Abstract: A method of fabricating a nonvolatile memory device includes forming trenches in a substrate defining device isolation regions therein and active regions therebetween. The trenches and the active regions therebetween extend into first and second device regions of the substrate. A sacrificial layer is formed in the trenches between the active regions in the first device region, and an insulating layer is formed to substantially fill the trenches between the active regions in the second device region. At least a portion of the sacrificial layer in the trenches in the first device region is selectively removed to define gap regions extending along the trenches between the active regions in the first device region, while substantially maintaining the insulating layer in the trenches between the active regions in the second device region. Related methods and devices are also discussed.

Abstract: High-density semiconductor memory is provided with enhancements to gate-coupling and electrical isolation between discrete devices in non-volatile memory. The intermediate dielectric between control gates and charge storage regions is varied in the row direction, with different dielectric constants for the varied materials to provide adequate inter-gate coupling while protecting from fringing fields and parasitic capacitances. Electrical isolation is further provided, at least in part, by air gaps that are formed in the column (bit line) direction and/or air gaps that are formed in the row (word line) direction.

Abstract: A method for reducing cross talk in image sensors comprises providing a backside illuminated image sensor wafer, forming an isolation region in the backside illuminated image sensor wafer, wherein the isolation region encloses a photo active region, forming an opening in the isolation region from a backside of the backside illuminated image sensor wafer and covering an upper terminal of the opening with a dielectric material to form an air gap embedded in the isolation region of the backside illuminated image sensor wafer.

Abstract: An embodiment of the present disclosure is directed to a semiconductor device. The semiconductor devise comprises a substrate. An epitaxially grown semiconductor material is disposed over at least a portion of the substrate. A nanotemplate structure is disposed at least partially within the semiconductor material. The nanotemplate structure comprises a plurality of dielectric nanoscale features defining a plurality of nanoscale windows. An air gap is disposed between at least a portion of one or more of the nanoscale features and the semiconductor material.

Abstract: A doped contact region having an opposite conductivity type as a bottom semiconductor layer is provided underneath a buried insulator layer in a bottom semiconductor layer. At least one conductive via structure extends from an interconnect-level metal line through a middle-of-line (MOL) dielectric layer, a shallow trench isolation structure in a top semiconductor layer, and a buried insulator layer and to the doped contact region. The doped contact region is biased at a voltage that is at or close to a peak voltage in the RF switch that removes minority charge carriers within the induced charge layer. The minority charge carriers are drained through the doped contact region and the at least one conductive via structure. Rapid discharge of mobile electrical charges in the induce charge layer reduces harmonic generation and signal distortion in the RF switch. A design structure for the semiconductor structure is also provided.

Abstract: The present invention is a process for forming an air gap within a substrate, the process comprising: providing a substrate; depositing a sacrificial material by deposition of at least one sacrificial material precursor; depositing a composite layer; removal of the porogen material in the composite layer to form a porous layer and contacting the layered substrate with a removal media to substantially remove the sacrificial material and provide the air gaps within the substrate; wherein the at least one sacrificial material precursor is selected from the group consisting of: an organic porogen; silicon, and a polar solvent soluble metal oxide and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: A chip package is disclosed. The package includes a semiconductor chip having a first surface and a second surface opposite thereto, at least one conductive pad adjacent to the first surface, and an opening extending toward the first surface from the second surface to expose the conductive pad. The caliber adjacent to the first surface is greater than that of the opening adjacent to the second surface. An insulating layer and a redistribution layer (RDL) are successively disposed on the second surface and extend to a sidewall and a bottom of the opening, in which the RDL is electrically connected to the conductive pad through the opening. A passivation layer covers the RDL and partially fills the opening to form a void between the passivation layer and the conductive pad in the opening. A fabrication method of the chip package is also disclosed.

Abstract: Semiconductor devices, and methods of fabricating the same, include forming a trench between a plurality of patterns on a substrate to be adjacent to each other, forming a first sacrificial layer in the trench, forming a first porous insulation layer having a plurality of pores on the plurality of patterns and on the first sacrificial layer, and removing the first sacrificial layer through the plurality of pores of the first porous insulation layer to form a first air gap between the plurality of patterns and under the first porous insulation layer.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a nonvolatile memory device includes providing a substrate having active regions defined by a plurality of trenches, forming a first isolation layer on the substrate having the plurality of trenches, forming a sacrificial layer on the first isolation layer to fill the trenches, the sacrificial layer including a first region filling lower portions of the trenches and a second region filling portions other than the lower portions, removing the second region of the sacrificial layer, forming a second isolation layer on the first isolation layer and the first region of the sacrificial layer, forming air gaps in the trenches by removing the first region of the sacrificial layer, and removing a portion of the first isolation layer and a portion of the second isolation layer while maintaining the air gaps.

Abstract: Integrated circuit (1) comprising a substrate (2), an active component (13) above the substrate (2), a cavity (14) surrounding partially the active component (13), a low dielectric region (15) surrounding partially the cavity (14) and a protective barrier (16) arranged around the low dielectric region (15).

Abstract: A semiconductor memory device includes a semiconductor substrate in which an active region and an isolation region are defined, a tunnel insulating layer and a floating gate formed on the semiconductor substrate in the active region, a trench formed in the semiconductor substrate in the isolation region, a dielectric layer formed along a top surface and a portion of a side surface of the floating gate, wherein the dielectric layer extends higher than a surface of the semiconductor substrate in the isolation region and defines an air gap in the trench, and a control gate formed on the dielectric layer, wherein the dielectric layer includes the first nitride layer, a first oxide layer, a second nitride layer and a second oxide layer.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device is provided. In the method, a tunnel insulating film and a first conductive film are formed on a semiconductor layer. A trench is formed. A first sacrifice film is buried in the trench. A second sacrifice film having density higher than that of the first sacrifice film is formed on the first sacrifice film in the trench. An insulating film is formed on the first conductive film and the second sacrifice film. A second conductive film is formed on the insulating film. The second sacrifice film is exposed. The first sacrifice film and the second sacrifice film are removed.

Abstract: The nonvolatile memory device includes a semiconductor layer including trenches formed in a first direction, isolation layers filling the trenches, and active regions divided by the isolation layer, first insulating patterns formed on the semiconductor substrate in a second direction crossing the first direction, charge storage layer patterns formed over the respective active regions between the first insulating patterns, and second insulating patterns formed on the isolation layers between the charge storage layer patterns.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a semiconductor component that including the following steps is provided. A plurality of stacked structures is formed on a substrate. A first dielectric layer is formed to cover the stacked structures, wherein the first dielectric layer has a plurality of overhangs, the overhangs wrap top portions of the stacked structures. A dry conformable etching process is performed to conformably remove the first dielectric layer until a portion of the first dielectric layer located outside of the overhangs is removed. A second dielectric layer is formed on the stacked structures, wherein the second dielectric layer connects the adjacent overhangs to form an air gap between the stacked structures.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a first semiconductor chip including a first surface, a second surface and a first terminal arranged on the first surface, a second semiconductor chip including a first surface, a second surface and a second terminal arranged on the first surface of the second semiconductor chip, a support substrate including a first surface bonded to the second surfaces of the first semiconductor chip and the second semiconductor chip, and an isolation groove formed on the first surface of the support substrate. The isolation includes a pair of side surfaces continuously extending from opposing side surfaces of the first semiconductor chip and the second semiconductor chip, respectively, and the isolation groove is formed into the support substrate to extend from the first surface of the support substrate. The isolation groove has a depth less than a thickness of the support substrate.

Abstract: A photoelectric conversion device includes an organic photoelectric conversion layer, and suppresses sensitivity degradation caused by the light irradiation. A photoelectric conversion device 100 is formed by stacking a first electrode layer 104, a photoelectric conversion layer 15 including an organic material, and a second electrode layer 108 on a substrate 101, in which the photoelectric conversion layer 15 has a bulk hetero structure of a P-type organic semiconductor and an N-type organic semiconductor, and a difference between an ionization potential of the P-type organic semiconductor and an apparent ionization potential of the bulk hetero structure is 0.50 eV or less. Accordingly, it is possible to suppress sensitivity degradation caused by the light irradiation.

Abstract: Provided is a silica-based film forming material for formation of air gaps, the material being capable of forming air gaps without employing a CVD method. A silica-based film forming material for formation of air gaps including (a) a certain siloxane polymer, (b) an alkanolamine, and (c) an organic solvent is used when a silica-based film is formed with a spin coating method. According to this silica-based film forming material for formation of air gaps, air gaps with a great degree of opening can be formed even when coated with a spin coating method, without filling the recessed parts.

Abstract: A method includes performing a first planarization step to remove portions of a semiconductor region over isolation regions. The first planarization step has a first selectivity, with the first selectivity being a ratio of a first removal rate of the semiconductor region to a second removal rate of the isolation regions. After the isolation regions are exposed, a second planarization step is performed on the isolation regions and a portion of the semiconductor region between the isolation regions. The second planarization step has a second selectivity lower than the first selectivity, with the second selectivity being a ratio of a third removal rate of the portion of semiconductor region to a fourth removal rate of the isolation regions.

Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment, a semiconductor device includes a substrate, a line-and-space structure, a first film and a second film. The line-and-space structure includes line patterns arranged on the substrate parallel to one another at a predetermined distance. The first film is formed on side surfaces and bottom surfaces of the line patterns by an insulating film material. The second film is formed on the line-and-space structure across a space between the line patterns by a material showing low wettability to the first film. Space between the line patterns includes an air gap in which at least a bottom surface of the first film is totally exposed.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a circuit includes the step of providing a first wiring level comprising first wiring level conductors separated by a first wiring level dielectric material. A first dielectric layer with a plurality of interconnect openings and a plurality of gap openings is formed above the first wiring level. The interconnect openings and the gap openings are pinched off with a pinching dielectric material to form relatively low dielectric constant (low-k) volumes in the gap openings. Metallic conductors comprising second wiring level conductors and interconnects to the first wiring level conductors are formed at the interconnect openings while maintaining the relatively low-k volumes in the gap openings. The gap openings with the relatively low-k volumes reduce parasitic capacitance between adjacent conductor structures formed by the conductors and interconnects.

Abstract: A cavity is etched from a front surface into a semiconductor substrate. After providing an etch stop structure at the bottom of the cavity, the cavity is closed. From a back surface opposite to the front surface the semiconductor substrate is grinded at least up to an edge of the etch stop structure oriented to the back surface. Providing the etch stop structure at the bottom of an etched cavity allows for precisely adjusting a thickness of a semiconductor body of a semiconductor device.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a MEMS sensing device which comprises a substrate, a MEMS device region, a film, an adhesive layer, a cover, at least one opening, and a plurality of leads. The substrate has a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface. The MEMS device region is on the first surface, and includes a chamber. The film is overlaid on the MEMS device region to seal the chamber as a sealed space. The cover is mounted on the MEMS device region and adhered by the adhesive layer. The opening is on the cover or the adhesive layer, allowing the pressure of the air outside the device to pressure the film. The leads are electrically connected to the MEMS device region, and extend to the second surface.

Abstract: A method of forming air gaps between adjacent raised features on a substrate includes forming a carbon-containing material in a bottom region between the adjacent raised features using a flowable deposition process. The method also includes forming a silicon-containing film over the carbon-containing material using a flowable deposition process, where the silicon-containing film fills an upper region between the adjacent raised features and extends over the adjacent raised features. The method also includes curing the carbon-containing material and the silicon-containing material at an elevated temperature for a period of time to form the air gaps between the adjacent raised features.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a nonvolatile memory device includes forming trenches in a substrate defining device isolation regions therein and active regions therebetween. The trenches and the active regions therebetween extend into first and second device regions of the substrate. A sacrificial layer is formed in the trenches between the active regions in the first device region, and an insulating layer is formed to substantially fill the trenches between the active regions in the second device region. At least a portion of the sacrificial layer in the trenches in the first device region is selectively removed to define gap regions extending along the trenches between the active regions in the first device region, while substantially maintaining the insulating layer in the trenches between the active regions in the second device region. Related methods and devices are also discussed.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a nonvolatile memory device includes providing a substrate having active regions defined by a plurality of trenches, forming a first isolation layer on the substrate having the plurality of trenches, forming a sacrificial layer on the first isolation layer to fill the trenches, the sacrificial layer including a first region filling lower portions of the trenches and a second region filling portions other than the lower portions, removing the second region of the sacrificial layer, forming a second isolation layer on the first isolation layer and the first region of the sacrificial layer, forming air gaps in the trenches by removing the first region of the sacrificial layer, and removing a portion of the first isolation layer and a portion of the second isolation layer while maintaining the air gaps.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes unlined and sealed trenches and methods for forming the unlined and sealed trenches. More particularly, a superjunction semiconductor device includes unlined, and sealed trenches. The trench has sidewalls formed of the semiconductor material. The trench is sealed with a sealing material such that the trench is air-tight. First and second regions are separated by the trench. The first region may include a superjunction Schottky diode or MOSFET. In an alternative embodiment, a plurality of regions are separated by a plurality of unlined and sealed trenches.

Abstract: Three dimensional memory array architectures and methods of forming the same are provided. An example memory array can include a stack comprising a plurality of first conductive lines at a number of levels separated from one another by at least an insulation material, and at least one conductive extension arranged to extend substantially perpendicular to the plurality of first conductive lines. Storage element material is formed around the at least one conductive extension. Cell select material is formed around the at least one conductive extension. The at least one conductive extension, storage element material, and cell select material are located between co-planar pairs of the plurality of first conductive lines.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes unlined and sealed trenches and methods for forming the unlined and sealed trenches. More particularly, a superjunction semiconductor device includes unlined, and sealed trenches. The trench has sidewalls formed of the semiconductor material. The trench is sealed with a sealing material such that the trench is air-tight. First and second regions are separated by the trench. The first region may include a superjunction Schottky diode or MOSFET. In an alternative embodiment, a plurality of regions are separated by a plurality of unlined and sealed trenches.

Abstract: A structure for reducing electromigration cracking and extrusion effects in semiconductor devices includes a first metal line formed in a first dielectric layer; a cap layer formed over the first metal line and first dielectric layer; a second dielectric layer formed over the cap layer; and a void formed in the second dielectric layer, stopping on the cap layer, wherein the void is located in a manner so as to isolate structural damage due to electromigration effects of the first metal line, the effects including one or more of extrusions of metal material from the first metal line and cracks from delamination of the cap layer with respect to the first dielectric layer.

Abstract: Air gap isolation in non-volatile memory arrays and related fabrication processes are provided. Electrical isolation between adjacent active areas of a substrate can be provided, at least in part, by bit line air gaps that are elongated in a column direction between the active areas. At least one cap is formed over each isolation region, at least partially overlying air to provide an upper endpoint for the corresponding air gap. The caps may be formed at least partially along the sidewalls of adjacent charge storage regions. In various embodiments, selective growth processes are used to form capping strips over the isolation regions to define the air gaps. Word line air gaps that are elongated in a row direction between adjacent rows of storage elements are also provided.

Abstract: Disposable gate structures are formed on a semiconductor substrate. A planarization dielectric layer is deposited over the disposable gate structures and planarized to provide a top surface that is coplanar with top surface of the disposable gate structures. The planarization dielectric layer at this point includes gap-fill keyholes between narrowly spaced disposable gate structures. A printable dielectric layer is deposited over the planarization dielectric layer to fill the gap-fill keyholes. Areas of the printable dielectric layer over the gap-fill keyholes are illuminated with radiation that cross-links cross-linkable bonds in the material of the printable dielectric layer. Non-crosslinked portions of the printable dielectric layer are subsequently removed selective to crosslinked portions of the printable dielectric layer, which fills at least the upper portion of each gate-fill keyhole. The disposable gate structures are removed to form gate cavities.

Abstract: A thin film transistor substrate includes a substrate, a gate electrode on the substrate, an active layer on or below the gate electrode (the active layer at least partially overlapping the gate electrode) including a first active region and a second active region, the first active region and the second active region facing each other and extending beyond the gate electrode, a source electrode electrically connected to the first active region and a drain electrode electrically connected to the second active region, wherein the active layer includes a recess region which is at least partially recessed from a surface of the active layer facing the gate electrode, and the recess region includes a portion extending between the first active region and the second active region.

Abstract: A trench MOS structure is provided. The trench MOS structure includes a substrate, an epitaxial layer, a trench, a gate isolation, a trench gate, a guard ring and a reinforcement structure within the guard ring. The substrate has a first conductivity type, a first side and a second side opposite to the first side. The epitaxial layer has the first conductivity type and is disposed on the first side. The trench is disposed in the epitaxial layer. The gate isolation covers the inner wall of the trench. The trench gate is disposed in the trench and has the first conductivity type. The guard ring has a second conductivity type and is disposed within the epitaxial layer. The reinforcement structure has an electrically insulating material and is disposed within the guard ring.

Abstract: Some embodiments include methods of forming semiconductor constructions. Carbon-containing material is formed over oxygen-sensitive material. The carbon-containing material and oxygen-sensitive material together form a structure having a sidewall that extends along both the carbon-containing material and the oxygen-sensitive material. First protective material is formed along the sidewall. The first protective material extends across an interface of the carbon-containing material and the oxygen-sensitive material, and does not extend to a top region of the carbon-containing material. Second protective material is formed across the top of the carbon-containing material, with the second protective material having a common composition to the first protective material. The second protective material is etched to expose an upper surface of the carbon-containing material. Some embodiments include semiconductor constructions, memory arrays and methods of forming memory arrays.

Abstract: Self-assembled polymer technology is used to form at least one ordered nanosized pattern within material that is present in a conductive contact region of a semiconductor structure. The material having the ordered, nanosized pattern is a conductive material of an interconnect structure or semiconductor source and drain diffusion regions of a field effect transistor. The presence of the ordered, nanosized pattern material within the contact region increases the overall area (i.e., interface area) for subsequent contact formation which, in turn, reduces the contact resistance of the structure. The reduction in contact resistance in turn improves the flow of current through the structure. In addition to the above, the inventive methods and structures do not affect the junction capacitance of the structure since the junction area remains unchanged.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a substrate, a conductive pattern (e.g., a contact plug) on an active region of the substrate and having respective first and second sidewalls on opposite first and second sides of the conductive pattern, and first and second conductive lines (e.g., bit lines) on the substrate on respective ones of the first and second sides of conductive pattern and separated from the respective first and second sidewalls by asymmetric first and second air spaces.

Abstract: A method of fabricating an airgap-containing interconnect structure in which a patternable low-k material replaces the need for utilizing a separate photoresist and a dielectric material is provided. Specifically, a simplified method of fabricating single-damascene and dual-damascene airgap-containing low-k interconnect structures with at least one patternable low-k dielectric and at least one inorganic antireflective coating is provided.

Abstract: The present invention is related to the trench manufacturing field in semiconductor, especially a manufacturing method of STI structure with difference depth which is apply to the imaging sensor including forming a dielectric layer with different thickness on the substrate which includes a first region and a second region, then forming a first type trench in the thick dielectric layer and a second type trench in the thin dielectric layer, and etching the substrate of the first region and the substrate of the second region, and thus form a first STI and a second STI with different depth which are located in the substrate of the first region and the second region respectively.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a semiconductor memory, device and a method of forming a semiconductor memory device. The semiconductor memory device includes a semiconductor substrate in which isolation regions and active regions are defined, gate lines formed on the semiconductor substrate in a direction crossing the isolation regions, a capping layer configured to define air gaps positioned higher than an upper surface of the semiconductor substrate in the isolation regions.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device includes forming an isolation trench in a substrate, and forming an amorphous layer on a sidewall surface of the isolation trench. The method further includes forming a sacrificial layer in the isolation trench via the amorphous layer, and forming an air gap layer on the sacrificial layer. The method further includes forming an air gap in the isolation trench under the air gap layer by removing the sacrificial layer after forming the air gap layer.

Abstract: A reduction in material loss of trench isolation structures prior to forming a strain-inducing semiconductor alloy in transistor elements may result in superior device uniformity, for instance with respect to drive current and threshold voltage. To this end, at least one etch process using diluted hydrofluoric acid may be omitted when forming the shallow trench isolations, while at the same time providing a high degree of compatibility with conventional process strategies.

Abstract: A method is provided for establishing through substrate vias (TSVs) within a substrate. The method includes: forming at least one recess in a front-side of a wafer; filling, at least partially, the at least one recess with a sacrificial material from the front-side of the wafer; thinning the wafer from a back-side to reveal the at least one recess at least partially filled with the sacrificial material; removing from the back-side of the wafer the sacrificial material from the at least one recess; and filling the at least one recess from the back-side of the wafer with a conductive material to provide the at least one through substrate via.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes gates formed over a semiconductor substrate that are spaced apart from one another and each have a stack structure of a tunnel insulation layer, a floating gate, a dielectric layer, a first conductive layer, and a metal silicide layer, a first insulation layer formed along the sidewalls of the gates and a surface of the semiconductor substrate between the gates and configured to have a height lower than the top of the metal silicide layer; and a second insulation layer formed along surfaces of the first insulation layer and surfaces of the metal silicide layer and configured to cover an upper portion of a space between the gates, wherein an air gap is formed between the gates.

Abstract: A method of forming an integrated circuit structure includes: forming a vent via extending through a shallow trench isolation (STI) and into a substrate; selectively removing an exposed portion of the substrate at a bottom of the vent via to form an opening within the substrate, wherein the opening within the substrate abuts at least one of a bottom surface or a sidewall of the STI; and sealing the vent via to form an air gap in the opening within the substrate.

Abstract: Air gap isolation in non-volatile memory arrays and related fabrication processes are provided. Electrical isolation between adjacent active areas of a substrate can be provided, at least in part, by bit line air gaps that are elongated in a column direction between the active areas. At least one cap is formed over each isolation region, at least partially overlying air to provide an upper endpoint for the corresponding air gap. The caps may be formed at least partially along the sidewalls of adjacent charge storage regions. In various embodiments, selective growth processes are used to form capping strips over the isolation regions to define the air gaps. Word line air gaps that are elongated in a row direction between adjacent rows of storage elements are also provided.

Abstract: Air gap isolation in non-volatile memory arrays and related fabrication processes are provided. Electrical isolation between adjacent active areas of a substrate can be provided, at least in part, by bit line air gaps that are elongated in a column direction between the active areas. A blocking layer can be introduced to inhibit the formation of materials in the air gaps during subsequent process steps. The blocking layer may result in selective air gap formation or varying dimension of air gaps at cell areas relative to select gate areas in the memory. The blocking layer may result in a smaller vertical dimension for air gaps formed in the isolation regions at select gate areas relative to cell areas. The blocking layer may inhibit formation of air gaps at the select gate areas in other examples. Selective etching, implanting and different isolation materials may be used to selectively define air gaps.

Abstract: In a semiconductor device, capacitance between copper interconnections is decreased and the insulation breakdown is improved simultaneously, and a countermeasure is taken for misalignment via by a manufacturing method including the steps of forming an interconnection containing copper as a main ingredient in an insulative film above a substrate, forming insulative films and a barrier insulative film for a reservoir pattern, forming an insulative film capable of suppressing or preventing copper from diffusing on the upper surface and on the lateral surface of the interconnection and above the insulative film and the insulative film, forming insulative films of low dielectric constant, in which the insulative film is formed such that the deposition rate above the opposing lateral surfaces of the interconnections is larger than the deposition rate therebelow to form an air gap between the adjacent interconnections and, finally, planarizing the insulative film by interlayer CMP.

Abstract: A device using an inductor with one or more through vias, and a method of manufacture is provided. In an embodiment, an inductor is formed in one or more of the metallization layers. One or more through vias are positioned directly below the inductor. The through vias may extend through one or more dielectric layers interposed between a substrate and the inductors. Additionally, the through vias may extend completely or partially through the substrate.

Abstract: An integrated circuit may include a semiconductor die having a trench formed in a surface of the semiconductor die. One or more circuit components may be formed on the surface of the semiconductor die. The trench can extend into the semiconductor die next to at least one circuit component. The trench may surround the circuit component partially or wholly. The trench may be filled with a material having a lower bulk modulus than the semiconductor die in which the trench is formed.

Abstract: A semiconductor device including a plurality of copper interconnects. At least a first portion of the plurality of copper interconnects has a meniscus in a top surface. The semiconductor device also includes a plurality of air gaps, wherein each air gap of the plurality of air gaps is located between an adjacent pair of at least the first portion of the plurality of bit lines.