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.

According to one embodiment, a semiconductor memory device includes: a first semiconductor layer; first and second insulating layers in contact with the first semiconductor layer; a second semiconductor layer in contact with the first insulating layer; a third semiconductor layer in contact with the second insulating layer; a first conductor; a third insulating layer in contact with the first conductor; a fourth insulating layer provided between the second semiconductor layer and the third insulating layer; a first charge storage layer provided between the second semiconductor layer and the fourth insulating layer; and a fifth insulating layer provided between the second semiconductor layer and the first charge storage layer. The second semiconductor layer, the first conductor, the third to fifth insulating layers, and the first charge storage layer function as a first memory cell.

Techniques for fabricating a memory device which has reduced neighboring word line interference, and a corresponding memory device. The memory device comprises a stack of alternating conductive and dielectric layers, where the conductive layers form word lines or control gates of memory cells. In one aspect, rounding off of the control gate layers due to inadvertent oxidation during fabrication is avoided. An amorphous silicon layer is deposited along the sidewall of the memory holes, adjacent to the control gate layers. Si.sub.3N.sub.4 is deposited along the amorphous silicon layer and oxidized in the memory hole to form SiO.sub.2. The amorphous silicon layer acts as an oxidation barrier for the sacrificial material of the control gate layers. The amorphous silicon layer is subsequently oxidized to also form SiO.sub.2. The two SiO.sub.2 layers together form a blocking oxide layer.

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 semiconductor integrated circuit device may include a structure, a first capping layer, a channel layer and a second capping layer. The structure may have an opening formed in the structure. The first capping layer may be formed in the opening of the structure. The channel layer may be arranged between the structure and the first capping layer. The second capping layer may be arranged on the channel layer and the first capping layer.

Resistance of a FINFET is reduced while performance of an element is prevented from being deteriorated due to an increase in stress, thereby performance of a semiconductor device is improved. When a memory cell formed on an upper side of a first fin and an n transistor formed on an upper side of a second fin are mounted on the same semiconductor substrate, the surface of the first fin having a source/drain region of the memory cell is covered with a silicide layer, and part of a source/drain region of the n transistor is formed of an epitaxial layer covering the surface of the second fin.

According to one embodiment, a semiconductor memory device includes a semiconductor substrate, a stacked body, a semiconductor member, a semiconductor portion, a first insulating film, and a charge storage film. The semiconductor member includes a first portion and a second portion, the first portion contacting with the semiconductor substrate, the second portion being provided on the first portion, contacting with the first portion, and having a second width smaller than a first width of the first portion in a first direction crossing a stacking direction. The first insulating film is provided on a side surface of the second portion. The charge storage film is provided on a side surface of the semiconductor portion, extends in the stacking direction, and includes a first portion located on an upper surface of the second portion of the semiconductor member.

A method used in forming a vertical string of memory cells and a conductive via comprises forming a first lower opening and a second lower opening into a lower material. A first material is formed within the first and second lower openings. An upper material is formed above the lower material and above the first material in the first and second lower openings. A first upper opening is formed through the upper material to the first material in the first lower opening. At least a majority of the first material is removed from the first lower opening through the first upper opening and channel material is formed within the first lower and first upper openings for the vertical string of memory cells being formed. After forming the channel material, a second upper opening is formed through the upper material to the first material in the second lower opening. Conductive material of the conductive via is formed within the second upper opening. Structure embodiments independent of method of formation are disclosed.

To improve reliability of a semiconductor device, a control transistor and a memory transistor formed in a memory cell region are configured to have a double-gate structure, and a transistor formed in a peripheral circuit region is configured to have a triple-gate structure. For example, in the memory transistor, a gate insulating film formed by an ONO film is provided between a memory gate electrode and sidewalls of a fin, and an insulating film (a stacked film of a multilayer film of an insulating film/an oxide film and the ONO film) thicker than the ONO film is provided between the memory gate electrode and a top surface of the fin. This configuration can reduce concentration of an electric field onto a tip of the fin, so that deterioration of reliability of the ONO film can be prevented.