PATENT DOCUMENT

Abstract:
Methods of forming nonvolatile memory devices according to embodiments of the invention include techniques to form highly integrated vertical stacks of nonvolatile memory cells. These vertical stacks of memory cells can utilize dummy memory cells to compensate for process artifacts that would otherwise yield relatively poor functioning memory cell strings when relatively large numbers of memory cells are stacked vertically on a semiconductor substrate using a plurality of vertical sub-strings electrically connected in series.

Full Description:
REFERENCE TO PRIORITY APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims priority from and is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/165,576, filed Jun. 21, 2011, which claims priority from and is related to Korean Patent Application Nos. 10-2010-0064050, filed Jul. 2, 2010, and 10-2010-0096071, filed Oct. 2, 2010, the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    The present disclosure herein relates to semiconductor devices and, more particularly, to three-dimensional nonvolatile memory devices. 
         [0003]    In order to satisfy a demand for excellent performance and low price, it is required to increase a degree of integration of a semiconductor device. In the case of a semiconductor memory device, since the integration degree is an important factor which determines a product price, higher integration degree is particularly required. In the case of a typical two dimensional or planar semiconductor memory device, the integration degree is mostly determined by an area occupied by a unit memory cell. Therefore, the typical memory device is greatly affected by a level of a technology for forming a micro pattern. 
         [0004]    Recently, a three-dimensional semiconductor memory device provided with three dimensionally arranged memory cells has been proposed. However, for mass production of the three-dimensional semiconductor memory device, it is required to develop fabricating technology so that manufacturing costs per bit may be lower than that of the two-dimensional semiconductor memory device with reliable production properties. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0005]    Methods of forming nonvolatile memory devices according to embodiments of the invention include techniques to form highly integrated vertical stacks of nonvolatile memory cells. These vertical stacks of memory cells can utilize dummy memory cells to compensate for process artifacts that would otherwise yield relatively poor functioning memory cell strings when relatively large numbers of memory cells are stacked vertically on a semiconductor substrate. According to some of these embodiments of the invention, a method of forming a nonvolatile memory device may include forming a first stack of layers on a substrate. This first stack of layers may include a first plurality of interlayer dielectric layers and a first plurality of sacrificial layers (or electrically conductive word line layers) arranged vertically in an alternating sequence. A step may be performed to selectively etch through the first stack of layers to define a first opening therein. A first active region of a first plurality of nonvolatile memory cells and at least one dummy memory cell is formed in the first opening. This first active region may be a semiconductor active region. Thereafter, a second stack of layers is formed on the first stack of layers. The second stack of layers includes a second plurality of interlayer dielectric layers and a second plurality of sacrificial layers (or electrically conductive word line layers) arranged vertically in an alternating sequence. A step is then performed to selectively etch through the second stack of layers to define a second opening therein, which is aligned with the first opening. A second active region of a second plurality of nonvolatile memory cells is formed in the second opening. This second active region is electrically coupled to the first active region to enable a plurality of vertical sub-strings of memory cells to become electrically connected together into a larger vertical string. 
         [0006]    According to some additional embodiments of the invention, the forming of the first active region may include lining a sidewall of the first opening with a first electrically conductive layer having a U-shaped (e.g., cup-shaped) cross-section. In addition, the step of forming a second active region may be followed by the steps of selectively etching through the second and first stack of layers in sequence to define a third opening therein and then removing the first and second pluralities of sacrificial layers through the third opening. Thereafter, the third opening may be filled with a dummy word line that is separated from the first active region by an information storage layer. In particular, the third opening may be filled with a first dummy word line, which extends opposite a portion of the first active region, and a second dummy word line, which extends opposite a portion of the second active region. 
         [0007]    According to still further embodiments of the invention, the step of forming a second stack of layers may be preceded by a step to fill the first opening with a first filling insulating layer that contacts the first electrically conductive layer. In addition, the step of forming a second active region may be preceded by a step of recessing an upper surface of the first filling insulating layer to expose a portion of the first electrically conductive layer. Then, the step of forming a second active region may include lining a sidewall of the second opening with a second electrically conductive layer (e.g., semiconductor layer) that contacts the exposed portion of the first electrically conductive layer. 
         [0008]    Methods of forming nonvolatile memory devices according to still further embodiments of the invention include forming a first stack of layers on a substrate. This first stack of layers includes a first plurality of interlayer dielectric layers and a first plurality of sacrificial or word line layers arranged vertically in an alternating sequence. A selective etching step is then performed to selectively etch through the first stack of layers to define a first opening therein. A first active region (of a first plurality of nonvolatile memory cells and at least one dummy memory cell) is formed in the first opening by lining a sidewall of the first opening with a first semiconductor layer (e.g., polysilicon layer) having a U-shaped cross-section. The first opening is filled with a first filling insulating layer (e.g., silicon dioxide layer) that contacts the first semiconductor layer. An upper surface of the first filling insulating layer is then recessed to expose an inner sidewall of the first semiconductor layer. This recess in the upper surface of the first filling insulating layer is then filled with a semiconductor active pattern. To provide a greater level of vertical integration, a second stack of layers is formed on the first stack of layers. The second stack of layers may include a second plurality of interlayer dielectric layers and a second plurality of sacrificial or word line layers arranged vertically in an alternating sequence. The second stack of layers is selectively etched to define a second opening therein that is aligned with the first opening. A second active region of a second plurality of nonvolatile memory cells is then formed in the second opening by lining a sidewall of the second opening with a second semiconductor layer that contacts the semiconductor active pattern in the recess. The second and first stack of layers may then be selectively etched in sequence to define a third opening therein that exposes the sacrificial layers. The first and second pluralities of sacrificial layers may then be replaced with memory cell word lines. These word lines may include at least one dummy word line of a dummy memory cell extending opposite a portion of the first semiconductor layer. 
         [0009]    Additional embodiments of the invention include nonvolatile memory devices containing a vertically integrated plurality of nonvolatile memory cells. According to some of these embodiments, a nonvolatile memory device includes a first stack of layers on a substrate. The first stack of layers includes first plurality of interlayer dielectric layers and a first plurality of word lines arranged vertically in an alternating sequence. This first plurality of word lines includes at least a first dummy word line of a first dummy memory cell. A first vertical opening is also provided, which extends through the first stack of layers. A first semiconductor active layer is provided, which lines a sidewall of the first opening and extends opposite the first dummy word line. A second stack of layers is provided on the first stack of layers. The second stack of layers includes a second plurality of interlayer dielectric layers and a second plurality of word lines arranged vertically in an alternating sequence. A second opening is provided, which extends through the second stack of layers. This second opening is aligned with the first opening. A second semiconductor active layer is provided, which lines a sidewall of the second opening. This second semiconductor active layer is electrically coupled to the first semiconductor active layer, to thereby enable multiple sub-strings of nonvolatile memory cells to be vertically integrated into a longer string of memory cells. 
         [0010]    According to additional embodiments of the invention, the second plurality of word lines may also include a second dummy word line of a second dummy memory cell, which extends opposite the second semiconductor active layer. The first and second dummy word lines may be contiguous with each other to thereby define a dummy memory cell adjacent an interface between the first and second stacks of layers. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0011]    The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the inventive concept, and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate exemplary embodiments of the inventive concept and, together with the description, serve to explain principles of the inventive concept. In the drawings: 
           [0012]      FIG. 1  is a planar diagram illustrating a three-dimensional nonvolatile memory device according to a first embodiment of the inventive concept; 
           [0013]      FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional view of the three-dimensional nonvolatile memory device illustrated in  FIG. 1  along a line I-I′; 
           [0014]      FIG. 3  is a circuit diagram illustrating the three-dimensional nonvolatile memory device according to the first embodiment of the inventive concept; 
           [0015]      FIGS. 4 to 14  are cross-sectional views corresponding to the line I-I′ of  FIG. 1  for explaining a method for forming the three-dimensional nonvolatile memory device according to the first embodiment of the inventive concept; 
           [0016]      FIGS. 15 and 16  are cross-sectional views corresponding to the line I-I′ of  FIG. 1  for describing another method for forming the three-dimensional nonvolatile memory device according to the first embodiment of the inventive concept; 
           [0017]      FIG. 17  is a cross-sectional view of a three-dimensional nonvolatile memory device according to a second embodiment of the inventive concept corresponding to the line I-I′ of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0018]      FIG. 18  is a cross-sectional view of a three-dimensional nonvolatile memory device according to a third embodiment of the inventive concept corresponding to the line I-I′ of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0019]      FIG. 19  is a cross-sectional view of a three-dimensional nonvolatile memory device according to a fourth embodiment of the inventive concept corresponding to the line I-I′ of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0020]      FIGS. 20 to 22  are cross-sectional views corresponding to the line I-I′ of  FIG. 1  for explaining a method for forming the three-dimensional nonvolatile memory device according to the fourth embodiment of the inventive concept; 
           [0021]      FIG. 23  is a cross-sectional view of a three-dimensional nonvolatile memory device according to a fifth embodiment of the inventive concept corresponding to the line I-I′ of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0022]      FIG. 24  is a cross-sectional view of a three-dimensional nonvolatile memory device according to a sixth embodiment of the inventive concept corresponding to the line I-I′ of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0023]      FIG. 25  is a cross-sectional view of a three-dimensional nonvolatile memory device according to a seventh embodiment of the inventive concept corresponding to the line I-I′ of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0024]      FIG. 26  is a cross-sectional view corresponding to the line I-I′ of  FIG. 1  for explaining a method for forming the three-dimensional nonvolatile memory device according to the seventh embodiment of the inventive concept; 
           [0025]      FIG. 27  is a planar diagram illustrating a three-dimensional nonvolatile memory device according to an eighth embodiment of the inventive concept; 
           [0026]      FIG. 28  is a cross-sectional view along the line I-I′ of  FIG. 27 ; 
           [0027]      FIG. 29  is a magnified diagram of a part B adjacent to a second dummy conduction pattern described with reference to  FIG. 28 ; 
           [0028]      FIG. 30  is another magnified diagram of the part B adjacent to the second dummy conduction pattern described with reference to  FIG. 28 ; 
           [0029]      FIG. 31  is a circuit diagram illustrating the three-dimensional nonvolatile memory device according to the eighth embodiment of the inventive concept; 
           [0030]      FIGS. 32 to 34  are cross-sectional views corresponding to the line I-I′ of  FIG. 27  for explaining a method for forming the three-dimensional nonvolatile memory device according to the eighth embodiment of the inventive concept; 
           [0031]      FIG. 35  is a cross-sectional view corresponding to the line I-I′ of  FIG. 27  for describing another method for forming the three-dimensional nonvolatile memory device according to the eighth embodiment of the inventive concept; 
           [0032]      FIG. 36  is a cross-sectional view of a three-dimensional nonvolatile memory device according to a ninth embodiment of the inventive concept corresponding to the line I-I′ of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0033]      FIGS. 37 to 39  are cross-sectional views corresponding to the line I-I′ of  FIG. 1  for explaining a method for forming the three-dimensional nonvolatile memory device according to the ninth embodiment of the inventive concept; 
           [0034]      FIG. 40  is a planar diagram illustrating a three-dimensional nonvolatile memory device according to a tenth embodiment of the inventive concept; 
           [0035]      FIG. 41  is a cross-sectional view along the line I-I′ of  FIG. 40 ; 
           [0036]      FIGS. 42 to 44  are cross-sectional views corresponding to the line I-I′ of  FIG. 40  for explaining a method for forming the three-dimensional nonvolatile memory device according to the tenth embodiment of the inventive concept; 
           [0037]      FIG. 45  is a planar diagram illustrating a three-dimensional nonvolatile memory device according to an eleventh embodiment of the inventive concept; 
           [0038]      FIG. 46  is a cross-sectional view along the line I-I′ of  FIG. 45 ; 
           [0039]      FIG. 47  is a circuit diagram illustrating the three-dimensional nonvolatile memory device according to the eleventh embodiment of the inventive concept; 
           [0040]      FIG. 48  is a cross-sectional view corresponding to the line I-I′ of  FIG. 45  for explaining a method for forming the three-dimensional nonvolatile memory device according to the eleventh embodiment of the inventive concept; 
           [0041]      FIG. 49  is a cross-sectional view of a three-dimensional nonvolatile memory device according to a twelfth embodiment of the inventive concept corresponding to the line I-I′ of  FIG. 45 ; 
           [0042]      FIG. 50  is a cross-sectional view corresponding to the line I-I′ of  FIG. 45  for explaining a method for forming the three-dimensional nonvolatile memory device according to the twelfth embodiment of the inventive concept; 
           [0043]      FIG. 51  is a cross-sectional view of a three-dimensional nonvolatile memory device according to a thirteenth embodiment of the inventive concept corresponding to the line I-I′ of  FIG. 45 ; 
           [0044]      FIG. 52  is a cross-sectional view corresponding to the line I-I′ of  FIG. 45  for explaining a method for forming the three-dimensional nonvolatile memory device according to the thirteenth embodiment of the inventive concept; 
           [0045]      FIG. 53  is a planar diagram illustrating a three-dimensional nonvolatile memory device according to a fourteenth embodiment of the inventive concept; 
           [0046]      FIG. 54  is a cross-sectional view of the three-dimensional nonvolatile memory device illustrated in  FIG. 53  along a line I-I′; 
           [0047]      FIG. 55  is a circuit diagram illustrating the three-dimensional nonvolatile memory device according to the fourteenth embodiment of the inventive concept; 
           [0048]      FIGS. 56 to 58  are cross-sectional views corresponding to the line I-I′ of  FIG. 53  for explaining a method for forming the three-dimensional nonvolatile memory device according to the fourteenth embodiment of the inventive concept; 
           [0049]      FIG. 59  is a planar diagram illustrating a three-dimensional nonvolatile memory device according to a fifteenth embodiment of the inventive concept; 
           [0050]      FIG. 60  is a cross-sectional view along the line I-I′ of  FIG. 59 ; 
           [0051]      FIG. 61  is a circuit diagram illustrating the three-dimensional nonvolatile memory device according to the fifteenth embodiment of the inventive concept; 
           [0052]      FIGS. 62 to 64  are cross-sectional views corresponding to the line I-I′ of  FIG. 59  for explaining a method for forming the three-dimensional nonvolatile memory device according to the fifteenth embodiment of the inventive concept; 
           [0053]      FIG. 65  is a cross-sectional view of a three-dimensional nonvolatile memory device according to a sixteenth embodiment of the inventive concept corresponding to the line I-I′ of  FIG. 53 ; 
           [0054]      FIGS. 66 to 68  are cross-sectional views corresponding to the line I-I′ of  FIG. 53  for explaining a method for forming the three-dimensional nonvolatile memory device according to the sixteenth embodiment of the inventive concept; 
           [0055]      FIG. 69  is a planar diagram illustrating a three-dimensional nonvolatile memory device according to a seventeenth embodiment of the inventive concept; 
           [0056]      FIG. 70  is a cross-sectional view along the line I-I′ of  FIG. 69 ; 
           [0057]      FIGS. 71 to 73  are cross-sectional views corresponding to the line I-I′ of  FIG. 69  for explaining a method for forming the three-dimensional nonvolatile memory device according to the seventeenth embodiment of the inventive concept; 
           [0058]      FIG. 74  is a flow chart illustrating a first exemplary method for operating the three-dimensional nonvolatile memory device according to the above-described embodiments of the inventive concept; 
           [0059]      FIG. 75  is a flow chart illustrating a second exemplary method for operating the three-dimensional nonvolatile memory device according to the above-described embodiments of the inventive concept; 
           [0060]      FIG. 76  is a block diagram illustrating a flash memory device according to the inventive concept; 
           [0061]      FIG. 77  is a block diagram illustrating a memory system provided with the flash memory device according to the inventive concept; 
           [0062]      FIG. 78  is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary application of the memory system of  FIG. 77 ; and 
           [0063]      FIG. 79  is a block diagram illustrating an information processing system installed with a flash memory system according to the inventive concept. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
       [0064]    Exemplary embodiments of the inventive concept will be described below in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The inventive concept may, however, be embodied in different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the inventive concept to those skilled in the art. 
         [0065]    In the drawings, the dimensions of layers and regions are exaggerated for clarity of illustration. It will also be understood that when a layer (or film) is referred to as being ‘on’ another layer or substrate, it can be directly on the other layer or substrate, or intervening layers may also be present. Although the terms such as first, second, third and the like are used for describing various regions and layers (or films), these regions and layers should not be limited by such terms. These terms are used just for distinguishing certain regions and layers (or films) from others. The described and exemplified embodiments herein include their complementary embodiments. The term “and/or” is used for meaning inclusion of at least one of the associated listed items. Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout. 
         [0066]    Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the inventive concept will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
       Embodiment 1 
       [0067]      FIG. 1  is a planar diagram illustrating a three-dimensional nonvolatile memory device according to a first embodiment of the inventive concept.  FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional view of the three-dimensional nonvolatile memory device illustrated in  FIG. 1  along a line I-I′. Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , a substrate  100  is prepared. The substrate  100  may be a semiconductor substrate formed by cutting a semiconductor ingot, or an epitaxial semiconductor layer formed on a semiconductor substrate. Although not illustrated, a well may be formed on the substrate  100 . Common source lines CSL are provided to the substrate  100 . The common source lines CSL may be a region doped with N-type impurities at the substrate  100 , for example. The common source lines CSL may be overlapped with an electrode separation pattern  175  and distanced in a first direction. The common source lines CSL may be provided as a plurality of parallel lines extend in a second direction crossing the first direction. Lower interlayer dielectrics  111  to  114  and lower conduction patterns LSL, WL 0  and WL 1  are alternately stacked on the substrate  100 . The lower interlayer dielectrics  111  to  114  may be formed of, e.g., a silicon oxide layer. The lower conduction patterns LSL, WL 0  and WL 1  may be formed with at least one of doped silicon, tungsten, metal nitride layer and metal silicide. The lower interlayer dielectrics may upward include first to fourth lower interlayer dielectrics  111  to  114 . The undermost lower interlayer dielectric, e.g., the first lower interlayer dielectric  111 , may be thinner than the other lower interlayer dielectrics. 
         [0068]    Lower active pillars  136  penetrate the lower interlayer dielectrics  111  to  114  and the lower conduction patterns LSL, WL 0  and WL 1 , and contact the substrate  100 . Upper interlayer dielectrics  151  to  154  and upper conduction patterns WL 2 , WL 3  and USL are alternately stacked on the uppermost lower interlayer dielectric  114 . The upper interlayer dielectrics  151  to  154  may be formed with a silicon oxide layer. The upper conduction patterns WL 2 , WL 3  and USL may be formed with at least one of doped silicon, tungsten, metal nitride layer and metal silicide. Upper active pillars  164  penetrate the upper interlayer dielectrics  151  to  154  and the upper conduction patterns WL 2 , WL 3  and USL, and contact the lower active pillars  136 . The active pillars  136  and  164  may be arranged in a matrix form in the first and second directions, and extended in a third direction crossing the first and second directions. 
         [0069]    There is an information storage layer  171  between the active pillars  136  and  164  and the conductions patterns LSL, WL 0  to WL 3  and USL. The information storage layer  171  may be extended between the conduction patterns LSL, WL 0  to WL 3  and USL and the interlayer dielectrics  111  to  114  and  151  to  154 . The information storage layer  171  may include a tunnel insulating layer, a charge storage layer and a blocking insulating layer. The tunnel insulating layer is provided adjacently to the active pillars  136  and  164 , and the blocking insulating layer is provided adjacently to the conduction patterns LSL, WL 0  to WL 3  and USL. The charge storage layer is provided between the tunnel insulating layer and the blocking insulating layer. The tunnel insulating layer may include, e.g., a silicon oxide layer. The blocking insulating layer may include a high dielectric layer, e.g., an aluminum oxide layer or a hafnium oxide layer. The blocking insulating layer may be a multi-stacked layer including a plurality of thin layers. For instance, the blocking insulating layer may include an aluminum oxide layer and a silicon oxide layer, and a stacking sequence of the aluminum oxide layer and the silicon oxide layer may be various. The charge storage layer may be an insulating layer including a charge trap layer or a conductive nano-particle. The charge trap layer may include, e.g., a silicon nitride layer. 
         [0070]    The undermost lower conduction pattern LSL may be a lower selection line of a NAND flash memory device. The uppermost upper conduction patterns USL may be provided as plural numbers, and they may be upper selection lines of the NAND flash memory device extended in the second direction. The conduction patterns between the selection lines, i.e., WL 0  to WL 3 , may be first to fourth word lines of the NAND flash memory device. The upper selection lines USL neighboring each other may be separated from each other by the electrode separation pattern  175  extended in the second direction. The electrode separation pattern  175  may contact the substrate  100  penetrating the conduction patterns and the interlayer dielectrics. 
         [0071]    In the embodiment, sides of the active pillars  136  and  164  may have a slope. The active pillars  136  and  164  may have a shape of a cup. A width of an upper part of the lower active pillars  136  is larger than that of a lower part of the upper active pillars  164 . The inside of the lower active pillars  136  may be filled with a lower filling insulating layer  138 , and the inside of the upper active pillars  164  may be filled with an upper filling insulating layer  166 . An upper surface of the lower filling insulating layer  138  may be lower than that of the lower active pillars  136 . The upper surface of the lower filling insulating layer  138  and a lower surface of the upper active pillars  164  are coplanar. The lower surface of the upper active pillars  164  may be lower than the upper surface of the lower active pillars  136 . An inner side of the upper part of the lower active pillars  136  may contact an outer side of the lower part of the upper active pillars  164  (refer to part A). The lower active pillars  136  may be electrically connected to the upper active pillars  164 . 
         [0072]    An upper surface of the upper filling insulating layer  166  may be lower than that of the upper active pillars  164 . An upper active pattern  177  may be provided on the upper filling insulating layer  166  and contact an inner side of an upper part of the upper active pillars  164 . The upper active pattern  177  may include, e.g., a semiconductor layer. The upper active pattern  177  and the upper part of the upper active pillars  164  may be doped with impurities and form a drain region  179 . On the uppermost upper interlayer dielectric  154 , a plurality of bit lines BL 0  to BL 2  is provided crossing the upper selection lines USL and being extended in the first direction. The bit lines BL 0  to BL 2  are connected to the drain region  179 . 
         [0073]    The active pillars  136  and  164  may include an intrinsic semiconductor layer not doped with impurities. If a voltage is applied to one of the conduction patterns LSL, WL 0  to WL 3  and USL, an inversion region is formed due to a fringe field at a certain region of the active pillar adjacent to the conduction pattern. This inversion region may form a source/drain region of a memory cell transistor. 
         [0074]    At the contact region of the lower active pillars  136  and the upper active pillars  164 , outer sides of the lower active pillars  136  and the upper active pillars  164  have a stepped profile. Therefore, characteristics of channels formed at the lower part of the upper active pillars  164  and the upper part of the lower active pillars  136  may be different from one another. For uniformity and stabilization of characteristics of program, read and erasing, a dummy conduction pattern DWL is provided neighboring the contact region of the lower active pillars  136  and the upper active pillars  164  so as to cover the stepped profile. The dummy conduction pattern DWL may be a dummy word line. The information storage layer  171  may be extended between the dummy conduction pattern DWL and the active pillars  136  and  164 . 
         [0075]    Preferably, the upper surface of the lower active pillars  136  may have the same height as or be lower than that of the dummy conduction pattern DWL. Preferably, the lower surface of the upper active pillars  164  may have the same height as or be higher than that of the lower interlayer dielectric  114  immediately under the dummy conduction pattern DWL. More preferably, the lower surface of the upper active pillars  164  may have the same height as or be higher than that of the dummy conduction pattern DWL. The dummy conduction pattern DWL may cover both of the lower active pillars  136  and the upper active pillars  164 . The dummy conduction pattern DWL may include a protrusion portion which is protruded from a first surface facing the outer surface of the upper part of the lower active pillars  136  toward the outer surface of the lower part of the upper active pillars  164  and thinner than the dummy conduction pattern. Since the dummy conduction pattern DWL covers the lower active pillars  136  and the upper active pillars  164 , the problem of channel non-uniformity may be reduced. 
         [0076]      FIG. 3  is a circuit diagram illustrating the three-dimensional nonvolatile memory device according to the first embodiment of the inventive concept described referring to  FIGS. 1 and 1   
         [0077]    Referring to  FIGS. 1 to 3 , the three-dimensional nonvolatile memory device may include the common source line CSL, the plurality of bit lines BL 0  to BL 2 , and a plurality of cell strings CSTR arranged between the common source line CSL and the bit lines BL 0  to BL 2 . The cell strings CSTR are connected to each of the bit lines BL 0  to BL 2  in parallel. 
         [0078]    Each of the cell strings CSTR may include a lower selection transistor LST connected to the common source line CSL, an upper selection transistor UST connected to the bit lines BL 0  to BL 2 , and a plurality of memory cell transistors MCT between the selection transistors LST and UST. Each of the cell strings CSTR may further include at least one dummy cell transistor DCT provided between the memory cell transistors MCT. The memory cell transistors MCT may include lower memory cell transistors under the dummy cell transistor DCT and upper memory cell transistors above the dummy cell transistor DCT. The lower selection transistor LST, the upper selection transistor UST, the memory cell transistors MCT and the dummy cell transistor DCT may be connected in series. The lower selection line LSL, the word lines WL 0  to WL 3 , the dummy word line DWL and the upper selection lines USL may be respectively used as gate electrodes of the lower selection transistor LST, the memory cell transistors MCT, the dummy cell transistor DCT and the upper selection transistors UST. 
         [0079]    Since outer sides of the lower active pillars  136  and the upper active pillars  164  have the stepped profile at the region where the lower active pillars  136  and the upper active pillars  164  contact to each other, the channels formed at the lower active pillars  136  and the upper active pillars  164  may be non-uniformed. The dummy cell transistor DCT is provided to the region where the stepped profile is formed. The dummy cell transistor DCT does not store data. The memory cell transistors MCT are not provided to the region where the stepped profile is formed. Therefore, the memory cell transistors MCT may have more uniform electrical characteristics. 
         [0080]    A method for operating the three-dimensional nonvolatile memory device according to the embodiment of the inventive concept will be described. Voltages applied to lines connected to one cell string CSTR in the circuit illustrated in  FIG. 3  may be, e.g., expressed as Table, 1. 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
                 TABLE 1 
               
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 Erase 
                 program 
                 read 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 selected WL 
                 ground voltage 
                 program voltage 
                 read voltage (Vrd) 
               
               
                   
                 (Vss) 
                 (Vpgm) 
                 (e.g., 0 V) 
               
               
                   
                   
                 (e.g., 15~20 V) 
               
               
                 non-selected 
                 ground voltage 
                 pass voltage (Vpass) 
                 non-selection read 
               
               
                 WL 
                 (Vss) 
                 (e.g., 10 V) 
                 voltage (Vread) 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 (e.g., 4.5 V) 
               
               
                 DWL 
                 intermediate 
                 intermediate voltage 
                 intermediate voltage 
               
               
                   
                 voltage (VDWL) 
                 (VDWL) (e.g., 
                 (VDWL) (e.g., 
               
               
                   
                 (e.g., 
                 Vss &lt; VDWL &lt; Vpgm) 
                 Vss &lt; VDWL ≦ Vread) 
               
               
                   
                 Vss &lt; VDWL &lt; Vers) 
               
               
                 USL 
                 Floating 
                 power supply 
                 turn-on voltage 
               
               
                   
                   
                 voltage (Vcc) 
                 (e.g., 4.5 V) 
               
               
                 LSL 
                 Floating 
                 ground voltage (Vss) 
                 turn-on voltage 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 (e.g., 4.5 V) 
               
               
                 CSL 
                 floating 
                 ground voltage (Vss) 
                 ground voltage 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 (Vss) 
               
               
                 selected BL 
                 floating 
                 ground voltage (Vss) 
                 power supply 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 voltage (Vcc) 
               
               
                 non-selected BL 
                 floating 
                 power supply 
                 low voltage 
               
               
                   
                   
                 voltage (Vcc) 
                 (e.g., &lt;0.8 V) 
               
               
                 substrate 
                 erasing voltage 
                 ground voltage (Vss) 
                 ground voltage 
               
               
                   
                 (Vers) (e.g., 21 V) 
                   
                 (Vss) 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0081]    Threshold voltages of the memory cell transistors MCT and the dummy cell transistor DCT may be, e.g., expressed as Table. 2. 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
                 TABLE 2 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
                 MCT in “ON” state 
                 −1 V~−3 V 
               
               
                   
                 MCT in “OFF” state 
                 1 V~3 V 
               
               
                   
                 DCT 
                 &gt;0 V 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0082]    Referring to Tables. 1 and 2, the dummy cell transistor DCT does not store data. Since the dummy cell transistor DCT is formed at the region where the stepped profile is formed, electric filed is concentrated on the information storage layer of the dummy cell transistor DCT. Therefore, speed of programming/erasing may be abnormally faster than the memory cell transistors MCT. Further, at a programming operation of the memory cell transistor MCT adjacent to the dummy cell transistor DCT, the dummy cell transistor DCT is under erasing stress so that charges of the information storage layer of the dummy cell transistor DCT are leaked outward and the threshold voltage may become excessively low. If the threshold voltage of the dummy cell transistor DCT becomes low, charge loss of the memory cell transistor MCT adjacent to the dummy cell transistor DCT may be generated due to a coupling effect. 
         [0083]    For solving this problem, the dummy cell transistor DCT is required to be programmed to have the threshold voltage greater than about 0 V as shown in Table. 2. The threshold voltage of the dummy cell transistor DCT may be between the threshold voltage of the memory cell transistor MCT at the on state and that at the off state. The programming of the dummy cell transistor DCT is performed for adjusting the threshold voltage not for storing data. The programming for the dummy cell transistor DCT to have the threshold voltage greater than about 0 V may be performed, preferably, before programming the memory cell transistor MCT the most adjacent to the dummy cell transistor DCT. In another method, before programming some memory cell transistor MCT of the cell string CSTR which includes the dummy cell transistor DCT, the dummy cell transistor DCT may be initially programmed to have the threshold voltage greater than about 0 V. In still another method, just after programming the dummy cell transistor DCT to have the threshold voltage greater than about 0 V, the memory cell transistor MCT the most adjacent to the dummy cell transistor DCT may be programmed. In the case that a process for programming the memory cell transistor MCT the most adjacent to the dummy cell transistor DCT is progressed through a plurality of sub programs, before performing a final sub program among the sub programs, the dummy cell transistor DCT may be programmed to have the threshold voltage greater than about 0 V. 
         [0084]    The read voltage applied to the dummy cell transistor DCT may be equal to or smaller than that applied to the memory cell transistor MCT. 
         [0085]    When one of the memory cell transistors MCT is programmed, the dummy cell transistor DCT may be turned-off. By cutting off current by the dummy cell transistor DCT, a boosting effect may be increased. A selected memory cell transistor MCT may be more easily programmed. Since the current may be cut off by the dummy cell transistor DCT, when one of the memory cell transistors MCT above or under the dummy cell transistor DCT is programmed, efficiency of preventing the memory cell transistor MCT under or above the dummy cell transistor DCT from being programmed may be improved. 
         [0086]    An exemplary method for forming the three-dimensional nonvolatile memory device according to the embodiment of the inventive concept will be described.  FIGS. 4 to 14  are cross-sectional views corresponding the line I-I′ of  FIG. 1 . 
         [0087]    Referring to  FIG. 4 , a lower layer  130  is formed on the substrate  100 . The lower layer  130  is formed by alternately stacking lower interlayer dielectrics and lower sacrifice layers. The lower interlayer dielectrics may include first to fourth lower interlayer dielectrics  111  to  114  upward. The lower sacrifice layers may include first to fourth lower sacrifice layers  121  to  124  upward. The lower interlayer dielectrics  111  to  114  may be formed with, e.g., a silicon oxide layer. The lower sacrifice layers  121  to  124  may be formed with material which has an etching selectivity with respect to the lower interlayer dielectrics  111  to  114 . For instance, the lower sacrifice layers  121  to  124  may be formed with a silicon nitride layer. The first lower interlayer dielectric  111  may be thinner than the other interlayer dielectrics and formed undermost to contact the substrate  100 . The fourth lower sacrifice layer  124  may be formed uppermost. 
         [0088]    Referring to  FIG. 5 , a lower active hole  132  which exposes the substrate  100  is formed by sequentially etching the lower interlayer dielectrics  111  to  114  and the lower sacrifice layers  121  to  124 . The etching process may be performed as a dry etching, and the side of the lower active hole  132  may have a slope due to a by-product generated during the dry etching. An upper width W 1  of the lower active hole  132  may be wider than a lower width W 2  of the lower active hole  132 . 
         [0089]    Referring to  FIG. 6 , a semiconductor layer is formed and covers the bottom and side of the lower active hole  132 . The semiconductor layer may be, e.g., a polysilicon layer not doped with impurities. The semiconductor layer may be formed with a thickness not filling the lower active hole  132 . The lower filling insulating layer  138  may be formed and fill the inner space of the lower active hole  132 . The lower insulating layer  138  may be a silicon oxide layer. By performing a planarization process to the lower filling insulating layer  138  and the semiconductor layer, the lower filling insulating layer  138  on the fourth lower sacrifice layer  124  and the semiconductor layer are removed, and at the same time the fourth lower sacrifice layer  124  is exposed. In the lower active hole  132 , the lower active pillars  136  may be formed. 
         [0090]    Referring to  FIG. 7 , an upper layer  160  is formed on the lower layer  130 . The upper layer  160  is formed by alternately stacking upper interlayer dielectrics and upper sacrifice layers. The upper interlayer dielectrics may include first to fourth upper interlayer dielectrics  151  to  154  upward. The upper sacrifice layers may include first to fourth upper sacrifice layers  141  to  144 . The upper interlayer dielectrics  151  to  154  may be formed with, e.g., a silicon oxide layer. The upper sacrifice layers  141  to  144  may be formed with material which has an etching selectivity with respect to the upper interlayer dielectrics  151  to  154 . For instance, the upper sacrifice layers  141  to  144  may be formed with a silicon nitride layer. The first upper interlayer dielectric  141  may be formed undermost to contact the fourth lower sacrifice layer  124  and the fourth upper sacrifice layer  144  may be formed uppermost. 
         [0091]    Referring to  FIG. 8 , by etching the upper sacrifice layers  141  to  144  and the upper interlayer dielectrics  151  to  154 , an upper active hole  162  which exposes the lower filling insulating layer  138  is formed. An upper width W 3  of the upper active hole  162  may be wider than its lower width W 4 . The lower width W 4  of the upper active hole  162  may be equal to or wider than an upper width of the lower filling insulating layer  138  and narrower than the upper width W 1  of the lower active hole  132 . 
         [0092]    Referring to  FIG. 9 , an upper portion of the lower filling insulating layer  138  exposed by the upper active hole  162  is recessed. An upper surface of the lower filling insulating layer  138  becomes lower than that of the lower active pillars  136  as much as a first height H 1 , the inner side of the upper portion of the lower active pillars  136  is exposed. By the recess process, a by-product of etch on the lower filling insulating layer  138 , which is possibly generated during the process of forming the upper active hole  162  of  FIG. 8 , may be eliminated and natural oxide layer possibly formed on the exposed surface of the lower active pillars  136  can be removed. 
         [0093]    Referring to  FIG. 10 , the upper active pillars  164  which cover the bottom and inner side of the upper active hole  162  are formed. The upper filling insulating layer  166  which fills the inner space of the upper active pillars  164  may be formed. The process of forming the upper active pillars  164  and the upper filling insulating layer  166  may be similar to that of forming the lower active pillars  136  and the lower filling insulating layer  138 . The upper active pillars  164  are formed so as to contact the inner side of the exposed upper part of the lower active pillars  136 . 
         [0094]    Referring to  FIG. 11 , between the active pillars  136  and  164  neighboring each other in the first direction, a first electrode separation opening  168  which exposes the substrate  100  is formed by sequentially etching the upper layer  160  and the lower layer  130 . The first electrode separation opening  168  may be extended in the second direction. 
         [0095]    Referring to  FIG. 12 , the sacrifice layers  121  to  124  and  141  to  144  exposed through the first electrode separation opening  168  are selectively removed. In the case that the sacrifice layers include the silicon nitride layer, the removing process may be performed using an etch solution which includes phosphoric acid. Upper surfaces and lower surfaces of the interlayer dielectrics  111  to  114  and  151  to  154  and the outer sides of the active pillars  136  and  164  are exposed. Since the fourth lower sacrifice layer  124  and the first upper sacrifice layer  141  are removed, a side S of the portion where the active pillars  136  and  164  contact to each other is exposed. The side S has the stepped profile. 
         [0096]    Referring to  FIG. 13 , on the substrate  100  where the sacrifice layers  121  to  124  and  141  to  144  are selectively removed, the information storage layer  171  is conformally formed. The information storage layer  171  may include the tunnel insulating layer contacted to the active pillars, the charge storage layer on the tunnel insulating layer and the blocking insulating layer on the charge storage layer. The tunnel insulating layer may include the silicon oxide layer. The tunnel insulating layer may be formed by thermal oxidation of the exposed outer sides of the active pillars. Otherwise, the tunnel insulating layer may be formed by an atomic layer deposition. The charge storage layer and the blocking insulating layer may be formed by the atomic layer deposition and/or chemical vapor deposition having excellent step coverage. 
         [0097]    By forming a conduction layer  173  on the information storage layer  171 , the first electrode separation opening  168  is filled and the empty space between the interlayer dielectrics  111  to  114  and  151  to  154  is filled. The conduction layer  173  may be formed with at least one of the doped silicon, tungsten, metal nitride layer and metal silicide. The conduction layer  173  may be formed by the atomic layer deposition. 
         [0098]    Referring to  FIG. 14 , by performing the planarization process to the conduction layer  173 , the conduction layer  173  on the upper layer  160  is removed so that the information storage layer  171  on the upper layer  160  is exposed. By removing the conduction layer  173  in the first electrode separation opening  168 , a second electrode separation opening  169  which exposes the substrate  100  is formed. The first electrode separation opening  168  and the second electrode separation opening  169  are formed so as to overlap each other. Due to the formation of the second electrode separation opening  169 , the conduction patterns LSL, WL 0  to WL 3  and USL are formed at the portion where there used to be the sacrifice layers  121  to  124  and  141  to  144 . By injecting impurities to the substrate  100  exposed by the second electrode separation opening  169 , the common source line CSL is formed. 
         [0099]    Referring to  FIG. 2  again, by filling the second electrode separation opening  169  with an insulating layer, the electrode separation pattern  175  is formed. The information storage layer  171  on the uppermost upper interlayer dielectric  154  may be removed. By recessing the upper portion of the upper filling insulating layer  166 , the inner side of the upper active pillars  164  is exposed. At the recessed portion of the upper filling insulating layer  166 , the upper active pattern  177  is formed. The upper active pattern  177  may be formed with the semiconductor layer. By doping the upper active pattern  177  and the upper portion of the upper active pillars  164  with impurities, the drain region  179  is formed. The drain region  179  may be doped with, e.g., N-type impurities. By forming a conduction layer on the uppermost upper interlayer dielectric layer  154  and patterning it, the plurality of bit lines BL 0  to BL 3  extended to the first direction and electrically connected to the drain region  179  is formed. 
         [0100]      FIGS. 15 and 16  are cross-sectional views for describing another method for forming the three-dimensional nonvolatile memory device according to the first embodiment of the inventive concept. The cross sections correspond to the line I-I′ of  FIG. 1 . 
         [0101]    Referring to  FIG. 15 , by patterning the lower layer  130  between the lower active pillars  136  neighboring each other in the first direction illustrated in  FIG. 6 , a preliminary lower opening  180  which exposes the substrate  100  is formed. The preliminary lower opening  180  is filled with, e.g., a sacrifice pattern  182 . The sacrifice pattern  182  may include the same material as the lower sacrifice layers  121  to  124 . On the lower layer  130 , the upper layer  160  is formed in the method described referring to  FIG. 7 . In the method described referring to  FIGS. 8 to 10 , the upper active pillars  164  and the upper filling insulating layer  166  are formed. By patterning the upper layer  160  between the upper active pillars  164  neighboring each other in the first direction, a preliminary upper opening  184  which overlaps the preliminary lower opening  180  and exposes the sacrifice pattern  182  is formed. 
         [0102]    Referring to  FIGS. 15 and 16 , the upper sacrifice layers  141  to  144  and the sacrifice pattern  182  exposed by the preliminary upper opening  184  are selectively removed. Accordingly, the lower sacrifice layers  121  and  124  are exposed and selectively removed. Therefore, the upper and lower surfaces of the interlayer dielectrics  111  to  114  and  151  to  154  and the outer surfaces of the active pillars  136  and  164  are exposed. The information storage layer  171  and the conduction layer  173  are formed to fill the empty space between the interlayer dielectrics  111  to  114  and  151  to  154 , the preliminary upper opening  184  and the preliminary lower opening  180 . The conduction layer  173  and the information storage layer  171  on the fourth upper interlayer dielectric  154  are removed by the planarization process. And, by removing the conduction layer  173 , the information storage layer  171  and a part of the upper interlayer dielectrics  151  to  154  in the preliminary upper and lower openings  184  and  180 , a third electrode separation opening  188  is formed. Herein, an upper width W 6  of the third electrode separation opening  188  is wider than an upper width W 5  of the preliminary upper opening  184 , and the third electrode separation opening  188  overlaps the preliminary upper opening  184 . Thereafter, a process similar to that described referring to  FIG. 2  may be performed. 
         [0103]    If a lower width of the preliminary upper opening  184  is equal to an upper width of the preliminary lower opening  180 , the upper width W 5  of the preliminary upper opening  184  may be equal to the upper width W 6  of the third electrode separation opening  188 . According to the forming method described referring to  FIGS. 15 and 16 , the electrode separation opening is formed by twice performing etch process, and thus the problem of difficulty of forming a deep separation opening at a time may be solved. 
       Embodiment 2 
       [0104]      FIG. 17  is a cross-sectional view of a three-dimensional nonvolatile memory device according to a second embodiment of the inventive concept. The cross section corresponds to the line I-I′ of  FIG. 1 . Explanations overlapped by the description above-mentioned referring to  FIG. 2  are omitted; rather, differences will be explained in detail. The operating method may be similar to that of the first embodiment. 
         [0105]    Referring to  FIG. 17 , the lower active pillars  136  of the three-dimensional nonvolatile memory device according to the second embodiment of the inventive concept may have a plug shape filling the lower active hole  132 . The upper active pillars  164  have the above-described cup shape of the first embodiment. The above-described lower filling insulating layer  138  of the first embodiment may not be formed. The lower surface of the upper active pillars  164  may be lower than the upper surface of the lower active pillars  136 . 
         [0106]    Unlike the drawing illustrated in  FIG. 17 , the upper active pillars  164  may have the plug shape filling the upper active hole  132 . The lower active pillars  136  have the above-described cup shape of the first embodiment. The above-described upper filling insulating layer  166  of the first embodiment may not be formed. 
       Embodiment 3 
       [0107]      FIG. 18  is a cross-sectional view of a three-dimensional nonvolatile memory device according to a third embodiment of the inventive concept. The cross section corresponds to the line I-I′ of  FIG. 1 . Explanations overlapped by the description above-mentioned referring to  FIG. 2  are omitted; rather, differences will be explained in detail. The operating method may be similar to that of the first embodiment. 
         [0108]    Referring to  FIG. 18 , both of the lower active pillars  136  and the upper active pillars  164  of the three-dimensional nonvolatile memory device according to the third embodiment of the inventive concept may have the plug shape. The above-described filling insulating layers  138  and  166  and the upper active pattern  177  of the first embodiment are not formed. The upper width of the lower active pillars  136  may be wider than the lower width of the upper active pillars  164 . The lower surface of the upper active pillars  164  may be lower than the upper surface of the lower active pillars  136 . 
       Embodiment 4 
       [0109]      FIG. 19  is a cross-sectional view of a three-dimensional nonvolatile memory device according to a fourth embodiment of the inventive concept. The cross section corresponds to the line I-I′ of  FIG. 1 . Explanations overlapped by the description above-mentioned referring to  FIG. 2  are omitted; rather, differences will be explained in detail. The operating method may be similar to that of the first embodiment. 
         [0110]    Referring to  FIG. 19 , the three-dimensional nonvolatile memory device according to the fourth embodiment of the inventive concept includes a lower active pattern  190  interposed between the lower filling insulating layer  138  and the upper active pillars  164  and provided within the lower active pillars  136 . The lower active pattern  190  may include the semiconductor layer. The lower active pattern  190  contacts the inner side of the upper part of the lower active pillars  136 . The lower active pattern  190  contacts the lower surface of the upper active pillars  164 . An upper surface of the lower active pattern  190  may be lower than that of the lower active pillars  136 . The lower active pattern  190  helps the upper active pillars  164  and the lower active pillars  136  be electrically connected to each other even if the upper active pillars  164  are misaligned with the lower active pillars  136 . The lower active pattern  190  may be doped with the same conductive type as the lower active pillars  136  and the upper active pillars  164 . For instance, the lower active pattern  190  and the active pillars  136  and  164  may be doped as P-type. 
         [0111]    Since outer sides of the lower active pillars  136  and the upper active pillars  164  have the stepped profile at the portion where the lower active pillars  136  and the upper active pillars  164  contact to each other, characteristics of the channels formed at the lower active pattern  190 , the upper active pillars  164  and the lower active pillars  136  may be different from each other. For uniformity and stabilization of characteristics of programming, read and erasing, a dummy conduction pattern DWL is provided adjacently to the contact region of the lower active pattern  190  and the lower active pillars  136  so as to cover the stepped profile. The dummy conduction pattern DWL may be a dummy word line. 
         [0112]    Preferably, the upper surface of the dummy conduction pattern DWL may have the same height as or be higher than that of the lower active pillars  136 . Preferably, the lower surface of the lower active pattern  190  may have the same height as or be higher than that of the lower interlayer dielectric  114  immediately under the dummy conduction pattern DWL. More preferably, the lower surface of the lower active pattern  190  may have the same height as or be higher than that of the dummy conduction pattern DWL. The dummy conduction pattern DWL may cover both of the lower active pillars  136  and the upper active pillars  164 . Since the dummy conduction pattern DWL covers the lower active pillars  136 , the upper active pillars  164  and the lower active pattern  190 , the above-mentioned problem of channel non-uniformity may be reduced. 
         [0113]    For stably performing delivery of boosting voltage during the programming, erasing voltage during the erasing and cell current during the read, the dummy conduction pattern DWL is required to form a channel which connects the lower active pillars  136 , the upper active pillars  164  and the lower active pattern  190 . Accordingly, if thickness of the lower active pattern  190  is increased, thickness of the dummy conduction pattern DWL may also be increased corresponding to the increase of the thickness of the lower active pattern  190 . 
         [0114]    A method for forming the three-dimensional nonvolatile memory device according to the fourth embodiment of the inventive concept will be described.  FIGS. 20 to 22  are cross-sectional views corresponding to the line I-I′ of  FIG. 1 . 
         [0115]    Referring to  FIG. 20 , a lower layer  130   a  is formed on the substrate  100 . The lower layer  130   a  may be formed by alternately stacking lower interlayer dielectrics and lower sacrifice layers. For instance, the lower interlayer dielectrics may be formed with the silicon oxide layer. The lower sacrifice layers may be formed with material which has an etching selectivity with respect to the lower interlayer dielectrics. For instance, the lower sacrifice layers may be formed with the silicon nitride layer. 
         [0116]    The lower interlayer dielectrics may include first to fourth lower interlayer dielectrics  111  to  114  upward. The lower sacrifice layers may include first to fourth lower sacrifice layers  121  to  124  upward. The undermost lower interlayer dielectric  111  may be thinner than the other interlayer dielectrics  112  to  114 . The uppermost lower sacrifice layer  124  may be thicker than the other lower sacrifice layers  121  to  123 . 
         [0117]    The lower interlayer dielectrics  111  to  114  and the lower sacrifice layers  121  to  124  are etched so that the lower active hole  132  which exposes the substrate  100  is formed. At the lower active hole  132 , the lower active pillars  136 , the lower filling insulating layer  138  and the lower active pattern  190  are formed. For instance, the semiconductor layer is conformally formed on the side of the lower active hole  132  and the exposed surface of the substrate  100  to form the lower active pillars  136 . For instance, the semiconductor layer may be the polysilicon layer not doped with impurities or the silicon layer doped as P-type. 
         [0118]    By filling an insulating layer in the lower active pillars  136 , the lower filling insulating layer  138  is formed. The upper portion of the lower filling insulating layer  138  is recessed. The upper surface of the recessed lower filling insulating layer  138  may have the same height as or be higher than the lower surface of the uppermost lower sacrifice layer  124 . At the recessed portion, the lower active pattern  190  is formed. The lower active pattern  190  may contact the inner side of the upper part of the lower active pillars  136 . The lower active pattern  190  may be doped as the same conductive type as the lower active pillars  136 . 
         [0119]    Referring to  FIG. 21 , an upper layer  160   a  is formed on the lower layer  130   a . The upper layer  160   a  may be formed by alternately stacking upper interlayer dielectrics and upper sacrifice layers. For instance, the upper interlayer dielectric may be formed with the silicon oxide layer. The upper sacrifice layers may be formed with material which has an etching selectivity with respect to the upper interlayer dielectrics. For instance, the upper sacrifice layers may be formed with the silicon nitride layer. 
         [0120]    The upper interlayer dielectrics may include first to fourth interlayer dielectrics  151  to  154  upward. The upper sacrifice layers may include first to fourth sacrifice layers  141  to  144  upward. 
         [0121]    Referring to  FIG. 22 , the upper interlayer dielectrics  151  to  154  and the upper sacrifice layers  141  to  144  are etched so that the upper active hole  162  which exposes the lower active pattern  190  is formed. For instance, the upper active hole  162  is formed so that the lower surface of the lower active pattern  190  is lower than the upper surface of the lower active pillars  136 . That is, when the upper active hole  162  is formed, the lower active pattern  190  is recessed so that the inner side of the upper part of the lower active pillars  136  is exposed. 
         [0122]    The upper active pillars  164  which cover the bottom and inner side of the upper active hole  162  are formed. The upper filling insulating layer  166  is formed filling the inner space of the upper active pillars  164 . The process of forming the upper active pillars  164  and the upper filling insulating layer  166  may similar to that of forming the lower active pillars  136  and the lower filling insulating layer  138 . The upper active pillars  164  are formed so that they contact the inner side of the exposed upper part of the lower active pillars  136 . 
         [0123]    The lower surface of the upper active pillars  164  may have the same height as or be lower than that of the undermost upper sacrifice layer  141 . 
         [0124]    Thereafter, in the method described referring to  FIGS. 11 to 14  and  2 , the structure illustrated in  FIG. 19  may be formed. 
         [0125]    In this embodiment, for preventing the lower filling insulating layer  138  from being exposed due to the removal of the lower active pattern  190  while the upper active hole  162  is formed, thickness of the lower active pattern  190  should be sufficiently thick. 
       Embodiment 5 
       [0126]      FIG. 23  is a cross-sectional view of a three-dimensional nonvolatile memory device according to a fifth embodiment of the inventive concept. The cross section corresponds to the line I-I′ of  FIG. 1 . Explanations overlapped by the description above-mentioned referring to  FIG. 19  are omitted; instead, differences will be explained in detail. The operating method may be similar to that of the first embodiment. 
         [0127]    Referring to  FIG. 23 , an impurity doped region  192  is provided to the upper part of the lower active pillars  136  of the three-dimensional nonvolatile memory device according to the fifth embodiment of the inventive concept. The lower active pattern  190  is stacked between the lower filling insulating layer  138  and the upper active pillars  164 . The lower surface of the lower active pattern  190  is lower than a lower part of the impurity doped region  192 . The impurity doped region  192  may be, e.g., doped with N-type impurities. The lower active pattern  190  may be doped with P-type impurities. Due to the impurity doped region  192 , the current flow adjacent to the dummy conduction pattern DWL may be improved. 
       Embodiment 6 
       [0128]      FIG. 24  is a cross-sectional view of a three-dimensional nonvolatile memory device according to a sixth embodiment of the inventive concept. The cross section corresponds to the line I-I′ of  FIG. 1 . Explanations overlapped by the description above-mentioned referring to  FIG. 19  are omitted; instead, differences will be explained in detail. The operating method may be similar to that of the first embodiment. 
         [0129]    Referring to  FIG. 24 , the lower active pattern  190  is provided between the upper active pillars  164  and the lower filling insulating layer  138  of the three-dimensional nonvolatile memory device according to the sixth embodiment of the inventive concept. The outer side of the lower part of the upper active pillars  164  does not contact the inner side of the upper part of the lower active pillars  136 . The lower surface of the upper active pillars  164 , the upper surface of the lower active pillars  136  and the upper surface of the lower active pattern  190  may be coplanar. 
       Embodiment 7 
       [0130]      FIG. 25  is a cross-sectional view of a three-dimensional nonvolatile memory device according to a seventh embodiment of the inventive concept. The cross section corresponds to the line I-I′ of  FIG. 1 . Explanations overlapped by the description above-mentioned referring to  FIG. 19  are omitted; instead, differences will be explained in detail. The operating method may be similar to that of the first embodiment. 
         [0131]    Referring to  FIG. 25 , the dummy word line DWL of the three-dimensional nonvolatile memory device according to the seventh embodiment of the inventive concept has a cave-in part V at the side of the dummy conduction pattern facing the active pillars. The cave-in part V may be filled with the same material as the electrode separation pattern  175 . 
         [0132]    Referring to  FIG. 26 , a method for forming the three-dimensional nonvolatile memory device according to the seventh embodiment of the inventive concept is described. In the method described referring to  FIGS. 11 and 12 , the first electrode separation opening  168  is formed and the sacrifice layers are removed. The information storage layer  171  is conformally formed. The region where the sacrifice layers  124  and  141  corresponding to the dummy conduction patterns DWL are removed has larger space than the regions where the other sacrifice layers  121  to  123  and  142  to  144  are removed. Accordingly, before the region where the sacrifice layers  124  and  141  corresponding to the dummy conduction patterns DWL are sufficiently filled with the conduction layer  173 , the first electrode separation opening  168  may be filled with the conduction layer  173 . In the inside of the conduction layer  173  corresponding to the dummy conduction pattern DWL, a void V may be formed. 
         [0133]    Thereafter, in the method described referring to  FIG. 14 , the conduction layer  173  in the first electrode separation opening  168  is removed so that the second electrode separation opening which exposes the substrate  100  is formed. By injecting impurities to the substrate  100  exposed by the second electrode separation opening, the common source line CSL is formed. In the method described referring to  FIG. 2 , the structure illustrate in  FIG. 25  may be formed. 
       Embodiment 8 
       [0134]      FIG. 27  is a planar diagram illustrating a three-dimensional nonvolatile memory device according to an eighth embodiment of the inventive concept.  FIG. 28  is a cross-sectional view along the line I-I′ of  FIG. 27 . Explanations overlapped by the description above-mentioned referring to  FIG. 19  are omitted; instead, differences will be explained in detail. 
         [0135]    Referring to  FIGS. 27 and 28 , the three-dimensional nonvolatile memory device according to the eighth embodiment of the inventive concept includes the lower active pattern  190  interposed between the lower filling insulating layer  138  and the upper active pillars  164 . The lower active pattern  190  contacts the inner side of the upper part of the lower active pillars  136  and contacts the lower surface of the upper active pillars  164 . The lower active pattern  190  helps the upper active pillars  164  and the lower active pillars  136  be electrically connected to each other. 
         [0136]    At least two dummy conduction patterns DWL 1  and DWL 2  are provided adjacently to the contact region of the lower active pillars  136  and the upper active pillars  164 . Hereinafter, the dummy conduction patterns DWL 1  and DWL 2  are defined as a first dummy conduction pattern DWL 1  and a second dummy conduction pattern DWL 2  respectively from the bottom. The first dummy conduction pattern DWL 1  covers the lower active pillars  136 . The second dummy conduction pattern DWL 2  covers the stepped profile of the region where the lower active pillars  136  and the upper active pillars  164  contact each other. The problem of channel non-uniformity due to different characteristics of the channels formed at the lower active pillars  136 , the upper active pillars  164  and the lower active pattern  190  may be reduced. 
         [0137]    Preferably, the lower surface of the lower active pattern  190  may have the same height as or be higher than that of the lower interlayer dielectric  114  immediately under the first dummy conduction pattern DWL 1 . More preferably, the lower surface of the lower active pattern  190  may have the same height as or be higher than that of the first dummy conduction pattern DWL 1 . Preferably, the upper surface of the lower active pillars  136  may have the same height as or be lower than that of the interlayer dielectric  151  just on the second dummy conduction pattern DWL 2 . More preferably, the upper surface of the lower active pattern  136  may have the same height as or be lower than that of the second dummy conduction pattern DWL 2 . Preferably, the lower surface of the upper active pillars  164  may have the same height as or be higher than that of the lower interlayer dielectric  114  immediately under the first dummy conduction pattern DWL 1 . More preferably, the lower surface of the upper active pillars  164  may have the same height as or be higher than that of the first dummy conduction pattern DWL 1 . 
         [0138]    The dummy conduction patterns DWL 1  and DWL 2  and/or the interlayer dielectrics  114  and  151  immediately adjacent to them cover the lower active pillars  136 , the upper active pillars  164  and the lower active pattern  190 . Accordingly, the above-mentioned regions where the channels are non-uniform may be separated from the conduction patterns used as the memory cell, and thus the effect to the memory cell due to the channel non-uniformity may be reduced. 
         [0139]    Meanwhile, the conduction patterns WL 0  to WL 3  except for the conduction patterns LSL and USL corresponding to the selection lines, and the dummy conduction patterns DWL 1  and DWL 2  may have the same thickness. Accordingly, at the edge of the cell region, the process of forming the stepped contact region by patterning the conduction patterns LSL, WL 0  to WL 3 , USL, DWL 1  and DWL 2  may be performed more easily. 
         [0140]      FIG. 29  is a magnified diagram of a part B adjacent to the second dummy conduction pattern DWL 2  described referring to  FIG. 28 . Referring to  FIG. 29 , the second dummy conduction pattern DWL 2  may include a protrusion part C provided along the stepped profile and protruded toward the upper active pillar  164 . The protrusion part C of the second dummy conduction pattern DWL 2  may be more protruded to the outer side of the lower part of the upper active pillars  164  than a first surface facing the outer side of the upper part of the lower active pillars  136  and thinner than the dummy conduction pattern. The charge storage layer  171  may be conformally formed along the surfaces of the active pillars  136  and  164  and the interlayer dielectrics  115  and  151 . 
         [0141]      FIG. 30  is another magnified diagram of the part B adjacent to the second dummy conduction pattern DWL 2  described referring to  FIG. 28 . Referring to  FIG. 30 , the second dummy conduction pattern DWL 2  does not include the protrusion part described referring to  FIG. 29 . The charge storage layer  171  may be thicker on the surface of the upper active pillars  164  than on the surface of the lower active pillars  136  and the interlayer dielectrics  115  and  151 . 
         [0142]      FIG. 31  is a circuit diagram illustrating the three-dimensional nonvolatile memory device according to the embodiment of the inventive concept. In comparison with the circuit diagram illustrated in  FIG. 3  according to the first embodiment of the inventive concept, two dummy word lines DWL 1  and DWL 2  are provided between the lower word lines WL 0  and WL 1  and the upper word lines WL 2  and WL 3 . The two dummy word lines DWL 1  and DWL 2  may be used as gate electrodes of the dummy cell transistors DCT. 
         [0143]    Voltages applied to the lines connected to one cell string CSTR in the circuit diagram illustrated in  FIG. 31  may be determined, e.g., as shown in Table. 3. 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
                 TABLE 3 
               
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 erase 
                 program 
                 read 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 selected WL 
                 ground voltage 
                 program voltage 
                 read voltage (Vrd) 
               
               
                   
                 (Vss) 
                 (Vpgm) (e.g., 
                 (e.g., 0 V) 
               
               
                   
                   
                 15~20 V) 
               
               
                 non-selected 
                 ground voltage 
                 pass voltage (Vpass) 
                 non-selection read 
               
               
                 WL 
                 (Vss) 
                 (e.g., 10 V) 
                 voltage (Vread) 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 (e.g., 4.5 V) 
               
               
                 DWL1 
                 intermediate 
                 intermediate voltage 
                 intermediate voltage 
               
               
                   
                 voltage (VDWL) 
                 (VDWL) (e.g., 
                 (VDWL) (e.g., 
               
               
                   
                 (e.g., 
                 Vss &lt; VDWL &lt; Vpgm) 
                 Vss &lt; VDWL ≦ Vread) 
               
               
                   
                 Vss &lt; VDWL &lt; Vers) 
               
               
                 DWL2 
                 intermediate 
                 intermediate voltage 
                 intermediate voltage 
               
               
                   
                 voltage (VDWL) 
                 (VDWL) (e.g., 
                 (VDWL) (e.g., 
               
               
                   
                 (e.g., 
                 Vss &lt; VDWL &lt; Vpgm) 
                 Vss &lt; VDWL ≦ Vread) 
               
               
                   
                 Vss &lt; VDWL &lt; Vers) 
               
               
                 USL 
                 floating 
                 power supply 
                 turn-on voltage 
               
               
                   
                   
                 voltage (Vcc) 
                 (e.g., 4.5 V) 
               
               
                 LSL 
                 floating 
                 ground voltage (Vss) 
                 turn-on voltage 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 (e.g., 4.5 V) 
               
               
                 CSL 
                 floating 
                 ground voltage (Vss) 
                 ground voltage 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 (Vss) 
               
               
                 selected BL 
                 floating 
                 ground voltage (Vss) 
                 power supply 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 voltage (Vcc) 
               
               
                 non-selected BL 
                 floating 
                 power supply 
                 low voltage (e.g., 
               
               
                   
                   
                 voltage (Vcc) 
                 &lt;0.8 V) 
               
               
                 substrate 
                 erasing voltage 
                 ground voltage (Vss) 
                 ground voltage 
               
               
                   
                 (Vers) (e.g., 21 V) 
                   
                 (Vss) 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0144]    A method for forming the three-dimensional nonvolatile memory device according to the embodiment of the inventive concept will be described.  FIGS. 32 to 34  are cross-sectional views along the line I-I′ of  FIG. 27 . Explanations overlapped by the description above-mentioned referring to  FIGS. 4 to 14  are omitted; instead, differences will be explained in detail. 
         [0145]    Referring to  FIG. 32 , a lower layer  130 B is formed on the substrate  100 . The lower layer  130 B may be formed by alternately stacking lower interlayer dielectrics and lower sacrifice layers. The lower interlayer dielectrics may include first to fifth lower interlayer dielectrics  111  to  115  from the bottom. The lower sacrifice layers may include first to fifth lower sacrifice layers  121  to  125  from the bottom. The lower interlayer dielectrics  111  to  115  may be formed with, e.g., the silicon oxide layer. The lower sacrifice layers  121  to  125  may be formed with material whose etching selection ratio is higher than that of the lower interlayer dielectrics  111  to  115 . For instance, the lower sacrifice layers  121  to  125  may be formed with the silicon nitride layer. The first lower interlayer dielectric  111  may be thinner than the other interlayer dielectrics and formed undermost to contact the substrate  100 . The fifth lower sacrifice layer  125  may be formed uppermost. The fifth lower sacrifice layer  125  may be thinner than the first to fourth lower sacrifice layers  121  to  124 . 
         [0146]    By sequentially etching the lower interlayer dielectrics  111  to  115  and the lower sacrifice layers  121  to  125 , the lower active hole  132  which exposes the substrate  100  is formed. The lower active pillars  136  are formed on the bottom and side of the lower active hole  132 . The lower active pillars  136  are formed with the semiconductor layer, and the semiconductor layer may be formed with thickness not filling the lower active hole  132 . The lower filling insulating layer  138  may be formed and fill the inner space of the lower active hole  132 . The lower filling insulating layer  138  may be the silicon oxide layer. 
         [0147]    By recessing the lower filling insulating layer  138 , the inner side of the upper part of the lower active pillars  136  is exposed. It is preferable that the upper surface of the recessed lower filling insulating layer  138  is higher than the lower surface of the second interlayer dielectric from the top, e.g., the fourth interlayer dielectric  114 . More preferably, the upper surface of the recessed lower filling insulating layer  138  is higher than the lower surface of the second sacrifice layer from the top, e.g., the fourth sacrifice layer  124 . 
         [0148]    The lower active pattern  190  is formed on the recessed lower filling insulating layer  138 . The lower active pattern  190  contacts the inner side of the upper part of the lower active pillars  136 . Preferably, the lower surface of the lower active pattern  190  has the same height as or is higher than that of the interlayer dielectric  114  immediately under the fourth sacrifice layer  124 . More preferably, the lower surface of the lower active pattern  190  has the same height as or is higher than that of the fourth sacrifice layer  124 . 
         [0149]    Referring to  FIG. 33 , an upper layer  160   b  is formed on the lower layer  130   b . The upper layer  160   b  is formed by alternately stacking upper interlayer dielectrics and upper sacrifice layers. The upper interlayer dielectrics may include first to fourth upper interlayer dielectrics  151  to  154  from the bottom. The upper sacrifice layers may include first to fourth upper sacrifice layers  141  to  144 . The upper interlayer dielectrics  151  to  154  may be formed with, e.g., the silicon oxide layer. The upper sacrifice layers  141  to  144  may be formed with material which has an etching selectivity with respect to the upper interlayer dielectrics  151  to  154 . For instance, the upper sacrifice layers  141  to  144  may be formed with the silicon nitride layer. The first upper sacrifice layer  141  formed undermost may be thinner than the second to fourth upper sacrifice layers  142  to  144 . For instance, the sum of thicknesses of the fourth lower sacrifice layer  124  and the first upper sacrifice layer  141  may be equal to the thicknesses of the second to fourth lower sacrifice layers  121  to  124  and the second to fourth upper sacrifice layers  142  to  144 . 
         [0150]    Referring to  FIG. 34 , by sequentially etching the upper interlayer dielectrics  151  to  154  and the upper sacrifice layers  141  to  144 , the upper active hole  162  which exposes the lower active pattern  190  is formed. Herein, the lower active pattern  190  may be recessed, and thus the inner side of the upper part of the lower active pillars  136  may be exposed. The recessed upper surface of the lower active pattern  190  is higher than the lower surface of the fourth sacrifice layer  124 . The side of the upper active hole  162  may slope. 
         [0151]    The upper active pillars  164  and the upper filling insulating layer  166  are formed at the upper active hole  162 . 
         [0152]    The lower active pillars  136 , the lower active pattern  190  and the upper active pillars  164  have the same conductive type. That is, the lower active pillars  136 , the lower active pattern  190  and the upper active pillars  164  are electrically connected to each other. Since the lower active pattern  190  is recessed, the lower active pattern  190  contacts the inner side of the upper part of the lower active pillars  136  and contacts the lower surface of the upper active pillars  164 . The inner side of the upper part of the lower active pillars  136  contacts the outer side of the lower part of the upper active pillars  164 . Therefore, the lower active pillars  136 , the lower active pattern  190  and the upper active pillars  164  sequentially contact each other, and thus they may be stably connected to each other. 
         [0153]    Thereafter, in the method described referring to  FIGS. 12 to 14  and  2 , the structure illustrated in  FIG. 28  may be formed. 
         [0154]    In this embodiment, the thickness of the lower active pattern  190  is adjusted for the lower active pattern  190  not to be removed when the upper active hole  162  is formed. 
         [0155]    For instance, for the lower active pattern  190  not to be recessed and removed, the thickness of the lower active pattern  190  is adjusted. In this embodiment, at least two dummy conduction patterns DWL 1  and DWL 2  are provided. Accordingly, the thickness of the lower active pattern  190  may be increased corresponding to the two dummy conduction patterns DWL 1  and DWL 2 . In spite of the increase of the thickness of the lower active pattern  190 , the thicknesses of the conduction patterns WL 0  to WL 3  except for the conduction patterns LSL and USL corresponding to the election lines and the dummy conduction patterns DWL 1  and DWL 2  may be the same, and the thicknesses of the interlayer dielectrics  111  to  115  and  151  to  154  may be the same. 
         [0156]    The lower surface of the lower active pattern  190  has the same height as or is higher than that of the first dummy conduction pattern DWL 1 . The upper surface of the lower active pillars  136  have the same height or are lower than that of the second dummy conduction pattern DWL 2 . Accordingly, the channel may be stably formed at the lower active pillars  136 , the upper active pillars  164  and the lower active pattern  190 . 
         [0157]    The three-dimensional nonvolatile memory device described referring to  FIG. 28  according to the eighth embodiment of the inventive concept may be formed in another method as above-described referring to  FIGS. 15 and 16 . 
         [0158]    Referring to  FIG. 35 , by patterning the lower layer  130 B between the lower active pillars  136  neighboring each other in the first direction illustrated in  FIG. 32 , a preliminary lower opening  180  which exposes the substrate  100  is formed. The preliminary lower opening  180  is filled with, e.g., a sacrifice pattern  182 . The sacrifice pattern  182  may include the same material as the lower sacrifice layers  121  to  125 . On the lower layer  130   b , the upper layer  160   b  is formed in the method described referring to  FIG. 33 . In the method described referring to  FIG. 34 , the upper active pillars  164  and the upper filling insulating layer  166  are formed. Referring to  FIG. 35  again, by patterning the upper layer  160 B between the upper active pillars  164  neighboring each other in the first direction, a preliminary upper opening  184  which overlaps the preliminary lower opening  180  and exposes the sacrifice pattern  182  is formed. 
         [0159]    Referring to  FIG. 28  again, the upper sacrifice layers  141  to  144  and the sacrifice pattern  182  exposed by the preliminary upper opening  184  are selectively removed. Thereafter, the lower sacrifice layers  121  and  125  are exposed and selectively removed. Therefore, the upper and lower surfaces of the interlayer dielectrics  111  to  115  and  151  to  154  and the outer surfaces of the active pillars  136  and  164  are exposed. The information storage layer  171  and the conduction layer (not shown) are formed to fill the empty space between the interlayer dielectrics  111  to  115  and  151  to  154 , the preliminary upper opening  184  and the preliminary lower opening  180 . The conduction layer (not shown) and the information storage layer  171  on the fourth upper interlayer dielectric  154  are removed by the planarization process. And, the conduction layer (not shown), the information storage layer  171  and a part of the upper interlayer dielectrics  151  to  154  in the preliminary upper and lower openings  184  and  180  are removed. Thereafter, a process similar to that described referring to  FIG. 28  may be performed. 
       Embodiment 9 
       [0160]      FIG. 36  is a cross-sectional view of a three-dimensional nonvolatile memory device according to a ninth embodiment of the inventive concept. The cross section corresponds to the line I-I′ of  FIG. 1 . Explanations overlapped by the description above-mentioned referring to  FIG. 28  are omitted; instead, differences will be explained in detail. The operating method may be similar to that of the first embodiment. 
         [0161]    Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 36 , the three-dimensional nonvolatile memory device according to the ninth embodiment of the inventive concept includes the lower active pattern  190  interposed between the lower filling insulating layer  138  and the upper active pillars  164 . The dummy conduction pattern DWL is provided adjacently to the contact region of the lower active pillars  136  and the upper active pillars  164 . 
         [0162]    The interlayer dielectric immediately on the dummy conduction pattern DWL includes a first sub interlayer dielectric  115  and a second sub interlayer dielectric  151  on the first sub interlayer dielectric  115 . The interface between the first sub interlayer dielectric  115  and the second sub interlayer dielectric  151  may be discontinuous. The upper surface of the dummy conduction pattern DWL, the upper surface of the first sub interlayer dielectric  115  and the lower surface of the second sub interlayer dielectric  151  may be coplanar. The interlayer dielectric (the combination of the first and second sub interlayer dielectrics) immediately on the dummy conduction pattern DWL may cover both of the upper part of the lower active pillars  136  and the lower part of the upper active pillars  164 . 
         [0163]    Preferably, the lower surface of the lower active pattern  190  may have the same height as or be higher than that of the lower interlayer dielectric  114  immediately under the dummy conduction pattern DWL. The upper surface of the lower active pillars  136  may have the same height as or be lower than that of the interlayer dielectric (the combination of the first and second sub interlayer dielectrics) immediately on the dummy conduction pattern DWL. More preferably, the lower surface of the lower active pattern  190  may have the same height as or be higher than that of the dummy conduction pattern DWL. The upper surface of the lower active pattern  136  may have the same height as or be lower than the lower surface of the interlayer dielectric (the combination of the first and second sub interlayer dielectrics) right on the dummy conduction pattern DWL. 
         [0164]    A method for forming the three-dimensional nonvolatile memory device according to the embodiment of the inventive concept will be described.  FIGS. 37 to 39  are cross-sectional views along the line I-I′ of  FIG. 1 . Explanations overlapped by the description above-mentioned referring to  FIGS. 32 to 34  are omitted; instead, differences will be explained in detail. 
         [0165]    Referring to  FIG. 37 , a lower layer  130 C is formed on the substrate  100 . The lower layer  130 C may be formed by alternately stacking lower interlayer dielectrics and lower sacrifice layers. The lower interlayer dielectrics may include first to fifth lower interlayer dielectrics  111  to  115  from the bottom. The lower sacrifice layers may include first to fourth lower sacrifice layers  121  to  124  from the bottom. The lower interlayer dielectrics  111  to  115  may be formed with, e.g., the silicon oxide layer. The lower sacrifice layers  121  to  124  may be formed with material which has an etching selectivity with respect to the lower interlayer dielectrics  111  to  115 . For instance, the lower sacrifice layers  121  to  124  may be formed with the silicon nitride layer. The first lower interlayer dielectric  111  may be thinner than the other interlayer dielectrics and formed undermost to contact the substrate  100 . The fifth lower interlayer dielectric  115  may be formed uppermost. The fifth lower interlayer dielectric  115  may be thinner than the first to fourth lower interlayer dielectrics  111  to  114 . 
         [0166]    By sequentially etching the lower interlayer dielectrics  111  to  115  and the lower sacrifice layers  121  to  124 , the lower active hole  132  which exposes the substrate  100  is formed. The lower active pillars  136  are formed on the bottom and side of the lower active hole  132 . The lower active pillars  136  are formed with the semiconductor layer, and the semiconductor layer may be formed with thickness not filling the lower active hole  132 . The lower filling insulating layer  138  may be formed and fill the inner space of the lower active hole  132 . The lower filling insulating layer  138  may be the silicon oxide layer. 
         [0167]    By recessing the lower filling insulating layer  138 , the inner side of the upper portion of the lower active pillars  136  is exposed. It is preferable that the upper surface of the recessed lower filling insulating layer  138  is higher than the lower surface of the second interlayer dielectric from the top, e.g., the fourth interlayer dielectric  114 . More preferably, the upper surface of the recessed lower filling insulating layer  138  is higher than the lower surface of the uppermost sacrifice layer from the top, e.g., the fourth sacrifice layer  124 . 
         [0168]    The lower active pattern  190  is formed on the recessed lower filling insulating layer  138 . The lower active pattern  190  contacts the inner side of the upper part of the lower active pillars  136 . Preferably, the lower surface of the lower active pattern  190  has the same height as or is higher than that of the interlayer dielectric  114  immediately under the fourth sacrifice layer  124 . More preferably, the lower surface of the lower active pattern  190  has the same height as or is higher than that of the fourth sacrifice layer  124 . 
         [0169]    Referring to  FIG. 38 , an upper layer  160 C is formed on the lower layer  130   c . The upper layer  160   c  is formed by alternately stacking upper interlayer dielectrics and upper sacrifice layers. The upper interlayer dielectrics may include first to fourth upper interlayer dielectrics  151  to  154  from the bottom. The upper sacrifice layers may include first to third upper sacrifice layers  141  to  143 . The upper interlayer dielectrics  151  to  154  may be formed with, e.g., the silicon oxide layer. The upper sacrifice layers  141  to  143  may be formed with material which has an etching selectivity with respect to the upper interlayer dielectrics  151  to  154 . For instance, the upper sacrifice layers  141  to  143  may be formed with the silicon nitride layer. The first upper interlayer dielectric  151  formed undermost may be thinner than the second to fourth upper interlayer dielectrics  152  to  154 . For instance, the sum of thicknesses of the fifth lower interlayer dielectric  115  and the first upper interlayer dielectric  151  may be equal to the thicknesses of the second to fourth lower interlayer dielectrics  112  to  114  and the second to fourth upper interlayer dielectrics  152  to  154 . 
         [0170]    Referring to  FIG. 39 , by sequentially etching the upper interlayer dielectrics  151  to  154  and the upper sacrifice layers  141  to  143 , the upper active hole  162  which exposes the lower active pattern  190  is formed. Herein, the lower active pattern  190  may be recessed, and thus the inner side of the upper portion of the lower active pillars  136  may be exposed. The recessed upper surface of the lower active pattern  190  may be higher than the lower surface of the fourth lower sacrifice layer  124 . 
         [0171]    The upper active pillars  164  and the upper filling insulating layer  166  are formed at the upper active hole  162 . The bottom surface of the upper active pillars  164  has the same height as or is lower than the upper surface of the first upper interlayer dielectric  151 . 
         [0172]    Thereafter, in the method described referring to  FIGS. 12 to 14  and  2 , the structure illustrated in  FIG. 36  may be formed. 
         [0173]    In this embodiment, the thickness of the lower active pattern  190  is adjusted for the lower active pattern  190  not to be removed when the upper active hole  162  is formed. For instance, for the lower active pattern  190  not to be recessed and removed, the thickness of the lower active pattern  190  is adjusted. In this embodiment, the thickness of the lower active pattern  190  is adjusted based on the dummy conduction pattern DWL and the interlayer dielectrics (combination of  114 ,  115  and  151 ) adjacent to the dummy conduction pattern DWL. By extending the lower active pattern  190  to the interlayer dielectrics (combination of  114 ,  115  and  151 ) adjacent to the dummy conduction pattern DWL, in spite of the increase of the thickness of the lower active pattern  190 , the thicknesses of the conduction patterns WL 0  to WL 3  except for the conduction patterns corresponding to the selection lines and the dummy patterns DWL 1  and DWL 2  may be the same, and the thicknesses of the interlayer dielectrics ( 112  to  114 , combination of  115  and  151 ,  152  to  154 ) except for the first lower interlayer dielectric  111  may be the same. 
       Embodiment 10 
       [0174]      FIG. 40  is a planar diagram illustrating a three-dimensional nonvolatile memory device according to a tenth embodiment of the inventive concept.  FIG. 41  is a cross-sectional view along the line I-I′ of  FIG. 40 . Explanations overlapped by the description above-mentioned referring to  FIG. 28  are omitted; instead, differences will be explained in detail. 
         [0175]    Referring to  FIGS. 40 and 41 , the three-dimensional nonvolatile memory device according to the tenth embodiment of the inventive concept includes the lower active pattern  190  interposed between the lower filling insulating layer  138  and the upper active pillars  164 . The lower active pattern  190  contacts the inner side of the upper portion of the lower active pillars  136  and contacts the lower surface of the upper active pillars  164 . The lower active pattern  190  helps the upper active pillars  164  and the lower active pillars  136  be electrically connected to each other. 
         [0176]    Dummy conduction patterns DWL 1  to DWL 3  are provided to the part where the lower active pillars  136  and the upper active pillars  164  contact each other. The dummy conduction patterns DWL 1  to DWL 3  are defined as first to third dummy conduction patterns DWL 1  to DWL 3  from the bottom. 
         [0177]    Preferably, the lower surface of the lower active pattern  190  has the same height as or is higher than the upper surface of the first dummy conduction pattern DWL 1 . The upper surface of the lower active pillars  136  has the same height as or is lower than the lower surface of the third dummy conduction pattern DWL 3 . 
         [0178]    Except that the number of the dummy conduction patterns is 3, the operating method may be similar to that of the eighth embodiment. 
         [0179]    A method for forming the three-dimensional nonvolatile memory device according to the embodiment of the inventive concept will be described.  FIGS. 42 to 44  are cross-sectional views along the line I-II of  FIG. 40 . Explanations overlapped by the description above-mentioned referring to  FIGS. 4 to 14  are omitted; instead, differences will be explained in detail. 
         [0180]    Referring to  FIG. 42 , a lower layer  130   d  is formed on the substrate  100 . The lower layer  130   d  may be formed by alternately stacking lower interlayer dielectrics and lower sacrifice layers. The lower interlayer dielectrics may include first to fifth lower interlayer dielectrics  111  to  115  from the bottom. The lower sacrifice layers may include first to fifth lower sacrifice layers  121  to  125  from the bottom. The lower interlayer dielectrics  111  to  115  may be formed with, e.g., the silicon oxide layer. The lower sacrifice layers  121  to  125  may be formed with material which has an etching selectivity with respect to the lower interlayer dielectrics  111  to  115 . For instance, the lower sacrifice layers  121  to  125  may be formed with the silicon nitride layer. The first lower interlayer dielectric  111  may be thinner than the other interlayer dielectrics and formed undermost to contact the substrate  100 . The fifth lower sacrifice layer  125  may be formed uppermost. 
         [0181]    By sequentially etching the lower interlayer dielectrics  111  to  115  and the lower sacrifice layers  121  to  125 , the lower active hole  132  which exposes the substrate  100  is formed. The lower active pillars  136  are formed on the bottom and side of the lower active hole  132 . The lower active pillars  136  are formed with the semiconductor layer, and the semiconductor layer may be formed with thickness not filling the lower active hole  132 . The lower filling insulating layer  138  may be formed and fill the inner space of the lower active hole  132 . The lower filling insulating layer  138  may be the silicon oxide layer. 
         [0182]    By recessing the lower filling insulating layer  138 , the inner side of the upper portion of the lower active pillars  136  is exposed. It is preferable that the upper surface of the recessed lower filling insulating layer  138  is higher than that of the second lower sacrifice layer from the top, e.g., the fourth lower sacrifice layer  124 . 
         [0183]    The lower active pattern  190  is formed on the recessed lower filling insulating layer  138 . The lower active pattern  190  contacts the inner side of the upper portion of the lower active pillars  136 . Preferably, the recessed lower filling insulating layer  138  is formed so that its upper surface is higher than that of the second lower sacrifice layer from the top, e.g., the fourth lower sacrifice layer  124 . 
         [0184]    Referring to  FIG. 43 , an upper layer  160   d  is formed on the lower layer  130   d . The upper layer  160   d  is formed by alternately stacking upper interlayer dielectrics and upper sacrifice layers. The upper interlayer dielectrics may include first to fifth upper interlayer dielectrics  151  to  155  from the bottom. The upper sacrifice layers may include first to fourth upper sacrifice layers  141  to  144 . The upper interlayer dielectrics  151  to  155  may be formed with, e.g., the silicon oxide layer. The upper sacrifice layers  141  to  144  may be formed with material which has an etching selectivity with respect to the upper interlayer dielectrics  151  to  155 . For instance, the upper sacrifice layers  141  to  144  may be formed with the silicon nitride layer. The first upper interlayer dielectric  151  may be formed undermost. 
         [0185]    Referring to  FIG. 44 , by sequentially etching the upper interlayer dielectrics  151  to  155  and the upper sacrifice layers  141  to  144 , the upper active hole  162  which exposes the lower active pattern  190  is formed. Herein, the lower active pattern  190  may be recessed, and thus the inner side of the lower active pillars  136  may be exposed. The recessed upper surface of the lower active pattern  190  is higher than the lower surface of the fifth lower sacrifice layer  125 . 
         [0186]    The upper active pillars  164  and the upper filling insulating layer  166  are formed at the upper active hole  162 . 
         [0187]    Thereafter, in the method described referring to  FIGS. 12 to 14  and  2 , the structure illustrated in  FIG. 41  may be formed. 
       Embodiment 11 
       [0188]      FIG. 45  is a planar diagram illustrating a three-dimensional nonvolatile memory device according to an eleventh embodiment of the inventive concept.  FIG. 46  is a cross-sectional view along the line I-I′ of  FIG. 45 . Explanations overlapped by the description above-mentioned referring to  FIG. 2  are omitted; instead, differences will be explained in detail. 
         [0189]    Referring to  FIGS. 45 and 46 , first to third lower interlayer dielectrics  111  to  113  and lower conduction patterns LSL, WL 0  and WL 1  are alternately stacked on the substrate  100 . The undermost lower interlayer dielectric may be thinner than the other lower interlayer dielectrics. The lower active pillars  136  penetrate the lower interlayer dielectrics  111  to  113  and the lower conduction patterns LSL, WL 0  and WL 1  and contact the substrate  100 . Upper interlayer dielectrics  151  to  154  and upper conduction patterns WL 2 , WL 3  and USL are alternately stacked on the uppermost lower interlayer dielectric  113 . The upper active pillars  164  penetrate the upper interlayer dielectrics  151  to  154  and the upper conduction patterns WL 2 , WL 3  and USL and contact the lower active pillars  136 . The side of the lower part of the upper active pillars  164  contacts the inner side of the upper part of the lower active pillars  136 . 
         [0190]    Unlike the above-described embodiments, the dummy conduction pattern is not provided. Preferably, the lower surface of the upper active pillars  164  may be higher than the upper surface of the lower interlayer dielectric  113  immediately under the uppermost lower conduction pattern WL 1 . More preferably, the lower surface of the upper active pillars  164  may be higher than that of the uppermost lower conduction pattern WL 1 . The upper surface of the lower active pillars  136  and the upper surface of the information storage layer  171  which covers the uppermost lower conduction pattern WL 1  may be coplanar. The upper surface of the lower active pillars  136  and the lower surface of the undermost upper interlayer dielectric  151  may be coplanar. 
         [0191]    Meanwhile, the thicknesses of the upper and lower conduction patterns LSL, WL 0  to WL 3  and USL may be the same. Accordingly, at the edge of the cell region, the process of forming the stepped contact region by patterning the conduction patterns LSL, WL 0  to WL 3  and USL may be performed more easily. 
         [0192]    A method for operating the three-dimensional nonvolatile memory device according to the embodiment of the inventive concept may be similar to that of the three-dimensional nonvolatile memory device corresponding to a circuit diagram illustrated in  FIG. 47 . 
         [0193]    In detail, referring to  FIG. 47 , the three-dimensional nonvolatile memory device according to the embodiment of the inventive concept may include a common source line CSL, a plurality of bit lines BL 0  to BL 2  and a plurality of cell strings CSTR arranged between the common source line CSL and the bit lines BL 0  to BL 2 . The bit lines BL 0  to BL 2  are arranged two-dimensionally and to each of which the cell strings CSTR are connected in parallel. 
         [0194]    Each of the cell strings CSTR may include a lower selection transistor LST connected to the common source line CSL, an upper selection transistor UST connected to the bit lines BL 0  to BL 2 , and a plurality of memory cell transistors MCT between the selection transistors LST and UST. The lower selection transistor LST, the memory cell transistors MCT and the upper selection transistor UST may be connected in series. The lower selection line LSL, the word lines WL 0  to WL 3 , and the upper selection lines USL may be respectively used as gate electrodes of the lower selection transistor LST, the memory cell transistors MCT and the upper selection transistors UST. 
         [0195]    Voltages applied to lines connected to one cell string CSTR in the circuit illustrated in  FIG. 47  may be determined, e.g., as expressed in Table. 4. 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
                 TABLE 4 
               
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 erase 
                 program 
                 read 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 selected WL 
                 ground voltage 
                 program voltage 
                 read voltage 
               
               
                   
                 (Vss) 
                 (Vpgm) (e.g., 
                 (Vrd) (e.g., 0 V) 
               
               
                   
                   
                 15~20 V) 
               
               
                 non-selected 
                 ground voltage 
                 pass voltage (Vpass) 
                 non-selection 
               
               
                 WL 
                 (Vss) 
                 (e.g., 10 V) 
                 read voltage 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 (Vread) 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 (e.g., 4.5 V) 
               
               
                 USL 
                 floating 
                 power supply 
                 turn-on voltage 
               
               
                   
                   
                 voltage (Vcc) 
                 (e.g., 4.5 V) 
               
               
                 LSL 
                 floating 
                 ground voltage (Vss) 
                 turn-on voltage 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 (e.g., 4.5 V) 
               
               
                 CSL 
                 floating 
                 ground voltage (Vss) 
                 ground voltage 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 (Vss) 
               
               
                 selected BL 
                 floating 
                 ground voltage (Vss) 
                 power supply 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 voltage (Vcc) 
               
               
                 non- 
                 floating 
                 power supply 
                 low voltage 
               
               
                 selected BL 
                   
                 voltage (Vcc) 
                 (e.g., &lt;0.8 V) 
               
               
                 substrate 
                 erasing voltage 
                 ground voltage (Vss) 
                 ground voltage 
               
               
                   
                 (Vers) 
                   
                 (Vss) 
               
               
                   
                 (e.g., 21 V) 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0196]    A method for forming the three-dimensional nonvolatile memory device according to the embodiment of the inventive concept will be described.  FIG. 48  is a cross-sectional view along the line I-I′ of  FIG. 45 . Explanations overlapped by the description above-mentioned referring to  FIGS. 4 to 14  are omitted; instead, differences will be explained in detail. 
         [0197]    Referring to  FIG. 48 , a lower layer  130   e  is formed on the substrate  100 . The lower layer  130   e  may be formed by alternately stacking lower interlayer dielectrics and lower sacrifice layers. The lower interlayer dielectrics may include first to third lower interlayer dielectrics  111  to  113  from the bottom. The lower sacrifice layers may include first to third lower sacrifice layers  121  to  123  from the bottom. The lower interlayer dielectrics  111  to  113  may be formed with, e.g., the silicon oxide layer. The lower sacrifice layers  121  to  123  may be formed with material which has an etching selectivity with respect to the lower interlayer dielectrics  111  to  113 . For instance, the lower sacrifice layers  121  to  123  may be formed with the silicon nitride layer. The first lower interlayer dielectric  111  may be thinner than the other interlayer dielectrics and formed undermost to contact the substrate  100 . The third lower sacrifice layer  123  may be formed uppermost. 
         [0198]    By sequentially etching the lower interlayer dielectrics  111  to  113  and the lower sacrifice layers  121  to  123 , the lower active hole  132  which exposes the substrate  100  is formed. The lower active pillars  136  are formed on the bottom and side of the lower active hole  132 . The lower active pillars  136  are formed with the semiconductor layer, and the semiconductor layer may be formed with thickness not filling the lower active hole  132 . The lower filling insulating layer  138  may be formed and fill the inner space of the lower active hole  132 . The lower filling insulating layer  138  may be the silicon oxide layer. 
         [0199]    An upper layer  160   e  is formed on the lower layer  130   e E. The upper layer  160   e  is formed by alternately stacking upper interlayer dielectrics and upper sacrifice layers. The upper interlayer dielectrics may include first to fourth upper interlayer dielectrics  151  to  154  from the bottom. The upper sacrifice layers may include first to third upper sacrifice layers  141  to  143 . The upper interlayer dielectrics  151  to  154  may be formed with, e.g., the silicon oxide layer. The upper sacrifice layers  141  to  143  may be formed with material which has an etching selectivity with respect to the upper interlayer dielectrics  151  to  154 . For instance, the upper sacrifice layers  141  to  143  may be formed with the silicon nitride layer. 
         [0200]    By sequentially etching the upper interlayer dielectrics  151  to  154  and the upper sacrifice layers  141  to  143 , the upper active hole  162  which exposes the lower filling insulating layer  138  is formed. Herein, the lower filling insulating layer  138  may be recessed, and thus the inner side of the lower active pillars  136  may be exposed. The recessed upper surface of the lower filling insulating layer  138  is higher than the lower surface of the third sacrifice layer  123 . 
         [0201]    The upper active pillars  164  and the upper filling insulating layer  166  are formed at the upper active hole  162 . Between the active pillars  136  and  164  adjacent to each other in the first direction, the first electrode separation opening  168  which exposes the substrate  100  is formed by sequentially etching the upper layer  160   e  and the lower layer  130   e.    
         [0202]    Thereafter, in the method described referring to  FIGS. 12 to 14  and  2 , the structure illustrated in  FIG. 46  may be formed. 
       Embodiment 12 
       [0203]      FIG. 49  is a cross-sectional view of a three-dimensional nonvolatile memory device according to a twelfth embodiment of the inventive concept. The cross section corresponds to the line I-I′ of  FIG. 45 . Explanations overlapped by the description above-mentioned referring to  FIG. 46  are omitted; instead, differences will be explained in detail. The operating method may be similar to that of the eleventh embodiment. 
         [0204]    Referring to  FIG. 49 , the lower surface of the upper active pillars  164  of the three-dimensional nonvolatile memory device according to the twelfth embodiment of the inventive concept may be lower than the upper surface of the uppermost lower interlayer dielectric  114  and higher than the lower surface of the uppermost lower interlayer dielectric  114 . The upper surface of the lower active pillars  136  and the upper surface of the uppermost interlayer dielectric  114  may be coplanar. 
         [0205]    A method for forming the three-dimensional nonvolatile memory device according to the embodiment of the inventive concept will be described.  FIG. 50  is a cross-sectional view along the line I-I′ of  FIG. 45 . Explanations overlapped by the description above-mentioned referring to  FIGS. 4 to 14  are omitted; instead, differences will be explained in detail. 
         [0206]    Referring to  FIGS. 45 and 50 , a lower layer  130   f  is formed on the substrate  100 . The lower layer  130 F may be formed by alternately stacking lower interlayer dielectrics and lower sacrifice layers. The lower interlayer dielectrics may include first to fourth lower interlayer dielectrics  111  to  114  from the bottom. The lower sacrifice layers may include first to third lower sacrifice layers  121  to  123  from the bottom. The lower interlayer dielectrics  111  to  114  may be formed with, e.g., the silicon oxide layer. The lower sacrifice layers  121  to  123  may be formed with material which has an etching selectivity with respect to the lower interlayer dielectrics  111  to  114 . For instance, the lower sacrifice layers  121  to  123  may be formed with the silicon nitride layer. The first lower interlayer dielectric  111  may be thinner than the other interlayer dielectrics and formed undermost to contact the substrate  100 . The fourth lower interlayer dielectric  114  may be formed uppermost. 
         [0207]    By sequentially etching the lower interlayer dielectrics  111  to  114  and the lower sacrifice layers  121  to  123 , the lower active hole  132  which exposes the substrate  100  is formed. The lower active pillars  136  are formed on the bottom and side of the lower active hole  132 . The lower active pillars  136  are formed with the semiconductor layer, and the semiconductor layer may be formed with thickness not filling the lower active hole  132 . The lower filling insulating layer  138  may be formed and fill the inner space of the lower active hole  132 . The lower filling insulating layer  138  may be the silicon oxide layer. 
         [0208]    An upper layer  160   f  is formed on the lower layer  130   f . The upper layer  160 F is formed by alternately stacking upper interlayer dielectrics and upper sacrifice layers. The upper interlayer dielectrics may include first to third upper interlayer dielectrics  151  to  153  from the bottom. The upper sacrifice layers may include first to third upper sacrifice layers  141  to  143 . The first upper sacrifice layer  141  may contact the uppermost lower interlayer dielectric, e.g., the fourth lower interlayer dielectric  114 . The upper interlayer dielectrics  151  to  153  may be formed with, e.g., the silicon oxide layer. The upper sacrifice layers  141  to  143  may be formed with material which has an etching selectivity with respect to the upper interlayer dielectrics  151  to  153 . For instance, the upper sacrifice layers  141  to  143  may be formed with the silicon nitride layer. 
         [0209]    By sequentially etching the upper interlayer dielectrics  151  to  153  and the upper sacrifice layers  141  to  143 , the upper active hole  162  which exposes the lower filling insulating layer  138  is formed. Herein, the lower filling insulating layer  138  may be recessed, and thus the inner side of the lower active pillars  136  may be exposed. The recessed upper surface of the lower filling insulating layer  138  is higher than that of the third sacrifice layer  123 . 
         [0210]    The upper active pillars  164  and the upper filling insulating layer  166  are formed at the upper active hole  162 . Between the active pillars  136  and  164  adjacent to each other in the first direction, the first electrode separation opening  168  which exposes the substrate  100  is formed by sequentially etching the upper layer  160   f  and the lower layer  130   f.    
         [0211]    Thereafter, in the method described referring to  FIGS. 12 to 14  and  2 , the structure illustrated in  FIG. 49  may be formed. 
       Embodiment 13 
       [0212]      FIG. 51  is a cross-sectional view of a three-dimensional nonvolatile memory device according to a thirteenth embodiment of the inventive concept. The cross section corresponds to the line I-I′ of  FIG. 45 . Explanations overlapped by the description above-mentioned referring to  FIG. 46  are omitted; instead, differences will be explained in detail. The operating method may be similar to that of the eleventh embodiment. 
         [0213]    Referring to  FIG. 51 , the height of the upper surface of the lower active pillars  136  is between the uppermost lower conduction pattern WL 1  and the undermost upper conduction pattern WL 2 . The height of the lower surface of the upper active pillars  164  is between the uppermost lower conduction pattern WL 1  and the undermost upper conduction pattern WL 2 . 
         [0214]    The upper surface of the lower active pillars  136 , the uppermost lower interlayer dielectric  114  and the undermost upper interlayer dielectric  151  may be coplanar. 
         [0215]    A method for forming the three-dimensional nonvolatile memory device according to the embodiment of the inventive concept will be described.  FIG. 52  is a cross-sectional view along the line I-I′ of  FIG. 45 . Explanations overlapped by the description above-mentioned referring to  FIGS. 4 to 14  are omitted; instead, differences will be explained in detail. 
         [0216]    Referring to  FIG. 52 , a lower layer  130   g  is formed on the substrate  100 . The lower layer  130   g  may be formed by alternately stacking lower interlayer dielectrics and lower sacrifice layers. The lower interlayer dielectrics may include first to fourth lower interlayer dielectrics  111  to  114  from the bottom. The lower sacrifice layers may include first to third lower sacrifice layers  121  to  123  from the bottom. The lower interlayer dielectrics  111  to  114  may be formed with, e.g., the silicon oxide layer. The lower sacrifice layers  121  to  123  may be formed with material which has an etching selectivity with respect to the lower interlayer dielectrics  111  to  114 . For instance, the lower sacrifice layers  121  to  123  may be formed with the silicon nitride layer. The first lower interlayer dielectric  111  may be thinner than the other interlayer dielectrics and formed undermost to contact the substrate  100 . The fourth lower interlayer dielectric  114  may be formed uppermost. 
         [0217]    By sequentially etching the lower interlayer dielectrics  111  to  114  and the lower sacrifice layers  121  to  123 , the lower active hole  132  which exposes the substrate  100  is formed. The lower active pillars  136  are formed on the bottom and side of the lower active hole  132 . The lower active pillars  136  are formed with the semiconductor layer, and the semiconductor layer may be formed with thickness not filling the lower active hole  132 . The lower filling insulating layer  138  may be formed and fill the inner space of the lower active hole  132 . The lower filling insulating layer  138  may be the silicon oxide layer. 
         [0218]    An upper layer  160   g  is formed on the lower layer  130   g . The upper layer  160   g  is formed by alternately stacking upper interlayer dielectrics and upper sacrifice layers. The upper interlayer dielectrics may include first to fourth upper interlayer dielectrics  151  to  154  from the bottom. The upper sacrifice layers may include first to third upper sacrifice layers  141  to  143 . The first upper sacrifice layer  141  may contact the uppermost lower interlayer dielectric, e.g., the fourth lower interlayer dielectric  114 . The upper interlayer dielectrics  151  to  154  may be formed with, e.g., the silicon oxide layer. The upper sacrifice layers  141  to  143  may be formed with material which has an etching selectivity with respect to the upper interlayer dielectrics  151  to  154 . For instance, the upper sacrifice layers  141  to  143  may be formed with the silicon nitride layer. 
         [0219]    The sum of thicknesses of the fourth lower interlayer dielectric  114  and the first upper interlayer dielectric  151  may be equal to the thicknesses of the other interlayer dielectrics. 
         [0220]    By sequentially etching the upper interlayer dielectrics  151  to  154  and the upper sacrifice layers  141  to  143 , the upper active hole  162  which exposes the lower filling insulating layer  138  is formed. Herein, the lower filling insulating layer  138  may be recessed, and thus the inner side of the lower active pillars  136  may be exposed. The recessed upper surface of the lower filling insulating layer  138  is higher than that of the third sacrifice layer  123 . 
         [0221]    The upper active pillars  164  and the upper filling insulating layer  166  are formed at the upper active hole  162 . Between the active pillars  136  and  164  adjacent to each other in the first direction, the first electrode separation opening  168  which exposes the substrate  100  is formed by sequentially etching the upper layer  160 G and the lower layer  130 G. 
         [0222]    Thereafter, in the method described referring to  FIGS. 12 to 14  and  2 , the structure illustrated in  FIG. 51  may be formed. 
       Embodiment 14 
       [0223]      FIG. 53  is a planar diagram illustrating a three-dimensional nonvolatile memory device according to a fourteenth embodiment of the inventive concept.  FIG. 54  is a cross-sectional view of the three-dimensional nonvolatile memory device illustrated in  FIG. 53  along a line I-I′. 
         [0224]    Referring to  FIGS. 53 and 54 , a substrate  100  is prepared. The substrate  100  may be a wafer (or a semiconductor substrate) formed by cutting a semiconductor ingot, or an epitaxial semiconductor layer formed on a semiconductor substrate. Although not illustrated, a well may be formed on the substrate  100 . A common source line CSL is provided to the substrate  100 . The common source line CSL may be, e.g., a region doped with N-type impurities at the substrate  100 . The common source line CSL may be provided being overlapped by conduction patterns WL 0  to WL 3  and a dummy conduction pattern DWL. 
         [0225]    Lower interlayer dielectrics  111  to  114  and lower conduction patterns LSL, WL 0  and WL 1  are alternately stacked. A first sub dummy conduction pattern DWLa of the dummy conduction pattern DWL is provided on the uppermost lower interlayer dielectric  114 . Lower active pillars  136  penetrate the first sub dummy conduction pattern DWLa of the dummy conduction pattern DWL, the lower interlayer dielectrics  111  to  114  and the lower conduction patterns LSL, WL 0  and WL 1  and contact the substrate  100 . 
         [0226]    On the uppermost lower interlayer dielectric  114 , a second sub dummy conduction pattern DWLb of the dummy conduction pattern DWL, upper conduction patterns WL 2 , WL 3  and USL and upper interlayer dielectrics  151  to  154  are alternately stacked. Upper active pillars  164  penetrate the second sub dummy conduction pattern DWLb of the dummy conduction pattern DWL, the upper interlayer dielectrics  151  to  154  and the upper conduction patterns WL 2 , WL 3  and USL and contact the lower active pillars  136 . 
         [0227]    An information storage layer is provided to the outer sides of the active pillars  136  and  164 . The information storage layer may include a first information storage layer  171  and a second information storage layer  172 . The first information storage layer  171  is provided between the lower active pillars  136  and the lower conduction patterns LSL, WL 0  and WL 1 , and between the lower active pillars  136  and the first sub dummy conduction pattern DWLa of the dummy conduction pattern DWL. The second information storage layer  172  is provided between the upper active pillars  164  and the upper conduction patterns USL, WL 2  and WL 3 , and between the upper active pillars  164  and the second sub dummy conduction pattern DWLb of the dummy conduction pattern DWL. The information storage layers  171  and  172  may include a tunnel insulating layer, a charge storage layer and a blocking insulating layer. The tunnel insulating layer is provided adjacently to the active pillars  136  and  164 , and the blocking insulating layer is provided adjacently to the conduction patterns LSL, WL 0  to WL 3  and USL. The charge storage layer is provided between the tunnel insulating layer and the blocking insulating layer. The tunnel insulating layer may include the silicon oxide layer. The blocking insulating layer may include a high dielectric layer, e.g., an aluminum oxide layer or a hafnium oxide layer. The blocking insulating layer may be a multi-stacked layer including a plurality of thin layers. For instance, the blocking insulating layer may include the aluminum oxide layer and the silicon oxide layer, and a layering sequence of the aluminum oxide layer and the silicon oxide layer may be various. The charge storage layer may be an insulating layer including a charge trap layer or a conductive nano-particle. The charge trap layer may include, e.g., a silicon nitride layer. 
         [0228]    The undermost lower conduction pattern LSL may be a lower selection line of a NAND flash memory device. The uppermost upper conduction patterns USL may be provided as plural numbers, and they may be upper selection lines of the NAND flash memory device extended in a second direction. The conduction patterns between the selection lines, i.e., WL 0  to WL 3 , may be first to fourth word lines of the NAND flash memory device. The lower selection line LSL, the dummy word line DWL and the upper word lines WL 2  and WL 3  may have a plate structure extended in parallel with the substrate. 
         [0229]    In the embodiment, sides of the active pillars  136  and  164  may have a slope. The active pillars  136  and  164  may have a shape of a cup. A width of the upper portion of the lower active pillars  136  is larger than that of a lower portion of the upper active pillars  164 . The inside of the lower active pillars  136  is filled with a lower filling insulating layer  138  and a lower active pattern  190 , and the inside of the upper active pillars  164  is filled with an upper filling insulating layer  166 . The lower active pattern  190  contacts the inner side of the upper part of the lower active pillars  136 . An upper surface of the lower filling insulating layer  138  may be lower than that of the lower active pillars  136 . The upper surface of the lower active pattern  190  may be lower than that of the lower active pillars  136 . The upper surface of the lower filling insulating layer  138  and the lower surface of the upper active pillars  164  are coplanar. The inner side of the upper part of the lower active pillars  136  may contact the outer side of the lower part of the upper active pillars  164 . The lower active pillars  136  are electrically connected to the upper active pillars  164 . 
         [0230]    The upper surface of the upper filling insulating layer  166  may be lower than that of the upper active pillars  164 . An upper active pattern  177  may be provided on the upper filling insulating layer  166  and contact the inner side of the upper part of the upper active pillars  164 . The upper active pattern  177  may include the semiconductor layer. 
         [0231]    At the contact region of the lower active pillars  136  and the upper active pillars  164 , outer sides of the lower active pillars  136  and the upper active pillars  164  may have the stepped profile. The dummy conduction pattern DWL is provided for covering the contact region of the lower active pillars  136  and the upper active pillars  164 . The dummy conduction pattern DWL may be a dummy word line. The first information storage layer  171  may be extended between the first sub dummy conduction pattern DWLa of the dummy conduction pattern DWL and the lower active pillars  136 . The second information storage layer  172  may be extended between the second sub dummy conduction pattern DWLb of the dummy conduction pattern DWL and the upper active pillars  164 . 
         [0232]    Preferably, the upper surface of the lower active pillars  136  may have the same height as or be lower than that of the dummy conduction pattern DWL. Preferably, the lower surface of the lower active pattern  190  may have the same height as or be higher than that of the lower interlayer dielectric  114  immediately under the dummy conduction pattern DWL. More preferably, the lower surface of the lower active pattern  190  may have the same height as or be higher than that of the dummy conduction pattern DWL. The dummy conduction pattern DWL may cover both of the lower active pillars  136  and the upper active pillars  164 . The dummy conduction pattern DWL may include a protrusion portion which is more protruded than a first surface facing the outer surface of the upper part of the lower active pillars  136  toward the outer surface of the lower part of the upper active pillars  164  and thinner than the dummy conduction pattern. The dummy conduction pattern DWL covers the lower active pillars  136  and the upper active pillars  164 . Therefore, the lower active pillars  136 , the upper active pillars  164  and the lower active pattern  190  may have the same channel characteristics. 
         [0233]    A drain region  179  may be provided on the upper active pillars  164 . The drain region  179  may be a silicon layer doped with impurities. On the insulating layer  156  surrounding the drain region  179 , a plurality of bit lines BL 0  to BL 3  is provided. The plurality of bit lines BL 0  to BL 3  crosses the upper selection line USL and is extended in a second direction intersecting the first direction. The bit lines BL 0  to BL 3  are connected to the drain region  179 . 
         [0234]    The active pillars  136  and  164  may include an intrinsic semiconductor layer not doped with impurities. If a voltage is applied to one of the conduction patterns LSL, WL 0  to WL 3  and USL, an inversion region is formed due to a fringe field at a certain region of the active pillars  136  and  164  adjacent to the conduction pattern. This inversion region may form a source/drain region of a memory cell transistor. 
         [0235]      FIG. 55  is a circuit diagram illustrating the three-dimensional nonvolatile memory device according to the embodiment of the inventive concept. Except that a diode D is provided between each cell string CSTR and the common source line CSL, the circuit diagram according to the embodiment is the same as the circuit diagram described referring to  FIG. 3 . For instance, the common source line CSL may have N-type of conduction and the active pillars may have P-type of conduction. The lower active pillars  136  and the common source line CSL form a P-N junction to be operated as the diode D. 
         [0236]    Voltages applied to the lines connected to one cell string CSTR in the circuit diagram illustrated in  FIG. 55  may be determined, e.g., as shown in Table. 5. 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
                 TABLE 5 
               
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 erase 
                 program 
                 read 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 selected WL 
                 ground voltage 
                 program voltage 
                 read voltage (Vrd) 
               
               
                   
                 (Vss) 
                 (Vpgm) 
                 (e.g., 0 V) 
               
               
                   
                   
                 (e.g., 15~20 V) 
               
               
                 non-selected 
                 ground voltage 
                 pass voltage (Vpass) 
                 non-selection read 
               
               
                 WL 
                 (Vss) 
                 (e.g., 10 V) 
                 voltage (Vread) 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 (e.g., 4.5 V) 
               
               
                 DWL 
                 intermediate 
                 intermediate voltage 
                 intermediate voltage 
               
               
                   
                 voltage (VDWL) 
                 (VDWL) (e.g., 
                 (VDWL) (e.g., 
               
               
                   
                 (e.g., 
                 Vss &lt; VDWL &lt; Vpgm) 
                 Vss &lt; VDWL ≦ Vread) 
               
               
                   
                 Vss &lt; VDWL &lt; Vers) 
               
               
                 USL 
                 floating 
                 power supply 
                 turn-on voltage 
               
               
                   
                   
                 voltage (Vcc) 
                 (e.g., 4.5 V) 
               
               
                 LSL 
                 ground voltage 
                 ground voltage (Vss) 
                 turn-on voltage 
               
               
                   
                 (Vss) → floating 
                   
                 (e.g., 4.5 V) 
               
               
                 CSL 
                 floating 
                 ground voltage (Vss) 
                 ground voltage 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 (Vss) 
               
               
                 selected BL 
                 floating 
                 ground voltage (Vss) 
                 power supply 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 voltage (Vcc) 
               
               
                 non-selected BL 
                 floating 
                 power supply 
                 low voltage 
               
               
                   
                   
                 voltage (Vcc) 
                 (e.g., &lt;0.8 V) 
               
               
                 substrate 
                 pre voltage(Vpre) 
                 ground voltage (Vss) 
                 ground voltage 
               
               
                   
                 → erasing voltage 
                   
                 (Vss) 
               
               
                   
                 (Vers) (e.g., 21 V) 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0237]    Except that the lower election line LSL is floated after it is supplied with the ground voltage Vss, and the substrate  100  is supplied with the erasing voltage Vers after it is supplied with the pre voltage Vpre during the erasing, the voltages applied to the lines may be the same as those shown in Table. 1. 
         [0238]    During the erasing, Gate Induced Drain Leakage (GIDL) occurs due to a voltage difference between the lower selection line LSL and the substrate  100 . Due to the GIDL, a leakage current may flow from the substrate  100  to the lower active pillars  136 . Due to the leakage current, the voltage of the active pillars  136  and  164  is increased so that the erasing is performed. 
         [0239]    A method for forming the three-dimensional nonvolatile memory device according to the embodiment of the inventive concept will be described.  FIGS. 56 to 58  are cross-sectional views along the line I-I′ of  FIG. 53 . 
         [0240]    Referring to  FIG. 56 , the common source line CSL is provided on the substrate  100 . A lower layer  130 H is formed on the common source line CSL. The lower layer  130 H is formed by alternately stacking the lower interlayer dielectrics  111  to  114 , the lower conduction patterns LSL, WL 0  and WL 1  and the dummy conduction pattern DWL. For instance, the lower interlayer dielectrics may be formed with the silicon oxide layer. The lower conduction patterns LSL, WL 0  and WL 1  and the first sub dummy conduction pattern DWLa of the dummy conduction pattern DWL may be formed with conductive material such as polysilicon. The lower interlayer dielectrics may include first to fourth interlayer dielectrics  111  to  114  from the bottom. The first lower interlayer dielectric  111  is formed undermost. The first sub dummy conduction pattern DWLa of the dummy conduction pattern DWL is formed uppermost, and may be thicker than the conduction patterns LSL, WL 0  and WL 1 . 
         [0241]    By sequentially etching the lower interlayer dielectrics  111  to  114 , the lower conduction patterns LSL, WL 0  and WL 1  and the first sub dummy conduction pattern DWLa of the dummy conduction pattern DWL, a lower active hole  132  which exposes the common source line CSL is formed. The etching process may be performed as a dry etching, and the side of the lower active hole  132  may slope due to a by-product generated during the dry etching. 
         [0242]    The first information storage layer  171  and the lower active pillars  136  are formed at the lower active hole  132 . For instance, the tunnel insulating layer, the charge storage layer and the blocking insulating layer are sequentially stacked on the side of the lower active hole  132  and exposed surface of the common source line CSL so that the first information layer  171  is formed. By etching the bottom part of the first information storage layer  171 , the common source line CSL is exposed. By conformally forming the semiconductor layer on the side of the first information storage layer  171  and the exposed surface of the common source line CSL, the lower active pillars  136  are formed. The semiconductor layer may be formed with thickness not filling the lower active hole  132 . For instance, the semiconductor layer may be the polysilicon layer not doped with impurities or the silicon layer doped as P-type. 
         [0243]    The lower filling insulating layer  138  may be formed and fill the inner space of the lower active hole  132 . The lower filling insulating layer  138  may be the silicon oxide layer. The upper part of the lower filling insulating layer  138  is recessed. The recessed upper surface of the lower filling insulating layer  138  may have the same height as or be higher than the lower surface of the first sub dummy conduction pattern DWLa of the dummy conduction pattern DWL. At the recessed part, the lower active pattern  190  is formed. The lower active pattern  190  may contact the inner side of the upper portion of the lower active pillars  136 . The lower active pattern  190  may be doped as the same conductive type as the lower active pillars  136 . The lower surface of the lower active pattern  190  has the same height as or is higher than that of the first sub dummy conduction pattern DWLa of the dummy conduction pattern DWL. 
         [0244]    Referring to  FIG. 57 , an upper layer  169   h  is formed on the lower layer  130   h . The upper layer  169   h  is formed by alternately stacking the upper interlayer dielectric  151  to  154 , the second sub dummy conduction pattern DWLb of the dummy conduction pattern DWL and the upper conduction patterns WL 2 , WL 3  and USL. The first and second sub dummy conduction patterns DWLa and DWLb are included in the dummy conduction pattern DWL. The upper interlayer dielectrics  151  to  154  include first to fourth interlayer dielectrics  151  to  154  from the bottom. For instance, the upper interlayer dielectrics  151  to  154  may be formed with the silicon oxide layer. The second sub dummy conduction pattern DWLb of the dummy conduction pattern DWL and the upper conduction patterns WL 2 , WL 3  and USL may be formed with conduction material such as the polysilicon. 
         [0245]    Referring to  FIG. 58 , by etching the second sub dummy conduction pattern DWLb of the dummy conduction pattern DWL, the upper conduction patterns WL 2 , WL 3  and USL and the upper interlayer dielectrics  151  to  154 , the upper active hole  162  which exposes the lower active pattern  190  is formed. For instance, the lower surface of the upper active hole  162  is lower than the upper surface of the lower active pillars  136 . When the upper active hole  162  is formed, the lower active pattern  190  may be recessed so that the inner side of the upper part of the lower active pillars  136  may be exposed. The etching process may be performed as the dry etching, and the side of the upper active hole  162  may slope due to a by-product generated during the dry etching. 
         [0246]    The second information storage layer  172  and the upper active pillars  164  are formed at the upper active hole  162 . For instance, the tunnel insulating layer, charge storage layer and blocking insulating layer are sequentially stacked on the side of the upper active hole  162  and exposed surface of the lower active pattern  190  so that the second information layer  172  is formed. The bottom portion of the second information storage layer  172  is etched so that the lower active pattern  190  is exposed. By conformally forming the semiconductor layer on the side of the second information storage layer  172  and the exposed surface of the lower active pattern  190 , the upper active pillars  164  are formed. For instance, the semiconductor layer is the polysilicon layer not doped with impurities or the silicon layer doped as P-type. By filling the upper active pillars  164  with an insulating layer, the upper filling insulating layer  166  is formed. 
         [0247]    The lower surface of the upper active pillars  164  has the same height as or is lower than the upper surface of the second sub dummy conduction pattern DWLb of the dummy conduction pattern DWL. 
         [0248]    The lower active pillars  136 , the lower active pattern  190  and the upper active pillars  164  have the same conductive type. That is, the lower active pillars  136 , the lower active pattern  190  and the upper active pillars  164  are electrically connected to each other. Since the lower active pattern  190  is recessed, the lower active pattern  190  contacts the inner side of the lower active pillars  136 . The inner side of the upper part of the lower active pillars  136  contacts the outer side of the lower part of the upper active pillars  164 . 
         [0249]    Thereafter, referring to  FIG. 54  again, the uppermost conduction pattern USL is patterned so that the upper selection lines USL are formed. The drain region  179  which contacts the upper active pillars  164  is formed. The drain region  179  may be doped with N-type impurities. The insulating layer  156  is formed to cover the upper selection lines USL. The bit lines BL 0  to BL 3  are formed and connected to the drain region  179 . 
         [0250]    In the embodiment, the thickness of the lower active pattern  190  is adjusted for the lower active pattern  190  not to be removed when the upper active hole  162  is formed. For instance, for the lower active pattern  190  not to be recessed and removed, the thickness of the lower active pattern  190  is adjusted. In the embodiment, the thickness of the first sub dummy conduction pattern DWLa of the dummy conduction pattern DWL is adjusted based on the thickness of the lower active pattern  190 . As the thickness of the lower active pattern  190  is increased, the thickness of the first sub dummy conduction pattern DWLa of the dummy conduction pattern DWL may be increased. 
       Embodiment 15 
       [0251]      FIG. 59  is a planar diagram illustrating a three-dimensional nonvolatile memory device according to a fifteenth embodiment of the inventive concept.  FIG. 60  is a cross-sectional view along the line I-I′ of  FIG. 59 . Explanations overlapped by the description above-mentioned referring to  FIG. 54  are omitted; instead, differences will be explained in detail. 
         [0252]    Referring to  FIGS. 59 and 60 , the three-dimensional nonvolatile memory device according to the fifteenth embodiment of the inventive concept includes the lower active pattern  190  stacked between the lower filling insulating layer  138  and the upper active pillars  164 . The lower active pattern  190  contacts the inner side of the upper part of the lower active pillars  136  and contacts the lower surface of the upper active pillars  164 . The lower active pattern  190  helps the upper active pillars  164  and the lower active pillars  136  be electrically connected to each other. 
         [0253]    The lower active pattern  190  may be doped as the same type as the lower active pillars  136  and the upper active pillars  164 . 
         [0254]    At least two dummy conduction patterns DWL 1  and DWL 2  are provided adjacently to the contact region of the lower active pillars  136  and the upper active pillars  164 . Hereinafter, the dummy conduction patterns DWL 1  and DWL 2  are defined as a first dummy conduction pattern DWL 1  and a second dummy conduction pattern DWL 2  respectively from the bottom. The first dummy conduction pattern DWL 1  covers the lower active pillars  136 . The second dummy conduction pattern DWL 2  covers the stepped profile of the part where the lower active pillars  136  and the upper active pillars  164  contact each other. The problem of channel non-uniformity due to different characteristics of the channels formed at the lower active pillars  136 , the upper active pillars  164  and the lower active pattern  190  may be reduced. 
         [0255]    The second dummy conduction pattern DWLs may include a first sub dummy conduction pattern DWL 2   a  and a second sub dummy conduction pattern DWL 2   b . The interface between the first sub dummy conduction pattern DWL 2   a  and the second sub dummy conduction pattern DWL 2   b  may be discontinuous. The upper surface of the lower active pillars  136 , the upper surface of the first sub dummy conduction pattern DWL 2   a  and the lower surface of the second sub dummy conduction pattern DWL 2   b  may be coplanar. The first sub dummy conduction pattern DWL 2   a  of the second dummy conduction pattern DWL 2  covers the lower active pillars  136 . The second sub dummy conduction pattern DWL 2   b  of the second dummy conduction pattern DWL 2  covers the upper active pillars  164 . 
         [0256]    Preferably, the lower surface of the lower active pattern  190  may have the same height as or be higher than that of the lower interlayer dielectric  114  immediately under the first dummy conduction pattern DWL 1 . More preferably, the lower surface of the lower active pattern  190  may have the same height as or be higher than that of the first dummy conduction pattern DWL 1 . Preferably, the upper surface of the lower active pillars  136  may have the same height as or be lower than that of the interlayer dielectric  151  just on the second dummy conduction pattern DWL 2 . More preferably, the upper surface of the lower active pattern  136  may have the same height as or be lower than that of the second dummy conduction pattern DWL 2 . Preferably, the lower surface of the upper active pillars  164  may have the same height as or be higher than that of the lower interlayer dielectric  114  immediately under the first dummy conduction pattern DWL 1 . More preferably, the lower surface of the upper active pillars  164  may have the same height as or be higher than that of the first dummy conduction pattern DWL 1 . 
         [0257]    Meanwhile, the conduction patterns WL 0  to WL 3  except for the conduction patterns LSL and USL corresponding to the selection lines, and the dummy conduction patterns DWL 1  and DWL 2  may have the same thickness. Accordingly, at the edge of the cell region, the process of forming the stepped contact region by patterning the conduction patterns LSL, WL 0  to WL 3 , USL, DWL 1  and DWL 2  may be performed more easily. 
         [0258]      FIG. 61  is a circuit diagram illustrating the three-dimensional nonvolatile memory device according to the fifteenth embodiment of the inventive concept. Except that the two dummy conduction patterns DWL 1  and DWL 2  are provided, the circuit diagram according to the fifteenth embodiment of the inventive concept is the same as the circuit diagram according to the fourteenth embodiment described referring to  FIG. 55 . 
         [0259]    At each cell string CSTR of the circuit diagram according to the embodiment of the inventive concept, the dummy conduction patterns DWL 1  and DWL 2  may be controlled as explained referring to Table. 3. At each cell string CSTR of the circuit diagram according to the embodiment of the inventive concept, the lower conduction patterns LSL, WL 0  and WL 1 , the upper conduction patterns USL, WL 2  and WL 3 , the common source line CSL, the substrate  100  and the bit lines BL 0  to BL 3  may be controlled as explained referring to Table. 5. 
         [0260]    A method for forming the three-dimensional nonvolatile memory device according to the embodiment of the inventive concept will be described,  FIGS. 62 to 64  are cross-sectional views along the line I-I′ of  FIG. 59 . Explanations overlapped by the description above-mentioned referring to  FIGS. 56 to 58  are omitted; instead, differences will be explained in detail. 
         [0261]    Referring to  FIG. 62 , a lower layer  130   i  is formed on the common source line CSL of the substrate  100 . The lower layer  130   i  is formed by alternately stacking the lower interlayer dielectrics  111  to  115 , the lower conduction patterns LSL, WL 0  and WL 1 , the first dummy conduction pattern DWL 1  and the first sub dummy conduction pattern DWL 2   a  of the second dummy conduction pattern DWL 2 . 
         [0262]    In the embodiment, the lower interlayer dielectrics may include first to fourth interlayer dielectrics  111  to  115  from the bottom. The first lower interlayer dielectric  111  is formed undermost. The first sub dummy conduction pattern DWL 2   a  of the second dummy conduction pattern DWL 2  is formed uppermost and may be thinner than the other conduction patterns LSL, WL 0 , WL 1  and DWL 1 . 
         [0263]    By sequentially etching the lower interlayer dielectrics  111  to  115 , the lower conduction patterns LSL, WL 0  and WL 1 , the first dummy conduction pattern DWL 1  and the first sub dummy conduction pattern DWL 2   a  of the second dummy conduction pattern DWL 2 , a lower active hole  132  which exposes the common source line CSL is formed. 
         [0264]    The first information storage layer  171 , the lower active pillars  136  and the lower active pattern  190  are formed at the lower active hole  132 . The lower active pattern  190  contacts the inner side of the upper portion of the lower active pillars  136 . The lower surface of the lower active pattern  190  has the same height as or is higher than that of the first dummy conduction pattern DWL 1 . 
         [0265]    Referring to  FIG. 63 , an upper layer  160   i  is formed on the lower layer  130   i . The upper layer  160   i  is formed by alternately stacking the upper interlayer dielectrics  151  to  154 , the second sub dummy conduction pattern DWL 2   b  of the second dummy conduction pattern DWL 2  and the upper conduction patterns WL 2 , WL 3  and USL. The second sub dummy conduction pattern DWL 2   b  of the second dummy conduction pattern DWL 2  is formed undermost. The second sub dummy conduction pattern DWL 2   b  of the second dummy conduction pattern DWL 2  may be thinner than the upper conduction patterns WL 2 , WL 3  and USL. The first sub dummy conduction pattern DWL 2   a  and the second sub dummy conduction pattern DWL 2   b  of the second dummy conduction pattern DWL 2  are included in the second dummy conduction pattern DWL 2 . For instance, the second dummy conduction pattern DWL 2  may have the same thickness as the first dummy conduction pattern DWL 1 . The second dummy conduction pattern DWL 2  may have the same thickness as the conduction patterns WL 0  to WL 3  except for the conduction patterns corresponding to the selection lines LSL and USL. 
         [0266]    The upper interlayer dielectrics  151  to  154  may include first to fourth interlayer dielectrics  151  to  154 . 
         [0267]    Referring to  FIG. 64 , by etching the second sub dummy conduction pattern DWL 2   b  of the second dummy conduction pattern DWL 2 , the upper conduction patterns WL 2 , WL 3  and USL and the upper interlayer dielectrics  151  to  154 , the upper active hole  162  which exposes the lower active pattern  190  is exposed. Since the lower active pattern  190  is recessed, the inner side of the upper portion of the lower active pillars  136  is exposed. The side of the upper active hole  162  may slope. 
         [0268]    The second information storage layer  172 , the upper active pillars  164  and the upper filling insulating layer  166  are formed at the upper active hole  162 . The bottom surface of the upper active pillars  164  has the same height as or is lower than the upper surface of the second dummy conduction pattern DWL 2 . 
         [0269]    Thereafter, referring to  FIG. 60  again, the uppermost conduction pattern USL is patterned so that upper selection lines USL are formed. The drain region  179  which contacts the upper active pillars  164  is formed. The drain region  179  may be doped with N-type impurities. The insulating layer  156  is formed to cover the upper selection lines USL. The bit lines BL 0  to BL 3  are formed and connected to the drain region  179 . 
         [0270]    In the embodiment, the thickness of the lower active pattern  190  is adjusted for the lower active pattern  190  not to be removed when the upper active hole  162  is formed. For instance, for the lower active pattern  190  not to be recessed and removed, the thickness of the lower active pattern  190  is adjusted. In the embodiment, at least two dummy conduction patterns DWL 1  and DWL 2  are provided. Accordingly, the thickness of the lower active pattern  190  may be increased corresponding to the two dummy conduction patterns DWL 1  and DWL 2 . In spite of the increase of the thickness of the lower active pattern  190 , the dummy conduction patterns DWL 1  and DWL 2  may have the same thickness as the conduction patterns WL 0  to WL 3  except for the conduction patterns corresponding to the election lines, and the thicknesses of the second to fifth lower interlayer dielectrics  112  to  115  and the first to fourth upper interlayer dielectrics  151  to  154  may be the same. 
       Embodiment 16 
       [0271]      FIG. 65  is a cross-sectional view of a three-dimensional nonvolatile memory device according to a sixteenth embodiment of the inventive concept. The cross section corresponds to the line I-I′ of  FIG. 53 . Explanations overlapped by the description above-mentioned referring to  FIG. 60  are omitted; instead, differences will be explained in detail. The operating method may be similar to that of the fourteenth embodiment. 
         [0272]    Referring to  FIGS. 53 and 65 , the three-dimensional nonvolatile memory device according to the sixteenth embodiment of the inventive concept includes the lower active pattern  190  stacked between the lower filling insulating layer  138  and the upper active pillars  164 . The dummy conduction pattern DWL is provided adjacently to the contact region of the lower active pillars  136  and the upper active pillars  164 . 
         [0273]    The interlayer dielectric right on the dummy conduction pattern DWL includes a first sub interlayer dielectric  115  and a second sub interlayer dielectric  151  on the first sub interlayer dielectric  115 . The interface between the first sub interlayer dielectric  115  and the second sub interlayer dielectric  151  may be discontinuous. The upper surface of the dummy conduction pattern DWL, the upper surface of the first sub interlayer dielectric  115  and the lower surface of the second sub interlayer dielectric  151  may be coplanar. The interlayer dielectric (the combination of the first and second sub interlayer dielectrics) just on the dummy conduction pattern DWL may cover both of the upper part of the lower active pillars  136  and the lower part of the upper active pillars  164 . 
         [0274]    Preferably, the lower surface of the lower active pattern  190  may have the same height as or be higher than that of the lower interlayer dielectric  114  immediately under the dummy conduction pattern DWL. The upper surface of the lower active pillars  136  may have the same height as or be lower than that of the interlayer dielectric (the combination of the first and second sub interlayer dielectrics) immediately on the dummy conduction pattern DWL. More preferably, the lower surface of the lower active pattern  190  may have the same height as or be higher than that of the dummy conduction pattern DWL. The upper surface of the lower active pattern  136  may have the same height as or be lower than the lower surface of the interlayer dielectric (the combination of the first and second sub interlayer dielectrics) immediately on the dummy conduction pattern DWL. 
         [0275]    A method for forming the three-dimensional nonvolatile memory device according to the embodiment of the inventive concept will be described.  FIGS. 66 to 68  are cross-sectional views along the line I-I′ of  FIG. 53 . Explanations overlapped by the description above-mentioned referring to  FIGS. 56 to 58  are omitted; instead, differences will be explained in detail. 
         [0276]    Referring to  FIG. 66 , a lower layer  130   j  is formed on the common source line CSL of the substrate  100 . The lower layer  130   j  is formed by alternately stacking the lower interlayer dielectrics  111  to  115 , the lower conduction patterns LSL, WL 0  and WL 1  and the first dummy conduction pattern DWL 1 . The lower interlayer dielectrics may include first to fifth lower interlayer dielectrics  111  to  115  from the bottom. The first lower interlayer dielectric  111  may be formed undermost. The fifth lower interlayer dielectric  115  may be formed uppermost and thinner than the second to fourth lower interlayer dielectrics  112  to  114 . 
         [0277]    By etching the lower interlayer dielectrics  111  to  115 , the lower conduction patterns LSL, WL 0  and WL 1  and the dummy conduction pattern DWL, a lower active hole  132  which exposes the common source line CSL is formed. The side of the lower active hole  132  may have a slope. 
         [0278]    The first information storage layer  171 , the lower active pillars  136 , the lower filling insulating layer  138  and the lower active pattern  190  are formed at the lower active hole  132 . The upper surface of the lower active pillars  136  has the same height as or is higher than that of the dummy conduction pattern DWL. The lower surface of the lower active pattern  190  has the same height as or is higher than that of the interlayer dielectric  114  immediately under the dummy conduction pattern DWL. 
         [0279]    Referring to  FIG. 67 , an upper layer  160   j  is formed on the lower layer  130   j . The upper layer  160   j  is formed by alternately stacking the upper conduction patterns WL 2 , WL 3  and USL and the upper interlayer dielectrics  151  to  154 . The upper interlayer dielectrics may include first to fourth upper interlayer dielectrics  151  to  154  from the bottom. 
         [0280]    The first upper interlayer dielectric  151  may be formed undermost and thinner than the second to fourth upper interlayer dielectrics  152  to  154 . For instance, the sum of thicknesses of the fifth lower interlayer dielectric  115  and the first upper interlayer dielectric  151  may be equal to the thicknesses of the second to fourth lower interlayer dielectrics  112  to  114  and the second to fourth upper interlayer dielectrics  152  to  154 . 
         [0281]    Referring to  FIG. 68 , by etching the upper conduction patterns WL 2 , WL 3  and USL and the upper interlayer dielectrics  151  to  154 , the upper active hole  162  which exposes the lower active pattern  190  is exposed. Since the lower active pattern  190  is recessed, the inner side of the upper part of the lower active pillars  136  is exposed. The side of the upper active hole  162  may have a slope. 
         [0282]    The second information storage layer  172 , the upper active pillars  164  and the upper filling insulating layer  166  are formed at the upper active hole  162 . The bottom surface of the upper active pillars  164  has the same height as or is lower than the upper surface of the first upper interlayer dielectric  151 . The lower active pillars  136 , the lower active pattern  190  and the upper active pillars  164  have the same conductive type. 
         [0283]    Thereafter, referring to  FIG. 65  again, the uppermost conduction pattern USL is patterned so that upper selection lines USL are formed. The drain region  179  which contacts the upper active pillars  164  is formed. The drain region  179  may be doped with N-type impurities. The insulating layer  156  is formed to cover the upper selection lines USL. The bit lines BL 0  to BL 3  are formed and connected to the drain region  179 . 
         [0284]    In the embodiment, the fifth lower interlayer dielectric  115  and the first upper interlayer dielectric  151  are included in the interlayer dielectric right on the dummy conduction pattern DWL. 
         [0285]    In the embodiment, the thickness of the lower active pattern  190  is adjusted for the lower active pattern  190  not to be removed when the upper active hole  162  is formed. For instance, for the lower active pattern  190  not to be recessed and removed, the thickness of the lower active pattern  190  is adjusted. In the embodiment, the thickness of the lower active pattern  190  is adjusted based on the dummy conduction pattern DWL and the interlayer dielectrics (combination of  114 ,  115  and  151 ) adjacent to the dummy conduction pattern DWL. 
       Embodiment 17 
       [0286]      FIG. 69  is a planar diagram illustrating a three-dimensional nonvolatile memory device according to a seventeenth embodiment of the inventive concept.  FIG. 70  is a cross-sectional view along the line I-I′ of  FIG. 69 . Explanations overlapped by the description above-mentioned referring to  FIG. 60  are omitted; instead, differences will be explained in detail. The operating method may be similar to that of the fifteenth embodiment except that the number of dummy conduction patterns is three. 
         [0287]    Referring to  FIGS. 69 and 70 , the three-dimensional nonvolatile memory device according to the seventeenth embodiment of the inventive concept includes the lower active pattern  190  interposed between the lower filling insulating layer  138  and the upper active pillars  164 . The lower active pattern  190  contacts the inner side of the upper part of the lower active pillars  136  and contacts the lower surface of the upper active pillars  164 . The lower active pattern  190  helps the upper active pillars  164  and the lower active pillars  136  be electrically connected to each other. 
         [0288]    Dummy conduction patterns DWL 1  to DWL 3  are provided to the part where the lower active pillars  136  and the upper active pillars  164  contact each other. The dummy conduction patterns DWL 1  to DWL 3  may include first to third dummy conduction patterns DWL 1  to DWL 3 . 
         [0289]    Preferably, the lower surface of the lower active pattern  190  has the same height as or is higher than the upper surface of the first dummy conduction pattern DWL 1 . The upper surface of the lower active pillars  136  has the same height as or is lower than the lower surface of the third dummy conduction pattern DWL 3 . 
         [0290]    Except that the number of the dummy conduction patterns is 3, the operating method may be similar to that of the eighth embodiment. 
         [0291]    A method for forming the three-dimensional nonvolatile memory device according to the embodiment of the inventive concept will be described.  FIGS. 71 to 73  are cross-sectional views along the line I-I′ of  FIG. 69 . Explanations overlapped by the description above-mentioned referring to  FIGS. 56 to 58  are omitted; instead, differences will be explained in detail. 
         [0292]    Referring to  FIG. 71 , a lower layer  130   k  is formed on the common source line CSL of the substrate  100 . The lower layer  130   k  is formed by alternately stacking the lower interlayer dielectrics  111  to  115 , the lower conduction patterns LSL, WL 0  and WL 1  and the first and second dummy conduction patterns DWL 1  and DWL 2 . The lower interlayer dielectrics may include first to fifth interlayer dielectrics  111  to  115  from the bottom. The first lower interlayer dielectric  111  may be formed undermost. The second dummy conduction pattern DWL 2  may be formed uppermost. 
         [0293]    By etching the lower interlayer dielectrics  111  to  115 , the lower conduction patterns LSL, WL 0  and WL 1  and the dummy conduction patterns DWL 1  and DWL 2 , the lower active hole  132  which exposes the common source line CSL is formed. The side of the lower active hole  132  may have a slope. 
         [0294]    The first information storage layer  171 , the lower active pillars  136 , the lower filling insulating layer  138  and the lower active pattern  190  are formed at the lower active hole  132 . The upper surface of the lower active pillars  136  and the upper surface of the second dummy conduction pattern DWL 2  may be coplanar. The lower surface of the lower active pattern  190  has the same height as or is higher than that of the first dummy conduction pattern DWL 1 . 
         [0295]    Referring to  FIG. 72 , an upper layer  160   k  is formed on the lower layer  130   k . The upper layer  160   k  is formed by alternately stacking the upper interlayer dielectrics  151  to  155 , the third dummy conduction pattern DWL 3  and the upper conduction patterns WL 2 , WL 3  and USL. The upper interlayer dielectrics may include first to fifth upper interlayer dielectrics  151  to  155  from the bottom. 
         [0296]    The first upper interlayer dielectric  151  may be formed undermost and thinner than the second to fourth upper interlayer dielectrics  152  to  154 . For instance, the sum of thicknesses of the fifth lower interlayer dielectric  115  and the first upper interlayer dielectric  151  may be equal to the thicknesses of the second to fourth lower interlayer dielectrics  112  to  114  and the second to fifth upper interlayer dielectrics  152  to  155 . 
         [0297]    Referring to  FIG. 73 , by etching the upper conduction patterns WL 2 , WL 3  and USL, the third dummy conduction pattern DWL 3  and the upper interlayer dielectrics  151  to  155 , the upper active hole  162  which exposes the lower active pattern  190  is exposed. Since the lower active pattern  190  is recessed, the inner side of the upper part of the lower active pillars  136  is exposed. The side of the upper active hole  162  may have a slope. 
         [0298]    The second information storage layer  172 , the upper active pillars  164  and the upper filling insulating layer  166  are formed at the upper active hole  162 . The bottom surface of the upper active pillars  164  has the same height as or is lower than the upper surface of the first upper interlayer dielectric  151 . The lower active pillars  136 , the lower active pattern  190  and the upper active pillars  164  have the same conductive type. 
         [0299]    Thereafter, referring to  FIG. 70  again, the uppermost conduction pattern USL is patterned so that upper selection lines USL are formed. The drain region  179  which contacts the upper active pillars  164  is formed. The drain region  179  may be formed with N-type impurities. The insulating layer  156  is formed to cover the upper selection lines USL. The bit lines BL 0  to BL 3  are formed and connected to the drain region  179 . 
         [0300]    In the embodiment, the thickness of the lower active pattern  190  is adjusted for the lower active pattern  190  not to be removed when the upper active hole  162  is formed. For instance, for the lower active pattern  190  not to be recessed and removed, the thickness of the lower active pattern  190  is adjusted. In the embodiment, the plurality of dummy conduction patterns DWL 1  to DWL 2  is provided. 
         [0301]    Although it has been described that the number of word lines is 4, the number of lower selection lines is 1, and the number of upper selection lines is 3 in the above-described embodiments, they are not limited to this. Also, the lower selection line may be formed as two or more layers. The upper selection line may be formed as two or more layers. Meanwhile, the above-described structures of the three-dimensional memory device are just examples of the inventive concept and may be variously changed. 
         [0302]    Also, the above-described inventive concepts may be embodied combining them within the scope of rational point of view. 
         [0303]    [Operating Method 1] 
         [0304]      FIG. 74  is a flow chart illustrating a first exemplary method for operating the three-dimensional nonvolatile memory device according to the above-described embodiments of the inventive concept. Referring to  FIG. 74 , in operation S 110 , dummy cell transistors are programmed. For instance, the dummy cell transistors are programmed to have a threshold voltage higher than about 0 V. 
         [0305]    In operation S 120 , memory cell transistors are programmed. The memory cell transistors are programmed after all the dummy cell transistors are programmed. For instance, after the dummy cell transistors are programmed, a lower memory cell transistor or an upper memory cell transistor which is the most adjacent to the dummy cell transistors may be programmed. When the upper or lower memory cell transistor is programmed, the dummy cell transistors may be turned-off. 
         [0306]    [Operating Method 2] 
         [0307]      FIG. 75  is a flow chart illustrating a second exemplary method for operating the three-dimensional nonvolatile memory device according to the above-described embodiments of the inventive concept. For instance, it is assumed that memory cell transistors are programmed through a plurality of sub program processes. 
         [0308]    Referring to  FIG. 75 , in operation  5210 , the memory cell transistors are first to (n−1)th sub programmed. In operation  5220 , dummy cell transistors are programmed. Thereafter, in operation  5230 , the memory cell transistors are nth sub programmed. 
         [0309]    That is, when the memory cell transistors are programmed through the plurality of sub program processes, the dummy cell transistors may be programmed before the final sub program is performed to the memory cell transistors. For instance, the dummy cell transistors may be programmed to have a threshold voltage higher than about 0 V. 
         [0310]    [Application] 
         [0311]      FIG. 76  is a block diagram illustrating a flash memory device  1100  according to the inventive concept. Referring to  FIG. 76 , the nonvolatile memory device  1100  according to the embodiments of the inventive concept includes a memory cell array  1110 , an address decoder  1120 , a read and write circuit  1130  and a control logic  1140 . 
         [0312]    The memory cell array  1110  is connected to the address decoder  1120  through word lines WL and to the read and write circuit  1130  through bit lines BL. The memory cell array  1110  includes a plurality of memory cells. For instance, the memory cell array  1110  corresponds to one of the embodiments of the inventive concept. The word lines WL correspond to the upper and lower conduction patterns and at least one dummy conduction pattern. 
         [0313]    The address decoder  1120  is connected to the memory cell array  1110  through the word lines WL. The address decoder  1120  is configured to operate in response to control of the control logic  1140 . The address decoder  1120  receives an address ADDR from the outside. 
         [0314]    The address decoder  1120  is configured to decode a row address included in the received address ADDR. By using the decoded row address, the address decoder  1120  selects the word lines. The address decoder  1120  is configured to decode a column address included in the received address ADDR. The decoded column address is transferred to the read and write circuit  1130 . For instance, the address decoder  1120  includes a row decoder, a column decoder and an address buffer. 
         [0315]    The read and write circuit  1130  is connected to the cell array  1110  through the bit lines BL. The read and write circuit  1130  is configured to exchange data DATA with the outside. The read and write circuit  1130  is operated in response to the control of the control logic  1140 . The read and write circuit  1130  is configured to receive the decoded column address from the address decoder  1120 . By using the decoded column address, the read and write circuit  1130  selects the bit lines BL. 
         [0316]    For instance, the read and write circuit  1130  receives the data DATA from the outside and writes the received data to the memory cell array  1110 . The read and write circuit  1130  reads data from the memory cell array  1110  and outputs the read data to the outside. The read and write circuit  1130  reads the data from a first storing region of the memory cell array  1110  and writes the read data to a second storing region of the memory cell array  1110 . For instance, the read and write circuit  1130  is configured to perform a copy-back operation. 
         [0317]    For instance, the read and write circuit  1130  includes a page buffer (or page register), a column selection circuit and a data buffer. For another instance, the read and write circuit  1130  includes a sense amplifier, a write driver, the column selection circuit and the data buffer. 
         [0318]    The control logic  1140  is connected to the address decoder  1120  and the read and write circuit  1130 . The control logic  1140  is configured to control various operations of the flash memory device  1100 . The control logic  1140  is operated in response to a control signal CTRL transferred from the outside. 
         [0319]      FIG. 77  is a block diagram illustrating a memory system  1200  provided with the flash memory device according to the inventive concept. Referring to  FIG. 1200 , the memory system  1200  for supporting mass storage of data is provided with the flash memory device  1210  according to the inventive concept. The flash memory device  1210  according to the inventive concept is, e.g., the flash memory device  1100  described referring to  FIG. 76 . The memory system  1200  according to the inventive concept includes a memory controller  1220  which controls various data exchanges between a host and the flash memory device  1210 . The memory controller is configured to transfer the control signal CTRL and the address ADDR to the flash memory device  1210 . The memory controller  1220  is configured to exchange data DATA with the flash memory device  1210 . 
         [0320]    An SRAM  1221  is used as at least one of an operating memory of a processing unit  1222 , a cache memory between the nonvolatile memory device  1210  and the host and a buffer memory between the nonvolatile memory device  1210  and the host. The processing unit  1222  controls various operations of the controller  1220 . 
         [0321]    An error correction block  1224  is configured to detect an error of the data read from the nonvolatile memory device  1100  and correct it by using an error correction code ECC. 
         [0322]    A memory interface  1225  interfaces with the flash memory device  1210  according to the inventive concept. The processing unit  1222  performs various control operations for data exchange of the memory controller  1220 . 
         [0323]    The host interface  1223  includes a protocol for data exchange between the host and the controller  1220 . For example, the controller  1220  is configured to communicate with an external device (host) through one of various interface protocols such as Universal Serial Bus (USB) protocol, Multimedia Card (MMC) protocol, Peripheral Component Interconnection (PCI) protocol, PCI-Express (PCI-E) protocol, Advanced Technology Attachment (ATA) protocol, Serial-ATA protocol, Parallel-ATA protocol, Small Computer Small Interface (SCSI) protocol, Enhanced Small Disk Interface (ESDI) protocol, Integrated Drive Electronics (IDE) protocol, and Firewire protocol. 
         [0324]    Although not illustrated in the drawing, the memory system  1200  according to the inventive concept may be further provided with a ROM (not shown) which stores code data for interfacing with the host. 
         [0325]    The controller  1220  and the flash memory device  1210  may be integrated into one semiconductor device. For example, the controller  1220  and the flash memory device  1210  may be integrated into one semiconductor device to constitute a memory card. For example, the controller  1220  and the flash memory device  1210  may be integrated into one semiconductor device to constitute a PC card (e.g., PCMCIA), a compact flash card (CF), a smart media card (e.g., SM and SMC), a memory stick, a multimedia card (e.g., MMC, RS-MMC and MMCmicro), an SD card (e.g., SD, miniSD, microSD, and SDHC), or a universal flash storage (UFS). 
         [0326]    The controller  1220  and the flash memory device  1210  may be integrated into one semiconductor device to constitute a Solid State Drive (SSD). The SSD includes a storage device that is configured to store data in a semiconductor memory. When the memory system  1200  is used as the SSD, the operation speed of the host connected to the memory system  1200  may increase remarkably. 
         [0327]    As another example, the memory system  1200  may be applicable to computers, mobile computers, Ultra Mobile PCs (UMPCs), work stations, net-books, PDAs, portable computers, web tablets, tablet computers, wireless phones, mobile phones, smart phones, e-books, portable multimedia players (PMPs), portable game players, navigation devices, black boxes, digital cameras, digital multimedia broadcasting (DMB) players, 3-dimensional televisions, digital audio recorders, digital audio players, digital picture recorders, digital picture players, digital video recorders, digital video players, storages constituting a data center, devices capable of transmitting/receiving information in wireless environments, one of various electronic devices constituting a home network, one of various electronic devices constituting a computer network, one of various electronic devices constituting a telematics network, an RFID device, or one of various components constituting a computing system. 
         [0328]    For example, the flash memory device  1210  or the memory system  1200  may be mounted in various types of packages. Examples of the packages of the flash memory device  1210  or the memory system  1200  include Package on Package (PoP), Ball Grid Arrays (BGA), Chip Scale Packages (CSP), Plastic Leaded Chip Carrier (PLCC), Plastic Dual In-line Package (PDIP), Die in Waffle Pack, Die in Wafer Form, Chip On Board (COB), Ceramic Dual In-line Package (CERDIP), Plastic Metric Quad Flat Pack (MQFP), Thin Quad Flat Pack (TQFP), Small Outline Integrated Circuit (SOIC), Shrink Small Outline Package (SSOP), Thin Small Outline Package (TSOP), System In Package (SIP), Multi Chip Package (MCP), Wafer-level Fabricated Package (WFP), and Wafer-level Processed Stack Package (WSP). 
         [0329]      FIG. 78  is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary application of the memory system  1200  of  FIG. 77 . Referring to  FIG. 78 , a memory system  1300  includes a flash memory device  1310  and a controller  1320 . The flash memory device  1310  includes a plurality of flash memory chips. The flash memory chips are divided into a plurality of groups. Each group of the flash memory chips is configured to communicate with the controller  1320  through one common channel. For instance, it is illustrated that the flash memory chips communicate with the controller  1320  through first to kth channels CH 1  to CHk. Each memory chip may have the same structure as the flash memory device  1100  described referring to  FIG. 76 . 
         [0330]      FIG. 79  is a block diagram illustrating an information processing system  1400  installed with a flash memory system  1410  according to the inventive concept. Referring to  FIG. 79 , the flash memory system  1410  according to the inventive concept is installed in the information processing system such as a mobile device or a desktop computer. The information processing system  1400  according to the inventive concept includes a power supply  1420  electrically connected to the flash memory system  1410  and each system bus  1460 , a Central Processing Unit (CPU)  1430 , a RAM  1440  and a user interface  1450 . The flash memory system  1410  may have the substantially same configuration as the above-mentioned memory system or flash memory system. Data processed by the CPU  1430  or inputted from the outside are stored into the flash memory system  1410 . Herein, the above-described flash memory system  1410  may be structured with a semiconductor disk device (SSD). In this case, the information processing system  1400  may stably store mass data in the flash memory system  1410 . And, as reliability is increased, the flash memory system  1410  may save resources consumed for correcting errors so that it provides a high speed of data exchange function to the information processing system  1400 . Although not illustrated, it is clear that the information processing system  1400  according to the inventive concept may be further provided with an application chipset, a Camera Image Processor (CIS) and an input/output device. 
         [0331]    Since the upper inner side of the lower active pillars and the lower outer side of the upper active pillars of the three-dimensional nonvolatile memory device according to the embodiments of the inventive concept contact to each other, the electric current flow between the lower active pillars and the upper active pillars can be smooth. 
         [0332]    The dummy word line is provided adjacently to the contact region of the upper active pillars and the lower active pillars of the three-dimensional nonvolatile memory device according to the embodiments of the inventive concept. Since there is no memory cell at the part where the stepped profile provided to the outer sides of the upper active pillars and the lower active pillars is formed, all the memory cells can have uniform electric characteristics. 
         [0333]    The above-disclosed subject matter is to be considered illustrative and not restrictive, and the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications, enhancements, and other embodiments, which fall within the true spirit and scope of the inventive concept. Thus, to the maximum extent allowed by law, the scope of the inventive concept is to be determined by the broadest permissible interpretation of the following claims and their equivalents, and shall not be restricted or limited by the foregoing detailed description.