3-dimensional NOR string arrays in segmented stacks

Abstract

A memory structure formed above a semiconductor substrate includes two or more modules each formed on top of each other separated by a layer of global interconnect conductors. Each memory module may include a 3-dimensional array of memory transistors organized as NOR array strings. Each 3-dimensional array of memory transistors is provided vertical local word lines as gate electrodes to the memory transistors. These vertical local word lines are connected by the layers of global interconnect conductors below and above the 3-dimensional array of memory transistors to circuitry formed in the semiconductor substrate.

Claims

1. A memory structure, comprising: a semiconductor substrate having a planar surface, the semiconductor substrate having circuitry formed therein and thereon; first and second memory modules provided above the planar surface, the second memory module being provided on top of the first memory module, wherein each memory module comprises: a plurality of stacks of active strips, the stacks being spaced from each other along a first direction substantially parallel the planar surface, each active strip running lengthwise along a second direction that is also substantially parallel the planar surface but orthogonal to the first direction, the active strips within each stack being provided one on top of another along a third direction that is substantially perpendicular to the planar surface, each active strip comprising semiconductor layers that form drain, source and channel regions of thin-film storage transistors organized as NOR strings; and a set of local word line conductors each running along the third direction to provide as gate electrodes to storage transistors in a designated one of the stacks of active strips; and a first set of global word line conductors provided between the first memory module and the second memory module, wherein the global word line conductors in the first set of global word line conductors are (i) spaced from each other along the second direction and each running along the first direction, and (ii) each in direct contact with selected local word line conductors of both the first and second memory modules.

2. The memory structure of claim 1, further comprising a second set of global word line conductors and a third set of global word line conductors, formed above the second memory module and below the first memory module, respectively, wherein, within each of the second and third sets of global word line conductors, the global word line conductors are spaced from each other along the second direction and each running along the first direction, and wherein the global word line conductors of the second and third set of global conductors are each in direct contact with selected local word line conductors in the second memory module and the first memory module, respectively.

3. The memory structure of claim 1, wherein the first set of global word line conductors connects the selected local word line conductors to circuitry in the semiconductor substrate.

4. The memory structure of claim 3, wherein the circuitry in the semiconductor substrate comprises voltage sources.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 reproduces FIG. 2i of the Copending Non-provisional application, showing two vertically stacked active layers 202-6 and 202-7, each provided to form multiple NOR strings out of semiconductor layers 221-223.

(2) FIGS. 2a and 2b show active stacks each of at least four active strips being manufactured as two sets of half-height active stacks A and B, according to one embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

(3) As shown in FIG. 1, each side edge of each active strip (e.g., active strip 202-7 or 202-8) in each active stack form a NOR string including memory transistors that are each accessed by a local word line (e.g., local word line 208W-a or 208W-s). Each local word line may be connected to circuitry in the semiconductor substrate through a global word line either from the top (e.g., global word lines 208g-a), or from the bottom (e.g., global word lines 208g-s). As shown in FIG. 1, the local word lines are shown to be connected through both top and bottom global word lines.

(4) According to one embodiment of the present invention, to reduce the aspect ratio of the anisotropically etched deep trenches for local word lines 208W-a and 208W-s, and to reduce by almost half the resistance in each of these local word lines, the active stacks of the active strips in FIG. 1 may be manufactured as two or more sets of reduced-height active stacks. For example, FIG. 2 shows active stacks of at least four active strips being manufactured as two sets of half-height active stacks A and B, each active stack including two or more active strips formed therein, according to one embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 2, half-height active stack Awhich is shown to include at least active strips 202-4 and 202-5are first formed, with local word lines 208W-a and 208W-s. Local word lines 208W-a and 208-s connect the circuitry (e.g., voltage sources V.sub.WLs and V.sub.WLa) in semiconductor substrate 201 through global word lines 208g-a and global word lines 208g-s. Half-height active stacks Bwhich includes active strips 202-6 and 202-7are next formed out of active layers on top of global word lines 208g-s and share global word lines 208g-s with half-height stacks A to provide connection to the substrate circuitry. A further set of global conductors (i.e., global word lines 208g-a of half-height active strip stacks B) are next formed on top of the active layers 202-6 and 202-7 to connect the substrate circuitry to the word lines 208W-a of half-height active strip stacks B. Although this process flow involves an increased number of process steps, it substantially reduces the high aspect ratio in the etch steps and results in mechanically more sturdy structures.

(5) The above detailed description is provided to illustrate the specific embodiments of the present invention and is not intended to be limiting. Numerous variations and modifications within the scope of the present invention are possible. The present invention is set forth by the accompanying claims.