公开(公告)号：US11903196B2

公开(公告)日：2024-02-13

申请号：US17127971

申请日：2020-12-18

Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.

Inventor： Yoshiaki Fukuzumi ,  Jun Fujiki ,  Matthew J. King ,  Sidhartha Gupta ,  Paolo Tessariol ,  Kunal Shrotri ,  Kye Hyun Baek ,  Kyle A. Ritter ,  Shuji Tanaka ,  Umberto Maria Meotto ,  Richard J. Hill ,  Matthew Holland

IPC: H10B43/27 ,  H10B41/27

CPC classification number: H10B43/27 ,  H10B41/27

Abstract: A microelectronic device comprises a stack structure comprising a stack structure comprising a vertically alternating sequence of conductive structures and insulative structures arranged in tiers, the stack structure divided into block structures separated from one another by slot structures, strings of memory cells vertically extending through the block structures of the stack structure, the strings of memory cells individually comprising a channel material vertically extending through the stack structure, an additional stack structure vertically overlying the stack structure and comprising a vertical sequence of additional conductive structures and additional insulative structures arranged in additional tiers, first pillars extending through the additional stack structure and vertically overlying the strings of memory cells, each of the first pillars horizontally offset from a center of a corresponding string of memory cells, second pillars extending through the additional stack structure and vertically overlying the strings of memory cells, and additional slot structures comprising a dielectric material extending through at least a portion of the additional stack structure and sub-dividing each of the block structures into sub-block structures, the additional slot structures horizontally neighboring the first pillars. Related microelectronic devices, electronic systems, and methods are also described.

公开(公告)号：US11600494B2

公开(公告)日：2023-03-07

申请号：US17318470

申请日：2021-05-12

Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.

Inventor： John D. Hopkins ,  Gordon A. Haller ,  Tom J. John ,  Anish A. Khandekar ,  Christopher Larsen ,  Kunal Shrotri

IPC: H01L21/311 ,  H01L27/11556 ,  H01L21/02 ,  H01L27/11582

Abstract: A method used in forming an array of elevationally-extending strings of memory cells comprises forming a stack comprising vertically-alternating insulative tiers and wordline tiers. The stack comprises an etch-stop tier between a first tier and a second tier of the stack. The etch-stop tier is of different composition from those of the insulative tiers and the wordline tiers. Etching is conducted into the insulative tiers and the wordline tiers that are above the etch-stop tier to the etch-stop tier to form channel openings that have individual bases comprising the etch-stop tier. The etch-stop tier is penetrated through to extend individual of the channel openings there-through. After extending the individual channel openings through the etch-stop tier, etching is conducted into and through the insulative tiers and the wordline tiers that are below the etch-stop tier to extend the individual channel openings deeper into the stack below the etch-stop tier. Transistor channel material is formed in the individual channel openings elevationally along the etch-stop tier and along the insulative tiers and the wordline tiers that are above and below the etch-stop tier. Arrays independent of method are disclosed.

公开(公告)号：US11355607B2

公开(公告)日：2022-06-07

申请号：US14875493

申请日：2015-10-05

Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.

Inventor： Christopher J. Larsen ,  David A. Daycock ,  Kunal Shrotri

IPC: H01L27/11521 ,  H01L29/788 ,  H01L29/423 ,  H01L21/308 ,  H01L27/11517 ,  H01L21/28 ,  H01L21/3213 ,  H01L27/11558 ,  H01L29/06 ,  H01L21/02

Abstract: Methods of forming semiconductor devices, memory cells, and arrays of memory cells include forming a liner on a conductive material and exposing the liner to a radical oxidation process to densify the liner. The densified liner may protect the conductive material from substantial degradation or damage during a subsequent patterning process. A semiconductor device structure, according to embodiments of the disclosure, includes features extending from a substrate and spaced by a trench exposing a portion of a substrate. A liner is disposed on sidewalls of a region of at least one conductive material in each feature. A semiconductor device, according to embodiments of the disclosure, includes memory cells, each comprising a control gate region and a capping region with substantially aligning sidewalls and a charge structure under the control gate region.

公开(公告)号：US20220115401A1

公开(公告)日：2022-04-14

申请号：US17556704

申请日：2021-12-20

Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.

Inventor： Justin B. Dorhout ,  Fei Wang ,  Chet E. Carter ,  Ian Laboriante ,  John D. Hopkins ,  Kunal Shrotri ,  Ryan Meyer ,  Vinayak Shamanna ,  Kunal R. Parekh ,  Martin C. Roberts ,  Matthew Park

IPC: H01L27/11582 ,  H01L27/1157 ,  H01L23/528 ,  H01L23/532

Abstract: Some embodiments include an integrated structure having vertically-stacked conductive levels alternating with dielectric levels. A layer over the conductive levels includes silicon, nitrogen, and one or more of carbon, oxygen, boron and phosphorus. In some embodiments the vertically-stacked conductive levels are wordline levels within a NAND memory array. Some embodiments include an integrated structure having vertically-stacked conductive levels alternating with dielectric levels. Vertically-stacked NAND memory cells are along the conductive levels within a memory array region. A staircase region is proximate the memory array region. The staircase region has electrical contacts in one-to-one correspondence with the conductive levels. A layer is over the memory array region and over the staircase region. The layer includes silicon, nitrogen, and one or more of carbon, oxygen, boron and phosphorus.

公开(公告)号：US11296103B2

公开(公告)日：2022-04-05

申请号：US16863000

申请日：2020-04-30

Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.

Inventor： Shyam Surthi ,  Kunal Shrotri ,  Matthew Thorum

IPC: H01L27/11578 ,  H01L27/1157 ,  H01L27/11524 ,  H01L27/11582 ,  H01L27/11556 ,  H01L27/11565 ,  H01L27/11519

Abstract: Some embodiments include an integrated assembly having a vertical stack of alternating insulative and conductive levels. The conductive levels have terminal regions and nonterminal regions. The terminal regions are vertically thicker than the nonterminal regions. Channel material extends vertically through the stack. Tunneling material is adjacent the channel material. Charge-storage material is adjacent the tunneling material. High-k dielectric material is between the charge-storage material and the terminal regions of the conductive levels. The insulative levels have carbon-containing first regions between the terminal regions of neighboring conductive levels, and have second regions between the nonterminal regions of the neighboring conductive levels. Some embodiments include methods of forming integrated assemblies.

公开(公告)号：US11088017B2

公开(公告)日：2021-08-10

申请号：US16806312

申请日：2020-03-02

Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.

Inventor： John B. Matovu ,  David S. Meyaard ,  Gowrisankar Damarla ,  Sri Sai Sivakumar Vegunta ,  Kunal Shrotri ,  Shashank Saraf ,  Kevin R. Gast ,  Jivaan Kishore Jhothiraman ,  Suresh Ramarajan ,  Lifang Xu ,  Rithu K. Bhonsle ,  Rutuparna Narulkar ,  Matthew J. King

IPC: H01L21/768 ,  H01L23/522 ,  H01L23/528 ,  H01L21/3105 ,  H01L27/11582 ,  H01L27/11556 ,  H01L27/11575 ,  H01L27/11548

Abstract: A method of forming a semiconductor structure includes forming a sacrificial material over a stack comprising alternating levels of a dielectric material and another material, forming an opening through the sacrificial material and at least some of the alternating levels of the dielectric material and the another material, forming at least one oxide material in the opening and overlying surfaces of the sacrificial material, an uppermost surface of the at least one oxide material extending more distal from a surface of a substrate than an uppermost level of the dielectric material and the another material, planarizing at least a portion of the at least one oxide material to expose a portion of the sacrificial material, and removing the sacrificial material while the uppermost surface of the at least one oxide material remains more distal from the surface of the substrate than the uppermost level of the alternating levels of the dielectric material and the another material. Related methods of forming semiconductor structures and related semiconductor devices are disclosed.

公开(公告)号：US20210210499A1

公开(公告)日：2021-07-08

申请号：US16737777

申请日：2020-01-08

Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.

Inventor： Jivaan Kishore Jhothiraman ,  Kunal Shrotri ,  Matthew J. King

IPC: H01L27/11556 ,  H01L27/11519 ,  H01L27/11524 ,  H01L27/11565 ,  H01L27/1157 ,  H01L27/11582

Abstract: A microelectronic device comprises a stack structure comprising a stack structure comprising alternating conductive structures and insulating structures arranged in tiers, each of the tiers individually comprising one of the conductive structures and one of the insulating structures, staircase structures within the stack structure and having steps comprising edges of the tiers, and a doped dielectric material adjacent the steps of the staircase structures and comprising silicon dioxide doped with one or more of boron, phosphorus, carbon, and fluorine, the doped dielectric material having a greater ratio of Si—O—Si bonds to water than borophosphosilicate glass. Related methods of forming a microelectronic device and related electronic systems are also disclosed.

公开(公告)号：US11037797B2

公开(公告)日：2021-06-15

申请号：US16854283

申请日：2020-04-21

Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.

Inventor： John D. Hopkins ,  Gordon A. Haller ,  Tom J. John ,  Anish A. Khandekar ,  Christopher Larsen ,  Kunal Shrotri

IPC: H01L21/311 ,  H01L27/11582 ,  H01L27/11556 ,  H01L21/02

Abstract: A method used in forming an array of elevationally-extending strings of memory cells comprises forming a stack comprising vertically-alternating insulative tiers and wordline tiers. The stack comprises an etch-stop tier between a first tier and a second tier of the stack. The etch-stop tier is of different composition from those of the insulative tiers and the wordline tiers. Etching is conducted into the insulative tiers and the wordline tiers that are above the etch-stop tier to the etch-stop tier to form channel openings that have individual bases comprising the etch-stop tier. The etch-stop tier is penetrated through to extend individual of the channel openings there-through. After extending the individual channel openings through the etch-stop tier, etching is conducted into and through the insulative tiers and the wordline tiers that are below the etch-stop tier to extend the individual channel openings deeper into the stack below the etch-stop tier. Transistor channel material is formed in the individual channel openings elevationally along the etch-stop tier and along the insulative tiers and the wordline tiers that are above and below the etch-stop tier. Arrays independent of method are disclosed.

公开(公告)号：US10971360B2

公开(公告)日：2021-04-06

申请号：US16582109

申请日：2019-09-25

Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.

Inventor： David H. Wells ,  Anish A. Khandekar ,  Kunal Shrotri ,  Jie Li

IPC: H01L21/02 ,  H01L27/115 ,  H01L27/11582 ,  H01L21/28 ,  H01L29/786

Abstract: A transistor comprises channel material having first and second opposing sides. A gate is on the first side of the channel material and a gate insulator is between the gate and the channel material. A first insulating material has first and second opposing sides, with the first side being adjacent the second side of the channel material. A second insulating material of different composition from that of the first insulating material is adjacent the second side of the first insulating material. The second insulating material has at least one of (a), (b), and (c), where, (a): lower oxygen diffusivity than the first material, (b): net positive charge, and (c): at least two times greater shear strength than the first material. In some embodiments, an array of elevationally-extending strings of memory cells comprises such transistors. Other embodiments, including method, are disclosed.

公开(公告)号：US20210050364A1

公开(公告)日：2021-02-18

申请号：US16542645

申请日：2019-08-16

Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.

Inventor： Nicholas R. Tapias ,  Andrew Li ,  Adam W. Saxler ,  Kunal Shrotri ,  Erik R. Byers ,  Matthew J. King ,  Diem Thy N. Tran ,  Wei Yeeng Ng ,  Anish A. Khandekar

IPC: H01L27/11582 ,  H01L27/11556 ,  H01L21/02 ,  H01L21/285

Abstract: Some embodiments include a structure having an opening extending into an integrated configuration. A first material is within the opening, and is configured to create an undulating topography relative to a sidewall of the opening. The undulating topography has a surface roughness characterized by a mean roughness parameter Rmean which is the mean peak-to-valley distance along the undulating topography. The Rmean is at least about 4 nm. A second material is within the opening and along at least a portion of the undulating topography. The first and second materials are compositionally different from one another. Some embodiments include integrated assemblies. Some embodiments include methods of forming integrated assemblies.