Embodiments of source structure of a three-dimensional (3D) memory device and method for forming the source structure of the 3D memory device are disclosed. In an example, a NAND memory device includes a substrate, an alternating conductor/dielectric stack, a NAND string, a source conductor layer, and a source contact. The alternating conductor/dielectric stack includes a plurality of conductor/dielectric pairs above the substrate. The NAND string extends vertically through the alternating conductor/dielectric stack. The source conductor layer is above the alternating conductor/dielectric stack and is in contact with an end of the NAND string. The source contact includes an end in contact with the source conductor layer. The NAND string is electrically connected to the source contact by the source conductor layer. In some embodiments, the source conductor layer includes one or more conduction regions each including one or more of a metal, a metal alloy, and a metal silicide.

The present application discloses a method for fabricating the semiconductor device. The method for fabricating a semiconductor device includes providing a substrate having a first lattice constant and forming a first word line positioned in the substrate and a plurality of stress regions positioned adjacent to lower portions of sidewalls of the first word line. The plurality of stress regions have a second lattice constant, the second lattice constant of the plurality of stress regions is different from the first lattice constant of the substrate.

A transistor includes a gate, a channel layer, a gate insulation layer, a passivation layer, a liner, a first signal line, and a second signal line. The first signal line is embedded in the passivation layer to form a first via in the passivation layer and overlapping the channel layer. The second signal line is embedded in the passivation layer to form a second via in the passivation layer overlapping the channel layer. The second signal line is in contact with the channel layer. The liner includes an insulation region and a conductive region connected with the insulation region. The insulation region is disposed over the passivation layer and on sidewalls of the first via. The conductive region is disposed under a bottom of the first via and connected with the channel layer. The first signal line is electrically connected with the channel layer through the conductive region.

A semiconductor device includes a device feature. The semiconductor device includes a first silicide layer having a first metal, wherein the first silicide layer is embedded in the device feature. The semiconductor device includes a second silicide layer having a second metal, wherein the second silicide layer, disposed above the device feature, comprises a first portion directly contacting the first silicide layer. The first metal is different from the second metal.

The present disclosure provides a method of forming an interconnect structure. The method includes forming a metal layer over a substrate, the metal layer including a first metal; forming a capping layer on the metal layer; patterning the capping layer and the metal layer, thereby forming trenches in the metal layer; depositing a first dielectric layer in the trenches; removing the capping layer, resulting in the first dielectric layer protruding from a top surface of the metal layer; depositing a second dielectric layer over the first dielectric layer and the metal layer; forming an opening in the second dielectric layer, thereby partially exposing the top surface of the metal layer; and forming a conductive feature in the opening and in electrical coupling with the metal layer, the conductive feature including a second metal.

The present application provides a method for fabricating a semiconductor device including providing a substrate, concurrently forming a first conductive line and a bottom contact on the substrate, concurrently forming a first conductive line spacer on a sidewall of the first conductive line and a bottom contact spacer on a sidewall of the bottom contact, forming a first insulating layer over the substrate and concurrently forming an air gap between the first conductive line spacer and the bottom contact spacer.

A preferred aim of the invention is to provide technique for improving reliability of semiconductor devices when using a low-dielectric-constant film having a lower dielectric constant than a silicon oxide film to a part of an interlayer insulating film. More specifically, to achieve the preferred aim, an interlayer insulating film IL1 forming a first fine layer is formed of a middle-Young's-modulus film, and thus it is possible to separate an integrated high-Young's-modulus layer (a semiconductor substrate 1S and a contact interlayer insulating film CIL) and an interlayer insulating film (a low-Young's-modulus film; a low-dielectric-constant film) IL2 forming a second fine layer not to let them directly contact with each other, and stress can be diverged. As a result, film exfoliation of the interlayer insulating film IL2 formed of a low-Young's-modulus film can be prevented and thus reliability of semiconductor devices can be improved.

A memory device includes first transistor over a semiconductor substrate, wherein the first transistor includes a first word line extending over the semiconductor substrate; a second transistor over the semiconductor substrate, wherein the second transistor includes a second word line extending over the first word line; a first air gap extending between the first word line and the second word line; a memory film extending along and contacting the first word line and the second word line; a channel layer extending along the memory film; a source line extending along the channel layer, wherein the memory film is between the source line and the word line; a bit line extending along the channel layer, wherein the memory film is between the bit line and the word line; and an isolation region between the source line and the bit line.

A method of forming a power rail to semiconductor devices comprising removing a portion of the gate structure forming a gate cut trench separating a first active region of fin structures from a second active region of fin structures. A conformal etch stop layer is formed in the gate cut trench. A fill material is formed on the conformal etch stop layer filling at least a portion of the gate cut trench. The fill material has a composition that is etched selectively to the conformal etch stop layer. A power rail is formed in the gate cut trench. The conformal etch stop layer obstructs lateral etching during forming the power rail to substantially eliminate power rail to gate structure shorting.

The present disclosure is directed to systems and methods for providing a dielectric layer on a semiconductor substrate capable of supporting very high density interconnects (i.e., ≥100 IO/mm). The dielectric layer includes a maleimide polymer in which a thiol-terminated functional group crosslinks with an epoxy resin. The resultant dielectric material provides a dielectric constant of less than 3 and a dissipation factor of less than 0.001. Additionally, the thiol functional group forms coordination complexes with noble metals present in the conductive structures, thus by controlling the stoichiometry of epoxy to polyimide, the thiol-polyimide may beneficially provide an adhesion enhancer between the dielectric and noble metal conductive structures.