Patents by Inventor Allen McTeer

Allen McTeer 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: 9006060
    Abstract: An n-type field effect transistor includes silicon-comprising semiconductor material comprising a pair of source/drain regions having a channel region there-between. At least one of the source/drain regions is conductively doped n-type with at least one of As and P. A conductivity-neutral dopant is in the silicon-comprising semiconductor material in at least one of the channel region and the at least one source/drain region. A gate construction is operatively proximate the channel region. Methods are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Yongjun Jeff Hu, Allen McTeer
  • Patent number: 8981334
    Abstract: Some embodiments include a memory cell having a first electrode, and an intermediate material over and directly against the first electrode. The intermediate material includes stabilizing species corresponding to one or both of carbon and boron. The memory cell also has a switching material over and directly against the intermediate material, an ion reservoir material over the switching material, and a second electrode over the ion reservoir material. Some embodiments include methods of forming memory cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Martin Schubert, Shu Qin, Scott E. Sills, D.V. Nirmal Ramaswamy, Allen McTeer, Yongjun Jeff Hu
  • Patent number: 8975603
    Abstract: Systems and methods for plasma doping microfeature workpieces are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a method of implanting boron ions into a region of a workpiece includes generating a plasma in a chamber, selectively applying a pulsed electrical potential to the workpiece with a duty cycle of between approximately 20 percent and approximately 50 percent, and implanting an ion specie into the region of the workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Shu Qin, Allen McTeer
  • Patent number: 8936702
    Abstract: There is provided a system and method for sputtering a tensile silicon nitride film. More specifically, in one embodiment, there is provided a method comprising introducing nitrogen gas into a process chamber, wherein the process chamber includes a target comprising silicon, placing the process chamber into a transition region between a metallic region and a poisoned region, and applying a voltage to the target.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2015
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Allen McTeer
  • Patent number: 8821697
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for sputter depositing silver selenide and controlling defect formation in and on a sputter deposited silver selenide film are provided. A method of forming deposited silver selenide comprising both alpha and beta phases is further provided. The methods include depositing silver selenide using sputter powers of less than about 200 W, using sputter power densities of less than about 1 W/cm2, using sputter pressures of less than about 40 mTorr and preferably less than about 10 mTorr, using sputter gasses with molecular weight greater than that of neon, using cooling apparatus having a coolant flow rate at least greater than 2.5 gallons per minute and a coolant temperature less than about 25° C., using a magnetron sputtering system having a magnetron placed a sufficient distance from a silver selenide sputter target so as to maintain a sputter target temperature of less than about 350° C. and preferably below about 250° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Jiutao Li, Allen McTeer
  • Publication number: 20140234996
    Abstract: A composition and method for formation of ohmic contacts on a semiconductor structure are provided. The composition includes a TiAlxNy material at least partially contiguous with the semiconductor structure. The TiAlxNy material can be TiAl3. The composition can include an aluminum material, the aluminum material being contiguous to at least part of the TiAlxNy material, such that the TiAlxNy material is between the aluminum material and the semiconductor structure. The method includes annealing the composition to form an ohmic contact on the semiconductor structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2014
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Yongjun Jeff Hu, John Mark Meldrim, Shanming Mou, Everett Allen McTeer
  • Publication number: 20140224646
    Abstract: A method of sputter depositing silver selenide and controlling the stoichiometry and nodular defect formations of a sputter deposited silver-selenide film. The method includes depositing silver-selenide using a sputter deposition process at a pressure of about 0.3 mTorr to about 10 mTorr. In accordance with one aspect of the invention, an RF sputter deposition process may be used preferably at pressures of about 2 mTorr to about 3 mTorr. In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a pulse DC sputter deposition process may be used preferably at pressures of about 4 mTorr to about 5 mTorr.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2014
    Publication date: August 14, 2014
    Applicant: MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Jiutao Li, Keith Hampton, Allen McTeer
  • Patent number: 8797662
    Abstract: Photonic nanostructures, light absorbing apparatuses, and devices are provided. The photonic nanostructures include a plurality of photonic nanobars configured to collectively absorb light over an excitation wavelength range. At least two of the photonic nanobars of the plurality have lengths that are different from one another. Each photonic nanobar of the plurality has a substantially small width and a substantially small height relative to the different lengths. A method for forming such may comprise forming a plurality of first photonic nanobars comprising a width and a height that are smaller than a length of the plurality of first photonic nanobars, and forming a plurality of second photonic nanobars comprising a width and a height that are smaller than a length of the second photonic nanobar, wherein the lengths of the plurality of first photonic nanobars and the lengths of the plurality of second photonic nanobars are different from one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Yongjun Jeff Hu, Allen McTeer, Lijing Gou
  • Publication number: 20140197134
    Abstract: Systems and methods for plasma processing of microfeature workpieces are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a method includes generating a plasma in a chamber while a microfeature workpiece is positioned in the chamber, measuring optical emissions from the plasma, and determining a parameter of the plasma based on the measured optical emissions. The parameter can be an ion density or another parameter of the plasma.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2014
    Publication date: July 17, 2014
    Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Shu Qin, Allen McTeer
  • Publication number: 20140144379
    Abstract: Systems and methods for plasma doping microfeature workpieces are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a method of implanting boron ions into a region of a workpiece includes generating a plasma in a chamber, selectively applying a pulsed electrical potential to the workpiece with a duty cycle of between approximately 20 percent and approximately 50 percent, and implanting an ion specie into the region of the workpiece.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2014
    Publication date: May 29, 2014
    Applicant: MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Shu Qin, Allen McTeer
  • Patent number: 8671879
    Abstract: Systems and methods for plasma processing of microfeature workpieces are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a method includes generating a plasma in a chamber while a microfeature workpiece is positioned in the chamber, measuring optical emissions from the plasma, and determining a parameter of the plasma based on the measured optical emissions. The parameter can be an ion density or another parameter of the plasma.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Shu Qin, Allen McTeer
  • Publication number: 20140054677
    Abstract: An array includes vertically-oriented transistors, rows of access lines, and columns of data/sense lines. Individual of the rows include an access line interconnecting transistors in that row. Individual of the columns include a data/sense line interconnecting transistors in that column. The data/sense line has silicon-comprising semiconductor material between the transistors in that column that is conductively-doped n-type with at least one of As and Sb. The conductively-doped semiconductor material of the data/sense line includes a conductivity-neutral dopant between the transistors in that column. Methods are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2012
    Publication date: February 27, 2014
    Applicant: MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Yongjun Jeff Hu, Allen McTeer
  • Publication number: 20140054678
    Abstract: An n-type field effect transistor includes silicon-comprising semiconductor material comprising a pair of source/drain regions having a channel region there-between. At least one of the source/drain regions is conductively doped n-type with at least one of As and P. A conductivity-neutral dopant is in the silicon-comprising semiconductor material in at least one of the channel region and the at least one source/drain region. A gate construction is operatively proximate the channel region. Methods are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2012
    Publication date: February 27, 2014
    Applicant: MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Yongjun Jeff Hu, Allen McTeer
  • Patent number: 8642135
    Abstract: Systems and methods for plasma doping microfeature workpieces are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a method of implanting boron ions into a region of a workpiece includes generating a plasma in a chamber, selectively applying a pulsed electrical potential to the workpiece with a duty cycle of between approximately 20 percent and approximately 50 percent, and implanting an ion specie into the region of the workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Shu Qin, Allen McTeer
  • Publication number: 20130288466
    Abstract: Some embodiments include methods of forming one or more doped regions in a semiconductor substrate. Plasma doping may be used to form a first dopant to a first depth within the substrate. The first dopant may then be impacted with a second dopant to knock the first dopant to a second depth within the substrate. In some embodiments the first dopant is p-type (such as boron) and the second dopant is neutral type (such as germanium). In some embodiments the second dopant is heavier than the first dopant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2013
    Publication date: October 31, 2013
    Inventors: Lequn Jennifer Liu, Shu Qin, Allen McTeer, Yongjun Jeff Hu
  • Patent number: 8497194
    Abstract: Some embodiments include methods of forming one or more doped regions in a semiconductor substrate. Plasma doping may be used to form a first dopant to a first depth within the substrate. The first dopant may then be impacted with a second dopant to knock the first dopant to a second depth within the substrate. In some embodiments the first dopant is p-type (such as boron) and the second dopant is neutral type (such as germanium). In some embodiments the second dopant is heavier than the first dopant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2013
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Lequn Jennifer Liu, Shu Qin, Allen McTeer, Yongjun Jeff Hu
  • Patent number: 8329567
    Abstract: Some embodiments include methods of forming one or more doped regions in a semiconductor substrate. Plasma doping may be used to form a first dopant to a first depth within the substrate. The first dopant may then be impacted with a second dopant to knock the first dopant to a second depth within the substrate. In some embodiments the first dopant is p-type (such as boron) and the second dopant is neutral type (such as germanium). In some embodiments the second dopant is heavier than the first dopant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Jennifer Lequn Liu, Shu Qin, Allen McTeer, Yongjun Jeff Hu
  • Patent number: 8263958
    Abstract: The invention is related to methods and apparatus for providing a resistance variable memory element with improved data retention and switching characteristics. According to one embodiment of the invention, a resistance variable memory element is provided having at least one silver-selenide layer in between two glass layers, wherein at least one of the glass layers is a chalcogenide glass, preferably having a GexSe100?x composition. According to another embodiment of the invention, a resistance variable memory element is provided having at least one silver-selenide layer in between chalcogenide glass layers and further having a silver layer above at least one of said chalcogenide glass layers and a conductive adhesion layer above said silver layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Kristy A. Campbell, Jiutao Li, Allen McTeer, John T. Moore
  • Patent number: 8227875
    Abstract: Methods for selectively oxidizing a semiconductor structure include generating a gas cluster ion beam comprising an oxidizing source gas, directing the gas cluster ion beam to a region of a substrate adjacent a conductive line and exposing the region to the gas cluster ion beam including an oxidizing matter. Utilizing the gas cluster ion beam enables selective oxidation of a targeted region at temperatures substantially lower than those of typical oxidation processes thus, reducing or eliminating oxidation of the conductive line. Semiconductor devices including transistors formed using such methods are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Yongjun Jeff Hu, Allen McTeer, Naga Chandrasekaran
  • Patent number: 8216935
    Abstract: A method of forming a transistor gate construction includes forming a gate stack comprising a sacrificial material received over conductive gate material. The gate stack has lateral sidewalls having insulative material received there-against. The sacrificial material is removed from being received over the conductive gate material to form a void space between the insulative material over the conductive gate material. Elemental tungsten is selectively deposited within the void space over the conductive gate material and a transistor gate construction forming there-from is formed there-from, and which has a conductive gate electrode which includes the conductive gate material and the elemental tungsten. The transistor gate might be used in NAND, DRAM, or other integrated circuitry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric R. Blomiley, Allen McTeer