IP Library Granted Patent US 12,666,623
Granted Patent B2
US 12,666,623 · App. 18/641,435 · Granted Jun 23, 2026

Semiconductor device and method of manufacturing semiconductor device

Inventor: Hee Sung Kong (Gyeonggi-do, KR)
Assignee: SK hynix Inc.
H10B51/20G11C5/063G11C11/2275H10B51/30H10D30/0415H10D30/701
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,666,623
App. No.
18/641,435
Granted
Jun 23, 2026
Kind
B2
Abstract

A semiconductor device may include a gate structure including conductive layers and insulating layers alternately stacked, a metal channel layer extending through the gate structure, a first semiconductor channel layer extending through the gate structure and connecting to the metal channel layer, and a ferroelectric layer surrounding the metal channel layer and the first semiconductor channel layer.

Claims (47)

1 . A semiconductor device comprising:

a gate structure including conductive layers and insulating layers alternately stacked;

a metal channel layer extending through the gate structure;

a first semiconductor channel layer positioned in the gate structure and connecting to the metal channel layer; and

a ferroelectric layer surrounding the metal channel layer and the first semiconductor channel layer.

2 . The semiconductor device of claim 1 , wherein a drain select transistor is positioned in a region where the first semiconductor channel layer and the conductive layers cross, and

ferroelectric memory cells are positioned in a region where the metal channel layer and the conductive layers cross.

3 . The semiconductor device of claim 1 , wherein the first semiconductor channel layer comprises:

a polysilicon layer; and

a metal silicide layer positioned between the polysilicon layer and the metal channel layer.

4 . The semiconductor device of claim 1 , further comprising:

a source line;

a source select line positioned between the source line and the gate structure; and

a second semiconductor channel layer extending through the source select line and connecting to the metal channel layer and the source line.

5 . The semiconductor device of claim 4 , wherein a drain select transistor is positioned in a region where the first semiconductor channel layer and the conductive layers cross,

a source select transistor is positioned in a region where the second semiconductor channel layer and the source select line cross, and

ferroelectric memory cells are positioned in a region where the metal channel layer and the conductive layers cross.

6 . The semiconductor device of claim 4 , wherein the conductive layers include metal, and the source select line includes polysilicon.

7 . The semiconductor device of claim 1 , further comprising:

an interface layer surrounding the ferroelectric layer.

8 . The semiconductor device of claim 7 , wherein the interface layer includes tantalum oxide (Ta 2 O 5 ).

9 . The semiconductor device of claim 1 , further comprising:

an insulating core positioned in the first semiconductor channel layer.

10 . The semiconductor device of claim 9 , wherein the first semiconductor channel layer surrounds a sidewall of the insulating core and extends between the metal channel layer and the insulating core.

11 . A semiconductor device comprising:

bit lines;

memory strings including ferroelectric memory cells including a metal channel layer and a drain select transistor including a first semiconductor channel layer;

word lines connected to the ferroelectric memory cells; and

drain select lines connected to the drain select transistor and controlling a connection of the memory strings and the bit lines.

12 . The semiconductor device of claim 11 , wherein a negative erase voltage is applied to the word lines during an erase operation.

13 . The semiconductor device of claim 12 , wherein a turn-on voltage is applied to the drain select lines and a ground voltage is applied to the bit line during the erase operation.

14 . The semiconductor device of claim 11 , wherein a program voltage is applied to a selected word line among the word lines and a pass voltage is applied to unselected word lines during a program operation.

15 . The semiconductor device of claim 14 , wherein a first bit line voltage is applied to a selected bit line among the bit lines and a second bit line voltage of a level higher than that of the first bit line voltage is applied to unselected bit lines during the program operation.

16 . The semiconductor device of claim 15 , wherein the first bit line voltage is a ground voltage.

17 . The semiconductor device of claim 15 , wherein a turn-on voltage is applied to a selected drain select line among the drain select lines and a ground voltage is applied to unselected drain select lines during the program operation.

18 . The semiconductor device of claim 11 , further comprising:

a source line; and

a source select line controlling a connection of the source line and the memory strings,

wherein each of the memory strings includes a source select transistor including a second semiconductor channel layer.

19 . The semiconductor device of claim 18 , wherein a turn-on voltage is applied to the source select line and a ground voltage is applied to the source line during an erase operation.

20 . The semiconductor device of claim 18 , wherein a ground voltage is applied to the source select line during a program operation.

21 . A semiconductor device comprising:

a gate structure including conductive layers and insulating layers alternately stacked;

a ferroelectric layer passing through the gate structure;

a metal channel layer extending through a lower portion of the gate structure; and

a first semiconductor channel layer extending through an upper portion of the gate structure, the first semiconductor channel layer being positioned over the metal channel layer with a lower surface of the first semiconductor channel layer contacting an upper surface of the metal channel layer,

wherein the ferroelectric layer laterally surrounds a side of the metal channel layer and a side of the first semiconductor channel layer.