3d nand memory will reach 120 layers in 2020
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Sean Kang of Applied Materials has spoken about the next generations of 3D NAND Flash at the International Memory Workshop (IMW) in Japan. The roadmap says that the number of layers in this type of memory should increase to more than 140, at the same time that the chips should be thinner.
Advances in 3D NAND memory will enable 120TB SSDs
In 3D NAND memory the memory cells are not on one plane, but on several layers on top of each other. In this way, the storage capacity per chip (array) can be increased significantly without the chip area having to be increased or the cells having to contract. Almost five years ago the first 3D NAND appeared, Samsung's first-generation V-NAND that had 24 layers. In the next generation, 32 layers were used, then 48 layers. Currently, most manufacturers have reached 64 layers, SK Hynix leads with 72 layers.
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The roadmap for this year talks about more than 90 layers, which means an increase of more than 40 percent. At the same time, the height of a storage stack should increase by only about 20%, from 4.5 μm to about 5.5. This is because, at the same time, the thickness of a layer is reduced from about 60nm to about 55nm. The adaptations to the memory cell design and CMOS Under Array (CUA) technology already used by Micron in 2015 are key features of this generation.
Kang's roadmap sees the next step for 3D NAND in more than 120 layers, something to be accomplished by 2020. By 2021, more than 140 layers and a stacking height of 8 μm are forecast, for which the use of new materials will be necessary. The roadmap does not address storage capacities.
Currently, manufacturers have reached 512 gigabits per matrix with 64-layer technology. With 96 layers 768 Gigabit will be achieved initially and with 128 layers finally 1024 Gigabit, so around one terabit is possible. Four-bit per cell QLC technology can also enable terabit chips with a 96-layer structure. Samsung wants to achieve this with the fifth generation of V-NAND and introduce the first 128TB SSDs on this basis.
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