Novel distributed array and contact architecture for 4-stacked 3d X point memory

Abstract

A three-dimensional memory includes a bottom cell layer of memory cells, a top cell layer of memory cells, and at least one middle cell layer of memory cells. The bottom cell layer is coupled to a bottom cell bit line, a bottom cell bit line decoder, a bottom cell word line, and a bottom cell word line decoder. The middle cell layer is coupled to a middle cell bit line, a middle cell bit line decoder, a bottom or middle cell word line, and a bottom or middle cell word line decoder. The top cell layer is coupled to a top cell bit line, a bottom cell bit line decoder, a middle cell word line, and a middle cell word line decoder. The bit line decoders may be arranged in subsections offset in the vertical direction. The word line decoders may be arranged in subsections shifted in the horizontal direction.

Description

technical field [0001] In general, the present disclosure relates to three-dimensional electronic memory, and in particular, the present disclosure relates to increasing the density of memory cells in three-dimensional cross-point (X-point) memory. Background technique [0002] Planar memory cells are shrunk to smaller sizes by improving process technology, circuit design, programming algorithms, and manufacturing processes. However, as the feature size of memory cells approaches the lower limit, planar processes and fabrication techniques become challenging and costly. Therefore, the storage density of planar memory cells approaches the upper limit. There remains a need for three-dimensional (3D) memory architectures that can address the density limitations in planar memory cells. Contents of the invention [0003] The three-dimensional memory and methods disclosed herein solve the problems of the state of the art and provide additional benefits. According to one aspec...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

However, as the feature size of memory cells approaches the lower limit, planar processes and fabrication techniques become challenging and costly

Therefore, the storage density of planar memory cells approaches the upper limit

Images