IP Library Granted Patent US 12,628,341
Granted Patent B2
US 12,628,341 · App. 17/212,740 · Granted May 12, 2026

Semiconductor device including channel layers and method of manufacturing the semiconductor device

Inventor: Kang Sik Choi (Icheon-si, KR)
Assignee: SK hynix Inc.
H10B43/27H10B41/27
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,628,341
App. No.
17/212,740
Granted
May 12, 2026
Kind
B2
Abstract

A semiconductor device including: a stack including first conductive layers and insulating layers that are alternately stacked; second conductive layers disposed on the stack; a separation insulating structure disposed on the stack and configured to insulate the second conductive layers from each other; first channel layers passing through the stack; memory layers enclosing sidewalls of the first channel layers; second channel layers disposed on the stack and passing through the second conductive layers, and each having a width less than a width of the first channel layers; gate insulating layers enclosing sidewalls of the second channel layers; and third channel layers configured to respectively couple the first channel layers with the second channel layers and extending into the second channel layers.

Claims (60)

1 . A semiconductor device comprising:

a stack including first conductive layers and insulating layers that are alternately stacked;

second conductive layers disposed on the stack;

a separation insulating structure disposed on the stack and laterally separating the second conductive layers to insulate the second conductive layers from each other;

first channel layers passing through the stack;

memory layers extending vertically along the first channel layers;

second channel layers disposed on the stack and passing through the second conductive layers, and each having a width less than a width of the first channel layers;

gate insulating layers extending vertically along-the second channel layers and extending to sidewalls of the memory layers to be in physical contact with the sidewalls of the memory layers; and

third channel layers configured to respectively couple the first channel layers with the second channel layers and extending into the second channel layers,

wherein at least a portion of each of the second conductive layers overlaps at least a portion of each of the first channel layers, and

wherein at least a portion of an outer side surface of each of the second channel layers is in contact with the corresponding third channel layer.

2 . The semiconductor device according to claim 1 , wherein the memory layers contact with the second conductive layers.

3 . The semiconductor device according to claim 1 , wherein each of the gate insulating layers comprises:

a first portion interposed between the second channel layers and the memory layers and being in contact with the sidewalls of the memory layers; and

a second portion interposed between the second channel layers and the second conductive layers,

wherein the first portion protrudes farther toward one of the memory layers than the second portion.

4 . The semiconductor device according to claim 3 , wherein the first portion has a width greater than a width of the second portion.

5 . The semiconductor device according to claim 1 , wherein each of the third channel layers comprises:

a first portion in contact with the corresponding first channel layer; and

a second portion in contact with the corresponding second channel layer.

6 . The semiconductor device according to claim 1 , wherein the third channel layers extends between outer surfaces of the second channel layers and inner surfaces of the first channel layers.

7 . The semiconductor device according to claim 5 , wherein the first portion has a width greater than a width of the second portion.

8 . The semiconductor device according to claim 5 , wherein an upper surface of the second portion of each of the third channel layers and an upper surface of the corresponding second channel layer are disposed substantially on a same plane.

9 . The semiconductor device according to claim 1 , wherein each of the second conductive layers comprises:

a first portion disposed on the stack; and

second portions respectively surrounding the second channel layers and protruding into the stack toward the first channel layers.

10 . The semiconductor device according to claim 9 , wherein the second portions contact with the memory layers.

11 . The semiconductor device according to claim 9 , wherein an outer wall of each of the second portions is aligned with an outer wall of the corresponding memory layer.

12 . The semiconductor device according to claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of at least one of the second channel layers is disposed at the same level as at least one of the first channel layers and at least one of the third channel layers.

13 . The semiconductor device according to claim 12 , wherein the at least one of the second channel layers is in contact with the at least one of the third channel layers, and

wherein the at least one of the second channel layers is not in contact with the at least one of the first channel layers.

14 . The semiconductor device according to claim 12 , wherein the at least one of the first channel layers is in contact with the at least one of the third channel layers.

15 . A semiconductor device comprising:

a stack including word lines and insulating layers that are alternately stacked;

first channel layers passing through the stack;

memory layers extending vertically along the first channel layers;

second channel layers disposed on the stack;

gate insulating layers extending vertically along the second channel layers;

third channel layers configured to respectively couple the first channel layers with the second channel layers;

select lines each comprising a first portion disposed on the stack, and second portions respectively enclosing the second channel layers and protruding into the stack toward the first channel layers; and

a separation insulating structure disposed on the stack and laterally separating the select lines to insulate the select lines from each other,

wherein at least a portion of each of the second portions overlaps at least a portion of each of the first channel layers,

wherein the gate insulating layers extend to sidewalls of the memory layers to be in physical contact with the sidewalls of the memory layers, wherein at least a portion of an outer side surface of each of the second channel layers is in contact with the corresponding third channel layer, and

wherein at least a portion of at least one of the second channel layers is disposed at the same level as at least one of the first channel layers and at least one of the third channel layers.

16 . The semiconductor device according to claim 15 , wherein the second portions of the select lines contact with the memory layers.

17 . The semiconductor device according to claim 15 , wherein an outer wall of each of the second portions is aligned with an outer wall of the corresponding memory layer.

18 . The semiconductor device according to claim 15 , wherein each of the second channel layers has a width less than a width of each of the first channel layers.

19 . The semiconductor device according to claim 15 , wherein each of the gate insulating layers comprises:

a first portion interposed between the second channel layers and the memory layers and being in contact with the sidewalls of the memory layers; and

a second portion interposed between the second channel layers and the select lines,

wherein the first portion protrudes farther toward one of the memory layers than the second portion.

20 . The semiconductor device according to claim 19 , wherein the first portion of each of the gate insulating layers has a width greater than a width of the second portion.

21 . The semiconductor device according to claim 15 , wherein each of the third channel layers comprises:

a first portion in contact with the corresponding first channel layer; and

a second portion extending into the corresponding second channel layer.

22 . The semiconductor device according to claim 21 , wherein the first portion of each of the third channel layers has a width greater than a width of the second portion.

23 . The semiconductor device according to claim 21 , wherein an upper surface of the second portion of each of the third channel layers and an upper surface of the corresponding second channel layer are disposed substantially on a same plane.

24 . The semiconductor device according to claim 15 , wherein the at least one of the second channel layers is in contact with the at least one of the third channel layers, and

wherein the at least one of the second channel layers is not in contact with the at least one of the first channel layers.

25 . The semiconductor device according to claim 15 , wherein the at least one of the first channel layers is in contact with the at least one of the third channel layers.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Mar 25, 2021
From: CHOI, KANG SIK
To: SK HYNIX INC.
Reel/Frame 055722/0204 →
Priority Claims (1)
KR 10-2020-0126714 · Sep 29, 2020 · national
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20220102372A1 · Mar 31, 2022
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