Patent · US Active

Method and structure for forming stairs in three-dimensional memory devices

US11950418B2 · kind B2 · utility

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1References
20Claims
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Key dates

Filing dateMar 30, 2021
Grant dateApr 2, 2024
Priority date
Expiry dateDec 20, 2041

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH10B43/50

Abstract

Embodiments of a three-dimensional (3D) memory device and fabrication methods thereof are disclosed. In an example, a method for forming a 3D memory device includes the following operations. A dielectric stack is formed to have interleaved sacrificial layers and dielectric layers. A stair is formed in the dielectric stack. The stair includes one or more sacrificial layers of the sacrificial layers and one or more dielectric layers of the dielectric layers. The stair exposes one of the sacrificial layers on a top surface and the one or more sacrificial layers on a side surface. An insulating portion is formed to cover the side surface of the stair to cover the one or more sacrificial layers. A sacrificial portion is formed to cover the top surface of the stair. The sacrificial portion is in contact with the one of sacrificial layers. The one or more sacrificial layers and the sacrificial portion are replaced with one or more conductor layers.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.