TW201737372A - Semiconductor structure and method for manufacturing the same - Google Patents

Abstract

A semiconductor structure is provided. The semiconductor structure includes a substrate, a plurality of first stacked structures and two second stacked structures disposed on the substrate. Each of the first stacked structures includes alternately stacked metal layers and oxide layers. Each of the second stacked structures includes alternately stacked silicon nitride layers and oxide layers. The first stacked structures are disposed between the two second stacked structures.

Description

Semiconductor structure and manufacturing method thereof

The present invention relates to a semiconductor structure and a method of fabricating the same, and more particularly to a semiconductor structure having gate replacement and a method of fabricating the same.

The semiconductor structure is used in many products, such as MP3 players, digital cameras, computer files and other storage components. With advances in semiconductor manufacturing technology, the demand for semiconductor structures has also tended to be smaller in size and larger in memory capacity. In response to this demand, it is required to manufacture a semiconductor structure having a high component density.

Designers have developed a way to increase the density of semiconductor structures using three-dimensional stacked memory devices to achieve higher memory capacity while reducing the cost per bit. However, in three-dimensional stacked memory devices, especially oxide/polysilicon (OP) stacked memory devices, word line resistance is a key factor because word line resistance affects Operating speed. Therefore, it is an important subject to create a memory system that can effectively reduce the resistance of word lines.

The present invention relates to a semiconductor structure having a gate replacement and a method of fabricating the same. In some embodiments of the invention, the metal layer of the semiconductor structure can reduce word line resistance and save word line metal routing of a single gate vertical channel (SGVC) device structure.

According to the present invention, a semiconductor structure is proposed comprising a substrate, a plurality of first stacked structures, and two second stacked structures. The first stack structure is disposed on the substrate, and each of the first stack structures includes a plurality of alternately stacked metal layers and oxide layers. The second stack structure is disposed on the substrate, and each of the second stack structures includes a plurality of alternately stacked tantalum nitride layers and an oxide layer. The first stack structure is disposed between the two second stack structures.

According to the present invention, a method of fabricating a semiconductor structure is provided, comprising the following steps. A substrate is provided. A plurality of tantalum nitride layers and an oxide layer are alternately stacked. The tantalum nitride layer and the oxide layer are etched to form a plurality of pre-stack structures. A first charge trapping layer is formed on the pre-stack structure. A first channel layer is formed on the charge trap layer. A portion of the pre-stacked structure is etched to form a plurality of vias. The tantalum nitride layer in the portion of the pre-stacked structure is replaced with a plurality of metal layers to form a plurality of first stacked structures. The other portions of the pre-stacked structure form two second stacked structures, and the first stacked structure is disposed between the two second structures.

In order to provide a better understanding of the above and other aspects of the present invention, the following detailed description of the embodiments and the accompanying drawings

Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. The same reference numerals are used to designate the same or similar parts. It is to be noted that the drawings have been simplified to clearly illustrate the contents of the embodiments, and the dimensional ratios in the drawings are not drawn to the scale of the actual products, and thus are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.

FIG. 1A is a top plan view of a semiconductor structure 100 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 1B is a cross-sectional view of the semiconductor structure 100 of Fig. 1A taken along line A-A'. It should be noted that in order to more clearly illustrate the semiconductor structure 100 of the embodiment of the present invention, some of the elements may be omitted in the drawings.

In the embodiment of the present invention, the semiconductor structure 100 may include a substrate 1, a plurality of first stacked structures 11 and two second stacked structures 12. The first stacked structure 11 and the second stacked structure 12 are disposed on the substrate 1 . As shown in FIG. 1A, the semiconductor structure 100 may further include a plurality of word line metal routings 23, and the word line metal wirings 23 are disposed at a boundary of the semiconductor structure 100. As shown in FIG. 1B, each of the first stacked structures 11 may include an alternating stacked metal layer 22 and an oxide layer 41, and each of the second stacked structures 12 may include an alternating stacked tantalum nitride layer 21 and an oxide layer 41.

In the present embodiment, the first stack structure 11 is disposed between the two second stack structures 12. Furthermore, the number of first stacked structures may be 2 ^N , where N is a positive integer. Here, the metal layer may include tungsten (W).

As shown in FIG. 1B, the semiconductor structure 100 may further include a charge trap layer 60 and a channel layer 80. The charge trap layer 60 is disposed on the first stack structure 11, and the channel layer 80 is disposed on the charge trap layer 60. In an embodiment, the charge trap layer 60 may be an oxygen-oxygen (ONO) structure, an oxynitride (ONONO) structure, or an oxynitride (ONONONO) structure, and the channel layer 80 may be Includes polysilicon.

As shown in FIG. 1B, the charge trap layer 60 may include a protrusion 611 that makes the top surface of the charge trap layer 60 uneven (non-planar).

In addition, the semiconductor structure 100 can also include a plurality of conductive plugs 83 and an insulating layer 44. The conductive plug 83 is electrically connected to the channel layer 80. The insulating layer 44 may be disposed between the first stacked structures 11. In the embodiment, the insulating layer 44 may also be disposed between the first stacked structure 11 and the second stacked structure 12.

Here, the insulating layer 44 may include an oxide. In an embodiment, each of the partially insulating layer 44 between the conductive plugs 83 and a portion of the top surface 601 of the charge trapping layer 60 may be exposed. That is, a space 33 may be formed between the conductive plugs 83 such that a portion of the insulating layer 44 between the conductive plugs 83 and a portion of the top surface 601 of the charge trapping layer 60 are exposed.

2A through 10 illustrate a manufacturing embodiment of a semiconductor structure 100 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. First, a substrate 1 is provided. Next, a plurality of tantalum nitride layers 21 and oxide layers 41 are alternately stacked on the substrate 1. In the present embodiment, the tantalum nitride layer 21 and the oxide layer 41 may be etched to form a plurality of pre-stack structures 10.

That is, each of the pre-stack structures 10 may include an alternating stacked tantalum nitride layer 21 and an oxide layer 41 as shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B. Here, FIG. 2A shows a cross-sectional view of the semiconductor structure at this stage, and FIG. 2B shows a perspective view of the semiconductor structure at this stage.

As shown in FIG. 3, a first charge trap layer 61 is formed on the pre-stack structure 10, and then a first channel layer 81 is formed on the first charge trap layer 61. In this embodiment, the first charge trap layer 61 may be an oxygen-oxygen (ONO) structure, an oxynitride (ONONO) structure, or an oxynitride (ONONONO) structure, and the first Channel layer 81 can include polysilicon. However, the invention is not limited thereto.

As shown in FIG. 4, an oxide layer 42 is formed on the first channel layer 81. In the present embodiment, the remaining space between the pre-stacked structures 10 can be filled by the oxide layer 42.

As shown in Fig. 5, a portion of the pre-stacked structure 10 is etched to form a plurality of through holes 31. Here, the through hole 31 can expose a part of the top surface of the substrate 1.

As shown in FIG. 6, the tantalum nitride layer 21 in the partially pre-stacked structure 10 to be etched is removed to form a plurality of spaces 32 between the oxide layers 41 in the partially pre-stacked structure 10 to be etched. In one embodiment, the tantalum nitride layer 21 is removed by a phosphoric acid (H ₃ PO ₄ ).

As shown in FIG. 7, a plurality of metal layers 22 are formed in the plurality of spaces 32 and on the oxide layer 42. In this embodiment, the metal layer 22 may include tungsten (W). Next, a portion of the metal layer 22 is removed (etched) to expose the side surface 411 of the oxide layer 41 in the partially pre-stacked structure 10 to be etched. That is, as shown in FIG. 8, the tantalum nitride layer 21 in the partially pre-stacked structure 10 to be etched may be replaced by a plurality of metal layers 22 to form a plurality of first stacked structures 11 without being etched. The pre-stack structure 10 can form two second stack structures 12.

As shown in FIG. 9, a second charge trap layer 62 is formed in the via hole 31 and on the oxide layer 42, and a second channel layer 82 is formed on the second charge trap layer 62. Next, an oxide layer 43 is formed on the second channel layer 82. Here, the oxide layer 43 can fill the through holes 31 as shown in FIG.

Similarly, the second charge trap layer 62 can be an oxygen-oxygen (ONO) structure, an oxynitride (ONONO) structure, or an oxynitride (ONONONO) structure, and the second channel layer 82. Polycrystalline germanium may be included. However, the invention is not limited thereto.

As shown in FIG. 10, the partial oxide layer 43, the portion of the second charge trap layer 62, the portion of the second channel layer 82, and the partial oxide layer 42 may be removed to expose the top surface 810 of the first channel layer 81. In some embodiments, the partial oxide layer 43, the portion of the second charge trap layer 62, and the second channel may be removed by a chemical-mechanical planarization (CMP) process or a dry etching process. Layer 82 and partial oxide layer 42.

In this embodiment, the top surface of the remaining oxide layer may be lower than the top surface 810 of the first channel layer 81. However, the invention is not limited thereto.

Next, a plurality of conductive plugs 83 are formed on the first stacked structure 11, so that the semiconductor structure 100 as shown in FIG. 1B can be formed. Here, the conductive plug 83 is electrically connected to the first channel layer 81 and the second channel layer 82.

In an embodiment, the method of forming the conductive plug 83 may include the following steps. First, a polysilicon layer is deposited on the first stacked structure 11. Next, the polysilicon layer is etched to expose a portion of the first charge trap layer 61.

It should be noted that the first charge trap layer 61 and the second charge trap layer 62 in FIG. 10 can be regarded as the charge trap layer 60 in FIG. 1B; the first channel layer 81 and the second channel layer in FIG. 82 can be regarded as the channel layer 80 in FIG. 1B; the remaining oxide layer in FIG. 10 can be regarded as the insulating layer 44 in FIG. 1B.

That is, the insulating layer 44 may be formed between the first stacked structures 11, and a portion of the insulating layer 44 located between the conductive plugs 83 may be exposed.

According to the embodiment of the present invention, the formation of the metal layer by the gate replacement step in the manufacturing process of the semiconductor structure can effectively reduce the word line resistance. Therefore, the stylized logic array (PLA) pad only needs to be formed in the entire area of the semiconductor structure 100. The right and left sides of the block save metal routing of the single gate vertical channel (SGVC) device structure.

In conclusion, the present invention has been disclosed in the above embodiments, but it is not intended to limit the present invention. A person skilled in the art can make various changes and modifications without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Therefore, the scope of the invention is defined by the scope of the appended claims.

100‧‧‧Semiconductor structure
1‧‧‧Substrate
11‧‧‧First stack structure
12‧‧‧Second stacking structure
21‧‧‧矽 nitride layer
22‧‧‧metal layer
23‧‧‧Word line metal wiring
31‧‧‧through holes
32, 33‧‧‧ space
41, 42, 43‧‧ ‧ oxide layer
411‧‧‧ side surface of the oxide layer
44‧‧‧Insulation
60, 61, 62‧‧‧ charge trapping layer
601‧‧‧ part of the top surface of the charge trapping layer
611‧‧‧protrusion
80, 81, 82‧‧‧ channel layer
83‧‧‧conductive plug

1A is a top plan view of a semiconductor structure in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 1B is a cross-sectional view showing the semiconductor structure of Fig. 1A taken along line A-A'. 2A through 10 illustrate a manufacturing embodiment of a semiconductor structure in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

100‧‧‧Semiconductor structure

1‧‧‧Substrate

11‧‧‧First stack structure

12‧‧‧Second stacking structure

21‧‧‧矽 nitride layer

22‧‧‧metal layer

33‧‧‧ Space

41‧‧‧Oxide layer

44‧‧‧Insulation

60‧‧‧ charge trapping layer

601‧‧‧ part of the top surface of the charge trapping layer

611‧‧‧protrusion

80‧‧‧channel layer

83‧‧‧conductive plug

Claims (10)

A semiconductor structure comprising: a substrate; a plurality of first stacked structures disposed on the substrate, each of the first stacked structures comprising a plurality of alternately stacked metal layers and an oxide layer; and two second stacked structures, And disposed on the substrate, each of the second stacked structures includes a plurality of alternating stacked tantalum nitride layers and an oxide layer; wherein the first stacked structures are disposed between the two second stacked structures. The semiconductor structure of claim 1, further comprising: a charge trapping layer disposed on the first stacked structures; and a channel layer disposed on the charge trapping layer. The semiconductor structure of claim 2, wherein the charge trapping layer has a protrusion such that a top surface of the charge trap layer is uneven. The semiconductor structure of claim 2, further comprising: a plurality of conductive plugs electrically connected to the channel layer. The semiconductor structure of claim 4, further comprising: an insulating layer disposed between the first stacked structures; wherein a portion of the insulating layer between the conductive plugs is exposed. A method for fabricating a semiconductor structure, comprising: providing a substrate; alternately stacking a plurality of tantalum nitride layers and an oxide layer; etching the tantalum nitride layer and the oxide layer to form a plurality of pre-stack structures; forming a first charge trapping Laminating on the pre-stack structures; forming a first channel layer on the first charge trap layer; etching a portion of the pre-stack structures to form a plurality of via holes; and forming the portions of the pre-stack structures The plurality of metal nitride layers are replaced by a plurality of metal layers to form a plurality of first stacked structures; wherein the other portions of the pre-stacked structures form two second stacked structures, and the first stacked structures are disposed on the two Between the second structures. The manufacturing method of claim 6, further comprising: forming a second charge trapping layer in the through holes; and forming a second channel layer on the second charge trapping layer. The manufacturing method of claim 7, further comprising: forming a plurality of conductive plugs electrically connected to the first channel layer and the second channel layer. The manufacturing method of claim 8, wherein the forming the conductive plugs comprises: depositing a polysilicon layer on the first stacked structure; and etching the polysilicon layer to expose a portion of the first charge trapping layer . The manufacturing method of claim 6, wherein the tantalum nitride layers in the portion of the pre-stacked structures are replaced by phosphoric acid into the metal layers. figure