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: 10522348
    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: January 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2019
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Luan C. Tran, Raghupathy Giridhar
  • Patent number: 10515972
    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: August 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2019
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Fatma Arzum Simsek-Ege, Krishna K. Parat, Luan C. Tran, Meng-Wei Kuo, Yushi Hu
  • Patent number: 10497611
    Abstract: Different portions of a continuous loop of semiconductor material are electrically isolated from one another. In some embodiments, the end of the loop is electrically isolated from mid-portions of the loop. In some embodiments, loops of semiconductor material, having two legs connected together at their ends, are formed by a pitch multiplication process in which loops of spacers are formed on sidewalls of mandrels. The mandrels are removed and a block of masking material is overlaid on at least one end of the spacer loops. In some embodiments, the blocks of masking material overlay each end of the spacer loops. The pattern defined by the spacers and the blocks are transferred to a layer of semiconductor material. The blocks electrically connect together all the loops. A select gate is formed along each leg of the loops. The blocks serve as sources/drains.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2019
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Luan C. Tran
  • Patent number: 10438968
    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: March 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2019
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: John M. Meldrin, Yushi Hu, Rita J. Klein, John D. Hopkins, Hongbin Zhu, Gordon A. Haller, Luan C. Tran
  • Publication number: 20190280007
    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: May 15, 2019
    Publication date: September 12, 2019
    Inventors: John M. Meldrim, Yushi Hu, Rita J. Klein, John D. Hopkins, Hongbin Zhu, Gordon A. Haller, Luan C. Tran
  • Publication number: 20190267394
    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: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2019
    Publication date: August 29, 2019
    Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: David H. Wells, Luan C. Tran, Jie Li, Anish A. Khandekar, Kunal Shrotri
  • Publication number: 20190198516
    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: March 4, 2019
    Publication date: June 27, 2019
    Inventors: Luan C. Tran, Hongbin Zhu, John D. Hopkins, Yushi Hu
  • Patent number: 10297611
    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: February 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: David H. Wells, Luan C. Tran, Jie Li, Anish A. Khandekar, Kunal Shrotri
  • Publication number: 20190148135
    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: January 16, 2019
    Publication date: May 16, 2019
    Inventors: Luan C. Tran, Raghupathy Giridhar
  • Patent number: 10242995
    Abstract: Some embodiments include a string of charge storage devices formed along a vertical channel of semiconductor material; a gate region of a drain select gate (SGD) transistor, the gate region at least partially surrounding the vertical channel; a dielectric barrier formed in the gate region; a first isolation layer formed above the gate region and the dielectric barrier; a drain region of the SGD transistor formed above the vertical channel; and a second isolation layer formed above the first isolation layer and the drain region, wherein the second isolation layer includes a conductive contact in electrical contact with the drain region of the SGD transistor. Additional apparatus and methods are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Hongbin Zhu, Lijing Gou, Gordon Haller, Luan C. Tran
  • Patent number: 10224337
    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 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Luan C. Tran, Hongbin Zhu, John D. Hopkins, Yushi Hu
  • Publication number: 20180358378
    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: August 21, 2018
    Publication date: December 13, 2018
    Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Jie Li, James Mathew, Kunal Shrotri, Luan C. Tran, Gordon A. Haller, Yangda Zhang, Hongpeng Yu, Minsoo Lee
  • Patent number: 10083984
    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 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2018
    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: 20180211868
    Abstract: Different portions of a continuous loop of semiconductor material are electrically isolated from one another. In some embodiments, the end of the loop is electrically isolated from mid-portions of the loop. In some embodiments, loops of semiconductor material, having two legs connected together at their ends, are formed by a pitch multiplication process in which loops of spacers are formed on sidewalls of mandrels. The mandrels are removed and a block of masking material is overlaid on at least one end of the spacer loops. In some embodiments, the blocks of masking material overlay each end of the spacer loops. The pattern defined by the spacers and the blocks are transferred to a layer of semiconductor material. The blocks electrically connect together all the loops. A select gate is formed along each leg of the loops. The blocks serve as sources/drains.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2018
    Publication date: July 26, 2018
    Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Luan C. Tran
  • Publication number: 20180204851
    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: March 16, 2018
    Publication date: July 19, 2018
    Inventors: John M. Meldrim, Yushi Hu, Rita J. Klein, John D. Hopkins, Hongbin Zhu, Gordon A. Haller, Luan C. Tran
  • Patent number: 9941155
    Abstract: Different portions of a continuous loop of semiconductor material are electrically isolated from one another. In some embodiments, the end of the loop is electrically isolated from mid-portions of the loop. In some embodiments, loops of semiconductor material, having two legs connected together at their ends, are formed by a pitch multiplication process in which loops of spacers are formed on sidewalls of mandrels. The mandrels are removed and a block of masking material is overlaid on at least one end of the spacer loops. In some embodiments, the blocks of masking material overlay each end of the spacer loops. The pattern defined by the spacers and the blocks are transferred to a layer of semiconductor material. The blocks electrically connect together all the loops. A select gate is formed along each leg of the loops. The blocks serve as sources/drains.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Luan C. Tran
  • Patent number: 9935120
    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: February 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    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: 20180069015
    Abstract: Some embodiments include a string of charge storage devices formed along a vertical channel of semiconductor material; a gate region of a drain select gate (SGD) transistor, the gate region at least partially surrounding the vertical channel; a dielectric barrier formed in the gate region; a first isolation layer formed above the gate region and the dielectric barrier; a drain region of the SGD transistor formed above the vertical channel; and a second isolation layer formed above the first isolation layer and the drain region, wherein the second isolation layer includes a conductive contact in electrical contact with the drain region of the SGD transistor. Additional apparatus and methods are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2017
    Publication date: March 8, 2018
    Inventors: Hongbin Zhu, Lijing Gou, Gordon Haller, Luan C. Tran
  • Publication number: 20180040624
    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: March 16, 2016
    Publication date: February 8, 2018
    Inventor: Luan C. Tran
  • Publication number: 20170373075
    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: August 24, 2017
    Publication date: December 28, 2017
    Inventors: Fatma Arzum Simsek-Ege, Krishna K. Parat, Luan C. Tran, Meng-Wei Kuo, Yushi Hu