Patents by Inventor Alan R. Reinberg

Alan R. Reinberg has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 8367505
    Abstract: Methods, devices, and systems for a memory in logic cell are provided. One or more embodiments include using a cell structure having a first gate, a second gate, and a third gate, e.g., a control gate, a back gate, and a floating gate, as a memory in logic cell. The method includes programming the floating gate to a first state to cause the memory in logic cell to operate as a first logic gate type. The method further includes programming the floating gate to a second state to cause the memory in logic cell to operate as a second logic gate type.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Hussein I. Hanafi, Leonard Forbes, Alan R. Reinberg
  • Patent number: 7772635
    Abstract: A non-volatile memory device has improved performance from a stressed, silicon nitride capping layer. The device is comprised of memory cells in a substrate that have source and drain regions. A tunnel dielectric is formed over the substrate between each pair of source and drain regions. If the memory device is an NROM, a nitride charge storage layer is formed over the tunnel dielectric. If the memory device is a flash memory, a floating gate is formed over the tunnel dielectric. An inter-gate insulator and control gate are then formed over the charge storage layer. The stressed, silicon nitride capping layer is formed over the control gate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Leonard Forbes, Kie Y. Ahn, Alan R. Reinberg
  • Publication number: 20100055871
    Abstract: Methods, devices, and systems for a memory in logic cell are provided. One or more embodiments include using a cell structure having a first gate, a second gate, and a third gate, e.g., a control gate, a back gate, and a floating gate, as a memory in logic cell. The method includes programming the floating gate to a first state to cause the memory in logic cell to operate as a first logic gate type. The method further includes programming the floating gate to a second state to cause the memory in logic cell to operate as a second logic gate type.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2009
    Publication date: March 4, 2010
    Applicant: MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Hussein I. Hanafi, Leonard Forbes, Alan R. Reinberg
  • Patent number: 7633801
    Abstract: Methods, devices, and systems for a memory in logic cell are provided. One or more embodiments include using a cell structure having a first gate, a second gate, and a third gate, e.g., a control gate, a back gate, and a floating gate, as a memory in logic cell. The method includes programming the floating gate to a first state to cause the memory in logic cell to operate as a first logic gate type. The method further includes programming the floating gate to a second state to cause the memory in logic cell to operate as a second logic gate type.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2009
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Hussein I. Hanafi, Leonard Forbes, Alan R. Reinberg
  • Patent number: 7541081
    Abstract: A structure for storing digital data is provided, with a high reflectance layer comprising a noble metal formed over an underlying material layer, and a plurality of low reflectance portions comprising a mixture of a noble metal and an underlying material. The plurality of low reflectance portions have top surfaces comprising a compound of the underlying and the noble metal. A method of changing reflectance on a data storage disk is also disclosed. The method comprises the acts of irradiating a laser light beam onto a noble metal formed over an underlying layer, and raising the temperature of the noble metal above the melting temperature forming a compound of the noble metal and the underlying material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2009
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul A. Farrar, Leonard Forbes, Alan R. Reinberg
  • Patent number: 7492042
    Abstract: A method and device for cooling an integrated circuit is provided. A method and device using a gas to cool circuit structures such as a number of air bridge structures is provided. A method and device using a boiling liquid to cool circuit structures is provided. Further provided is a method of controlling chip temperature. This allows circuit and device designers an opportunity to design more efficient structures. Some properties that exhibit less variation when temperature ranges are controlled include electromigration, conductivity, operating speed, and reliability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2009
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul A. Farrar, Leonard Forbes, Kie Y. Ahn, Joseph E. Geusic, Arup Bhattacharyya, Alan R. Reinberg
  • Patent number: 7485497
    Abstract: A method and device for cooling an integrated circuit is provided. A method and device using a gas to cool circuit structures such as a number of air bridge structures is provided. A method and device using a boiling liquid to cool circuit structures is provided. Further provided is a method of controlling chip temperature. This allows circuit and device designers an opportunity to design more efficient structures. Some properties that exhibit less variation when temperature ranges are controlled include electromigration, conductivity, operating speed, and reliability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2009
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul A. Farrar, Leonard Forbes, Kie Y. Ahn, Joseph E. Geusic, Arup Bhattacharyya, Alan R. Reinberg
  • Publication number: 20080315917
    Abstract: Methods, devices, and systems for programmable computing arrays have been described. One or more embodiments include programming both a first and a second floating gate of a combined memory and logic element to one of at least two states, wherein programming the floating gates to one of the at least two states causes the combined memory and logic element to operate as a first logic gate type. One or more embodiments also include programming both the first and the second floating gates of the combined memory and logic element to another of the at least two states, wherein programming the floating gates to another of the at least two states causes the combined memory and logic element to operate as a second logic gate type, the second logic gate type being different from the first logic gate type.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2007
    Publication date: December 25, 2008
    Inventors: Leonard Forbes, Hussein J. Hanafi, Alan R. Reinberg
  • Publication number: 20080316828
    Abstract: Methods, devices, and systems for a memory in logic cell are provided. One or more embodiments include using a cell structure having a first gate, a second gate, and a third gate, e.g., a control gate, a back gate, and a floating gate, as a memory in logic cell. The method includes programming the floating gate to a first state to cause the memory in logic cell to operate as a first logic gate type. The method further includes programming the floating gate to a second state to cause the memory in logic cell to operate as a second logic gate type.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2007
    Publication date: December 25, 2008
    Inventors: Hussein I. Hanafi, Leonard Forbes, Alan R. Reinberg
  • Patent number: 7453082
    Abstract: A memory cell and a method of fabricating the memory cell having a small active area are provided. By forming a spacer in a window that is sized at the photolithographic limit, in one embodiment, a pore may be formed in dielectric layer which is smaller than the photolithographic limit. Electrode material is deposited into the pore, and a layer of structure changing material, such as chalcogenide, is deposited onto the lower electrode, thus creating a memory element having an extremely small and reproducible active area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Alan R. Reinberg, Renee Zahorik, legal representative, Russell C. Zahorik
  • Patent number: 7304380
    Abstract: A method and device for cooling an integrated circuit is provided. A method and device using a gas to cool circuit structures such as a number of air bridge structures is provided. A method and device using a boiling liquid to cool circuit structures is provided. Further provided is a method of controlling chip temperature. This allows circuit and device designers an opportunity to design more efficient structures. Some properties that exhibit less variation when temperature ranges are controlled include electromigration, conductivity, operating speed, and reliability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2007
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul A. Farrar, Leonard Forbes, Kie Y. Ahn, Joseph E. Geusic, Arup Bhattacharyya, Alan R. Reinberg
  • Patent number: 7300821
    Abstract: A method and device for cooling an integrated circuit is provided. A method and device using a gas to cool circuit structures such as a number of air bridge structures is provided. A method and device using a boiling liquid to cool circuit structures is provided. Further provided is a method of controlling chip temperature. This allows circuit and device designers an opportunity to design more efficient structures. Some properties that exhibit less variation when temperature ranges are controlled include electromigration, conductivity, operating speed, and reliability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2007
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul A. Farrar, Leonard Forbes, Kie Y. Ahn, Joseph E. Geusic, Arup Bhattacharyya, Alan R. Reinberg
  • Patent number: 7298000
    Abstract: Container structures for use in integrated circuits and methods of their manufacture. The container structures have a dielectric cap on the top of a conductive container to reduce the risk of container-to-container shorting by insulating against bridging of conductive debris across the tops of adjacent container structures. The container structures are adapted for use in memory cells and apparatus incorporating such memory cells, as well as other integrated circuits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Gurtej Singh Sandhu, Alan R. Reinberg
  • Patent number: 7282400
    Abstract: Improved methods and structures are provided that are lateral to surfaces with a (110) crystal plane orientation such that an electrical current of such structures is conducted in the <110> direction. Advantageously, improvements in hole carrier mobility of approximately 50% can be obtained by orienting the structure's channel in a (110) plane such that the electrical current flow is in the <110> direction. Moreover, these improved methods and structures can be used in conjunction with existing fabrication and processing techniques with minimal or no added complexity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2007
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Wendell P. Noble, Leonard Forbes, Alan R. Reinberg
  • Patent number: 7217606
    Abstract: A method for forming NMOS and PMOS transistors that includes cutting a substrate along a higher order orientation and fabricating deep sub-micron NMOS and PMOS transistors on the vertical surfaces thereof. The complementary NMOS and PMOS transistors form a CMOS transistor pair. The transistors are preferably used in structures such as memory circuits, e.g., DRAMs, which are, in turn, used in a processor-based system. Ideally, the deep sub-micron NMOS and PMOS transistors are operated in velocity saturation for optimal switching operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2007
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Leonard Forbes, Wendell P. Noble, Alan R. Reinberg
  • Patent number: 7199415
    Abstract: Container structures for use in integrated circuits and methods of their manufacture. The container structures have a dielectric cap on the top of a conductive container to reduce the risk of container-to-container shorting by insulating against bridging of conductive debris across the tops of adjacent container structures. The container structures are adapted for use in memory cells and apparatus incorporating such memory cells, as well as other integrated circuits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2007
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Gurtej Singh Sandhu, Alan R. Reinberg
  • Patent number: 7173317
    Abstract: An electrical and thermal contact for use in a semiconductor device. The electrical and thermal contact includes an intermediate conductive layer, an insulator component, and a contact layer. The intermediate conductive layer may contact a structure of the semiconductor device. The insulator component, which is fabricated from a thermally and electrically insulative material, may be sandwiched between the intermediate conductive layer and the contact layer, which may substantially envelop the insulator component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2007
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Alan R. Reinberg
  • Patent number: 7153775
    Abstract: A patterning method includes providing a first material (e.g., copper) and transforming at a least a surface region of the first material to a second material (e.g., copper oxide). One or more portions of the second material (e.g., copper oxide) are converted to one or more converted portions of first material (e.g., copper) while one or more portions of the second material (e.g., copper oxide) remain. One or more portions of the remaining second material (e.g., copper oxide) are removed selectively relative to converted portions of first material (e.g., copper). Further, a thickness of the converted portions may be increased. Yet further, a diffusion barrier layer may be used for certain applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2006
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc,
    Inventors: Joseph E. Geusic, Alan R. Reinberg
  • Patent number: 7125768
    Abstract: The present invention includes a method for reducing random bit data loss in a memory circuit. The method comprises a semiconductor layer that has a surface. The semiconductor layer is exposed at an elevated temperature to an atmosphere comprising deuterium thereby forming a film on the semiconductor layer comprising deuterium. A memory circuit is fabricated on or within the semiconductor layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2006
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Alan R. Reinberg
  • Patent number: 7102151
    Abstract: A memory cell and a method of fabricating the memory cell having a small active area. By forming a spacer in a window that is sized at the photolithographic limit, a pore may be formed in dielectric layer which is smaller than the photolithographic limit. Electrode material is deposited into the pore, and a layer of structure changing material, such as chalcogenide, is deposited onto the lower electrode, thus creating a memory element having an extremely small and reproducible active area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2006
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Alan R. Reinberg, Renee Zahorik, legal representative, Russell C. Zahorik, deceased