Abstract:
A three dimensional NAND device includes a common vertical channel and electrically isolated control gate electrodes on different lateral sides of the channel in each device level to form different lateral portions of a memory cell in each device level. Dielectric separator structures are located between and electrically isolate the control gate electrodes. The lateral portions of the memory cell in each device level may be electrically isolated by at least one of doping ungated portions of the channel adjacent to the separator structures or storing electrons in the separator structure.
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.
Abstract:
A method of making a monolithic three dimensional NAND string including forming a stack of alternating layers of a first material and a second material over a substrate. The first material comprises an electrically insulating material and the second material comprises a semiconductor or conductor material. The method also includes etching the stack to form a front side opening in the stack, forming a blocking dielectric layer over the stack of alternating layers of a first material and a second material exposed in the front side opening, forming a semiconductor or metal charge storage layer over the blocking dielectric, forming a tunnel dielectric layer over the charge storage layer, forming a semiconductor channel layer over the tunnel dielectric layer, etching the stack to form a back side opening in the stack, removing at least a portion of the first material layers and portions of the blocking dielectric layer.
Abstract:
A memory device and a method of making a memory device that includes a semiconductor channel, a tunnel dielectric layer located over the semiconductor channel, a floating gate located over the tunnel dielectric layer, the floating gate comprising a continuous layer of an electrically conductive material and at least one protrusion of an electrically conductive material facing the tunnel dielectric layer and electrically shorted to the continuous layer, a blocking dielectric region located over the floating gate, and a control gate located over the blocking dielectric layer.
Abstract:
A method of making a monolithic three dimensional NAND string including forming a stack of alternating layers of a first material and a second material over a substrate. The first material comprises an electrically insulating material and the second material comprises a semiconductor or conductor material. The method also includes etching the stack to form a front side opening in the stack, forming a blocking dielectric layer over the stack of alternating layers of a first material and a second material exposed in the front side opening, forming a semiconductor or metal charge storage layer over the blocking dielectric, forming a tunnel dielectric layer over the charge storage layer, forming a semiconductor channel layer over the tunnel dielectric layer, etching the stack to form a back side opening in the stack, removing at least a portion of the first material layers and portions of the blocking dielectric layer.
Abstract:
A memory device and a method of making a memory device that includes a semiconductor channel, a tunnel dielectric layer located over the semiconductor channel, a floating gate located over the tunnel dielectric layer, the floating gate comprising a continuous layer of an electrically conductive material and at least one protrusion of an electrically conductive material facing the tunnel dielectric layer and electrically shorted to the continuous layer, a blocking dielectric region located over the floating gate, and a control gate located over the blocking dielectric layer.
Abstract:
High-density semiconductor memory utilizing metal control gate structures and air gap electrical isolation between discrete devices in these types of structures are provided. During gate formation and definition, etching the metal control gate layer(s) is separated from etching the charge storage layer to form protective sidewall spacers along the vertical sidewalls of the metal control gate layer(s). The sidewall spacers encapsulate the metal control gate layer(s) while etching the charge storage material to avoid contamination of the charge storage and tunnel dielectric materials. Electrical isolation is provided, at least in part, by air gaps that are formed in the row direction and/or air gaps that are formed in the column direction.
Abstract:
A memory device includes a plurality of memory cells arranged in a string substantially perpendicular to the major surface of the substrate in a plurality of device levels, at least one first select gate electrode located between the major surface of the substrate and the plurality of memory cells, at least one second select gate electrode located above the plurality of memory cells, a semiconductor channel having a portion that extends vertically along a direction perpendicular to the major surface, a first memory film contacting a first side of the semiconductor channel, and a second memory film contacting a second side of the semiconductor channel. The second memory film is electrically isolated from the first memory film, and is located at a same level as the first memory film.
Abstract:
A method of making a monolithic three dimensional NAND string including forming a stack of alternating layers of a first material and a second material over a substrate. The first material comprises an electrically insulating material and the second material comprises a semiconductor or conductor material. The method also includes etching the stack to form a front side opening in the stack, forming a blocking dielectric layer over the stack of alternating layers of a first material and a second material exposed in the front side opening, forming a semiconductor or metal charge storage layer over the blocking dielectric, forming a tunnel dielectric layer over the charge storage layer, forming a semiconductor channel layer over the tunnel dielectric layer, etching the stack to form a back side opening in the stack, removing at least a portion of the first material layers and portions of the blocking dielectric layer.
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.