Patents by Inventor Dan B. Millward

Dan B. Millward 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: 8785559
    Abstract: Methods for fabricating a random graft PS-r-PEO copolymer and its use as a neutral wetting layer in the fabrication of sublithographic, nanoscale arrays of elements including openings and linear microchannels utilizing self-assembling block copolymers, and films and devices formed from these methods are provided. In some embodiments, the films can be used as a template or mask to etch openings in an underlying material layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Dan B. Millward
  • Patent number: 8753738
    Abstract: Methods for fabricating sub-lithographic, nanoscale linear microchannel arrays over surfaces without defined features utilizing self-assembling block copolymers, and films and devices formed from these methods are provided. Embodiments of the methods use a multi-layer induced ordering approach to align lamellar films to an underlying base film within trenches, and localized heating to anneal the lamellar-phase block copolymer film overlying the trenches and outwardly over the remaining surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Dan B. Millward, Eugene P. Marsh
  • Publication number: 20140151843
    Abstract: Methods of forming metal oxide structures and methods of forming metal oxide patterns on a substrate using a block copolymer system formulated for self-assembly. A block copolymer at least within a trench in the substrate and including at least one soluble block and at least one insoluble block may be annealed to form a self-assembled pattern including a plurality of repeating units of the at least one soluble block laterally aligned with the trench and positioned within a matrix of the at least one insoluble block. The self-assembled pattern may be exposed to a metal oxide precursor that impregnates the at least one soluble block. The metal oxide precursor may be oxidized to form a metal oxide. The self-assembled pattern may be removed to form a pattern of metal oxide lines on the substrate surface. Semiconductor device structures are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2014
    Publication date: June 5, 2014
    Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Dan B. Millward, Timothy A. Quick, J. Neil Greeley
  • Patent number: 8728714
    Abstract: Methods for adhering materials and methods for enhancing adhesion between materials are disclosed. In some embodiments, a polymer brush material is bonded to a base material, and a developable polymer resist material is applied over the grafted polymer brush material. The resist material is at least partially miscible in the grafted polymer brush material. As such, the resist material at least partially dissolves within the grafted polymer brush material to form an intertwined material of grafted polymer brush macromolecules and resist polymer macromolecules. Adhesion between the developable polymer resist and the base material may be thereby enhanced. Also disclosed are related semiconductor device structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Dan B. Millward
  • Publication number: 20140107296
    Abstract: Methods for fabricating sub-lithographic, nanoscale microstructures utilizing self-assembling block copolymers, and films and devices formed from these methods are provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2013
    Publication date: April 17, 2014
    Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Dan B. Millward, Timothy A. Quick
  • Publication number: 20140097520
    Abstract: A method of forming an array of openings in a substrate. The method comprises forming a template structure comprising a plurality of parallel features and a plurality of additional parallel features perpendicularly intersecting the plurality of additional parallel features of the plurality over a substrate to define wells, each of the plurality of parallel features having substantially the same dimensions and relative spacing as each of the plurality of additional parallel features. A block copolymer material is formed in each of the wells. The block copolymer material is processed to form a patterned polymer material defining a pattern of openings. The pattern of openings is transferred to the substrate to form an array of openings in the substrate. A method of forming a semiconductor device structure, and a semiconductor device structure are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2012
    Publication date: April 10, 2014
    Applicant: MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventor: Dan B. Millward
  • Patent number: 8669645
    Abstract: Methods of forming metal oxide structures and methods of forming metal oxide patterns on a substrate using a block copolymer system formulated for self-assembly. A block copolymer at least within a trench in the substrate and including at least one soluble block and at least one insoluble block may be annealed to form a self-assembled pattern including a plurality of repeating units of the at least one soluble block laterally aligned with the trench and positioned within a matrix of the at least one insoluble block. The self-assembled pattern may be exposed to a metal oxide precursor that impregnates the at least one soluble block. The metal oxide precursor may be oxidized to form a metal oxide. The self-assembled pattern may be removed to form a pattern of metal oxide lines on the substrate surface. Semiconductor device structures are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Dan B. Millward, Timothy A. Quick, J. Neil Greeley
  • Publication number: 20140060736
    Abstract: Methods for fabricating sublithographic, nanoscale microstructures arrays including openings and linear microchannels utilizing self-assembling block copolymers, and films and devices formed from these methods are provided. In some embodiments, the films can be used as a template or mask to etch openings in an underlying material layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2013
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Dan B. Millward, Donald L. Westmoreland, Gurtej S. Sandhu
  • Patent number: 8642157
    Abstract: Methods for fabricating sub-lithographic, nanoscale microstructures in one-dimensional arrays utilizing self-assembling block copolymers, and films and devices formed from these methods are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Dan B. Millward, Karl Stuen
  • Patent number: 8633112
    Abstract: Methods for fabricating sub-lithographic, nanoscale microstructures utilizing self-assembling block copolymers, and films and devices formed from these methods are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Dan B. Millward, Timothy Quick
  • Patent number: 8609221
    Abstract: Methods for fabricating sublithographic, nanoscale microstructures arrays including openings and linear microchannels utilizing self-assembling block copolymers, and films and devices formed from these methods are provided. In some embodiments, the films can be used as a template or mask to etch openings in an underlying material layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Dan B. Millward, Donald Westmoreland, Gurtej Sandhu
  • Publication number: 20130295323
    Abstract: Methods for fabricating a random graft PS-r-PEO copolymer and its use as a neutral wetting layer in the fabrication of sublithographic, nanoscale arrays of elements including openings and linear microchannels utilizing self-assembling block copolymers, and films and devices formed from these methods are provided. In some embodiments, the films can be used as a template or mask to etch openings in an underlying material layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2013
    Publication date: November 7, 2013
    Inventor: Dan B. Millward
  • Publication number: 20130285214
    Abstract: Methods for fabricating sublithographic, nanoscale microstructures in line arrays utilizing self-assembling block copolymers, and films and devices formed from these methods are provided. Semiconductor structures may include self-assembled block copolymer materials in the form of lines of half-cylinders of a minority block matrix of a majority block of the block copolymer. The lines of half-cylinders may be within trenches in the semiconductor structures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2013
    Publication date: October 31, 2013
    Inventors: Dan B. Millward, Donald L. Westmoreland
  • Patent number: 8562844
    Abstract: Block copolymers can be self-assembled and used in methods as described herein for sub-lithographic patterning, for example. The block copolymers can be diblock copolymers, triblock copolymers, multiblock copolymers, or combinations thereof. Such methods can be useful for making devices that include, for example, sub-lithographic conductive lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Dan B. Millward
  • Patent number: 8557128
    Abstract: Methods for fabricating sub-lithographic, nanoscale microchannels utilizing an aqueous emulsion of an amphiphilic agent and a water-soluble, hydrogel-forming polymer, and films and devices formed from these methods are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Dan B. Millward
  • Patent number: 8551808
    Abstract: Multi-layer antireflection coatings, devices including multi-layer antireflection coatings and methods of forming the same are disclosed. A block copolymer is applied to a substrate and self-assembled into parallel lamellae above a substrate. The block copolymer may optionally be allowed to self-assemble into a multitude of domains oriented either substantially parallel or substantially perpendicular to an underlying substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Eugene P. Marsh, Dan B. Millward
  • Publication number: 20130252142
    Abstract: An imaging device comprising a first region and a second region. Imaging features in the first region and assist features in the second region are substantially the same size as one another and are formed substantially on pitch. Methods of forming an imaging device and methods of forming a semiconductor device structure are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2013
    Publication date: September 26, 2013
    Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Yuan He, Kaveri Jain, Lijing Gou, Zishu Zhang, Anton J. deVilliers, Michael Hyatt, Jianming Zhou, Scott L. Light, Dan B. Millward
  • Patent number: 8518275
    Abstract: Methods for fabricating sub-lithographic, nanoscale microstructures in line arrays utilizing self-assembling block copolymers, and films and devices formed from these methods are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Dan B. Millward, Donald Westmoreland
  • Patent number: 8512846
    Abstract: Methods for fabricating sublithographic, nanoscale microstructures in two-dimensional square and rectangular arrays utilizing self-assembling block copolymers, and films and devices formed from these methods are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Dan B. Millward
  • Patent number: 8513359
    Abstract: Methods for fabricating a random graft PS-r-PEO copolymer and its use as a neutral wetting layer in the fabrication of sublithographic, nanoscale arrays of elements including openings and linear microchannels utilizing self-assembling block copolymers, and films and devices formed from these methods are provided. In some embodiments, the films can be used as a template or mask to etch openings in an underlying material layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Dan B. Millward