SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICE AND METHOD FOR FABRICATING THE SAME

A semiconductor device includes a horizontal layer spaced apart from a lower structure to extend in a direction parallel to the lower structure; a vertical conductive line extending in a direction perpendicular to the lower structure and coupled to a first-side end of the horizontal layer; a data storage element coupled to a second-side end of the horizontal layer; and a horizontal conductive line including a first horizontal conductive line and a second horizontal conductive line that are vertically asymmetrical with the horizontal layer interposed therebetween.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims priority of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2022-0181583, filed on Dec. 22, 2022, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

Embodiments of the present invention relate generally to a semiconductor device and, more particularly, to a semiconductor device including memory cells that are arranged in three dimensions, and a method for fabricating the same.

2. Description of the Related Art

Three-dimensional memory devices which include memory cells arranged in three dimensions have been suggested rather recently.

SUMMARY

The present invention is directed generally to a semiconductor device including highly integrated memory cells, and a method for fabricating the semiconductor device.

In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a semiconductor device includes: a horizontal layer spaced apart from a lower structure to extend in a direction parallel to the lower structure; a vertical conductive line extending in a direction perpendicular to the lower structure and coupled to a first-side end of the horizontal layer; a data storage element coupled to a second-side end of the horizontal layer; and a horizontal conductive line including a first horizontal conductive line and a second horizontal conductive line that are vertically asymmetrical with the horizontal layer interposed therebetween.

In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, a method for fabricating a semiconductor device includes: forming a stack body in which a first dielectric layer, a first sacrificial layer, a semiconductor layer, a second sacrificial layer, and a second dielectric layer are sequentially stacked over a lower structure; forming a first opening by etching the stack body; forming an upper recess by recessing the second sacrificial layer from the first opening; forming a lower recess whose horizontal length is greater than a horizontal length of the upper recess by recessing the first sacrificial layer from the first opening; forming a first horizontal conductive line in the upper recess; and forming a second horizontal conductive line whose horizontal length is the same as a horizontal length of the first horizontal conductive line in the lower recess, wherein the first horizontal conductive line and the second horizontal conductive line are asymmetrical in a vertical direction with the semiconductor layer interposed therebetween.

In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, a semiconductor device includes: a lower structure; and a memory cell array including a plurality of memory cells that are vertically stacked over the lower structure, wherein each of the memory cells includes: a horizontal layer spaced apart from the lower structure to extend in a direction parallel to the lower structure; a vertical conductive line extending in a direction perpendicular to the lower structure and coupled to a first-side end of the horizontal layer; a data storage element coupled to a second-side end of the horizontal layer; and a horizontal conductive line including a first horizontal conductive line and a second horizontal conductive line that are vertically asymmetrical with the horizontal layer interposed therebetween.

These and other features and advantages of the present invention will become understood from the following detailed description and drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

According to an embodiment of the present invention described below, memory cells may be vertically stacked to increase memory cell density and reduce parasitic capacitance.

FIG.1is a simplified schematic perspective view illustrating a semiconductor device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.FIG.2Ais a simplified schematic cross-sectional view taken along a line A-A′ shown inFIG.1.FIG.2Bis a detailed view illustrating a switching element shown inFIG.2A.

Referring toFIGS.1to2B, the semiconductor device100may include a lower structure LS and a memory cell MC. In an embodiment, the memory cell MC may be disposed over the lower structure LS as illustrated inFIG.1. The memory cell MC may include a vertical conductive line BL, a switching element TR, and a data storage element CAP. The switching element TR may include a horizontal layer HL, a liner layer GD, and a horizontal conductive line DWL. The data storage element CAP may include a memory element, such as a capacitor. The vertical conductive line BL may include, for example, a bit line. The horizontal conductive line DWL may include, for example, a word line, and the horizontal layer HL may include, for example, an active layer. The data storage element CAP may include a first electrode SN, a dielectric layer DE, and a second electrode PN. The switching element TR may include, for example, a transistor, and in this case, the horizontal conductive line DWL may serve as a gate electrode. The switching element TR may also be referred to as an access element or a selection element.

The vertical conductive line BL may extend vertically in the first direction D1. The horizontal layer HL may extend horizontally (or laterally) in a second direction D2intersecting with the first direction D1. The horizontal conductive line DWL may extend in a third direction D3intersecting with the first and second directions D1and D2. In an embodiment, the first, second, and third directions D1, D2, and D3may be orthogonal to each other.

The vertical conductive line BL may be vertically oriented in the first direction D1. The vertical conductive line BL may be referred to as a vertically-oriented bit line, a vertically-extended bit line, or a pillar-shaped bit line. The vertical conductive line BL may include a conductive material such as, for example, a silicon-based material, a metal-based material, or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, the vertical conductive line BL may include polysilicon, a metal, a metal nitride, a metal silicide, or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, the vertical conductive line BL may include polysilicon, titanium nitride, tungsten, or a combination thereof. For example, the vertical conductive line BL may include polysilicon or titanium nitride (TiN) which is doped with an N-type impurity. In some embodiments, the vertical conductive line BL may include a stack of titanium nitride and tungsten (TiN/W).

The switching element TR may include a transistor, and thus, the horizontal conductive line DWL may be referred to as a gate or word line. The horizontal conductive line DWL may extend in the third direction D3, and the horizontal layer HL may extend in the second direction D2. The horizontal layer HL may be horizontally arranged with respect to the vertical conductive line BL. The horizontal conductive line DWL may have a double structure. For example, the horizontal conductive line DWL may include first and second horizontal conductive lines WL1and WL2that are facing each other with the horizontal layer HL interposed therebetween. A liner layer GD may be formed on the upper and lower surfaces of the horizontal layer HL. A first horizontal conductive line WL1may be disposed over the horizontal layer HL, and a second horizontal conductive line WL2may be disposed below the horizontal layer HL. The horizontal conductive line DWL may include a pair of a first horizontal conductive line WL1and a second horizontal conductive line WL2. The horizontal conductive line DWL may be referred to as a double word line or a double gate. In the horizontal conductive line DWL, the first horizontal conductive line WL1and the second horizontal conductive line WL2may have the same potential. For example, the first horizontal conductive line WL1and the second horizontal conductive line WL2may form a pair to be coupled to one memory cell MC. The same driving voltage may be applied to the first horizontal conductive line WL1and the second horizontal conductive line WL2.

The horizontal layer HL may extend in the second direction D2. The horizontal layer HL may include a semiconductor material. For example, the horizontal layer HL may include polysilicon, monocrystalline silicon, germanium, or silicon-germanium. According to another embodiment of the present invention, the horizontal layer HL may include an oxide semiconductor material. For example, the oxide semiconductor material may include indium gallium zinc oxide (IGZO).

The upper and lower surfaces of the horizontal layer HL may have flat surfaces. In other words, the upper and lower surfaces of the horizontal layer HL may be parallel to each other in the second direction D2. In an embodiment, the third and second directions D3and D2may be parallel to the top surface of the lower structure LS.

The horizontal layer HL may include a channel CH, a first doped region SR disposed between the channel CH and the vertical conductive line BL, and a second doped region DR disposed between the channel CH and the data storage element CAP. When the horizontal layer HL is formed of an oxide semiconductor material, the channel may be formed of an oxide semiconductor material, and the first and second doped regions may be omitted. The horizontal layer HL may also be referred to as an active layer or a thin-body layer.

The liner layer GD may serve as a gate dielectric layer. In some embodiments, the liner layer GD may include silicon oxide, silicon nitride, a metal oxide, a metal oxynitride, a metal silicate, a high-k material, ferroelectric material, anti-ferroelectric material, or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, the liner layer GD may include SiO2, Si3N4, HfO2, Al2O3, ZrO2, AlON, HfON, HfSiO, HfSiON, or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, the liner layer GD may include a first liner layer GD1and a second liner layer GD2. The horizontal length of the first liner layer GD1in the second direction D2may be smaller than that of the second liner layer GD2. The first liner layer GD1may partially cover the first horizontal conductive line WL1, and the second liner layer GD2may partially cover the second horizontal conductive line WL2. The first liner layer GD1and the second liner layer GD2may have a cup shape, such as a ⊃ shape. In an embodiment, the first liner layer GD1and the second liner layer GD2may have a rectangular shape with the side touching the vertical conductive line BL being open.

The horizontal conductive line DWL may include a metal-based material, a semiconductor material, or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, the horizontal conductive line DWL may include titanium nitride, tungsten, polysilicon, or a combination thereof. For example, the horizontal conductive line DWL may include a TiN/W stack in which titanium nitride and tungsten are sequentially stacked. The horizontal conductive line DWL may include an N-type work function material or a P-type work function material. The N-type work function material may have a low work function of approximately 4.5 eV or less, and the P-type work function material may have a high work function of approximately 4.5 eV or more.

The data storage element CAP may be horizontally disposed in the second direction D2from the switching element TR. The data storage element CAP may include a first electrode SN extending horizontally from the horizontal layer HL in the second direction D2. The data storage element CAP may further include a second electrode PN over the first electrode SN, and a dielectric layer DE between the first electrode SN and the second electrode PN. The first electrode SN, the dielectric layer DE, and the second electrode PN may be horizontally arranged in the second direction D2. The first electrode SN may have a horizontally oriented cylinder-shape. The dielectric layer DE may conformally cover the inner wall and the outer wall of the cylinder of the first electrode SN. The second electrode PN may cover a cylinder inner wall and a cylinder outer wall of the first electrode SN over the dielectric layer DE. The first electrode SN may be electrically connected to the second source/drain region DR.

The first electrode SN may have a three-dimensional structure, and the first electrode SN of the three-dimensional structure may have a horizontal three-dimensional structure which is oriented in the second direction D2. As an example of the three-dimensional structure, the first electrode SN may have a cylinder shape. According to another embodiment of the present invention, the first electrode SN may have a pillar shape or a pylinder shape. The pylinder shape may refer to a structure in which a pillar shape and a cylinder shape are merged.

The first electrode SN and the second electrode PN may include a metal, a noble metal, a metal nitride, a conductive metal oxide, a conductive noble metal oxide, a metal carbide, a metal silicide, or a combination thereof. For example, the first electrode SN and the second electrode PN may include titanium (Ti), titanium nitride (TiN), tantalum (Ta), tantalum nitride (TaN), tungsten (W), tungsten nitride (WN), ruthenium (Ru), ruthenium oxide (RuO2), iridium (Ir), iridium oxide (IrO2), platinum (Pt), molybdenum (Mo), molybdenum oxide (MoO), a titanium nitride/tungsten (TiN/W) stack, a tungsten nitride/tungsten (WN/W) stack. The second electrode PN may include a combination of a metal-based material and a silicon-based material. For example, the second electrode PN may be a stack of titanium nitride/silicon germanium/tungsten nitride (TiN/SiGe/WN). In the titanium nitride/silicon germanium/tungsten nitride (TiN/SiGe/WN) stack, silicon germanium may be a gap-fill material filling the cylindrical inside of the first electrode SN, and titanium nitride (TiN) may serve as a second electrode PN of a data storage element CAP, and tungsten nitride may be a low-resistance material.

The dielectric layer DE may be referred to as a capacitor dielectric layer or a memory layer. The dielectric layer DE may include, for example, silicon oxide, silicon nitride, a high-k material, or a combination thereof. The high-k material may have a higher dielectric constant than silicon oxide. Silicon oxide (SiO2) may have a dielectric constant of approximately 3.9, and the dielectric layer DE may include a high-k material having a dielectric constant of approximately 4 or more. The high-k material may have a dielectric constant of approximately 20 or more. The high-k material may include hafnium oxide (HfO2), zirconium oxide (ZrO2), aluminum oxide (Al2O3), lanthanum oxide (La2O3), titanium oxide (TiO2), tantalum oxide (Ta2O5), niobium oxide (Nb2O5) or strontium titanium oxide (SrTiO3). According to another embodiment of the present invention, the dielectric layer DE may be formed of a composite layer including two or more layers of the aforementioned high-k materials.

The dielectric layer DE may be formed of zirconium (Zr)-based oxide. The dielectric layer DE may have a stack structure including zirconium oxide (ZrO2). The dielectric layer DE may include a ZA (ZrO2/Al2O3) stack or a ZAZ (ZrO2/Al2O3/ZrO2) stack. The ZA stack may have a structure in which aluminum oxide (Al2O3) is stacked over zirconium oxide (ZrO2). The ZAZ stack may have a structure in which zirconium oxide (ZrO2), aluminum oxide (Al2O3), and zirconium oxide (ZrO2) are sequentially stacked. The ZA stack and the ZAZ stack may be referred to as a zirconium oxide (ZrO2)-based layer. According to another embodiment of the present invention, the dielectric layer DE may be formed of hafnium (Hf)-based oxide. The dielectric layer DE may have a stack structure including hafnium oxide (HfO2). The dielectric layer DE may include an HA (HfO2/Al2O3) stack or an HAH (HfO2/Al2O3/HfO2) stack. The HA stack may have a structure in which aluminum oxide (Al2O3) is stacked over hafnium oxide (HfO2). The HAH stack may have a structure in which hafnium oxide (HfO2), aluminum oxide (Al2O3), and hafnium oxide (HfO2) are sequentially stacked. The HA stack and the HAH stack may be referred to as a hafnium oxide (HfO2)-based layer. In the ZA stack, ZAZ stack, HA stack, and HAH stack, aluminum oxide (Al2O3) may have a greater bandgap than zirconium oxide (ZrO2) and hafnium oxide (HfO2). Aluminum oxide (Al2O3) may have a lower dielectric constant than zirconium oxide (ZrO2) and hafnium oxide (HfO2). Accordingly, the dielectric layer DE may include a stack of a high-k material and a high-bandgap material having a greater bandgap than the high-k material. The dielectric layer DE may include silicon oxide (SiO2) as a high bandgap material other than aluminum oxide (Al2O3). Since the dielectric layer DE includes a high bandgap material, leakage current may be suppressed. The high-bandgap material may be thinner than the high-k material. According to another embodiment of the present invention, the dielectric layer DE may include a laminated structure in which a high-k material and a high-bandgap material are alternately stacked. For example, the dielectric layer DE may include a ZAZA (ZrO2/Al2O3/ZrO2/Al2O3) stack, a ZAZAZ (ZrO2/Al2O3/ZrO2/Al2O3/ZrO2) stack, a HAHA (HfO2/Al2O3/HfO2/Al2O3) stack, or a HAHAH (HfO2/Al2O3/HfO2/Al2O3/HfO2) stack. In the above laminated structure, aluminum oxide (Al2O3) may be thinner than zirconium oxide (ZrO2) and hafnium oxide (HfO2).

According to another embodiment of the present invention, the dielectric layer DE may include a stack structure, a laminated structure, or a mixed structure including zirconium oxide, hafnium oxide, and aluminum oxide.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, an interface control layer for improving leakage current may be further formed between the first electrode SN and the dielectric layer DE. The interface control layer may include titanium oxide (TiO2), tantalum oxide (Ta2O5), niobium oxide (Nb2O5). The interface control layer may also be formed between the second electrode PN and the dielectric layer DE.

The data storage element CAP may include a metal-insulator-metal (MIM) capacitor. The first electrode SN and the second electrode PN may include a metal-based material.

The data storage element CAP may be replaced with another data storage material. For example, the data storage material may be a phase change material, a magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ), or a variable resistance material.

Referring back toFIGS.1to2B, the horizontal conductive line DWL may include first to fourth side surfaces D11to D14. The first side surface D11and the second side surface D12of the horizontal conductive line DWL may be disposed at a higher level than the horizontal layer HL, and the third side surface D13and the fourth side surface D14of the horizontal conductive line DWL may be disposed at a lower level than the horizontal layer HL. The first side surface D11and the second side surface D12of the horizontal conductive line DWL may face each other in the second direction D2. The third side surface D13and the fourth side surface D14of the horizontal conductive line DWL may face each other in the second direction D2. The first and second side surfaces D11and D12of the horizontal conductive line DWL may be provided by the first horizontal conductive line WL1. The third and fourth side surfaces D13and D14of the horizontal conductive line DWL may be provided by the second horizontal conductive line WL2.

The first horizontal conductive line WL1may include a first side surface D11and a second side surface D12. The second horizontal conductive line WL2may include a third side surface D13and a fourth side surface D14. The first side surface D11of the first horizontal conductive line WL1may be disposed adjacent to the vertical conductive line BL, and the second side surface D12of the first horizontal conductive line WL1may be disposed adjacent to the first electrode SN of the data storage element CAP. The third side surface D13of the second horizontal conductive line WL2may be disposed adjacent to the vertical conductive line BL, and the fourth side surface D14of the second horizontal conductive line WL2may be disposed adjacent to the first electrode SN of the data storage element CAP. The first horizontal conductive line WL1and the second horizontal conductive line WL2may face each other in the first direction D1and may have an asymmetrical structure with the horizontal layer HL interposed therebetween. The horizontal conductive line DWL may be referred to herein as a dual, asymmetrical horizontal conductive line DWL.

The first horizontal conductive line WL1and the second horizontal conductive line WL2may have the same horizontal length in the second direction D2. The first horizontal conductive line and the second horizontal conductive lines WL1and WL2may have the same vertical height in the first direction D1. The first horizontal conductive line WL1may include a first overlap region L1and a second overlap region L2overlapping with the horizontal layer HL. The second horizontal conductive line WL2may include a first overlap region L1and a third overlap region L3overlapping with the horizontal layer HL. In the first overlap region L1, the first horizontal conductive line WL1and the second horizontal conductive line WL2may overlap in common with the horizontal layer HL. In the second overlap region L2, the first horizontal conductive line WL1and the horizontal layer HL may overlap. In the third overlap region L3, the second horizontal conductive line WL2and the horizontal layer HL may overlap. In the second overlap region L2, the second horizontal conductive line WL2and the horizontal layer HL may not overlap. In the third overlap region L3, the first horizontal conductive line WL1and the horizontal layer HL may not overlap. A portion of the horizontal layer HL disposed in the first overlap region L1may be referred to as a channel. The first overlap region L1of the first horizontal conductive line WL1and the first overlap region L1of the second horizontal conductive line WL2may overlap with the channel CH of the horizontal layer HL. The second overlap region L2of the first horizontal conductive line WL1may overlap with the first doped region SR of the horizontal layer HL, and the third overlap region L3of the second horizontal conductive line WL2may overlap with the second doped region DR of the horizontal layer HL.

The first horizontal conductive line WL1may be closer to the vertical conductive line BL, and the second horizontal conductive line WL2may be closer to the data storage element CAP. For example, the distance S1between the first horizontal conductive line WL1and the vertical conductive line BL may be shorter than the distance S11between the first electrode SN of the data storage element CAP and the first horizontal conductive line WL1. The distance S21between the first electrode SN of the data storage element CAP and the second horizontal conductive line WL2may be shorter than the distance S2between the second horizontal conductive line WL2and the vertical conductive line BL. The distance S1between the first side surface D11of the first horizontal conductive line WL1and the vertical conductive line BL may be shorter than the distance S11between the first electrode SN of the data storage element CAP and the second side surface D12of the first horizontal conductive line WL1. The distance S21between the first electrode SN of the data storage element CAP and the fourth side surface D14of the second horizontal conductive line WL2may be shorter than the distance S2between the third side surface D13of the second horizontal conductive line WL2and the vertical conductive line BL.

A first capping layer BC may be disposed between the vertical conductive line BL and the horizontal conductive line DWL, and a second capping layer CC may be disposed between the data storage element CAP and the horizontal conductive line DWL. The first capping layer BC may include an upper-level first capping layer BC1and a lower-level first capping layer BC2. The second capping layer CC may include an upper-level second capping layer CC1and a lower-level second capping layer CC2.

The upper-level first capping layer BC1may be disposed between the first side surface D11of the first horizontal conductive line WL1and the vertical conductive line BL. The upper-level second capping layer CC1may be disposed between the second side surface D12of the first horizontal conductive line WL1and the first electrode SN of the data storage element CAP. The lower-level first capping layer BC2may be disposed between the third side surface D13of the second horizontal conductive line WL2and the vertical conductive line BL. The lower-level second capping layer CC2may be disposed between the fourth side surface D14of the second horizontal conductive line WL2and the first electrode SN of the data storage element CAP.

The first and second capping layers BC and CC may include a dielectric material. The first and second capping layers BC and CC may include, for example, silicon oxide, silicon nitride, silicon carbon oxide, an air gap, or a combination thereof. The upper-level first capping layer BC1and the lower-level first capping layer BC2may be formed of the same material. The upper-level second capping layer CC1and the lower-level second capping layer CC2may be formed of the same material. In some embodiments, the upper-level first capping layer BC1and the lower-level first capping layer BC2may include silicon oxide, and the upper-level second capping layer CC1and the lower-level second capping layer CC2may include a stack of silicon oxide and silicon nitride. The horizontal length of the upper-level first capping layer BC1in the second direction D2may be smaller than the horizontal length of the lower-level first capping layer BC2. The horizontal length of the upper-level second capping layer CC1in the second direction D2may be greater than the horizontal length of the lower-level second capping layer CC2.

The first liner layer GD1may cover the first horizontal conductive line WL1and the upper-level first capping layer BC1. The second liner layer GD2may cover the second horizontal conductive line WL2and the lower-level first capping layer BC2. First-side surfaces of the upper-level first capping layer BC1and the lower-level first capping layer BC2may contact or directly contact the first and second horizontal conductive lines WL1and WL2. Second-side surfaces of the upper-level first capping layer BC1and the lower-level first capping layer BC2may contact or directly contact the vertical conductive line BL while being non-covered by the first and second liner layers GD1and GD2. The first and second liner layers GD1and GD2may be disposed between the first and second horizontal conductive lines WL1and WL2and the second capping layer CC. The first and second liner layers GD1and GD2may have a horizontally oriented cup shape.

As described above, the memory cell MC may include a horizontal conductive line DWL having an asymmetric structure of the first and second horizontal conductive lines WL1and WL2. The horizontal conductive line DWL having an asymmetric structure of the first and second horizontal conductive lines WL1and WL2may reduce gate controllability, thereby improving an electric field.

Also, since the potential barrier of the first overlap region L1is maintained, a change in the switching element characteristics, such as a change in the threshold voltage may be minimized.

The horizontal conductive line DWL including the first and second horizontal conductive lines WL1and WL2of the asymmetric structure may be able to satisfy a sufficiently high threshold voltage and a low leakage current simultaneously.

As the first and second horizontal conductive lines WL1and WL2of the asymmetric structure are formed, the electric field formed at the ends of both sides of the horizontal conductive line DWL may be reduced, thereby improving leakage current. Also, since each of the first horizontal conductive line WL1and the second horizontal conductive line WL2includes the first overlap region L1that commonly overlaps with the horizontal layer HL, it is possible to form a high threshold voltage based on a high work function. Also, since the height of the memory cell MC may be reduced by forming a low electric field, it is advantageous in terms of integration.

As Comparative Example 1, when the first horizontal conductive line WL1and the second horizontal conductive line WL2are formed in a symmetrical structure, a strong electric field may be formed in both of the first horizontal conductive line WL1and the second horizontal conductive line WL2, which may lead to increased leakage current.

As Comparative Example 2, when the first and second horizontal conductive lines WL1and WL2are formed of a metal-based material alone in a symmetrical structure, a high electric field may be formed between the first and second horizontal conductive lines WL1and WL2and the data storage element CAP due to a high work function of the metal-based material, which degrades the leakage current of the memory cell MC.

As Comparative Example 3, when the distance between the horizontal conductive line DWL and the vertical conductive line BL and the distance between the horizontal conductive line DWL and the data storage element CAP increase, the electric field degradation may be improved. However, since the cell size of the memory cell may be increased, there may be a change in the characteristics of the switching element TR.

According to the embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to suppress an increase in the leakage current due to the presence of a strong electric field and an increase in the size of the memory cell MC by forming the horizontal conductive line DWL including the first and second horizontal conductive lines WL1and WL2of the asymmetric structure.

According to the embodiment of the present invention, since the horizontal conductive line DWL includes the first and second horizontal conductive lines WL1and WL2of the asymmetric structure, leakage current may be improved and thus the refresh characteristics of the memory cell MC may be improved, which makes it possible to reduce power consumption.

Also, according to the embodiment of the present invention, since the horizontal conductive line DWL includes the first and second horizontal conductive lines WL1and WL2of the asymmetric structure, even though the thickness of the horizontal layer HL is reduced for the purpose of high integration, it is relatively advantageous to increasing the electric field. Therefore, a high number of stacked layers may be realized.

FIG.3Ais a simplified schematic perspective view of a semiconductor device200in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.FIG.3Bis a simplified schematic cross-sectional view taken along a line A-A′ shown inFIG.3A.

Referring toFIGS.3A and3B, the semiconductor device200may include a lower structure LS and a memory cell array MCA disposed over the lower structure LS. The memory cell array MCA may include a 3D array of memory cells MC. The 3D array of the memory cells MC may include a column array of memory cells MC and a row array of memory cells MC. The column array of the memory cells MC may include a plurality of memory cells MC that are stacked in the first direction D1, and the row array of the memory cells MC may include a plurality of memory cells MC that are horizontally disposed in the third direction D3. According to some embodiments of the present invention, cell dielectric layers IL may be disposed between the memory cells MC that are stacked in the first direction D1. The memory cell MC shown inFIGS.3A and3Bmay correspond to the memory cell MC shown inFIGS.1to2B. Accordingly, the memory cell array MCA may include a three-dimensional array of memory cells MC that is described inFIGS.1to2B. Hereinafter, detailed descriptions on the constituent elements ofFIGS.3A and3Balso appearing inFIGS.1to2Bwill be omitted.

Referring back toFIGS.1to3B, each memory cell MC may include a vertical conductive line BL, a switching element TR, and a data storage element CAP. Each switching element TR may be a transistor and it may include a horizontal layer HL, a liner layer GD, and a horizontal conductive line DWL. As illustrated inFIG.2B, each of the horizontal layers HL may include a first doped region SR, a second doped region DR, and a channel CH between the first doped region SR and the second doped region DR. Each horizontal conductive line DWL may include a pair of asymmetrical first and second horizontal conductive lines WL1and WL2.

The column array of the memory cells MC may include a plurality of switching elements TR that are stacked in the first direction D1, and the row array of the memory cells MC may include a plurality of switching elements TR that are disposed horizontally in the third direction D3.

The horizontal layers HL may be stacked over the lower structure LS in the first direction D1, and the horizontal layers HL may be spaced apart from the lower structure LS to extend in the second direction D2which is parallel to the surface lower the lower structure LS.

The vertical conductive line BL may extend in the first direction D1which is perpendicular to the surface of the lower structure LS to be coupled to first-side ends of the horizontal layers HL.

The data storage elements CAP may be coupled to second-side ends of the horizontal layers HL, respectively.

The horizontal conductive lines DWL may be stacked in the first direction D1over the lower structure LS, and the horizontal conductive lines DWL may be spaced apart from the lower structure LS to extend in the third direction D3which is parallel to the surface of the lower the lower structure LS.

The second electrodes PN of the data storage elements CAP may be coupled to a common plate PL. The horizontal layers HL of the switching elements TR disposed horizontally in the third direction D3may share one horizontal conductive line DWL. The horizontal layers HL of the switching elements TR that are disposed horizontally in the third direction D3may be coupled to different vertical conductive lines BL. The switching elements TR that are stacked in the first direction D1may share one vertical conductive line BL. The switching elements TR disposed horizontally in the third direction D3may share one horizontal conductive line DWL.

The lower structure LS may include a semiconductor substrate or a peripheral circuit portion. The lower structure LS may be disposed at a lower level than the memory cell array MCA. This may be referred to as a COP (Cell-Over-Peripheral) structure. The peripheral circuit portion may include at least one control circuit for driving the memory cell array MCA. The at least one control circuit of the peripheral circuit portion may include an N-channel transistor, a P-channel transistor, a CMOS circuit, or a combination thereof. The at least one control circuit of the peripheral circuit portion may include an address decoder circuit, a read circuit, a write circuit, and the like. The at least one control circuit of the peripheral circuit portion may include a planar channel transistor, a recess channel transistor, a buried gate transistor, a fin channel transistor (FinFET), and the like.

For example, the peripheral circuit portion may include sub-word line drivers and a sense amplifier. The horizontal conductive lines DWL may be coupled to sub-word line drivers. The vertical conductive line BL may be coupled to the sense amplifier.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, the peripheral circuit portion may be disposed at a higher level than the memory cell array MCA. This may be referred to as a POC (Peripheral-Over-Cell) structure.

The memory cell array MCA may include horizontal conductive lines DWL that are stacked in the first direction D1. Each of the horizontal conductive lines DWL may include a pair of a first horizontal conductive line WL1and a second horizontal conductive line WL2.

As described above, each of the horizontal conductive lines DWL of the memory cell array MCA may include first and second horizontal conductive lines WL1and WL2of an asymmetrical structure. As for the description on the first and second horizontal conductive lines WL1and WL2of the asymmetric structure,FIGS.1to2Bmay be referred to.

FIG.4Ais a simplified schematic cross-sectional view illustrating a memory cell in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.

Referring toFIG.4A, the memory cell MC1may include a vertical conductive line BL, a switching element TR, and a data storage element CAP. The switching element TR may include a horizontal conductive line DWL and a horizontal layer HL. The horizontal conductive line DWL may have a double structure of a first horizontal conductive line WL1and a second horizontal conductive line WL2. The horizontal layer HL may include a first doped region SR, a second doped region DR, and a channel CH.

The first horizontal conductive line WL1may be disposed at a higher level than the horizontal layer HL, and the second horizontal conductive line WL2may be disposed at a lower level than the horizontal layer HL.

The horizontal conductive line DWL may include first to fourth side surfaces D21to D24. The first side surface D21and the second side surface D22of the horizontal conductive line DWL may be disposed at a higher level than the horizontal layer HL, and the third side surface D23and the fourth side surface D24of the horizontal conductive line DWL may be disposed at a lower level than the horizontal layer HL. The first side surface D21and the second side surface D22of the horizontal conductive line DWL may face each other in the second direction D2. The third side surface D23and the fourth side surface D24of the horizontal conductive line DWL may face each other in the second direction D2. The first side surface D21and the second side surface D22of the horizontal conductive line DWL may be provided by the first horizontal conductive line WL1. The third side surface D23and the fourth side surface D24of the horizontal conductive line DWL may be provided by the second horizontal conductive line WL2.

The first horizontal conductive line WL1may include a first side surface D21and a second side surface D22. The second horizontal conductive line WL2may include a third side surface D23and a fourth side surface D24. The first side surface D21of the first horizontal conductive line WL1may be disposed adjacent to the vertical conductive line BL, and the second side surface D22of the first horizontal conductive line WL1may be disposed adjacent to the first electrode SN of the data storage element CAP. The third side surface D23of the second horizontal conductive line WL2may be disposed adjacent to the vertical conductive line BL, and the fourth side surface D24of the second horizontal conductive line WL2may be disposed adjacent to the first electrode SN of the data storage element CAP. The first horizontal conductive line WL1and the second horizontal conductive line WL2may face each other in the first direction D1and have an asymmetrical structure with the horizontal layer HL interposed therebetween.

The first horizontal conductive line WL1and the second horizontal conductive line WL2may have the same horizontal length in the second direction D2. The first horizontal conductive line WL1and the second horizontal conductive lines WL1and WL2may have the same vertical height in the first direction D1. The first horizontal conductive line WL1may include a first overlap region L1and a second overlap region L3overlapping with the horizontal layer HL. The second horizontal conductive line WL2may include a first overlap region L1and a third overlap region L2overlapping with the horizontal layer HL. In the first overlap region L1, the first horizontal conductive line WL1and the second horizontal conductive line WL2may overlap in common with the horizontal layer HL. In the second overlap region L3, the first horizontal conductive line WL1and the horizontal layer HL may overlap. In the third overlap region L2, the second horizontal conductive line WL2and the horizontal layer HL may overlap. The second horizontal conductive line WL2and the horizontal layer HL may not overlap in the second overlap region L21, and the first horizontal conductive line WL1and the horizontal layer HL may not overlap in the third overlap region L31. A portion of the horizontal layer HL disposed in the first overlap region L1may be referred to as a channel. The first overlap region L1of the first horizontal conductive line WL1and the first overlap region L1of the second horizontal conductive line WL2may overlap with the channel CH of the horizontal layer HL. The second overlap region L3of the first horizontal conductive line WL1may overlap with the second doped region DR of the horizontal layer HL, and the third overlap region L2of the second horizontal conductive line WL2may overlap with the first doped region SR of the horizontal layer HL.

The first horizontal conductive line WL1may be closer to the data storage element CAP, and the second horizontal conductive line WL2may be closer to the vertical conductive line BL. For example, the distance S1between the first horizontal conductive line WL1and the vertical conductive line BL may be greater than the distance S11between the first electrode SN of the data storage element CAP and the first horizontal conductive line WL1. The distance S21between the first electrode SN of the data storage element CAP and the second horizontal conductive line WL2may be greater than the distance S2between the second horizontal conductive line WL2and the vertical conductive line BL. The distance S1between the first side surface D21of the first horizontal conductive line WL1and the vertical conductive line BL may be greater than the distance S11between the first electrode SN of the data storage element CAP and the second side surface D22of the first horizontal conductive line WL1. The distance S21between the first electrode SN of the data storage element CAP and the fourth side surface D24of the second horizontal conductive line WL2may be greater than the distance S2between the third side surface D23of the second horizontal conductive line WL2and the vertical conductive line BL.

FIG.4Bis a simplified schematic perspective view illustrating a semiconductor device300including the memory cells MC1shown inFIG.4A.FIG.4Cis a simplified schematic cross-sectional view taken along a line A-A′ shown inFIG.4B.

Referring toFIGS.4A,4B, and4C, the semiconductor device300may include a lower structure LS and a memory cell array MCA. The memory cell array MCA may include a 3D array of memory cells MC1. The 3D array of the memory cells MC1may include a column array of memory cells MC1and a row array of memory cells MC1. The column array of the memory cells MC1may include a plurality of memory cells MC that are stacked in the first direction D1, and the row array of the memory cells MC may include a plurality of memory cells MC that are horizontally disposed in the third direction D3. According to some embodiments of the present invention, cell dielectric layers IL may be disposed between the memory cells MC1that are stacked in the first direction D1.

Each of the memory cells MC1may include a vertical conductive line BL, a switching element TR, and a data storage element CAP. Each switching element TR may be a transistor, and each switching element TR may include a horizontal layer HL, a liner layer GD, and a horizontal conductive line DWL. Each horizontal layer HL may include a first doped region SR, a second doped region DR, and a channel CH between the first doped region SR and the second doped region DR. Each horizontal conductive line DWL may include a pair of a first horizontal conductive line WL1and a second horizontal conductive line WL2.

The column array of the memory cells MC1may include a plurality of switching elements TR that are stacked in the first direction D1, and the row array of the memory cells MC1may include a plurality of switching elements TR that are disposed horizontally in the third direction D3.

The horizontal layers HL may be stacked over the lower structure LS in the first direction D1, and the horizontal layers HL may be spaced apart from the lower structure LS to extend in the second direction D1, which is parallel to the surface of the lower structure LS.

The vertical conductive line BL may extend in the first direction D1, which is perpendicular to the surface of the lower structure LS, and may be coupled to first-side ends of the horizontal layers HL.

The data storage elements CAP may be coupled to second-side ends of the horizontal layers HL, respectively.

The horizontal conductive lines DWL may be stacked over the lower structure LS in the first direction D1, and the horizontal conductive lines DWL may be spaced apart from the lower structure LS to extend in the third direction D3, which is parallel to the surface of the lower structure LS.

The second electrodes PN of the data storage elements CAP may be coupled to the common plate PL. The horizontal layers HL of the switching elements TR that are disposed horizontally in the third direction D3may share one horizontal conductive line DWL. The horizontal layers HL of the switching elements TR that are disposed horizontally in the third direction D3may be coupled to different vertical conductive lines BL. The switching elements TR stacked in the first direction D1may share one vertical conductive line BL. The switching elements TR disposed horizontally in the third direction D3may share one horizontal conductive line DWL.

The lower structure LS may include a semiconductor substrate or a peripheral circuit portion. The lower structure LS may be disposed at a lower level than the memory cell array MCA. This may be referred to as a COP (Cell-Over-Peripheral) structure. The peripheral circuit portion may include at least one control circuit for driving the memory cell array MCA. The at least one control circuit of the peripheral circuit portion may include an N-channel transistor, a P-channel transistor, a CMOS circuit, or a combination thereof. The at least one control circuit of the peripheral circuit portion may include an address decoder circuit, a read circuit, a write circuit, and the like. The at least one control circuit of the peripheral circuit portion may include a planar channel transistor, a recess channel transistor, a buried gate transistor, a fin channel transistor (FinFET), and the like.

For example, the peripheral circuit portion may include sub-word line drivers and a sense amplifier. The horizontal conductive lines DWL may be coupled to the sub-word line drivers. The vertical conductive line BL may be coupled to the sense amplifier.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, the peripheral circuit portion may be disposed at a higher level than the memory cell array MCA. This may be referred to as a POC (Peripheral-Over-Cell) structure.

The memory cell array MCA may include horizontal conductive lines DWL that are stacked in the first direction D1. Each of the horizontal conductive lines DWL may include a pair of a first horizontal conductive line WL1and a second horizontal conductive line WL2.

A first capping layer BC may be disposed between the vertical conductive line BL and the horizontal conductive line DWL, and a second capping layer CC may be disposed between the data storage element CAP and the horizontal conductive line DWL. The first capping layer BC may include an upper-level first capping layer BC1and a lower-level first capping layer BC2. The second capping layer CC may include an upper-level second capping layer CC1and a lower-level second capping layer CC2.

The upper-level first capping layer BC1may be disposed between the first side surface D21of the first horizontal conductive line WL1and the vertical conductive line BL. The upper-level second capping layer CC1may be disposed between the second side surface D22of the first horizontal conductive line WL1and the first electrode SN of the data storage element CAP. The lower-level first capping layer BC2may be disposed between the third side surface D23of the second horizontal conductive line WL2and the vertical conductive line BL. The lower-level second capping layer CC2may be disposed between the fourth side surface D24of the second horizontal conductive line WL2and the first electrode SN of the data storage element CAP.

The first and second capping layers BC and CC may include a dielectric material. The first and second capping layers BC and CC may include, for example, silicon oxide, silicon nitride, silicon carbon oxide, an air gap, or a combination thereof. The upper-level first capping layer BC1and the lower-level first capping layer BC2may be formed of the same material. The upper-level second capping layer CC1and the lower-level second capping layer CC2may be formed of the same material. The upper-level first capping layer BC1and the lower-level first capping layer BC2may include, for example, silicon oxide, and the upper-level second capping layer CC1and the lower-level second capping layer CC2may include a stack of silicon oxide and silicon nitride. The horizontal length of the upper-level first capping layer BC1in the second direction D2may be greater than the horizontal length of the lower-level first capping layer BC2. The horizontal length of the upper-level second capping layer CC1in the second direction D2may be smaller than the horizontal length of the lower-level second capping layer CC2.

The first liner layer GD1may cover the first horizontal conductive line WL1and the upper-level first capping layer BC1. The second liner layer GD2may cover the second horizontal conductive line WL2and the lower-level first capping layer BC2. First-side surfaces of the upper-level first capping layer BC1and the lower-level first capping layer BC2may contact or directly contact the first and second horizontal conductive lines WL1and WL2. Second-side surfaces of the upper-level first capping layer BC1and the lower-level first capping layer BC2may contact or directly contact the vertical conductive line BL while being non-covered by the first and second liner layers GD1and GD2. The first and second liner layers GD1and GD2may be disposed between the first and second horizontal conductive lines WL1and WL2and the second capping layer CC. The first and second liner layers GD1and GD2may have a horizontally oriented cup shape.

As described above, each of the horizontal conductive lines DWL of the memory cell array MCA may include first and second horizontal conductive lines WL1and WL2of an asymmetrical structure.

FIGS.5to15are cross-sectional views illustrating a method for fabricating a semiconductor device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring toFIG.5, a stack body SB may be formed over a lower structure11. In the stack body SB, a plurality of sub-stacks may be alternately stacked. In each sub-stack, a first sacrificial layer13A, a semiconductor layer14A, and a second sacrificial layer15A may be sequentially stacked between two dielectric layers12A. The dielectric layers12A may include, for example, silicon oxide, and the first and second sacrificial layers13A and15A may include, for example, a silicon nitride-based material. The semiconductor layer14A may include a semiconductor material or an oxide semiconductor material. The semiconductor layer14A may include, for example, monocrystalline silicon, polysilicon, or indium gallium zinc oxide (IGZO). As described in the above-described embodiments of the present invention, when memory cells are stacked, the stack body SB may be formed by stacking several sub-stacks.

The first sacrificial layers13A and the second sacrificial layers15A may have an etch selectivity with respect to the dielectric layers12A and the semiconductor layers14A. The first sacrificial layers13A and the second sacrificial layers15A may have different etch rates. The first sacrificial layers13A may include a material that may be etched faster than the second sacrificial layers15A. The first sacrificial layers13A may include a first sacrificial material, and the second sacrificial layers15A may include a second sacrificial material. The first sacrificial material may be a material having a faster etch rate than the second sacrificial material. For example, the first sacrificial material may include first silicon nitride, and the second sacrificial material may include second silicon nitride, but the composition ratios of the first silicon nitride and the second silicon nitride may be different from each other. The first sacrificial material may include first silicon nitride, and the second sacrificial material may include second silicon nitride, and the first silicon nitride and the second silicon nitride may have different nitrogen composition ratios. The first sacrificial material may include a first silicon nitride, the second sacrificial material may include a second silicon nitride, and the first silicon nitride and the second silicon nitride may have different composition ratios of oxygen. The first sacrificial material may include a first silicon nitride, the second sacrificial material may include a second silicon nitride, and the first silicon nitride and the second silicon nitride may have different composition ratios of silicon.

The stack body SB may include a first dielectric layer disposed below the semiconductor layer14A, a first sacrificial layer13A between the first dielectric layer and the semiconductor layer14A, a second dielectric layer disposed over the semiconductor layer14A, and a second sacrificial layer15A between the semiconductor layer14A and the second dielectric layer. The first and second dielectric layers may correspond to the dielectric layers12A.

Referring toFIG.6, a first opening16may be formed by etching a portion of the stack body SB. The first opening16may extend vertically from the surface of the lower structure11. Before the first opening16is formed, as illustrated inFIGS.1to4B, the stack body SB may be patterned on the basis of a memory cell unit.

Referring toFIG.7, lower recesses17and upper recesses18may be formed by selectively etching the first and second sacrificial layers13A and15A through the first opening16. A portion of the semiconductor layer14A may be asymmetrically exposed by the lower recesses17and the upper recesses18. The lower recesses17and the upper recesses18may be disposed between the dielectric layers12A and the semiconductor layers14A and may have an asymmetrical structure. The lower recesses17may be formed by etching the first sacrificial layers13A, and the upper recesses18may be formed by etching the second sacrificial layers15A.

The lower recesses17and the upper recesses18may extend horizontally in the second direction D2. The horizontal length R1of the lower recesses17may be greater than the horizontal length R2of the upper recesses18. The etching of the first and second sacrificial layers13A and15A may include wet etching. Since the wet etch rate of the first sacrificial layers13A is faster than that of the second sacrificial layers15A, the horizontal length R1of the lower recesses17may be greater than the horizontal length R2of the upper recesses18. For example, when the first and second sacrificial layers13A and15A are silicon nitride having different composition ratios, wet etching using phosphoric acid may be performed. With respect to phosphoric acid, the first sacrificial layers13A may be etched faster than the second sacrificial layers15A.

Referring toFIG.8, a liner material19, which is a thin dielectric material19, may be formed over the exposed portions of the semiconductor layers14A. The liner material19may include, for example, silicon oxide, silicon nitride, a metal oxide, a metal oxynitride, a metal silicate, a high-k material, a ferroelectric material, an anti-ferroelectric material, or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, the liner material19may include SiO2, Si3N4, HfO2, Al2O3, ZrO2, AlON, HfON, HfSiO, HfSiON, and the like. The liner material19may be referred to as a gate dielectric material.

According to this embodiment of the present invention, the liner material19may be formed by a deposition process or an oxidation process.

Subsequently, a conductive material20filling the lower recesses17and the upper recesses18may be formed over the liner material19. The conductive material20may include a high work function material. The conductive material20may include a metal-based material. In some embodiments, the conductive material20may include titanium nitride, tungsten, or a combination thereof.

Referring toFIG.9, horizontal conductive lines DWL of an asymmetrical double structure may be formed. Each of the horizontal conductive lines DWL may include an upper horizontal conductive line20A and a lower horizontal conductive line20B that partially fill the lower recesses17and the upper recesses18, respectively. The upper horizontal conductive line20A may fill the upper recess18, and the lower horizontal conductive line20B may fill the lower recess17. The upper horizontal conductive line20A may correspond to the first horizontal conductive line WL1of the above-described embodiments, and the lower horizontal conductive line20B may correspond to the second horizontal conductive line WL2of the above-described embodiments.

In order to form the upper horizontal conductive line20A and the lower horizontal conductive line20B, the conductive material20may be selectively etched. For example, wet etching may be performed on the conductive material20. The horizontal conductive line DWL may be referred to as a gate line or a word line.

The upper horizontal conductive line20A and the lower horizontal conductive line20B may face each other with the semiconductor layer14A interposed therebetween.

As described above, the horizontal conductive line DWL may have an asymmetric double structure of the upper horizontal conductive line20A and the lower horizontal conductive line20B.

The horizontal conductive line DWL may include first to fourth side surfaces D11to D14. The first side surface D11and the second side surface D12of the horizontal conductive line DWL may be disposed at a higher level than the semiconductor layer14A, and the third side surface D13and the fourth side surface D14of the horizontal conductive line DWL may be disposed at a lower level than the semiconductor layer14A. The first side surface D11and the second side surface D12of the horizontal conductive line DWL may face each other in the second direction D2. The third side surface D13and the fourth side surface D14of the horizontal conductive line DWL may face each other in the second direction D2. The first side surface D11and the second side surface D12of the horizontal conductive line DWL may be provided by the upper horizontal conductive line20A, and the third side surface D13and the fourth side surface D14of the horizontal conductive line DWL may be provided by the lower horizontal conductive line20B.

The upper horizontal conductive line20A may include the first side surface D11and the second side surface D12. The lower horizontal conductive line20B may include the third side surface D13and the fourth side surface D14. The upper horizontal conductive line20A and the lower horizontal conductive line20B may face each other in the first direction D1, and the upper horizontal conductive line20A and the lower horizontal conductive line20B may have an asymmetric structure with the semiconductor layer14A interposed therebetween.

The upper horizontal conductive line20A and the lower horizontal conductive line20B may have the same horizontal length in the second direction D2. The upper horizontal conductive line20A and the lower horizontal conductive line20B may have the same vertical height in the first direction D1. The upper horizontal conductive line20A may include a first overlap region L1and a second overlap region L2overlapping with the semiconductor layer14A. The lower horizontal conductive line20B may include a first overlap region L1and a third overlap region L3overlapping with the semiconductor layer14A. In the first overlap region L1, the upper horizontal conductive line20A and the lower horizontal conductive line20B may overlap with the semiconductor layer14A in common. In the second overlap region L2, the upper horizontal conductive line20A and the semiconductor layer14A may overlap, and in the third overlap region L3, the lower horizontal conductive line20B and the semiconductor layer14A may overlap. In the second overlap region L2, the lower horizontal conductive line20B and the semiconductor layer14A may not overlap, and in the third overlap region L3, the upper horizontal conductive line20A and the semiconductor layer14A may not overlap.

The first liner layer19A may cover a portion of the upper horizontal conductive line20A, and the second liner layer19B may cover a portion of the lower horizontal conductive line20B.

The upper horizontal conductive line20A may correspond to the first horizontal conductive line WL1as illustrated inFIGS.4A to4C. The lower horizontal conductive line20B may correspond to the second horizontal conductive line WL2as illustrated inFIGS.4A to4C. According to another embodiment of the present invention, when the etch rate of the second sacrificial layers15B is faster than that of the first sacrificial layers13A, the first horizontal conductive line WL1and the second horizontal conductive line WL2as illustrated inFIGS.1to3Bmay be formed.

Referring toFIG.10, first capping layers21A and21B filling the remaining portions of the lower recesses17and the upper recesses18may be formed over the upper and lower horizontal conductive lines20A and20B. The first capping layers21A and21B may include a dielectric material. The first capping layers21A and21B may include, for example, silicon oxide, silicon nitride, or a combination thereof. The first capping layers21A and21B may include upper first capping layers21A and lower first capping layers21B. The upper first capping layers21A may contact or directly contact the upper horizontal conductive lines20A, and the lower first capping layers21B may contact or directly contact the lower horizontal conductive lines20B. The horizontal lengths of the upper first capping layers21A in the second direction D2may be smaller than the horizontal lengths of the lower first capping layers21B.

After the first capping layers21A and21B are formed, a portion of the liner material19may be etched to expose a first-side surface of the semiconductor layer14A. As a result of etching the liner material19, the first liner layer19A and the second liner layer19B may be formed. The first liner layer19A may cover the upper horizontal conductive line20A and the upper first capping layers21A. The second liner layer19B may cover the lower horizontal conductive line20B and the lower first capping layers21B. The horizontal lengths of the first liner layers19A may be smaller than the horizontal lengths of the second liner layers19B. The first liner layer19A and the second liner layer19B may be referred to as a first gate dielectric layer and a second gate dielectric layer, respectively. The first liner layer19A and the second liner layer19B may have a horizontally oriented cup shape.

Referring toFIG.11, a vertical conductive line22filling the first opening16may be formed.

The vertical conductive line22may be coupled to a first-side end of each of the semiconductor layers14A. The vertical conductive line22may, for example, include titanium nitride, tungsten, or a combination thereof.

Before the vertical conductive line22is formed, a first doped region SR may be formed in the first-side end of the semiconductor layer14A. The first doped region SR may be formed by an impurity doping process. The first doped region SR may be referred to as a first source/drain region. The first doped region SR may overlap with a portion of the upper horizontal conductive line20A. The first doped region SR may not overlap with the lower horizontal conductive line20B.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, after filling the first opening16with polysilicon containing an impurity, a subsequent heat treatment may be performed to diffuse the impurity from the polysilicon to the first-side end of the semiconductor layer14A. Accordingly, the first doped region SR may be formed in the first-side end of the semiconductor layer14A. After the subsequent heat treatment, the polysilicon may be removed.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, before the vertical conductive line22is formed, a first ohmic contact coupled to the first-side end of the semiconductor layer14A may be formed. The first ohmic contact may include a metal silicide. For example, a metal silicide may be formed by sequentially performing a metal layer deposition process and an annealing process, and the unreacted metal layer may be removed. The metal silicide may be formed by reacting silicon of the semiconductor layer14A with the metal layer.

Referring toFIG.12, a second opening23may be formed by etching another portion of the stack body SB. The second opening23may extend vertically from the surface of the lower structure11.

Subsequently, the first and second sacrificial layers13A and15A and the semiconductor layer14A may be selectively recessed through the second opening23. Accordingly, wide openings24may be formed between the dielectric layers12A. The semiconductor layer14A may remain as a horizontal layer14as denoted by a reference numeral ‘14’, and a second-side end of the horizontal layer14may be exposed by the wide opening24. Second capping layers13and15may be formed by the selective recess process of the first and second sacrificial layers13A and15A, respectively. The second capping layers13and15may include upper second capping layers15and lower second capping layers13. The horizontal lengths of the upper second capping layers15in the second direction D2may be greater than the horizontal lengths of the lower second capping layers13. The horizontal lengths of the upper second capping layers15and the horizontal lengths of the lower first capping layers21B may be the same. The horizontal lengths of the upper first capping layers21A and the horizontal lengths of the lower second capping layers13may be the same.

Referring toFIG.13, a first electrode25contacting the second-side ends of the horizontal layers14may be formed. The first electrode25may be formed by depositing a conductive material and performing an etch-back process. The first electrode25may include, for example, titanium nitride. The first electrode25may have a horizontally oriented cylindrical shape.

Before forming the first electrode25, a second doped region DR may be formed in the second-side end of the horizontal layer14. The second doped region DR may be formed by an impurity doping process. The second doped region DR may be referred to as a second source/drain region. The second doped region DR may overlap with a portion of the lower horizontal conductive line20B. The second doped region DR may not overlap with the upper horizontal conductive line20A.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, after filling the second opening23and the wide openings24with polysilicon containing an impurity, a subsequent heat treatment may be performed to diffuse the impurity from the polysilicon to the second-side end of the horizontal layers14. Accordingly, the second doped region DR may be formed in the second-side end of the horizontal layers14. After the subsequent heat treatment, the polysilicon may be removed.

After the second doped region DR is formed, a channel CH may be defined in the horizontal layers14. The channel CH may be defined between the first doped region SR and the second doped region DR.

As described above, the first doped region SR, the channel CH, and the second doped region DR may be formed in each horizontal layer14.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, a second ohmic contact coupled to the second-side end of the horizontal layer14, i.e., the second doped region DR, may be formed. The second ohmic contact may include a metal silicide. For example, a metal silicide may be formed by sequentially performing metal layer deposition and annealing processes, and the unreacted metal layer may be removed. The metal silicide may be formed by reacting silicon of the horizontal layers14with the metal layer.

Referring toFIG.14, the dielectric layers12A may be partially recessed to form a partial recessed portion26. Accordingly, the inner and outer walls of the first electrodes25may be exposed. The remaining dielectric layers12may contact or directly contact the horizontal conductive line DWL. The remaining dielectric layers12may be referred to as cell separation layers.

Referring toFIG.15, a dielectric layer27and a second electrode28may be sequentially formed over the first electrodes25. The first electrode25, the dielectric layer27and the second electrode28may form a data storage element29.

According to the embodiment of the present invention, the problem of leakage current may be improved by forming a horizontal conductive line of an asymmetrical double structure, and power consumption may be reduced by securing refresh characteristics.

According to the embodiment of the present invention, which is relatively advantageous for increasing an electric field that is formed when the thickness of a horizontal layer is reduced for high integration, high integration may be achieved by realizing a high number of stacked layers.

According to the embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to achieve low power consumption and high integration of a 3D memory device.