Multiple Insulator Layers (e.g., Mnos Structure) Patents (Class 257/324)
  • Patent number: 11238934
    Abstract: A nonvolatile memory device includes a peripheral circuit region and a memory cell region. The peripheral circuit region includes a block selecting circuit, a block unselecting circuit, and a first metal pad. The memory cell region is vertically connected to the peripheral circuit region, and includes a first memory block and a second metal pad directly connected to the first metal pad. The block selecting circuit is connected with ground selection lines, word lines, and string selection lines, and provides corresponding driving voltages to the ground selection lines, the word lines, and the string selection lines in response to a block selection signal corresponding to the first memory block, respectively. The block unselecting circuit is connected only with specific string selection lines, and provides an off-voltage only to the specific string selection lines in response to a block un-selection signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Sang-Wan Nam, Euihyun Cheon, Byungjun Min
  • Patent number: 11233064
    Abstract: The semiconductor device includes interlayer insulating layers, a gate pattern and a vertical memory structure. The interlayer insulating layers are stacked on the substrate to be spaced apart from each other. The gate pattern includes an overlapping portion disposed vertically between the interlayer insulating layers, and an extension portion extending from the overlapping portion in a horizontal direction parallel to an upper surface of the substrate. The vertical memory structure includes a channel semiconductor layer and a dielectric structure, the channel semiconductor layer extends in a direction perpendicular to the substrate upper surface to have side surfaces that face side surfaces of the interlayer insulating layers and a side surface of the extension portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2022
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Ki Hyun Kim, Seung Wan Hong
  • Patent number: 11233043
    Abstract: A three-dimensional semiconductor memory device, including a peripheral circuit structure including a first metal pad and a cell array structure disposed on the peripheral circuit structure and including a second metal pad. The peripheral circuit structure may include a first substrate including a first peripheral circuit region and a second peripheral circuit region, first contact plugs, second contact plugs, and a first passive device on and electrically connected to the second contact plugs. The cell array structure may include a second substrate disposed on the peripheral circuit structure, the second substrate including a cell array region and a contact region. The cell array structure may further include gate electrodes and cell contact plugs. The first passive device is vertically between the gate electrodes and the second contact plugs and includes a first contact line. The first metal pad and the second metal pad may be connected by bonding manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2022
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Chanho Kim, Joo-Yong Park, Daeseok Byeon
  • Patent number: 11233067
    Abstract: A vertical memory device includes a substrate including a cell array region and a connection region adjacent to the cell array region, a plurality of gate electrode layers stacked on the cell array region and the connection region of the substrate, a channel structure on the cell array region and extending in a direction perpendicular to an upper surface of the substrate while penetrating through the plurality of gate electrode layers, a dummy channel structure on the connection region and extending in the direction perpendicular to the upper surface of the substrate while penetrating through at least a portion of the plurality of gate electrode layers, and a support insulating layer between a portion of the plurality of gate electrode layers and the dummy channel structure. The plurality of gate electrode form a stepped structure on the connection region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2022
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Moon Kyu Song, Ki Yoon Kang, Jae Hoon Jang
  • Patent number: 11233042
    Abstract: A three-dimensional semiconductor memory device, including a first chip and a second chip stacked on the first chip may be provided. The first chip may include a first substrate including a first peripheral circuit region and a second peripheral circuit region, first contact plugs, and second contact plugs, and a passive device on and electrically connected to the second contact plugs. The second chip may include a second substrate including a cell array region and a contact region, which vertically overlap the second peripheral circuit region and the first peripheral circuit region of the first chip, respectively. The second chip may further include gate electrodes, and cell contact plugs disposed on the contact region of the second substrate and on end portions of the gate electrodes. The first passive device may be vertically between the gate electrodes and the second contact plugs and may include a first contact line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2022
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Chanho Kim, Joo-Yong Park, Daeseok Byeon
  • Patent number: 11222827
    Abstract: A semiconductor device is provided. The semiconductor device includes a stack structure disposed on a lower structure; an insulating structure disposed on the stack structure; and a vertical structure extending in a direction perpendicular to an upper surface of the lower structure and having side surfaces opposing the stack structure and the insulating structure. The stack structure includes interlayer insulating layers and gate layers, alternately stacked, and the insulating structure includes a lower insulating layer, an intermediate insulating layer on the lower insulating layer, and an upper insulating layer on the intermediate insulating layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2022
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Hui Chang Moon
  • Patent number: 11217600
    Abstract: In the highly efficient fabrication processes for HNOR arrays provided herein, the channel regions of the storage transistors in the HNOR arrays are protected by a protective layer after deposition until the subsequent deposition of a charge-trapping material before forming local word lines. Both the silicon for the channel regions and the protective material may be deposited in amorphous form and are subsequently crystallized in an anneal step. The protective material may be silicon boron, silicon carbon or silicon germanium. The protective material induces greater grain boundaries in the crystallized silicon in the channel regions, thereby providing greater charge carrier mobility, greater conductivity and greater current densities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2022
    Assignee: SUNRISE MEMORY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Vinod Purayath, Wu-Yi Henry Chien
  • Patent number: 11211394
    Abstract: Embodiments of structure and methods for forming a three-dimensional (3D) memory device are provided. In an example, a 3D memory device includes a memory stack, a plurality of channel structures, and a source structure. The memory stack is over a substrate and includes interleaved a plurality of conductor layers and a plurality of insulating layers. The source structure includes a plurality of source contacts, and two adjacent ones of the plurality of source contacts are conductively connected to one another by a connection layer. A pair of first portions of the connection layer are over the two adjacent ones of the plurality of source contacts and a second portion of the connection layer being between the two adjacent ones of the plurality of source contacts. Top surfaces of the pair of first portions of the connection are coplanar with a top surface of the second portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Assignee: YANGTZE MEMORY TECHNOLOGIES CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Wenxiang Xu, Wei Xu, Pan Huang, Ping Yan, Zongliang Huo, Wenbin Zhou, Ji Xia
  • Patent number: 11211372
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a first substrate structure having a first substrate, circuit elements disposed on the first substrate, and first bonding pads disposed on the circuit elements. A second substrate structure is connected to the first substrate structure. The second substrate structure includes a second substrate having first and second surfaces, first and second conductive layers spaced apart from each other, a pad insulating layer having an opening exposing a portion of the second conductive layer and gate electrodes stacked to be spaced apart from each other in a first direction and electrically connected to the circuit elements. First contact plugs extend on the second surface in the first direction and connect to the gate electrodes. A second contact plug extends on the second surface in the first direction and electrically connects to the second conductive layer. Second bonding pads electrically connect to the first and second contact plugs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Hyun Mog Park
  • Patent number: 11211393
    Abstract: Methods and structures of a three-dimensional memory device are disclosed. In an example, the memory device includes a substrate having one or more first recesses in a first region and one or more second recesses in a second region. A liner layer is disposed over the sidewalls and bottom of the one or more first recesses in the first region and an epitaxially-grown material is formed in the one or more second recesses in the second region. One or more NAND strings are formed over the epitaxially-grown material disposed in the one or more second recesses, and one or more vertical structures are formed over the one or more first recesses in the first region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Assignee: Yangtze Memory Technologies Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yue Qiang Pu, Jin Wen Dong, Jun Chen, Zhenyu Lu, Qian Tao, Yushi Hu, Zhao Hui Tang, Li Hong Xiao, Yu Ting Zhou, Sizhe Li, Zhaosong Li
  • Patent number: 11205662
    Abstract: Embodiments of 3D memory devices with a dielectric etch stop layer and methods for forming the same are disclosed. In an example, a method for forming a 3D memory device is disclosed. The method includes forming a dielectric etch stop layer. The dielectric etch stop is disposed on a substrate. The method also includes forming a dielectric stack on the dielectric etch stop layer. The dielectric stack includes a plurality of interleaved dielectric layers and sacrificial layers. The method further includes forming an opening extending vertically through the dielectric stack and extending the opening through the dielectric etch stop layer. In addition, the method includes forming a selective epitaxial growth (SEG) plug at a lower portion of the opening. The SEG plug is disposed on the substrate. Moreover, the method includes forming a channel structure above and in contact with the SEG plug in the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2021
    Assignee: YANGTZE MEMORY TECHNOLOGIES CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Fandong Liu, Wenyu Hua, Jia He, Linchen Wu, Yue Qiang Pu, Zhiliang Xia
  • Patent number: 11205656
    Abstract: The present disclosure describes method and structure of a three-dimensional memory device. The memory device includes a substrate and a plurality of wordlines extending along a first direction over the substrate. The first direction is along the x direction. The plurality of wordlines form a staircase structure in a first region. A plurality of channels are formed in a second region and through the plurality of wordlines. The second region abuts the first region at a region boundary. The memory device also includes an insulating slit formed in the first and second regions and along the first direction. A first width of the insulating slit in the first region measured in a second direction is greater than a second width of the insulating slit in the second region measured in the second direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2021
    Assignee: Yangtze Memory Technologies Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Qiang Xu, Zhiliang Xia, Ping Yan, Guangji Li, Zongliang Huo
  • Patent number: 11201086
    Abstract: Semiconductor devices and methods of forming the semiconductor devices are provided. The methods may include forming a fin, forming a first device isolating layer on a side of the fin, forming a second device isolating layer extending through the first device isolating layer, forming first and second gates traversing the fin and forming a third device isolating layer between the first and second gates. The first device isolating layer may include a first material and a lowermost surface at a first depth. The second device isolating layer may include a second material and a lowermost surface at a second depth greater than the first depth. The third device isolating layer may extend into the fin, may include a lowermost surface at a third depth less than the first depth and a third material different from the first and the second materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Inventors: Sung-Min Kim, Sunhom Steve Paak, Heon-Jong Shin, Dong-Ho Cha
  • Patent number: 11201166
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a plurality of first gate electrodes sequentially stacked on a substrate, a second gate electrode on the plurality of first gate electrodes, a first channel structure extending through the plurality of first gate electrodes and a portion of the second gate electrode, a buried insulation pattern on a sidewall of the first channel structure, of which an upper surface is at a higher level than a top end of the first channel structure, a second channel structure extending through a remainder of the second gate electrode, the second channel structure connected to the first channel structure, and a buried conductive pattern on a sidewall of the second channel structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Eun Yeoung Choi, Hyung Joon Kim, Su Hyeong Lee, Yong Seok Cho
  • Patent number: 11201169
    Abstract: A memory device includes: a first bit line located on a dielectric layer and a second bit line located over the dielectric layer; a first word line and a second word line located between the first bit line and the second bit line; a source line located between the first word line and the second word line; a channel pillar penetrating through the first word line and the source line and the second word line, and being connected to the first bit line, the source line and the second bit line; and a charge storage structure including an upper portion surrounding an upper sidewall of the channel pillar and located between the second word line and the channel pillar; and a lower portion surrounding a lower sidewall of the channel pillar and located between the first word line and the channel pillar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignee: MACRONIX INTERNATIONAL CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Chih-Hsiung Lee, Shaw-Hung Ku
  • Patent number: 11195854
    Abstract: Some embodiments include an integrated structure having a first opening extending through a stack of alternating insulative levels and conductive levels. A nitride structure is within the first opening and narrows the first opening to form a second opening. Detectable oxide is between the nitride structure and one or more of the conductive levels. Some embodiments include an integrated structure having a conductive material, a select device gate material over the conductive material, and vertically-stacked conductive levels over the select device gate material. A first opening extends through the vertically-stacked levels to the conductive material and has opposing sidewalls along a cross-section. Nitride liners are along the sidewalls of the first opening. Detectable oxide is between at least one of the nitride liners and one or more of the vertically-stacked conductive levels. Some embodiments include methods for forming integrated structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Jie Li, James Mathew, Kunal Shrotri, Luan C. Tran, Gordon A. Haller, Yangda Zhang, Hongpeng Yu, Minsoo Lee
  • Patent number: 11195851
    Abstract: The present technology provides a semiconductor memory device. The semiconductor memory device includes a source film spaced from a substrate and disposed on the substrate, a conductive contact plug penetrating the source film, and a dummy stack body including dummy interlayer insulating films and sacrificial insulating films alternately stacked on the conductive contact plug.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Assignee: SK hynix Inc.
    Inventors: Jae Taek Kim, Young Ock Hong
  • Patent number: 11195842
    Abstract: A method of forming a semiconductor structure includes forming a wordline stack for a non-volatile memory structure over a capping layer, the wordline stack including sets of alternating layers of insulating and gate materials each having a different width. The method also includes forming a first bitline contact layer between first and second portions of the wordline stack each including at least one of the sets. The method further includes forming a floating gate device structure vertically in a channel hole through the wordline stack, the first bitline contact layer and the capping layer. The method further includes forming wordline contacts to the gate layers and a first bitline contact to the first bitline contact layer in holes paced apart from vertical sidewalls of the floating gate device structure, and forming a second bitline contact over at least a portion of a top surface of the floating gate device structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: Effendi Leobandung
  • Patent number: 11189635
    Abstract: Methods of manufacturing memory devices are provided. The methods decrease the thickness of the first layers and increase the thickness of the second layers. Semiconductor devices are described having a film stack comprising alternating nitride and second layers in a first portion of the device, the alternating nitride and second layers of the film stack having a nitride:oxide thickness ratio (Nf:Of); and a memory stack comprising alternating word line and second layers in a second portion of the device, the alternating word line and second layers of the memory stack having a word line:oxide thickness ratio (Wm:Om), wherein 0.1(Wm:Om)<Nf:Of<0.95(Wm:Om).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Assignee: APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.
    Inventors: Chang Seok Kang, Tomohiko Kitajima, Mukund Srinivasan, Sanjay Natarajan
  • Patent number: 11189625
    Abstract: There are provided a semiconductor memory device and a manufacturing method thereof. The semiconductor memory device includes: a cell source structure; a first stack structure disposed on the cell source structure; a channel structure penetrating the first stack structure, the channel structure being connected to the cell source structure; and a first peripheral transistor including impurity regions. A level of a bottom surface of each of the impurity regions is higher than that of a bottom surface of the cell source structure, and a level of a top surface of each of the impurity regions is lower than that of a top surface of the cell source structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Assignee: SK hynix Inc.
    Inventors: Jae Taek Kim, Hye Yeong Jung
  • Patent number: 11189636
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a stack structure on a substrate, the stack structure including interlayer insulating layers and first gate electrodes alternately stacked on each other, a semiconductor layer in an opening penetrating through the stack structure, a first dielectric layer between the semiconductor layer and the stack structure, and a lower pattern closer to the substrate than to the first gate electrodes in the stack structure, the lower pattern including a first surface facing the first dielectric layer, and a second surface facing the stack structure, the second surface defining an acute angle with the first surface, wherein the first dielectric layer includes a first portion facing the stack structure, and a second portion facing the first surface of the lower pattern, the second portion having a thickness greater than a thickness of the first portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Ji Hoon Choi, Sung Gil Kim, Seulye Kim, Jung Ho Kim, Hong Suk Kim, Phil Ouk Nam, Jae Young Ahn, Han Jin Lim
  • Patent number: 11189637
    Abstract: An alternating stack of insulating layers and spacer material layers is formed over a substrate. Memory stack structures are formed through the alternating stack. A pair of backside trenches and a set of nested trenches are simultaneously formed through the alternating stack. Each trench within the set of nested trenches is spaced from any other trench within the set of nested trenches by at least one patterned remaining portion of the alternating stack having a respective shape of an enclosing wall. The at least one patterned remaining portion of the alternating stack is removed from inside to outside using sequential etch processes. A dielectric pillar structure is formed within the pillar-shaped cavity. The sacrificial material layers are replaced with electrically conductive layers. A through-memory-level conductive via structure is formed through the dielectric pillar structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Assignee: SANDISK TECHNOLOGIES LLC
    Inventor: Akihiro Tobioka
  • Patent number: 11183512
    Abstract: Embodiments of structure and methods for forming a three-dimensional (3D) memory device are provided. In an example, a 3D memory device includes a memory stack, a plurality of channel structures, a slit structure, and a source structure. The memory stack may be over a substrate and may include interleaved a plurality of conductor layers and a plurality of insulating layers extending laterally in the memory stack. The plurality of channel structures may extend vertically through the memory stack into the substrate. The slit structure may extend vertically and laterally in the memory stack and divide the plurality of memory cells into at least one memory block. The slit structure may include a plurality of protruding portions and a plurality of recessed portions arranged vertically along a sidewall of the slit structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2021
    Assignee: YANGTZE MEMORY TECHNOLOGIES CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Zongliang Huo, Haohao Yang, Wei Xu, Ping Yan, Pan Huang, Wenbin Zhou
  • Patent number: 11183509
    Abstract: An approach to use silicided bit line contacts that do not short to the underlying substrate in memory devices. The approach provides for silicide formation in the bit line contact area, using a process that benefits from being self-aligned to the oxide-nitride-oxide (ONO) nitride edges. A further benefit of the approach is that the bit line contact implant and rapid temperature anneal process can be eliminated. This approach is applicable to embedded flash, integrating high density devices and advanced logic processes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2021
    Assignee: Cypress Semiconductor Corporation
    Inventors: Ching-Huang Lu, Simon Siu-Sing Chan, Hidehiko Shiraiwa, Lei Xue
  • Patent number: 11183575
    Abstract: Memory device includes a bottom-select-gate (BSG) structure. Cut slits are formed vertically through the BSG structure, on a substrate. A cell-layers structure is formed on the BSG structure. Gate-line slits are formed vertically through the cell-layers structure and the BSG structure, into the substrate and arranged along a first lateral direction to distinguish finger regions. The gate-line slits include a first gate-line slit between first and second finger regions, the first gate-line slit including gate-line sub-slits. The cut slits include a first cut-slit, formed in the second finger region and connecting to a gate-line sub-slit to define a BSG in a first portion of the second finger region. The BSG in the first portion of the second finger region is electrically connected to cell strings in the first finger region through an inter portion between the one gate-line sub-slit and an adjacent gate-line sub-slit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2021
    Assignee: Yangtze Memory Technologies Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Zhongwang Sun, Zhong Zhang, Lei Liu, Wenxi Zhou, Zhiliang Xia
  • Patent number: 11174160
    Abstract: A method of forming at least one Micro-Electro-Mechanical System (MEMS) includes patterning a wiring layer to form at least one fixed plate and forming a sacrificial material on the wiring layer. The method further includes forming an insulator layer of one or more films over the at least one fixed plate and exposed portions of an underlying substrate to prevent formation of a reaction product between the wiring layer and a sacrificial material. The method further includes forming at least one MEMS beam that is moveable over the at least one fixed plate. The method further includes venting or stripping of the sacrificial material to form at least a first cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2021
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Anthony K. Stamper, John G. Twombly
  • Patent number: 11177134
    Abstract: A conductive pattern and a method for manufacturing the same, a thin film transistor, a display substrate and a display device are provided. The method includes: step A, forming a metal layer on a base substrate; step B, forming a first conductive buffer layer on the metal layer; step C, patterning the metal layer and the first conductive buffer layer to form a conductive sub-pattern; and performing steps A to C repeatedly for N times to form N conductive sub-patterns that are stacked on the base substrate. The conductive pattern comprises the N conductive sub-patterns, and N is a positive integer greater than 1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2021
    Assignee: BOE TECHNOLOGY GROUP CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jianguo Wang, Zhanfeng Cao, Haixu Li
  • Patent number: 11171178
    Abstract: An electronic device including a semiconductor memory is provided. The semiconductor memory includes: a substrate having a substantially horizontal upper surface; first to Nth layers disposed in horizontal layers on the substrate and spaced apart from each other above the substrate in a vertical direction, wherein each of the first to Nth layers comprises a plurality of conductive lines; an insulating layer disposed to fill spaces between the conductive lines; a hole having sidewalls that extends in the vertical direction through the insulating layer and between the conductive lines to expose, in sidewalls of the hole, conductive lines of the first to Nth layers; a variable resistance layer disposed on sidewalls of the hole; and a conductive pillar disposed to fill the hole in which the variable resistance layer is formed, wherein N is a natural number of two or more.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignee: SK HYNIX INC.
    Inventors: Jae-Hyun Han, Hyang-Keun Yoo, Se-Ho Lee
  • Patent number: 11171152
    Abstract: A three-dimensional flash memory device is described that may include a substrate, a plurality of cell gate patterns and a plurality of mold insulating layers alternately stacked on the substrate, and a vertical channel structure in contact with side surfaces of the plurality of cell gate patterns and side surfaces of the plurality of mold insulating layers. Each of the plurality of cell gate patterns may include a cell gate electrode and a blocking barrier pattern adjacently disposed on one side surface of the cell gate electrode. An inner side surface of the blocking barrier pattern may include an upper inner side surface, a middle inner side surface, and a lower inner side surface. The middle inner side surface of the blocking barrier pattern may face the one side surface of the cell gate electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chunghwan Yang, Joyoung Park, Taeyun Bae, Byungyong Choi
  • Patent number: 11171153
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Byeung Chul Kim, Shyam Surthi
  • Patent number: 11164932
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a backplane for a display device includes forming an insulation layer on a substrate, forming a pad electrode layer on the insulation layer, forming a photoresist pattern on the pad electrode layer in the pad region, etching the pad electrode layer and a portion of the insulation layer by the photoresist pattern as an etch-stop layer so as to simultaneously form a pad electrode and a side protection layer, the side protection layer covering a sidewall of the pad electrode, and stripping the photoresist pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2021
    Assignee: SAMSUNG DISPLAY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jaewoo Jeong, Hyungue Kim, Jongjun Baek
  • Patent number: 11164882
    Abstract: Methods of forming 3D NAND devices are discussed. Some embodiments form 3D NAND devices with a control gate and a floating gate disposed between a first insulating layer and a second insulating layer. A conformal blocking liner surrounds the floating gate and electrically isolates the control gate from the floating gate. Some embodiments form 3D NAND devices with decreased vertical and/or later pitch between cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2021
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Kwon, Xinhai Han
  • Patent number: 11164884
    Abstract: A vertical-type memory device includes a plurality of gate electrodes stacked on a substrate; and a vertical channel structure penetrating through the plurality of gate electrodes in a first direction, perpendicular to an upper surface of the substrate. The vertical channel structure includes a channel extending in the first direction, a first filling film that partially fills an internal space of the channel, a first liner on at least a portion of an upper surface of the first filling film and an upper internal side wall of the channel extending beyond the first filling film away from the substrate. The first liner includes n-type impurities. The vertical channel structure includes a second filling film on at least a portion of the first liner, and a pad on the second filling film and in contact with the first liner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2021
    Inventors: Eun Yeoung Choi, Hyung Joon Kim, Su Hyeong Lee, Jung Geun Jee
  • Patent number: 11152390
    Abstract: In a method of manufacturing a vertical semiconductor device, an insulation layer and a sacrificial layer are alternatively and repeatedly formed on a substrate to define a structure. The structure is etched to form a hole therethrough that exposes the substrate. A first semiconductor pattern is formed in a lower portion of the hole, and a blocking pattern, a charge storage pattern, a tunnel insulation pattern and a first channel pattern are formed on a sidewall of the hole. A second channel pattern is formed on the first channel pattern and the semiconductor pattern, and a second semiconductor pattern is formed on a portion of the second channel pattern on the semiconductor pattern to define an upper channel pattern including the second channel pattern and the second semiconductor pattern. The sacrificial layers are replaced with a plurality of gates, respectively, including a conductive material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Sung-Il Chang, Jun-Hee Lim, Yong-Seok Kim, Tae-Young Kim, Jae-Sung Sim, Su-Jin Ahn, Ji-Yeong Hwang
  • Patent number: 11145669
    Abstract: Semiconductor devices are provided. A semiconductor device includes a substrate and a stacked structure in which a plurality of insulating layers and a plurality of electrode layers are alternately stacked on the substrate. The semiconductor device includes a plurality of dummy channel structures that pass through the stacked structure. Moreover, the semiconductor device includes a contact structure in contact with at least one of the plurality of dummy channel structures adjacent thereto, and in contact with one of the plurality of electrode layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Inventors: Joo Won Park, Kyeong Jin Park, Kwang Soo Kim
  • Patent number: 11145667
    Abstract: In a memory device, a lower memory cell string is formed over a substrate to include a first channel structure, a plurality of first word line layers and first insulating layers. The first channel structure protrudes from the substrate and passes through the first word line layers and first insulating layers. An inter deck contact is formed over the lower memory cell string and connected with the first channel structure. An upper memory cell string is formed over the inter deck contact. The upper memory cell string includes a second channel structure, a plurality of second word lines and second insulating layers. The second channel structure passes through the second word lines and second insulating layers, and extends to the inter deck contact, and further extends laterally into the second insulating layers. A channel dielectric region of the second channel structure is above the inter deck contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Assignee: YANGTZE MEMORY TECHNOLOGIES CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Ruo Fang Zhang, Enbo Wang, Haohao Yang, Qianbing Xu, Yushi Hu, Fushan Zhang
  • Patent number: 11145675
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes stack structures each including a first conductive layer, a substrate disposed under the stack structures, first impurity regions disposed in the substrate, and at least one trench passing through the stack structures and disposed above the first impurity regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Assignee: SK hynix Inc.
    Inventors: Yung Jun Kim, Won Hyo Cha, Byung Soo Park, Sang Tae Ahn, Sung Jae Chung
  • Patent number: 11145670
    Abstract: A semiconductor storage device according to an embodiment comprises a substrate. A stack body having first conductive layers and first insulating layers alternately stacked in a first direction is provided on the substrate. A pillar part extends in the first direction in the stack body and has a memory film. An insulating member extends in the first direction at a position different from that of the pillar part in the stack body. A phosphorus-containing insulator is provided below the stack body and the insulating member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Assignee: TOSHIBA MEMORY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yasuhito Yoshimizu, Tomohiko Sugita
  • Patent number: 11139237
    Abstract: A method of forming a three-dimensional memory device includes forming a vertically alternating sequence of insulating layers and spacer material layers over a substrate, where the spacer material layers are formed as, or are subsequently replaced with, electrically conductive layers, forming multiple sets of stepped surfaces in terrace regions of the vertically alternating sequence, forming memory stack structures through memory array regions of the vertically alternating sequence, and forming a metal interconnect structure which electrically connects a portion of a topmost electrically conductive layer in the first memory array region and a portion of a topmost electrically conductive layer in the second memory array region, and which extends above a horizontal plane of the topmost electrically conductive layer in the first memory array region and a portion of a topmost electrically conductive layer in the second memory array region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2021
    Assignee: SANDISK TECHNOLOGIES LLC
    Inventors: Shiqian Shao, Jee-Yeon Kim, Fumiaki Toyama, Hirofumi Tokita
  • Patent number: 11139386
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2021
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: John D. Hopkins
  • Patent number: 11133422
    Abstract: The performances of a semiconductor device of a memory element are improved. Over a semiconductor substrate, a gate electrode for memory element is formed via overall insulation film of gate insulation film for memory element. The overall insulation film has first insulation film, second insulation film over first insulation film, third insulation film over second insulation film, fourth insulation film over third insulation film, and fifth insulation film over fourth insulation film. The second insulation film is an insulation film having charge accumulation function. Each band gap of first insulation film and third insulation film is larger than the band gap of second insulation film. The third insulation film is polycrystal film including high dielectric constant material containing metallic element and oxygen. Fifth insulation film is polycrystal film including the same material as that for third insulation film. Fourth insulation film includes different material from that for third insulation film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2021
    Assignee: RENESAS ELECTRONICS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Masao Inoue
  • Patent number: 11133267
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a peripheral circuit region on a lower substrate, and including circuit elements, memory cell regions including memory cells on each of a first upper substrate and a second upper substrate, which are on the lower substrate, at least one cutting region between the first upper substrate and the second upper substrate, and at least one semiconductor pattern between the first upper substrate and the second upper substrate, and adjacent to the at least one cutting region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2021
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Geun Won Lim, Seok Cheon Baek, Ji Sung Cheon, Jong Woo Shin, Bong Hyun Choi
  • Patent number: 11133324
    Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure provide a semiconductor device. The semiconductor device includes gate layers and insulating layers that are stacked alternatingly along a direction perpendicular to a substrate of the semiconductor device in an array region upon the substrate. Further, the semiconductor device includes an array of channel structures that is formed in the array region. The gate layers and the insulating layers are stacked in a staircase form with stair steps having non-uniform stair depths in a connection region upon the substrate. Further, the semiconductor device includes contact structures to the gate layers. The contact structures are formed on the stair steps that have the non-uniform stair depths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2021
    Assignee: Yangtze Memory Technologies Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Zhong Zhang
  • Patent number: 11127679
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a cell semiconductor pattern disposed on a semiconductor substrate. A semiconductor dummy pattern is disposed on the semiconductor substrate. The semiconductor dummy pattern is co-planar with the cell semiconductor pattern. A first circuit is disposed between the semiconductor substrate and the cell semiconductor pattern. A first interconnection structure is disposed between the semiconductor substrate and the cell semiconductor pattern. A first dummy structure is disposed between the semiconductor substrate and the cell semiconductor pattern. Part of the first dummy structure is co-planar with part of the first interconnection structure. A second dummy structure not overlapping the cell semiconductor pattern is disposed on the semiconductor substrate. Part of the second dummy structure is co-planar with part of the first interconnection structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jang-Gn Yun, Jaesun Yun, Joon-Sung Lim
  • Patent number: 11127757
    Abstract: Embodiments of structure and methods for forming a three-dimensional (3D) memory device are provided. In an example, a 3D memory device includes a memory stack, a plurality of channel structures, and a source structure. The memory stack is over a substrate and includes interleaved a plurality of conductor layers and a plurality of insulating layers. The plurality of channel structures extend vertically in the memory stack. The source structure extend in the memory stack. The source structure includes a plurality of source contacts each in a respective insulating structure, and two adjacent ones of the plurality of source contacts are conductively connected to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: YANGTZE MEMORY TECHNOLOGIES CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Wenxiang Xu, Wei Xu, Pan Huang, Ping Yan, Zongliang Huo, Wenbin Zhou, Ji Xia
  • Patent number: 11127461
    Abstract: A memory structure, includes (a) active columns of polysilicon formed above a semiconductor substrate, each active column extending vertically from the substrate and including a first heavily doped region, a second heavily doped region, and one or more lightly doped regions each adjacent both the first and second heavily doped region, wherein the active columns are arranged in a two-dimensional array extending in second and third directions parallel to the planar surface of the semiconductor substrate; (b) charge-trapping material provided over one or more surfaces of each active column; and (c) conductors each extending lengthwise along the third direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: SUNRISE MEMORY CORPORATION
    Inventor: Eli Harari
  • Patent number: 11121145
    Abstract: A memory array comprising strings of memory cells comprises a conductor tier comprising conductor material. The memory array comprises laterally-spaced memory blocks individually comprising a vertical stack comprising alternating insulative tiers and conductive tiers directly above the conductor tier. Conducting material of a lowest of the conductive tiers is directly against the conductor material of the conductor tier. Channel-material strings of memory cells extend through the insulative tiers and the conductive tiers. Intervening material is laterally-between and longitudinally-along immediately-laterally-adjacent of the memory blocks. The conducting material in the lowest conductive tier is directly against the channel material of individual of the channel-material strings. Conductive material is of different composition from that of the conducting material above and directly against the conducting material. Other embodiments, including method, are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: John D. Hopkins
  • Patent number: 11121147
    Abstract: A semiconductor storage device includes a first conductive layer, a second conductive layer, a third conductive layer, a contact plug, a memory trench extending between the second conductive layer and the third conductive layer. The memory trench is formed around the contact plug, and surrounds a first area in which the contact plug is disposed. A second area is separated from the first area and includes a pillar penetrating the first conductive layer. The second conductive layer extends between the first and second areas, and is connected to the first conductive layer. The third conductive layer is on the opposite side of the first area to the second area, and is connected to the first conductive layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: TOSHIBA MEMORY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Keisuke Nakatsuka, Yoshitaka Kubota, Tetsuaki Utsumi, Yoshiro Shimojo, Ryota Katsumata
  • Patent number: 11121149
    Abstract: An alternating stack of insulating layers and word-line-level spacer material layers is formed over a substrate. Memory opening fill structures including a respective memory film, a respective word-line-level semiconductor channel portion, a respective word-line-level dielectric core laterally, and a respective sacrificial dielectric material portion are formed through the alternating stack. Drain-select-level material layers are formed over the alternating stack and the memory opening fill structures. Drain-select-level openings are formed through the drain-select-level material layers and over the memory opening fill structures. The sacrificial dielectric material portions are removed selective to the word-line-level semiconductor channel portions underneath the drain-select-level openings. Drain-select-level semiconductor channel portions are formed directly on a respective one of the word-line-level semiconductor channel portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: SANDISK TECHNOLOGIES LLC
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Tanaka, Sayako Nagamine, Akihisa Sai
  • Patent number: 11114439
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method for forming a staircase structure of 3D memory. The method includes providing a substrate, forming an alternating layer stack over the substrate, forming a plurality of block regions over a surface of the alternating layer stack, forming a first plurality of staircase structures to expose a portion of a first number of top-most layer stacks at each of the block regions and removing the first number of the layer stacks at a second plurality of staircase structures at each of the block regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: Yangtze Memory Technologies Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Zhong Zhang, Yan Ni Li