Described is a memory device including a plurality of memory cells formed around a memory hole extending through a memory stack on a substrate. Each of the plurality of memory cells comprises a discrete blocking oxide layer, a charge trap layer, and a tunnel oxide layer. The blocking oxide layer is discrete between each of the plurality of memory cells. The tunnel oxide layer is continuous between each of the plurality of memory cells, and the charge trap layer is discrete between each of the plurality of memory cells. The charge trap layer has a first thickness on a top portion and a second thickness on a center portion, the first thickness different than the second thickness.

A plasma treatment chamber comprises one or more sidewalls. A support surface within the one or more sidewalls holds a workpiece. A first gas injector along the one or more sidewalls injects a first gas flow in a first direction generally parallel to and across a surface of the workpiece. A first pump port along the one or more sidewalls generally opposite of the first gas injector pumps out the first gas flow. A second gas injector along the one or more sidewalls injects a second gas flow in a second direction generally parallel to and across the surface of the workpiece. A second pump port along the one or more sidewalls generally opposite of the second gas injector pumps out the second gas flow. Conductance control rings modulate conductance of the pump ports and are located proximate to plasma screens at a top of the pump ports.

A method of fabricating a three-dimensional (3D) memory device includes forming a stack structure on a substrate, forming a channel structure, a dummy channel structure, and a gate line slit structure penetrating through the stack structure and extending into the substrate, removing the substrate to expose a first side of the stack structure, forming a protective layer covering an exposed portion of the channel structure on the first side of the stack structure, removing at least the exposed portion of the channel structure, and removing the protective layer after removing at least the exposed portion of the channel structure.

A semiconductor memory structure includes a plurality of gate layers and a plurality of insulating layers alternately stacked over a substrate, and at least an active column disposed over the substrate. The gate layers and the insulating layers are alternately stacked along a first direction. The active column extends along the first direction and penetrates the gate layer and the insulating layer. The active column includes a central portion, a charge-trapping layer surrounding the central portion, and a channel layer between the central portion and the charge-trapping layer. The central portion of the active column includes an isolation structure, a source structure and a drain structure. The source structure and the drain structure are disposed at two sides of the isolation structure.

A three-dimensional memory device and a method for manufacturing the same are provided. The method includes steps as follows. A semiconductor structure including a substrate and a stacked structure on the substrate is provided. The stacked structure includes alternately stacked gate layers and dielectric layers, or alternately stacked dummy gate layers and dielectric layers. The dummy gate layers are replaceable by the gate layers. A groove is formed in a gate line slit region of the stacked structure. The groove penetrates through the gate layers and multiple layers of the dielectric layers, or through the dummy gate layers and multiple layers of the dielectric layers. An insulating layer is formed on a surface of the stacked structure and in the groove. A depression is formed on a surface of the insulating layer above the groove away from the substrate. The insulating layer is polished to flatten the depression.

A three-dimensional memory device and a method for manufacturing the same are provided. The method includes steps as follows. A semiconductor structure including a substrate and a stacked structure on the substrate is provided. The stacked structure includes alternately stacked gate layers and dielectric layers, or alternately stacked dummy gate layers and dielectric layers. The dummy gate layers are replaceable by the gate layers. A groove is formed in a gate line slit region of the stacked structure. The groove penetrates through the gate layers and multiple layers of the dielectric layers, or through the dummy gate layers and multiple layers of the dielectric layers. An insulating layer is formed on a surface of the stacked structure and in the groove. A depression is formed on a surface of the insulating layer above the groove away from the substrate. The insulating layer is polished to flatten the depression.

In certain aspects, a three-dimensional (3D) memory device includes a single crystalline silicon layer, a polysilicon layer, a transistor in contact with the single crystalline silicon layer, and a channel structure in contact with the polysilicon layer. The polysilicon layer and the single crystalline silicon layer are nonoverlapping and at least partially noncoplanar.

In certain aspects, a three-dimensional (3D) memory device includes a single crystalline silicon layer, a polysilicon layer, a transistor in contact with the single crystalline silicon layer, and a channel structure in contact with the polysilicon layer. The polysilicon layer and the single crystalline silicon layer are nonoverlapping and at least partially noncoplanar.

In certain aspects, a method for forming a three-dimensional (3D) memory device is disclosed. A transistor is formed in a first region on a first side of a single crystalline silicon substrate. A step layer is formed in a second region on the first side of the single crystalline silicon substrate. A channel structure extending through a stack structure and in contact with the step layer is formed. The stack structure includes interleaved dielectric layers and conductive layers on the step layer. Part of the single crystalline silicon substrate that is in the second region is removed from a second side opposite to the first side of the single crystalline silicon substrate to expose the step layer from the second side.

In certain aspects, a method for forming a three-dimensional (3D) memory device is disclosed. A transistor is formed in a first region on a first side of a single crystalline silicon substrate. A step layer is formed in a second region on the first side of the single crystalline silicon substrate. A channel structure extending through a stack structure and in contact with the step layer is formed. The stack structure includes interleaved dielectric layers and conductive layers on the step layer. Part of the single crystalline silicon substrate that is in the second region is removed from a second side opposite to the first side of the single crystalline silicon substrate to expose the step layer from the second side.