Patent ID: 11049807

Abstract:
An alternating stack of insulating layers and sacrificial material layers is formed over a substrate. Memory openings are formed through the alternating stack. Annular recesses are formed by laterally recessing the sacrificial material layers around each memory opening. A tubular aluminum oxide spacer is formed at a periphery of each annular recess. A tubular silicon oxycarbide spacer is selectively deposited on each of the tubular aluminum oxide spacers. The tubular silicon oxycarbide spacers are converted into tubular silicon oxide spacers by an oxidation process. Tubular charge storage spacers are formed on inner sidewalls of the tubular silicon oxide spacers. A vertical semiconductor channel is formed over a respective vertical stack of tubular charge storage spacer within each memory opening. The sacrificial material layers are removed to form backside recesses. Electrically conductive material are deposited in the backside recesses to form electrically conductive layers.