Patents by Inventor Luan C. Tran

Luan C. Tran 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: 11937423
    Abstract: A method used in forming a memory array, comprises forming a substrate comprising a conductive tier, an insulator etch-stop tier above the conductive tier, a select gate tier above the insulator etch-stop tier, and a stack comprising vertically-alternating insulative tiers and wordline tiers above the select gate tier. Etching is conducted through the insulative tiers, the wordline tiers, and the select gate tier to and stopping on the insulator etch-stop tier to form channel openings that have individual bottoms comprising the insulator etch-stop tier. The insulator etch-stop tier is penetrated through to extend individual of the channel openings there-through to the conductive tier. Channel material is formed in the individual channel openings elevationally along the insulative tiers, the wordline tiers, and the select gate tier and is directly electrically coupled with the conductive material in the conductive tier. Structure independent of method is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Luan C. Tran, Guangyu Huang, Haitao Liu
  • Patent number: 11653494
    Abstract: Some embodiments include apparatuses and methods having a source material, a dielectric material over the source material, a select gate material over the dielectric material, a memory cell stack over the select gate material, a conductive plug located in an opening of the dielectric material and contacting a portion of the source material, and a channel material extending through the memory cell stack and the select gate material and contacting the conductive plug.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Fatma Arzum Simsek-Ege, Krishna K. Parat, Luan C. Tran, Meng-Wei Kuo, Yushi Hu
  • Publication number: 20220278120
    Abstract: A method used in forming a memory array, comprises forming a substrate comprising a conductive tier, an insulator etch-stop tier above the conductive tier, a select gate tier above the insulator etch-stop tier, and a stack comprising vertically-alternating insulative tiers and wordline tiers above the select gate tier. Etching is conducted through the insulative tiers, the wordline tiers, and the select gate tier to and stopping on the insulator etch-stop tier to form channel openings that have individual bottoms comprising the insulator etch-stop tier. The insulator etch-stop tier is penetrated through to extend individual of the channel openings there-through to the conductive tier. Channel material is formed in the individual channel openings elevationally along the insulative tiers, the wordline tiers, and the select gate tier and is directly electrically coupled with the conductive material in the conductive tier. Structure independent of method is disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2022
    Publication date: September 1, 2022
    Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Luan C. Tran, Guangyu Huang, Haitao Liu
  • Publication number: 20220262626
    Abstract: Embodiments of a method for device fabrication by reverse pitch reduction flow include forming a first pattern of features above a substrate and forming a second pattern of pitch-multiplied spacers subsequent to forming the first pattern of features. In embodiments of the invention the first pattern of features may be formed by photolithography and the second pattern of pitch-multiplied spacers may be formed by pitch multiplication. Other methods for device fabrication are provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2022
    Publication date: August 18, 2022
    Inventors: Luan C. Tran, Raghupathy Giridhar
  • Publication number: 20220238543
    Abstract: The present disclosure includes memory having a continuous channel, and methods of processing the same. A number of embodiments include forming a vertical stack having memory cells connected in series between a source select gate and a drain select gate, wherein forming the vertical stack includes forming a continuous channel for the source select gate, the memory cells, and the drain select gate, and removing a portion of the continuous channel for the drain select gate such that the continuous channel is thinner for the drain select gate than for the memory cells and the source select gate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2022
    Publication date: July 28, 2022
    Inventors: Luan C. Tran, Hongbin Zhu, John D. Hopkins, Yushi Hu
  • Patent number: 11380699
    Abstract: A method used in forming a memory array, comprises forming a substrate comprising a conductive tier, an insulator etch-stop tier above the conductive tier, a select gate tier above the insulator etch-stop tier, and a stack comprising vertically-alternating insulative tiers and wordline tiers above the select gate tier. Etching is conducted through the insulative tiers, the wordline tiers, and the select gate tier to and stopping on the insulator etch-stop tier to form channel openings that have individual bottoms comprising the insulator etch-stop tier. The insulator etch-stop tier is penetrated through to extend individual of the channel openings there-through to the conductive tier. Channel material is formed in the individual channel openings elevationally along the insulative tiers, the wordline tiers, and the select gate tier and is directly electrically coupled with the conductive material in the conductive tier. Structure independent of method is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Luan C. Tran, Guangyu Huang, Haitao Liu
  • Patent number: 11348788
    Abstract: Embodiments of a method for device fabrication by reverse pitch reduction flow include forming a first pattern of features above a substrate and forming a second pattern of pitch-multiplied spacers subsequent to forming the first pattern of features. In embodiments of the invention the first pattern of features may be formed by photolithography and the second pattern of pitch-multiplied spacers may be formed by pitch multiplication. Other methods for device fabrication are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Luan C. Tran, Raghupathy Giridhar
  • Patent number: 11315941
    Abstract: The present disclosure includes memory having a continuous channel, and methods of processing the same. A number of embodiments include forming a vertical stack having memory cells connected in series between a source select gate and a drain select gate, wherein forming the vertical stack includes forming a continuous channel for the source select gate, the memory cells, and the drain select gate, and removing a portion of the continuous channel for the drain select gate such that the continuous channel is thinner for the drain select gate than for the memory cells and the source select gate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Luan C. Tran, Hongbin Zhu, John D. Hopkins, Yushi Hu
  • Patent number: 11195854
    Abstract: Some embodiments include an integrated structure having a first opening extending through a stack of alternating insulative levels and conductive levels. A nitride structure is within the first opening and narrows the first opening to form a second opening. Detectable oxide is between the nitride structure and one or more of the conductive levels. Some embodiments include an integrated structure having a conductive material, a select device gate material over the conductive material, and vertically-stacked conductive levels over the select device gate material. A first opening extends through the vertically-stacked levels to the conductive material and has opposing sidewalls along a cross-section. Nitride liners are along the sidewalls of the first opening. Detectable oxide is between at least one of the nitride liners and one or more of the vertically-stacked conductive levels. Some embodiments include methods for forming integrated structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Jie Li, James Mathew, Kunal Shrotri, Luan C. Tran, Gordon A. Haller, Yangda Zhang, Hongpeng Yu, Minsoo Lee
  • Publication number: 20210272975
    Abstract: Disclosed are memory structures and methods for forming such structures. An example method forms a vertical string of memory cells by forming an opening in interleaved tiers of dielectric tier material and nitride tier material, forming a charge storage material over sidewalls of the opening and recesses in the opening to form respective charge storage structures within the recesses. Subsequently, and separate from the formation of the floating gate structures, at least a portion of the remaining nitride tier material is removed to produce control gate recesses, each adjacent a respective charge storage structure. A control gate is formed in each control gate recess, and the control gate is separated from the charge storage structure by a dielectric structure. In some examples, these dielectric structures are also formed separately from the charge storage structures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2021
    Publication date: September 2, 2021
    Inventor: Luan C. Tran
  • Patent number: 11011531
    Abstract: Disclosed are memory structures and methods for forming such structures. An example method forms a vertical string of memory cells by forming an opening in interleaved tiers of dielectric tier material and nitride tier material, forming a charge storage material over sidewalls of the opening and recesses in the opening to form respective charge storage structures within the recesses. Subsequently, and separate from the formation of the floating gate structures, at least a portion of the remaining nitride tier material is removed to produce control gate recesses, each adjacent a respective charge storage structure. A control gate is formed in each control gate recess, and the control gate is separated from the charge storage structure by a dielectric structure. In some examples, these dielectric structures are also formed separately from the charge storage structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Luan C. Tran
  • Patent number: 11011538
    Abstract: A transistor comprises channel material having first and second opposing sides. A gate is on the first side of the channel material and a gate insulator is between the gate and the channel material. A first insulating material has first and second opposing sides, with the first side being adjacent the second side of the channel material. A second insulating material of different composition from that of the first insulating material is adjacent the second side of the first insulating material. The second insulating material has at least one of (a), (b), and (c), where, (a): lower oxygen diffusivity than the first material, (b): net positive charge, and (c): at least two times greater shear strength than the first material. In some embodiments, an array of elevationally-extending strings of memory cells comprises such transistors. Other embodiments, including method, are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: David H. Wells, Luan C. Tran, Jie Li, Anish A. Khandekar, Kunal Shrotri
  • Patent number: 10943920
    Abstract: Some embodiments include a memory array which has a stack of alternating first and second levels. Channel material pillars extend through the stack, and vertically-stacked memory cell strings are along the channel material pillars. A common source is under the stack and electrically coupled to the channel material pillars. The common source has conductive protective material over and directly against metal silicide, with the conductive protective material being a composition other than metal silicide. Some embodiments include methods of fabricating integrated structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: John M. Meldrim, Yushi Hu, Rita J. Klein, John D. Hopkins, Hongbin Zhu, Gordon A. Haller, Luan C. Tran
  • Publication number: 20200279855
    Abstract: A method used in forming a memory array, comprises forming a substrate comprising a conductive tier, an insulator etch-stop tier above the conductive tier, a select gate tier above the insulator etch-stop tier, and a stack comprising vertically-alternating insulative tiers and wordline tiers above the select gate tier. Etching is conducted through the insulative tiers, the wordline tiers, and the select gate tier to and stopping on the insulator etch-stop tier to form channel openings that have individual bottoms comprising the insulator etch-stop tier. The insulator etch-stop tier is penetrated through to extend individual of the channel openings there-through to the conductive tier. Channel material is formed in the individual channel openings elevationally along the insulative tiers, the wordline tiers, and the select gate tier and is directly electrically coupled with the conductive material in the conductive tier. Structure independent of method is disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2019
    Publication date: September 3, 2020
    Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Luan C. Tran, Guangyu Huang, Haitao Liu
  • Publication number: 20200176471
    Abstract: Some embodiments include an integrated structure having a first opening extending through a stack of alternating insulative levels and conductive levels. A nitride structure is within the first opening and narrows the first opening to form a second opening. Detectable oxide is between the nitride structure and one or more of the conductive levels. Some embodiments include an integrated structure having a conductive material, a select device gate material over the conductive material, and vertically-stacked conductive levels over the select device gate material. A first opening extends through the vertically-stacked levels to the conductive material and has opposing sidewalls along a cross-section. Nitride liners are along the sidewalls of the first opening. Detectable oxide is between at least one of the nitride liners and one or more of the vertically-stacked conductive levels. Some embodiments include methods for forming integrated structures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2020
    Publication date: June 4, 2020
    Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Jie Li, James Mathew, Kunal Shrotri, Luan C. Tran, Gordon A. Haller, Yangda Zhang, Hongpeng Yu, Minsoo Lee
  • Publication number: 20200152658
    Abstract: Some embodiments include a memory array which has a stack of alternating first and second levels. Channel material pillars extend through the stack, and vertically-stacked memory cell strings are along the channel material pillars. A common source is under the stack and electrically coupled to the channel material pillars. The common source has conductive protective material over and directly against metal silicide, with the conductive protective material being a composition other than metal silicide. Some embodiments include methods of fabricating integrated structures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2020
    Publication date: May 14, 2020
    Inventors: John M. Meldrim, Yushi Hu, Rita J. Klein, John D. Hopkins, Hongbin Zhu, Gordon A. Haller, Luan C. Tran
  • Publication number: 20200135748
    Abstract: Some embodiments include apparatuses and methods having a source material, a dielectric material over the source material, a select gate material over the dielectric material, a memory cell stack over the select gate material, a conductive plug located in an opening of the dielectric material and contacting a portion of the source material, and a channel material extending through the memory cell stack and the select gate material and contacting the conductive plug.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2019
    Publication date: April 30, 2020
    Inventors: Fatma Arzum Simsek-Ege, Krishna K. Parat, Luan C. Tran, Meng-Wei Kuo, Yushi Hu
  • Publication number: 20200090929
    Abstract: Embodiments of a method for device fabrication by reverse pitch reduction flow include forming a first pattern of features above a substrate and forming a second pattern of pitch-multiplied spacers subsequent to forming the first pattern of features. In embodiments of the invention the first pattern of features may be formed by photolithography and the second pattern of pitch-multiplied spacers may be formed by pitch multiplication. Other methods for device fabrication are provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2019
    Publication date: March 19, 2020
    Inventors: Luan C. Tran, Raghupathy Giridhar
  • Patent number: 10580792
    Abstract: Some embodiments include an integrated structure having a first opening extending through a stack of alternating insulative levels and conductive levels. A nitride structure is within the first opening and narrows the first opening to form a second opening. Detectable oxide is between the nitride structure and one or more of the conductive levels. Some embodiments include an integrated structure having a conductive material, a select device gate material over the conductive material, and vertically-stacked conductive levels over the select device gate material. A first opening extends through the vertically-stacked levels to the conductive material and has opposing sidewalls along a cross-section. Nitride liners are along the sidewalls of the first opening. Detectable oxide is between at least one of the nitride liners and one or more of the vertically-stacked conductive levels. Some embodiments include methods for forming integrated structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Jie Li, James Mathew, Kunal Shrotri, Luan C. Tran, Gordon A. Haller, Yangda Zhang, Hongpeng Yu, Minsoo Lee
  • Patent number: 10553611
    Abstract: Some embodiments include a memory array which has a stack of alternating first and second levels. Channel material pillars extend through the stack, and vertically-stacked memory cell strings are along the channel material pillars. A common source is under the stack and electrically coupled to the channel material pillars. The common source has conductive protective material over and directly against metal silicide, with the conductive protective material being a composition other than metal silicide. Some embodiments include methods of fabricating integrated structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2020
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: John M. Meldrim, Yushi Hu, Rita J. Klein, John D. Hopkins, Hongbin Zhu, Gordon A. Haller, Luan C. Tran