A three-dimensional memory device includes an alternating stack of insulating layers and electrically conductive layers located over a single crystalline semiconductor layer, a single crystal epitaxial source semiconductor layer located between the single crystalline semiconductor layer and the alternating stack and epitaxially aligned to the single crystalline semiconductor layer, and a memory stack structure vertically extending through the alternating stack and containing a memory film and an epitaxial vertical semiconductor channel including a single crystal semiconductor material that is epitaxially aligned to the epitaxial source semiconductor layer at an interface.

The present disclosure relates to a flash memory structure. The flash memory structure includes a first doped region and a second doped region disposed within a substrate. A select gate is disposed over the substrate between the first doped region and the second doped region. A floating gate is disposed over the substrate between the select gate and the first doped region, and a control gate is over the floating gate. The floating gate extends along multiple surfaces of the substrate.

According to an embodiment, a semiconductor memory device includes first and second groups each including a plurality of memory cells, and a control circuit. The control circuit is configured to successively apply a first voltage and a second voltage which is higher than the first voltage to a memory cell in the first or second group, and to apply a third voltage to the memory cell after applying the second voltage. When the memory cell is included in the first group, the control circuit applies the third voltage to the memory cell a time earlier with respect to a time when the second voltage is applied than when the memory cell is included in the second group. Each of the first and second groups corresponds to a data erase unit or a unit larger than the data erase unit.

According to an embodiment, a semiconductor memory device includes first and second groups each including a plurality of memory cells, and a control circuit. The control circuit is configured to successively apply a first voltage and a second voltage which is higher than the first voltage to a memory cell in the first or second group, and to apply a third voltage to the memory cell after applying the second voltage. When the memory cell is included in the first group, the control circuit applies the third voltage to the memory cell a time earlier with respect to a time when the second voltage is applied than when the memory cell is included in the second group. Each of the first and second groups corresponds to a data erase unit or a unit larger than the data erase unit.

According to one embodiment, a semiconductor storage device includes: a substrate; a plurality of first gate electrodes arranged in a first direction intersecting with a substrate surface; a first semiconductor film extending in the first direction and facing the plurality of first gate electrodes; a first gate insulating film provided between the plurality of first gate electrodes and the first semiconductor film; a second gate electrode disposed farther away from the substrate than the plurality of first gate electrodes; a second semiconductor film that extends in the first direction, faces the second gate electrode, and has, in the first direction, one end connected to the first semiconductor film; and a second gate insulating film provided between the second gate electrode and the second semiconductor film. The second gate electrode includes: a first portion; and a second portion provided between the first portion and the second semiconductor film, and facing the second semiconductor film. At least a portion of the second portion is provided closer to a side of the substrate than a surface of the first portion on the side of the substrate side in the first direction.

A semiconductor device includes a cell structure; n first pad structures formed on one side of the cell structure and each configured to have a step form in which 2n layers form one stage; and n second pad structures formed on the other side of the cell structure each configured to have a step form in which 2n layers form one stage, wherein n is a natural number of 1 or higher, and the first pad structures and the second pad structures have asymmetrical step forms having different heights.

In some embodiments, the present disclosure relates to a flash memory structure. The flash memory structure has a source region and a drain region disposed within a substrate. A select gate is disposed over the substrate between the source region and the drain region, and a floating gate is disposed over the substrate between the select gate and the source region. A control gate is disposed over the floating gate. The floating gate has sidewalls that define protrusions extending downward from a lower surface of the floating gate to define a recess within a bottom of the floating gate.

In a method of manufacturing a non-volatile memory device, insulating layers and conductive gates may be alternately formed on a semiconductor substrate to form a stack structure. A contact hole may be formed through the stack structure. A channel layer may be formed on a surface of the contact hole. The contact hole may be filled with a gap-fill insulating layer. The gap-fill insulating layer may be etched by a target depth to define a preliminary junction region. The channel layer may be etched until a surface of the channel layer may correspond to a surface of an uppermost gate among the gates. Diffusion-preventing ions may be implanted into the channel layer. A capping layer with impurities may be formed in the preliminary junction region.

Various embodiments comprise apparatuses and methods, such as a memory stack having a continuous cell pillar. In various embodiments, the apparatus includes a source material, a buffer material, a select gate drain (SGD), and a memory stack arranged between the source material and the SGD. The memory stack comprises alternating levels of conductor materials and dielectric materials. A continuous channel-fill material forms a cell pillar that is continuous from the source material to at least a level corresponding to the SGD.

In some embodiments, the present disclosure relates to a flash memory structure. The flash memory structure has a source region and a drain region disposed within a substrate. A select gate is disposed over the substrate between the source region and the drain region, and a floating gate is disposed over the substrate between the select gate and the source region. A control gate is disposed over the floating gate. The floating gate has sidewalls that define protrusions extending downward from a lower surface of the floating gate to define a recess within a bottom of the floating gate.