IP Library Granted Patent US 8,148,769
Granted Patent B2
US 8,148,769 · App. 12/534,576 · Granted Apr 3, 2012

Nonvolatile semiconductor memory device and method of manufacturing the same

Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,148,769
App. No.
12/534,576
Granted
Apr 3, 2012
Kind
B2
Abstract

A nonvolatile semiconductor memory device includes a plurality of memory strings, each of which has a plurality of electrically rewritable memory cells connected in series; and select transistors, one of which is connected to each of ends of each of the memory strings. Each of the memory strings is provided with a first semiconductor layer having a pair of columnar portions extending in a perpendicular direction with respect to a substrate, and a joining portion formed so as to join lower ends of the pair of columnar portions; a charge storage layer formed so as to surround a side surface of the columnar portions; and a first conductive layer formed so as to surround the side surface of the columnar portions and the charge storage layer, and configured to function as a control electrode of the memory cells. Each of the select transistors is provided with a second semiconductor layer extending upwardly from an upper surface of the columnar portions; and a second conductive layer formed so as to surround a side surface of the second semiconductor layer with a gap interposed, and configured to function as a control electrode of the select transistors.

Claims (41)

1. A nonvolatile semiconductor memory device, comprising:

a plurality of memory strings, each of which has a plurality of electrically rewritable memory cells connected in series; and

select transistors, one of which is connected to each of ends of each of said memory strings,

each of said memory strings comprising:

a first semiconductor layer having a pair of columnar portions extending in a perpendicular direction with respect to a substrate, and a joining portion formed so as to join lower ends of said pair of columnar portions;

a charge storage layer formed to surround a side surface of said columnar portions; and

a first conductive layer formed to surround the side surface of said columnar portions and said charge storage layer, and configured to function as a control electrode of said memory cells, and

each of said select transistors comprising:

a second semiconductor layer extending upwardly from an upper surface of said columnar portions; and

a second conductive layer formed to surround a side surface of said second semiconductor layer with a gap interposed, and configured to function as a control electrode of said select transistors.

2. The nonvolatile semiconductor memory device according to claim 1 ,

wherein each of said select transistors further comprises a first insulating layer formed in a side wall of said second conductive layer facing said gap.

3. The nonvolatile semiconductor memory device according to claim 1 ,

wherein each of said select transistors further comprises a second insulating layer formed in a side wall of said second semiconductor layer facing said gap.

4. The nonvolatile semiconductor memory device according to claim 1 ,

wherein said first semiconductor layer and said second semiconductor layer are formed continuously in an integrated manner.

5. The nonvolatile semiconductor memory device according to claim 4 ,

wherein said first semiconductor layer and said second semiconductor layer have a hollow formed continuously from said first semiconductor layer through to said second semiconductor layer.

6. The nonvolatile semiconductor memory device according to claim 5 ,

wherein said first semiconductor layer and said second semiconductor layer have an insulating layer formed to fill said hollow.

7. A nonvolatile semiconductor memory device, comprising:

a plurality of memory strings, each of which has a plurality of electrically rewritable memory cells connected in series,

each of said memory strings comprising:

a first semiconductor layer having a pair of columnar portions extending in a perpendicular direction with respect to a substrate, and a joining portion formed so as to join lower ends of said pair of columnar portions;

a charge storage layer formed to surround a side surface of said columnar portions with a gap interposed; and

a first conductive layer formed to surround the side surface of said columnar portions and said charge storage layer, and configured to function as a control electrode of said memory cells.

8. The nonvolatile semiconductor memory device according to claim 7 ,

wherein each of said memory strings further comprises a block insulating layer formed between said charge storage layer and said first conductive layer.

9. The nonvolatile semiconductor memory device according to claim 7 ,

wherein each of said memory strings further comprises a tunnel insulating layer formed between said charge storage layer and said joining portion.

10. The nonvolatile semiconductor memory device according to claim 7 ,

wherein said first semiconductor layer has a hollow.

11. The nonvolatile semiconductor memory device according to claim 10 ,

wherein said first semiconductor layer has an insulating layer formed to fill said hollow.

12. The nonvolatile semiconductor memory device according to claim 7 , further comprising:

select transistors, one of which is connected to each of ends of each of said memory strings,

each of said select transistors comprising:

a second semiconductor layer extending upwardly from an upper surface of said columnar portions; and

a second conductive layer formed to surround a side surface of said second semiconductor layer with a gap interposed, and configured to function as a control electrode of said select transistors.

13. The nonvolatile semiconductor memory device according to claim 12 ,

wherein each of said select transistors further comprises a first insulating layer formed in a side wall of said second conductive layer facing said gap.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Oct 13, 2009
From: KITO, MASARU; FUKUZUMI, YOSHIAKI; KATSUMATA, RYOTA; KIDOH, MASARU; TANAKA, HIROYASU; ISHIDUKI, MEGUMI; KOMORI, YOSUKE; AOCHI, HIDEAKI
To: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
Reel/Frame 023361/0663 →
Priority Claims (1)
JP 2008-245070 · Sep 25, 2008 · national
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20100072538A1 · Mar 25, 2010