Patent ID: 9449924
Filing Date: 2016-09-20
CPC Classification: H01L

Claim Text:
1. A multilevel device, comprising: at least one device region and at least one contact region having a stack of alternating plurality of electrically conductive layers and plurality of electrically insulating layers located over a substrate, wherein the plurality of electrically conductive layers form a stepped pattern in the contact region, wherein each electrically insulating layer comprises a sidewall and a respective underlying electrically conductive layer in the stack extends laterally beyond the sidewall to a respective sidewall surface; and a plurality of electrically conductive sidewall spacers located adjacent to a respective sidewall of the electrically insulating layers, wherein each of the electrically conductive sidewall spacers is in electrical contact with a respective underlying electrically conductive layer and is substantially electrically isolated from the other electrically conductive layers in the plurality of electrically conductive layers in the stack, and wherein each of the electrically conductive sidewall spacers includes a sidewall surface that is within a same vertical plane as a sidewall surface of the respective underlying electrically conductive layer.