SYSTEMS INCLUDING MEMORY CELLS ON OPPOSING SIDES OF A PILLAR

Abstract

Systems including a processor and a memory device in communication with the processor include an array of non-volatile memory cells configured in a NAND architecture. The array includes a plurality of series-coupled first non-volatile memory cells, each first non-volatile memory cell curving around a first curved side of a substantially vertical pillar and terminating at an isolation region, and a plurality of series-coupled second non-volatile memory cells, each second non-volatile memory cell curving around a second curved side of the substantially vertical pillar and terminating at the isolation region. Respective ones of the first non-volatile memory cells are respectively at same vertical levels as respective ones of the second non-volatile memory cells.

Claims

1. A system, comprising: a processor; and a memory device in communication with the processor, wherein the memory device comprises an array of non-volatile memory cells configured in a NAND architecture, the array of non-volatile memory cells comprising: a plurality of series-coupled first non-volatile memory cells, each first non-volatile memory cell of the plurality of series-coupled first non-volatile memory cells curving around a first curved side of a substantially vertical pillar and terminating at an isolation region; a plurality of series-coupled second non-volatile memory cells, each second non-volatile memory cell of the plurality of series-coupled second non-volatile memory cells curving around a second curved side of the substantially vertical pillar and terminating at the isolation region; wherein respective ones of the first non-volatile memory cells of the plurality of series-coupled first non-volatile memory cells are respectively at same vertical levels as respective ones of the second non-volatile memory cells of the plurality of series-coupled second non-volatile memory cells.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein each first non-volatile memory cell of the plurality of series-coupled first non-volatile memory cells comprises a respective first charge storage node that curves around the first curved side of the pillar and that terminates at the isolation region and a respective first control gate that curves around the respective first charge storage node and terminates at the isolation region, and wherein each second non-volatile memory cell of the plurality of series-coupled second non-volatile memory cells comprises a respective second charge storage node that curves around the second curved side of the pillar and that terminates at the isolation region and a respective second control gate that curves around the respective second charge storage node and terminates at the isolation region.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the array of non-volatile memory cells further comprises a select transistor that selectively couples the plurality of series-coupled first non-volatile memory cells and the plurality of series-coupled second non-volatile memory cells to a source.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein the select transistor comprises a channel that is coupled to the substantially vertical pillar and the source.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the array of non-volatile memory cells further comprises a select transistor that selectively couples the plurality of series-coupled first non-volatile memory cells and the plurality of series-coupled second non-volatile memory cells to a data line.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein the select transistor comprises a channel that is coupled to the substantially vertical pillar and the data line.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the substantially vertical pillar comprises a semiconductor.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of series-coupled first non-volatile memory cells and each of the plurality of series-coupled second non-volatile memory cells is a semiconductor-oxide-nitride-oxide-semiconductor memory cell.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the array of non-volatile memory cells configured in a NAND architecture comprises an array of non-volatile memory cells configured in a three-dimensional NAND architecture.

10. A system, comprising: a processor; and a memory device in communication with the processor, wherein the memory device comprises an array of non-volatile memory cells configured in a NAND architecture, the array of non-volatile memory cells comprising: a conductive pillar; a plurality of first non-volatile memory cells on a first side of the pillar coupled in series by the conductive pillar, each first non-volatile memory cell of the plurality of first non-volatile memory cells comprising a respective portion of a first charge trap adjacent to the first side of conductive pillar and a respective first control gate adjacent to the respective portion of the first charge trap; a plurality of second non-volatile memory cells on a second side of the pillar, opposite to the first side of the pillar, coupled in series by the conductive pillar, each second non-volatile memory cell of the plurality of second non-volatile memory cells comprising a respective portion of a second charge trap adjacent to the second side of the conductive pillar and a respective second control gate adjacent to the respective portion of the second charge trap; and a single select transistor that selectively couples the plurality of first non-volatile memory cells and the plurality of second non-volatile memory cells to one of a source line and a data line; wherein each first control gate of the plurality of first non-volatile memory cells is electrically isolated from each second control gate of the plurality of second non-volatile memory cells; and wherein respective ones of the first non-volatile memory cells of the plurality of first non-volatile memory cells are respectively at same vertical levels as respective ones of the second non-volatile memory cells of the plurality of second non-volatile memory cells.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein each first charge trap of the plurality of first non-volatile memory cells is electrically isolated from each second charge trap of the plurality of second non-volatile memory cells.

12. The system of claim 10, wherein the conductive pillar is a first conductive pillar, and wherein the single select transistor is adjacent to a second conductive pillar coupled to the first conductive pillar.

13. The system of claim 10, wherein the conductive pillar forms a channel for both the plurality of first non-volatile memory cells and the plurality of second non-volatile memory cells.

14. A system, comprising: a processor; and a memory device in communication with the processor, wherein the memory device comprises an array of non-volatile memory cells configured in a NAND architecture, the array of non-volatile memory cells comprising: a first pair of electrically isolated activation lines formed on opposing sides of one or more conductive pillars; a second pair of electrically isolated activation lines formed on opposing sides of the one or more conductive pillars; and a plurality of charge storage nodes, wherein each charge storage node of the plurality of charge storage nodes is interposed between a respective conductive pillar of the one or more conductive pillars and a respective activation line of first pair of electrically isolated activation lines or the second pair of electrically isolated activation lines; wherein a non-volatile memory cell formed at an intersection of a first one of the first pair of activation lines and a given one of the conductive pillars, and a non-volatile memory cell formed at an intersection of a first one of the second pair of activation lines and the given one of the conductive pillars, form at least a portion of a first serially-coupled string of non-volatile memory cells; wherein a non-volatile memory cell formed at an intersection of a second one of the first pair of activation lines and the given one of the conductive pillars, and a non-volatile memory cell formed at an intersection of a second one of the second pair of activation lines and the given one of the conductive pillars, form at least a portion of a second serially-coupled string of non-volatile memory cells; and wherein the first one of the first pair of activation lines and the first one of the second pair of activation lines are formed on the same side of the given one of the conductive pillars.

15. The system of claim 14, further comprising a first select transistor coupled to a first end of the first serially-coupled string of non-volatile memory cells and a first end of the second serially-coupled string of non-volatile memory cells.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the one or more conductive pillars are one or more first conductive pillars, wherein the first select transistor is formed at an intersection between a select line and a second conductive pillar coupled to an end of the given one of the first conductive pillars.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein second conductive pillar is further coupled to a source line.

18. The system of claim 15 further comprises a second select transistor coupled to a second end of the first serially-coupled string of non-volatile memory cells and a second end of the second serially-coupled string of non-volatile memory cells.

19. The system of claim 18, wherein the one or more conductive pillars are one or more first conductive pillars, wherein the second select transistor is formed at an intersection between a select line and a second conductive pillar coupled to a second end of the given one of the first conductive pillars.

20. The system of claim 19, wherein second conductive pillar is further coupled to a data line.

21. The system of claim 18, wherein the first select transistor selectively couples the first serially-coupled string of non-volatile memory cells and the second serially-coupled string of non-volatile memory cells to a source line and the second select transistor selectively couples the first serially-coupled string of non-volatile memory cells and the second serially-coupled string of non-volatile memory cells to a data line.

22. The system of claim 14, further comprising an isolation region interposed between the first and second ones of the first and second pairs of activation lines.

23. The system of claim 22, wherein the isolation region extends between the charge storage node interposed between the first one of the first pair of activation lines and the given one of the conductive pillars and the charge storage node interposed between the second one of the first pair of activation lines and the given one of the conductive pillars.

24. The system of claim 23, wherein the isolation region further extends between the charge storage node interposed between the first one of the second pair of activation lines and the given one of the conductive pillars and the charge storage node interposed between the second one of the second pair of activation lines and the given one of the conductive pillars.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] FIG. 1 is a simplified block diagram of an embodiment of a NAND flash memory device, according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0011] FIGS. 2A-2C are cross-sectional views of a portion of a memory array at various stages of fabrication in accordance with another embodiment of the disclosure.

[0012] FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of region 300 of FIG. 2B, according to another embodiment of the disclosure.

[0013] FIG. 4 is a top view of the structure of FIG. 2B, according to another embodiment of the disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0014] In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which is shown, by way of illustration, specific embodiments. In the drawings, like numerals describe substantially similar components throughout the several views. Other embodiments may be utilized and structural, logical, and electrical changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Use the following if applicable: The term wafer or substrate used in the following description includes any base semiconductor structure. Both are to be understood as including silicon-on-sapphire (SOS) technology, silicon-on-insulator (SOI) technology, thin film transistor (TFT) technology, doped and undoped semiconductors, epitaxial layers of a silicon supported by a base semiconductor structure, as well as other semiconductor structures well known to one skilled in the art. Furthermore, when reference is made to a wafer or substrate in the following description, previous process steps may have been utilized to form regions/junctions in the base semiconductor structure, and terms wafer or substrate include the underlying layers containing such regions/junctions. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present disclosure is defined only by the appended claims and equivalents thereof.

[0015] FIG. 1 is a simplified block diagram of a NAND flash memory device 100 in communication with a processor 130 as part of an electronic system, according to an embodiment. The processor 130 may be a memory controller or other external host device. Memory device 100 includes an array of memory cells 104 formed in accordance with embodiments of the disclosure. A row decoder 108 and a column decoder 110 are provided to decode address signals. Address signals are received and decoded to access memory array 104.

[0016] Memory device 100 also includes input/output (I/O) control circuitry 112 to manage input of commands, addresses and data to the memory device 100 as well as output of data and status information from the memory device 100. An address register 114 is in communication with I/O control circuitry 112, and row decoder 108 and column decoder 110 to latch the address signals prior to decoding. A command register 124 is in communication with I/O control circuitry 112 and control logic 116 to latch incoming commands. Control logic 116 controls access to the memory array 104 in response to the commands and generates status information for the external processor 130. The control logic 116 is in communication with row decoder 108 and column decoder 110 to control the row decoder 108 and column decoder 110 in response to the addresses.

[0017] Control logic 116 is also in communication with a cache register 118. Cache register 118 latches data, either incoming or outgoing, as directed by control logic 116 to temporarily store data while the memory array 104 is busy writing or reading, respectively, other data. For one embodiment, control logic 116 may include one or more circuits adapted to produce a particular and predictable outcome or set of outcomes in response to one or more input events. During a write operation, data is passed from the cache register 118 to data register 120 for transfer to the memory array 104; then new data is latched in the cache register 118 from the I/O control circuitry 112. During a read operation, data is passed from the cache register 118 to the I/O control circuitry 112 for output to the external processor 130; then new data is passed from the data register 120 to the cache register 118. A status register 122 is in communication with I/O control circuitry 112 and control logic 116 to latch the status information for output to the processor 130.

[0018] Memory device 100 receives control signals at control logic 116 from processor 130 over a control link 132. The control signals may include at least chip enable CE#, a command latch enable CLE, an address latch enable ALE, and a write enable WE#. Memory device 100 receives command signals (which represent commands), address signals (which represent addresses), and data signals (which represent data) from processor 130 over a multiplexed input/output (I/O) bus 134 and outputs data to processor 130 over I/O bus 134.

[0019] For example, the commands are received over input/output (I/O) pins [7:0] of I/O bus 134 at I/O control circuitry 112 and are written into command register 124. The addresses are received over input/output (I/O) pins [7:0] of bus 134 at I/O control circuitry 112 and are written into address register 114. The data are received over input/output (I/O)-pins [7:0] for an 8-bit device or input/output (I/O) pins [15:0] for a 16-bit device at I/O control circuitry 112 and are written into cache register 118. The data are subsequently written into data register 120 for programming memory array 104. For another embodiment, cache register 118 may be omitted, and the data are written directly into data register 120. Data are also output over input/output (I/O) pins [7:0] for an 8-bit device or input/output (I/O pins [15:0] for a 16-bit device.

[0020] It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that additional circuitry and signals can be provided, and that the memory device of FIG. 1 has been simplified. It should be recognized that the functionality of the various block components described with reference to FIG. 1 may not be segregated to distinct components or component portions of an integrated circuit device. For example, a single component or component portion of an integrated circuit device could be adapted to perform the functionality of more than one block component of FIG. 1. Alternatively, one or more components or component portions of an integrated circuit device could be combined to perform the functionality of a single block component of FIG. 1.

[0021] Additionally, while specific I/O pins are described in accordance with popular conventions for receipt and output of the various signals, it is noted that other combinations or numbers of I/O pins may be used in the various embodiments.

[0022] FIGS. 2A-2C are cross sectional views of a portion of a memory array, such as memory array 104 of FIG. 1, during various stages of fabrication, according to an embodiment. FIG. 2A shows a cross-section of a source-select-gate portion 201 of the memory array after several processing steps have been performed. In general, the formation of the structure of FIG. 2A may include forming a dielectric layer 202 overlying a semiconductor substrate 200, such as a silicon-containing substrate, e.g., a P-type monocrystalline silicon substrate, as shown in FIG. 2A. For one embodiment, semiconductor substrate 200 forms a source line 200 of the memory array. Dielectric layer 202 may be an oxide-nitride-oxide (ONO) layer, with a first oxide layer in contact with source line 200, the nitride layer overlying and in contact with the first oxide layer, and a second oxide layer overlying and in contact with the nitride layer.

[0023] A conductive layer 204 is formed overlying dielectric layer 202. Conductive layer 204 may be of polysilicon, such as conductively doped P-type polysilicon, as shown in FIG. 2A. Alternatively, conductive layer 204 may be a metal-containing layer, such as a refractory metal silicide layer. The metals of chromium (Cr), cobalt (Co), hafnium (Hf), molybdenum (Mo), niobium (Nb), tantalum (Ta), titanium (Ti), tungsten (W), vanadium (V) and zirconium (Zr) are generally recognized as refractory metals.

[0024] A dielectric layer 206, such as a pad oxide layer, e.g., a thermal oxide layer or a deposited silicon dioxide (SiO.sub.2) layer, is formed overlying conductive layer 204. A cap 208, such as a nitride cap, e.g., of silicon nitride, is formed overlying dielectric layer 206.

[0025] After forming cap 208, holes 210 are formed passing through cap 208, dielectric layer 206, conductive layer 204, and dielectric layer 202, stopping substantially on source line 200. Holes 210 may be formed by patterning cap layer 208 and removing portions of cap layer 208, dielectric layer 206, conductive layer 204, and dielectric layer 202 corresponding to the holes 210 exposed by the patterned cap layer 208 by etching, for example. Note that each of holes 210 exposes an edge of cap layer 208, dielectric layer 206, conductive layer cap layer 204, and dielectric layer 202 and portion of source line 200. Each of holes 210 is then lined with a dielectric layer 212, such as an oxide layer, e.g., using low pressure chemical vapor deposition (LPCVD). For example, dielectric layer 212 is formed on the exposed edges of cap 208, dielectric layer 206, conductive layer 204, and dielectric layer 202. The remaining portion of each of holes 210 is then filled with a conductive layer, e.g., a conductive pillar, such as a plug, 214, e.g., of polysilicon, that overlies dielectric layer 212.

[0026] For one embodiment, conductive pillar 214 is conductively doped to an n.sup. conductivity type. Then, for example, ion implantation at a first power setting may be used to convert a portion of conductive pillar 214 at the level of dielectric layer 202 to an n.sup.+ conductivity type, as shown in FIG. 2A. Ion implantation at a second power setting may be used to convert a portion of conductive pillar 214 at the level of cap layer 208 to an n.sup.+ conductivity type, for example, as shown in FIG. 2A.

[0027] A source select transistor 216, such as a field effect transistor (FET), is formed at each intersection of a conductive pillar 214 and conductive layer 204, where conductive layer 204, dielectric layer 212, and conductive pillar 214 respectively form the control gate (which can also be referred to as a select gate), gate dielectric, and channel, of each select transistor 216. In other words, each source select transistor 216 has a gate dielectric 212 on a conductive pillar 214 and a select gate 204 on the gate dielectric 212. Each select gate 204 forms a portion of a source select line extending substantially perpendicularly into the plane of FIG. 2A (not shown).

[0028] In FIG. 2B, a memory cell portion 220 of the memory array is formed overlying the source-select-gate portion 201 of FIG. 2A. Memory cell portion 220 may be formed by forming a dielectric layer 222, e.g., dielectric layer 222.sub.1, such as a pad oxide layer, e.g., a thermal oxide layer or a deposited silicon dioxide (SiO.sub.2) layer, overlying cap layer 208. A conductive layer 224, e.g., conductive layer 224.sub.1, is formed overlying dielectric layer 222.sub.1. Conductive layer 224 may be of polysilicon, such as conductively doped P-type polysilicon. Alternatively, conductive layer 224 may be a metal-containing layer, such as a refractory metal silicide layer. Another dielectric layer 222, e.g., dielectric layer 222.sub.2, is formed overlying conductive layer 224.sub.1, and another conductive layer 224, e.g., conductive layer 224.sub.2, is formed overlying dielectric layer 222.sub.2, as shown in FIG. 2B. For one embodiment, dielectric layers 222 and conductive layers 224 may alternate, as shown in FIG. 2B, until memory cell portion 220 includes up to a certain number, e.g., N, where N is generally some power of two, such as 8, 16, 32, 64, etc., of alternating dielectric layers 222 and conductive layers 224 overlying source-select-gate portion 201.

[0029] Holes 226 are formed passing through dielectric layers 222 and conductive layers 224, stopping substantially on an upper surface of source-select-gate portion 201 so that holes 226 are substantially aligned with conductive pillars 214, as shown in FIG. 2B. For example, holes 226 may stop at an upper surface of conductive pillars 214. Holes 226 may be formed by patterning the uppermost conductive layer 224, e.g., conductive layer 224.sub.2 in FIG. 2B, and removing portions of dielectric layers 222 and conductive layers 224 corresponding to the holes 226 exposed by the patterned conductive layer 224 by etching, for example. Note that each of holes 226 exposes an edge of each dielectric layer 222 and each conductive layer 224 and an upper surface of a conductive pillar 214.

[0030] Each of holes 226 may be lined with a charge trapping layer 228, e.g., using low pressure chemical vapor deposition (LPCVD). For example, charge trapping layer 228 is formed on the exposed edges of each conductive layer 224 and each dielectric layer 222. The remaining portion of each of holes 226 is then filled with a conductive layer, e.g., a conductive pillar, such as a plug, 230, e.g., of polysilicon, that overlies charge trapping layer 228 so that each conductive pillar 230 contacts a respective one of conductive pillars 214, as shown in FIG. 2B.

[0031] FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of region 300 of FIG. 2B, illustrating the structure of charge trapping layer 228, according to another embodiment. For one embodiment, conductive pillar 230, charge trapping layer 228, and conductive layer 224 form a semiconductor-oxide-nitride-oxide-semiconductor (SONOS) structure. For example, charge trapping layer 228 may include an oxide layer 232 formed on conductive layer 224, a nitride layer 234 formed on oxide layer 232, and an oxide layer 236 formed on nitride layer 234, as shown in FIG. 3. Therefore, lining each hole 226 includes forming oxide layer 232 on the sidewalls of each hole 226, e.g., using LPCVD, forming nitride layer 234 on oxide layer 232, e.g., using LPCVD, and forming oxide layer 236 on nitride layer 234, e.g., using LPCVD. Conductive pillar 230 is then formed on oxide layer 236 so as to fill the remainder of each hole 226.

[0032] FIG. 4 is a top view of the structure of FIG. 2B. In other words, FIG. 2B is a cross-section viewed along line 2B-2B of FIG. 4. For one embodiment, slots 410 are formed passing through dielectric layers 222 and conductive layers 224 in a direction substantially parallel to holes 226, stopping substantially on the upper surface of source-select-gate portion 201 so that slots 410 extend to substantially the same level below the upper surface of memory cell portion 220 as do holes 226. For example, slots 410 stop at an upper surface of conductive pillars 214 and an upper surface of cap layer 208. Each slot 410 is then filled with a dielectric material 415, such as a high-density-plasma (HDP) oxide, spin-on dielectric material, e.g., hydrogen silsesquioxane (HSQ), hexamethyldisiloxane, octamethyltrisiloxane, etc., to form an isolation region 420

[0033] Isolation regions 420 cut each conductive layer 224 into electrically isolated activation lines, such as word lines, 424, as shown in FIGS. 2B and 4, that extend substantially perpendicularly into the plane of FIG. 2B. For example, isolation regions 420 divide conductive layer 224.sub.2 into a plurality of isolated word lines 424.sub.2,1, 424.sub.2,2, 424.sub.2,3, and 424.sub.2,4. Each isolation region 420 extends between conductive pillars 230 in a direction transverse to the depth of that isolation region 420, e.g., in a direction substantially parallel to the word-line direction indicated by arrows 430.

[0034] Each isolation region 420 cuts through at least a portion of the charge trapping layers 228 overlying the conductive pillars 230 between which that isolation region 420 extends so that the each charge trapping layer 228 is not contiguous in a direction around a perimeter of the respective one of the filled holes 226, as shown in FIG. 4. Each isolation region 420 forms a pair of charge traps 229 from each of the charge trapping layers 228, with a charge trap 229 interposed between a side of a conductive pillar 230 and a word line 424, as shown in FIGS. 2B and 4. For example, an isolation region 420 may cut through oxide layer 232, nitride layer 234, and oxide layer 236, as shown in FIG. 4. Alternatively, an isolation region 420 may cut through oxide layer 232 and nitride layer 234 of a charge trap 228. Although holes 226 are shown to have circular cross-sections in FIG. 4, holes 226 may have oval or substantially square or rectangular cross-sections or the like.

[0035] Cutting a charge trapping layer 228 with an isolation region 420 forms a pair of isolated memory cells 450.sub.1,2, 450.sub.2,2, with memory cell 450.sub.1,2 occurring at an intersection between a first side of a pillar 230 and word line 424.sub.2,2, and memory cell 450.sub.2,2 occurring at an intersection between a second side, opposite the first side, of that pillar 230 and word line 424.sub.2,3, as shown in FIGS. 2B and 4. At each intersection between a side of a conductive pillar and a word line 424, the word line forms a control gate of the memory cell 450 at that intersection. As shown in FIG. 2B, memory cells 450.sub.1,1 and 450.sub.1,2 are respectively formed at the intersection of a first side of a pillar 230 and word lines 424.sub.1,2 and 424.sub.2,2 form a first serially-coupled string, e.g., a first NAND string, of memory cells on the first side of that pillar 230, and memory cells 450.sub.2,1 and 450.sub.2,2 are respectively formed at the intersection of the second side of that pillar 230 and word lines 424.sub.1,3 and 424.sub.2,3 form a second serially-coupled string, e.g., a second NAND string, of memory cells on the second side of that pillar 230. Alternatively, memory cells of a serially-coupled string may alternate on opposing sides of a pillar 230. For example, memory cells 450.sub.1,1 and 450.sub.2,2 respectively formed at the intersection of a first side of a pillar 230 and word line 424.sub.1,2 and at the intersection of a second side of that pillar 230 and word line 424.sub.2,3 may form a first serially-coupled string, e.g., a first NAND string, of memory cells on alternating sides of that pillar 230, and memory cells 450.sub.2,1 and 450.sub.1,2 respectively formed at the intersection of the second side of that pillar 230 and word lines 424.sub.1,3 and at the intersection of the first side of that pillar 230 and word line 424.sub.2,3 may form a second serially-coupled string, e.g., a second NAND string, of memory cells on alternating sides of that pillar 230. For one embodiment, each memory cell 450 may be a non-volatile SONOS flash memory cell that includes a portion of a word line 424 that forms a control gate of the memory cell 450, a charge trap 228, including an oxide layer 232 formed on the word line 424, a nitride layer 234 formed on the oxide layer 232, an oxide layer 236 formed on the nitride layer 234, and a portion of a conductive pillar 230 formed on the oxide layer 236.

[0036] In FIG. 2C, a drain-select-gate portion 250 of the memory array is formed overlying the memory cell portion 220 of FIG. 2B, according to an embodiment. Drain-select-gate portion 250 may be formed by forming a dielectric layer 252, such as a pad oxide layer, e.g., a thermal oxide layer or a deposited silicon dioxide (SiO.sub.2) layer, overlying the uppermost word lines 424, e.g., word lines 424.sub.2,1, 424.sub.2,2, 424.sub.2,3, and 424.sub.2,4, the isolation region 420 between the uppermost word lines 424, and conductive pillars 230, as shown in FIG. 2C.

[0037] A dielectric layer 254, such as a nitride layer, e.g., a layer of silicon nitride, is formed overlying dielectric layer 252. A dielectric layer 256, e.g., similar to dielectric layer 252, is formed overlying dielectric layer 254. A conductive layer 258, e.g., similar to conductive layer 204 as described above in conjunction with FIG. 2A, is formed overlying dielectric layer 256. A dielectric layer 260, e.g., similar to dielectric layer 252, is formed overlying conductive layer 258. A dielectric layer 262, e.g., similar to dielectric layer 254, is formed overlying dielectric layer 260. A dielectric layer 264, e.g., similar to dielectric layer 252, is formed overlying dielectric layer 262.

[0038] After forming dielectric layer 264, holes 266 are formed passing through dielectric layer 264, dielectric layer 262, dielectric layer 260, conductive layer 258, dielectric layer 254, and dielectric layer 252, e.g., stopping substantially on conductive pillars 230. For example holes 266 may be aligned with conductive pillars 230, as shown in FIG. 2C. Holes 266 may be formed by patterning dielectric layer 264 and removing portions of dielectric layer 264, dielectric layer 262, dielectric layer 260, conductive layer 258, dielectric layer 256, dielectric layer 254, and dielectric layer 252 corresponding to the holes 266 exposed by the patterned dielectric layer 264 by etching, for example. Note that each of holes 266 exposes an edge of dielectric layer 264, dielectric layer 262, dielectric layer 260, conductive layer 258, dielectric layer 254, and dielectric layer 252 and an upper surface of a conductive pillar 230. Each of holes 266 is then lined with a dielectric layer 268, such as an oxide layer, e.g., using low pressure chemical vapor deposition (LPCVD). For example, dielectric layer 268 is formed on the exposed edges of dielectric layer 264, dielectric layer 262, dielectric layer 260, conductive layer 258, dielectric layer 254, and dielectric layer 252. The remaining portion of each of holes 266 is then filled with a conductive layer, e.g., a conductive pillar, such as a plug, 270, e.g., of polysilicon, that overlies dielectric layer 268.

[0039] For one embodiment, conductive pillar 270 is conductively doped to an n.sup. conductivity type. Then, for example, ion implantation at a first power setting may be used to convert a portion of conductive pillar 270 at the level of dielectric layers 252, 254, and 256 to an n.sup.+ conductivity type, as shown in FIG. 2C. Ion implantation at a second power setting may be used to convert a portion of conductive pillar 270 at the level of dielectric layers 260, 262, and 264 to an n.sup.+ conductivity type, for example, as shown in FIG. 2C.

[0040] For one embodiment, trenches 274 are formed passing through dielectric layer 264, dielectric layer 262, dielectric layer 260, conductive layer 258, dielectric layer 256, dielectric layer 254, and dielectric layer 252, stopping substantially on the uppermost word lines 424, e.g., word lines 424.sub.2,1, 424.sub.2,2, 424.sub.2,3, and 424.sub.2,4 of FIG. 2C. Trenches 274 may be formed by patterning dielectric layer 264 and removing portions of dielectric layer 264, dielectric layer 262, dielectric layer 260, conductive layer 258, dielectric layer 256, dielectric layer 254, and dielectric layer 252 corresponding to the trenches 274 exposed by the patterned dielectric layer 264 by etching, for example. Each trench 274 is then filled with a dielectric material 276, such as a high-density-plasma (HDP) oxide, spin-on dielectric material, e.g., hydrogen silsesquioxane (HSQ), hexamethyldisiloxane, octamethyltrisiloxane, etc., to form isolation regions 278. Isolation regions 278 define a control gate, such as a select gate 279, at each intersection of the remaining portions of conductive layer 258 and a conductive pillar 270, as shown in FIG. 2C.

[0041] A drain select transistor 280, such as a field effect transistor (FET), is formed at each intersection of a conductive pillar 270 and conductive layer 258, where conductive layer 258, dielectric layer 268, and conductive pillar 270 respectively form the select gate, gate dielectric, and channel, of each drain select transistor 280. In other words, each drain select transistor 280 has a gate dielectric 268 on a conductive pillar 270 and a select gate 279 on the gate dielectric 268. Each select gate 279 forms a portion of a drain select line 282, indicated by a dashed line in FIG. 4. Each drain select line 282 overlies and is substantially parallel to a dielectric-filled slot 410, as shown in FIG. 4.

[0042] A conductive layer 286, e.g., a metal layer, such as aluminum, is formed overlying an upper surface of each isolation region 278, an upper surface of dielectric layer 264, and an upper surface of each conductive pillar 270, as shown in FIG. 2C. Conductive layer 286 is patterned, etched, and processed, e.g., using standard processing, to produce individual data lines, such as bit lines 290, shown as dashed lines in FIG. 4, therefrom. Bit lines 290 are substantially orthogonal to select lines 282 and dielectric-filled slots 410, as shown in FIG. 4.

[0043] Note that the memory cells 450 on each side of a conductive pillar 230 and dielectric-filled slot 410 (FIG. 4) form a serially-coupled string of memory cells 450 interposed between a source select transistor 216 and a drain select transistor 280. For example, FIG. 2C shows a serially-coupled string of memory cells 450.sub.1,1 and 450.sub.1,2 located on one side of a conductive pillar 230 and interposed between source select transistor 216 and a drain select transistor 280, and a serially-coupled string of memory cells 450.sub.2,1 and 450.sub.2,2, located on the opposite side of that conductive pillar 230 and interposed between source select transistor 216 and a drain select transistor 280. The common pillar 230 couples the memory cells 450.sub.1,1 and 450.sub.1,2 in series and the memory cells 450.sub.2,1 and 450.sub.2,2 in series. For some embodiments, the number of memory cells in a serially-coupled string of memory cells may be some power of 2, such as 8, 16, 32, 64, etc.

[0044] A source select transistor 216 is coupled to each serially-coupled string of memory cells through a conductive pillar 214, and a drain select transistor 280 is coupled to each serially-coupled string of memory cells through a conductive pillar 270, as shown in FIG. 2C. Each source select transistor 216 selectively couples the lower end of each conductive pillar 230 and thus the serially-coupled string of memory cells on either side of that conductive pillar 230 to source line 200, as shown in FIG. 2C. Each drain select transistor 280 selectively couples the upper end of each conductive pillar 230 and thus the serially-coupled string of memory cells on either side of that conductive pillar 230 to a bit line 290.

Conclusion

[0045] Although specific embodiments have been illustrated and described herein, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that any arrangement that is calculated to achieve the same purpose may be substituted for the specific embodiments shown. Many adaptations of the embodiments will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. Accordingly, this application is intended to cover any adaptations or variations of the embodiments. It is manifestly intended that the embodiments be limited only by the following claims and equivalents thereof.