Patent Abstract:
An integrated circuit device includes a plurality of pillars protruding from a substrate in a first direction. Each of the pillars includes source/drain regions in opposite ends thereof and a channel region extending between the source/drain regions. A plurality of conductive bit lines extends on the substrate adjacent the pillars in a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction. A plurality of conductive shield lines extends on the substrate in the second direction such that each of the shield lines extends between adjacent ones of the bit lines. Related fabrication methods are also discussed.

Full Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims priority from Korean Patent Application No. 10-2010-0056190, filed on Jun. 14, 2010, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    The inventive concept relates to integrated circuit devices, and more particularly, to integrated circuit devices including vertical channel transistors and methods of fabricating the same. 
         [0003]    As the degree of integration of integrated circuit devices increases, design rules with respect to components of the integrated circuit devices may be significantly decreased. In particular, as more and more transistors are included in semiconductor devices, the gate length of each transistor may be reduced, and likewise, the channel length may be reduced. Vertical channel transistors have been introduced in order to increase an effective channel length by increasing a distance between source and drain regions in highly-integrated semiconductor devices. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0004]    The inventive concept provides a semiconductor device that includes buried bit lines and a vertical channel transistor for realizing high-integration, and reduces a capacitance between the buried bit lines. 
         [0005]    The inventive concept further provides a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device that includes buried bit lines and a vertical channel transistor, and reduces a capacitance between the buried bit lines. 
         [0006]    According to some embodiments of the inventive concept, an integrated circuit device, includes a plurality of pillars protruding from a substrate in a first direction, each of the pillars including source/drain regions in opposite ends thereof and a channel region extending between the source/drain regions; a plurality of conductive bit lines on the substrate adjacent the pillars and extending in a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction; and a plurality of conductive shield lines on the substrate and extending in the second direction, each of the shield lines extending between adjacent ones of the bit lines. 
         [0007]    In some embodiments, each of the bit lines may electrically contact a respective one of the source/drain regions of a respective one of the pillars adjacent thereto, and each of the shield lines may be electrically insulated from the respective one of the source/drain regions. 
         [0008]    In some embodiments, respective shield insulating layers may be provided between sidewalls of the shield lines and sidewalls of ones of the bit lines adjacent thereto. Each of the shield lines may be electrically insulated from the ones of the bit lines adjacent thereto by the respective shield insulating layers. 
         [0009]    In some embodiments, respective air gaps may be provided between sidewalls of the shield lines and sidewalls of ones of the bit lines adjacent thereto, and each of the shield lines may be electrically insulated from the ones of the bit lines adjacent thereto by the respective air gaps. 
         [0010]    In some embodiments, the shield lines may not provide electrical interconnections for the device. 
         [0011]    In some embodiments, each of the bit lines may extend on the substrate in the second direction adjacent a base of the respective one of the pillars adjacent thereto. 
         [0012]    In some embodiments, a plurality of conductive word lines may extend in a third direction substantially perpendicular to the first and second directions, and each of the word lines may extend on ones of the pillars between the source/drain regions thereof. 
         [0013]    In some embodiments, the word lines may be spaced apart from each other along the second direction, and the bit lines may be spaced apart from each other along the third direction. 
         [0014]    In some embodiments, the shield lines may be directly on the substrate. 
         [0015]    In some embodiments, the substrate may be silicon, and the shield lines may be epitaxial layers of doped silicon. 
         [0016]    In some embodiments, each of the shield lines may be provided in a respective trench in the substrate that extends between sidewalls of the adjacent ones of the bit lines. 
         [0017]    In some embodiments, a junction oxide layer may be provided between the plurality of pillars and the substrate. The junction oxide layer may include the plurality of bit lines thereon. Each of the shield lines may be provided in a respective trench in the junction oxide layer between sidewalls of the adjacent ones of the bit lines. 
         [0018]    In some embodiments, the shield lines may extend towards the substrate in the first direction beyond the bit lines. 
         [0019]    In some embodiments, the shield lines may further extend away from the substrate in the first direction to a substantially similar level as the bit lines. 
         [0020]    In some embodiments, the shield lines may further extend away from the substrate in the first direction beyond the bit lines. 
         [0021]    In some embodiments, the shield lines may be first and second shield lines, where each of the first shield lines may include shield insulating layers directly on sidewalls of the adjacent ones of the bit lines, and each of the second shield lines may be separated from the sidewalls of the adjacent ones of the bit lines by portions of the pillars. 
         [0022]    In some embodiments, the first and second shield lines may be formed of a same material. 
         [0023]    In some embodiments, the shield lines and the bit lines may be formed of a same material. 
         [0024]    According to further embodiments of the inventive concept, a method of fabricating an integrated circuit device includes forming a plurality of pillars protruding from a substrate in a first direction, each of the pillars including a source/drain region in an end thereof adjacent the substrate; forming a plurality of conductive bit lines on the substrate adjacent the pillars and extending in a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction; and forming a plurality of conductive shield lines on the substrate and extending in the second direction, each of the shield lines extending between adjacent ones of the bit lines. 
         [0025]    In some embodiments, each of the bit lines may electrically contact a respective source/drain region of a respective one of the pillars adjacent thereto, and each of the shield lines may be electrically insulated from the respective source/drain region. 
         [0026]    In some embodiments, forming the plurality of shield lines may include forming trenches extending between the adjacent ones of the bit lines towards the substrate; forming respective shield insulating layers on sidewalls of the trenches; and then forming the shield lines in the trenches such that each of the shield lines is in a respective one of the trenches and is electrically insulated from ones of the bit lines adjacent thereto by the respective shield insulating layers. 
         [0027]    In some embodiments, the method may further include substantially removing the respective shield insulating layers from the sidewalls of the trenches to define respective air gaps between sidewalls of the shield lines and sidewalls of ones of the bit lines adjacent thereto such that each of the shield lines is electrically insulated from the ones of the bit lines adjacent thereto by the respective air gaps. 
         [0028]    In some embodiments, the shield lines may not provide electrical interconnections for the device. 
         [0029]    In some embodiments, the trenches may expose the substrate, and the shield lines may be formed in the trenches directly on the substrate. 
         [0030]    In some embodiments, the substrate may be silicon, and forming the shield lines directly on the substrate may include epitaxially growing silicon layers doped with impurities on the substrate in the trenches to define the plurality of shield lines. 
         [0031]    In some embodiments, forming the shield lines directly on the substrate may include forming a conductive layer in the trenches; and etching-back the conductive layer in the trenches to define the shield lines therein. 
         [0032]    In some embodiments, the trenches may be formed extending into respective active regions of the substrate between sidewalls of the adjacent ones of the bit lines, where each of the respective active regions may include the source/drain region of a respective one of the pillars protruding therefrom. 
         [0033]    In some embodiments, the trenches maybe first trenches, the shield lines may be first shield lines, and the respective shield insulating layers may be first shield insulating layers formed directly on sidewalls of the adjacent ones of the bit lines. The method may further include forming second trenches extending into the respective active regions of the substrate between adjacent ones of the first shield lines; forming respective second shield insulating layers on sidewalls of the second trenches; and then forming second shield lines in the second trenches such that each of the second shield lines is in a respective one of the second trenches and is separated from the sidewalls of the adjacent ones of the bit lines by a portion of the pillars. 
         [0034]    In some embodiments, the method may further include forming a junction oxide layer on the substrate, where the plurality of bit lines may be formed on the junction oxide layer, and where the trenches may be formed in the junction oxide layer between the adjacent ones of the bit lines. 
         [0035]    According to an aspect of the inventive concept, there is provided a semiconductor device including a plurality of active pillars that are spaced apart from each other on a substrate in an X-axis direction and a Y-axis direction, and are insulated from each other; a plurality of buried bit lines that are formed in a lower level than upper surfaces of the active pillars, are spaced apart from each other in the X-axis direction, and extend in the Y-axis direction orthogonal to the X-axis direction; and a plurality of shield lines that are spaced apart from each other in the X-axis direction, and extend in the Y-axis direction with shield insulating layers interposed between the buried bit lines. 
         [0036]    The semiconductor device may further include word lines that are spaced apart from each other in the Y-axis direction, and extend in the X-axis direction while crossing spaces between the active pillars. The shield lines may be located in a lower level than the word lines. First source and drain regions may be formed below the active pillars with respect to the word lines, and second source and drain regions are formed above the active pillars with respect to the word lines. 
         [0037]    The shield lines may be formed so as to contact the substrate. The buried bit lines may be formed in a first trench formed by etching the substrate, and may be formed on first sides of the active pillars. A second trench has a greater depth than the first trench in the first sides of the buried bit lines, and the shield lines may be interposed between the second trench and the shield lines. 
         [0038]    The buried bit lines may be formed so as to contact lower surfaces of the active pillars. The semiconductor device may further include junction oxide layer including trenches through which the substrate is exposed, wherein the junction oxide layer patterns may be formed on the substrate disposed below the buried bit lines. A shield insulating layer may be formed on lateral surfaces of the buried bit lines disposed above the junction oxide layer patterns, and the shield lines may be formed between the buried bit lines with the shield insulating layer between the buried bit lines and the shield lines. Air layers may be formed on the lateral surfaces of the buried bit lines disposed above the junction oxide layer, and the shield lines may be formed between the buried bit lines with the air layers interposed between the buried bit lines and the shield lines. 
         [0039]    According to another aspect of the inventive concept, there is provided a semiconductor device including a plurality of unit structures that are insulated from each other in an X-axis direction in a substrate by first shield lines between which first shield layers are interposed, and are insulated from each other by insulating layer in a Y-axis direction orthogonal to the X-axis direction, wherein each unit structure includes a first active pillar and a second active pillar that are spaced apart from each other on the substrate in the X-axis direction; a first active region that is located below the first active pillar, and has a greater width than the first active pillar in the X-axis direction; a second active region that is located below the second active pillar, has a greater width than the second pillar active pillar, and is formed to be symmetrical with respect to the first active region in a −X-axis direction; buried bit lines formed on first sides of the first active pillar and the second active pillar; and a second shield line that is located between the first active pillar and the second active pillar, and is formed in a lower level than lower surfaces of the buried bit lines with a second shield insulating layer interposed between the buried bit lines and the second shield line. 
         [0040]    The buried bit lines may extend in the Y-axis direction in first trenches formed by etching the substrate. The first shield line and the second shield line may extend in the Y-axis direction in second trenches formed by etching the substrate. 
         [0041]    According to another aspect of the inventive concept, there is provided a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device including forming a plurality of active pillars that are spaced apart from each other on a substrate in an X-axis direction and a Y-axis direction, and are insulated from each other. A plurality of buried bit lines that are formed in a lower level than upper surfaces of the active pillars, are spaced apart from each other in the X-axis direction, and extend in the Y-axis direction orthogonal to the X-axis direction are formed. A plurality of shield lines that are spaced apart from each other in the X-axis direction, and extend in the Y-axis direction with shield insulating layers interposed between the buried bit lines are formed. 
         [0042]    The shield lines may be formed so as to contact the substrate. The buried bit lines may be formed in a first trench formed by etching the substrate, and are formed on first sides of the active pillars. A second trench may have a greater depth than the first trench in the first sides of the buried bit lines, and the shield lines may be interposed between the second trench and the shield lines. 
         [0043]    The buried bit lines may be formed so as to contact lower surfaces of the active pillars. The method may further include: forming junction oxide layer patterns including trenches through which the substrate is exposed, wherein the junction oxide layer patterns are formed on the substrate disposed below the buried bit lines. The method may further include: after forming the shield lines, forming air layers on lateral surfaces of the buried bit lines disposed above the junction oxide layer patterns by removing the shield insulating layer. 
         [0044]    According to another aspect of the inventive concept, there is provided a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device including patterning a substrate to form pre-active pillars, and first trenches between the pre-active pillars. First source and drain regions are formed in lower portions of the pre-active pillars, which contact lower surfaces of the first trenches. The substrate is etched to a greater depth than the first trenches to form second trenches, and to extend lower portions of the second trenches. 
         [0045]    Buried bit lines are formed on lower side portions of the pre-active pillars, and third trenches are formed to a greater depth than the second trenches between the buried bit lines. First shield insulating layers are formed on lateral surfaces of the second trenches and the buried bit lines. First shield lines are formed with the first shield insulating layers interposed between the buried bit lines in the third trenches. Second source and drain regions are formed in upper portions of the pre-active pillars. 
         [0046]    The pre-active pillars are patterned to form a plurality of active pillars, and fourth trenches between the active pillars. Second shield insulating layers are formed on lateral surfaces of the fourth trenches and the buried bit lines. Second shield lines are formed with the second shield insulating layers interposed between the buried bit lines in the fourth trenches. 
         [0047]    The etching of the substrate may include forming first spacers on lateral surfaces of the pre-active pillars; further etching the substrate by aligning the first spacers as an etch mask to form the second trenches; and etching lateral surfaces of the second trenches below the first spacers. 
         [0048]    The buried bit lines and the third trenches may be formed by forming a conductive layer on lower surfaces of the second trenches; forming second spacers on the first spacers formed on the lateral surfaces of the pre-active pillars and the conductive layer; and etching the conductive layer and the substrate so as to be aligned with the second spacers. 
         [0049]    The method may further include: after forming the first shield lines, forming insulating layers so as to fill and cover the third trenches on the first shield lines; and planarizing a surface of the substrate including the insulating layer to form a buried insulating layer in the third trenches. 
         [0050]    The method may further include, after forming the third trenches, forming an insulating layer so as to fill and cover the third trenches; planarizing the surface of the substrate including the insulating layer; removing the insulating layer, the first spacers, and the second spacers in the third trenches; and forming third spaces and fourth spacers on lateral surfaces of the pre-active pillars on the buried bit lines. The first shield line and the second shield lines may be formed by filling and covering the third trenches and the fourth trenches with a conductive layer, and then etching-back the conductive layer. The first shield lines and the second shield lines may be formed by epitaxially growing a silicon layer that is doped with impurities in the third trenches and the fourth trenches. 
         [0051]    According to another aspect of the inventive concept, there is provided a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device including adhering a second substrate on which a conductive layer is formed onto a first substrate by using a junction oxide layer as a medium. The second substrate and the conductive layer may be formed to form buried bit lines, active pillars, and first trenches between the active pillars, which are sequentially stacked on the junction oxide layer. Shield insulating layers are formed on lateral surfaces of the buried bit lines, the active pillars, and the junction oxide layer. 
         [0052]    The junction oxide layer located below the buried bit lines are etched to form second trenches through which the first substrate is exposed between the buried bit lines and the active pillars. Shield lines are formed with shield insulating layers interposed between the buried bit lines in the second trenches. 
         [0053]    The buried bit lines, the active pillar, and the first trenches may be formed by forming a mask pattern on the second substrate, and then etching the second substrate and the conductive layer as an etch mask. The second trenches and a junction oxide layer pattern may be formed by etching the junction oxide layer by using the mask pattern as an etch mask. 
         [0054]    The shield lines may be formed by filling and covering the second trenches with a conductive layer, and etching the conductive layer. The shield lines may be formed by epitaxially growing a silicon layer that is doped with impurities in the second trenches. The method may further include: after forming the shield lines, forming air layers by removing shield layers between the buried bit lines. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0055]    Exemplary embodiments of the inventive concept will be more clearly understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: 
           [0056]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view for explaining a three-dimensional (3D) arrangement of main components of a semiconductor device according to an embodiment of the inventive concept; 
           [0057]      FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional view of the semiconductor device taken along a direction of word lines of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0058]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view for explaining a 3D arrangement of main components of a semiconductor device according to another embodiment of the inventive concept; 
           [0059]      FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view of the semiconductor device taken along a direction of word lines of  FIG. 3 ; 
           [0060]      FIGS. 5 through 21  are cross-sectional views for explaining a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device, according to an embodiment of the inventive concept; 
           [0061]      FIGS. 22 through 30  are cross-sectional views for explaining a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device, according to another embodiment of the inventive concept; 
           [0062]      FIGS. 31 through 38  are cross-sectional views for explaining a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device, according to another embodiment of the inventive concept; 
           [0063]      FIG. 38  is a plan view of a memory module including a semiconductor device according to an embodiment of the inventive concept; 
           [0064]      FIG. 39  is a schematic diagram of a memory card including a semiconductor device according to an embodiment of the inventive concept; and 
           [0065]      FIG. 40  is a schematic diagram of a system including a semiconductor device according to an embodiment of the inventive concept. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0066]    The inventive concept will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which exemplary embodiments of the inventive concept are shown. The inventive concept may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as being 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 concept of the inventive concept to those of ordinary skill in the art. In the drawings, the thicknesses of layers and regions are exaggerated for clarity. Like numerals refer to like elements throughout. 
         [0067]    The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the inventive concept. 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. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. In addition, throughout this specification, first through nth elements (where n is a positive integer.) are used to explain embodiments of the present embodiment, rather than being used in order. 
         [0068]    It will be understood that when an element or layer is referred to as being “on,” “connected to” or “coupled to” another element or layer, it can be directly on, connected or coupled to the other element or layer or intervening elements or layers may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly on,” “directly connected to,” “directly coupled to,” or “in direct contact with” another element or layer, there are no intervening elements or layers present. Other expressions for describing relationships between elements, for example, “between” and “immediately between” or “neighboring” and “directly neighboring” may also be understood likewise. 
         [0069]    Spatially relative terms, such as “beneath,” “below,” “lower,” “above,” “upper” and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe one element or feature&#39;s relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. It will be understood that the spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is turned over, elements described as “below” or “beneath” other elements or features would then be oriented “above” the other elements or features. Thus, the exemplary term “below” can encompass both an orientation of above and below. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly. 
         [0070]    It will be understood that, although the terms first, second, third, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections, these elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or section from another region, layer or section. Thus, a first element, component, region, layer or section discussed below could be termed a second element, component, region, layer or section without departing from the teachings of the present inventive concept. 
         [0071]    Example embodiments are described herein with reference to cross-sectional illustrations that are schematic illustrations of idealized example embodiments (and intermediate structures). As such, variations from the shapes of the illustrations as a result, for example, of manufacturing techniques and/or tolerances, are to be expected. Thus, example embodiments should not be construed as limited to the particular shapes of regions illustrated herein but are to include deviations in shapes that result, for example, from manufacturing. Thus, the regions illustrated in the figures are schematic in nature and their shapes are not intended to illustrate the actual shape of a region of a device and are not intended to limit the scope of the present inventive concept. 
         [0072]    Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this inventive concept belongs. It will be further understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein. 
         [0073]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view for explaining a three-dimensional (3D) arrangement of components of a semiconductor device according to an embodiment of the inventive concept.  FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional view of the semiconductor device taken along a direction of word lines WL of  FIG. 1 . 
         [0074]    Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the semiconductor device according to the present embodiment includes first and second active pillars  143 - 1  and  143 - 2  that are spaced apart from each other and insulated from each other in an X-axis direction and a Y-axis direction that is orthogonal to the X-axis direction. Hereinafter, the first and second active pillars  143 - 1  and  143 - 2  will be collectively denoted by reference number  143 . The X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction are based on a plane on which a substrate  100  is disposed. A Z-axis direction is orthogonal to the plane of the substrate  100 , and is orthogonal to the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction. The first and second active pillars  143  may be defined by forming first trenches T 1  in a downward direction from an upper surface of the substrate  100  to a predetermined depth. Lower portions of the first and second active pillars  143  are connected to first and second active regions  145 - 1  and  145 - 2 . Hereinafter, the first and second active regions  145 - 1  and  145 - 2  will be collectively denoted by reference number  145 . 
         [0075]    First source and drain regions  120 - 1  and  120 - 2  are formed in the first and second active regions  145  formed below the first and second active pillars  143 , and second source and drain regions  140 - 1  and  140 - 2  are formed in upper portions of the first and second active pillars  143 . The word lines WL are formed between portions of adjacent active pillars, which are located between the first source and drain regions  120 - 1  and  120 - 2 , and the second source and drain regions  140 - 1  and  140 - 2  with the gate insulating layers (not shown) interposed between the first and second active pillars  143  and the word lines WL. 
         [0076]    With respect to the word lines WL, the first source and drain regions  120 - 1  and  120 - 2  are formed in lower portions of the first and second active pillars  143 , and the second source and drain regions  140 - 1  and  140 - 2  are formed in upper portions of the first and second active pillars  143 . The word lines WL are spaced apart from each other in the Y-axis direction, and extend in the X-axis direction while crossing spaces between the first and second active pillars  143 . 
         [0077]    Thus, vertical channel transistors including channel regions perpendicular to the first and second active pillars  143  are provided. In particular, first and second vertical channel transistors include the first source and drain regions  120 - 1  and  120 - 2 , the second source and drain regions  140 - 1  and  140 - 2 , the first and second active pillars  143 , the first and second active regions  145 , and the word lines WL, respectively. 
         [0078]    Buried bit lines  130  are formed in a lower level than upper surfaces of the first and second active pillars  143 , and are formed in the first trenches T 1 . The buried bit lines  130  extend in the Y-axis direction, and are spaced apart from each other in the X-axis direction. Second trenches T 2  having a greater depth than that of the first trenches T 1  are formed between the buried bit lines  130 , and first and second shield lines  136  and  148  are formed in the second trenches T 2  in the Y-axis direction with first and second shield insulating layers  132  and  146  interposed between the first and second shield lines  136  and  148  and surfaces of the second trenches T 2 , respectively. 
         [0079]    The first and second shield lines  136  and  148  are spaced apart from each other in the X-axis direction, and extend in the Y-axis direction. The first and second shield lines  136  and  148  are formed in a lower level than the word lines WL. The first and second shield lines  136  and  148  may each be a conductive line. The first and second shield lines  136  and  148  are formed so as to contact the substrate  100 . The first and second shield lines  136  and  148  reduce a capacitance between adjacent ones of the buried bit lines  130  so as to increase an operating speed and/or otherwise improve the operating characteristics of the semiconductor devices according to some embodiments. In contrast, if only an insulating layer is provided between the buried bit lines  130  without any shield lines therebetween, a capacitance between the buried bit lines  130  may be increased, which may adversely affecting the operation speed and the operation characteristic of the semiconductor device. In some embodiments, the first shield lines  136  and/or the second shield lines  148  may provide no electrical interconnections for the device. 
         [0080]    Hereinafter, a unit structure P of the semiconductor device according to the present embodiment will be described in detail, with reference to  FIGS. 1 and 2 . The unit structure P of the semiconductor device according to the present embodiment is repeatedly formed in the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction, and the semiconductor device includes a plurality of unit structures P. The unit structures P are insulated from each other in the X-axis direction by the first shield line  136  formed in each second trench T 2  of the substrate  100  with the first shield insulating layer  132  interposed between surfaces of the second trench T 2  and the first shield line  136 , and are insulated from each other in the Y-axis direction by an insulating layer (not shown). The word lines WL are formed on front and rear surfaces of the unit structure P in the Y-axis direction. 
         [0081]    The unit structure P includes the first and second active pillars  143 - 1  and  143 - 2  that are spaced apart from each other in the X-axis direction. The first active pillars  143 - 1  are respectively connected to the first active regions  145 - 1  formed therebelow. The first active regions  145 - 1  are formed so as to have a greater width than that of the first active pillars  143 - 1  in the X-axis direction. The buried bit lines  130  are formed in the first trenches T 1  that are formed in first sides of the first active regions  145 - 1  in the X-axis direction. 
         [0082]    The second active pillars  143 - 2  are connected to the second active regions  145 - 2  formed therebelow. The second active regions  145 - 2  are formed to be symmetric with respect to the first active regions  145 - 1  in a −X-axis direction, and are formed so as to have greater widths than those of the second active pillars  143 - 2 . The buried bit lines  130  are formed in the first trenches T 1  that are formed in second sides of the first active regions  145 - 1  in the −X-axis direction. 
         [0083]    In the unit structures P, the second shield lines  148  are formed in the second trenches T 2  between the first active pillars  143 - 1  and the second active pillars  143 - 2  with the second shield insulating layers  146  interposed between surfaces of the second trenches T 2  and the first and second active pillars  143 . In addition, the unit structures P are insulated by insulating the first shield insulating layers  132  between the unit structures P in the X-axis direction, and the second shield layers  146  extend in the Y-axis direction. 
         [0084]    First and second semiconductor devices having the above-described structure include the first source and drain regions  120 - 1  and  120 - 2 , and the second source and drain regions  140 - 1  and  140 - 2 , respectively. The second source and drain regions  140 - 1  and  140 - 2  are formed above and the first source and drain regions  120 - 1  and  120 - 2  are formed below the active pillars  143  in the Z-axis direction with respect to the word lines WL. Thus, first and second vertical channel transistors including channel regions perpendicular to the first and second active pillars  143  are obtained. In order to reduce the capacitance between the buried bit lines  130 , the shield lines  136  and  148  are disposed between adjacent ones of the buried bit lines  130 . Thus, in the semiconductor devices according to the present embodiment, a capacitance between the buried bit lines  130  may be reduced, and thus the operation speeds of the semiconductor devices may be increased, and the operational characteristics of the semiconductor devices may be improved. 
         [0085]    A lower electrode (not shown) of a capacitor may be formed on the second source and drain regions  140 - 1  and  140 - 2  on the first and second active pillars  143 . In this case, the semiconductor device according to the present embodiment may be a dynamic random access memory (DRAM) semiconductor device, but the inventive concept is not limited thereto. The inventive concept may be applied to any semiconductor device as long as the shield lines  136  and  148  are disposed between the buried bit lines  130 . 
         [0086]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view for explaining a  3 D arrangement of main components of a semiconductor device according to another embodiment of the inventive concept.  FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view of the semiconductor device taken along a direction of word lines WL of  FIG. 3 . 
         [0087]    Referring to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the semiconductor device according to the present embodiment includes active pillars  310  that are spaced apart from each other and insulated from each other in an X-axis direction and a Y-axis direction that is orthogonal to the X-axis direction. Hereinafter, the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction are based on a plane on which a substrate  300  is disposed. A Z-axis direction is orthogonal to the plane of the substrate  300 , and is orthogonal to the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction. 
         [0088]    The active pillars  310  may be defined by etching from an upper surface of a second substrate constituting a junction substrate to a lower surface, which will be described later. Buried bit lines  308  are defined below the active pillars  310  by forming first trenches T 1  from the upper surface of the second substrate constituting the junction substrate to the lower surface. The bit lines  308  are spaced apart from each other in the X-axis direction, and extend in the Y-axis direction. 
         [0089]    First source and drain regions  305  are formed below the active pillars  310 , and second source and drain regions  336  are formed above the active pillars  310 . The word lines WL extend in the X-axis direction between portions of adjacent active pillars, which are located between the first source and drain regions  305 , and the second source and drain regions  336  with gate insulating layers (not shown) interposed between the active pillars  310  and the word lines WL, and are spaced apart from each other in the Y-axis direction. The semiconductor device according to the inventive concept includes the first source and drain region  305 , the second source and drain region  336 , the active pillar  310 , and the word line WL, and thus a vertical channel transistor including channel regions that are formed in the Z-axis direction is obtained. 
         [0090]    The buried bit lines  308  and junction oxide layer patterns  328  are formed in a lower level than upper surfaces of the active pillars  310  so as to contact lower portions of the active pillars  310 . The junction oxide layer patterns  328  formed below the buried bit lines  308  are spaced apart from each other in the X-axis direction, and extend in the Y-axis direction. 
         [0091]    Second trenches T 2  having a greater depth than that of the first trenches T 1  are formed between the buried bit lines  308 . The second trenches T 2  expose portions of the substrate  300  between the buried bit lines  308 , and are formed in the junction oxide layer patterns  328 . That is, the junction oxide layer patterns  328  include the second trenches T 2  that expose the portions of the substrate  300  therethrough. Shield lines  332  are formed in the second trenches T 2  in the Y-axis direction with shield insulating layers  324  interposed between surfaces of the second trenches T 2  and the shield lines  332 . 
         [0092]    The shield lines  332  are located in a lower level than the word lines WL. The shield lines  332  are each a conductive line. The shield lines  332  are formed so as to contact the substrate  300 . The shield lines  332  reduce a capacitance between the buried bit lines  308  so as to increase an operation of the semiconductor device, and to improve the operation characteristic of the semiconductor device. If only an insulating layer is buried between the buried bit lines  308  without any shield line, a capacitance between the buried bit lines  308  is increased, thereby adversely affecting the operation speed and the operation characteristics of the semiconductor device. 
         [0093]      FIGS. 5 through 21  are cross-sectional views for explaining a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device, according to an embodiment of the inventive concept.  FIGS. 5 through 21  illustrate a method of manufacturing the semiconductor device described with reference to  FIGS. 1 and 2 .  FIGS. 5 through 21  illustrate the method of manufacturing the semiconductor device by using a bulk substrate (bulk wafer). 
         [0094]    Referring to  FIG. 5 , a pad oxide layer, and a multi-layered mask layer are sequentially formed on the substrate  100 , and are patterned to form stack structures including pad oxide patterns  102 , and multi-layered mask patterns  110 . The pad oxide patterns  102 , and multi-layered mask patterns  110  constitute the stack structures. Portions of an upper surface of the substrate  100  are exposed through the multi-layered mask patterns  110 . The substrate  100  may be a silicon substrate (a silicon wafer). In addition, each multi-layered mask pattern  110  may include a polysilicon layer  104 , a silicon nitride layer  106 , and a silicon oxide layer  108 . 
         [0095]    In some embodiments, after the pad oxide layer is formed on the substrate  100 , before the multi-layered mask layer is formed, an ion injection operation may be performed in order to form wells in the substrate  100 . In addition, after the pad oxide layer is formed on the substrate  100 , before the multi-layered mask patterns  110  are formed, a bulk ion injection operation may be performed in order to form a channel region in the substrate  100 . 
         [0096]    The exposed portions of the substrate  100  are etched by using the multi-layered mask patterns  110  as a mask so as to form first trenches  113  having a width W 1 , and a first depth P 1  that is measured to a lower surface of each first trench  113  from an upper surface of the substrate  100 , and to form a pre-active pillars  112 , and an active region  111 . The first trenches  113  are formed between the pre-active pillars  112 , and each of the pre-active pillars  112  has a height of P 1 . Upper surfaces of the pre-active pillars  112  may have patterns of a plurality of islands, like the multi-layered mask patterns  110 . The pre-active pillars  112  are divided into two pre-active pillars  112  that are located on sides of the substrate  100  with respect to the first trenches  113 . 
         [0097]    Referring to  FIG. 6 , silicon oxide layers (not shown) are formed on lateral or sidewall surfaces of each pre-active pillar  112 , each pad oxide pattern  102 , and each multi-layered mask pattern  110  by using an oxidizing operation. Thus, surface defects, of the substrate  100 , which may be caused during an etching operation for forming the first trenches  113 , may be compensated for. The silicon oxide layer may be omitted in some embodiments. 
         [0098]    Then, a low-concentration impurity ion injection operation for forming first source and drain regions is performed on portions of the active region  111  of the substrate  100 , which are located around lower surfaces of the trenches  113 , by using the multi-layered mask patterns  110  as an ion injection mask, to form first impurity regions  114 . For example, the low-concentration impurity may include N-type impurity ions. However, the inventive concept is not limited thereto. 
         [0099]    Then, first spacers  116  are formed on lateral or sidewall surfaces of each pre-active pillar  112 , each pad oxide layer pattern  102 , and each multi-layered mask pattern  110 . The first spacers  116  may be formed by using a silicon nitride layer. The first spacers  116  may be formed on internal surfaces of the first trenches  113 . 
         [0100]    A silicon nitride layer is formed on a front surface of the substrate  100  on which a silicon oxide layer is formed, and then portions of the silicon nitride layer remain only on the internal surfaces of the first trenches  113  by etching-back the silicon nitride layer, to form the first spacers  116 . Due to over-etching during the etch-back operation for forming the first spacers  116 , the active region  111  of the substrate  100  may be exposed through the lower surfaces of the first trenches  113 . 
         [0101]    Referring to  FIGS. 7 and 8 , portions of the active region  111 , which are located below the first trenches  113 , are further etched by using the multi-layered mask patterns  110  and the first spacers  116  as an etch mask, to form second trenches  115  having an upper width W 2 , and a second depth P 2  that is measured to a lower surface of each second trench  115  from the upper surface of the substrate  100 . 
         [0102]    Then, as illustrated in  FIG. 8 , a high-concentration ion injection operation for forming the first source and drain regions is performed on the portions of the active region  111 , which are exposed through the lower surfaces of the second trenches  115 , by using the multi-layered mask patterns  110  and the first spacers  116  as an ion injection mask, to form second impurity regions  119 . The high-concentration impurity may include the same ion as the low-concentration impurity, for example, N-type impurity ions. 
         [0103]    As a result, first source/drain regions  120  including the first impurity regions  114  and the second impurity regions  114  are formed in the substrate  100  around portions of the active region  111 , which are located below the second trench  115 . 
         [0104]    Then, as illustrated in  FIG. 8 , portions of the active region  111 , which are located below the first spacers  116 , are etched. That is, the portions of the active region  111  of the substrate  100  are etched from the lower surfaces and lateral or sidewall surfaces of the second trenches  115  towards the active region  111  to form recess regions  121 . By etching the substrate  100 , bottom portions of the second trenches  115  extend. Thus, a lower width W 1  of the second trenches  115  is greater than the upper width W 2 . The lower width W 1  of the second trenches may be the same as the width of the first trench  113 . 
         [0105]    Referring to  FIGS. 9 and 10 , a conductive material is deposited on a resulting structure where first source and drain regions  120 , and the first spacers  116  are formed, to form a first conductive layer  122  that fills and covers the second trenches  115 . The first conductive layer  122  is a material layer that is to be formed as buried bit lines later. The first conductive layer  122  may be formed of metal such as tungsten (W), aluminum (Al), copper (Cu), molybdenum (Mo), titanium (Ti), tantalum (Ta), or ruthenium (Ru). In addition, the first conductive layer  122  may be formed of a metal nitride such as TiN, TiN/W, Ti/TiN, WN, W/WN, TaN, Ta/TaN, TiSiN, TaSiN, or WSiN. 
         [0106]    Then, as illustrated in  FIG. 10 , portions of the first conductive layer  122  is etched-back and removed so that the first conductive layer  122  may remain only on the lower surfaces of the second trenches  115 , to form first buried layers  124  that remain on the lower surfaces of the second trenches  115 . During the formation of the first buried layers  124 , silicon oxide layers  108  included in the multi-layered mask patterns  110  are etched and removed, and silicon nitride layers  106  included in the multi-layered mask patterns  110  are partially removed. The first and second impurity regions  120  are formed in portions of the active regions  111  and the pre-active pillars  112 , which are located around the first buried layers  124 . 
         [0107]    Referring to  FIGS. 11 and 12 , second spacers  126  are formed on portions of the first buried layers  124 , and lateral surfaces of the first spacers  116  that are formed on the lateral or sidewall surfaces of the pre-active pillars  112 , the pad oxide layer patterns  102 , and the multi-layered mask pattern  110 . The second spacers  126  are formed on the lateral or sidewall surfaces of the first spacers  116  formed on the internal surfaces of the first trenches  113 , and the portions of the first buried layers  124 . The second spacers  126  may be silicon nitride layers. 
         [0108]    Then, as illustrated in  FIG. 12 , the first buried layers  124  and the active region  111  of the substrate  100  are etched by using the multi-layered mask patterns  110 , the first spacers  116 , and the second spacers  126  as an etch mask, to form third trenches  128  having a width W 3 , and a third depth P 3  that is measured to a lower surface of each third trench  128  from the upper surface of the substrate, and the buried bit lines  130  are formed on bottom portions of the second trenches  115 , so as to be aligned with the second spacers  126 . 
         [0109]    The buried bit lines  130  are formed on the bottom portions of the second trenches  115  between the pre-active pillars  112 . The buried bit lies  130  are formed on sides of the pre-active pillars  112 . The buried bit lines  130  are located in a lower level than upper surfaces of the pre-active pillars  112 . 
         [0110]    Referring to  FIG. 13 , first shield insulating layers  132  are formed on lateral or sidewall surfaces of the third trenches  128  and portions of the buried bit lines  130 . The first shield insulating layers  132  are formed only on the lateral or sidewall surfaces of the third trenches  128 , not on the lower surfaces of the third trenches  128 . Each of the first shield insulating layers  132  may be a silicon oxide layer. The first shield insulating layer  132  may be formed by forming and etching a silicon oxide layer in the third trenches  128 . The first shield insulating layers  132  are formed in order to insulate first shield lines from each other, which are to be formed in order to reduce a capacitance between the buried bit lines  130 . 
         [0111]    Referring to  FIGS. 14 and 15 , a second conductive layer  134  that fills and covers the third trenches  128  is formed by depositing a conductive material on a resulting structure where the first shield insulating layers  132  are formed. The second conductive layer  134  is a material layer to be formed as first shield lines later. The second conductive layer  134  may be formed of the same material as that of the first conductive layer  122 . 
         [0112]    Then, as illustrated in  FIG. 15 , the second conductive layer  134  is etched-back to form the first shield lines  136  between the buried bit lines  130  in the third trenches  128 . The first shield lines  136  may be formed in the same level as surfaces of the buried bit lines  130  from the lower surfaces of the third trenches  128 . The buried bit lines  130  are located on sides of each first shield line  136 . A capacitance between adjacent ones of the buried bit lines  130  may be reduced by forming the first shield line  136  therebetween. In contrast, if only an insulating layer is formed between the buried bit lines  130  without the first shield line  136 , a capacitance between the buried bit lines  130  may be increased. 
         [0113]    In  FIGS. 14 and 15 , the second conductive layer  134  that fills and covers the third trenches  128  is formed and etched-back to form the first shield lines  136  in the third trenches  128 . According to another embodiment of the inventive concept, a silicon layer that is selectively doped with impurities, e.g., boron (B), or arsenic (As) is epitaxially grown in the third trenches  128  to form the first shield lines  136  directly in the third trenches  138 . 
         [0114]    Referring to  FIG. 16 , an insulating material is deposited on an entire surface of a resulting structure where the first shield lines  136  are formed, so as to fill and cover the third trenches  128 , and then the resulting structure is planarized by using a chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) process until the upper surface of the substrate  100  is exposed, to form first buried insulating layers  138 . Through such a planarization process, the multi-layered mask patterns  110  and the pad oxide patterns  102  are removed. The first buried insulating layers  138  may be silicon nitride layers. The first buried insulating layers  138  fill the second trenches  128  formed on the first shield lines  136  so as to insulate the pre-active pillars  112  from each other. 
         [0115]    Referring to  FIG. 17 , upper surfaces of the pre-active pillars  112  are partially etched-back. Accordingly, the upper surfaces of the pre-active pillars  112  are located in a lower level than upper surfaces of the first buried insulating layers  138 , the first spacers  116 , and the second spacers  126 . 
         [0116]    Third impurity regions  140  for forming second source/drain regions are formed on the pre-active pillars  112 . The third impurity regions  140  are formed by using an ion injection operation, like the first impurity regions  114  and the second impurity regions  119 . The third impurity regions  140  may also include low-concentration and high-concentration regions. The third impurity regions  140  include impurity ions having the same conductivity type as in the first and second impurity regions  114  and  119  that define the first source/drain regions  120 . The ion injection operation for forming the third impurity regions  140  may be performed after the first buried insulating layers  138  are formed, which has been described with reference to  FIG. 16 . 
         [0117]    Referring to  FIG. 18 , third spacers  141  are formed on lateral or sidewall surfaces of the second spacers  126  formed on the recessed pre-active pillars  112 . The third spacers  141  may be oxide layers. Then, the pre-active pillars  112  and the active region of the substrate  100  are etched by using the third spacers  141  as an etch mask. 
         [0118]    Thus, the first and second active pillars  143 , and fourth trenches  142  having a width W 4 , and a fourth depth P 4  that is measured to a lower surface of each fourth trench  142  from an upper surface of the substrate  100  are formed. The fourth trenches  142  are formed between the active pillars  143 . The fourth depth P 4  of the fourth trenches  142  may be the same as the third depth P 3  of the third trenches  128 . Each pre-active pillar  112  is divided into two parts with respect to each fourth trench  142  to form the first active pillar  143 - 1 , and the second active pillar  143 - 2 . 
         [0119]    The active region  111  is divided into two parts with respect to each fourth trench  142  to form the first active region  145 - 1  and the second active region  145 - 2  below a single pre-active pillar  112 . The first impurity region  114  and the second impurity region  119 , which are formed around the buried bit lines  130  in a single pre-active pillar  112 , are divided into two parts to form the first source and drain regions  120 - 1  and  120 - 2 . The third impurity region  140  formed at an upper portion of a single pre-active pillar  112  is divided into two parts to form the second source and drain regions  140 - 1  and  140 - 2 . 
         [0120]    The first source and drain regions  120 - 1 , the first active pillar  143 - 1 , and the second source and drain regions  140 - 1  constitute a single vertical channel transistor. In addition, the first source and drain regions  120 - 2 , the second active pillar  143 - 2 , and the second source and drain regions  140 - 2  constitute a single vertical channel transistor. 
         [0121]    Referring to  FIG. 19 , second shield insulating layers  146  are formed on lateral or sidewall surfaces of the fourth trenches  142 . The second shield insulating layers  146  are formed on only the lateral or sidewall surfaces of the fourth trenches  142 , not on lower surfaces of the fourth trenches  142 . The second shield insulating layers  146  may each be a silicon oxide layer. The second shield insulating layers  146  may be formed by forming and etching a silicon oxide layer in the fourth trenches  142 . The second shield insulating layers  146  are formed in order to insulate seconds shield lines from each other, which are to be formed in order to reduce a capacitance between the buried bit lines  130 . 
         [0122]    Referring to  FIGS. 20 and 21 , a conductive material is deposited on a resulting structure where the second shield insulating layers  146  are formed, to form a third conductive layer  147  that fills and covers the fourth trenches  142 . The third conductive layer  147  is a material layer to be formed as second shield lines. The third conductive layer  147  may be formed of the same material as the first conductive layer  122  and the second conductive material  134 . 
         [0123]    Then, as illustrated in  FIG. 21 , the third conductive layer  147  is etched-back to form second shield lines  148  between the buried bit lines  130  in the fourth trenches  142 . The second shield lines  148  may be formed in the same level as surfaces of the buried bit lines  130  from the lower surfaces of the fourth trenches  142 . The buried bit lines  130  are located on sides of each second shield line  148 . A capacitance between adjacent ones of the buried bit lines  130  may be reduced by forming the second shield lines  148 . In contrast, if only an insulating layer is formed between the adjacent buried bit lines  130  without the second shield lines  148 , a capacitance between the adjacent buried bit lines  130  may be increased. 
         [0124]    In  FIGS. 20 and 21 , the third conductive layer  147  that fills and covers the fourth trenches  142  is formed and etched-back to form the second shield lines  148  in the fourth trenches  142 . According to another embodiment of the inventive concept, a silicon layer that is selectively doped with impurities, e.g., boron (B), or arsenic (As), is epitaxially grown in the fourth trenches  142  to form the second shield lines  148  directly in the fourth trenches  142 . 
         [0125]    Then, a second buried insulating layer (not shown) is formed in the fourth trenches  142 , and a gate insulating layer (not shown) and word lines WL functioning as a gate electrode are formed on the active pillars  143 - 1  and  143 - 2 , thereby completing the manufacture of a semiconductor device including a vertical channel transistor. 
         [0126]      FIGS. 22 through 30  are cross-sectional views for explaining a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device, according to another embodiment of the inventive concept.  FIGS. 22 through 30  illustrate a method of manufacturing the semiconductor device described with reference to  FIGS. 1 and 2 . 
         [0127]    The method of  FIGS. 22 through 30  is similar to the method of  FIGS. 5 through 21 , except that a planarization operation of removing the multi-layered mask patterns  110  and the pad oxide patterns  102  is performed. In greater detail, according to the present embodiment, operations of  FIGS. 5 through 13  are previously performed, and then operations of  FIGS. 22 through 30  are performed. 
         [0128]    Referring to  FIGS. 22 and 23 , an insulating material is deposited on a resulting structure where the first and second spacers  116  and  126  are formed, to form a first insulating layer  210  that fills and covers the third trenches  128 . The first insulating layer  210  may be a silicon nitride layer. Then, as illustrated in  FIG. 23 , the first insulating layer  210 , the multi-layered mask patterns  110 , and the pad oxide patterns  102  are planarized to form a first buried insulating layer  211  that is buried in the third trenches  128 . 
         [0129]    Referring to  FIGS. 24 and 25 , second mask patterns  212  are formed on the pre-active pillars  112 , and then the first spacers  116 , and the second spacers  126  are removed by using the second mask patterns  212  as an etch mask. Thus, the third trenches  128  and the buried bit lines  130  are exposed on the substrate  100 . 
         [0130]    Then, as illustrated in  FIG. 25 , third spacers  214  are formed on lateral or sidewall surfaces of the pre-active pillars  112  formed on the buried bit lines  130 . The third spacers  214  may be silicon oxide layers. Fourth spacers  216  are formed on the third spacers  214  formed on the lateral or sidewall surfaces of the pre-active pillars  112  formed on the buried bit lines  130 . The fourth spacers  216  may be silicon nitride layers. 
         [0131]    Referring to  FIG. 26 , first shield insulating layers  218  are formed on internal surfaces of the third trenches  128 . The first shield insulating layers  218  are formed only on the lateral or sidewall surfaces of the third trenches  128 , not on the lower surfaces of the third trenches  128 . The first shield insulating layers  218  are silicon oxide layers. The first shield insulating layers  218  corresponds to the first shield insulating layers  132  that have been described with reference to  FIGS. 5 through 21 . The first shield insulating layers  218  are formed in order to insulate first shield lines from each other, which are to be formed in order to reduce a capacitance between the buried bit lines  130 . 
         [0132]    Then, the first shield lines  136  are formed in the third trenches  128  by using the same method as the method described with reference to  FIGS. 5 through 21 , and thus a capacitance between the buried bit lines  130  is reduced. The first shield lines  136  may be formed by forming and etching-back a third conductive layer that fills and covers the third trenches  128 . In addition, the first shield lines  136  may be formed by epitaxially growing a silicon layer that is selectively doped with impurities, e.g., B, or As, in the third trenches  128 . 
         [0133]    Referring to  FIG. 27 , an insulating material is deposited on an entire surface of a resulting structure where the first shield lines  136  are formed, so as to fill and cover the third trenches  128 , and then the resulting structure is planarized by using a chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) process until the upper surface of the substrate  100  is exposed, to form first buried insulating layers  138 . The first buried insulating layers  138  may be silicon nitride layers. The first buried insulating layers  138  fill the second trenches  128  formed on the first shield lines  222  so as to insulate the pre-active pillars  112  from each other. 
         [0134]    Referring to  FIG. 28 , upper surfaces of the pre-active pillars  112  are partially etched-back. Accordingly, the upper surfaces of the pre-active pillars  112  are located in a lower level than upper surfaces of second buried insulating layers  224 , the third spacers  214 , and the fourth spacers  216 . 
         [0135]    The third impurity regions  140  for forming second source and drain regions are formed on the pre-active pillars  112 . The third impurity regions  140  are formed by using the same method as the method described with reference to  FIGS. 5 through 21 . The ion injection operation for forming the third impurity regions  140  may be performed after the first buried insulating layers  138  are formed. 
         [0136]    Referring to  FIG. 29 , fifth spacers  141  are formed on lateral or sidewall surfaces of the fourth spacers  216  formed on the recessed pre-active pillars  112 . The fifth spacers  141  may be oxide layers. Then, the pre-active pillars  112  and the active region of the substrate  100  are etched by using the fifth spacers  141  as an etch mask. 
         [0137]    Thus, like in  FIGS. 5 through 21 , the fourth trenches  142  having a width W 4 , and a fourth depth P 4  that is measured to a lower surface of each fourth trench  142  from an upper surface of the substrate  100  are formed. In addition, the active pillars  143 - 1  and  143 - 2 , the first active regions  145 - 1 , the second active regions  145 - 2 , the first source and drain regions  120 - 1  and  120 - 2 , and the second source and drain regions  140 - 1  and  140 - 2  are formed. 
         [0138]    Referring to  FIG. 30 , the second shield insulating layers  146  are formed on internal surfaces of the fourth trenches  142 . The second shield insulating layers  146  are formed only on the lateral or sidewall surfaces of the fourth trenches  142 , not on the lower surfaces of the fourth trenches  142 . The second shield insulating layers  146  may be silicon oxide layers. The second shield insulating layers  146  are formed in order to insulate second shield lines  148  from each other, which are to be formed in order to reduce a capacitance between the buried bit lines  130 . 
         [0139]    Then, the second shield lines  148  are formed in the fourth trenches  142  by using the same method as the method described with reference to  FIGS. 5 through 21 , and thus a capacitance between the buried bit lines  130  may be reduced. The second shield lines  148  are formed by filling and covering the fourth trenches  142  with a third conductive layer and then etching-back the third conductive layer. The second shield lines  148  may be formed by epitaxially growing a silicon layer that is selectively doped with impurities, e.g., B, or As, in the forth trenches  142 . Then, a second buried insulating layer (not shown) is formed in the fourth trenches  142 , and a gate insulating layer (not shown) and word lines WL functioning as a gate electrode are formed on the active pillars  143 - 1  and  143 - 2 , thereby completing the manufacture of a semiconductor device including a vertical channel transistor. 
         [0140]      FIGS. 31 through 38  are cross-sectional views for explaining a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device, according to another embodiment of the inventive concept.  FIGS. 31 through 38  illustrate a method of manufacturing the semiconductor device described with reference to  FIGS. 3 and 4 . In  FIGS. 31 through 38 , the semiconductor device is manufactured by using a junction substrate (junction wafer). 
         [0141]    Referring to  FIG. 31 , the semiconductor device according to the present embodiment is manufactured by using the junction wafer. First, a first wafer  300  is prepared. The first wafer  300  may be a silicon wafer. Then, a second wafer  306  is prepared, impurity regions to be used as the first source and drain regions  305  are formed in the second wafer  306 , and a first conductive layer  304  and a junction oxide layer  302  are formed on the first source and drain regions  305 . The second wafer  306  may also be a silicon wafer. Then, after the second wafer  306  is reversed, the second wafer  306  is adhered to the first wafer  300  by using the junction oxide layer  302  as a medium, thereby completing formation of a junction wafer including the first conductive layer  304 . 
         [0142]    Hereinafter, the second wafer  306  will be referred to as a second substrate, and the first wafer  300  will be referred to as a first substrate. A substrate including the junction oxide layer  302  and the first conductive layer  304  that are formed between the first substrate  300  and the second substrate  306  will be referred to as a junction substrate  307 . The junction substrate  307  may be divided into a cell region, and a core/peripheral region other than the cell region. 
         [0143]    Referring to  FIG. 32 , mask patterns  312  are formed on the second substrate  306  in the cell region, and the second substrate  306  and the first conductive layer  304  are sequentially etched to form the active pillars  310  and the buried bit lines  308 . The mask patterns  312  are silicon nitride layers. The buried bit lines  308  are formed so as to contact lower portions of the active pillars  310 . First trenches  313  exposing the junction oxide layer  302  therethrough are formed between the active pillars  310  and the buried bit lines  308 . Lower surfaces of the buried bit lines  308  are formed to a depth P 1  from an upper surface of the second substrate  306 . In the core/peripheral region, a metal pattern  314 , a silicon pattern  316 , and insulating layer patterns  318  and  320  are formed. 
         [0144]    Referring to  FIG. 33 , silicon oxide layers  322  are selectively formed on lateral or sidewall surfaces of the active pillars  310 . The silicon oxide layers  322  are formed in order to prevent the active pillars  310  from being damaged during an etch operation. The silicon oxide layers  322  may be omitted. A shield insulating layer  324  is formed on an entire surface of the junction substrate  307 . In the cell region, the shield insulating layer  324  is formed on lateral or sidewall surfaces of the active pillars  310  on which the silicon oxide layers  322  are formed, the mask patterns  312 , and the junction oxide layer  302 . The shield insulating layer  324  may be a silicon oxide layer. The shield insulating layer  324  is formed in order to insulate the buried bit lines  308  from each other. Then, in the core/peripheral regions, a photoresist pattern  326  is formed by using a photography method. The cell region is exposed by the photoresist pattern  326 . 
         [0145]    Referring to  FIG. 34 , the junction oxide layer patterns  328  are formed by etching the junction oxide layer  302  by using the photoresist pattern  326  and mask patterns  312  as a etch mask. Thus, in the cell region, the buried bit lines  308 , the active pillars  310 , and the mask patterns  312  are stacked on the junction oxide layer patterns  328 , and the shield insulating layer  324  remains on the lateral or sidewall surfaces of the active pillars  310  and the buried bit lines  308 . Portions of the shield insulating layer  324 , which are located on the mask pattern  312 , are removed. In the cell region, the junction oxide layer patterns  328  including the second trenches  306  exposing portions of the first substrate  300  therethrough are formed on the first substrate  300 . Lower surfaces of the junction oxide layer patterns  328  are formed to a depth P 2  from an upper surface of the second substrate  306 . The depth P 2  is the depth of the second trenches  329 . Then, the photoresist pattern  326  is removed. 
         [0146]    Referring to  FIGS. 35 and 36 , in the cell region, a conductive material is deposited on a resulting structure where the active pillars  312 , the silicon oxide layers  322  and  324 , and the mask patterns  312  are formed, to form a second conductive layer  330  that fills and covers the first trenches  313  and the second trenches  329 . The second conductive layer  330  is a material layer that is to be formed as a shield line. 
         [0147]    The second conductive layer  330  is a material layer to be formed as shield lines. The second conductive layer  330  may be formed of metal such as W, Al, Cu, Mo, Ti, Ta, or Ru. In addition, the second conductive layer  330  may be formed of a metal nitride such as TiN, TiN/W, Ti/TiN, WN, W/WN, TaN, Ta/TaN, TiSiN, TaSiN, or WSiN. 
         [0148]    Then, as illustrated in  FIG. 36 , the second conductive layer  330  is etched-back to form shield lines  332  in the first trench  313  and a second trench  329 . Upper surfaces of the shield lines  332  may be formed in a higher level than surfaces of the buried bit lines  308  from lower surfaces of the second trenches  329 . The shield lines  332  may be formed in the same level as the buried bit lines  308  from the lower surfaces of the second trenches  329 . The buried bit lines  308  are located on sides of the shield lines  332 . A capacitance between adjacent ones of the buried bit lines  308  is reduced by forming the shield lines  332  therebetween. In contrast, if only an insulating layer is formed between the adjacent buried bit lines  308  without the shield lines  332 , a capacitance between the adjacent ones of the buried bit lines  308  may be significantly increased. 
         [0149]    In  FIGS. 35 and 36 , the second conductive layer  330  that coves and fills the first trenches  313  and the second trenches  329  is formed and etched-back to form the shield lines  332  in the first trenches  313  and the second trenches  329 . According to another embodiment of the inventive concept, a silicon layer that is selectively doped with impurities, e.g., B or As, is epitaxially grown in the first trenches  313  and the second trenches  329  to form the shield lines  332  directly in the first trenches  313  and the second trenches  329 . 
         [0150]    Referring to  FIG. 37 , according to another embodiment of the inventive concept, the shield insulating layers  324  between the buried bit lines  308  are removed to form air layers  334 , that is, air gaps. Inside the first trenches  313  and the second trenches  329 , the shield insulating layers  324  between the buried bit lines  308  are removed. In this case, due to the air layers  334 , a capacitance between the buried bit lines  308  may be further reduced. As a subsequent operation, impurities, such as N-type impurities are injected to upper portions of the active pillars  322  to form the second source and drain regions  336 , as illustrated in  FIG. 3 . 
         [0151]      FIG. 38  is a plan view of a memory module  1000  including a semiconductor device according to an embodiment of the inventive concept. 
         [0152]    In detail, the memory module  1000  may include a printed circuit board (PCB)  1100 , and a plurality of semiconductor packages  1200 . The semiconductor packages  1200  may include the semiconductor device according to embodiments of the inventive concept. Specifically, the semiconductor devices  1200  may include at least one selected from the above-described semiconductor devices. 
         [0153]    The memory module  1000  may be a single in-line memory module (SIMM) in which the semiconductor packages  1200  are mounted only on a single surface of the PCB  1100 , or a dual in-line module (DIMM) in which the semiconductor packages  1200  are mounted on both surfaces of the PCB  1100 . The memory module  1000  may be a fully buffered dual in-line memory module (FBDIMM) including advanced memory buffers (AMBs) that respectively provide external signals to the semiconductor packages  1200 . 
         [0154]      FIG. 39  is a schematic diagram of a memory card  2000  including a semiconductor device according to an embodiment of the inventive concept. 
         [0155]    In detail, the memory card  2000  may include a controller  2100  and a memory  2200  that are arranged so as to exchange electrical signals. For example, if the controller  2100  issues a command, the memory  2200  may transmit data. 
         [0156]    The memory  2200  may include the semiconductor device according to embodiments of the inventive concept. Specifically, the memory  2200  may include at least one selected from the above-described semiconductor devices. 
         [0157]    The memory card  2000  may include various kinds of cards, for example, a memory stick card, a smart media card (SM), a secure digital card (SD), a mini-secure digital card (mini SD), and a multimedia card (MMC). 
         [0158]      FIG. 40  is a schematic diagram of a system  3000  including a semiconductor device according to an embodiment of the inventive concept. 
         [0159]    In detail, the system  3000  may include a processor  3100 , a memory  3200 , and an input/output device  3300  which may perform data communications through a bus  3400 . The memory  3200  of the system  3000  may include a random access memory (RAM), and a read only memory (ROM). In addition, the system  3000  may include a peripheral device  3500  such as a floppy disk drive or a compact disk (CD) ROM drive. 
         [0160]    The memory  3200  may include a semiconductor device according to embodiments of the inventive concept. Specifically, the memory  3200  may include at least one selected from the above-described semiconductor devices. 
         [0161]    The memory  3200  may store codes and data for operations of the processor  3100 . The system  3000  may be used in mobile phones, MP3 players, navigation devices, portable multimedia players (PMPs), solid state disks (SSDs), or household appliances. 
         [0162]    While the inventive concept has been particularly shown and described with reference to exemplary embodiments thereof, it will be understood that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the following claims.

Technology Classification (CPC): 7