coupled to the second source structure. The second bit line is coupled to the second drain structure. The first source line and the first bit line are in a first common layer. The second bit line and the second source line are in a second common layer. A distance between the first source line and the first bit line is similar to a distance between the second source line and the second bit line.Type: GrantFiled: October 24, 2023Date of Patent: December 10, 2024Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY LTD.Inventors: Meng-Han Lin, Sai-Hooi Yeong, Chenchen Wang
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Patent number: 12160994Abstract: A memory device according to an embodiment includes a semiconductor layer, a gate electrode layer, and a first dielectric layer provided between the semiconductor layer and the gate electrode layer. The first dielectric layer contains aluminum (Al), a first element, nitrogen (N), and silicon (Si). The first element is at least one element selected from the group consisting of scandium (Sc), yttrium (Y), lanthanoid (Ln), boron (B), gallium (Ga), and indium (In).Type: GrantFiled: February 24, 2022Date of Patent: December 3, 2024Assignee: Kioxia CorporationInventors: Tsunehiro Ino, Akira Takashima
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Patent number: 12156406Abstract: Some embodiments include a memory device having a vertical stack of alternating insulative levels and conductive levels. Memory cells are along the conductive levels. The conductive levels have control gate regions which include a first vertical thickness, have routing regions which include a second vertical thickness that is less than the first vertical thickness, and have tapered transition regions between the first vertical thickness and the second vertical thickness. Charge-blocking material is adjacent to the control gate regions. Charge-storage material is adjacent to the charge-blocking material. Dielectric material is adjacent to the charge-storage material. Channel material extends vertically along the vertical stack and is adjacent to the dielectric material. The memory cells include the control gate regions, and include regions of the charge-blocking material, the charge-storage material, the dielectric material and the channel material.Type: GrantFiled: October 14, 2021Date of Patent: November 26, 2024Inventors: Byeung Chul Kim, Shyam Surthi
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Patent number: 12148505Abstract: Routing arrangements for 3D memory arrays and methods of forming the same are disclosed. In an embodiment, a memory array includes a first word line extending from a first edge of the memory array in a first direction, the first word line having a length less than a length of a second edge of the memory array perpendicular to the first edge of the memory array; a second word line extending from a third edge of the memory array opposite the first edge of the memory array, the second word line extending in the first direction, the second word line having a length less than the length of the second edge of the memory array; a memory film contacting the first word line; and an OS layer contacting a first source line and a first bit line, the memory film being disposed between the OS layer and the first word line.Type: GrantFiled: July 31, 2023Date of Patent: November 19, 2024Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.Inventors: Meng-Han Lin, Han-Jong Chia, Sheng-Chen Wang, Feng-Cheng Yang, Yu-Ming Lin, Chung-Te Lin
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Patent number: 12137566Abstract: A semiconductor device and method of forming thereof that includes a transistor of a peripheral circuit on a substrate. A first interconnect structure such as a first access line is formed over the transistor. A via extends above the first access line. A plurality of memory cell structures is formed over the interconnect structure and the via. A second interconnect structure, such as a second access line, is formed over the memory cell structure. The first access line is coupled to a first memory cell of the plurality of memory cell structures and second access line is coupled to a second memory cell of the plurality of memory cell structures.Type: GrantFiled: July 25, 2023Date of Patent: November 5, 2024Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.Inventors: Sheng-Chih Lai, Chung-Te Lin
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Patent number: 12137568Abstract: A three-dimensional (3D) NAND memory device includes a substrate, a staircase region including a first stack and a second stack, a barrier structure extending vertically through the first stack and laterally separating the first stack from the second stack, and a through array contact extending vertically through the first stack to the substrate. The first stack is disposed on the substrate and includes first and second dielectric layers arranged alternately in a vertical direction. The second stack is disposed on the substrate and includes conductor layers and third dielectric layers arranged alternately in the vertical direction. The barrier structure has an unclosed shape.Type: GrantFiled: July 12, 2023Date of Patent: November 5, 2024Assignee: YANGTZE MEMORY TECHNOLOGIES CO., LTD.Inventors: Zhenyu Lu, Simon Shi-Ning Yang, Feng Pan, Steve Weiyi Yang, Jun Chen, Guanping Wu, Wenguang Shi, Weihua Cheng
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Patent number: 12132116Abstract: An apparatus comprises a stack comprising an alternating sequence of dielectric structures and conductive structures, a first channel material extending vertically through the stack, and a second channel material adjacent the first channel material and extending vertically through the stack. The first channel material has a first band gap and the second channel material has a second band gap that is relatively larger than the first band gap. The apparatus further comprises a conductive plug structure adjacent to each of the first channel material and the second channel material, and a conductive line structure adjacent to the conductive plug structure. Methods of forming the apparatus, memory devices, and electronic systems are also described.Type: GrantFiled: July 21, 2022Date of Patent: October 29, 2024Inventors: Akira Goda, Marc Aoulaiche
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Patent number: 12127408Abstract: A nonvolatile memory device with improved operation performance and reliability, and a method for fabricating the same are provided. The nonvolatile memory device includes a substrate, a peripheral circuit structure on the substrate, a mold structure including a plurality of insulating patterns and a plurality of gate electrodes stacked alternately on the peripheral circuit structure, a channel structure penetrating the mold structure, a first impurity pattern in contact with first portions of the channel structure and having a first conductivity type, on the mold structure, and a second impurity pattern in contact with second portions of the channel structure and having a second conductivity type different from the first conductivity type, on the mold structure.Type: GrantFiled: May 5, 2023Date of Patent: October 22, 2024Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.Inventors: Young-Jin Jung, Bong Tae Park, Ho Jun Seong
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Patent number: 12125535Abstract: An integrated circuit device includes a plurality of word lines, a string selection line structure stacked on the plurality of word lines, and a plurality of channel structures extending in a vertical direction through the plurality of word lines and the string selection line structure. The string selection line structure includes a string selection bent line including a lower horizontal extension portion extending in a horizontal direction at a first level higher than the plurality of word lines, an upper horizontal extension portion extending in the horizontal direction at a second level higher than the first level, and a vertical extension portion connected between the lower horizontal extension portion and the upper horizontal extension portion.Type: GrantFiled: March 18, 2022Date of Patent: October 22, 2024Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventors: Kwanyong Kim, Sunil Shim, Wonseok Cho
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Patent number: 12125540Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for improving write latency and energy using asymmetric cell design are described. A memory device may implement a programming scheme that uses low programming pulses based on an asymmetric memory cell design. For example, the asymmetric memory cells may have electrodes with different contact areas (e.g., widths) and may accordingly be biased to a desired polarity (e.g., negative biased or positive biased) for programming operations. That is, the asymmetric memory cell design may enable an asymmetric read window budget. For example, an asymmetric memory cell may be polarity biased, supporting programming operations for logic states based on the polarity bias.Type: GrantFiled: April 29, 2022Date of Patent: October 22, 2024Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.Inventors: Mattia Robustelli, Innocenzo Tortorelli
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Patent number: 12106806Abstract: The present discloses provides a memory device and a method of operating the memory device. The memory device includes first main plugs formed in a vertical direction over a substrate and arranged in a first direction, second main plugs, third main plugs arranged between the first and second main plugs, the third main plugs adjacent to the first and second main plugs, and bit lines above the first to third main plugs, wherein each of the first to third main plugs includes first and second sub-plugs facing each other, wherein portions of the first and second sub-plugs included in each of the first and third main plugs are coupled to different select lines, and wherein portions of the first and second sub-plugs included in each of the second and third main plugs are coupled to different select lines.Type: GrantFiled: May 17, 2022Date of Patent: October 1, 2024Assignee: SK hynix Inc.Inventors: Jung Shik Jang, In Su Park, Woo Pyo Jeong, Jung Dal Choi, Jae Woong Kim, Jeong Hwan Kim
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Patent number: 12108601Abstract: Back gates and related apparatuses, systems, and methods are disclosed. An apparatus includes a channel material including a first side and a second side opposite the first side. The apparatus also includes word lines comprising electrically conductive material spaced along the first side of the channel material. The apparatus further includes a back gate comprising electrically conductive material proximate to the second side of the channel material. A method includes biasing a bit line and a word line associated with a memory cell according to a memory operation and biasing the back gate while biasing the bit line and the word line.Type: GrantFiled: August 25, 2021Date of Patent: October 1, 2024Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.Inventors: Andrew Bicksler, Marc Aoulaiche, Albert Fayrushin
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Patent number: 12094814Abstract: A memory device includes a staircase structure, multiple first plugs, multiple second plugs, and multiple third plugs. The staircase structure includes multiple gate layers and multiple insulating layers alternately stacked on each other, and the staircase structure includes multiple first blocks and multiple second blocks which alternate with each other. The first plugs are disposed in the first blocks, and the first plugs in a same first block are staggered with each other. The second plugs are disposed in the first blocks. The second plugs in a same first block are staggered with each other, and the first plugs and the second plugs in a same first block are staggered with each other. The third plugs are disposed in the second blocks.Type: GrantFiled: June 17, 2021Date of Patent: September 17, 2024Assignee: MACRONIX International Co., Ltd.Inventor: Chin-Cheng Yang
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Patent number: 12094943Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes an alternating stack of insulating layers and electrically conductive layers, a memory opening vertically extending through the alternating stack, and a memory opening fill structure located in the memory opening and including a vertical semiconductor channel, a memory film in contact with the vertical semiconductor channel, and a vertical stack of tubular dielectric spacers laterally surrounding the memory film. The tubular dielectric spacers may include tubular graded silicon oxynitride portions having a composition gradient such that an atomic concentration of nitrogen decreases with a lateral distance from an outer sidewall of the memory film, or may include tubular composite dielectric spacers including a respective tubular silicon oxide spacer and a respective tubular dielectric metal oxide spacer. Each of the electrically conductive layers has a hammerhead-shaped vertical cross-sectional profile.Type: GrantFiled: January 28, 2022Date of Patent: September 17, 2024Assignee: SANDISK TECHNOLOGIES LLCInventors: Tomohiro Kubo, Yuki Kasai
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Patent number: 12096636Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes semiconductor devices located over a substrate, bit lines electrically connected to the semiconductor devices and having a respective reentrant vertical cross-sectional profile within a vertical plane that is perpendicular to a lengthwise direction along which the bit lines laterally extend, and dielectric portions that are interlaced with the bit lines along a horizontal direction that is perpendicular to the lengthwise direction. The dielectric portions may contain air gaps. A bit-line-contact via structure can be formed on top of a bit line. In some embodiments, dielectric cap strips may be located on top surface of the dielectric portions and may cover peripheral regions of the top surfaces of the bit lines without covering middle regions of the top surfaces of the bit lines.Type: GrantFiled: September 20, 2021Date of Patent: September 17, 2024Assignee: SANDISK TECHNOLOGIES LLCInventors: Adarsh Rajashekhar, Raghuveer S. Makala, Rahul Sharangpani, Fei Zhou
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Patent number: 12058857Abstract: Embodiments of 3D memory devices and methods for forming and operating the same are disclosed. In an example, a 3D memory device includes a memory stack, a plurality of memory strings, and a plurality of bit line contacts each in contact with a respective one of the plurality of memory strings. The memory stack includes interleaved conductive layers and dielectric layers. Each memory string extends vertically through the memory stack. The conductive layers include a plurality of drain select gate (DSG) lines configured to control drains of the plurality of memory strings. The plurality of memory strings are divided into a plurality of regions that are a minimum repeating unit of the memory stack in a plan view. Each of the plurality of memory strings abuts at least one of the DSG lines.Type: GrantFiled: July 31, 2020Date of Patent: August 6, 2024Assignee: YANGTZE MEMORY TECHNOLOGIES CO., LTD.Inventor: Lichuan Zhao
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Patent number: 12041778Abstract: A semiconductor storage device includes a first stacked body, a second stacked body, an intermediate insulating layer, and a plurality of columnar bodies. The intermediate insulating layer is located between a first stacked body and a second stacked body and has a thickness in the stacking direction larger than that of one insulating layer in the plurality of insulating layers of the first stacked body. The plurality of columnar bodies are provided over the first stacked body and the second stacked body, and each columnar body includes a semiconductor body, a charge storage film provided between at least one of the plurality of conductive layers and the semiconductor body, and a semiconductor film. Each of the plurality of columnar bodies include a first columnar portion formed in the first stacked body, a second columnar portion formed in the intermediate insulating layer, and a third columnar portion formed in the second stacked body.Type: GrantFiled: September 1, 2021Date of Patent: July 16, 2024Assignee: KIOXIA CORPORATIONInventors: Yosuke Mitsuno, Tatsufumi Hamada, Shinichi Sotome, Tomohiro Kuki
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Patent number: 12035530Abstract: In an example, a three-dimensional (3D) memory device includes a memory stack and a through stair contact (TSC). The memory stack includes interleaved conductive layers and dielectric layers. The memory stack includes stairs in a staircase region. The TSC extends through the memory stack in the staircase region. The TSC includes a first conductor layer and a first spacer circumscribing the first conductor layer. The first conductor layer of the TSC is insulated from the conductive layers of the memory stack by the first spacer.Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 2023Date of Patent: July 9, 2024Assignee: YANGTZE MEMORY TECHNOLOGIES CO., LTD.Inventors: Qinxiang Wei, Jianhua Sun, Ji Xia
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Patent number: 12034057Abstract: Some embodiments include a memory array having a vertical stack of alternating insulative levels and wordline levels. Channel material extends vertically along the stack. The wordline levels include conductive regions which have a first metal-containing material and a second metal-containing material. The first metal-containing material at least partially surrounds the second metal-containing material. The first metal-containing material has a different crystallinity than the second metal-containing material. In some embodiments the first metal-containing material is substantially amorphous, and the second metal-containing material has a mean grain size within a range of from greater than or equal to about 5 nm to less than or equal to about 200 nm. Charge-storage regions are adjacent the wordline levels. Charge-blocking regions are between the charge-storage regions and the conductive regions.Type: GrantFiled: October 7, 2021Date of Patent: July 9, 2024Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.Inventors: Jordan D. Greenlee, Rita J. Klein, Everett A. McTeer, John Mark Meldrim
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Patent number: 12021030Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure provide a semiconductor device. The semiconductor device can include a trench formed in a first dielectric layer, a trench filler layer that fills a portion of the trench, a conductive layer over the trench filler layer, and a second dielectric layer over the conductive layer. The second dielectric layer is disposed in the trench. The semiconductor device can also include a contact structure configured to connect to the conductive layer through a hole in the second dielectric layer.Type: GrantFiled: April 1, 2021Date of Patent: June 25, 2024Assignee: Yangtze Memory Technologies Co., Ltd.Inventors: Wei Xu, Qingqing Wang, Jinxing Chen, Guanglong Fan, Huichao Liu
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Patent number: 12009436Abstract: Some embodiments include a memory cell having charge-trapping-material between a semiconductor channel material and a gating region. The charge-trapping-material includes silicon, nitrogen and trap-enhancing-additive. The trap-enhancing-additive includes one or more of carbon, phosphorus, boron and metal. Some embodiments include an integrated assembly having a stack of alternating first and second levels. The first levels include conductive structures and the second levels are insulative. Channel-material-pillars extend through the stack. Charge-trapping-regions are along the channel-material-pillars and are between the channel-material-pillars and the conductive structures. The charge-trapping-regions include a charge-trapping-material which contains silicon, nitrogen and trap-enhancing-additive. The trap-enhancing-additive includes one or more of carbon, phosphorus, boron and metal.Type: GrantFiled: January 8, 2023Date of Patent: June 11, 2024Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.Inventors: Manzar Siddik, Terry H. Kim
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Patent number: 12010853Abstract: Disclosed are novel structures and methods for 3D NVM built with vertical transistors above a logic layer. A first embodiment has a conductive film under the transistors and serving as a common node in a memory block. The conductive film may be from a semiconductor layer used to build the transistors. Metal lines are disposed above the transistors for connection through 3D vias to underlying circuitry. Contact plugs may be formed between transistors and metal lines. The conductive film may be coupled to underlying circuitry through contacts on the conductive film or through interconnect vias underneath the film. A second embodiment has conductive lines disposed under the transistors. Either of conductive lines and metal lines may serve as source lines and the other as bit lines for the memory. For low parasitic resistances, the conductive lines may be shorted to bypass metal lines residing in underlying logic layer.Type: GrantFiled: June 14, 2021Date of Patent: June 11, 2024Assignee: BeSang, Inc.Inventor: Sang-Yun Lee
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Patent number: 11984484Abstract: A semiconductor memory device according to an embodiment includes a substrate, a source line, word lines, a pillar, and a first member. The first member is provided to penetrate the source line. The first member includes a first portion which is far from the substrate, and a second portion which is near the substrate. The first member includes a first contact and a first insulating film. The first contact is provided to extend from the first portion to the second portion. The first contact is electrically connected to the substrate. The first insulating film insulates the source line from the first contact. The first member includes a stepped portion at a boundary part between the first portion and the second portion.Type: GrantFiled: September 9, 2021Date of Patent: May 14, 2024Assignee: Kioxia CorporationInventors: Tomonori Kajino, Taichi Iwasaki, Tatsuya Fujishima, Masayuki Shishido, Nozomi Kido
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Patent number: 11985822Abstract: A memory device is provided. The memory device includes a stacked structure, a tubular element, a conductive pillar and memory cells. The tubular element includes a dummy channel layer and penetrates the stacked structure. The conductive pillar is enclosed by the tubular element and extending beyond a bottom surface of the dummy channel layer. The memory cells are in the stacked structure and electrically connected to the conductive pillar.Type: GrantFiled: September 2, 2020Date of Patent: May 14, 2024Assignee: MACRONIX INTERNATIONAL CO., LTD.Inventors: Teng-Hao Yeh, Chih-Wei Hu, Hang-Ting Lue, Guan-Ru Lee
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Patent number: 11980031Abstract: According to an embodiment, a non-volatile memory device includes first electrodes stacked on an underlying layer, a second electrode provided on the first electrodes, a semiconductor layer extending in a first direction from the underlying layer to the second electrode, and a memory film provided between each of the first electrodes and the semiconductor layer. The semiconductor layer includes a first portion adjacent to the first electrodes and a second portion adjacent to the second electrode. The second portion has a thickness thinner than a thickness of the first portion in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2020Date of Patent: May 7, 2024Assignee: Kioxia CorporationInventors: Takashi Ishida, Yoshiaki Fukuzumi, Takayuki Okada, Masaki Tsuji
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Patent number: 11974431Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method for forming a three-dimensional memory device. The method can comprise forming a film stack with a plurality of dielectric layer pairs on a substrate, forming a channel structure region in the film stack including a plurality of channel structures, and forming a first staircase structure in a first staircase region and a second staircase structure in a second staircase region. Each of the first staircase structure and the second staircase structure can include a plurality of division block structures arranged along a first direction. A first vertical offset defines a boundary between adjacent division block structures. Each division block structure includes a plurality of staircases arranged along a second direction that is different from the first direction. Each staircase includes a plurality of steps arranged along the first direction.Type: GrantFiled: June 21, 2021Date of Patent: April 30, 2024Assignee: Yangtze Memory Technologies Co., Ltd.Inventors: Zhong Zhang, Wenyu Hua, Zhiliang Xia
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Patent number: 11968839Abstract: A memory device includes a semiconductor channel, a gate electrode, and a stack located between the semiconductor channel and the gate electrode. The stack includes, from one side to another, a first ferroelectric material portion, a second ferroelectric material portion, and a gate dielectric portion that contacts the semiconductor channel.Type: GrantFiled: September 6, 2022Date of Patent: April 23, 2024Assignee: SANDISK TECHNOLOGIES LLCInventors: Yanli Zhang, Johann Alsmeier
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Patent number: 11967555Abstract: A semiconductor device includes: a stack structure including conductive patterns and stack insulating layers, which are alternately stacked; a channel structure penetrating the stack structure; a tunnel insulating layer surrounding the channel structure; a cell storage pattern surrounding the tunnel insulating layer; and a dummy storage pattern surrounding the tunnel insulating layer, the dummy storage pattern being spaced apart from the cell storage pattern. The conductive patterns include a select conductive pattern in contact with the tunnel insulating layer.Type: GrantFiled: January 30, 2023Date of Patent: April 23, 2024Assignee: SK hynix Inc.Inventor: Nam Jae Lee
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Patent number: 11967632Abstract: A method used in forming a memory array comprising strings of memory cells comprises forming a conductor tier comprising conductor material on a substrate. A stack is formed comprising vertically-alternating first tiers and second tiers above the conductor tier. The stack comprises laterally-spaced memory-block regions having horizontally-elongated trenches there-between. Channel-material strings extend through the first tiers and the second tiers. Material of the first tiers is of different composition from that of the second tiers. A lowest of the first tiers is thicker than the first tiers there-above. The first-tier material is isotropically etched selectively relative to the second-tier material to form void-space in the first tiers. Conducting material is deposited into the trenches and into the void-space in the first tiers. The conducting material fills the void-space in the first tiers that are above the lowest first tier.Type: GrantFiled: August 18, 2021Date of Patent: April 23, 2024Inventor: John D. Hopkins
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Patent number: 11956953Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: September 21, 2022Date of Patent: April 9, 2024Assignee: Yangtze Memory Technologies Co., Ltd.Inventors: Zhenyu Lu, Wenguang Shi, Guanping Wu, Feng Pan, Xianjin Wan, Baoyou Chen
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Patent number: 11955441Abstract: An interconnect structure comprises a first dielectric layer, a first metal layer, a second dielectric layer, a metal via, and a second metal layer. The first dielectric layer is over a substrate. The first metal layer is over the first dielectric layer. The first metal layer comprises a first portion and a second portion spaced apart from the first portion. The second dielectric layer is over the first metal layer. The metal via has an upper portion in the second dielectric layer, a middle portion between the first and second portions of the first metal layer, and a lower portion in the first dielectric layer. The second metal layer is over the metal via. From a top view the second metal layer comprises a metal line having longitudinal sides respectively set back from opposite sides of the first portion of the first metal layer.Type: GrantFiled: March 28, 2022Date of Patent: April 9, 2024Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.Inventors: Jian-Hong Lin, Kuo-Yen Liu, Hsin-Chun Chang, Tzu-Li Lee, Yu-Ching Lee, Yih-Ching Wang
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Patent number: 11956964Abstract: A semiconductor memory device according to the present embodiment includes a semiconductor substrate, a structure including a plurality of insulating films and a plurality of conductive films alternately stacked on the semiconductor substrate, and a pillar penetrating the structure. The plurality of conductive films include a plurality of first conductive films and a second conductive film arranged closer to the semiconductor substrate than the plurality of first conductive films. The pillar has a first epitaxial growth layer doped with boron and carbon in a part in contact with the semiconductor substrate, and configured to functions as a part of a source side select gate transistor together with the second conductive film. The plurality of first conductive films configured to functions as a part of a plurality of non-volatile memory cells.Type: GrantFiled: March 12, 2021Date of Patent: April 9, 2024Assignee: Kioxia CorporationInventor: Ken Komiya
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Patent number: 11956950Abstract: A method used in forming a memory array comprising strings of memory cells comprises forming laterally-spaced memory blocks individually comprising a vertical stack comprising alternating insulative tiers and conductive tiers. Channel-material strings of memory cells extend through the insulative tiers and the conductive tiers. The conductive tiers comprise metal along sides of the memory blocks. Silicon is formed between the memory blocks over the metal of the conductive tiers. The silicon and the metal react to form metal silicide therefrom that is directly against and longitudinally-along the metal of individual of the conductive tiers. After the reacting, unreacted of the silicon is removed from between the memory blocks and intervening material is formed between and longitudinally-along the memory blocks. Other embodiments, including structure independent of method, are disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: December 13, 2022Date of Patent: April 9, 2024Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.Inventors: John D. Hopkins, Nancy M. Lomeli
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Patent number: 11943927Abstract: A semiconductor memory device includes a tunnel insulating layer, a data storage layer, and a blocking insulating layer that are sequentially disposed. The tunnel insulating layer includes Metal Organic Frameworks (MOF) having a lower dielectric constant than a dielectric constant of the blocking insulating layer.Type: GrantFiled: August 18, 2021Date of Patent: March 26, 2024Assignee: SK hynix Inc.Inventors: Jae Hyun Han, Won Tae Koo
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Patent number: 11930637Abstract: Described is selective deposition of a silicon nitride (SiN) trap layer to form a memory device. A sacrificial layer is used for selective deposition in order to permit selective trap deposition. The trap layer is formed by deposition of a mold including a sacrificial layer, memory hole (MH) patterning, sacrificial layer recess from MH side, forming a deposition-enabling layer (DEL) on a side of the recess, and selective deposition of trap layer. After removing the sacrificial layer from a slit pattern opening, the deposition-enabling layer (DEL) is converted into an oxide to be used as blocking oxide.Type: GrantFiled: June 14, 2021Date of Patent: March 12, 2024Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.Inventors: Chang Seok Kang, Tomohiko Kitajima, Mihaela A. Balseanu