IP Library Granted Patent US 10,468,423
Granted Patent B2
US 10,468,423 · App. 16/031,831 · Granted Nov 5, 2019

Memory device including multiple select lines and control lines having different vertical spacing

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 10,468,423
App. No.
16/031,831
Granted
Nov 5, 2019
Kind
B2
Abstract

Some embodiments include apparatuses, and methods of forming and operating the apparatuses. Some of the apparatuses include a pillar including a length, a memory cell string and control lines located along a first segment of the pillar, and select lines located along a second segment of the pillar. The control lines include at least a first control line and a second control line. The first control line is adjacent the second control line. The first control line is separated from the second control line by a first distance in a direction of the length of the pillar. The select lines include at least a first select line and a second select line. The first select line is separated from the second select line by a second distance in the direction of the length of the pillar. The second distance is less than the first distance.

Claims (32)

1. A method comprising:

forming a pillar extending outwardly from a conductive material region; and

forming a memory cell string, a first control line, a second control line, a first select line, and a second select line along different segments of the pillar, such that the first control line is adjacent the second control line and is separated from the second control line by a first distance in a direction of a length of the pillar, such that the first select line is separated from the second select line by a second distance in the direction of the length of the pillar, and such that the second distance is less than the first distance, wherein the first and second select lines are formed concurrently with the first and second control lines.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first and second select lines the first and second control lines are formed from metal.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first and second control lines have a same thickness.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein die first and second select lines have a same thickness.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first and second control lines and the first and second select lines have a same thickness.

6. A method comprising:

forming a pillar extending outwardly from a conductive material region; and

forming a memory cell string, a first control line, a second control line, a first select line, and a second select line along different segments of the pillar, such that the first control line is adjacent the second control line and is separated from the second control line by a first distance in a direction of a length of the pillar, such that the first select line is separated from the second select line by a second distance in the direction of the length of the pillar, and such that the second distance is less than the first distance, wherein the first and second select lines are between the conductive material region and the memory cell string.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the memory cell string is between the conductive material region and the first and second select lines.

8. A method comprising:

forming a first group of dielectric materials alternating with a second group of dielectric materials over a substrate, including forming each dielectric material of the first group of dielectric materials to have a first thickness;

forming a first additional group of dielectric materials alternating with a second additional group of dielectric materials over the first and second groups of dielectric materials, including forming each dielectric material of the first additional group of dielectric materials to have a second thickness greater than the first thickness;

forming pillars of materials through the first and second groups of dielectric materials and the first and second additional groups of dielectric materials;

removing at least a portion of the second group of dielectric materials and least a portion of the second additional group of dielectric materials to form vacancies at the portion of the second group of dielectric materials that were removed and the portion of the second additional group of dielectric materials that were removed; and

forming a conductive material in the vacancies.

9. The method of claim 8 , wherein the first group of dielectric materials and the second group of dielectric materials include different dielectric materials, and the first additional group of dielectric materials and the second additional group of dielectric materials include different dielectric materials.

10. The method of claim 8 , wherein the first group of dielectric materials and the first additional group of dielectric materials include silicon dioxide.

11. The method of claim 10 , wherein the second group of dielectric materials and the second additional group of dielectric materials include silicon nitride.

12. The method of claim 8 , wherein the conductive material includes metal.

13. The method of claim 8 , wherein forming the pillars of materials including forming part of memory cells in the pillars of materials.

14. The method of claim 8 , wherein forming the pillars of materials include forming a first dielectric through the first and second groups of dielectric materials and the first and second additional groups of dielectric materials, forming a charge storage element adjacent the first dielectric, and forming a second dielectric adjacent the charge storage element.

15. A method comprising:

applying a first voltage to a first select line of a memory device during an operation of the memory device, the first select line located along a first segment of a pillar of the memory device; and

applying a second voltage to a second select line and to a third select line of the memory device during the operation, the second select line located along a second segment of the pillar, the third select line located along a third segment of the pillar, the pillar including a memory cell string and control lines located along a fourth segment of the pillar, and the first segment being between the fourth segment and the second and third segments.

16. The method 15 , wherein the operation includes a read operation of the memory device.

17. The method of claim 15 , wherein the operation includes a write operation of the memory device.

18. The method of claim 15 , wherein the operation is a first operation, and the method further comprising:

applying a third voltage to the second and third select lines during a second operation of the memory device; and

placing the first select line in a float state during the second operation.

19. The method of claim 15 , wherein the second operation includes an erase operation of the memory device.

Assignments (4)
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Nov 14, 2019
From: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
To: MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.
Reel/Frame 051028/0835 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Oct 14, 2019
From: MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
To: MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.
Reel/Frame 050719/0550 →
SUPPLEMENT NO. 1 TO PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Nov 13, 2018
From: MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.
To: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 047630/0756 →
SUPPLEMENT NO. 10 TO PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Nov 13, 2018
From: MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.
To: MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 048102/0420 →