公开(公告)号：US20230335500A1

公开(公告)日：2023-10-19

申请号：US18214911

申请日：2023-06-27

Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.

Inventor： Alyssa N. Scarbrough ,  Yiping Wang ,  Jordan D. Greenlee ,  John Hopkins

IPC: H01L23/535 ,  H01L23/522 ,  H01L23/528 ,  H01L21/768 ,  H10B41/27 ,  H10B43/27

CPC classification number: H01L23/535 ,  H01L23/5226 ,  H01L23/5283 ,  H01L21/76895 ,  H01L21/76805 ,  H01L21/76816 ,  H01L21/76877 ,  H10B41/27 ,  H10B43/27

Abstract: Some embodiments include apparatuses and methods of forming the apparatuses. One of the apparatuses includes a device including tiers of materials located one over another, the tiers of materials including respective memory cells and control gates for the memory cells. The control gates include respective portions that collectively form part of a staircase structure. The staircase structure includes first regions and second regions coupled to the first regions. The second regions include respective sidewalls in which a portion of each of the first regions and a portion of each of the second regions are part of a respective control gate of the control gates. The device also includes conductive pads electrically separated from each other and located on the first regions of the staircase structure, and conductive contacts contacting the conductive pads.

公开(公告)号：US20230307368A1

公开(公告)日：2023-09-28

申请号：US17702160

申请日：2022-03-23

Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.

Inventor： Alyssa N. Scarbrough ,  Jordan D. Greenlee ,  John D. Hopkins

IPC: H01L23/535 ,  H01L27/11556 ,  H01L27/11582

CPC classification number: H01L23/535 ,  H01L27/11556 ,  H01L27/11582

Abstract: A memory array comprising strings of memory cells comprises laterally-spaced memory blocks individually comprising a vertical stack comprising alternating insulative tiers and conductive tiers directly above a conductor tier. Strings of memory cells comprise channel-material strings that extend through the insulative tiers and the conductive tiers. The channel-material strings directly electrically couple to conductor material of the conductor tier. A through-array-via (TAV) region comprises TAV constructions that individually extend through a lowest of the conductive tiers. The TAV constructions individually comprise an insulative lining having a lowest surface that is directly against metal material in the lowest conductive tier. Other embodiments, including method, are disclosed.

公开(公告)号：US20230262978A1

公开(公告)日：2023-08-17

申请号：US17674219

申请日：2022-02-17

Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.

Inventor： John D. Hopkins ,  Jordan D. Greenlee

IPC: H01L27/11582 ,  H01L27/11556

CPC classification number: H01L27/11582 ,  H01L27/11556

Abstract: A method used in forming a memory array comprising strings of memory cells comprises forming a conductor tier comprising conductor material on a substrate. Laterally-spaced memory-block regions individually comprising a vertical stack comprising alternating first tiers and second tiers are formed directly above the conductor tier. Channel-material strings extend through the first tiers and the second tiers. A void space is formed directly above the conductor tier laterally-across individual of the memory-block regions. The void space comprises an exposed silicon-containing surface. Conductively-doped silicon is selectively deposited onto and from the exposed silicon-containing surface. The conductively-doped silicon is directly electrically coupled to the channel material of the channel-material strings and is directly electrically coupled to the conductor material of the conductor tier and directly electrically couples the channel-material strings to the conductor material of the conductor tier. Other embodiments, including structure independent of method, are disclosed.

公开(公告)号：US11716848B2

公开(公告)日：2023-08-01

申请号：US17126777

申请日：2020-12-18

Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.

Inventor： John D. Hopkins ,  Jordan D. Greenlee

IPC: H10B43/27 ,  H10B41/27 ,  H10B41/41 ,  H10B41/50 ,  H10B43/40 ,  H10B43/50

CPC classification number: H10B43/27 ,  H10B41/27 ,  H10B41/41 ,  H10B41/50 ,  H10B43/40 ,  H10B43/50

Abstract: Some embodiments include an integrated assembly having a first memory region, a second memory region, and an intermediate region between the first and second memory regions. The intermediate region has a first edge proximate the first memory region and has a second edge proximate the second memory region. Channel-material-pillars are arranged within the first and second memory regions. Conductive posts are arranged within the intermediate region. Doped-semiconductor-material is within the intermediate region and is configured as a substantially H-shaped structure having a first leg region along the first edge, a second leg region along the second edge, and a belt region adjacent the panel. Some embodiments include methods of forming integrated assemblies.

公开(公告)号：US20230209818A1

公开(公告)日：2023-06-29

申请号：US17674478

申请日：2022-02-17

Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.

Inventor： Jiewei Chen ,  Jordan D. Greenlee ,  Mithun Kumar Ramasahayam ,  Nancy M. Lomeli

IPC: H01L27/11519 ,  H01L27/11556 ,  H01L27/11565 ,  H01L27/11582 ,  G11C16/04

CPC classification number: H01L27/11519 ,  G11C16/0483 ,  H01L27/11556 ,  H01L27/11565 ,  H01L27/11582 ,  H01L27/1157

Abstract: A method used in forming a memory array comprising strings of memory cells comprises forming memory blocks individually comprising a vertical stack comprising alternating insulative tiers and conductive tiers. Channel-material strings extend through the insulative tiers and the conductive tiers. Horizontally-elongated trenches are between immediately-laterally-adjacent of the memory blocks. Conductor material is in and extends elevationally along sidewalls of the trenches laterally-over the conductive tiers and the insulative tiers and directly electrically couples together conducting material of individual of the conductive tiers. The conductor material is exposed to oxidizing conditions to form an insulative oxide laterally-through the conductor material laterally-over individual of the insulative tiers to separate the conducting material of the individual conductive tiers from being directly electrically coupled together by the conductor material. Additional embodiments are disclosed.

公开(公告)号：US11594495B2

公开(公告)日：2023-02-28

申请号：US17209993

申请日：2021-03-23

Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.

Inventor： Jordan D. Greenlee ,  John D. Hopkins ,  Everett A. McTeer ,  Yiping Wang ,  Rajesh Balachandran ,  Rita J. Klein ,  Yongjun J. Hu

IPC: H01L23/538 ,  H01L23/532 ,  H01L21/768 ,  G11C5/06 ,  G11C5/02 ,  H01L27/06

Abstract: A microelectronic device comprises a stack structure comprising insulative levels vertically interleaved with conductive levels. The conductive levels individually comprise a first conductive structure, and a second conductive structure laterally neighboring the first conductive structure, the second conductive structure exhibiting a concentration of β-phase tungsten varying with a vertical distance from a vertically neighboring insulative level. The microelectronic device further comprises slot structures vertically extending through the stack structure and dividing the stack structure into block structures, and strings of memory cells vertically extending through the stack structure, the first conductive structures between laterally neighboring strings of memory cells, the second conductive structures between the slot structures and strings of memory cells nearest the slot structures. Related memory devices, electronic systems, and methods are also described.

公开(公告)号：US20230052332A1

公开(公告)日：2023-02-16

申请号：US17398188

申请日：2021-08-10

Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.

Inventor： Alyssa N. Scarbrough ,  M. Jared Barclay ,  John D. Hopkins ,  Jordan D. Greenlee

IPC: H01L23/535 ,  H01L27/11556 ,  H01L27/11582 ,  H01L21/768

Abstract: A memory array comprising strings of memory cells comprises laterally-spaced memory blocks individually comprising a vertical stack comprising alternating insulative tiers and conductive tiers above a conductor tier. The conductor tier is directly above a lower tier that comprises conductive lines that are horizontally elongated. An insulator tier is vertically between the conductor tier and the lower tier. Strings of memory cells comprise channel-material strings that extend through the insulative tiers and the conductive tiers. The channel-material strings directly electrically couple to the conductor material of the conductor tier. A through-array-via (TAV) region comprises TAVs that individually directly electrically couple to one of the conductive lines. Insulator walls are in the TAV region. The insulator walls extend vertically through the conductor tier and the insulator tier to the lower tier and are horizontally elongated. Methods are also disclosed.

公开(公告)号：US11569258B2

公开(公告)日：2023-01-31

申请号：US16933693

申请日：2020-07-20

Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.

Inventor： Liu Liu ,  David Daycock ,  Rithu K. Bhonsle ,  Giovanni Mazzone ,  Narula Bilik ,  Jordan D. Greenlee ,  Minsoo Lee ,  Benben Li

IPC: H01L27/11578 ,  H01L27/11582 ,  H01L27/11524 ,  H01L21/32 ,  H01L27/1157 ,  H01L21/311 ,  H01L27/11556

Abstract: Some embodiments include a method of forming stacked memory decks. A first deck has first memory cells arranged in first tiers disposed one atop another, and has a first channel-material pillar extending through the first tiers. An inter-deck structure is over the first deck. The inter-deck structure includes an insulative expanse, and a region extending through the insulative expanse and directly over the first channel-material pillar. The region includes an etch-stop structure. A second deck is formed over the inter-deck structure. The second deck has second memory cells arranged in second tiers disposed one atop another. An opening is formed to extend through the second tiers and to the etch-stop structure. The opening is subsequently extended through the etch-stop structure. A second channel-material pillar is formed within the opening and is coupled to the first channel-material pillar. Some embodiments include integrated assemblies.

公开(公告)号：US11552090B2

公开(公告)日：2023-01-10

申请号：US17068470

申请日：2020-10-12

Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.

Inventor： Daniel Billingsley ,  Jordan D. Greenlee ,  John D. Hopkins ,  Yongjun Jeff Hu ,  Swapnil Lengade

IPC: H01L27/11582 ,  H01L27/11556 ,  G11C16/04 ,  H01L27/11519 ,  H01L27/11565 ,  H01L27/1157 ,  H01L27/11524

Abstract: A method used in forming a memory array comprising strings of memory cells comprises forming an upper stack directly above a lower stack. The lower stack comprises vertically-alternating lower-first-tiers and lower-second-tiers. The upper stack comprises vertically-alternating upper-first-tiers and upper-second-tiers. Lower channel openings extend through the lower-first-tiers and the lower-second-tiers. The lower channel openings have sacrificial material therein. An upper of the lower-second-tiers or a lower of the upper-second-tiers comprises non-stoichiometric silicon dioxide that has a silicon-to-oxygen atomic ratio greater than 0.5. A higher of the upper-second-tiers that is above said lower upper-second-tier comprises silicon dioxide that has a silicon-to-oxygen atomic ratio less than or equal to 0.5. Upper channel openings are etched through the upper-first-tiers and the upper-second-tiers to stop on said upper lower-second-tier or said lower upper-second-tier. After the stop, the sacrificial material is removed from the lower channel openings and channel-material strings are formed in the upper and lower channel openings. Other embodiments, including structure independent of method, are disclosed.

公开(公告)号：US20220359565A1

公开(公告)日：2022-11-10

申请号：US17867501

申请日：2022-07-18

Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.

Inventor： John D. Hopkins ,  Shyam Surthi ,  Jordan D. Greenlee

IPC: H01L27/11582 ,  H01L29/49 ,  H01L29/51 ,  H01L21/28 ,  H01L29/792 ,  H01L29/788 ,  H01L21/02 ,  H01L27/11556

Abstract: Some embodiments include a NAND memory array having a vertical stack of alternating insulative levels and conductive levels. The conductive levels include terminal regions, and include nonterminal regions proximate the terminal regions. The terminal regions are vertically thicker than the nonterminal regions, and are configured as segments which are vertically stacked one atop another and which are vertically spaced from one another. Blocks are adjacent to the segments and have approximately a same vertical thickness as the segments. The blocks include high-k dielectric material, charge-blocking material and charge-storage material. Channel material extends vertically along the stack and is adjacent to the blocks. Some embodiments include integrated assemblies. Some embodiments include methods of forming integrated assemblies.