Inductors using nand layers

An integrated circuit (IC)-based inductor comprising:

• a staircase structure having a plurality of tiers, each tier comprising a respective conductive layer, the plurality of tiers forming respective steps on a first side of the staircase structure, the plurality of tiers comprising a first tier, a second tier, and a third tier, wherein the second tier is interposed between the first and third tiers;
• a first pillar electrically coupled to the first tier of the staircase structure and extending toward a top surface of the staircase structure;
• a second and third pillars electrically coupled to respective portions of the second tier of the staircase structure, wherein the second and third pillars extend toward the top surface of the staircase structure;
• a fourth pillar electrically coupled to the third tier of the staircase structure and extending toward the top surface of the staircase structure;
• a first contact strap electrically coupling the first pillar to the second pillar, wherein the first contact strap extends across a first portion of the top surface of the staircase structure;
• and
• a second contact strap electrically coupling the third pillar to the fourth pillar, wherein the second contact strap extends across a second portion of the top surface of the staircase structure;
• wherein the inductor comprises a continuous electrical signal path that extends around a hole in the staircase structure and couples, in turn, the conductive layer of the first tier, the first pillar, the first contact strap, the second pillar, the conductive layer of the second tier, the third pillar, the second contact strap, the fourth pillar, and the conductive layer of the third tier.