US Patent 12069861 Memory device with reduced bending stack

Provided is a memory device including a stack structure, a first set of vertical channel structures, a second set of vertical channel structures and a first slit. The stack structure is disposed on a substrate, wherein a top surface of the substrate is parallel to a plane defined by a X direction and a Y direction perpendicular to the X direction. The first set of vertical channel structures and the second set of vertical channel structures are arranged along the Y direction and penetrating through the stack structure along a Z direction vertical to the plane to contact the substrate. The first slit is disposed between the first and second sets of vertical channel structures, and penetrates through the stack structure along the Z direction to expose the substrate, wherein the first slit includes a plurality of first sub-slits discretely disposed along the X direction.