IP Library Patent Application 18047094
Patent Application
App. No. 18/047,094

STRUCTURE AND METHOD OF INCREASING SUBTRACTIVE BITLINE AIR GAP HEIGHT

Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US None
App. No.
18/047,094
Abstract

Systems, apparatuses, and methods may provide for technology for forming extended air gaps for bitline contacts. For example, such technology patterns and etches a dielectric layer and a bitline layer to create bitline contacts in a memory die. An air gap dielectric layer is deposited to form an air gap between adjacent bitline contacts, and wherein the air gap has a height dimension that extends past a height dimension of the bitline contacts.

Claims (38)

1 . A memory die comprising:

a memory array; and

a bitline structure coupled to the memory array, the bitline structure comprising:

a plurality of bitline contacts;

a dielectric layer position above the plurality of bitline contacts;

an air gap dielectric layer positioned above the plurality of bitline contacts; and

an air gap positioned between adjacent bitline contacts of the plurality of bitline contacts, wherein the air gap has an air gap height dimension that extends past a bitline contact height dimension of the plurality of bitline contacts.

2 . The memory die of claim 1 , wherein the air gap extends into the air gap dielectric layer.

3 . The memory die of claim 1 , wherein the air gap height dimension extends past a dielectric layer height dimension of the dielectric layer.

4 . The memory die of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of bitline contacts comprise one or more of tungsten, aluminum, copper, and molybdenum.

5 . The memory die of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of bitline contacts are constructed through a subtractive bitline formation process.

6 . The memory die of claim 1 , wherein the memory die comprises 3D-NAND memory.

7 . A solid state drive (SSD) comprising:

a memory controller; and

a memory device coupled to the memory controller, the memory device comprising:

a memory array; and

a bitline structure coupled to the memory array, the bitline structure comprising:

a plurality of bitline contacts;

a dielectric layer position above the plurality of bitline contacts;

an air gap dielectric layer positioned above the plurality of bitline contacts; and

an air gap positioned between adjacent bitline contacts of the plurality of bitline contacts, wherein the air gap has an air gap height dimension that extends past a bitline contact height dimension of the plurality of bitline contacts.

8 . The solid state drive (SSD) of claim 7 , wherein the air gap extends into the air gap dielectric layer.

9 . The solid state drive (SSD) of claim 7 , wherein the air gap height dimension extends past a dielectric layer height dimension of the dielectric layer.

10 . The solid state drive (SSD) of claim 7 , wherein the plurality of bitline contacts comprise one or more of tungsten, aluminum, copper, and molybdenum.

11 . The solid state drive (SSD) of claim 7 , wherein the plurality of bitline contacts are constructed through a subtractive bitline formation process.

12 . The solid state drive (SSD) of claim 7 , wherein the memory device comprises 3D-NAND memory.

13 . A method comprising:

patterning and etching a dielectric layer and a bitline layer to create bitline contacts in a memory die; and

depositing an air gap dielectric layer to form an air gap between adjacent bitline contacts, and wherein the air gap has an air gap height dimension that extends past a bitline contact height dimension of the bitline contacts.

14 . The method of claim 13 , wherein the air gap extends into the air gap dielectric layer.

15 . The method of claim 13 , wherein the air gap height dimension extends past a dielectric layer height dimension of the dielectric layer.

16 . The method of claim 13 , further comprising:

depositing the bitline layer above a substrate of the memory die.

17 . The method of claim 16 , further comprising:

capping the bitline layer with the dielectric layer.

18 . The method of claim 13 , wherein the bitline layer comprises one or more of tungsten, aluminum, copper, and molybdenum.

19 . The method of claim 13 , wherein the bitline contacts are constructed through a subtractive bitline formation process via the etching.

20 . The method of claim 13 , wherein the memory die comprises 3D-NAND memory.

Assignments (2)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 2, 2024
From: INTEL CORPORATION
To: INTEL NDTM US LLC
Reel/Frame 067305/0491 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Nov 3, 2022
From: HOPKINS, JOHN; LOMELI, NANCY M.
To: INTEL CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 061879/0899 →