Patents by Inventor Andrew R. Bicksler

Andrew R. Bicksler 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: 11424256
    Abstract: Some embodiments include a transistor having a first electrically conductive gate portion along a first segment of a channel region and a second electrically conductive gate portion along a second segment of the channel region. The second electrically conductive gate portion is a different composition than the first electrically conductive gate portion. Some embodiments include a method of forming a semiconductor construction. First semiconductor material and metal-containing material are formed over a NAND string. An opening is formed through the metal-containing material and the first semiconductor material, and is lined with gate dielectric. Second semiconductor material is provided within the opening to form a channel region of a transistor. The transistor is a select device electrically coupled to the NAND string.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Deepak Thimmegowda, Andrew R. Bicksler, Roland Awusie
  • Publication number: 20200058662
    Abstract: Some embodiments include a transistor having a first electrically conductive gate portion along a first segment of a channel region and a second electrically conductive gate portion along a second segment of the channel region. The second electrically conductive gate portion is a different composition than the first electrically conductive gate portion. Some embodiments include a method of forming a semiconductor construction. First semiconductor material and metal-containing material are formed over a NAND string. An opening is formed through the metal-containing material and the first semiconductor material, and is lined with gate dielectric. Second semiconductor material is provided within the opening to form a channel region of a transistor. The transistor is a select device electrically coupled to the NAND string.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2019
    Publication date: February 20, 2020
    Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Deepak Thimmegowda, Andrew R. Bicksler, Roland Awusie
  • Patent number: 10497707
    Abstract: Some embodiments include a transistor having a first electrically conductive gate portion along a first segment of a channel region and a second electrically conductive gate portion along a second segment of the channel region. The second electrically conductive gate portion is a different composition than the first electrically conductive gate portion. Some embodiments include a method of forming a semiconductor construction. First semiconductor material and metal-containing material are formed over a NAND string. An opening is formed through the metal-containing material and the first semiconductor material, and is lined with gate dielectric. Second semiconductor material is provided within the opening to form a channel region of a transistor. The transistor is a select device electrically coupled to the NAND string.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2019
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Deepak Thimmegowda, Andrew R. Bicksler, Roland Awusie
  • Publication number: 20170162589
    Abstract: Some embodiments include a transistor having a first electrically conductive gate portion along a first segment of a channel region and a second electrically conductive gate portion along a second segment of the channel region. The second electrically conductive gate portion is a different composition than the first electrically conductive gate portion. Some embodiments include a method of forming a semiconductor construction. First semiconductor material and metal-containing material are formed over a NAND string. An opening is formed through the metal-containing material and the first semiconductor material, and is lined with gate dielectric. Second semiconductor material is provided within the opening to form a channel region of a transistor. The transistor is a select device electrically coupled to the NAND string.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2017
    Publication date: June 8, 2017
    Inventors: Deepak Thimmegowda, Andrew R. Bicksler, Roland Awusie
  • Patent number: 9613978
    Abstract: Some embodiments include a transistor having a first electrically conductive gate portion along a first segment of a channel region and a second electrically conductive gate portion along a second segment of the channel region. The second electrically conductive gate portion is a different composition than the first electrically conductive gate portion. Some embodiments include a method of forming a semiconductor construction. First semiconductor material and metal-containing material are formed over a NAND string. An opening is formed through the metal-containing material and the first semiconductor material, and is lined with gate dielectric. Second semiconductor material is provided within the opening to form a channel region of a transistor. The transistor is a select device electrically coupled to the NAND string.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2017
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Deepak Thimmegowda, Andrew R. Bicksler, Roland Awusie
  • Publication number: 20160079274
    Abstract: Some embodiments include a transistor having a first electrically conductive gate portion along a first segment of a channel region and a second electrically conductive gate portion along a second segment of the channel region. The second electrically conductive gate portion is a different composition than the first electrically conductive gate portion. Some embodiments include a method of forming a semiconductor construction. First semiconductor material and metal-containing material are formed over a NAND string. An opening is formed through the metal-containing material and the first semiconductor material, and is lined with gate dielectric. Second semiconductor material is provided within the opening to form a channel region of a transistor. The transistor is a select device electrically coupled to the NAND string.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 23, 2015
    Publication date: March 17, 2016
    Inventors: Deepak Thimmegowda, Andrew R. Bicksler, Roland Awusie
  • Patent number: 9219132
    Abstract: Some embodiments include a transistor having a first electrically conductive gate portion along a first segment of a channel region and a second electrically conductive gate portion along a second segment of the channel region. The second electrically conductive gate portion is a different composition than the first electrically conductive gate portion. Some embodiments include a method of forming a semiconductor construction. First semiconductor material and metal-containing material are formed over a NAND string. An opening is formed through the metal-containing material and the first semiconductor material, and is lined with gate dielectric. Second semiconductor material is provided within the opening to form a channel region of a transistor. The transistor is a select device electrically coupled to the NAND string.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2015
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Deepak Thimmegowda, Andrew R. Bicksler, Roland Awusie
  • Publication number: 20150044834
    Abstract: Some embodiments include a transistor having a first electrically conductive gate portion along a first segment of a channel region and a second electrically conductive gate portion along a second segment of the channel region. The second electrically conductive gate portion is a different composition than the first electrically conductive gate portion. Some embodiments include a method of forming a semiconductor construction. First semiconductor material and metal-containing material are formed over a NAND string. An opening is formed through the metal-containing material and the first semiconductor material, and is lined with gate dielectric. Second semiconductor material is provided within the opening to form a channel region of a transistor. The transistor is a select device electrically coupled to the NAND string.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2014
    Publication date: February 12, 2015
    Inventors: Deepak Thimmegowda, Andrew R. Bicksler, Roland Awusie
  • Patent number: 8853769
    Abstract: Some embodiments include a transistor having a first electrically conductive gate portion along a first segment of a channel region and a second electrically conductive gate portion along a second segment of the channel region. The second electrically conductive gate portion is a different composition than the first electrically conductive gate portion. Some embodiments include a method of forming a semiconductor construction. First semiconductor material and metal-containing material are formed over a NAND string. An opening is formed through the metal-containing material and the first semiconductor material, and is lined with gate dielectric. Second semiconductor material is provided within the opening to form a channel region of a transistor. The transistor is a select device electrically coupled to the NAND string.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Deepak Thimmegowda, Andrew R. Bicksler, Roland Awusie
  • Publication number: 20140191340
    Abstract: Some embodiments include a transistor having a first electrically conductive gate portion along a first segment of a channel region and a second electrically conductive gate portion along a second segment of the channel region. The second electrically conductive gate portion is a different composition than the first electrically conductive gate portion. Some embodiments include a method of forming a semiconductor construction. First semiconductor material and metal-containing material are formed over a NAND string. An opening is formed through the metal-containing material and the first semiconductor material, and is lined with gate dielectric. Second semiconductor material is provided within the opening to form a channel region of a transistor. The transistor is a select device electrically coupled to the NAND string.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2013
    Publication date: July 10, 2014
    Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Deepak Thimmegowda, Andrew R. Bicksler, Roland Awusie
  • Patent number: 7358139
    Abstract: The invention includes methods of forming field effect transistors. In one implementation, a method of forming a field effect transistor having a gate comprising a conductive metal or metal compound received over conductively doped semiconductive material includes forming transistor gate semiconductive material into a gate line over a semiconductive material channel region. The gate line includes semiconductive material sidewalls. The semiconductive material sidewalls of the gate line are oxidized. After the oxidizing, at least one of a conductive metal or metal compound is formed in electrical connection with the transistor gate semiconductive material to comprise a substantially coextensive elongated portion of a final construction of the gate line of the field effect transistor being formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2008
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew R. Bicksler, Sukesh Sandhu
  • Patent number: 7271064
    Abstract: The invention includes methods of forming field effect transistors. In one implementation, a method of forming a field effect transistor having a gate comprising a conductive metal or metal compound received over conductively doped semiconductive material includes forming transistor gate semiconductive material into a gate line over a semiconductive material channel region. The gate line includes semiconductive material sidewalls. The semiconductive material sidewalls of the gate line are oxidized. After the oxidizing, at least one of a conductive metal or metal compound is formed in electrical connection with the transistor gate semiconductive material to comprise a substantially coextensive elongated portion of a final construction of the gate line of the field effect transistor being formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2007
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew R. Bicksler, Sukesh Sandhu
  • Patent number: 7112491
    Abstract: The invention includes methods of forming field effect transistors. In one implementation, a method of forming a field effect transistor having a gate comprising a conductive metal or metal compound received over conductively doped semiconductive material includes forming transistor gate semiconductive material into a gate line over a semiconductive material channel region. The gate line includes semiconductive material sidewalls. The semiconductive material sidewalls of the gate line are oxidized. After the oxidizing, at least one of a conductive metal or metal compound is formed in electrical connection with the transistor gate semiconductive material to comprise a substantially coextensive elongated portion of a final construction of the gate line of the field effect transistor being formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2006
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew R. Bicksler, Sukesh Sandhu
  • Publication number: 20050282339
    Abstract: The invention includes methods of forming field effect transistors. In one implementation, a method of forming a field effect transistor having a gate comprising a conductive metal or metal compound received over conductively doped semiconductive material includes forming transistor gate semiconductive material into a gate line over a semiconductive material channel region. The gate line includes semiconductive material sidewalls. The semiconductive material sidewalls of the gate line are oxidized. After the oxidizing, at least one of a conductive metal or metal compound is formed in electrical connection with the transistor gate semiconductive material to comprise a substantially coextensive elongated portion of a final construction of the gate line of the field effect transistor being formed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2005
    Publication date: December 22, 2005
    Inventors: Andrew R. Bicksler, Sukesh Sandhu
  • Patent number: 6830975
    Abstract: The invention includes methods of forming field effect transistors. In one implementation, a method of forming a field effect transistor having a gate comprising a conductive metal or metal compound received over conductively doped semiconductive material includes forming transistor gate semiconductive material into a gate line over a semiconductive material channel region. The gate line includes semiconductive material sidewalls. The semiconductive material sidewalls of the gate line are oxidized. After the oxidizing, at least one of a conductive metal or metal compound is formed in electrical connection with the transistor gate semiconductive material to comprise a substantially coextensive elongated portion of a final construction of the gate line of the field effect transistor being formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2004
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew R. Bicksler, Sukesh Sandhu
  • Publication number: 20040203209
    Abstract: The invention includes methods of forming field effect transistors. In one implementation, a method of forming a field effect transistor having a gate comprising a conductive metal or metal compound received over conductively doped semiconductive material includes forming transistor gate semiconductive material into a gate line over a semiconductive material channel region. The gate line includes semiconductive material sidewalls. The semiconductive material sidewalls of the gate line are oxidized. After the oxidizing, at least one of a conductive metal or metal compound is formed in electrical connection with the transistor gate semiconductive material to comprise a substantially coextensive elongated portion of a final construction of the gate line of the field effect transistor being formed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2004
    Publication date: October 14, 2004
    Inventors: Andrew R. Bicksler, Sukesh Sandhu
  • Patent number: 6798699
    Abstract: A non-volatile memory device for erasing a block of stack-gate single transistor flash memory cells performs an efficient and controllable mode of programming, referred to as block convergence. During an erase operation, one or more electrical erase pulses of fixed number, duration and voltage waveform are applied to memory cells in an addressable block of the memory device array to fully erase all bits in the block. A block convergence operation is applied simultaneously to all cells in the block, bringing a threshold voltage of cells, which may have become over-erased during the erase operation, to a controlled level. A reverse-bias pulse, capable of inducing band-to-band tunneling across one junction in the structure of the flash memory cells, is applied to a first junction. The other junction receives either a reverse bias or floating potential. The memory can implement several biasing schemes while performing the block convergence operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2004
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrei Mihnea, Chun Chen, Paul Rudeck, Andrew R. Bicksler
  • Publication number: 20030143814
    Abstract: The invention includes methods of forming field effect transistors. In one implementation, a method of forming a field effect transistor having a gate comprising a conductive metal or metal compound received over conductively doped semiconductive material includes forming transistor gate semiconductive material into a gate line over a semiconductive material channel region. The gate line includes semiconductive material sidewalls. The semiconductive material sidewalls of the gate line are oxidized. After the oxidizing, at least one of a conductive metal or metal compound is formed in electrical connection with the transistor gate semiconductive material to comprise a substantially coextensive elongated portion of a final construction of the gate line of the field effect transistor being formed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2002
    Publication date: July 31, 2003
    Inventors: Andrew R. Bicksler, Sukesh Sandhu
  • Publication number: 20030128591
    Abstract: A non-volatile memory device for erasing a block of stack-gate single transistor flash memory cells performs an efficient and controllable mode of programming, referred to as block convergence. During an erase operation, one or more electrical erase pulses of fixed number, duration and voltage waveform are applied to memory cells in an addressable block of the memory device array to fully erase all bits in the block. A block convergence operation is applied simultaneously to all cells in the block, bringing a threshold voltage of cells, which may have become over-erased during the erase operation, to a controlled level. A reverse-bias pulse, capable of inducing band-to-band tunneling across one junction in the structure of the flash memory cells, is applied to a first junction. The other junction receives either a reverse bias or floating potential. The memory can implement several biasing schemes while performing the block convergence operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2003
    Publication date: July 10, 2003
    Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrei Mihnea, Chun Chen, Paul Rudeck, Andrew R. Bicksler
  • Patent number: 6563741
    Abstract: A non-volatile memory device includes an improved method for erasing a block of stack-gate single transistor flash memory cells. The memory performs an efficient and controllable mode of programming, referred to as block convergence. During an erase operation, one or more electrical erase pulses of fixed number, duration and voltage waveform are applied to memory cells in an addressable block of the memory device array. The erase pulse(s) fully erase all bits in the block. A block convergence operation is applied simultaneously to all cells in the block. The block convergence operation brings a threshold voltage of cells, which may have become over-erased during the erase operation, to a controlled level. A reverse-bias pulse, capable of inducing band-to-band tunnelling across one junction in the structure of the flash memory cells, is applied to a first junction. The other junction receives either a reverse bias or floating potential.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2003
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrei Mihnea, Chun Chen, Paul Rudeck, Andrew R. Bicksler