Vertical DRAM Pillar Layout With Direct Bit Line Connection

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Solution Overview

Problem

The manufacturing process of DRAM is complicated, and the signal interconnection paths are long, limiting storage capacity and integration.

Innovation Solution

A semiconductor structure with a vertical transistor layout where the bit line is directly formed on the top portion of an active pillar, reducing the need for additional contacts and interconnection lines, and allowing for a Chip On Wafer process, thereby simplifying the process and improving space utilization and signal transmission speed.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a conventional DRAM structure with separate contacts and interconnection lines is used, then the manufacturing process is complex and signal interconnection paths are long, but the storage capacity and integration can be improved

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing process complexityVSAvoidstorage capacity and integration
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the bit line directly with the active pillar top portion, eliminating the need for separate contacts and interconnection lines. This integration reduces manufacturing process complexity while enabling higher storage capacity and integration by allowing closer spacing of memory cells.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from a planar layout to a vertical architecture where the bit line extends in the vertical dimension to directly contact the active pillar. This dimensional change shortens signal paths and reduces the number of interconnection layers needed, improving both manufacturing simplicity and integration density.

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

2Device complexity

If additional contacts and interconnection lines are used, then the manufacturing process becomes more complex, but the signal transmission path is longer

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenumber of contacts and interconnection linesVSAvoidsignal transmission speed
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and eliminates unnecessary intermediate contacts and interconnection lines from the signal path. By directly forming the bit line on the active pillar top portion, it removes redundant components that both complicate manufacturing and extend signal transmission paths, thereby improving signal speed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Device complexity

If the bit line is directly formed on the top portion of the active pillar, then the number of contacts and interconnection lines is reduced, but the thermal resistance increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenumber of contacts and interconnection linesVSAvoidthermal resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The vertical formation of the bit line on the active pillar top portion creates direct thermal conduction paths through the vertical structure. This dimensional arrangement improves heat dissipation by providing direct thermal coupling between the active region and the bit line, reducing thermal resistance despite the reduced number of contacts.

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

Data Source

PatentEP4322219B1Semiconductor structure and preparation method therefor, and memory and preparation method therefor
Publication Date: 2026.02.11 CHANGXIN MEMORY TECH INC
  • EP4322219B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2b
  • EP4322219B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4b
  • EP4322219B1 patent drawingFigure 4c~4e

AI summary

An embodiment of the application provides a semiconductor structure. The semiconductor structure includes: a substrate; a plurality of capacitors arranged in the substrate; and a plurality of active pillars arranged above the substrate. Each of the plurality of active pillars is arranged above a respective one of the plurality of capacitors, and a bottom portion of each of the plurality of active pillars is electrically connected to a top portion of the respective one of the plurality of capacitors therebelow.