A memory cell includes a thin film transistor over a semiconductor substrate. The thin film transistor includes a memory film contacting a word line, an oxide semiconductor (OS) layer contacting a source line and a bit line, and a conductive feature interposed between the memory film and the OS layer. The memory film is disposed between the OS layer and the word line. A dielectric material covers sidewalls of the source line, the memory film, and the OS layer.

A method includes forming a plurality of memory cells, which includes a plurality of first conductive lines over a substrate, charge-trapping layers coupled to the conductive lines, channel layers arranged adjacent to the charge-trapping layers, and a plurality of first filling regions arranged between the channel layers; etching the first filling regions to form first trenches; depositing a liner over upper surfaces of the charge-trapping layers and the channel layers and sidewalls of the first trenches; forming second filling regions in the first trenches; patterning the second filling regions to form second trenches; depositing a partition region in each of the second trenches; and removing the liner to expose the charge-trapping layers and the channel layers.

In some embodiments, the present disclosure relates to a memory device that includes gate electrode layers arranged over a substrate. A first memory cell is arranged over the substrate and includes first and second source/drain conductive lines that extend through the gate electrode layers. A barrier structure is arranged between the first and second source/drain conductive lines. A channel layer is arranged on outermost sidewalls of the first and second source/drain conductive lines. A first dielectric layer is arranged between the barrier structure and the channel layer. A memory layer is arranged on sidewalls of the channel layer. The first dielectric layer has a first maximum width measured between outermost sidewalls of the first dielectric layer. The first source/drain conductive line has a second maximum width measured between the outermost sidewalls of the first source/drain conductive line. The second width is greater than the first width.

Embodiments of bonded unified semiconductor chips and fabrication and operation methods thereof are disclosed. In an example, a method for forming a unified semiconductor chip is disclosed. A first semiconductor structure is formed. The first semiconductor structure includes one or more processors, an array of embedded DRAM cells, and a first bonding layer including a plurality of first bonding contacts. A second semiconductor structure is formed. The second semiconductor structure includes an array of NAND memory cells and a second bonding layer including a plurality of second bonding contacts. The first semiconductor structure and the second semiconductor structure are bonded in a face-to-face manner, such that the first bonding contacts are in contact with the second bonding contacts at a bonding interface.

A 3D AND flash memory device includes a gate stack structure, a channel pillar, a first and a second conductive pillars, a charge storage structure, and a protective cap. The gate stack structure is disposed on a dielectric substrate and includes gate layers and insulating layers alternately stacked with each other. The channel pillar penetrates through the gate stack structure.

The first and the second conductive pillars are disposed in the channel pillar and penetrate through the gate stack structure, and the first and the second conductive pillars are separated from each other and each connected to the channel pillar. The charge storage structure is disposed between the gate layers and a sidewall of the channel pillar. The protective cap covers at least a top surface of the channel pillar and isolates the first conductive pillar and the second conductive pillar from a top gate layer of the gate layers.

A microelectronic device comprises a stack structure, first digit lines, second digit lines, and multiplexer devices. The stack structure comprises an access line region comprising a lower group of conductive structures, and a select gate region overlying the access line region and comprising an upper group of conductive structures. The first digit are coupled to strings of memory cells, and the second digit lines are coupled to additional strings of memory cells. The second digit lines are horizontally offset from the first digit lines in a first direction and are substantially horizontally aligned with the first digit lines in a second direction. The multiplexer devices are coupled to page buffer devices, the first digit lines, and the second digit lines. The multiplexer devices comprise transistors in electrical communication with the upper group of conductive structures. Additional microelectronic devices, memory devices, and electronic systems are also described.

A method of forming a microelectronic device comprises forming a stack structure over a source structure, forming pillar structures vertically extending through the stack structure, and forming at least one trench vertically extending through the stack structure. The at least one trench defines at least one stadium structure comprising opposing stair step structures having steps comprising horizontal ends of tiers. Additional trenches may be formed to vertically extend through the stack structure, and at least one further trench may be formed to vertically extend through the stack structure. The at least one further trench defines at least one additional stadium structure comprising additional opposing stair step structures having additional steps comprising additional horizontal ends of the tiers. A dielectric material may be formed within the at least one trench, the additional trenches, and the at least one further trench. Microelectronic devices, memory devices, and electronic systems are also described.

A semiconductor device including: a first silicon layer including a first single crystal silicon and a plurality of first transistors; a first metal layer disposed over the first silicon layer; a second metal layer disposed over the first metal layer; a third metal layer disposed over the second metal layer; a second level including a plurality of second transistors, the second level disposed over the third metal layer; a fourth metal layer disposed over the second level; a fifth metal layer disposed over the fourth metal layer, where the fourth metal layer is aligned to first metal layer with a less than 40 nm alignment error; and a via disposed through the second level, where each of the second transistors includes a metal gate, and where a typical thickness of the second metal layer is greater than a typical thickness of the third metal layer by at least 50%.

Embodiments of 3D memory devices having staircase structures and methods for forming the same are disclosed. In an example, a 3D memory device includes a memory array structure and a staircase structure in an intermediate of the memory array structure and laterally dividing the memory array structure into a first memory array structure and a second memory array structure. The staircase structure includes a first staircase zone and a bridge structure connecting the first and second memory array structures. The bridge structure includes a lower wall portion and an upper staircase portion. The first staircase zone includes a first pair of staircases facing each other in a first lateral direction and at different depths. Each staircase includes stairs. At least one stair in the first pair of staircases is electrically connected to at least one of the first memory array structure and the second memory array structure through the bridge structure.

A semiconductor memory device comprises: a substrate; a first semiconductor portion provided separated from the substrate in a first direction intersecting a surface of the substrate, the first semiconductor portion extending in a second direction intersecting the first direction; a first gate electrode extending in the first direction; a first insulating portion which is provided between the first semiconductor portion and the first gate electrode, includes hafnium (Hf) and oxygen (O), and includes an orthorhombic crystal as a crystal structure; a first conductive portion provided between the first semiconductor portion and the first insulating portion; and a second insulating portion provided between the first semiconductor portion and the first conductive portion. An area of a facing surface of the first conductive portion facing the first semiconductor portion is larger than an area of a facing surface of the first conductive portion facing the first gate electrode.