IP Library Granted Patent US 12,604,471
Granted Patent B2
US 12,604,471 · App. 17/972,859 · Granted Apr 14, 2026

Semiconductor memory device and manufacturing method of semiconductor memory device

Inventor: Kun Young Lee (Icheon-si Gyeonggi-do, KR)
Assignee: SK hynix Inc.
H10B43/27G11C16/0483H01L23/5283H10B41/10H10B41/27H10B43/10
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,604,471
App. No.
17/972,859
Granted
Apr 14, 2026
Kind
B2
Abstract

There are provided a semiconductor memory device and a manufacturing method of a semiconductor memory device. The semiconductor memory device may include a stack structure including a plurality of conductive layers, a hole formed in the stack structure, a memory layer allowing a first part and a second part of the hole to be spaced apart from each other in the hole, and a first channel layer disposed in the first part of the hole and a second channel layer disposed in the second part of the hole.

Claims (42)

1 . A semiconductor memory device comprising:

a stack structure including a plurality of conductive layers, each of the plurality of conductive layers having a surface facing a first direction and the plurality of conductive layers being spaced apart from each other in the first direction;

a hole formed in the stack structure, the hole including a first part and second part that are adjacent to each other in a second direction that is perpendicular to the first direction, wherein the hole has a width that is narrower closer to a connection point between the first part and the second part;

a first channel layer in the first part of the hole;

a second channel layer in the second part of the hole; and

a memory layer interposed between the first channel layer and the second channel layer and extending into a space between the stack structure and each of the first and second channel layers, and

wherein the memory layer separates the first and second channel layers.

2 . The semiconductor memory device of claim 1 , further comprising a first insulating pillar and a second insulating pillar, penetrating the stack structure at both sides of the connection point between the first part and the second part of the hole.

3 . The semiconductor memory device of claim 2 , wherein the hole is concave in a region in contact with the first insulating pillar and the second insulating pillar.

4 . The semiconductor memory device of claim 2 , wherein the memory layer is formed along a sidewall of each of the first insulating pillar and the second insulating pillar to have a concave shape based on a contour of the first insulating pillar and the second insulating pillar.

5 . The semiconductor memory device of claim 2 , wherein, in the first direction, a length of each of the first channel layer and the second channel layer is greater than a length of each of the first insulating pillar and the second insulating pillar.

6 . The semiconductor memory device of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of conductive layers includes a protrusion part protruding toward the connection point.

7 . The semiconductor memory device of claim 6 , wherein the hole is concave in a region in contact with the protrusion part of the plurality of conductive layers.

8 . The semiconductor memory device of claim 6 , wherein the memory layer is formed along the protrusion part of the plurality of conductive layers.

9 . The semiconductor memory device of claim 1 , wherein edges of the first part and the second part of the hole overlap with an edge of a hypothetical circle.

10 . The semiconductor memory device of claim 1 , wherein edges of the first part and the second part of the hole overlap with an edge of a hypothetical ellipse.

11 . The semiconductor memory device of claim 1 , further comprising:

a first bit line connected to the first channel layer;

a second bit line connected to the second channel layer; and

a doped semiconductor structure connected to the first channel layer and the second channel layer.

12 . The semiconductor memory device of claim 1 , further comprising a first core insulating layer and a second core insulating layer,

wherein the first channel layer surrounds the first core insulating layer, and

wherein the second channel layer surrounds the second core insulating layer.

13 . A semiconductor memory device comprising:

a stack structure including a plurality of conductive layers that are spaced apart from each other;

a butterfly-shaped hole formed in the stack structure;

a memory layer extending along a sidewall of the butterfly-shaped hole, the memory layer isolating a first region and a second region in the butterfly-shaped hole;

a first channel layer in the first region; and

a second channel layer in the second region, and

wherein the memory layer separates the first and second channel layers.

14 . The semiconductor memory device of claim 13 ,

wherein the memory layer fills a central region of the butterfly-shaped hole between the first channel layer and the second channel layer and peripheral regions of the butterfly-shaped hole between the stack structure and each of the first channel layer and the second channel layer.

15 . The semiconductor memory device of claim 13 , further comprising an insulating pillar in contact with a concave portion of the butterfly-shaped hole, the insulating pillar penetrating the stack structure.

16 . The semiconductor memory device of claim 15 , wherein, in a stacking direction of the plurality of conductive layers, a length of each of the first channel layer and the second channel layer is greater than a length of the insulating pillar.

17 . The semiconductor memory device of claim 13 , wherein the plurality of conductive layers include a protrusion part protruding toward a concave portion of the butterfly-shaped hole.

18 . The semiconductor memory device of claim 13 , further comprising:

a first bit line connected to the first channel layer;

a second bit line connected to the second channel layer; and

a doped semiconductor structure connected to the first channel layer and the second channel layer.

19 . The semiconductor memory device of claim 13 , further comprising a first core insulating layer and a second core insulating layer,

wherein the first channel layer surrounds the first core insulating layer, and

wherein the second channel layer surrounds the second core insulating layer.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Oct 25, 2022
From: LEE, KUN YOUNG
To: SK HYNIX INC.
Reel/Frame 061527/0232 →
Priority Claims (1)
KR 10-2022-0061672 · May 19, 2022 · national
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20230380160A1 · Nov 23, 2023
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