Patent Publication Number: US-11043507-B2

Title: Devices including dummy regions, and related memory devices and electronic systems

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/106,752, filed Aug. 21, 2018, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,580,791, issued Mar. 3, 2020, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein in its entirety by this reference. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The disclosure, in various embodiments, relates generally to the field of semiconductor device design and fabrication. More specifically, the disclosure relates to semiconductor device structures including data line contact regions, and to related semiconductor devices and electronic systems. 
     BACKGROUND 
     A continuing goal of the semiconductor industry has been to increase the memory density (e.g., the number of memory cells per memory die) of memory devices, such as non-volatile memory devices (e.g., NAND Flash memory devices). One way of increasing memory density in non-volatile memory devices is to utilize vertical memory array (also referred to as a “three-dimensional (3D) memory array”) architectures. A conventional vertical memory array includes vertical memory strings extending through openings in tiers of conductive structures (e.g., word lines, control gates) and dielectric materials at each junction of the vertical memory strings and the conductive structures. Such a configuration permits a greater number of switching devices (e.g., transistors) to be located in a unit of die area (i.e., length and width of active surface consumed) by building the array upwards (e.g., longitudinally, vertically) on a die, as compared to structures with conventional planar (e.g., two-dimensional) arrangements of transistors. 
     In a conventional 3D memory device structure, data lines (e.g., bit lines, digit lines) are electrically coupled to vertical memory strings of a vertical memory array, and an opening is provided next to edges of the vertical memory array to accommodate data line contacts for each of the data lines. The data line contacts electrically couple the data lines to control logic circuitry to facilitate operations (e.g., read operations, write operations, erase operations) on the vertical memory strings of the vertical memory array. However, providing the opening for the data line contacts next to the vertical memory array can effectuate damage to and/or defects at the edges of the vertical memory array (e.g., commonly referred to as “array edge effects”). Accordingly, an array of “dummy” pillars (e.g., dielectric pillars) is conventionally provided between the vertical memory array and the opening to set the edges of the vertical memory array back farther from the opening and mitigate the aforementioned damage to and/or defects at the edges of the vertical memory array. Unfortunately, the area conventionally required for such an opening and such an array of dummy pillars can frustrate improvements in overall lateral dimensions and packing density in such 3D memory device structures. 
     Accordingly, there is a need for 3D semiconductor device structures exhibiting improved packing density, such as memory device structures for 3D non-volatile memory devices (e.g., 3D NAND Flash memory devices), as well as for associated semiconductor devices and electronic systems including the semiconductor device structures. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1A  is a simplified, partial top-down view of a semiconductor device structure, in accordance with embodiments of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 1B  is a simplified, partial cross-sectional view of the semiconductor device structure shown in  FIG. 1A . 
         FIG. 1C  is a simplified, partial cutaway perspective view of the semiconductor device structure shown in  FIG. 1A . 
         FIG. 2  is a simplified, partial top-down view of a semiconductor device structure, in accordance with additional embodiments of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 3  is a schematic block diagram illustrating an electronic system, in accordance with embodiments of the disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Semiconductor device structures are described, as are related semiconductor devices and electronic systems. In some embodiments, a semiconductor device structure includes one or more memory regions, at least one data line (e.g., bit line, digit line) contact region, and one or more dummy regions laterally intervening between the memory regions and the data line contact region. An array of blocks laterally extends through each of the memory regions, the dummy regions, and the data line contact region. The blocks of the array are all oriented substantially parallel to one another (e.g., each extend in a first lateral direction), and neighboring blocks of the array are laterally separated (e.g., in a second lateral direction orthogonal to the first lateral direction) from one another by slots (e.g., openings, trenches). Each of the blocks includes tiers each individually comprising a conductive structure and an insulating structure vertically-neighboring the conductive structure. In addition, each block of the array exhibits substantially the same geometric configurations (e.g., dimensions, shape) and lateral separation (e.g., corresponding to the width of each of the slots) from laterally-neighboring blocks of the array. Accordingly, the blocks are substantially uniformly (e.g., non-variably, equally, consistently) sized, shaped, and spaced throughout the memory regions, the dummy regions, and the data line contact region. Memory strings vertically-extend through blocks of the array at least partially located within the memory regions, dummy pillars vertically-extend through blocks of the array at least partially located within the dummy regions, and through vias (e.g., through openings, through apertures) at least partially filled with data line contacts vertically-extend through blocks of the array at least partially located within the data line contact region. In addition, data lines are electrically coupled to and laterally-extend between the memory strings and the data line contacts. The semiconductor device structures, semiconductor devices, and electronic systems of the disclosure may facilitate increased simplicity, efficiency, yield, and packing density relative to conventional semiconductor device structures, conventional semiconductor devices, and conventional electronic systems. 
     The following description provides specific details, such as material compositions and processing conditions, in order to provide a thorough description of embodiments of the present disclosure. However, a person of ordinary skill in the art would understand that the embodiments of the present disclosure may be practiced without employing these specific details. Indeed, the embodiments of the present disclosure may be practiced in conjunction with conventional semiconductor fabrication techniques employed in the industry. In addition, the description provided below does not form a complete process flow for manufacturing a semiconductor device (e.g., a memory device). The semiconductor device structures described below do not form a complete semiconductor device. Only those process acts and structures necessary to understand the embodiments of the present disclosure are described in detail below. Additional acts to form a complete semiconductor device from the semiconductor device structures may be performed by conventional fabrication techniques. 
     Drawings presented herein are for illustrative purposes only, and are not meant to be actual views of any particular material, component, structure, device, or system. Variations from the shapes depicted in the drawings as a result, for example, of manufacturing techniques and/or tolerances, are to be expected. Thus, embodiments described herein are not to be construed as being limited to the particular shapes or regions as illustrated, but include deviations in shapes that result, for example, from manufacturing. For example, a region illustrated or described as box-shaped may have rough and/or nonlinear features, and a region illustrated or described as round may include some rough and/or linear features. Moreover, sharp angles that are illustrated may be rounded, and vice versa. Thus, the regions illustrated in the figures are schematic in nature, and their shapes are not intended to illustrate the precise shape of a region and do not limit the scope of the present claims. The drawings are not necessarily to scale. Additionally, elements common between figures may retain the same numerical designation. 
     As used herein, the terms “vertical,” “longitudinal,” “horizontal,” and “lateral” are in reference to a major plane of a structure and are not necessarily defined by earth&#39;s gravitational field. A “horizontal” or “lateral” direction is a direction that is substantially parallel to the major plane of the structure, while a “vertical” or “longitudinal” direction is a direction that is substantially perpendicular to the major plane of the structure. The major plane of the structure is defined by a surface of the structure having a relatively large area compared to other surfaces of the structure. As used herein, “vertically-neighboring” or “longitudinally-neighboring” features (e.g., regions, structures, devices) means and includes features located most vertically proximate (e.g., vertically closest) one another. In addition, as used herein, “horizontally-neighboring” or “laterally-neighboring” features (e.g., regions, structures, devices) means and includes features located most horizontally proximate (e.g., horizontally closest) one another. 
     As used herein, the term “pitch” refers to the distance between identical points in two neighboring features. 
     As used herein, spatially relative terms, such as “beneath,” “below,” “lower,” “bottom,” “above,” “upper,” “top,” “front,” “rear,” “left,” “right,” and the like, may be used for ease of description to describe one element&#39;s or feature&#39;s relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. Unless otherwise specified, the spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the materials in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if materials in the figures are inverted, elements described as “below” or “beneath” or “under” or “on bottom of” other elements or features would then be oriented “above” or “on top of” the other elements or features. Thus, the term “below” can encompass both an orientation of above and below, depending on the context in which the term is used, which will be evident to one of ordinary skill in the art. The materials may be otherwise oriented (e.g., rotated 90 degrees, inverted, flipped) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly. 
     As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. 
     As used herein, “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. 
     As used herein, the term “configured” refers to a size, shape, material composition, orientation, and arrangement of one or more of at least one structure and at least one apparatus facilitating operation of one or more of the structure and the apparatus in a pre-determined way. 
     As used herein, the phrase “coupled to” refers to structures operatively connected with each other, such as electrically connected through a direct ohmic connection or through an indirect connection (e.g., via another structure). 
     As used herein, the term “substantially” in reference to a given parameter, property, or condition means and includes to a degree that one of ordinary skill in the art would understand that the given parameter, property, or condition is met with a degree of variance, such as within acceptable tolerances. By way of example, depending on the particular parameter, property, or condition that is substantially met, the parameter, property, or condition may be at least 90.0 percent met, at least 95.0 percent met, at least 99.0 percent met, at least 99.9 percent met, or even 100.0 percent met. 
     As used herein, “about” or “approximately” in reference to a numerical value for a particular parameter is inclusive of the numerical value and a degree of variance from the numerical value that one of ordinary skill in the art would understand is within acceptable tolerances for the particular parameter. For example, “about” or “approximately” in reference to a numerical value may include additional numerical values within a range of from 90.0 percent to 110.0 percent of the numerical value, such as within a range of from 95.0 percent to 105.0 percent of the numerical value, within a range of from 97.5 percent to 102.5 percent of the numerical value, within a range of from 99.0 percent to 101.0 percent of the numerical value, within a range of from 99.5 percent to 100.5 percent of the numerical value, or within a range of from 99.9 percent to 100.1 percent of the numerical value. 
       FIG. 1A  shows a simplified, partial top-down view of a semiconductor device structure  100  of a semiconductor device (e.g., a memory device, such as a 3D NAND Flash memory device), in accordance with embodiments of the disclosure. The semiconductor device structure  100  includes one or more memory regions  102 , one or more dummy regions  104  laterally-neighboring the memory regions  102 , and at least one data line (e.g., bit line, digit line) contact region  106  laterally-neighboring the dummy regions  104 . In some embodiments, the semiconductor device structure  100  includes a pair of (e.g., two) memory regions  102 , a pair of (e.g., two) dummy regions  104  inwardly laterally-neighboring the pair of memory regions  102 , and a single (e.g., only one) data line contact region  106  inwardly laterally-neighboring the pair of dummy regions  104 .  FIG. 1B  is a simplified, partial cross-sectional view of the semiconductor device structure  100  about the line A-A shown in  FIG. 1A .  FIG. 1C  is a simplified, partial cutaway perspective view of the semiconductor device structure  100  shown in  FIG. 1A . For clarity and ease of understanding of the drawings and related description, not all features depicted in one of  FIGS. 1A through 1C  are depicted in each other of  FIGS. 1A through 1C . 
     Referring to  FIG. 1A , the semiconductor device structure  100  includes an array of blocks  108  laterally-extending throughout the memory regions  102 , the dummy regions  104 , and the data line contact region  106 . The blocks  108  of the array laterally extend in substantially the same direction (e.g., in the Y-direction) as one another, such that all of the blocks  108  are oriented substantially parallel to one another. In addition, neighboring blocks  108  of the array are laterally separated (e.g., in the X-direction) from one another by slots  110  (e.g., openings, trenches), such that the semiconductor device structure  100  exhibits a laterally alternating pattern of the blocks  108  and the slots  110 . 
     Each of the blocks  108  may exhibit substantially the same width W (e.g., lateral dimension in the X-direction) as one another. In addition, each of the blocks  108  may be separated (e.g., in the X-direction) from each other laterally-neighboring block  108  by substantially the same distance D (e.g., corresponding to the width of each of the slots  110 ), such that the blocks  108  are substantially uniformly spaced throughout the different regions (e.g., the memory regions  102 , the dummy regions  104 , and the data line contact region  106 ) of the semiconductor device structure  100 . Accordingly, a pitch P between centerlines of laterally-neighboring blocks  108  may be substantially uniform throughout the different regions (e.g., the memory regions  102 , the dummy regions  104 , and the data line contact region  106 ) of the semiconductor device structure  100 . 
     For clarity and ease of understanding of the drawings and related description,  FIG. 1A  shows the semiconductor device structure  100  as including seven (7) of the blocks  108  and six (6) of the slots  110 . The memory regions  102  each individually include two (2) of the blocks  108 , another two (2) of the blocks  108  are shared between the dummy regions  104  and the data line contact region  106 , and another one (1) of the blocks  108  is entirely located within the data line contact region  106 . However, the semiconductor device structure  100  may include different quantities (e.g., amounts, numbers) of the blocks  108  (e.g., greater than seven (7) of the blocks  108 , less than seven (7) of the blocks  108 ) and the slots  110  (e.g., greater than six (6) of the slots  110 , less than six (6) of the slots  110 ), and/or may include a different distribution of the blocks  108  (and, hence, the slots  110 ) within the different regions thereof. The quantities of blocks  108  and slots  110  included in the semiconductor device structure  100  (including each of the memory regions  102 , the dummy regions  104 , and the data line contact region  106  thereof) at least partially depends on the quantities, dimensions, and arrangements of additional structures included in the different regions of the semiconductor device structure  100 , as described in further detail below. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1B , each of the blocks  108  of the semiconductor device structure  100  (including the blocks  108  located in each of the memory regions  102 , the dummy regions  104 , and the data line contact region  106 ) includes a longitudinally (e.g., vertically) alternating sequence of conductive structures  112  (e.g., word line plates) and insulating structures  114  arranged in tiers  116 . Each of the tiers  116  may include one (1) of the conductive structures  112  longitudinally-neighboring one of the insulating structures  114 . Each of the blocks  108  of the semiconductor device structure  100  may include a desired quantity of the tiers  116 , such as greater than or equal to two (2) of the tiers  116  (e.g., greater than or equal to five (5) of the tiers  116 , greater than or equal to ten (10) of the tiers  116 , greater than or equal to twenty-five (25) of the tiers  116 , greater than or equal to fifty (50) of the tiers  116 , greater than or equal to one hundred (100) of the tiers  116 ) of the conductive structures  112  and insulating structures  114 . 
     The conductive structures  112  of the tiers  116  of each of the blocks  108  of the semiconductor device structure  100  may be formed of and include at least one conductive material, such as a conductively-doped semiconductor material (e.g., conductively-doped polysilicon, conductively-doped germanium, conductively-doped silicon germanium), a metal (e.g., tungsten, titanium, molybdenum, niobium, vanadium, hafnium, tantalum, chromium, zirconium, iron, ruthenium, osmium, cobalt, rhodium, iridium, nickel, palladium, platinum, copper, silver, gold, aluminum), a metal alloy (e.g., a cobalt-based alloy, an iron-based alloy, a nickel-based alloy, an iron- and nickel-based alloy, a cobalt- and nickel-based alloy, an iron- and cobalt-based alloy, a cobalt- and nickel- and iron-based alloy, an aluminum-based alloy, a copper-based alloy, a magnesium-based alloy, a titanium-based alloy, a steel, a low-carbon steel, a stainless steel), a conductive metal-containing material (e.g., a conductive metal nitride, a conductive metal silicide, a conductive metal carbide, a conductive metal oxide), or combinations thereof. In some embodiments, the conductive structures  112  are formed of and include conductively-doped polysilicon. In additional embodiments, the conductive structures  112  are formed of and include a metallic material (e.g., a metal, such as tungsten; an alloy). Each of the conductive structures  112  may individually include a substantially homogeneous distribution or a substantially heterogeneous distribution of the at least one conductive material. As used herein, the term “homogeneous distribution” means amounts of a material do not vary throughout different portions (e.g., different lateral portions, different longitudinal portions) of a structure. Conversely, as used herein, the term “heterogeneous distribution” means amounts of a material vary throughout different portions of a structure. Amounts of the material may vary stepwise (e.g., change abruptly), or may vary continuously (e.g., change progressively, such as linearly, parabolically) throughout different portions of the structure. In some embodiments, each of the conductive structures  112  of each of the tiers  116  of each of the blocks  108  of the semiconductor device structure  100  exhibits a substantially homogeneous distribution of conductive material. In additional embodiments, at least one of the conductive structures  112  of at least one of the tiers  116  of each of the blocks  108  of the semiconductor device structure  100  exhibits a substantially heterogeneous distribution of at least one conductive material. The conductive structure  112  may, for example, be formed of and include a stack of at least two different conductive materials. The conductive structures  112  of each of the tiers  116  of each of the blocks  108  of the semiconductor device structure  100  may each be substantially planar, and may each exhibit any desired thickness. 
     The insulating structures  114  of the tiers  116  of each of the blocks  108  of the semiconductor device structure  100  may be formed of and include at least one insulating material, such as an oxide material (e.g., silicon dioxide, phosphosilicate glass, borosilicate glass, borophosphosilicate glass, fluorosilicate glass, titanium dioxide, zirconium dioxide, hafnium dioxide, tantalum oxide, magnesium oxide, aluminum oxide, or a combination thereof), a nitride material (e.g., silicon nitride), an oxynitride material (e.g., silicon oxynitride), amorphous carbon, or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, the insulating structures  114  are formed of and include silicon dioxide. Each of the insulating structures  114  may individually include a substantially homogeneous distribution or a substantially heterogeneous distribution of the at least one insulating material. In some embodiments, each of the insulating structures  114  of each of the tiers  116  of each of the blocks  108  of the semiconductor device structure  100  exhibits a substantially homogeneous distribution of insulating material. In additional embodiments, at least one of the insulating structures  114  of at least one of the tiers  116  of each of the blocks  108  of the semiconductor device structure  100  exhibits a substantially heterogeneous distribution of at least one conductive material. The insulating structure  114  may, for example, be formed of and include a stack (e.g., laminate) of at least two different insulating materials. The insulating structures  114  of each of the tiers  116  of each of the blocks  108  of the semiconductor device structure  100  may each be substantially planar, and may each individually exhibit any desired thickness. 
     The longitudinally alternating sequence of conductive structures  112  and insulating structures  114  of each of the blocks  108  of the semiconductor device structure  100  may be formed through conventional processes (e.g., conventional material deposition processes, conventional material removal processes), which are not described in detail herein. As a non-limiting example, a preliminary stack structure including a longitudinally alternating sequence of sacrificial structures and preliminary insulating structures may be formed through conventional material deposition processes (e.g., one or more of in situ growth, spin-on coating, blanket coating, chemical vapor deposition (CVD), plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD), atomic layer deposition (ALD), and physical vapor deposition (PVD)); the slots  110  may be formed through at least the preliminary stack structure by way of one or more material removal (e.g., masking and etching) processes to form modified sacrificial structures and the insulating structures  114 ; at least a portion of each of the modified sacrificial structures may be selectively removed by way of one or more additional material removal (e.g., an isotropic etching) processes to form recessed regions; and then the recessed regions may be at least partially (e.g., substantially) filled with conductive material to form the conductive structures  112 . 
     With continued reference to  FIG. 1B , each of the blocks  108  of the semiconductor device structure  100  (including the blocks  108  located in each of the memory regions  102 , the dummy regions  104 , and the data line contact region  106 ) may further include at least one shallow slot  118  (e.g., shallow opening, shallow trench) longitudinally extending into the block  108  from an upper surface thereof. The shallow slot  118  may downwardly longitudinally extend (e.g., in the negative Z-direction) through upper materials of each of the blocks  108  to define upper select gates  120  (e.g., drain select gates (SGDs)) for each of the blocks  108 , and upper insulating structures  122  overlying the upper select gates  120 . The upper select gates  120  may each be formed of and include at least one conductive material, and the upper insulating structures  122  may each be formed of and include at least one insulating material. In some embodiments, each of the blocks  108  includes two (2) of the upper select gates  120 , and a single (i.e., only one) shallow slot  118  laterally intervening (e.g., in the X-direction) between the two (2) of the upper select gates  120 . In additional embodiments, each of the blocks  108  includes a different quantity (e.g., number, amount) of the upper select gates  120  (e.g., more than two (2) of the upper select gates  120 ) and a different quantity of the shallow slots  118  (e.g., more than one (1) of the shallow slots  118 ). Referring collectively to  FIGS. 1A through 1C , within at least the memory regions  102  of the semiconductor device structure  100 , the upper select gates  120  ( FIGS. 1B and 1C ) may be electrically coupled to select lines  135  ( FIG. 1C ) of the semiconductor device structure  100  by way of vertical select gate contact structures  121  ( FIGS. 1A and 1C ). The upper select gates  120  of the dummy regions  104  and the data line contact region  106  may be free of vertical select gate contact structures  121  connected thereto, such that the upper select gates  120  of the dummy regions  104  and the data line contact region  106  are not electrically coupled to select lines  135  of the semiconductor device structure  100 . The quantity of upper select gates  120  included in each of the blocks  108  may directly correspond to (e.g., be the same as) a quantity of sub-blocks  124  included in each of the blocks  108 . By way of non-limiting example, as shown in  FIG. 1B , each of the blocks  108  may include two (2) upper select gates  120  and, therefore, two (2) corresponding sub-blocks  124 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 1B , each of the blocks  108  of the semiconductor device structure  100  (including the blocks  108  located in each of the memory regions  102 , the dummy regions  104 , and the data line contact region  106 ) may also include a lower select gate  123  (e.g., a source select gate (SGS)) and a lower insulating structure  125  underlying the lower select gate  123 . The lower select gate  123  and the lower insulating structure  125  of each of the blocks  108  of the semiconductor device structure  100  may longitudinally underlie the tiers  116  of conductive structures  112  and insulating structures  114  of each of the blocks  108 . The lower select gates  123  may each be formed of and include at least one conductive material, and the lower insulating structures  125  may each be formed of and include at least one insulating material. In some embodiments, each of the blocks  108  includes a single (only one) lower select gate  123 . Within at least the memory regions  102  of the semiconductor device structure  100 , the lower select gates  123  may be electrically coupled to additional select lines of the semiconductor device structure  100 . 
     With returned reference to  FIG. 1A , each of the blocks  108  of the semiconductor device structure  100  (including the blocks  108  located in each of the memory regions  102 , the dummy regions  104 , and the data line contact region  106 ) may include a staircase structure  126  at a lateral end (e.g., in the Y-direction) thereof. The staircase structure  126  of each of the blocks  108  includes steps  128  at least partially defined by exposed portions of the tiers  116  ( FIG. 1B ) of conductive structures  112  and insulating structures  114  of the block  108 . The quantity of steps  128  included in each of the staircase structures  126  of each of the blocks  108  may be substantially the same as (e.g., equal to) or may be different than (e.g., less than, greater than) the quantity of tiers  116  ( FIG. 1B ) in each the blocks  108 . The steps  128  of the staircase structures  126  may serve as contact regions to electrically couple the conductive structures  112  ( FIG. 1B ) of the tiers  116  ( FIG. 1B ) to one or more other structures of the semiconductor device structure  100 . For example, as shown in  FIG. 1A , at least for the blocks  108  within the memory regions  102  of the semiconductor device structure  100 , vertical conductive contact structures  130  may be coupled to the conductive structures  112  ( FIG. 1B ) of the tiers  116  ( FIG. 1B ) of the blocks  108  at the steps  128  of the staircase structures  126 , and may electrically couple the conductive structures  112  ( FIG. 1B ) to access lines  132  (e.g., word lines) of the semiconductor device structure  100 . Optionally, as also shown in  FIG. 1A , the blocks  108  at least partially located within the data line contact region  106  and/or the dummy regions  104  of the semiconductor device structure  100  may include additional vertical conductive contact structures  133  coupled to the conductive structures  112  ( FIG. 1B ) of the tiers  116  ( FIG. 1B ) of the blocks  108  at the steps  128  of the staircase structures  126 . If present, the additional vertical conductive contact structures  133  may electrically couple the conductive structures  112  ( FIG. 1B ) to additional conductive lines  134  of the semiconductor device structure  100 . In turn, the additional conductive lines  134  may be electrically connected to a discharging circuit to ground or float the tiers  116  of the blocks  108  within the data line contact region  106  and/or the dummy regions  104 . 
     Referring again to  FIG. 1B , each of the blocks  108  of the semiconductor device structure  100  (including the blocks  108  located in each of the memory regions  102 , the dummy regions  104 , and the data line contact region  106 ) may be substantially the same as one another with respect to the outermost dimensions (e.g., outermost lateral dimensions, outermost longitudinal dimensions) and the arrangements of at least the tiers  116  (including the conductive structures  112  and the insulating structures  114  thereof), the upper select gates  120  (and, hence, the shallow slots  118 ), the lower select gates  123 , and the staircase structures  126  (including the steps  128  thereof) thereof. In addition, each of the blocks  108  of the semiconductor device structure  100  may also be substantially the same as one another with respect to the quantity and outermost dimensions (e.g., outermost lateral dimensions, outermost longitudinal dimensions) of the sub-blocks  124  thereof. With continued reference to  FIG. 1B , the semiconductive device structure  100  further includes at least one control logic structure  136 , at least one source line  138  (e.g., a common source line (CSL)), and data lines  140  (e.g., bit lines, digit lines). The source line  138  may longitudinally overlie the control logic structure  136 , and the data lines  140  may longitudinally overlie the source line  138 . In additional embodiments, the control logic structure  136  may longitudinally overlie the source line  138  and the data lines  140 . As shown in  FIG. 1B , the blocks  108  of the semiconductive device structure  100  may longitudinally overlie the source line  138 , and may longitudinally underlie the data lines  140 . The blocks  108  and the slots  110  of the semiconductor device structure  100  may each substantially longitudinally extend between the source line  138  and the data lines  140 . 
     The control logic structure  136  may include devices and circuitry for controlling various operations of other components of the semiconductive device structure  100 . By way of non-limiting example, the control logic structure  136  may include one or more (e.g., each) of charge pumps (e.g., V CCP  charge pumps, V NEGWL  charge pumps, DVC2 charge pumps); delay-locked loop (DLL) circuitry (e.g., ring oscillators); drain supply voltage (V dd ) regulators; devices and circuitry for controlling column operations for arrays (e.g., arrays of vertical memory strings) within the memory regions  102  of the semiconductor device structure  100 , such as one or more (e.g., each) of decoders (e.g., column decoders), sense amplifiers (e.g., equalization (EQ) amplifiers, isolation (ISO) amplifiers, NMOS sense amplifiers (NSAs), PMOS sense amplifiers (PSAs)), repair circuitry (e.g., column repair circuitry), I/O devices (e.g., local I/O devices), memory test devices, array multiplexers (MUX), and error checking and correction (ECC) devices; and devices and circuitry for controlling row operations for arrays (e.g., arrays of vertical memory strings) within the memory regions  102  of the semiconductor device structure  100 , such as one or more (e.g., each) of decoders (e.g., row decoders), drivers (e.g., word line (WL) drivers), repair circuitry (e.g., row repair circuitry), memory test devices, MUX, ECC devices, and self-refresh/wear leveling devices. The control logic structure  136  may be electrically coupled to the access lines  132  ( FIGS. 1A and 1C ), the additional conductive lines  134  (if any) ( FIG. 1A ), the source line  138 , the data lines  140 , the upper select gates  120 , and the lower select gates  123  of the semiconductive device structure  100 , as described in further detail below. 
     The source line  138  may comprise one or more conductive materials, such as a conductively-doped semiconductor material (e.g., conductively-doped polysilicon, conductively-doped germanium, conductively-doped silicon germanium), a metal (e.g., tungsten, titanium, molybdenum, niobium, vanadium, hafnium, tantalum, chromium, zirconium, iron, ruthenium, osmium, cobalt, rhodium, iridium, nickel, palladium, platinum, copper, silver, gold, aluminum), a metal alloy (e.g., a cobalt-based alloy, an iron-based alloy, a nickel-based alloy, an iron- and nickel-based alloy, a cobalt- and nickel-based alloy, an iron- and cobalt-based alloy, a cobalt- and nickel- and iron-based alloy, an aluminum-based alloy, a copper-based alloy, a magnesium-based alloy, a titanium-based alloy, a steel, a low-carbon steel, a stainless steel), a conductive metal-containing material (e.g., a conductive metal nitride, a conductive metal silicide, a conductive metal carbide, a conductive metal oxide), or combinations thereof. The source line  138  is in electrical communication with control logic structure  136  and arrays (e.g., arrays of memory strings) within the memory regions  102  of the semiconductor device structure  100  to facilitate operations (e.g., read operations, write operations, erase operations) on the arrays. 
     The data lines  140  may also comprise one or more conductive materials, such as a conductively-doped semiconductor material (e.g., conductively-doped polysilicon, conductively-doped germanium, conductively-doped silicon germanium), a metal (e.g., tungsten, titanium, molybdenum, niobium, vanadium, hafnium, tantalum, chromium, zirconium, iron, ruthenium, osmium, cobalt, rhodium, iridium, nickel, palladium, platinum, copper, silver, gold, aluminum), a metal alloy (e.g., a cobalt-based alloy, an iron-based alloy, a nickel-based alloy, an iron- and nickel-based alloy, a cobalt- and nickel-based alloy, an iron- and cobalt-based alloy, a cobalt- and nickel- and iron-based alloy, an aluminum-based alloy, a copper-based alloy, a magnesium-based alloy, a titanium-based alloy, a steel, a low-carbon steel, a stainless steel), a conductive metal-containing material (e.g., a conductive metal nitride, a conductive metal silicide, a conductive metal carbide, a conductive metal oxide), or combinations thereof. The data lines  140  are in electrical communication with arrays (e.g., arrays of memory strings) within the memory regions  102  of the semiconductor device structure  100 , and are also be in electrical communication with the control logic structure  136  through additional arrays (e.g., arrays of data line contacts) within the data line contact region  106  of the semiconductor device structure  100 , as described in further detail below. 
     With continued reference to  FIG. 1B , the memory regions  102  of the semiconductive device structure  100  include memory strings  142  longitudinally extending (e.g., in the Z-direction) through the blocks  108  thereof. The memory strings  142  may substantially longitudinally extend between the source line  138  and the data lines  140 . As shown in  FIG. 1B , each of the memory strings  142  may include a lower select transistor  144 , an upper select transistor  146 , and memory cells  148  (e.g., each including a memory cell transistor and a memory cell element) connected in series between the lower select transistor  144  and the upper select transistor  146 . The lower select transistors  144  of the memory strings  142  may be electrically coupled to the source line  138  and the lower select gates  123  of the blocks  108  within the memory regions  102  of the semiconductive device structure  100 . The upper select transistors  146  may be electrically coupled to the data lines  140  and the upper select gates  120  of the blocks  108  within the memory regions  102  of the semiconductive device structure  100 . The memory cells  148  may be electrically coupled to the conductive structures  112  (e.g., word line plates) of the blocks  108  within the memory regions  102  of the semiconductive device structure  100  (and, hence, may also be electrically coupled to the access lines  132  ( FIGS. 1A and 1C ) of the semiconductive device structure  100  by way of the vertical conductive contact structures  130  ( FIG. 1A ) electrically coupled to the steps  128  ( FIG. 1A ) of the staircase structures  126  of the blocks  108  within the memory regions  102 ). 
     Each of the blocks  108  within the memory regions  102  of the semiconductive device structure  100  may include any desired quantity and distribution of the memory strings  142 . As shown in  FIG. 1A , in some embodiments, each of the sub-blocks  124  of each of the blocks  108  within the memory regions  102  of the semiconductive device structure  100  includes a single (e.g., only one) column of the memory strings  142  laterally extending in the Y-direction. In additional embodiments, each of the blocks  108  within the memory regions  102  of the semiconductive device structure  100  includes a different quantity of the memory strings  142  than that depicted in  FIG. 1A , and/or a different distribution of the memory strings  142  than that depicted in  FIG. 1A . For example, each of the sub-blocks  124  of each of the blocks  108  within the memory regions  102  of the semiconductive device structure  100  may include multiple (e.g., more than one (1), such as two (2), three (3), four (4), or more than four (4)) columns of the memory strings  142  laterally extending in the Y-direction. 
     As shown in  FIG. 1A , the memory regions  102  of the semiconductive device structure  100  may also include one or more of dummy structures  150  (e.g., dummy pillars) and edge support structures  152  (e.g., edge support pillars) longitudinally extending (e.g., in the Z-direction shown in  FIG. 1B ) through the blocks  108  thereof. If present, the dummy structures  150  and/or the edge support structures  152  may substantially longitudinally extend through the blocks  108  of the memory regions  102  of the semiconductive device structure  100 . The dummy structures  150  (if any) may be formed of and include one or more materials (e.g., dielectric materials, semiconductive materials) able to alleviate undesirable array edge effects for the arrays of the memory strings  142  within each of the blocks  108  of the memory regions  102 . In some embodiments, the dummy structures  150  comprise dielectric structures. In some embodiments, the dummy structures  150  comprise semiconductive structures. In further embodiments, the dummy structures  150  comprise inactive memory strings (e.g., memory strings that are not electrically connected to the data lines  140 ). The edge support structures  152  (if any) may be formed of and include one or more materials (e.g., dielectric materials, semiconductive materials) able to support edge portions of the tiers  116  ( FIG. 1B ) of conductive structures  112  and insulating structures  114  within each of the blocks  108  of the memory regions  102 . 
     For clarity and ease of understanding of the drawings and related description,  FIG. 1A  shows the semiconductor device structure  100  as including two (2) memory regions  102 , each including two (2) blocks  108  exhibiting arrays of the memory strings  142  longitudinally extending therethrough. However, the semiconductor device structure  100  may include a different quantity of memory regions  102  (e.g., only one (1) memory region  102 , more than two (2) memory regions  102 ), and/or one or more of the memory regions  102  may include a different quantity of blocks  108  (e.g., only one (1) block  108 , more than two (2) blocks  108 ) therein. The quantity of memory regions  102  and quantity of blocks  108  included in each of the memory regions  102  may at least partially depend on the quantity of memory strings  142  included in the semiconductor device structure  100  (e.g., a relatively greater quantity of memory strings  142  may effectuate a relatively greater quantity of memory regions  102  and/or blocks  108  within the memory regions  102 ). 
     With returned reference to  FIG. 1B , the dummy regions  104  of the semiconductive device structure  100  may laterally neighbor (e.g., in the X-direction) the memory regions  102 , and may include dummy pillars  154  longitudinally extending (e.g., in the Z-direction) through portions of the blocks  108  located therein. The dummy pillars  154  may substantially longitudinally extend between the source line  138  and the data lines  140 , and may be formed of and include one or more dielectric materials. The dummy pillars  154  may be may be employed to alleviate undesirable array edge effects for arrays of the memory strings  142  within the blocks  108  of the memory regions  102  laterally-neighboring the dummy regions  104 . 
     Portions of the blocks  108  within the dummy regions  104  of the semiconductive device structure  100  may include any desired quantity and distribution of the dummy pillars  154 . In some embodiments, each of the dummy regions  104  shares one of the blocks  108  of the semiconductive device structure  100  with the data line contact region  106  of the semiconductive device structure  100 , such that one of the sub-blocks  124  of the block  108  is located within the dummy region  104  and includes dummy pillars  154  longitudinally extending therethrough, and the other of the sub-blocks  124  of the block  108  is located within the data line contact region  106  and is free of the dummy pillars  154 . As shown in  FIG. 1A , the sub-blocks  124  within the dummy regions  104  may each include a single (e.g., only one) column of the dummy pillars  154  laterally extending in the Y-direction. In additional embodiments, each of the sub-blocks  124  within the dummy regions  104  of the semiconductive device structure  100  includes a different quantity of the dummy pillars  154  than that depicted in  FIG. 1A , and/or includes a different distribution of the dummy pillars  154  than that depicted in  FIG. 1A . For example, each of the sub-blocks  124  within the dummy regions  104  of the semiconductive device structure  100  may include multiple (e.g., more than one (1), such as two (2), three (3), four (4), or more than four (4)) columns of the dummy pillars  154  laterally extending in the Y-direction. 
     As shown in  FIG. 1A , the dummy regions  104  of the semiconductive device structure  100  may also include the edge support structures  152  longitudinally extending (e.g., in the Z-direction shown in  FIG. 1B ) through the portions of the blocks  108  located therein. If present, the edge support structures  152  may substantially longitudinally extend through the portions of the blocks  108  present within the dummy regions  104  of the semiconductive device structure  100 . The edge support structures  152  (if any) may support edge portions of the tiers  116  ( FIG. 1B ) of conductive structures  112  ( FIG. 1B ) and insulating structures  114  ( FIG. 1B ) within the blocks  108  at least partially located within the dummy regions  104  of the semiconductive device structure  100 . 
     For clarity and ease of understanding of the drawings and related description,  FIG. 1A  shows the semiconductor device structure  100  as including two (2) dummy regions  104 , each including a portion (e.g., a single sub-block  124 ) of a single block  108  exhibiting dummy pillars  154  longitudinally extending therethrough. However, the semiconductor device structure  100  may include a different quantity of dummy regions  104  (e.g., only one (1) dummy region  104 , more than two (2) dummy regions  104 ); and/or one or more of the dummy regions  104  may include a different individual block area allotment and/or a different quantity of blocks  108  (e.g., an entirety of only one (1) block  108 , more than one (1) entire block  108 , at least one (1) entire block  108  and only a portion (e.g., sub-block  124 ) of at least one additional block  108 ) therein. The quantity of dummy regions  104 , and the individual block area allotment and/or quantity of blocks  108  included in each of the dummy regions  104  may at least partially depend on the quantity of memory strings  142  included in the semiconductor device structure  100  (e.g., a relatively greater quantity of memory strings  142  may effectuate a relatively greater quantity of dummy regions  104 , and/or may effectuate a relatively greater individual block allotment and/or quantity of blocks  108  within the dummy regions  104 ). 
     With returned reference to  FIG. 1B , the data line contact region  106  of the semiconductive device structure  100  may laterally neighbor (e.g., in the X-direction) the dummy regions  104 . The data line contact region  106  may include through vias  156  (e.g., through array vias (TAVs)) longitudinally extending (e.g., in the Z-direction) through portions of the blocks  108  and the source line  138  located therein. The through vias  156  may substantially longitudinally extend between the control logic structure  136  and the data lines  140 , and may be at least partially filled with one or more data line contacts  158 . The data line contacts  158  may also substantially longitudinally extend between the control logic structure  136  and the data lines  140 . The data line contacts  158  may be formed of and include one or more conductive materials (e.g., a conductively-doped semiconductor, a metal, a metal alloy, a conductive metal-containing material, a combination thereof), and may electrically couple the data lines  140  to the control logic structure  136 . 
     Portions of the blocks  108  within the data line contact region  106  of the semiconductive device structure  100  may include any quantities, lateral geometric configurations (e.g., lateral sizes, lateral shapes), and distributions of the through vias  156  permitting each of the data lines  140  of the semiconductive device structure  100  to be electrically coupled to the control logic structure  136  by way of at least one of the data line contacts  158  longitudinally extending through the through vias  156 . In some embodiments, the data line contact region  106  shares two (2) of the blocks  108  of the semiconductive device structure  100  with the dummy regions  104 , such that only one (1) of the sub-blocks  124  of each of the two (2) shared blocks  108  is located within the data line contact region  106  and includes through vias  156  longitudinally extending therethrough; and also includes one (1) unshared block  108 , such that both of the sub-blocks  124  of the unshared block  108  include through vias  156  longitudinally extending therethrough. As shown in  FIG. 1A , the sub-blocks  124  within the data line contact region  106  may each include a single (e.g., only one) column of the through vias  156  laterally extending in the Y-direction, and each of the through vias  156  may be laterally sized, laterally shaped, and laterally positioned to accept at least one of the data line contacts  158  therein. Accordingly, the data line contact region  106  may include four (4) columns of the through vias  156  therein (i.e., one (1) column of the through vias  156  for each of the four (4) sub-blocks  124  included in the data line contact region  106 ). In additional embodiments, one or more (e.g., each) of the sub-blocks  124  within the data line contact region  106  of the semiconductive device structure  100  includes a different quantity (e.g., more, less) of the through vias  156  than that depicted in  FIG. 1A , different lateral geometric configurations (e.g., different lateral sizes, different lateral shapes) of the through vias  156  than that depicted in  FIG. 1A , and/or a different distribution (e.g., different lateral positions) of the through vias  156  than that depicted in  FIG. 1A . For example, one or more of the sub-blocks  124  within the data line contact region  106  of the semiconductive device structure  100  may include a single (e.g., only one) column of through vias  156  laterally extending in the Y-direction, wherein a single column exhibits a different quantity, different lateral sizes, different lateral shapes, and/or different lateral spacing in the Y-direction than that shown in  FIG. 1A ; and/or one or more of the sub-blocks  124  within the data line contact region  106  may include multiple (e.g., more than one (1), such as two (2), three (3), four (4), or more than four (4)) columns the through vias  156  laterally extending in the Y-direction. 
     As previously mentioned, the data line contacts  158  are laterally positioned within and longitudinally extend through the through vias  156 . The quantity of data line contacts  158  included in each of the through vias  156  of the data line contact region  106  at least partially depends on the quantity, lateral geometric configurations (e.g., lateral sizes, lateral shapes), and distributions (e.g., lateral positions in at least the Y-direction) of the through vias  156 ; and the quantity, lateral geometric configurations, and distributions of the data lines  140  of the semiconductive device structure  100 . In turn, the quantity, lateral geometric configurations, and distributions of the data lines  140  at least partially depends on the quantity, lateral geometric configurations, and distributions of the memory strings  142  included in the memory regions  102  of the semiconductive device structure  100 . As shown in  FIG. 1A , the data lines  140  laterally extend in a direction (e.g., the X-direction) orthogonal to a direction (e.g., the Y-direction) in which the blocks  108  of the semiconductive device structure  100  laterally extend, and the semiconductive device structure  100  includes enough of the data lines  140  to electrically connect at least one data line  140  to all of the memory strings  142  included in the memory regions  102  of the semiconductive device structure  100 . A data line  140  may be provided at each lateral location in the Y-direction exhibiting at least one of the memory strings  142 , may be electrically coupled to all of the memory strings  142  sharing the same lateral location in the Y-direction, and may also be electrically coupled to at least one data line contact  158  within the data line contact region  106 . As shown in  FIG. 1A , in some embodiments, each of the through vias  156  individually contains a single (e.g., only one (1)) data line contact  158  (corresponding to a single data line  140 ) within the lateral boundaries thereof. In some embodiments, such as embodiments exhibiting one or more of relatively closer packing of memory strings  142  in the Y-direction and/or relatively larger lateral dimensions of the through vias  156 , one or more (e.g., each) of the through vias  156  individually contains multiple (e.g., more than one (1), such as at least two (2), at least three (3), at least four (4), or more than four (4)) data line contacts  158  (corresponding to multiple data lines  140 ) within the lateral boundaries thereof. 
     As shown in  FIG. 1A , the data line contact region  106  of the semiconductive device structure  100  may also include the edge support structures  152  longitudinally extending (e.g., in the Z-direction shown in  FIG. 1B ) through portions of one or more of the blocks  108  at least partially located therein. If present, the edge support structures  152  may substantially longitudinally extend through the portions of the blocks  108  present within the data line contact region  106  of the semiconductive device structure  100 . The edge support structures  152  (if any) may support edge portions of the tiers  116  ( FIG. 1B ) of conductive structures  112  ( FIG. 1B ) and insulating structures  114  ( FIG. 1B ) within the blocks  108  at least partially located within the data line contact region  106 . 
     For clarity and ease of understanding of the drawings and related description,  FIG. 1A  shows the semiconductor device structure  100  as including one (1) data line contact region  106 , including portions (e.g., sub-blocks  124 ) of two (2) blocks  108  shared with two (2) dummy regions  104  laterally-neighboring (e.g., in the X-direction) the data line contact region  106 , and one (1) block  108  unshared with the other regions of the semiconductor device structure  100 . However, the semiconductor device structure  100  may include a different quantity of data line contact regions  106  (e.g., more than one (1) data line contact region  106 ); and/or the data line contact region(s)  106  may include a different individual block area allotment and/or a different quantity of blocks  108  therein. The quantity of data line contact regions  106 , and the individual block area allotment and/or quantity of blocks  108  included in the data line contact region(s)  106  may at least partially depend on the quantity of memory strings  142  included in the semiconductor device structure  100  (e.g., a relatively greater quantity of memory strings  142  may effectuate a relatively greater quantity of data line contact regions  106 , and/or may effectuate a relatively greater individual block allotment and/or quantity of blocks  108  within the data line contact region(s)  106 ). 
     Thus, in accordance with embodiments of the disclosure, a semiconductor device structure comprises blocks having substantially uniform pitch laterally-extending throughout a first region, a second region laterally-neighboring the first region, and a third region laterally-neighboring the second region; memory strings longitudinally-extending through a first portion of the blocks located in the first region; pillars structures longitudinally-extending through a second portion of the blocks located in the second region; conductive contacts longitudinally-extending through a third portion of the blocks located in the third region; and conductive line structures electrically coupled to and laterally-extending between the memory strings and the conductive contacts. Each of the blocks comprises tiers, each tier comprising a conductive structure and an insulating structure longitudinally-neighboring the conductive structure. 
     In addition, in accordance with additional embodiments of the disclosure, a semiconductor device comprises an alternating pattern of blocks and slots laterally-extending substantially uniformly throughout each of at least one memory region, at least one dummy region, and at least one data line contact region; vertical memory strings extending through one or more of the blocks at least partially located within the at least one memory region; vertical pillars extending through one or more of the blocks at least partially located within the at least one dummy region; vertical data line contacts extending through one or more of the blocks at least partially located within the at least one data line contact region; and data lines extending between the vertical memory strings and the vertical data line contacts. Each of the blocks comprises tiers each comprising a conductive structure and an insulating structure vertically-neighboring the conductive structure; and a staircase structure having steps comprising lateral ends of the tiers. 
     One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that, in accordance with additional embodiments of the disclosure, the features and feature configurations described above in relation to  FIGS. 1A through 1C  may be readily adapted to the design needs of different semiconductor devices (e.g., different memory devices, such as different 3D NAND Flash memory devices). By way of non-limiting example,  FIG. 2  illustrates a simplified, partial top-down view of a semiconductor device structure  200 , in accordance with another embodiment of the disclosure. The semiconductor device structure  200  may have similar features and functionalities to the semiconductor device structure  100  previously described. However, the semiconductor device structure  200  may, for example, include a relatively greater quantity of features (e.g., memory strings, dummy pillars, through vias, data line contacts, edge support structures, dummy structures) and/or different feature configurations (e.g., sizes, shapes, arrangements) to account for the relatively greater quantity of features. To avoid repetition, not all features shown in  FIG. 2  are described in detail herein. Rather, unless described otherwise below, features designated by a reference numeral that is a  100  increment of the reference numeral of a feature described previously in relation to one or more of  FIGS. 1A through 1C  will be understood to be substantially similar to the feature described previously. 
     Referring to  FIG. 2 , the semiconductor device structure  200  includes a relatively greater (as compared to the semiconductor device structure  100  shown in  FIGS. 1A through 1C ) quantity of memory strings  242  within the blocks  208  located in the memory regions  202  thereof. For example, each of the sub-blocks  224  of each of the blocks  208  within the memory regions  202  of the semiconductor device structure  200  may include multiple columns of the memory strings  242  laterally extending in the Y-direction. As shown in  FIG. 2 , in some embodiments, each of the sub-blocks  224  of each of the blocks  208  within the memory regions  202  includes four (4) columns of the memory strings  242 . In addition, laterally-neighboring (e.g., in the X-direction) memory strings  242  within laterally-neighboring (e.g., in the X-direction) columns may be laterally offset from (e.g., in the Y-direction) from one another, such that the laterally-neighboring memory strings  242  within the laterally-neighboring columns are at least partially unaligned with one another. The blocks  208  located in the memory regions  202  of the semiconductor device structure  200  may also include relatively greater quantities of dummy structures  250  and edge support structures  252  as compared to the semiconductor device structure  100  shown in  FIGS. 1A through 1C . For example, each of the sub-blocks  224  of each of the blocks  208  within the memory regions  202  of the semiconductor device structure  200  may include multiple (e.g., four (4)) columns of the dummy structures  250  laterally extending in the Y-direction, as well as multiple (e.g., two (2)) edge support structures  252  proximate lateral ends (e.g., in the Y-direction) thereof. 
     The semiconductor device structure  200  further includes a relatively greater (as compared to the semiconductor device structure  100  shown in  FIGS. 1A through 1C ) quantity of data lines  240  as a result of the relatively greater quantity of memory strings  242  in the memory regions  202  thereof. In turn, the relatively greater quantity of data lines  240  effectuates greater quantities and different distributions (e.g., closer lateral spacing in the Y-direction) of through vias  256  and data line contacts  258  longitudinally extending through portions (e.g., sub-blocks  224 ) of the blocks  208  located in the data line contact region  206  of the semiconductor device structure  200 . In addition, one or more of the through vias  256  in the data line contact region  206  may contain multiple data line contacts  258  within the lateral boundaries thereof. 
     With continued reference to  FIG. 2 , the semiconductor device structure  200  also includes a relatively greater (as compared to the semiconductor device structure  100  shown in  FIGS. 1A through 1C ) quantity of dummy pillars  254  within the portions (e.g., sub-blocks  224 ) of the blocks  208  located in the dummy regions  204  thereof. For example, each of the sub-blocks  224  within the dummy regions  204  of the semiconductor device structure  200  may include multiple columns of the dummy pillars  254  laterally extending in the Y-direction. As shown in  FIG. 2 , in some embodiments, each of the sub-blocks  224  within the dummy regions  204  includes four (4) columns of the dummy pillars  254 . In addition, laterally-neighboring (e.g., in the X-direction) dummy pillars  254  within laterally-neighboring (e.g., in the X-direction) columns may be laterally offset from (e.g., in the Y-direction) from one another, such that the laterally-neighboring dummy pillars  254  within the laterally-neighboring columns are at least partially unaligned with one another. The portions (e.g., sub-blocks  224 ) of the blocks  208  located in the dummy regions  204  of the semiconductor device structure  200  may also include relatively greater quantities of the edge support structures  252  as compared to the semiconductor device structure  100  shown in  FIGS. 1A through 1C . For example, each of the sub-blocks  224  within the dummy regions  204  of the semiconductor device structure  200  may include multiple (e.g., two (2)) edge support structures  252  proximate lateral ends (e.g., in the Y-direction) thereof. 
     Semiconductor device structures (e.g., the semiconductor device structures  100 ,  200 ) in accordance with embodiments of the disclosure may be used in embodiments of electronic systems of the disclosure. For example,  FIG. 3  is a block diagram of an illustrative electronic system  303  according to embodiments of disclosure. The electronic system  303  may comprise, for example, a computer or computer hardware component, a server or other networking hardware component, a cellular telephone, a digital camera, a personal digital assistant (PDA), portable media (e.g., music) player, a Wi-Fi or cellular-enabled tablet such as, for example, an iPAD® or SURFACE® tablet, an electronic book, a navigation device, etc. The electronic system  303  includes at least one memory device  305 . The memory device  305  may include, for example, an embodiment of a semiconductor device structure previously described herein (e.g., the semiconductor device structures  100 ,  200 ). The electronic system  303  may further include at least one electronic signal processor device  307  (often referred to as a “microprocessor”). The electronic signal processor device  307  may, optionally, include an embodiment of a semiconductor device structure previously described herein (e.g., the semiconductor device structures  100 ,  200 ). The electronic system  303  may further include one or more input devices  309  for inputting information into the electronic system  303  by a user, such as, for example, a mouse or other pointing device, a keyboard, a touchpad, a button, or a control panel. The electronic system  303  may further include one or more output devices  311  for outputting information (e.g., visual or audio output) to a user such as, for example, a monitor, a display, a printer, an audio output jack, a speaker, etc. In some embodiments, the input device  309  and the output device  311  may comprise a single touchscreen device that can be used both to input information to the electronic system  303  and to output visual information to a user. The input device  309  and the output device  311  may communicate electrically with one or more of the memory device  305  and the electronic signal processor device  307 . 
     Thus, in accordance with embodiments of the disclosure, an electronic system comprises an input device, an output device, a processor device operably coupled to the input device and the output device, and a memory device operably coupled to the processor device. The memory device comprises a control logic structure; a source line overlying the control logic structure; data lines overlying the source line; an array of blocks between the source line and the data lines and laterally extending throughout a memory region, a dummy region laterally-neighboring the memory region, and a data line contact region laterally-neighboring the dummy region; memory strings substantially vertically extending from the data lines, through the blocks of the array within the memory region, and to the source line; dummy pillars substantially vertically extending through the blocks of the array within the dummy region; and data line contacts comprising a conductive material substantially vertically extending from the data lines, through the blocks of the array within the data line contact region, and to the control logic structure. The blocks of the array are substantially uniformly laterally spaced and each comprises tiers each comprising a conductive structure and an insulating structure vertically-neighboring the conductive structure. 
     The structures, devices, and systems of the disclosure advantageously facilitate one or more of improved simplicity, improved yield, greater packaging density, and increased miniaturization of components as compared to conventional structures, conventional devices, and conventional systems. For example, the configurations of the semiconductor device structures (e.g., the semiconductor device structures  100 ,  200 ) of the disclosure (including the configurations of the blocks) facilitate reduced lateral dimensions of regions (e.g., dummy regions, data line contact regions) thereof relative to conventional semiconductor device structure configurations, to facilitate relatively smaller lateral dimensions for each of the semiconductor device structures as a whole, while improving yield by reducing damage and/or defects associated with at least memory array edge effects. 
     While the disclosure is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments have been shown by way of example in the drawings and have been described in detail herein. However, the disclosure is not limited to the particular forms disclosed. Rather, the disclosure is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of the following appended claims and their legal equivalents.