Patents by Inventor Lyle D. Breiner

Lyle D. Breiner 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: 7112544
    Abstract: The invention includes a method for treating a plurality of discrete semiconductor substrates. The discrete semiconductor substrates are placed within a reactor chamber. While the substrates are within the chamber, they are simultaneously exposed to one or more of H, F and Cl to remove native oxide. After removing the native oxide, the substrates are simultaneously exposed to a first reactive material to form a first mass across at least some exposed surfaces of the substrates. The first reactive material is removed from the reaction chamber, and subsequently the substrates are exposed to a second reactive material to convert the first mass to a second mass. The invention also includes apparatuses which can be utilized for simultaneous ALD treatment of a plurality of discrete semiconductor substrates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2006
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Trung Tri Doan, Lyle D. Breiner, Er-Xuan Ping, Lingyi A. Zheng
  • Patent number: 7056806
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods and apparatus useful in depositing materials on batches of microfeature workpieces. One implementation provides a method in which a quantity of a first precursor gas is introduced to an enclosure at a first enclosure pressure. The pressure within the enclosure is reduced to a second enclosure pressure while introducing a purge gas at a first flow rate. The second enclosure pressure may approach or be equal to a steady-state base pressure of the processing system at the first flow rate. After reducing the pressure, the purge gas flow may be increased to a second flow rate and the enclosure pressure may be increased to a third enclosure pressure. Thereafter, a flow of a second precursor gas may be introduced with a pressure within the enclosure at a fourth enclosure pressure; the third enclosure pressure is desirably within about 10 percent of the fourth enclosure pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2006
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Cem Basceri, Trung T. Doan, Ronald A. Weimer, Kevin L. Beaman, Lyle D. Breiner, Lingyi A. Zheng, Er-Xuan Ping, Demetrius Sarigiannis, David J. Kubista
  • Patent number: 6916723
    Abstract: The invention includes a method of forming a rugged semiconductor-containing surface. A first semiconductor layer is formed over a substrate, and a second semiconductor layer is formed over the first semiconductor layer. Subsequently, a third semiconductor layer is formed over the second semiconductor layer, and semiconductor-containing seeds are formed over the third semiconductor layer. The seeds are annealed to form the rugged semiconductor-containing surface. The first, second and third semiconductor layers are part of a common stack, and can be together utilized within a storage node of a capacitor construction. The invention also includes semiconductor structures comprising rugged surfaces. The rugged surfaces can be, for example, rugged silicon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2005
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Shenlin Chen, Trung Tri Doan, Guy T. Blalock, Lyle D. Breiner, Er-Xuan Ping
  • Patent number: 6887755
    Abstract: The invention encompasses a method of forming a rugged silicone-containing surface. A layer comprising amorphous silicon is provided within a reaction chamber at a first temperature. The temperature is increased to a second temperature at least 40° C. higher than the first temperature while flowing at least one hydrogen isotope into the chamber. After the temperature reaches the second temperature, the layer is seeded with seed crystals. The seeded layer is then annealed to form a rugged silicon-containing surface. The rugged silicon-containing surface can be incorporated into a capacitor construction. The capacitor construction can be incorporated into a DRAM cell, and the DRAM cell can be utilized in an electronic system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2005
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Guy T. Blalock, Lyle D. Breiner
  • Patent number: 6881636
    Abstract: The invention includes methods of forming deuterated silicon nitride-containing materials from at least one deuterated nitrogen compound in combination with one or more silicon-containing compounds that do not contain hydrogen isotopes. Suitable deuterated nitrogen compounds can comprise, for example, NH2D, NHD2 and ND3. Suitable silicon-containing compounds include, for example, SiCl4 and Si2Cl6. Deuterated silicon nitride-containing materials of the present invention can be incorporated into, for example, transistor devices. The transistor devices can be utilized in DRAM cells, which in turn can be utilized in electronic systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2005
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald A. Weimer, Lyle D. Breiner
  • Patent number: 6835674
    Abstract: The invention includes a method for treating a plurality of discrete semiconductor substrates. The discrete semiconductor substrates are placed within a reactor chamber. While the substrates are within the chamber, they are simultaneously exposed to one or more of H, F and Cl to remove native oxide. After removing the native oxide, the substrates are simultaneously exposed to a first reactive material to form a first mass across at least some exposed surfaces of the substrates. The first reactive material is removed from the reaction chamber, and subsequently the substrates are exposed to a second reactive material to convert the first mass to a second mass. The invention also includes apparatuses which can be utilized for simultaneous ALD treatment of a plurality of discrete semiconductor substrates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2004
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Trung Tri Doan, Lyle D. Breiner, Er-Xuan Ping, Lingyi A. Zheng
  • Publication number: 20040235302
    Abstract: The invention includes a method for treating a plurality of discrete semiconductor substrates. The discrete semiconductor substrates are placed within a reactor chamber. While the substrates are within the chamber, they are simultaneously exposed to one or more of H, F and Cl to remove native oxide. After removing the native oxide, the substrates are simultaneously exposed to a first reactive material to form a first mass across at least some exposed surfaces of the substrates. The first reactive material is removed from the reaction chamber, and subsequently the substrates are exposed to a second reactive material to convert the first mass to a second mass. The invention also includes apparatuses which can be utilized for simultaneous ALD treatment of a plurality of discrete semiconductor substrates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2004
    Publication date: November 25, 2004
    Inventors: Trung Tri Doan, Lyle D. Breiner, Er-Xuan Ping, Lingyi A. Zheng
  • Publication number: 20040212048
    Abstract: The invention includes a method of forming a rugged semiconductor-containing surface. A first semiconductor layer is formed over a substrate, and a second semiconductor layer is formed over the first semiconductor layer. Subsequently, a third semiconductor layer is formed over the second semiconductor layer, and semiconductor-containing seeds are formed over the third semiconductor layer. The seeds are annealed to form the rugged semiconductor-containing surface. The first, second and third semiconductor layers are part of a common stack, and can be together utilized within a storage node of a capacitor construction. The invention also includes semiconductor structures comprising rugged surfaces. The rugged surfaces can be, for example, rugged silicon.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2003
    Publication date: October 28, 2004
    Inventors: Shenlin Chen, Trung Tri Doan, Guy T. Blalock, Lyle D. Breiner, Er-Xuan Ping
  • Publication number: 20040203232
    Abstract: The invention includes a method for treating a plurality of discrete semiconductor substrates. The discrete semiconductor substrates are placed within a reactor chamber. While the substrates are within the chamber, they are simultaneously exposed to one or more of H, F and Cl to remove native oxide. After removing the native oxide, the substrates are simultaneously exposed to a first reactive material to form a first mass across at least some exposed surfaces of the substrates. The first reactive material is removed from the reaction chamber, and subsequently the substrates are exposed to a second reactive material to convert the first mass to a second mass. The invention also includes apparatuses which can be utilized for simultaneous ALD treatment of a plurality of discrete semiconductor substrates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2004
    Publication date: October 14, 2004
    Inventors: Trung Tri Doan, Lyle D. Breiner, Er-Xuan Ping, Lingyi A. Zheng
  • Publication number: 20030186515
    Abstract: The invention includes a method for treating a plurality of discrete semiconductor substrates. The discrete semiconductor substrates are placed within a reactor chamber. While the substrates are within the chamber, they are simultaneously exposed to one or more of H, F and Cl to remove native oxide. After removing the native oxide, the substrates are simultaneously exposed to a first reactive material to form a first mass across at least some exposed surfaces of the substrates. The first reactive material is removed from the reaction chamber, and subsequently the substrates are exposed to a second reactive material to convert the first mass to a second mass. The invention also includes apparatuses which can be utilized for simultaneous ALD treatment of a plurality of discrete semiconductor substrates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2002
    Publication date: October 2, 2003
    Inventors: Trung Tri Dean, Lyle D. Breiner, Er-Xuan Ping, Lingyi A. Zheng
  • Publication number: 20030176061
    Abstract: The invention includes a method for treating a plurality of discrete semiconductor substrates. The discrete semiconductor substrates are placed within a reactor chamber. While the substrates are within the chamber, they are simultaneously exposed to one or more of H, F and Cl to remove native oxide. After removing the native oxide, the substrates are simultaneously exposed to a first reactive material to form a first mass across at least some exposed surfaces of the substrates. The first reactive material is removed from the reaction chamber, and subsequently the substrates are exposed to a second reactive material to convert the first mass to a second mass. The invention also includes apparatuses which can be utilized for simultaneous ALD treatment of a plurality of discrete semiconductor substrates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2003
    Publication date: September 18, 2003
    Inventors: Trung Tri Doan, Lyle D. Breiner, Er-Xuan Ping, Lingyi A. Zheng
  • Publication number: 20030176060
    Abstract: The invention includes a method for treating a plurality of discrete semiconductor substrates. The discrete semiconductor substrates are placed within a reactor chamber. While the substrates are within the chamber, they are simultaneously exposed to one or more of H, F and Cl to remove native oxide. After removing the native oxide, the substrates are simultaneously exposed to a first reactive material to form a first mass across at least some exposed surfaces of the substrates. The first reactive material is removed from the reaction chamber, and subsequently the substrates are exposed to a second reactive material to convert the first mass to a second mass. The invention also includes apparatuses which can be utilized for simultaneous ALD treatment of a plurality of discrete semiconductor substrates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2003
    Publication date: September 18, 2003
    Inventors: Trung Tri Doan, Lyle D. Breiner, Er-Xuan Ping, Lingyi A. Zheng
  • Publication number: 20030176062
    Abstract: The invention includes a method for treating a plurality of discrete semiconductor substrates. The discrete semiconductor substrates are placed within a reactor chamber. While the substrates are within the chamber, they are simultaneously exposed to one or more of H, F and Cl to remove native oxide. After removing the native oxide, the substrates are simultaneously exposed to a first reactive material to form a first mass across at least some exposed surfaces of the substrates. The first reactive material is removed from the reaction chamber, and subsequently the substrates are exposed to a second reactive material to convert the first mass to a second mass. The invention also includes apparatuses which can be utilized for simultaneous ALD treatment of a plurality of discrete semiconductor substrates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2003
    Publication date: September 18, 2003
    Inventors: Trung Tri Doan, Lyle D. Breiner, Er-Xuan Ping, Lingyi A. Zheng
  • Publication number: 20030176057
    Abstract: The invention includes a method for treating a plurality of discrete semiconductor substrates. The discrete semiconductor substrates are placed within a reactor chamber. While the substrates are within the chamber, they are simultaneously exposed to one or more of H, F and Cl to remove native oxide. After removing the native oxide, the substrates are simultaneously exposed to a first reactive material to form a first mass across at least some exposed surfaces of the substrates. The first reactive material is removed from the reaction chamber, and subsequently the substrates are exposed to a second reactive material to convert the first mass to a second mass. The invention also includes apparatuses which can be utilized for simultaneous ALD treatment of a plurality of discrete semiconductor substrates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2003
    Publication date: September 18, 2003
    Inventors: Trung Tri Doan, Lyle D. Breiner, Er-Xuan Ping, Lingyi A. Zheng
  • Publication number: 20030176047
    Abstract: The invention includes a method for treating a plurality of discrete semiconductor substrates. The discrete semiconductor substrates are placed within a reactor chamber. While the substrates are within the chamber, they are simultaneously exposed to one or more of H, F and Cl to remove native oxide. After removing the native oxide, the substrates are simultaneously exposed to a first reactive material to form a first mass across at least some exposed surfaces of the substrates. The first reactive material is removed from the reaction chamber, and subsequently the substrates are exposed to a second reactive material to convert the first mass to a second mass. The invention also includes apparatuses which can be utilized for simultaneous ALD treatment of a plurality of discrete semiconductor substrates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2003
    Publication date: September 18, 2003
    Inventors: Trung Tri Doan, Lyle D. Breiner, Er-Xuan Ping, Lingyi A. Zheng
  • Patent number: 6388284
    Abstract: Integrated circuitry capacitors and methods of forming the same are described. In accordance with one implementation, a capacitor plate is formed and a conductive layer of material is formed thereover. Preferably, the conductive layer of material is more conductive than the material from which the capacitor plate is formed. In a preferred implementation, the conductive layer of material comprises a titanium or titanium-containing layer. In another preferred implementation, the capacitor plate comprises an inner capacitor plate having an outer surface with a generally roughened surface area. In one aspect of this implementation, the roughened surface area comprises hemispherical grain polysilicon. Capacitors formed in accordance with the invention are particularly well suited for use in dynamic random access memory (DRAM) circuitry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2002
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Howard E. Rhodes, Lyle D. Breiner, Philip J. Ireland, Trung Tri Doan, Gurtej S. Sandhu, Sujit Sharan
  • Patent number: 6291289
    Abstract: Integrated circuitry capacitors and methods of forming the same are described. In accordance with one implementation, a capacitor plate is formed and a conductive layer of material is formed thereove. Preferably, the conductive layer of material is more conductive than the material from which the capacitor plate is formed. In a preferred implementation, the conductive layer of material comprises a titanium or titanium-containing layer. In another preferred implementation, the capacitor plate comprises an inner capacitor plate having an outer surface with a generally roughened surface area. In one aspect of this implementation, the roughened surface area comprises hemispherical grain polysilicon. Capacitors formed in accordance with the invention are particularly well suited for use in dynamic random access memory (DRAM) circuitry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Howard E. Rhodes, Lyle D. Breiner, Philip J. Ireland, Trung Tri Doan, Gurtej S. Sandhu, Sujit Sharan
  • Publication number: 20010012656
    Abstract: Integrated circuitry capacitors and methods of forming the same are described. In accordance with one implementation, a capacitor plate is formed and a conductive layer of material is formed thereover. Preferably, the conductive layer of material is more conductive than the material from which the capacitor plate is formed. In a preferred implementation, the conductive layer of material comprises a titanium or titanium-containing layer. In another preferred implementation, the capacitor plate comprises an inner capacitor plate having an outer surface with a generally roughened surface area. In one aspect of this implementation, the roughened surface area comprises hemispherical grain polysilicon. Capacitors formed in accordance with the invention are particularly well suited for use in dynamic random access memory (DRAM) circuitry.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 1999
    Publication date: August 9, 2001
    Inventors: HOWARD E. RHODES, LYLE D. BREINER, PHILIP J. IRELAND, TRUNG TRI DOAN, GURTEJ S. SANDHU, SUJIT SHARAN
  • Publication number: 20010001210
    Abstract: Integrated circuitry capacitors and methods of forming the same are described. In accordance with one implementation, a capacitor plate is formed and a conductive layer of material is formed thereover. Preferably, the conductive layer of material is more conductive than the material from which the capacitor plate is formed. In a preferred implementation, the conductive layer of material comprises a titanium or titanium-containing layer. In another preferred implementation, the capacitor plate comprises an inner capacitor plate having an outer surface with a generally roughened surface area. In one aspect of this implementation, the roughened surface area comprises hemispherical grain polysilicon. Capacitors formed in accordance with the invention are particularly well suited for use in dynamic random access memory (DRAM) circuitry.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2001
    Publication date: May 17, 2001
    Inventors: Howard E. Rhodes, Lyle D. Breiner, Philip J. Ireland, Trung Tri Doan, Gurtej S. Sandhu, Sujit Sharan
  • Patent number: 6121081
    Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention develops a process for forming Hemi-Spherical Grained silicon by the steps of: forming amorphous silicon from a gas source comprising at least one of dichlorosilane, disilane or trisilane, wherein the amorphous silicon comprising at least one impurity doped amorphous portion, the amorphous silicon is deposited at a deposition temperature no greater than 525.degree. C.; and annealing the amorphous silicon for a sufficient amount of time and at an elevated annealing temperature, thereby transforming the amorphous silicon into the Hemi-Spherical Grained silicon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2000
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Randhir P. S. Thakur, Lyle D. Breiner