Semiconductor Memory Insulating Layer Layout for Voltage Resistance

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current semiconductor storage devices face challenges in improving electrical characteristics, such as voltage resistance and interlayer capacitance, due to difficulties in forming bit lines and insulating layers with precise thickness and structure, leading to potential embedding failures and degraded performance.

Innovation Solution

The semiconductor storage device employs a specific structure with a first insulating layer having distinct portions and a conductor with level difference portions, formed through reactive ion etching, which allows for precise control of bit line and insulating layer formation, enhancing voltage resistance and reducing interlayer capacitance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional methods are used to form bit lines and insulating layers, then manufacturing process is simpler, but electrical characteristics such as voltage resistance and interlayer capacitance are degraded

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevoltage resistanceVSAvoidthickness control precision
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The first insulating layer is divided into three distinct portions (first portion, second portion, third portion) with different thicknesses and positions. This segmentation allows each portion to be optimized for specific functions: the first portion provides insulation near the bit line, the second portion provides additional insulation thickness, and the third portion extends further to control interlayer capacitance. By segmenting the insulating layer, the patent achieves superior electrical characteristics without requiring extremely precise single-layer thickness control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If precise thickness control is implemented for bit lines and insulating layers, then electrical characteristics improve, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrical characteristicsVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple insulating layers into a single first insulating layer that is formed in one continuous process step. Although this layer is divided into three portions with different thicknesses, they are created simultaneously as part of the same insulating layer structure, rather than requiring separate formation processes for each portion. This merging approach simplifies manufacturing by reducing the number of process steps while still achieving the electrical characteristics of multiple layers.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

Different portions of the first insulating layer have different local thicknesses and properties optimized for their specific locations. The first portion has greater thickness near the bit line where higher voltage resistance is needed, while the third portion extends further in the third direction to control interlayer capacitance in regions away from the bit line. This local quality variation allows each region to be optimized for its specific electrical requirements without increasing overall manufacturing complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Speed

If insulating layers are made thinner to reduce interlayer capacitance, then speed improves, but voltage resistance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesignal speedVSAvoidvoltage resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent resolves the trade-off between thickness and interlayer capacitance by utilizing multiple spatial dimensions. The first insulating layer varies in thickness not only in the vertical direction (third direction) but also in the horizontal directions (first and second directions). The third portion extends further in the third direction away from the bit line, providing additional insulation distance for capacitance control without requiring the entire layer to be uniformly thin. This multi-dimensional thickness variation allows simultaneous optimization of both speed and voltage resistance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This configuration improves electrical characteristics by ensuring accurate distance between bit lines and conductive portions, suppressing embedding failures, and adjusting thickness for optimal voltage resistance, thereby enhancing the overall performance of the semiconductor storage device.

Implementation Method 1

formed through reactive ion etching

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectReactive ion etching: Plasma

Data Source

PatentEP4343825A1Semiconductor storage device and method of manufacturing semiconductor device
Publication Date: 2024.03.27 KIOXIA CORP
  • EP4343825A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4343825A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4343825A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A semiconductor storage device according to an embodiment includes a first wiring, a second wiring, a first insulating layer, a first insulator, and a conductor. The first insulating layer has a first portion, a second portion, and a third portion. The first portion is stacked on the first wiring. The second portion is stacked on the second wiring. The third portion is on the opposite side of the first wiring and the second wiring with respect to the first portion and the second portion.