Patents by Inventor John D. Hopkins

John D. Hopkins 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: 20230380159
    Abstract: A memory array comprises strings of memory cells. The memory array comprises laterally-spaced memory blocks that individually comprise a vertical stack comprising alternating insulative tiers and conductive tiers directly above a conductor tier. Channel-material strings of memory cells extend through the insulative tiers and the conductive tiers. The channel material of the channel-material strings directly electrically couples to conductor material of the conductor tier. Individual ones of the channel-material strings in a vertical cross-section comprise an external jog surface that is above the conductor tier and an internal jog surface that is in the conductor tier. Other aspects, including methods, are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2022
    Publication date: November 23, 2023
    Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Damir Fazil, John D. Hopkins, Indra V. Chary, Tom John, Joel D. Peterson, Kar Wui Thong, Zhaohui Ma
  • Publication number: 20230363163
    Abstract: Integrated circuitry comprising a memory array comprises strings of memory cells comprising laterally-spaced memory blocks that individually comprise a first vertical stack comprising alternating insulative tiers and conductive tiers. Strings of memory cells comprise channel-material strings that extend through the insulative tiers and the conductive tiers. The conductive tiers individually comprise a horizontally-elongated conductive line. A second vertical stack is aside the first vertical stack. The second vertical stack comprises an upper portion and a lower portion. The upper portion comprises alternating first insulating tiers and second insulating tiers. The lower portion comprises a lowest insulator tier directly above conductor material of a conductor tier. The lowest insulator tier comprises solid carbon and nitrogen-containing material. An immediately-adjacent tier is directly above the solid carbon and nitrogen-containing material of the lowest insulator tier.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 5, 2023
    Publication date: November 9, 2023
    Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: John D. Hopkins, Ayssa N. Scarbrough
  • Publication number: 20230363168
    Abstract: Device, systems, and structures include a stack of vertically-alternating tiers of materials arranged in one or more decks of tiers. A channel opening, in which a channel pillar may be formed, extends through the stack. The pillar includes a “shoulder portion” extending laterally into an “undercut portion” of the channel opening, which undercut portion is defined along at least a lower tier of at least one of the decks of the stack.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2023
    Publication date: November 9, 2023
    Inventors: John D. Hopkins, Nancy M. Lomeli, Justin B. Dorhout, Damir Fazil
  • Patent number: 11812610
    Abstract: Electronic devices (e.g., semiconductor devices, which may be configured for 3D NAND memory devices), comprise pillars extending through a stack of alternating conductive tiers and insulative tiers. The conductive tiers, which may include control gates for access lines (e.g., word lines), include conductive rails along an outer sidewall of the conductive tiers, distal from the pillars extending through the conductive tiers. The conductive rails protrude laterally beyond outer sidewalls of the insulative tiers. The conductive rails increase the amount of conductive material that may otherwise be in the conductive tiers, which may enable the conductive material to exhibit a lower electrical resistance, improving operational performance of the electronic devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: John D. Hopkins, Rita J. Klein, Jordan D. Greenlee
  • Patent number: 11805651
    Abstract: Some embodiments include an integrated assembly having a second deck over a first deck. The first deck has first memory cell levels, and the second deck has second memory cell levels. A pair of cell-material-pillars pass through the first and second decks. Memory cells are along the first and second memory cell levels. The cell-material-pillars are a first pillar and a second pillar. An intermediate level is between the first and second decks. The intermediate level includes a region between the first and second pillars. The region includes a first segment adjacent the first pillar, a second segment adjacent the second pillar, and a third segment between the first and second segments. The first and second segments include a first composition, and the third segment includes a second composition different from the first composition. Some embodiments include methods of forming integrated assemblies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2023
    Inventors: Jordan D. Greenlee, John D. Hopkins
  • Publication number: 20230343394
    Abstract: A memory array comprising strings of memory cells comprises laterally-spaced memory blocks individually comprising a vertical stack comprising alternating insulative tiers and conductive tiers directly above a conductor tier. Strings of memory cells comprise channel-material strings that extend through the insulative tiers and the conductive tiers. The channel-material strings directly electrically couple to conductor material of the conductor tier. Below the stack, an insulating tier is directly above the conductor tier and a metal-material tier is directly above the insulating tier. Conductive rings extend through the metal-material tier and the insulating tier to conductor material of the conductor tier. The conductive rings individually are around individual horizontal locations directly above which are individual of the channel-material strings. The channel-material strings directly electrically couple to the conductor material of the conductor tier through the insulating tier by the conductive rings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2022
    Publication date: October 26, 2023
    Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Alyssa N. Scarbrough, Jordan D. Greenlee, John D. Hopkins
  • Publication number: 20230335493
    Abstract: A microelectronic device comprises a stack structure comprising alternating conductive structures and insulative structures arranged in tiers, each of the tiers individually comprising a conductive structure and an insulative structure, strings of memory cells vertically extending through the stack structure, the strings of memory cells comprising a channel material vertically extending through the stack structure, and conductive rails laterally adjacent to the conductive structures of the stack structure. The conductive rails comprise a material composition that is different than a material composition of the conductive structures of the stack structure. Related memory devices, electronic systems, and methods are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2023
    Publication date: October 19, 2023
    Inventors: John D. Hopkins, Jordan D. Greenlee, Francois H. Fabreguette, John A. Smythe
  • Patent number: 11792983
    Abstract: A method used in forming a memory array comprising strings of memory cells comprises forming an upper stack directly above a lower stack. The lower stack comprises vertically-alternating lower-first-tiers and lower-second-tiers. The upper stack comprises vertically-alternating upper-first-tiers and upper-second-tiers. Lower channel openings extend through the lower-first-tiers and the lowers-second-tiers. The lower channel openings have sacrificial material therein. An upper of the lower-first-tiers or a lower of the upper-first-tiers comprises non-stoichiometric silicon nitride comprising (a) or (b), where (a): a nitrogen-to-silicon atomic ratio greater than 1.33 and less than 1.5; and (b): a nitrogen-to-silicon atomic ratio greater than or equal to 1.0 and less than 1.33. A higher of the upper-first-tiers that is above said lower upper-first-tier comprises silicon nitride not having either the (a) or the (b).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel Billingsley, Jordan D. Greenlee, John D. Hopkins, Yongjun Jeff Hu, Swapnil Lengade
  • Publication number: 20230320091
    Abstract: A memory array comprising strings of memory cells comprises laterally-spaced memory-blocks individually comprising a vertical stack comprising alternating insulative tiers and conductive tiers directly above conductor material of a conductor tier. Channel-material-string constructions extend through the insulative and conductive tiers to a lowest of the conductive tiers. The channel-material-string constructions individually comprise a charge-blocking-material string, a storage-material string laterally-inward of the charge-blocking-material string, a charge-passage-material string laterally-inward of the storage-material string, and a channel-material string laterally-inward of the charge-passage-material string. A lowest surface of the charge-blocking-material string that is above a lowest surface of the lowest conductive tier is below a lowest surface of a lowest of the insulative tiers that is immediately-above the lowest conductive tier.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2022
    Publication date: October 5, 2023
    Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Collin Howder, Jeffrey Ehorn, John D. Hopkins
  • Publication number: 20230320092
    Abstract: A memory array comprising strings of memory cells comprises laterally-spaced memory blocks individually comprising a vertical stack comprising alternating insulative tiers and conductive tiers directly above conductor material of a conductor tier. Channel-material-string constructions extend through the insulative and conductive tiers to a lowest of the conductive tiers. The channel-material-string constructions individually comprise a charge-blocking-material string, a storage-material string laterally-inward of the charge-blocking-material string, a charge-passage-material string laterally-inward of the storage-material string, and a channel-material string laterally-inward of the charge-passage-material string. Conductive material in the lowest conductive tier directly electrically couples together the channel material of individual of the channel-material strings and the conductor material of the conductor tier.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2022
    Publication date: October 5, 2023
    Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Collin Howder, John D. Hopkins
  • Publication number: 20230307368
    Abstract: A memory array comprising strings of memory cells comprises laterally-spaced memory blocks individually comprising a vertical stack comprising alternating insulative tiers and conductive tiers directly above a conductor tier. Strings of memory cells comprise channel-material strings that extend through the insulative tiers and the conductive tiers. The channel-material strings directly electrically couple to conductor material of the conductor tier. A through-array-via (TAV) region comprises TAV constructions that individually extend through a lowest of the conductive tiers. The TAV constructions individually comprise an insulative lining having a lowest surface that is directly against metal material in the lowest conductive tier. Other embodiments, including method, are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2022
    Publication date: September 28, 2023
    Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Alyssa N. Scarbrough, Jordan D. Greenlee, John D. Hopkins
  • Patent number: 11765902
    Abstract: A memory array comprising strings of memory cells comprises a vertical stack comprising alternating insulative tiers and conductive tiers. Channel-material strings of memory cells are in the stack. The channel-material strings project upwardly from material of an uppermost of the tiers. A first insulator material is above the material of the uppermost tier directly against sides of channel material of the upwardly-projecting channel-material strings. The first insulator material comprises at least one of (a) and (b), where (a): silicon, nitrogen, and one or more of carbon, oxygen, boron, and phosphorus, and (b): silicon carbide. Second insulator material is above the first insulator material. The first and second insulator materials comprise different compositions relative one another. Conductive vias in the second insulator material are individually directly electrically coupled to individual of the channel-material strings. Other embodiments, including methods, are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: John D. Hopkins, Lifang Xu
  • Publication number: 20230292512
    Abstract: Some embodiments include an integrated assembly having a first memory region, a second memory region, and an intermediate region between the first and second memory regions. The intermediate region has a first edge proximate the first memory region and has a second edge proximate the second memory region. Channel-material-pillars are arranged within the first and second memory regions. Conductive posts are arranged within the intermediate region. Doped-semiconductor-material is within the intermediate region and is configured as a substantially H-shaped structure having a first leg region along the first edge, a second leg region along the second edge, and a belt region adjacent the panel. Some embodiments include methods of forming integrated assemblies.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2023
    Publication date: September 14, 2023
    Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: John D. Hopkins, Jordan D. Greenlee
  • Publication number: 20230290860
    Abstract: A method used in forming a memory array comprising strings of memory cells comprises forming a conductor tier comprising conductor material on a substrate. A stack is formed comprising vertically-alternating first tiers and second tiers above the conductor tier. The stack comprises laterally-spaced memory-block regions having horizontally-elongated trenches there-between. Channel-material strings extend through the first tiers and the second tiers. Material of the first tiers is of different composition from that of the second tiers. A lowest of the first tiers is thicker than the first tiers there-above. The first-tier material is isotropically etched selectively relative to the second-tier material to form void-space in the first tiers. Conducting material is deposited into the trenches and into the void-space in the first tiers. The conducting material fills the void-space in the first tiers that are above the lowest first tier.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2023
    Publication date: September 14, 2023
    Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: John D. Hopkins
  • Publication number: 20230290409
    Abstract: A microelectronic device includes a stack structure, slot structures, and dielectric material. The stack structure includes blocks each including a vertically alternating sequence of conductive material and insulative material arranged in tiers. At least one of the blocks includes an array region including strings of memory cells, and a staircase region including a crest sub-region interposed between a staircase structure and the array region. An uppermost boundary of the tiers within the crest sub-region underlies an uppermost boundary of the tiers within the array region. The slot structures are interposed between the blocks of the stack structure. The dielectric material extends over and between the blocks of the stack structure. A thickness of a portion of the dielectric material overlying the crest sub-region is greater than a thickness of an additional portion of the dielectric material overlying the array region. Related memory devices, electronic systems, and methods are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2022
    Publication date: September 14, 2023
    Inventors: Shuangqiang Luo, John D. Hopkins, Jiewei Chen, Jordan D. Greenlee
  • Publication number: 20230276622
    Abstract: A method used in forming a memory array comprising strings of memory cells comprises forming a stack comprising vertically-alternating first tiers and second tiers. The stack comprises laterally-spaced memory-block regions that have horizontally-elongated trenches there-between. Channel openings extend through the first tiers and the second tiers in the memory-block regions. Channel material of channel-material strings is formed in the channel openings and the channel material is formed in the horizontally-elongated trenches. The channel material is removed from the horizontally-elongated trenches and the channel material of the channel-material strings is left in the channel openings. After removing the channel material from the horizontally-elongated trenches, intervening material is formed in the horizontally-elongated trenches laterally-between and longitudinally-along immediately-laterally-adjacent of the memory-block regions. Other embodiments, including structure independent of method, are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2023
    Publication date: August 31, 2023
    Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: John D. Hopkins, Alyssa N. Scarbrough
  • Patent number: 11742282
    Abstract: Some embodiments include conductive interconnects which include the first and second conductive materials, and which extend upwardly from a conductive structure. Some embodiments include integrated assemblies having conductive interconnects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Jordan D. Greenlee, Rita J. Klein, Everett A. McTeer, John D. Hopkins, Shuangqiang Luo, Song Kai Tan, Jing Wai Fong, Anurag Jindal, Chieh Hsien Quek
  • Patent number: 11744072
    Abstract: Some embodiments include an integrated assembly having a first deck which has first memory cells, and having a second deck which has second memory cells. The first memory cells have first control gate regions which include a first conductive material vertically between horizontally-extending bars of a second conductive material. The second memory cells have second control gate regions which include a fourth conductive material along an outer surface of a third conductive material. A pillar passes through the first and second decks. The pillar includes a dielectric-barrier material laterally surrounding a channel material. The first and fourth materials are directly against the dielectric-barrier material. Some embodiments include methods of forming integrated assemblies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: John D. Hopkins, Justin B. Dorhout, Nirup Bandaru, Damir Fazil, Nancy M. Lomeli, Jivaan Kishore Jhothiraman, Purnima Narayanan
  • Patent number: 11744069
    Abstract: Integrated circuitry comprising a memory array comprises strings of memory cells comprising laterally-spaced memory blocks that individually comprise a first vertical stack comprising alternating insulative tiers and conductive tiers. Strings of memory cells comprise channel-material strings that extend through the insulative tiers and the conductive tiers. The conductive tiers individually comprise a horizontally-elongated conductive line. A second vertical stack is aside the first vertical stack. The second vertical stack comprises an upper portion and a lower portion. The upper portion comprises alternating first insulating tiers and second insulating tiers. The lower portion comprises a lowest insulator tier directly above conductor material of a conductor tier. The lowest insulator tier comprises solid carbon and nitrogen-containing material. An immediately-adjacent tier is directly above the solid carbon and nitrogen-containing material of the lowest insulator tier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: John D. Hopkins, Alyssa N. Scarbrough
  • Publication number: 20230262978
    Abstract: A method used in forming a memory array comprising strings of memory cells comprises forming a conductor tier comprising conductor material on a substrate. Laterally-spaced memory-block regions individually comprising a vertical stack comprising alternating first tiers and second tiers are formed directly above the conductor tier. Channel-material strings extend through the first tiers and the second tiers. A void space is formed directly above the conductor tier laterally-across individual of the memory-block regions. The void space comprises an exposed silicon-containing surface. Conductively-doped silicon is selectively deposited onto and from the exposed silicon-containing surface. The conductively-doped silicon is directly electrically coupled to the channel material of the channel-material strings and is directly electrically coupled to the conductor material of the conductor tier and directly electrically couples the channel-material strings to the conductor material of the conductor tier.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2022
    Publication date: August 17, 2023
    Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: John D. Hopkins, Jordan D. Greenlee