Patent Description:
A memory device may include a cell region in which memory cells for writing data are disposed, and a peripheral circuit region in which circuits controlling the cell region are disposed, and the cell region and the peripheral circuit region may be divided into a plurality of blocks. The plurality of blocks may include main blocks storing data or outputting the stored data, and at least one spare block storing data important for operations of the memory device.

<CIT> discloses a nonvolatile device and method in which an erase voltage is applied to channels of a selected string group to erase only the selected string group. A size and a number of the spare blocks for storing meta data are reduced and thus a size of the nonvolatile memory device is reduced by reducing unit capacity of the erase operation through grouping of the cell strings.

<CIT> discloses a DINOR flash memory having a plurality of blocks, a spare block and a spare word line block, which are formed on a plurality of electrically isolated P-type wells. When a word line-to-well short-circuit takes place in a certain block and another block is selected, the block causing the word line-to-well short-circuit is brought into a non-selected state. Thus, no leakage takes place in the block causing the word line-to-well short-circuit, to exert no bad influence on the selected block.

<CIT> discloses a nonvolatile memory device includes a substrate; a memory cell array formed on the substrate in a vertically stacked structure; and a row decoder configured to supply a row line voltage to the memory cell array, the row decoder including a plurality of pass transistors. The row line voltage is supplied through a plurality of row lines connecting the pass transistors to the memory cell array. Each of the row lines includes a wiring line parallel with a main surface of the substrate and a contact perpendicular to the main surface of the substrate. The wiring line of at least one row line among the row lines includes a plurality of conductive lines.

An aspect of the present inventive concept is to provide a memory device having an improved degree of integration by forming a spare block having a smaller area than a main block.

The invention provides a 3D NAND memory device as claimed in claim <NUM>.

The above and other aspects, features, and advantages of the present inventive concept will be more clearly understood from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:.

Hereinafter, example embodiments of the present inventive concept will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

<FIG> is a block diagram schematically illustrating a memory device according to an embodiment of the present inventive concept.

Referring to <FIG>, a memory device <NUM> may include a control logic circuit <NUM>, a memory cell array <NUM>, a page buffer unit <NUM>, a voltage generator <NUM>, and a row decoder <NUM>. The memory device <NUM> may further include interface circuits <NUM> and <NUM>, and may further include a column logic, a pre-decoder, a temperature sensor, a command decoder, an address decoder, and a source driver. The memory device may be in the form, for example, of a semiconductor chip, formed on a die from a semiconductor wafer; a semiconductor package, including one or more semiconductor chips formed on a package substrate, stacked vertically and/or arranged horizontally on the package substrate, and covered with an encapsulant or mold layer; or a memory module including a plurality of semiconductor chips or semiconductor packages arranged horizontally on board such as a printed circuit board (PCB).

The control logic circuit <NUM> may generally control various operations within the memory device <NUM>. The control logic circuit <NUM> may output various control signals in response to a command CMD and/or an address ADDR from the interface circuit <NUM>. For example, the control logic circuit <NUM> may output a voltage control signal CTRL_vol, a row address X-ADDR, and a column address Y-ADDR.

The memory cell array <NUM> may include a plurality of memory blocks BLK1 to BLKz (where z is a positive integer), and each of the plurality of memory blocks BLK1 to BLKz may include a plurality of memory cells. For example, the plurality of memory blocks BLK1 to BLKz may include main blocks storing data, and at least one spare block storing data used for an operation of the memory device <NUM>. The memory cell array <NUM> may be connected to the page buffer unit <NUM> through bit lines BL, and may be connected to the row decoder <NUM> through word lines WL, string selection lines SSL, and ground selection lines GSL.

In an embodiment, the memory cell array <NUM> may include a 3D memory cell array, and the 3D memory cell array may include a plurality of NAND strings. Each of the NAND strings may include memory cells respectively connected to word lines stacked vertically on a substrate. <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>, and <CIT>, describe aspects of 3D memory cell arrays.

In an embodiment, the memory cell array <NUM> may include a 2D memory cell array, and the 2D memory cell array may include a plurality of NAND strings, arranged in row and column directions.

The page buffer unit <NUM>, also described as a page buffer circuit, may include a plurality of page buffers PB1 to PBn (where n is an integer of <NUM> or more), and the page buffers PB1 to PBn may be connected to the memory cells through a plurality of bit lines BL. The page buffer unit <NUM> may select at least one bit line among the bit lines BL in response to the column address Y-ADDR. The page buffer unit <NUM> may operate as a write driver or a sense amplifier according to an operation mode. For example, during a programming operation, the page buffer unit <NUM> may apply a bit line voltage, corresponding to data to be programmed, to the selected bit line. During a read operation, the page buffer unit <NUM> may sense a current or a voltage of the selected bit line to sense data stored in the memory cell. The data to be programmed by the programming operation and the data read by the read operation may be input/output through the interface circuit <NUM>.

The voltage generator <NUM> may generate various types of voltages for performing a programming operation, a read operation, and an erase operation, based on the voltage control signal CTRL_vol. For example, the voltage generator <NUM> may generate a program voltage, a read voltage, a pass voltage, a program verification voltage, an erase voltage, and the like. In an embodiment, the control logic circuit <NUM> may control the voltage generator <NUM> to generate a voltage for executing the program, read, and erase operations using data stored in the spare block. A portion of the voltages generated by the voltage generator <NUM> may be input to the word lines WL by the row decoder <NUM> as a word line voltage VWL, and a portion thereof may be input to a common source line by a source driver.

The row decoder <NUM> may select one word line among the plurality of word lines WL in response to the row address X-ADDR, and may select one string selection line among the plurality of string selection lines SSL. For example, during the programming operation, the row decoder <NUM> may apply the program voltage and the program verification voltage to the selected word line, and may apply the read voltage to the selected word line during the read operation.

<FIG> is a view illustrating a schematic configuration of a memory device according to an embodiment of the present inventive concept.

Referring to <FIG>, a memory device <NUM> according to an embodiment of the present inventive concept may include a plurality of planes <NUM> to <NUM> and a logic circuit <NUM>. For example, each of the plurality of planes <NUM> to <NUM> may include a memory cell array <NUM>, a page buffer unit <NUM>, a row decoder <NUM>, and the like, and the logic circuit <NUM> may include a control logic circuit <NUM> and a voltage generator <NUM>, as described with reference to <FIG>.

According to embodiments, each of the plurality of planes <NUM> to <NUM> may operate independently of each other. For example, while a first plane <NUM> executes a programming operation that records (e.g., writes) data received from an external memory controller, the logic circuit <NUM> may read data stored in a second plane <NUM> and may output the data externally.

Each of the plurality of planes <NUM> to <NUM> may include a cell region and a peripheral circuit region. The cell region may include memory cells, and the peripheral circuit region may include circuits controlling the cell region, for example, a row decoder and a page buffer unit.

In an embodiment, the cell region of each of the plurality of planes <NUM> to <NUM> may include a plurality of blocks. As described above, the plurality of blocks may include main blocks storing data and outputting data in response to a command from the logic circuit <NUM>, and a spare block storing data used for an operation of the memory device <NUM>. In an embodiment, only some of the plurality of planes <NUM> to <NUM> include the spare block. Each single plane may include a plurality of blocks including one or more main blocks and optionally one or more spare blocks. For example, the first plane <NUM> and the second plane <NUM> may include the spare block, and the third plane <NUM> and the fourth plane <NUM> do not include the spare block and may include only the main blocks. When data used for the operation of the memory device <NUM> is stored in the spare block of the first plane <NUM>, the spare block of the second plane <NUM> may be used as a spare. Alternatively, only the first plane <NUM> may include the spare block, and the remaining planes <NUM> to <NUM> may not include the spare block. Accordingly, one or more of the planes <NUM> to <NUM> may include a spare block.

In general, data stored in the spare block does not require a large storage capacity, and the entire storage capacity supported by one (<NUM>) spare block may not be used. For example, a portion of the memory cells included in the spare block may be allocated as active memory cells and the rest may be allocated as non-active memory cells, and the logic circuit <NUM> may write data to only the active memory cells for the spare block. The number of active memory cells in the spare block may be less than the number of non-active memory cells in the spare block. Therefore, when the spare block is implemented in the same area as each of the main blocks, the degree of integration of the memory device <NUM> may be reduced.

In an embodiment of the present inventive concept, an area of the spare block is smaller than an area of each of the main blocks. Therefore, a space secured by reducing the area of the spare block may be used as a space for the main blocks, and a degree of overall integration of the memory device <NUM> may be improved.

<FIG> and <FIG> are views schematically illustrating a configuration of planes included in a memory device according to an embodiment of the present inventive concept.

First, in one embodiment, <FIG> is a view illustrating a configuration of the first plane <NUM> of the memory device <NUM> according to the embodiment illustrated in <FIG>. Referring to <FIG>, the first plane <NUM> may include main blocks MBK1 to MBK4 and spare blocks SBK1 and SBK2. An arrangement and the number of the main blocks MBK1 to MBK4 and the spare blocks SBK1 and SBK2 may be variously modified according to embodiments. Each of the main blocks MBK1 to MBK4 and the spare blocks SBK1 and SBK2 may include a plurality of gate electrode layers stacked in a first direction (a Z-axis direction) and a plurality of channel structures, extending in the first direction. Components described herein as "extending" in a particular direction, unless the context indicates otherwise, extend lengthwise in that direction, such that the length of the component in that direction is greater than a length or width of the component in a direction perpendicular to the stated extending direction.

The main blocks MBK1 to MBK4 and the spare blocks SBK1 and SBK2 may be arranged in a second direction (a Y-axis direction). In each of the main blocks MBK1 to MBK4 and the spare blocks SBK1 and SBK2, the gate electrode layers may extend in a third direction (an X-axis direction), and may be connected to row decoders DEC1 to DEC6 in the third direction. For example, the gate electrode layers included in a first main block MBK1 may be connected to a first row decoder DEC1 disposed on a right side in the third direction. The gate electrode layers included in a second main block MBK2 may be connected to a second row decoder DEC2 disposed on a left side in the third direction.

A page buffer unit PB may be disposed on one side of the main blocks MBK1 to MBK4 and the spare blocks SBK1 and SBK2 in the second direction. The page buffer unit PB may be connected to the channel structures disposed in the main blocks MBK1 to MBK4 and the spare blocks SBK1 and SBK2, through bit lines extending in the second direction. For example, the page buffer unit PB may include a plurality of page buffers, and each of the page buffers may be connected to one or more channel structures through a bit line.

Referring to <FIG>, in the second direction, a length of each of the spare blocks SBK1 and SBK2 may be shorter than a length of each of the main blocks MBK1 to MBK4. According to embodiments, in the third direction, a length of each of the spare blocks SBK1 and SBK2 may be shorter than a length of each of the main blocks MBK1 to MBK4. An area occupied by each of the spare blocks SBK1 and SBK2 may be smaller than an area occupied by each of the main blocks MBK1 to MBK4. In addition to MBK1 to MBK4, other main blocks may be additionally disposed, or peripheral circuits such as the page buffer unit PB may be disposed, in a space reserved by reducing the area of the spare blocks SBK1 and SBK2, to improve a degree of integration of the memory device <NUM>. As the area of each of the spare blocks SBK1 and SBK2 decreases, an area of a region in which fifth and sixth row decoders DEC5 and DEC6 connected to each of the spare blocks SBK1 and SBK2 are disposed may be smaller than an area of a region in which the first to fourth row decoders DEC1 to DEC4 connected to the main blocks MBK1 to MBK4 are disposed. Therefore, an area occupied by each of the fifth and sixth row decoders DEC5 and DEC6 connected to each of the respective spare blocks SBK1 and SBK2 may be less than an area occupied by each of the first to fourth row decoders DEC1 to DEC4 connected to each of the respective main blocks MBK1 to MBK4. An area occupied by a particular block may include an area formed by outer boundaries of the memory cell array connected to the row decoder and page buffer unit for that block, for example. An area occupied by a particular row decoder may include an area formed by outer boundaries of the circuit elements of that row decoder that perform decoding for a particular corresponding memory block.

<FIG> is a view illustrating a configuration of the second plane <NUM> of the memory device <NUM> according to the embodiment illustrated in <FIG>. Referring to <FIG>, the second plane <NUM> may include only main blocks MBK1 to MBK6 without a spare block. An arrangement of the main blocks MBK1 to MBK6, the row decoders DEC1 to DEC6, and the page buffer unit PB may be similar to the main blocks of the first plane <NUM> described with reference to <FIG>.

<FIG> are views schematically illustrating blocks included in a memory device according to an embodiment of the present inventive concept.

First, <FIG> and <FIG> are views illustrating regions of a main block MBK, disposed adjacent to each other, in a memory device according to an embodiment of the present inventive concept. <FIG> is a cross-sectional view illustrating <FIG>, taken along line I-I'.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, a main block MBK may include a plurality of insulating layers <NUM> and a plurality of gate electrode layers <NUM>, alternately stacked on a substrate <NUM>, channel structures CH extending in the first direction (the Z-axis direction), perpendicular to an upper surface of the substrate <NUM>, and the like. An interlayer insulating layer <NUM> may be formed on the insulating layers <NUM> and the gate electrode layers <NUM>.

The channel structures CH pass through the insulating layers <NUM> and the gate electrode layers <NUM>, extend to the substrate <NUM>, and include a channel layer <NUM>, a buried insulating layer <NUM>, a bit line connection layer <NUM>, and the like. The substrate <NUM> and the channel layer <NUM> may be formed of a semiconductor material, and may be doped with impurities according to embodiments. The channel structures CH may be connected to bit lines BL through bit line contacts <NUM> thereon.

The insulating layers <NUM> and the gate electrode layers <NUM> may be divided into a plurality of regions in the second direction (the Y-axis direction) by a plurality of separation layers MS1 and MS2. The first separation layers MS1 may be separation layers defining the main block MBK, and may extend in the third direction (the X-axis direction). Second separation layers MS2 are disposed between the first separation layers MS <NUM>. The first separation layers MS1 may extend in the third direction to define a boundary of the main block MBK, and the second separation layers MS2 are formed between the first separation layers MS1 and extend to be shorter than the first separation layers MS1. When a length of the second separation layers MS2 is shorter than a length of the first separation layers MS1, at least a portion of the gate electrode layers <NUM> may be provided as a single continuous layer in the Y-axis direction, between the first separation layers MS1. The first separation layers MS1 and the second separation layers MS2 may at least extend to the upper surface of the substrate <NUM>.

The gate electrode layers <NUM> may include a lower gate electrode layer <NUM> providing a ground selection line, memory gate electrode layers 130W providing word lines connected to memory cells, and upper gate electrode layers <NUM> providing a string selection line. The number of the lower gate electrode layer <NUM> and the upper gate electrode layers <NUM> may vary according to embodiments, and the number of memory gate electrode layers 130W may also vary according to the embodiment. According to embodiments, at least one of the memory gate electrode layers 130W may provide a dummy word line. In addition, a gate electrode layer disposed adjacent to the lower gate electrode layer <NUM> and/or the upper gate electrode layer <NUM> may provide an erase control line connected to an erase transistor used for an erase operation, based on a gate induced drain leakage phenomenon.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, the main block MBK may include dummy channel structures DCH. The dummy channel structures DCH may not be connected to the bit lines BL, and for example, may be disposed along upper separation layers SS. Thus, in some embodiments, the dummy channel structures DCH do not form memory cells to which data can be read from or written to. The upper separation layers SS divides the upper gate electrode layers <NUM> providing the string selection line into a plurality of regions in the second direction. In the embodiment illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, the main block MBK may be defined as including six (<NUM>) string selection lines, separated from each other in the second direction by the second separation layers MS2 and the upper separation layers SS. In the second direction, the main block MBK may have a first length Y1.

<FIG> and <FIG> are views illustrating regions of a spare block SBK, disposed adjacent to each other, in a memory device according to an embodiment of the present inventive concept. <FIG> is a cross-sectional view illustrating <FIG>, taken along line II-II'.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, a spare block SBK may have a structure similar to the main block MBK described above with reference to <FIG> and <FIG>. For example, the spare block SBK may include a plurality of insulating layers <NUM> and a plurality of gate electrode layers <NUM>, alternately stacked on a substrate <NUM>, channel structures CH extending in the first direction, and the like. An interlayer insulating layer <NUM> may be formed on the insulating layers <NUM> and the gate electrode layers <NUM>, and the gate electrode layers <NUM> may be divided into a plurality of regions in the second direction by separation layers MS1 and MS2.

A pair of first separation layers MS1 may define a boundary of the spare block SBK, and a second separation layer MS2 may be disposed between the first separation layers MS1. As described above with reference to <FIG> and <FIG>, in the third direction, each of the first separation layers MS1 may extend to be longer than the second separation layer MS2.

Upper separation layers SS may be disposed between each of the first separation layers MS1 and the second separation layer MS2. The upper separation layers SS divide upper gate electrode layers <NUM> providing a string selection line, among the gate electrode layers <NUM>, into a plurality of regions in the second direction. Therefore, the spare block SBK may be defined as including four (<NUM>) string selection lines, separated from each other in the second direction by the second separation layer MS2 and the upper separation layers SS, and in the second direction. The spare block SBK may have a second length Y2, shorter than the first length Y1.

In an embodiment of the present inventive concept, the number of string selection lines included in the spare block SBK may be N (where N is a natural number of <NUM> or more), and the number of string selection lines included in the main block MBK may be M (where M is a natural number greater than N). Each string selection line (e.g., extending between a second separation layer MS2 and upper separation layer SS) in the main block MBK may have a length in the second direction the same as a length in the second direction of the string selection lines in the spare blocks SBK. However, because the number of string selection lines included in the spare block SBK is smaller than the number of string selection lines included in the main blocks MBK, the spare block SBK may have a shorter length than the main block MBK in the second direction, and the main block MBK and/or peripheral circuits may be arranged in an extra space reserved by reducing a space occupied by the spare block SBK, to improve a degree of integration of the memory device. The main blocks MBK may be described as a first group of memory blocks, and the spare block SBK (or a plurality of spare blocks) may be described as a second group of memory blocks.

Referring to <FIG>, a spare block SBK' may include two (<NUM>) string selection lines separated from each other in the second direction. Therefore, the spare block SBK' according to the embodiment illustrated in <FIG> may have a third length Y3, shorter than the first length Y1 and the second length Y2 in the second direction. According to embodiments, at least one of planes included in a memory device may include all of the spare blocks SBK and SBK' having different lengths in the second direction.

<FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG> are circuit diagrams schematically illustrating blocks included in a memory device according to an embodiment of the present inventive concept.

First, <FIG> is a circuit diagram illustrating a main block MBK included in a memory device. Referring to <FIG>, a main block MBK may be formed in a three-dimensional structure on a substrate, and a plurality of NAND strings NS11 to NS33 may be formed in the first direction (the Z-axis direction), perpendicular to the substrate.

Referring to <FIG>, the main block MBK may include the NAND strings NS11 to NS33 connected between bit lines BL1, BL2, and BL3 and a common source line CSL, extending in the second direction (the Y-axis direction). Each of the NAND strings NS11 to NS33 may include a string select transistor SST, a plurality of memory cells MC1 to MC8, and a ground select transistor GST. In <FIG>, each of the NAND strings NS11 to NS33 is illustrated as including eight (<NUM>) memory cells MC1 to MC8, but the amount of memory cells is not limited thereto. Two or more bits of data may be stored in each of the plurality of memory cells MC1 to MC8.

The string select transistor SST may be connected to string selection lines SSL1, SSL2, and SSL3, corresponding thereto. Each of the plurality of memory cells MC1 to MC8 may be connected to gate lines GTL1 to GTL8, corresponding thereto. The gate lines GTL1 to GTL8 may correspond to word lines, and at least one of the gate lines GTL1 to GTL8 may be a dummy word line. The ground select transistor GST may be connected to ground selection lines GSL1, GSL2, and GSL3, corresponding thereto. The string select transistor SST may be connected to the bit lines BL1, BL2, and BL3, corresponding thereto, and the ground select transistor GST may be connected to the common source line CSL.

The gate lines GTL1 to GTL8 having the same height may be connected in common, and the ground selection lines GSL1, GSL2, and GSL3 and the string selection lines SSL1, SSL2, and SSL3 may be separated from each other. <FIG> illustrates that the main block MBK is connected to the eight (<NUM>) gate lines GTL1 to GTL8 and the three (<NUM>) bit lines BL1, BL2, and BL3, but the number of these lines is not limited thereto.

The gate lines GTL1 to GTL8 may be connected to a word line driver WD through pass transistors PT. The pass transistors PT and the word line driver WD may be included in a row decoder, and the pass transistors PT and the gate lines GTL1 to GTL8 may be connected to each other through wiring patterns. The pass transistors PT may be simultaneously turned on and turned off by a block control signal BS, and the word line driver WD may input a word line voltage to each of the gate lines GTL1 to GTL8 according to an operation to be executed.

<FIG> and <FIG> are circuit diagrams illustrating a spare block SBK included in a memory device. Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, a spare block SBK may be formed in a three-dimensional structure on a substrate, and a plurality of NAND strings NS11 to NS23 may be formed in a direction, perpendicular to the substrate. For example, the spare block SBK may have a structure similar to the main block MBK.

As illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, the number of NAND strings NS11 to NS23 included in the spare block SBK may be less than the number of NAND strings NS11 to NS33 included in the main block MBK. Therefore, the number of memory cells MC1 to MC8 included in the spare block SBK may be less than the number of memory cells MC1 to MC8 included in the main block MBK. Accordingly, the spare block SBK may be formed to have a smaller area than the main block MBK, as described above with reference to <FIG>. For example, the number of string selection lines SSL1 and SSL2 included in the spare block SBK may be less than the number of string selection lines SSL1, SSL2, and SSL3 included in the main block MBK. As the number of string selection lines SSL1 and SSL2 decreases, the spare block SBK may have a length shorter than the main block MBK, in the second direction.

A row decoder including pass transistors PT and a word line driver WD may be disposed on one side of the spare block SBK in the third direction (the X-axis direction) in the memory device. Unlike gate lines GTL1 to GTL8, the pass transistors PT and the word line driver WD may not be stacked in the first direction, and may be separated from each other in the second and/or third directions on the substrate. Therefore, a space in which pass transistors PT and a word line driver WD connected to the spare block SBK, and wiring patterns connecting the pass transistors PT to the spare block SBK are arranged may be insufficient compared to the main block MBK.

In an embodiment of the present inventive concept, at least a portion of the pass transistors PT and/or the wiring patterns connecting the pass transistors PT and the spare block SBK may be connected to the gate lines GTL1 to GTL8 in common, to address the above situation. Referring to <FIG>, first and second gate lines GTL1 and GTL2 may be connected to pass transistors PT through one (<NUM>) wiring pattern, and sixth to eighth gate lines GTL6 to GTL8 may be connected to pass transistors PT through one (<NUM>) wiring pattern. In the embodiment illustrated in <FIG>, first and second gate lines GTL1 and GTL2 may share one (<NUM>) pass transistor PT, and sixth to eighth gate lines GTL6 to GTL8 may share the other one (<NUM>) pass transistor PT. Therefore, an area in which pass transistors PT and wiring patterns connecting the pass transistors PT to the spare block SBK are arranged may be reduced.

In the embodiments described with reference to <FIG> and <FIG>, some of the gate lines GTL1, GTL2, and GTL6 to GTL8 sharing wiring patterns and/or pass transistors PT may be connected to non-active memory cells that may not be actually used for writing data in the spare block SBK. For example, the memory cells MC3 to MC5 connected to the third to fifth gate lines GTL3 to GTL5 may be allocated as active memory cells that actually store data, and the memory cells MC1, MC2, and MC6 to MC8 connected to the remaining gate lines GTL1, GTL2, and GTL6 to GTL8 may be allocated as non-active memory cells that do not actually store data.

For example, active memory cells may be determined according to their positions in the first direction. A control logic circuit of a memory device may select memory cells separated by a predetermined distance from ground selection lines GSL1 and GSL2 and string selection lines SSL1 and SSL2 as active memory cells. In an embodiment, memory cells adjacent to the ground selection lines GSL1 and GSL2 and the string selection lines SSL1 and SSL2 may be determined as non-active memory cells.

In an embodiment, one bit of data may be stored in each of the active memory cells of the spare block SBK. The spare block SBK may store data used for an operation of the memory device, and may store only one bit of data in each of the active memory cells to ensure integrity and reliability for data. Even when two or more bits of data are stored in each of the memory cells MC1 to MC8 included in the main block MBK, one bit of data may be stored in each of the active memory cells of the spare block SBK.

<FIG> are views illustrating an operation of a memory device according to an embodiment of the present inventive concept.

<FIG> are views illustrating a threshold voltage distribution of memory cells according to the number of bits of data stored in each of the memory cells included in a memory device. For example, in one embodiment, <FIG> illustrates a threshold voltage distribution of active memory cells arranged in a spare block and storing <NUM>-bit data.

Referring to <FIG>, active memory cells of a spare block may have one of a first state S1 and a second state S2. The active memory cells in the first state S1 may have a lower threshold voltage than the active memory cells in the second state S2. In the embodiment illustrated in <FIG>, a read voltage VRD input to word lines of the spare block for a read operation may be a voltage between the first state S1 and the second state S2.

<FIG> illustrates a threshold voltage distribution of active memory cells arranged in a main block and respectively storing <NUM>-bit data. In the embodiment illustrated in <FIG>, each of the memory cells of the main block may have any one of first to eighth states S1 to S8. The row decoder connected to the main block may input first to seventh read voltages VRD1 to VRD7 between the first to eighth states S1 to S8 to word lines, to perform a read operation.

Referring to <FIG>, as the number of bits of data stored in each of the memory cells increases, a threshold voltage distribution may be narrowed. Therefore, according to one embodiment, in a spare block for storing data used and/or necessary for an operation of a memory device, only one bit of data is written to each of the active memory cells to sufficiently secure integrity and reliability of the data. In each of memory cells of a main block, two or more bits of data may be written to sufficiently secure storage capacity of a memory device.

<FIG> is a view schematically illustrating a configuration of a plane included in a memory device according to an embodiment of the present inventive concept.

<FIG> illustrates a configuration of a plane including at least one spare block (e.g., SBK1 and SBK2 in this example), among planes included in a memory device <NUM>, according to an embodiment of the present inventive concept. Referring to <FIG>, a plane of a memory device <NUM> may include main blocks MBK1 to MBK4 and spare blocks SBK1 and SBK2. An arrangement and the number of the main blocks MBK1 to MBK4 and the spare blocks SBK1 and SBK2 may be variously changed according to embodiments. For example, the spare blocks SBK1 and SBK2 may be disposed between at least some of the main blocks MBK1 to MBK4. The main blocks MBK1 to MBK4 and the spare blocks SBK1 and SBK2 may include a plurality of gate electrode layers stacked in the first direction (the Z-axis direction) and a plurality of channel structures, extending in the first direction, respectively.

The main blocks MBK1 to MBK4 and the spare blocks SBK1 and SBK2 may be arranged in the second direction (the Y-axis direction). In the main blocks MBK1 to MBK4 and the spare blocks SBK1 and SBK2, the gate electrode layers may extend in the third direction (the X-axis direction), and may be connected to row decoders DEC1 to DEC6 in the third direction. For example, the gate electrode layers included in a first spare block SBK1 may be connected to a fifth row decoder DEC5 disposed on a right side in the third direction. The gate electrode layers included in a second spare block SBK2 may be connected to a sixth row decoder DEC6 disposed on a left side in the third direction.

A page buffer unit PB may be disposed on one side of the main blocks MBK1 to MBK4 and the spare blocks SBK1 and SBK2 in the second direction. The page buffer unit PB may be connected to the channel structures disposed in the main blocks MBK1 to MBK4 and the spare blocks SBK1 and SBK2 through bit lines extending in the second direction. For example, the page buffer unit PB may include a plurality of page buffers, and each of the page buffers may be connected to one or more channel structures through a bit line.

A length of each of the spare blocks SBK1 and SBK2 may be shorter than a length of each of the main blocks MBK1 to MBK4, in the second direction. An arrangement space of each of the fifth and sixth row decoders DEC5 and DEC6 connected to the gate electrode layers of the spare blocks SBK1 and SBK2, respectively, may be smaller than an arrangement space of each of the first to fourth row decoders DEC1 to DEC4 connected to the gate electrode layers of each of the main blocks MBK1 to MBK4. The number of gate electrode layers included in each of the spare blocks SBK1 and SBK2 may be identical to the number of gate electrode layers included in each of the main blocks MBK1 to MBK4. Therefore, it may be difficult to arrange each of the fifth and sixth row decoders DEC5 and DEC6.

In the embodiment illustrated in <FIG>, a portion of the fifth row decoder DEC5 may be disposed on the left side of the first spare block SBK1 (opposite to a remaining portion of the fifth row decoder DEC5), and a portion of the sixth row decoder DEC6 may be disposed on the right side of the second spare block SBK2 (opposite to a remaining portion of the sixth row decoder DEC6), from a plan view. For example, a group of the devices included in the fifth row decoder DEC5 may be disposed in a space between the sixth row decoder DEC6 and the first spare block SBK1 in the third direction. For example, a group of pass transistors included in the fifth row decoder DEC5 and connected to gate electrode layers of the first spare block SBK1 may be disposed on the left side of the first spare block SBK1.

According to some embodiments, the structure according to the embodiments described above with reference to <FIG> and <FIG> may be applied to the spare blocks SBK1 and SBK2 and the fifth and sixth row decoders DEC5 and DEC6. For example, at least one of wiring patterns connected between the pass transistors included in the fifth row decoder DEC5 and word lines included in the first spare block SBK1 may be connected to at least two pass transistors and at least two word lines in common. Alternatively, two or more of the word lines included in the first spare block SBK1 may be connected to at least one of the pass transistors included in the fifth row decoder DEC5 in common. In this case, the number of pass transistors included in the fifth row decoder DEC5 may be less than the number of pass transistors included in each of the first to fourth row decoders DEC1 to DEC4.

<FIG> and <FIG> are views schematically illustrating blocks included in a memory device according to an embodiment of the present inventive concept.

<FIG> is a plan view illustrating the first spare block SBK1 included in the memory device <NUM> and some peripheral circuits connected to the gate electrode layers of the spare block SBK1, according to the embodiment described with reference to <FIG>. <FIG> is a cross-sectional view illustrating <FIG>, taken along line III-III', according to one embodiment.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, a first spare block SBK1 may include a substrate <NUM>, a plurality of insulating layers <NUM> and a plurality of gate electrode layers <NUM>, stacked on the substrate <NUM>, a plurality of channel structures CH extending in the first direction (the Z-axis direction) and passing through the gate electrode layers <NUM> to extend to the substrate <NUM>, and the like. Features of the insulating layers <NUM>, the gate electrode layers <NUM>, and the channel structures CH may be similar to those described above with reference to <FIG> and <FIG>. For example, each of the channel structures CH may include a channel layer <NUM>, a buried insulating layer <NUM>, a bit line connection layer <NUM>, and the like, and may be connected to at least one bit line of bit lines BL through bit line contacts <NUM> thereon. The bit lines BL may extend in the second direction (the Y-axis direction).

The first spare block SBK1 may include a first region <NUM> and a second region <NUM>. The first region <NUM> may be a cell array region in which the channel structures CH are disposed, and the second region <NUM> may be a pad region in which cell contacts CMC connected to the gate electrode layers <NUM> are disposed. In the second region <NUM>, the gate electrode layers <NUM> may extend to have different lengths in the third direction (the X-axis direction) to form a step difference. According to embodiments, at least a portion of the gate electrode layers <NUM>, for example, two or more gate electrode layers <NUM>, may form one group to form a step difference in the third direction. In this case, two or more gate electrode layers included in the one group may form a step difference in the second direction.

As described above with reference to <FIG>, the gate electrode layers <NUM> of the first spare block SBK1 may be connected to a fifth row decoder DEC5. Due to characteristics of the first spare block SBK1 having a shorter length than the main blocks MBK1 to MBK4, in the second direction, it may be difficult to arrange the fifth row decoder DEC5 on one side of the first spare block SBK1 in the third direction.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, devices included in the fifth row decoder DEC5, for example, pass transistors PT, may be distributed on both sides of the first spare block SBK1, to distribute the fifth row decoder DEC5 efficiently. When the pass transistors PT are distributed on the both sides of the first spare block SBK1, lengths of wiring patterns connecting the gate electrode layers <NUM> and the pass transistors PT may be shortened, as compared to a case in which all of the pass transistors PT are disposed on one side of the first spare block SBK1. Therefore, resistance characteristics may be improved, and performance of the memory device <NUM> may be improved.

The pass transistors PT may be connected to at least one of the cell contacts CMC through a vertical contact VC and a first upper wiring pattern <NUM>. In addition, the pass transistors PT, distributed on the both sides of the first spare block SBK1 in the third direction, may be connected to each other through a second upper wiring pattern <NUM> and a third upper wiring pattern <NUM>. For example, the third upper wiring pattern <NUM> may be connected to an active region not directly connected to the gate electrode layers <NUM> among active regions of the pass transistors PT, and may connect a word line driver and pass transistors PT.

As described with reference to <FIG>, devices included in the fifth row decoder DEC5 and devices included in the sixth row decoder DEC6 may be disposed on one side of the first spare block SBK1. The sixth row decoder DEC6 may be connected to gate electrode layers of a second spare block SBK2, different from the first spare block SBK1. According to alternative embodiments, the sixth row decoder DEC6 may be a row decoder connected to one of main blocks MBK1 to MBK4, different from the first spare block SBK1. Referring to <FIG>, a portion of the devices of the fifth row decoder DEC5 may be disposed between the sixth row decoder DEC6 and the first spare block SBK1 in the third direction.

<FIG> illustrates a configuration of a plane including at least one spare block (e.g., in one embodiment SBK1 and SBK2), among planes included in a memory device <NUM>, according to an embodiment of the present inventive concept. Referring to <FIG>, a plane of a memory device <NUM> may include main blocks MBK1 to MBK4 and spare blocks SBK1 and SBK2, and an arrangement and the number of the main blocks MBK1 to MBK4 and the spare blocks SBK1 and SBK2 may be variously changed according to embodiments.

The main blocks MBK1 to MBK4 and the spare blocks SBK1 and SBK2 may include a plurality of gate electrode layers stacked in the first direction (the Z-axis direction) and a plurality of channel structures, extending in the first direction, respectively, and may be arranged in the second direction (the Y-axis direction). In each of the main blocks MBK1 to MBK4 and the spare blocks SBK1 and SBK2, the gate electrode layers may extend in the third direction (the X-axis direction), and may be connected to row decoders DEC1 to DEC6 in the third direction. A page buffer unit PB may be connected to the channel structures disposed in the main blocks MBK1 to MBK4 and the spare blocks SBK1 and SBK2 through bit lines extending in the second direction.

A length of each of the spare blocks SBK1 and SBK2 may be shorter than a length of each of the main blocks MBK1 to MBK4, in the second direction. Therefore, an arrangement space of each of the fifth and sixth row decoders DEC5 and DEC6 may be smaller than an arrangement space of each of the first to fourth row decoders DEC1 to DEC4. The number of gate electrode layers included in each of the main blocks MBK1 to MBK4 may be identical to the number of gate electrode layers included in each of the spare blocks SBK1 and SBK2. Therefore, it may be difficult to arrange each of the fifth and sixth row decoders DEC5 and DEC6.

In the embodiment illustrated in <FIG>, after removing a region from each of the spare blocks SBK1 and SBK2, a portion of devices included in the fifth and sixth row decoders DEC5 and DEC6 may be disposed in the region. Therefore, even though the spare blocks SBK1 and SBK2 have a relatively small area, as compared to the main blocks MBK1 to MBK4, a space for arranging the fifth and sixth row decoders DEC5 and DEC6 may be secured. Hereinafter, this example embodiment will be described in more detail with reference to <FIG>.

<FIG> is a view schematically illustrating a block included in a memory device according to an embodiment of the present inventive concept.

<FIG> is a plan view illustrating portion A of <FIG>. Referring to <FIG>, a fourth main block MBK4 and a first spare block SBK1 may include a first region <NUM> and a second region <NUM>, respectively. The first region <NUM> may be a cell array region in which channel structures CH are disposed, and the second region <NUM> may be a pad region in which cell contacts CMC connected to gate electrode layers are disposed.

As described above with reference to <FIG>, gate electrode layers of the first spare block SBK1 may be connected to a fifth row decoder DEC5. Elements included in the fifth row decoder DEC5 may be distributed on both sides of the first spare block SBK1. In the embodiment illustrated in <FIG>, the first region <NUM> of the first spare block SBK1 may be formed to be smaller than the first region <NUM> of the fourth main block MBK4. Therefore, one of the second regions <NUM> of the first spare block SBK1 may overlap the first region <NUM> of the fourth main block MBK4 in the second direction (the Y-axis direction).

At least one of the devices of the fifth row decoder DEC5 may be disposed in a space additionally secured by forming the first region <NUM> of the first spare block SBK1 to be relatively small. It may be sufficient that the first spare block SBK1 provides a smaller storage capacity than the main blocks MBK1 to MBK4. Therefore, even when the first region <NUM> is formed to be relatively small as illustrated in <FIG>, sufficient storage capacity may be secured to store data in the first spare block SBK1. In an embodiment, devices disposed on both sides of the first region <NUM> of the first spare block SBK1 may be connected to each other by metal wires disposed thereon in the first direction.

<FIG> is a perspective view schematically illustrating a structure of a memory device according to an embodiment of the present inventive concept.

In the embodiment illustrated in <FIG>, a memory device includes a first layer R1 and a second layer R2. The first layer R1 may provide a cell region, and the second layer R2 may provide a peripheral circuit region. The first layer R1 and the second layer R2 may be stacked in the first direction (the Z-axis direction).

The cell region of the first layer R1 may include a plurality of blocks, and the plurality of blocks may be arranged in the second direction (the Y-axis direction). The plurality of blocks may include main blocks MBK1 and MBK2 and spare blocks SBK1 and SBK2, and the spare blocks SBK1 and SBK2 may have a relatively small area, as compared to the main blocks MBK1 and MBK2.

The peripheral circuit region of the second layer R2 may include row decoders DEC1 to DEC4, page buffers PB, and peripheral circuits PC. The row decoders DEC1 to DEC4 may be disposed on both sides of a plurality of blocks in the third direction (the X-axis direction), and the page buffers PB and the peripheral circuits PC may be arranged between the row decoders DEC1 to DEC4. For example, the page buffers PB may be disposed below a cell array region in which channel structures are disposed in each of the plurality of blocks.

The peripheral circuit PC may be a region including a control logic circuit and a voltage generator, and may include, for example, a latch circuit, a cache circuit, and/or a sense amplifier. The second layer R2 may further include a separate pad region, and in this case, the pad region may include an electrostatic discharge (ESD) device or a data input/output circuit.

<FIG> illustrates a plane including spare blocks SBK1 and SBK2 among a plurality of planes included in a memory device <NUM>. The memory device <NUM> may have a cell-on-peri or cell-over-peri (COP) structure in which a cell region is disposed on a peripheral circuit region in the first direction (the Z-axis direction). In the embodiment illustrated in <FIG>, row decoders DEC1 to DEC6 may be disposed below main blocks MBK1 to MBK4 and spare blocks SBK1 and SBK2 included in the cell region.

<FIG> schematically illustrates a portion of a main block MBK included in a cell region of a memory device. Referring to <FIG>, a main block MBK may include a first region <NUM> and a second region <NUM>. The first region <NUM> may be a cell array region in which channel structures CH are disposed, and the second region <NUM> may be a pad region in which cell contacts CMC connected to gate electrode layers <NUM> are disposed. The gate electrode layers are stacked in the first direction (the Z-axis direction), and the channel structures CH extend in the first direction and pass through the gate electrode layers <NUM>.

In the first region <NUM>, the gate electrode layers <NUM> are divided into a plurality of regions in the second direction (the Y-axis direction) by a plurality of separation layers MS1 and MS2. For example, first separation layers MS1 may be separation layers defining the main block MBK, and may extend in the third direction (the X-axis direction). Second separation layers MS2 may be disposed between the first separation layers MS <NUM>. The first separation layers MS1 may extend in the third direction in the first region <NUM> and the second region <NUM>, and the second separation layers MS2 may extend to be shorter than the first separation layers MS1, in the third direction. In the second region <NUM> in which the second separation layers MS2 are not formed, a connection region TB may be formed.

Vertical contacts VC may be disposed in the connection region TB. The vertical contacts VC may extend in the first direction, and may extend to a peripheral circuit region disposed below a cell region. For example, the vertical contacts VC of <FIG> and other figures herein may be vertical conductive contacts, in the shape of pillars or plugs. The vertical contacts VC may be continuously formed structures. The vertical contacts VC of <FIG> may be electrically connected to the cell contacts CMC in an upper portion in the first direction, and may be electrically connected to devices disposed in the peripheral circuit region in a lower portion in the first direction.

<FIG> is a plan view schematically illustrating a portion of a spare block SBK included in a cell region of a memory device. <FIG> is a cross-sectional view illustrating <FIG>, taken along line IV-IV'. Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, a spare block SBK may include a first region <NUM> and a second region <NUM>, in a similar manner to a main block MBK. The spare block SBK may include a smaller number of, or a shorter set of, second separation layers MS2 and upper separation layers SS, as compared to the main block MBK. Therefore, in the second direction, a length of the spare block SBK may be shorter than a length of the main block MBK.

As illustrated in <FIG>, a peripheral circuit region PERI may be disposed below a cell region CELL. The cell region CELL may include a first substrate <NUM>, insulating layers <NUM> and gate electrode layers <NUM>, alternately stacked on the first substrate <NUM>, and channel structures CH extending to the first substrate <NUM> in the first direction. An interlayer insulating layer <NUM> may be disposed on the gate electrode layers <NUM>, and the channel structures CH may be connected to bit lines BL through bit line contacts <NUM> thereon. Each of the channel structures CH may include a channel layer <NUM>, a buried insulating layer <NUM>, a bit line connection layer <NUM>, and the like.

The first substrate <NUM> may include first to third layers <NUM> to <NUM>. The first to third layers <NUM> to <NUM> may be formed of a semiconductor material (e.g., the same semiconductor material, or different semiconductor materials). According to embodiments, however, the third layer <NUM> may be formed of an insulating material. The channel layer <NUM> included in each of the channel structures CH may contact the second layer <NUM> in a lateral direction.

A connection region TB of the second region <NUM> may not include the gate electrode layers <NUM>. As illustrated in <FIG>, the second separation layers MS2 are not formed in the connection region TB. Therefore, in a process of removing sacrificial layers <NUM> between the insulating layers <NUM> to form the gate electrode layers <NUM>, the sacrificial layers <NUM> may remain without being removed. Therefore, the connection region TB may include the insulating layers <NUM> and the sacrificial layers <NUM>, alternately stacked in the first direction.

The peripheral circuit region PERI may include a second substrate <NUM>, a plurality of devices <NUM> formed on the second substrate <NUM>, device contacts <NUM> connected to the devices <NUM>, wiring patterns <NUM>, and the like. A lower interlayer insulating layer <NUM> may be formed on the second substrate <NUM>, and the cell region CELL may be formed on the lower interlayer insulating layer <NUM>.

Vertical contacts VC formed in the connection region TB may be connected to cell contacts CMC by a first upper wiring pattern <NUM>. In addition, the vertical contacts VC may be connected to the wiring patterns <NUM> of the peripheral circuit region PERI. For example, the vertical contacts VC may be connected to pass transistors, among the devices <NUM>, formed in the peripheral circuit region PERI through the wiring patterns <NUM>. For example, a row decoder connected to the spare block SBK may be disposed below the connection region TB formed in the second region <NUM> of the spare block SBK.

<FIG> is a plan view schematically illustrating a plane including spare blocks SBK1 and SBK2 in a memory device <NUM>. The memory device <NUM> has a COP structure in which a cell region is disposed on a peripheral circuit region in the first direction (the Z-axis direction). A plurality of blocks included in the cell region are disposed in the second direction (the Y-axis direction).

In the embodiment illustrated in <FIG>, row decoders DEC1 to DEC6 are disposed below main blocks MBK1 to MBK4 and spare blocks SBK1 and SBK2, included in the cell region. In addition, devices respectively included in a fifth row decoder DEC5 and a sixth row decoder DEC6 connected to the spare blocks SBK1 and SBK2 may be distributed on both sides in the third direction (the X-axis direction). Therefore, as an area of each of the spare blocks SBK1 and SBK2 decreases, a problem in that an arrangement space of the fifth and sixth row decoders DEC5 and DEC6 decreases may be addressed.

<FIG> is a plan view schematically illustrating a portion of a spare block SBK included in a memory device <NUM>. <FIG> is a cross-sectional view illustrating <FIG>, taken along line V-V'. Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, a spare block SBK includes a first region <NUM> that may be a cell array region including channel structures CH, and a second region <NUM> that may be a pad region including cell contacts CMC.

As described above with reference to <FIG>, the spare block SBK may have a smaller area than other blocks, for example, a main block. Therefore, a space for arranging a row decoder connected to the spare block SBK may not be sufficiently secured. In the embodiment illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, devices of the row decoder connected to the spare block SBK may be distributed below the second regions <NUM> on both sides of the first region <NUM>. Therefore, as illustrated in <FIG>, all of the second regions <NUM> on both sides of the first region <NUM> may include a connection region TB. The devices of the row decoder may be disposed below the connection region TB of each of the second regions <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, basic configurations of a cell region CELL and a peripheral circuit region PERI may be similar to those described with reference to <FIG>. The cell region CELL includes a first substrate <NUM>, insulating layers <NUM>, gate electrode layers <NUM>, channel structures CH, and the like, and the connection region TB may not include gate electrode layers <NUM>, but may include sacrificial layers <NUM>. The channel structures CH may be connected to bit lines BL through bit line contacts <NUM>. The peripheral circuit region PERI includes a second substrate <NUM>, a plurality of devices <NUM>, device contacts <NUM> connected to the plurality of devices <NUM>, wiring patterns <NUM>, and the like. The cell region CELL is disposed on a lower interlayer insulating layer <NUM>.

Vertical contacts VC extend from a first upper wiring pattern <NUM> connected to the cell contacts CMC to the peripheral circuit region PERI, and may be connected to the wiring patterns <NUM> of the peripheral circuit region PERI. For example, the vertical contacts VC may be connected to devices <NUM> providing a row decoder, among the devices <NUM>, through the wiring patterns <NUM>.

The devices of the row decoder, distributed below the second regions <NUM> located on both sides of the first region <NUM>, may be electrically connected to each other by various methods. For example, wiring patterns <NUM> for connecting devices of a row decoder disposed on one side of the first region <NUM> to devices of a row decoder disposed on the other side of the first region <NUM> may be formed in the peripheral circuit region PERI. Alternatively, devices of row decoders disposed on both sides of the first region <NUM> may be electrically connected to each other using wiring patterns disposed on a higher level than the first upper wiring pattern <NUM>.

<FIG> is a plan view schematically illustrating a plane including spare blocks SBK1 and SBK2 in a memory device <NUM>. The memory device <NUM> may have a COP structure in which a cell region is disposed on a peripheral circuit region in the first direction (the Z-axis direction). A plurality of blocks included in the cell region are disposed in the second direction (the Y-axis direction). Row decoders DEC1 to DEC6 may be disposed below main blocks MBK1 to MBK4 and spare blocks SBK1 and SBK2, included in the cell region.

Referring to <FIG>, a first spare block SBK1 and a second spare block SBK2 may have different areas. For example, the second spare block SBK2 may have a smaller area than the first spare block SBK1. Therefore, a space for arranging a sixth row decoder DEC6 connected to the second spare block SBK2 may not be sufficiently secured.

In an embodiment of the present inventive concept, when a space for arranging the row decoders DEC5 and DEC6 is not sufficiently secured due to a reduction in area of the spare blocks SBK1 and SBK2, a portion of the cell region may be removed in at least one of the spare blocks SBK1 and SBK2. A portion of the row decoders DEC5 and DEC6, for example, wiring patterns connected to the devices of the row decoders DEC5 and DEC6 may be disposed, in a secured space in which a portion of the cell region is removed.

In the embodiment illustrated in <FIG>, a portion of the cell region may be removed from the second spare block SBK2, and a portion of the sixth row decoders DEC6 may be disposed in a secured space in which a portion of the cell region is removed. Therefore, a length of the second spare block SBK2 may be shorter than a length of each of the main blocks MBK1 to MBK4, in the third direction (the X-axis direction).

<FIG> is a plan view schematically illustrating portions of spare blocks SBK1 and SBK2 included in a memory device <NUM>. <FIG> is a cross-sectional view illustrating <FIG>, taken along line VI-VI'. Referring to <FIG>, a first spare block SBK1 and a second spare block SBK2 may have different areas. The first spare block SBK1 includes a first region <NUM> that may be a cell array region including channel structures CH, and a second region <NUM> that may be a pad region including cell contacts CMC. A first region <NUM> of the second spare block SBK2 may have a relatively small area, as compared to the first spare block SBK1, and a third region <NUM> may be formed in a space of the second spare block SBK2 secured in which the first region <NUM> of the second spare block SBK2 is formed to have a relatively small area.

The second spare block SBK2 may have a smaller area, as compared to respective main blocks MBK1 to MBK4 as well as the first spare block SBK1. Therefore, in the embodiment illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, since the first region <NUM> is formed to have a relatively small area in the second spare block SBK2, a second region <NUM> of the second spare block SBK2 may overlap the first region <NUM> of the first spare block SBK1 in the second direction (the Y-axis direction). The third region <NUM> of the second spare block SBK2 may be used as a space for arranging a sixth row decoder DEC6. For example, at least a portion of devices and wiring patterns included in the sixth row decoder DEC6 may be disposed below the third region <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, basic configurations of a cell region CELL and a peripheral circuit region PERI may be similar to those described with reference to <FIG> and <FIG>. Portions of devices <NUM>, contacts <NUM>, and wiring patterns <NUM>, included in the sixth row decoder DEC6, may be disposed below the third region <NUM> secured by forming the first region <NUM> having a relatively small area in the second spare block SBK2.

The devices <NUM> disposed below the third region <NUM> may be connected to vertical contacts VC and upper wiring patterns <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>. At least one of the upper wiring patterns <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> may extend in the third direction, to be connected to at least one device of the sixth row decoder DEC6 disposed on a left side of the first region <NUM> in the third direction. For example, devices of the sixth row decoder DEC6 distributed on both sides of the first region <NUM> may be connected to each other by the upper wiring patterns <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, as well as gate electrode layers <NUM> and channel structures CH, a first substrate <NUM> may not be disposed in the third region <NUM>. Therefore, the vertical contacts VC may be electrically separated from the first substrate <NUM>, and may extend in the first direction to be connected to the upper wiring patterns <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> and the wiring patterns <NUM>. At least one of the wiring patterns <NUM> may be disposed on a level equal to or higher than the first substrate <NUM> in the first direction.

In order to secure the third region <NUM>, the gate electrode layers <NUM> and the insulating layers <NUM> of the second spare block SBK2 may have a relatively shorter length, as compared to gate electrode layers <NUM> and insulating layers <NUM> of the other blocks MBK1 to MBK4 and SBK1, in the third direction (the X-axis direction). For example, in a process of forming the pad region <NUM> connected to the cell contacts CMC, lengths of the gate electrode layers <NUM> and the insulating layers <NUM> of the second spare block SBK2 may be adjusted, or the gate electrode layers <NUM> and the insulating layers <NUM> may be formed to have relatively short lengths, from a process of stacking the first substrate <NUM>.

<FIG> is a perspective view schematically illustrating a structure of a memory device according to an embodiment of the present inventive concept. <FIG> is a view schematically illustrating a memory device according to an embodiment of the present inventive concept.

In an embodiment described with reference to <FIG> and <FIG>, a memory device may have a chip-to-chip (C2C) structure. The C2C structure may refer to a structure formed by manufacturing an upper chip including a cell region CELL on a first wafer, manufacturing a lower chip including a peripheral circuit region PERI on a second wafer, different from the first wafer, and then bonding the upper chip and the lower chip to each other by a bonding process. For example, the bonding process may refer to a method of electrically and physically connecting a bonding metal formed on an uppermost metal layer of the upper chip to a bonding metal formed on an uppermost metal layer of the lower chip. For example, when the bonding metal is formed of copper (Cu), the bonding method may be a Cu-Cu bonding method, and the bonding metal may also be formed of aluminum or tungsten.

Referring to <FIG>, a peripheral circuit region including row decoders DEC1 to DEC4, page buffers PB, and other peripheral circuits PC may be formed in a first layer R1 in an upper portion of a memory device, and a cell region including a plurality of blocks may be formed in a second layer R2 in a lower portion of the memory device. Unlike the embodiment described above with reference to <FIG>, which generally describes R1 and R2 comprising two different layers, in the embodiment illustrated in <FIG>, the first layer R1 and the second layer R2 may be formed on different wafers, respectively. Therefore, as illustrated in <FIG>, gate electrode layers <NUM> and channel structures CH of a cell region CELL, and circuit devices 1220a, 1220b, and 1220c of a peripheral circuit region PERI may be arranged between a first substrate <NUM> and a second substrate <NUM> in the first direction (the Z-axis direction).

Similar to the other embodiments described above, spare blocks SBK1 and SBK2 may have a smaller area than main blocks MBK1 and MBK2. As described above, data used or required for operation of a memory device <NUM> may be stored only in a portion of active memory cells, among memory cells included in each of the spare blocks SBK1 and SBK2. Therefore, even when an area of each of the spare blocks SBK1 and SBK2 is formed to be smaller than an area of each of the main blocks MBK1 and MBK2, a storage capacity required for storing data may be secured. In addition, the areas of the spare blocks SBK1 and SBK2 may be reduced to further form the main blocks MBK1 and MBK2 in the additionally secured space, to improve a degree of integration of the memory device <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, each of the peripheral circuit region PERI and the cell region CELL of the memory device <NUM> may include an external pad bonding area PA, a word line bonding area WLBA, and a bit line bonding area BLBA.

The peripheral circuit region PERI may include a first substrate <NUM>, an interlayer insulating layer <NUM>, a plurality of circuit elements 1220a, 1220b, and 1220c formed on the first substrate <NUM>, first metal layers 1230a, 1230b, and 1230c respectively connected to the plurality of circuit elements 1220a, 1220b, and 1220c, and second metal layers 1240a, 1240b, and 1240c formed on the first metal layers 1230a, 1230b, and 1230c. In an embodiment, the first metal layers 1230a, 1230b, and 1230c may be formed of tungsten having relatively high electrical resistivity, and the second metal layers 1240a, 1240b, and 1240c may be formed of copper having relatively low electrical resistivity.

In the specification, although only the first metal layers 1230a, 1230b, and 1230c and the second metal layers 1240a, 1240b, and 1240c are illustrated and described, the embodiments are not limited thereto, and one or more additional metal layers may be further formed on the second metal layers 1240a, 1240b, and 1240c. At least a portion of the one or more additional metal layers formed on the second metal layers 1240a, 1240b, and 1240c may be formed of aluminum or the like having a lower electrical resistivity than those of copper forming the second metal layers 1240a, 1240b, and 1240c.

The interlayer insulating layer <NUM> may be disposed on the first substrate <NUM> and cover the plurality of circuit elements 1220a, 1220b, and 1220c, the first metal layers 1230a, 1230b, and 1230c, and the second metal layers 1240a, 1240b, and 1240c. The interlayer insulating layer <NUM> may include an insulating material such as silicon oxide, silicon nitride, or the like.

Lower bonding metals 1271b and 1272b may be formed on the second metal layer 1240b in the word line bonding area WLBA. In the word line bonding area WLBA, the lower bonding metals 1271b and 1272b in the peripheral circuit region PERI may be electrically bonded to upper bonding metals 1171b and 1172b of the cell region CELL. The lower bonding metals 1271b and 1272b and the upper bonding metals 1171b and 1172b may be formed of aluminum, copper, tungsten, or the like.

The cell region CELL may include at least one memory block. The cell region CELL may include a second substrate <NUM> and a common source line <NUM>. On the second substrate <NUM>, a plurality of word lines <NUM> to <NUM> (i.e., <NUM>) may be stacked in a direction (the Z-axis direction), perpendicular to an upper surface of the second substrate <NUM>. At least one string select line and at least one ground select line may be arranged on and below the plurality of word lines <NUM>, respectively, and the plurality of word lines <NUM> may be disposed between the at least one string select line and the at least one ground select line.

In the bit line bonding area BLBA, a channel structure CH may extend in a direction (the Z-axis direction), perpendicular to the upper surface of the second substrate <NUM>, and pass through the plurality of word lines <NUM>, the at least one string select line, and the at least one ground select line. The channel structure CH may include a data storage layer, a channel layer, a buried insulating layer, and the like, and the channel layer may be electrically connected to a first metal layer 1150c and a second metal layer 1160c. For example, the first metal layer 1150c may be a bit line contact, and the second metal layer 1160c may be a bit line. In an embodiment, the bit line 1160c may extend in the first direction (the Y-axis direction), parallel to the upper surface of the second substrate <NUM>.

In the embodiment illustrated in <FIG>, an area in which the channel structure CH, the bit line 1160c, and the like are disposed may be defined as the bit line bonding area BLBA. In the bit line bonding area BLBA, the bit line 1160c may be electrically connected to the circuit elements 1220c providing a page buffer <NUM> in the peripheral circuit region PERI. The bit line 1160c may be connected to upper bonding metals 1171c and 1172c in the cell region CELL, and the upper bonding metals 1171c and 1172c may be connected to lower bonding metals 1271c and 1272c connected to the circuit elements 1220c of the page buffer <NUM>.

In the word line bonding area WLBA, the word lines <NUM> may extend in a second direction (an X-axis direction), parallel to the upper surface of the second substrate <NUM> and perpendicular to the first direction, and may be connected to a plurality of cell contact plugs <NUM> to <NUM> (i.e., <NUM>). The plurality of word lines <NUM> and the plurality of cell contact plugs <NUM> may be connected to each other in pads provided by at least a portion of the plurality of word lines <NUM> extending in different lengths in the second direction. A first metal layer 1150b and a second metal layer 1160b may be connected to an upper portion of the plurality of cell contact plugs <NUM> connected to the plurality of word lines <NUM>, sequentially. The plurality of cell contact plugs <NUM> may be connected to the peripheral circuit region PERI by the upper bonding metals 1171b and 1172b of the cell region CELL and the lower bonding metals 1271b and 1272b of the peripheral circuit region PERI in the word line bonding area WLBA.

The plurality of cell contact plugs <NUM> may be electrically connected to the circuit elements 1220b forming a row decoder <NUM> in the peripheral circuit region PERI. In an embodiment, operating voltages of the circuit elements 1220b of the row decoder <NUM> may be different than operating voltages of the circuit elements 1220c forming the page buffer <NUM>. For example, operating voltages of the circuit elements 1220c forming the page buffer <NUM> may be greater than operating voltages of the circuit elements 1220b forming the row decoder <NUM>.

A common source line contact plug <NUM> may be disposed in the external pad bonding area PA. The common source line contact plug <NUM> may be formed of a conductive material such as a metal, a metal compound, polysilicon, or the like, and may be electrically connected to the common source line <NUM>. A first metal layer 1150a and a second metal layer 1160a may be stacked on an upper portion of the common source line contact plug <NUM>, sequentially. For example, an area in which the common source line contact plug <NUM>, the first metal layer 1150a, and the second metal layer 1160a are disposed may be defined as the external pad bonding area PA.

Input/output pads <NUM> and <NUM> may be disposed in the external pad bonding area PA. Referring to <FIG>, a lower insulating film <NUM> covering a lower surface of the first substrate <NUM> may be formed below the first substrate <NUM>, and a first input/output pad <NUM> may be formed on the lower insulating film <NUM>. The first input/output pad <NUM> may be connected to at least one of the plurality of circuit elements 1220a, 1220b, and 1220c disposed in the peripheral circuit region PERI through a first input/output contact plug <NUM>, and may be separated from the first substrate <NUM> by the lower insulating film <NUM>. In addition, a side insulating film may be disposed between the first input/output contact plug <NUM> and the first substrate <NUM> to electrically separate the first input/output contact plug <NUM> and the first substrate <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, an upper insulating film <NUM> covering the upper surface of the second substrate <NUM> may be formed on the second substrate <NUM>, and a second input/output pad <NUM> may be disposed on the upper insulating layer <NUM>. The second input/output pad <NUM> may be connected to at least one of the plurality of circuit elements 1220a, 1220b, and 1220c disposed in the peripheral circuit region PERI through a second input/output contact plug <NUM>.

According to some embodiments, the second substrate <NUM> and the common source line <NUM> may not be disposed in an area in which the second input/output contact plug <NUM> is disposed. Also, the second input/output pad <NUM> may not overlap the word lines <NUM> in the third direction (the Z-axis direction). Referring to <FIG>, the second input/output contact plug <NUM> may be separated from the second substrate <NUM> in a direction, parallel to the upper surface of the second substrate <NUM>, and may pass through the interlayer insulating layer <NUM> of the cell region CELL to be connected to the second input/output pad <NUM>.

According to embodiments, the first input/output pad <NUM> and the second input/output pad <NUM> may be selectively formed. For example, the memory device <NUM> may include only the first input/output pad <NUM> disposed on the first substrate <NUM> or the second input/output pad <NUM> disposed on the second substrate <NUM>. Alternatively, the memory device <NUM> may include both the first input/output pad <NUM> and the second input/output pad <NUM>.

A metal pattern provided on an uppermost metal layer may be provided as a dummy pattern or the uppermost metal layer may be absent, in each of the external pad bonding area PA and the bit line bonding area BLBA, respectively included in the cell region CELL and the peripheral circuit region PERI.

In the external pad bonding area PA, the memory device <NUM> may include a lower metal pattern 1273a, corresponding to an upper metal pattern 1172a formed in an uppermost metal layer of the cell region CELL, and having the same cross-sectional shape as the upper metal pattern 1172a of the cell region CELL so as to be connected to each other, in an uppermost metal layer of the peripheral circuit region PERI. In the peripheral circuit region PERI, the lower metal pattern 1273a formed in the uppermost metal layer of the peripheral circuit region PERI may not be connected to a contact. Similarly, in the external pad bonding area PA, an upper metal pattern 1172a, corresponding to the lower metal pattern 1273a formed in an uppermost metal layer of the peripheral circuit region PERI, and having the same shape as the lower metal pattern 1273a of the peripheral circuit region PERI, may be formed in an uppermost metal layer of the cell region CELL.

The lower bonding metals 1271b and 1272b may be formed on the second metal layer 1140b in the word line bonding area WLBA. In the word line bonding area WLBA, the lower bonding metals 1271b and 1272b of the peripheral circuit region PERI may be electrically connected to the upper bonding metals 1171b and 1172b of the cell region CELL by a bonding.

Further, in the bit line bonding area BLBA, an upper metal pattern <NUM>, corresponding to a lower metal pattern <NUM> formed in the uppermost metal layer of the peripheral circuit region PERI, and having the same cross-sectional shape as the lower metal pattern <NUM> of the peripheral circuit region PERI, may be formed in an uppermost metal layer of the cell region CELL. A contact may not be formed on the upper metal pattern <NUM> formed in the uppermost metal layer of the cell region CELL.

<FIG> is a block diagram schematically illustrating a memory system including a memory device according to an embodiment of the present inventive concept.

<FIG> may be a block diagram illustrating a memory system according to an embodiment of the present inventive concept. Referring to <FIG>, a memory system <NUM> may include a memory device <NUM> and a memory controller <NUM>. The memory device <NUM> may be a device according to at least one of the embodiments described with reference to <FIG>. The memory controller <NUM> may control the memory device <NUM>, and data used or necessary for the memory controller <NUM> to control the memory device <NUM> may be stored in a spare block of the memory device <NUM>.

The memory device <NUM> may include first to eighth pins P11 to P18 (also described as external connection terminals), a memory interface circuit <NUM>, a control logic circuit <NUM>, and a memory cell array <NUM>.

The memory interface circuit <NUM> may receive a chip enable signal nCE from the memory controller <NUM> through the first pin P11. The memory interface circuit <NUM> may transmit and receive signals to and from the memory controller <NUM> through the second to eighth pins P12 to P18 according to the chip enable signal nCE. For example, when the chip enable signal nCE is in an enable state (e.g., a low level), the memory interface circuit <NUM> may transmit and receive signals to and from the memory controller <NUM> through the second to eighth pins P12 to P18.

The memory interface circuit <NUM> may receive a command latch enable signal CLE, an address latch enable signal ALE, and a write enable signal nWE from the memory controller <NUM> through the second to fourth pins P12 to P14. The memory interface circuit <NUM> may receive a data signal DQ from the memory controller <NUM> through the seventh pin P17 or transmit the data signal DQ to the memory controller <NUM>. A command CMD, an address ADDR, and data DATA may be transmitted via the data signal DQ. For example, the data signal DQ may be transmitted through a plurality of data signal lines. In this case, the seventh pin P17 may include a plurality of pins respectively corresponding to a plurality of data signals DQ.

The memory interface circuit <NUM> may obtain the command CMD from the data signal DQ, which is received in an enable section (e.g., a high-level state) of the command latch enable signal CLE based on toggle time points of the write enable signal nWE. The memory interface circuit <NUM> may obtain the address ADDR from the data signal DQ, which is received in an enable section (e.g., a high-level state) of the address latch enable signal ALE based on the toggle time points of the write enable signal nWE.

In an embodiment, the write enable signal nWE may be maintained at a static state (e.g., a high level or a low level) and toggle between the high level and the low level. For example, the write enable signal nWE may toggle in a section in which the command CMD or the address ADDR is transmitted. Thus, the memory interface circuit <NUM> may obtain the command CMD or the address ADDR based on toggle time points of the write enable signal nWE.

The memory interface circuit <NUM> may receive a read enable signal nRE from the memory controller <NUM> through the fifth pin P15. The memory interface circuit <NUM> may receive a data strobe signal DQS from the memory controller <NUM> through the sixth pin P16 or transmit the data strobe signal DQS to the memory controller <NUM>.

In a data (DATA) output operation of the memory device <NUM>, the memory interface circuit <NUM> may receive the read enable signal nRE, which toggles through the fifth pin P15, before outputting the data DATA. The memory interface circuit <NUM> may generate the data strobe signal DQS, which toggles based on the toggling of the read enable signal nRE. For example, the memory interface circuit <NUM> may generate a data strobe signal DQS, which starts toggling after a predetermined delay (e.g., tDQSRE), based on a toggling start time of the read enable signal nRE. The memory interface circuit <NUM> may transmit the data signal DQ including the data DATA based on a toggle time point of the data strobe signal DQS. Thus, the data DATA may be aligned with the toggle time point of the data strobe signal DQS and transmitted to the memory controller <NUM>.

In a data (DATA) input operation of the memory device <NUM>, when the data signal DQ including the data DATA is received from the memory controller <NUM>, the memory interface circuit <NUM> may receive the data strobe signal DQS, which toggles, along with the data DATA from the memory controller <NUM>. The memory interface circuit <NUM> may obtain the data DATA from the data signal DQ based on toggle time points of the data strobe signal DQS. For example, the memory interface circuit <NUM> may sample the data signal DQ at rising and falling edges of the data strobe signal DQS and obtain the data DATA.

The memory interface circuit <NUM> may transmit a ready/busy output signal nR/B to the memory controller <NUM> through the eighth pin P18. The memory interface circuit <NUM> may transmit state information of the memory device <NUM> through the ready/busy output signal nR/B to the memory controller <NUM>. When the memory device <NUM> is in a busy state (i.e., when operations are being performed in the memory device <NUM>), the memory interface circuit <NUM> may transmit a ready/busy output signal nR/B indicating the busy state to the memory controller <NUM>. When the memory device <NUM> is in a ready state (i.e., when operations are not performed or completed in the memory device <NUM>), the memory interface circuit <NUM> may transmit a ready/busy output signal nR/B indicating the ready state to the memory controller <NUM>. For example, while the memory device <NUM> is reading data DATA from the memory cell array <NUM> in response to a page read command, the memory interface circuit <NUM> may transmit a ready/busy output signal nR/B indicating a busy state (e.g., a low level) to the memory controller <NUM>. For example, while the memory device <NUM> is programming data DATA to the memory cell array <NUM> in response to a program command, the memory interface circuit <NUM> may transmit a ready/busy output signal nR/B indicating the busy state to the memory controller <NUM>.

The control logic circuit <NUM> may control all operations of the memory device <NUM>. The control logic circuit <NUM> may receive the command/address CMD/ADDR obtained from the memory interface circuit <NUM>. The control logic circuit <NUM> may generate control signals for controlling other components of the memory device <NUM> in response to the received command/address CMD/ADDR. For example, the control logic circuit <NUM> may generate various control signals for programming data DATA to the memory cell array <NUM> or reading the data DATA from the memory cell array <NUM>.

The memory cell array <NUM> may store the data DATA obtained from the memory interface circuit <NUM>, via the control of the control logic circuit <NUM>. The memory cell array <NUM> may output the stored data DATA to the memory interface circuit <NUM> via the control of the control logic circuit <NUM>.

The memory cell array <NUM> may include a plurality of memory cells. For example, the plurality of memory cells may be flash memory cells. However, the inventive concept is not limited thereto, and the memory cell may be a resistive random access memory (RRAM) cell, a ferroelectric random access memory (FRAM) cell, a phase change random access memory (PRAM) cell, a thyristor random access memory (TRAM) cell, or a magnetic random access memory (MRAM) cell. Hereinafter, embodiments of the present inventive concept will be described focusing on an embodiment in which the memory cells are NAND flash memory cells. For example, the memory device <NUM> may be a device according to at least one of the embodiments described with reference to <FIG>.

The memory controller <NUM> may include first to eighth pins P21 to P28 and a controller interface circuit <NUM>. The first to eighth pins P21 to P28 may respectively correspond to the first to eighth pins P11 to P18 of the memory device <NUM>.

The controller interface circuit <NUM> may transmit the chip enable signal nCE to the memory device <NUM> through the first pin P21. The controller interface circuit <NUM> may transmit and receive signals to and from the memory device <NUM>, which is selected by the chip enable signal nCE, through the second to eighth pins P22 to P28.

The controller interface circuit <NUM> may transmit the command latch enable signal CLE, the address latch enable signal ALE, and the write enable signal nWE to the memory device <NUM> through the second to fourth pins P22 to P24. The controller interface circuit <NUM> may transmit or receive the data signal DQ to and from the memory device <NUM> through the seventh pin P27.

The controller interface circuit <NUM> may transmit the data signal DQ including the command CMD or the address ADDR to the memory device <NUM> along with the write enable signal nWE, which toggles. The controller interface circuit <NUM> may transmit the data signal DQ including the command CMD to the memory device <NUM> by transmitting a command latch enable signal CLE having an enable state. Also, the controller interface circuit <NUM> may transmit the data signal DQ including the address ADDR to the memory device <NUM> by transmitting an address latch enable signal ALE having an enable state.

The controller interface circuit <NUM> may transmit the read enable signal nRE to the memory device <NUM> through the fifth pin P25. The controller interface circuit <NUM> may transmit or receive the data strobe signal DQS from or to the memory device <NUM> through the sixth pin P26.

In a data (DATA) output operation of the memory device <NUM>, the controller interface circuit <NUM> may generate a read enable signal nRE, which toggles, and transmit the read enable signal nRE to the memory device <NUM>. For example, before outputting data DATA, the controller interface circuit <NUM> may generate a read enable signal nRE, which is changed from a static state (e.g., a high level or a low level) to a toggling state. Thus, the memory device <NUM> may generate a data strobe signal DQS, which toggles, based on the read enable signal nRE. The controller interface circuit <NUM> may receive the data signal DQ including the data DATA along with the data strobe signal DQS, which toggles, from the memory device <NUM>. The controller interface circuit <NUM> may obtain the data DATA from the data signal DQ based on a toggle time point of the data strobe signal DQS.

In a data (DATA) input operation of the memory device <NUM>, the controller interface circuit <NUM> may generate a data strobe signal DQS, which toggles. For example, before transmitting data DATA, the controller interface circuit <NUM> may generate a data strobe signal DQS, which is changed from a static state (e.g., a high level or a low level) to a toggling state. The controller interface circuit <NUM> may transmit the data signal DQ including the data DATA to the memory device <NUM> based on toggle time points of the data strobe signal DQS.

The controller interface circuit <NUM> may receive a ready/busy output signal nR/B from the memory device <NUM> through the eighth pin P28. The controller interface circuit <NUM> may determine state information of the memory device <NUM> based on the ready/busy output signal nR/B.

The above description discusses first, second and third directions, corresponding to a Z-axis direction, a Y-axis direction and an X-axis direction, respectively. The first direction may run perpendicular to an upper surface the substrate of the memory device. The second and third directions may run parallel to the upper surface of the substrate of the memory device. The third direction may cross the second direction. The first, second and third directions may be perpendicular to each other.

According to an embodiment of the present inventive concept, a spare block storing data used or necessary for an operation of a memory device may have a smaller area than a main block. Therefore, an area occupied by the spare block may be reduced, the main block may be arranged in more numbers, and a degree of integration of the memory device may be improved.

Various advantages and effects of the present inventive concept are not limited to the above-described contents, and can be more easily understood in the course of describing specific embodiments of the present inventive concept.

While example embodiments have been illustrated and described above, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that modifications and variations could be made without departing from the scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claim 1:
A 3D NAND memory device comprising:
a cell region in which memory blocks (BLK) are disposed, each of the memory blocks including gate electrode layers (<NUM>) and insulating layers (<NUM>), alternately stacked on a substrate (<NUM>), and channel structures (CH) extending in a first direction perpendicular to an upper surface of the substrate (<NUM>) and passing through the gate electrode layers (<NUM>) and the insulating layers (<NUM>) to be connected to the substrate (<NUM>); and
a peripheral circuit region including a row decoder (<NUM>) connected to the gate electrode layers (<NUM>) and a page buffer (<NUM>) connected to the channel structures (CH),
wherein the memory blocks (BLK) include main blocks (MBK) and at least a first spare block (SBK),
wherein a length of the first spare block (SBK) is shorter than a length of each of the main blocks (MBK) in a second direction parallel to the upper surface of the substrate
wherein the memory blocks (BLK) are divided by first separation layers (MS1) extending in a third direction parallel to the upper surface of the substrate (<NUM>),
wherein each of the memory blocks (BLK) includes string selection lines (SSL) provided by upper gate electrode layers (<NUM>) with respect to the first direction and divided by second separation layers (MS2) disposed between the first separation layers (MS1) and upper separation layers (SS), both of the second separation layers (MS2) and the upper separation layers (SS) being extended in the third direction and shorter than the first separation layers (MS1), and
wherein the number of the string selection lines (SSL) included in each of the main blocks (MBK) is greater than the number of the string selection lines (SSL) included in the first spare block (SBK).