IP Library Granted Patent US 11,854,857
Granted Patent B1
US 11,854,857 · App. 18/241,990 · Granted Dec 26, 2023

Methods for producing a 3D semiconductor device and structure with memory cells and multiple metal layers

Inventors: Zvi Or-Bach (Haifa, IL); Brian Cronquist (Klamath Falls, OR); Deepak C. Sekar (Sunnyvale, CA)
Assignee: Monolithic 3D Inc.
H01L21/6835G11C8/16H01L21/743H01L21/76254H01L21/76898H01L21/8221H01L21/823828H01L21/84H01L23/481H01L23/5252H01L27/0207H01L27/0688H01L27/092H01L27/10H01L27/105H01L27/11807H01L27/11898H01L27/1203H01L29/4236H01L29/66272H01L29/66621H01L29/66825H01L29/66833H01L29/66901H01L29/78H01L29/7841H01L29/7843H01L29/7881H01L29/792H10B10/00H10B10/125H10B12/053H10B12/09H10B12/20H10B12/50H10B20/00H10B41/20H10B41/40H10B41/41H10B43/20H10B43/40H01L23/3677H01L24/13H01L24/16H01L24/45H01L24/48H01L25/0655H01L25/0657H01L25/50H01L27/1214H01L27/1266H01L2221/68368H01L2223/5442H01L2223/54426H01L2224/131H01L2224/16145H01L2224/16146H01L2224/16227H01L2224/16235H01L2224/32145H01L2224/32225H01L2224/45124H01L2224/45147H01L2224/48091H01L2224/48227H01L2224/73204H01L2224/73253H01L2224/73265H01L2224/81005H01L2224/83894H01L2225/06513H01L2225/06541H01L2924/00011H01L2924/01002H01L2924/01004H01L2924/01013H01L2924/01018H01L2924/01019H01L2924/01029H01L2924/01046H01L2924/01066H01L2924/01068H01L2924/01077H01L2924/01078H01L2924/01322H01L2924/10253H01L2924/10329H01L2924/12032H01L2924/12033H01L2924/12036H01L2924/12042H01L2924/1301H01L2924/1305H01L2924/13062H01L2924/13091H01L2924/14H01L2924/1461H01L2924/1579H01L2924/15311H01L2924/16152H01L2924/181H01L2924/19041H01L2924/3011H01L2924/3025H01L2924/30105H10B12/05H10B20/20
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,854,857
App. No.
18/241,990
Granted
Dec 26, 2023
Kind
B1
Abstract

A method for producing 3D semiconductor devices including: providing a first level including first transistors and a first single crystal layer; forming a first metal layer on top of the first level; forming a second metal layer on top of the first metal layer; forming at least one second level on top of or above the second metal layer; performing a lithography step on the second level; forming at least one third level on top of or above the second level; performing processing steps to form first memory cells within the second level and second memory cells within the third level, where the first memory cells include at least one second transistor, the second memory cells include at least one third transistor, first transistors control power delivery to some second transistors; and then forming at least four independent memory arrays which include some first memory cells and/or second memory cells.

Claims (95)

1. A method for producing a 3D semiconductor device, the method comprising:

providing a first level, said first level comprising a first single crystal layer;

forming a first metal layer on top of said first level;

forming a second metal layer on top of said first metal layer;

forming at least one second level disposed on top of or above said second metal layer;

performing a first lithography step on said second level;

forming at least one third level disposed on top of or above said at least one second level;

performing additional processing steps to form a plurality of first memory cells within said at least one second level;

performing said additional processing steps to form a plurality of second memory cells within said at least one third level,

wherein said additional processing steps comprise deposition processes and etch processes,

wherein each of said plurality of first memory cells comprises at least one second transistor,

wherein each of said plurality of second memory cells comprises at least one third transistor,

wherein said first level comprises a plurality of first transistors, and

wherein at least one of said first transistors control delivery of power to at least one of said second transistor; and then

forming at least four independent memory arrays,

wherein said at least four independent memory arrays comprise portions of said plurality of first memory cells and/or portions of said plurality of second memory cells.

2. The method according to claim 1 , further comprising:

forming a third metal layer disposed on top of or above said at least one third level; and

forming a through layer via (TLV) connecting said third metal layer to said second metal layer,

wherein said through layer via comprises an average diameter of less than 400 nm.

3. The method according to claim 1 , further comprising:

performing a second lithography step on said third level after said step of forming at least one third level.

4. The method according to claim 1 , further comprising:

forming peripheral circuitry on top of said third level,

wherein said peripheral circuitry comprises single crystal transistors.

5. The method according to claim 1 ,

wherein said second transistors comprise gate electrodes, and

wherein said gate electrodes comprise metal.

6. The method according to claim 1 , further comprising:

forming a plurality of single crystal transistors within said first level prior to said step of forming a first metal layer.

7. The method according to claim 1 , further comprising:

performing a bonding step of a support wafer disposed on top of said third level,

wherein said bonding comprises oxide to oxide bonds.

8. A method for producing a 3D semiconductor device, the method comprising:

providing a first level, said first level comprising a first single crystal layer;

forming a first metal layer on top of said first level;

forming a second metal layer on top of said first metal layer;

forming at least one second level disposed on top of or above said second metal layer;

performing a first lithography step on said second level;

forming at least one third level disposed on top of or above said at least one second level;

performing additional processing steps to form a plurality of first memory cells within said at least one second level;

performing said additional processing steps to form a plurality of second memory cells within said at least one third level,

wherein said additional processing steps comprise deposition processes and etch processes,

wherein each of said plurality of first memory cells comprises at least one second transistor,

wherein each of said plurality of second memory cells comprises at least one third transistor;

forming a third metal layer disposed on top of or above said at least one third level; and

forming a through layer via (TLV) connecting said third metal layer to said second metal layer,

wherein said through layer via comprises an average diameter of less than 400 nm; and

forming at least four independent memory arrays,

wherein said at least four independent memory arrays comprise portions of said plurality of first memory cells and/or portions of said plurality of second memory cells.

9. The method according to claim 8 ,

wherein said first metal layer has an average thickness which is 50% greater than an average thickness of said second metal layer.

10. The method according to claim 8 , further comprising:

performing a second lithography step on said third level after said step of forming at least one third level.

11. The method according to claim 8 , further comprising:

forming peripheral circuitry on top of said third level,

wherein said peripheral circuitry comprises single crystal transistors.

12. The method according to claim 8 ,

wherein said second transistors comprise gate electrodes, and

wherein said gate electrodes comprise metal.

13. The method according to claim 8 , further comprising:

forming a plurality of single crystal transistors within said first level prior to said step of forming a first metal layer.

14. The method according to claim 8 , further comprising:

performing a bonding step of a support wafer disposed on top of said third level,

wherein said bonding comprises oxide to oxide bonds.

15. A method for producing a 3D semiconductor device, the method comprising:

providing a first level, said first level comprising a first single crystal layer;

forming a first metal layer on top of said first level;

forming a second metal layer on top of said first metal layer;

forming at least one second level disposed on top of or above said second metal layer;

performing a first lithography step on said second level;

forming at least one third level disposed on top of or above said at least one second level;

performing additional processing steps to form a plurality of first memory cells within said at least one second level;

performing said additional processing steps to form a plurality of second memory cells within said at least one third level,

wherein said additional processing steps comprise deposition processes and etch processes,

wherein each of said plurality of first memory cells comprises at least one second transistor,

wherein each of said plurality of second memory cells comprises at least one third transistor, and

wherein said first metal layer has an average thickness which is 50% greater than an average thickness of said second metal layer; and

forming at least four independent memory arrays,

wherein said at least four independent memory arrays comprise portions of said plurality of first memory cells and/or portions of said plurality of second memory cells.

16. The method according to claim 15 , further comprising:

forming a third metal layer disposed on top of or above said at least one third level; and

forming a through layer via (TLV) connecting said third metal layer to said second metal layer,

wherein said through layer via comprises an average diameter of less than 400 nm, and

wherein said forming a through layer via (TLV) comprises the use of ALD (Atomic Layer Deposition).

17. The method according to claim 15 , further comprising:

performing a second lithography step on said third level after said step of forming at least one third level.

18. The method according to claim 15 ,

wherein said second transistors comprise gate electrodes, and

wherein said gate electrodes comprise metal.

19. The method according to claim 15 , further comprising:

forming a plurality of single crystal transistors within said first level prior to said step of forming a first metal layer.

20. The method according to claim 15 , further comprising:

performing a bonding step of a support wafer disposed on top said third level,

wherein said bonding comprises oxide to oxide bonds.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Oct 9, 2023
From: OR-BACH, ZVI; CRONQUIST, BRIAN; SEKAR, DEEPAK
To: MONOLITHIC 3D INC.
Reel/Frame 065160/0821 →
Continuity (13)
Continuation In Part 18200387 · May 22, 2023
Continuation In Part 18106757 · Feb 7, 2023
Continuation In Part 17846012 · Jun 22, 2022
Continuation In Part 17536097 · Nov 29, 2021
Continuation In Part 17140130 · Jan 3, 2021
Continuation In Part 16537564 · Aug 10, 2019
Continuation In Part 15460230 · Mar 16, 2017
Continuation In Part 14821683 · Aug 7, 2015
Continuation In Part 13492395 · Jun 8, 2012
Continuation 13273712 · Oct 14, 2011
Continuation In Part 13016313 · Jan 28, 2011
Continuation In Part 12970602 · Dec 16, 2010
Continuation In Part 12949617 · Nov 18, 2010