Abstract:
A NAND memory array has a substrate, a source select gate formed on the substrate, and a drain select gate formed on the substrate. A string of floating-gate memory cells is formed on the substrate and is connected in series between the source select gate and the drain select gate. A drain contact has a head connected substantially perpendicularly to a stem. The head is aligned with the drain select gate and overlies a dielectric layer formed on the drain select gate. The stem overlies a polysilicon plug formed on the substrate. A bit line contact is in direct electrical contact with the head.
Abstract:
A source line is formed by forming a source slot in a bulk insulation layer overlying a substrate to expose a portion of a substrate within the source slot, where the exposed portion of the substrate includes source regions of select gates associated with two or more columns of serially-connected floating-gate transistors formed on the substrate. A layer of epitaxial silicon is grown on the exposed portion so as to partially fill the source slot. A conductive layer is formed on the bulk insulation layer and on the layer of epitaxial silicon so as to substantially fill an unfilled portion of the source slot. The conductive layer is removed from a surface of the bulk insulation layer.
Abstract:
A method of forming an array of FLASH field effect transistors and circuitry peripheral to such array includes forming a sacrificial oxide over an array area and a periphery area of a semiconductor substrate. After forming the sacrificial oxide, at least one conductivity modifying implant is conducted into semiconductive material of the substrate within the array without conducting the one conductivity modifying implant into semiconductive material of the substrate within the periphery. The sacrificial oxide is removed from the array while the sacrificial oxide is left over the periphery. After removing the sacrificial oxide from the array, at least some FLASH transistor gates are formed within the array and at least some non-FLASH transistor gates are formed within the periphery.
Abstract:
A method of forming an array of FLASH field effect transistors and circuitry peripheral to the array includes etching periphery active area semiconductive material of a substrate substantially selectively relative to periphery field isolation while not etching array active area semiconductive material. After the periphery active area etching, at least some FLASH transistor control gate material is formed within the array and at least some non-FLASH transistor gate material is formed within the periphery. A method masking array active area semiconductive material while periphery active area semiconductive material is etched substantially selectively relative to the periphery field isolation. After the etching, the masking is removed. Thereafter, at least some FLASH transistor control gate material is formed within the array and at least some non-FLASH transistor gate material is formed within the periphery.
Abstract:
Methods of forming multi-tiered semiconductor devices are described, along with apparatuses that include them. In one such method, a silicide is formed in a tier of silicon, the silicide is removed, and a device is formed at least partially in a void that was occupied by the silicide. One such apparatus includes a tier of silicon with a void between tiers of dielectric material. Residual silicide is on the tier of silicon and/or on the tiers of dielectric material and a device is formed at least partially in the void. Additional embodiments are also described.
Abstract:
A memory array includes a control gate, where every memory cell coupled to a first side of the control gate is within a first row of memory cells and every memory cell coupled to a second side of the control gate is within a second row of memory cells, and where the first row of memory cells is successively adjacent to the second row of memory cells. The memory array also includes alternating first and second bit lines, where each of the memory cells of the first row of memory cells is coupled to a respective one of the first bit lines, where each of the memory cells of the second row of memory cells is coupled to a respective one of the second bit lines, and wherein the first bit lines are different from the second bit lines.
Abstract:
A method to fabricate a three dimensional memory structure may include creating a stack of layers including a conductive source layer, a first insulating layer, a select gate source layer, and a second insulating layer, and an array stack. A hole through the stack of layers may then be created using the conductive source layer as a stop-etch layer. The source material may have an etch rate no faster than 33% as fast as an etch rate of the insulating material for the etch process used to create the hole. A pillar of semiconductor material may then fill the hole, so that the pillar of semiconductor material is in electrical contact with the conductive source layer.
Abstract:
Various embodiments include methods and apparatuses, such as memory cells formed on two or more stacked decks. A method includes forming a first deck with first levels of conductor material and first levels of dielectric material over a substrate. Each level of the conductor material is separated from an adjacent level of conductor material by at least one of the first levels of dielectric material. A first opening is formed through the first levels of conductor material and dielectric material. A sacrificial material is formed at least partially filling the first opening. A second deck is formed over the first deck. The second deck has second levels of conductor material and second levels of dielectric material with each level of the conductor material being separated from an adjacent level of conductor material by at least one of the second levels of dielectric material. Additional apparatuses and methods are disclosed.
Abstract:
Methods of forming multi-tiered semiconductor devices are described, along with apparatuses that include them. In one such method, a silicide is formed in a tier of silicon, the silicide is removed, and a device is formed at least partially in a void that was occupied by the silicide. One such apparatus includes a tier of silicon with a void between tiers of dielectric material. Residual silicide is on the tier of silicon and/or on the tiers of dielectric material and a device is formed at least partially in the void. Additional embodiments are also described.
Abstract:
A method of forming circuitry components includes forming a stack of horizontally extending and vertically overlapping features. The stack has a primary portion and an end portion. At least some of the features extend farther in the horizontal direction in the end portion moving deeper into the stack in the end portion. Operative structures are formed vertically through the features in the primary portion and dummy structures are formed vertically through the features in the end portion. Horizontally elongated openings are formed through the features to form horizontally elongated and vertically overlapping lines from material of the features. The lines individually extend from the primary portion into the end portion, and individually laterally about sides of vertically extending portions of both the operative structures and the dummy structures. Sacrificial material that is elevationally between the lines is at least partially removed in the primary and end portions laterally between the horizontally elongated openings. Other aspects and implementations are disclosed.