Microelectronic devices include a stack structure with a vertically alternating sequence of insulative structures and conductive structures arranged in tiers. A series of slit structures extends through the stack structure and divides the stack structure into a series of blocks. In a progressed portion of the series of blocks, each block comprises an array of pillars extending through the stack structure of the block. Also, each block—in the progressed portion—has a different block width than a block width of a neighboring block of the progressed portion of the series of blocks. At least one pillar, of the pillars of the array of pillars in the progressed portion, exhibits bending. Related methods and electronic systems are also disclosed.

Embodiments of 3D memory devices and methods for forming the same are disclosed. In an example, a 3D memory device includes a memory stack including interleaved stack conductive layers and stack dielectric layers, a semiconductor layer, a plurality of channel structures each extending vertically through the memory stack into the semiconductor layer, and an insulating structure extending vertically through the memory stack and including a dielectric layer doped with at least one of hydrogen or an isotope of hydrogen.

A semiconductor memory device includes a first semiconductor layer that includes a first part extending in a first direction, a second part extending in the first direction, and a third part connected to the first and second parts. When a cross-sectional surface extending in second and third directions and including the third part is defined as a first cross-sectional surface, the third part has one side and the other side of an imaginary center line in the third direction in the first cross-sectional surface defined as first and second regions, the third part has maximum widths in the second direction in the first and second regions defined as first and second widths, and the third part has a width in the second direction on the imaginary center line defined as a third width, the third width is smaller than the first and second widths.

A nonvolatile memory (“NVM”) bitcell with one or more active regions capacitively coupled to the floating gate but that are separated from both the source and the drain. The inclusion of capacitors separated from the source and drain allows for improved control over the voltage of the floating gate. This in turn allows CHEI (or IHEI) to be performed with much higher efficiency than in existing bitcells, thereby the need for a charge pump to provide current to the bitcell, ultimately decreasing the total size of the bitcell. The bitcells may be constructed in pairs, further reducing the space requirements of the each bitcell, thereby mitigating the space requirements of the separate capacitor/s. The bitcell may also be operated by CHEI (or IHEI) and separately by BTBT depending upon the voltages applied at the source, drain, and capacitor/s.

A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device includes providing a silicon substrate with multiple layers formed on a front side and a backside, wherein at least a dielectric layer is formed on the backside of the silicon substrate; defining isolation regions and active regions at the front side of the silicon substrate, wherein the active regions are separated by the isolation regions; treating the multiple layers formed at the front side and the backside of the silicon substrate, so as to remain the dielectric layer as an outermost layer exposed at the backside of the silicon substrate; and depositing a polysilicon layer on the isolation regions and the active regions at the front side of the silicon substrate.

According to one embodiment, the circuit portion includes a transistor provided at a region separated from the first stacked portion in the substrate. The second stacked portion is provided above the circuit portion. The second stacked portion includes a plurality of first layers and a plurality of second layers. The first layers and the second layers include a first layer and a second layer stacked alternately. An insulating layer is provided above the circuit portion and provided above the substrate between the first stacked portion and the second stacked portion. A height of an uppermost first layer of the second stacked portion from a surface of the substrate is substantially equal to a height of an uppermost electrode layer of the first stacked portion from the surface of the substrate, or is higher than the height of the uppermost electrode layer.

A semiconductor device including a non-volatile memory (NVM) cell and method of making the same are disclosed. The semiconductor device includes a metal-gate logic transistor formed on a logic region of a substrate, and the NVM cell integrally formed in a first recess in a memory region of the same substrate, wherein the first recess is recessed relative to a first surface of the substrate in the logic region. Generally, the metal-gate logic transistor further including a planarized surface above and substantially parallel to the first surface of the substrate in the logic region, and the NVM cell is arranged below an elevation of the planarized surface of the metal-gate. In some embodiments, logic transistor is a High-k Metal-gate (HKMG) logic transistor with a gate structure including a metal-gate and a high-k gate dielectric. Other embodiments are also disclosed.

A metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistors (MOSFET) memory array, including a complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) cell including an n-type MOSFET having a modified gate dielectric; and an n-type or p-type MOSFET having an unmodified gate dielectric layer, where the modified gate dielectric layer incorporates an oxygen scavenging species.

Devices and methods for forming a device are disclosed. The method includes providing a substrate having a memory array region. Front end of line (FEOL) process is performed to form components of memory cell pairs. The FEOL process forms storage gates, access gates or word lines, source/drain regions, spacers, erase gates and source line isolation dielectrics. The memory cell pair shares a common source line (SL). A SL strap opening is provided. The source line strap opening is formed between adjacent memory cell pair. The source line strap opening does not overlap the storage gate of the memory cell.

The present disclosure provides a semiconductor device structure including a non-volatile memory (NVM) device structure in and above a first region of a semiconductor substrate and a logic device formed in and above a second region of the semiconductor substrate different from the first region. The NVM device structure includes a floating-gate, a first select gate and at least one control gate. The logic device includes a logic gate disposed on the second region and source/drain regions provided in the second region adjacent to the logic gate. The control gate extends over the floating-gate and the first select gate is laterally separated from the floating-gate by an insulating material layer portion. Upon forming the semiconductor device structure, the floating gate is formed before forming the control gate and the logic device.