Patents by Inventor Anna Maria Conti

Anna Maria Conti 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).

  • Publication number: 20190043924
    Abstract: A memory structure can include a memory cell, a via, a dielectric material separating the memory cell from the via, a metal ceramic composite material layer on the memory cell and the dielectric material, and a conductive layer on the metal ceramic composite material layer and the via. The conductive layer can be in direct contact with the top surface of the via.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2018
    Publication date: February 7, 2019
    Applicant: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Anna Maria Conti, Andrea Redaelli
  • Publication number: 20190036022
    Abstract: A multi-layer memory device with an array having multiple memory decks of self-selecting memory cells is provided in which N memory decks may be fabricated with N+1 mask operations. The multiple memory decks may be self-aligned and certain manufacturing operations may be performed for multiple memory decks at the same time. For example, patterning a bit line direction of a first memory deck and a word line direction in a second memory deck above the first memory deck may be performed in a single masking operation, and both decks may be etched in a same subsequent etching operation. Such techniques may provide efficient fabrication which may allow for enhanced throughput, additional capacity, and higher yield for fabrication facilities relative to processing techniques in which each memory deck is processed using two or more mask and etch operations per memory deck.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2017
    Publication date: January 31, 2019
    Inventors: Agostino Pirovano, Fabio Pellizzer, Anna Maria Conti, Andrea Redaelli, Innocenzo Tortorelli
  • Patent number: 10153194
    Abstract: An array of gated devices includes a plurality of gated devices arranged in rows and columns and individually including an elevationally inner region, a mid region elevationally outward of the inner region, and an elevationally outer region elevationally outward of the mid region. A plurality of access lines are individually laterally proximate the mid regions along individual of the rows. A plurality of data/sense lines are individually elevationally outward of the access lines and electrically coupled to the outer regions along individual of the columns. A plurality of metal lines individually extends along and between immediately adjacent of the rows elevationally inward of the access lines. The individual metal lines are directly against and electrically coupled to sidewalls of the inner regions of each of immediately adjacent of the rows. The metal lines are electrically isolated from the data/sense lines. Other arrays of gated devices and methods of forming arrays of gated devices are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Marcello D. Mariani, Anna Maria Conti, Sara Vigano
  • Publication number: 20180315797
    Abstract: A method of forming an array of memory cells, where the array comprises an elevationally-inner tier of memory cells comprising spaced-inner-tier-lower-first-conductive lines and inner-tier-programmable material directly there-above, an elevationally-outer tier of memory cells comprising spaced-outer-tier-lower-first-conductive lines and outer-tier-programmable material directly there-above, and spaced-upper-second-conductive lines that are electrically shared by the outer-tier memory cells and the inner-tier memory cells, comprises depositing conductor material for all of the shared-spaced-upper-second-conductive lines. All of the conductor material for all of the shared-spaced-upper-second-conductive lines is patterned using only a single masking step. Other method embodiments and arrays of memory cells independent of method of manufacture are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2017
    Publication date: November 1, 2018
    Inventors: Anna Maria Conti, Agostino Pirovano, Andrea Redaelli
  • Publication number: 20180268899
    Abstract: Various embodiments disclosed herein comprise methods and apparatuses for placing phase-change memory (PCM) cells of a memory array into a temperature regime where nucleation probability of the PCM cells is enhanced prior to applying a subsequent SET programming signal. In one embodiment, the method includes applying a nucleation signal to the PCM cells to form nucleation sites within the memory array where the nucleation signal has a non-zero rising-edge. A programming signal is subsequently applied to achieve a desired level of crystallinity within selected ones of the plurality of PCM cells. Additional methods and apparatuses are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2018
    Publication date: September 20, 2018
    Inventors: Agostino Pirovano, Fabio Pellizzer, Anna Maria Conti, Davide Fugazza, Johannes A. Kalb
  • Patent number: 9990989
    Abstract: Various embodiments disclosed herein comprise methods and apparatuses for placing phase-change memory (PCM) cells of a memory array into a temperature regime where nucleation probability of the PCM cells is enhanced prior to applying a subsequent SET programming signal. In one embodiment, the method includes applying a nucleation signal to the PCM cells to form nucleation sites within the memory array where the nucleation signal has a non-zero rising-edge. A programming signal is subsequently applied to achieve a desired level of crystallinity within selected ones of the plurality of PCM cells. Additional methods and apparatuses are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Agostino Pirovano, Fabio Pellizzer, Anna Maria Conti, Davide Fugazza, Johannes A. Kalb
  • Publication number: 20170236744
    Abstract: An array of gated devices includes a plurality of gated devices arranged in rows and columns and individually including an elevationally inner region, a mid region elevationally outward of the inner region, and an elevationally outer region elevationally outward of the mid region. A plurality of access lines are individually laterally proximate the mid regions along individual of the rows. A plurality of data/sense lines are individually elevationally outward of the access lines and electrically coupled to the outer regions along individual of the columns. A plurality of metal lines individually extends along and between immediately adjacent of the rows elevationally inward of the access lines. The individual metal lines are directly against and electrically coupled to sidewalls of the inner regions of each of immediately adjacent of the rows. The metal lines are electrically isolated from the data/sense lines. Other arrays of gated devices and methods of forming arrays of gated devices are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2017
    Publication date: August 17, 2017
    Inventors: Marcello D. Mariani, Anna Maria Conti, Sara Vigano
  • Patent number: 9673054
    Abstract: An array of gated devices includes a plurality of gated devices arranged in rows and columns and individually including an elevationally inner region, a mid region elevationally outward of the inner region, and an elevationally outer region elevationally outward of the mid region. A plurality of access lines are individually laterally proximate the mid regions along individual of the rows. A plurality of data/sense lines are individually elevationally outward of the access lines and electrically coupled to the outer regions along individual of the columns. A plurality of metal lines individually extends along and between immediately adjacent of the rows elevationally inward of the access lines. The individual metal lines are directly against and electrically coupled to sidewalls of the inner regions of each of immediately adjacent of the rows. The metal lines are electrically isolated from the data/sense lines. Other arrays of gated devices and methods of forming arrays of gated devices are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Marcello Mariani, Anna Maria Conti, Sara Vigano
  • Publication number: 20160254050
    Abstract: Various embodiments disclosed herein comprise methods and apparatuses for placing phase-change memory (PCM) cells of a memory array into a temperature regime where nucleation probability of the PCM cells is enhanced prior to applying a subsequent SET programming signal. In one embodiment, the method includes applying a nucleation signal to the PCM cells to form nucleation sites within the memory array where the nucleation signal has a non-zero rising-edge. A programming signal is subsequently applied to achieve a desired level of crystallinity within selected ones of the plurality of PCM cells. Additional methods and apparatuses are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2016
    Publication date: September 1, 2016
    Inventors: Agostino Pirovano, Fabio Pellizzer, Anna Maria Conti, Davide Fugazza, Johannes A. Kalb
  • Patent number: 9343149
    Abstract: Various embodiments disclosed herein comprise methods and apparatuses for placing phase-change memory (PCM) cells of a memory array into a temperature regime where nucleation probability of the PCM cells is enhanced prior to applying a subsequent SET programming signal. In one embodiment, the method includes applying a nucleation signal to the PCM cells to form nucleation sites within the memory array where the nucleation signal has a non-zero rising-edge. A programming signal is subsequently applied to achieve a desired level of crystallinity within selected ones of the plurality of PCM cells. Additional methods and apparatuses are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Agostino Pirovano, Fabio Pellizzer, Anna Maria Conti, Davide Fugazza, Johannes A. Kalb
  • Publication number: 20160049404
    Abstract: An array of gated devices includes a plurality of gated devices arranged in rows and columns and individually including an elevationally inner region, a mid region elevationally outward of the inner region, and an elevationally outer region elevationally outward of the mid region. A plurality of access lines are individually laterally proximate the mid regions along individual of the rows. A plurality of data/sense lines are individually elevationally outward of the access lines and electrically coupled to the outer regions along individual of the columns. A plurality of metal lines individually extends along and between immediately adjacent of the rows elevationally inward of the access lines. The individual metal lines are directly against and electrically coupled to sidewalls of the inner regions of each of immediately adjacent of the rows. The metal lines are electrically isolated from the data/sense lines. Other arrays of gated devices and methods of forming arrays of gated devices are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2014
    Publication date: February 18, 2016
    Inventors: Marcello Mariani, Anna Maria Conti, Sara Vigano
  • Publication number: 20160012888
    Abstract: Various embodiments disclosed herein comprise methods and apparatuses for placing phase-change memory (PCM) cells of a memory array into a temperature regime where nucleation probability of the PCM cells is enhanced prior to applying a subsequent SET programming signal. In one embodiment, the method includes applying a nucleation signal to the PCM cells to form nucleation sites within the memory array where the nucleation signal has a non-zero rising-edge. A programming signal is subsequently applied to achieve a desired level of crystallinity within selected ones of the plurality of PCM cells. Additional methods and apparatuses are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2014
    Publication date: January 14, 2016
    Inventors: Agostino Pirovano, Fabio Pellizzer, Anna Maria Conti, Davide Fugazza, Johannes A. Kalb
  • Patent number: 8634242
    Abstract: Subject matter disclosed herein relates to a multi-level flash memory and a process flow to form same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Alessandro Grossi, Giulio Albini, Anna Maria Conti
  • Patent number: 8355281
    Abstract: Subject matter disclosed herein relates to a multi-level flash memory and a process flow to form same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2013
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Alessandro Grossi, Giulio Albini, Anna Maria Conti
  • Patent number: 8325528
    Abstract: Subject matter disclosed herein relates to a multi-layer memory, and more particularly to operating same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Alessandro Grossi, Anna Maria Conti, Roberto Gastaldi
  • Publication number: 20110255334
    Abstract: Subject matter disclosed herein relates to a multi-level flash memory and a process flow to form same.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2010
    Publication date: October 20, 2011
    Inventors: Alessandro Grossi, Giulio Albini, Anna Maria Conti