公开(公告)号：US20230096467A1

公开(公告)日：2023-03-30

申请号：US18050438

申请日：2022-10-27

Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.

Inventor： Darwin A. Clampitt ,  Roger W. Lindsay ,  Jeffrey D. Runia ,  Matthew Holland ,  Chamunda N. Chamunda

IPC: H01L23/522 ,  H01L27/11582 ,  H01L23/528 ,  H01L27/11519 ,  G11C8/14 ,  H01L27/1157 ,  H01L27/11524 ,  H01L27/11556 ,  G11C7/18 ,  H01L27/11565

Abstract: A microelectronic device comprises a stack structure, a stadium structure within the stack structure, and conductive contact structures. The stack structure comprises a vertically alternating sequence of conductive structures and insulative structures arranged in tiers. Each of the tiers comprises one of the conductive structures and one of the insulative structures. The stadium structure comprises a forward staircase structure having steps comprising edges of the tiers, and a reverse staircase structure opposing the forward staircase structure and having additional steps comprising additional edges of the tiers. The conductive contact structures vertically extend to upper vertical boundaries of at least some of the conductive structures of the stack structure at the steps of the forward staircase structure and the additional steps of the reverse staircase structure, and are each integral and continuous with one of the conductive structures. Memory devices, electronic systems, and methods of forming microelectronic devices are also described.

公开(公告)号：US11532638B2

公开(公告)日：2022-12-20

申请号：US17008130

申请日：2020-08-31

Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.

Inventor： Darwin A. Clampitt ,  Shawn D. Lyonsmith ,  Matthew J. King ,  Lisa M. Clampitt ,  John Hopkins ,  Kevin Y. Titus ,  Indra V. Chary ,  Martin Jared Barclay ,  Anilkumar Chandolu ,  Pavithra Natarajan ,  Roger W. Lindsay

IPC: H01L27/11582 ,  H01L23/528 ,  H01L27/11565 ,  H01L23/522 ,  H01L27/11597 ,  H01L21/02 ,  H01L21/67 ,  G11C16/04

Abstract: Some embodiments include apparatuses and methods of forming the apparatuses. One of the apparatuses includes a first deck located over a substrate, and a second deck located over the first deck, and pillars extending through the first and second decks. The first deck includes first memory cells, first control gates associated with the first memory cells, and first conductive paths coupled to the first control gates. The second conductive paths include second conductive pads located on a first level of the apparatus over the substrate. The second deck includes second memory cells, second control gates associated with the second memory cells, and second conductive paths coupled to the second control gates. The second conductive paths include second conductive pads located on a second level of the apparatus. The first and second conductive pads having lengths in a direction perpendicular to a direction from the first deck to the second deck.

公开(公告)号：US11521897B2

公开(公告)日：2022-12-06

申请号：US17320863

申请日：2021-05-14

Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.

Inventor： Anilkumar Chandolu ,  Christopher R. Ritchie ,  Darwin A. Clampitt ,  S M Istiaque Hossain

IPC: H01L21/76 ,  H01L21/768 ,  H01L27/11582 ,  H01L27/11556

Abstract: A method of forming a microelectronic device comprises forming a stack structure comprising vertically alternating insulating structures and additional insulating structures arranged in tiers. Each of the tiers individually comprises one of the insulating structures and one of the additional insulating structures. A first trench is formed to partially vertically extend through the stack structure. The first trench comprises a first portion having a first width, and a second portion at a horizontal boundary of the first portion and having a second width greater than the first width. A dielectric structure is formed within the first trench. The dielectric structure comprises a substantially void-free section proximate the horizontal boundary of the first portion of the trench. Microelectronic devices and electronic systems are also described.

公开(公告)号：US20220216229A1

公开(公告)日：2022-07-07

申请号：US17141968

申请日：2021-01-05

Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.

Inventor： Darwin A. Clampitt ,  John D. Hopkins ,  Matthew J. King ,  Roger W. Lindsay ,  Kevin Y. Titus

IPC: H01L27/11582 ,  H01L23/522 ,  H01L27/11556

Abstract: A microelectronic device includes a pair of stack structures. The pair comprises a lower stack structure and an upper stack structure overlying the lower stack structure. The lower stack structure and the upper stack structure each comprise a vertically alternating sequence of insulative structures and conductive structures arranged in tiers. A source region is vertically interposed between the lower stack structure and the upper stack structure. A first array of pillars extends through the upper stack structure, from proximate the source region toward a first drain region above the upper stack structure. A second array of pillars extend through the lower stack structure, from proximate the source region toward a second drain region below the lower stack structure. Additional microelectronic devices are also disclosed, as are related methods and electronic systems.

公开(公告)号：US20220216094A1

公开(公告)日：2022-07-07

申请号：US17141722

申请日：2021-01-05

Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.

Inventor： Darwin A. Clampitt ,  John D. Hopkins ,  Madison D. Drake

IPC: H01L21/768 ,  H01L23/535 ,  H01L23/532 ,  H01L27/11556 ,  H01L27/11582

Abstract: A microelectronic device comprises a stack structure comprising a vertically alternating sequence of conductive structures and insulative structures arranged in tiers, strings of memory cells vertically extending through the stack structure, the strings of memory cells individually comprising a channel material vertically extending through the stack structure, a conductive contact structure vertically overlying and in electrical communication with the channel material of a string of memory cells of the strings of memory cells, and a void laterally neighboring the conductive contact structure, the conductive contact structure separated from a laterally neighboring conductive contact structure by the void, a dielectric material, and an additional void laterally neighboring the laterally neighboring conductive contact structure. Related memory devices, electronic systems, and methods are also described.

公开(公告)号：US11302710B2

公开(公告)日：2022-04-12

申请号：US16739332

申请日：2020-01-10

Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.

Inventor： Darwin A. Clampitt ,  Matthew J. King ,  John D. Hopkins ,  M. Jared Barclay

IPC: H01L27/11582 ,  H01L27/11556 ,  H01L23/528 ,  H01L27/11565 ,  H01L27/11526 ,  H01L27/11519 ,  H01L27/11573 ,  H01L23/48

Abstract: Some embodiments include an integrated assembly having a base (e.g., a monocrystalline silicon wafer), and having memory cells over the base and along channel-material-pillars. A conductive structure is between the memory cells and the base. The channel-material-pillars are coupled with the conductive structure. A foundational structure extends into the base and projects upwardly to a level above the conductive structure. The foundational structure locks the conductive structure to the base to provide foundational support to the conductive structure.

公开(公告)号：US20220005817A1

公开(公告)日：2022-01-06

申请号：US16918129

申请日：2020-07-01

Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.

Inventor： John D. Hopkins ,  Darwin A. Clampitt ,  Michael J. Puett ,  Christopher R. Ritchie

IPC: H01L27/11556 ,  H01L23/522 ,  H01L27/11582

Abstract: A method used in forming a memory array comprising strings of memory cells comprises forming a stack comprising vertically-alternating first tiers and second tiers. A channel-material string is in individual channel openings in the vertically-alternating first tiers and second tiers. A conductor-material contact is in the individual channel openings directly against the channel material of individual of the channel-material strings. The conductor-material contacts are vertically recessed in the individual channel openings. A conductive via is formed in the individual channel openings directly against the vertically-recessed conductor-material contact in that individual channel opening. Other aspects, including structure independent of method, are disclosed.

公开(公告)号：US11177279B2

公开(公告)日：2021-11-16

申请号：US16876896

申请日：2020-05-18

Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.

Inventor： Matthew J. King ,  Anilkumar Chandolu ,  Indra V. Chary ,  Darwin A. Clampitt ,  Gordon Haller ,  Thomas George ,  Brett D. Lowe ,  David A. Daycock

IPC: H01L27/115 ,  H01L27/11582 ,  H01L27/1157 ,  H01L27/11526 ,  H01L27/11556 ,  H01L27/11524 ,  H01L27/11573

Abstract: In an example, a method of forming a stacked memory array includes forming a stack of alternating first and second dielectrics, forming a termination structure through the stack, the termination structure comprising a dielectric liner around a conductor, forming a set of contacts concurrently with forming the termination structure, forming a third dielectric over an upper surface of the stack and an upper surface of the termination structure, forming a first opening through the third dielectric and the stack between first and second groups of semiconductor structures so that the first opening exposes an upper surface of the conductor, and removing the conductor from the termination structure to form a second opening lined with the dielectric liner. In some examples, the dielectric liner can include a rectangular or a triangular tab or a pair of prongs that can have a rectangular profile or that can be tapered.

公开(公告)号：US11094592B2

公开(公告)日：2021-08-17

申请号：US16749443

申请日：2020-01-22

Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.

Inventor： Anilkumar Chandolu ,  Matthew J. King ,  Indra V. Chary ,  Darwin A. Clampitt

IPC: H01L21/8234 ,  H01L27/11556

Abstract: A method of forming a semiconductor device comprises forming sacrificial structures and support pillars. The sacrificial structures comprise an isolated sacrificial structure in a slit region and connected sacrificial structures in a pillar region. Tiers are formed over the sacrificial structures and support pillars, and a portion of the tiers are removed to form tier pillars and tier openings, exposing the connected sacrificial structures and support pillars. The connected sacrificial structures are removed to form a cavity, a portion of the cavity extending below the isolated sacrificial structure. A cell film is formed over the tier pillars and over sidewalls of the cavity. A fill material is formed in the tier openings and over the cell film. A portion of the tiers in the slit region is removed, exposing the isolated sacrificial structure, which is removed to form a source opening. The source opening is connected to the cavity and a conductive material is formed in the source opening and in the cavity. Semiconductor devices and systems are also disclosed.

公开(公告)号：US20210217766A1

公开(公告)日：2021-07-15

申请号：US16739332

申请日：2020-01-10

Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.

Inventor： Darwin A. Clampitt ,  Matthew J. King ,  John D. Hopkins ,  M. Jared Barclay

IPC: H01L27/11582 ,  H01L27/11556 ,  H01L23/528 ,  H01L23/48 ,  H01L27/11526 ,  H01L27/11519 ,  H01L27/11573 ,  H01L27/11565

Abstract: Some embodiments include an integrated assembly having a base (e.g., a monocrystalline silicon wafer), and having memory cells over the base and along channel-material-pillars. A conductive structure is between the memory cells and the base. The channel-material-pillars are coupled with the conductive structure. A foundational structure extends into the base and projects upwardly to a level above the conductive structure. The foundational structure locks the conductive structure to the base to provide foundational support to the conductive structure.