Patents by Inventor Neil Greeley

Neil Greeley 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: 20180047739
    Abstract: An array of elevationally-extending strings of memory cells, where the memory cells individually comprise a programmable charge storage transistor, comprises a substrate comprising a first region containing memory cells and a second region not containing memory cells laterally of the first region. The first region comprises vertically-alternating tiers of insulative material and control gate material. The second region comprises vertically-alternating tiers of different composition insulating materials laterally of the first region. A channel pillar comprising semiconductive channel material extends elevationally through multiple of the vertically-alternating tiers within the first region. Tunnel insulator, programmable charge storage material, and control gate blocking insulator are between the channel pillar and the control gate material of individual of the tiers of the control gate material within the first region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2016
    Publication date: February 15, 2018
    Inventors: Justin B. Dorhout, Kunal R. Parekh, Matthew Park, Joseph Neil Greeley, Chet E. Carter, Martin C. Roberts, Indra V. Chary, Vinayak Shamanna, Ryan Meyer, Paolo Tessariol
  • Publication number: 20170372913
    Abstract: A method for patterning a layer increases the density of features formed over an initial patterning layer using a series of self-aligned spacers. A layer to be etched is provided, then an initial sacrificial patterning layer, for example formed using optical lithography, is formed over the layer to be etched. Depending on the embodiment, the patterning layer may be trimmed, then a series of spacer layers formed and etched. The number of spacer layers and their target dimensions depends on the desired increase in feature density. An in-process semiconductor device and electronic system is also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2017
    Publication date: December 28, 2017
    Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Baosuo Zhou, Mirzafer K. Abatchev, Ardavan Niroomand, Paul A. Morgan, Shuang Meng, Joseph Neil Greeley, Brian J. Coppa
  • Patent number: 9768021
    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: February 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Dan B. Millward, Timothy A. Quick, J. Neil Greeley
  • Patent number: 9761457
    Abstract: A method for patterning a layer increases the density of features formed over an initial patterning layer using a series of self-aligned spacers. A layer to be etched is provided, then an initial sacrificial patterning layer, for example formed using optical lithography, is formed over the layer to be etched. Depending on the embodiment, the patterning layer may be trimmed, then a series of spacer layers formed and etched. The number of spacer layers and their target dimensions depends on the desired increase in feature density. An in-process semiconductor device and electronic system is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Baosuo Zhou, Mirzafer K. Abatchev, Ardavan Niroomand, Paul A. Morgan, Shuang Meng, Joseph Neil Greeley, Brian J. Coppa
  • Patent number: 9666801
    Abstract: A method of forming a non-volatile resistive oxide memory cell includes forming a first conductive electrode of the memory cell as part of a substrate. Metal oxide-comprising material is formed over the first conductive electrode. Etch stop material is deposited over the metal oxide-comprising material. Conductive material is deposited over the etch stop material. A second conductive electrode of the memory cell which comprises the conductive material received is formed over the etch stop material. Such includes etching through the conductive material to stop relative to the etch stop material and forming the non-volatile resistive oxide memory cell to comprise the first and second conductive electrodes having both the metal oxide-comprising material and the etch stop material therebetween. Other implementations are contemplated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Nishant Sinha, John Smythe, Bhaskar Srinivasan, Gurtej S. Sandhu, Joseph Neil Greeley, Kunal R. Parekh
  • Publication number: 20160260899
    Abstract: A method of forming a non-volatile resistive oxide memory cell includes forming a first conductive electrode of the memory cell as part of a substrate. Metal oxide-comprising material is formed over the first conductive electrode. Etch stop material is deposited over the metal oxide-comprising material. Conductive material is deposited over the etch stop material. A second conductive electrode of the memory cell which comprises the conductive material received is formed over the etch stop material. Such includes etching through the conductive material to stop relative to the etch stop material and forming the non-volatile resistive oxide memory cell to comprise the first and second conductive electrodes having both the metal oxide-comprising material and the etch stop material therebetween. Other implementations are contemplated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2016
    Publication date: September 8, 2016
    Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Nishant Sinha, John Smythe, Bhaskar Srinivasan, Gurtej S. Sandhu, Joseph Neil Greeley, Kunal R. Parekh
  • Publication number: 20160203993
    Abstract: A method for patterning a layer increases the density of features formed over an initial patterning layer using a series of self-aligned spacers. A layer to be etched is provided, then an initial sacrificial patterning layer, for example formed using optical lithography, is formed over the layer to be etched. Depending on the embodiment, the patterning layer may be trimmed, then a series of spacer layers formed and etched. The number of spacer layers and their target dimensions depends on the desired increase in feature density. An in-process semiconductor device and electronic system is also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2016
    Publication date: July 14, 2016
    Inventors: Baosuo Zhou, Mirzafer K. Abatchev, Ardavan Niroomand, Paul A. Morgan, Shuang Meng, Joseph Neil Greeley, Brian J. Coppa
  • Publication number: 20160163536
    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 16, 2016
    Publication date: June 9, 2016
    Inventors: Dan B. Millward, Timothy A. Quick, J. Neil Greeley
  • Patent number: 9343665
    Abstract: A method of forming a non-volatile resistive oxide memory cell includes forming a first conductive electrode of the memory cell as part of a substrate. Metal oxide-comprising material is formed over the first conductive electrode. Etch stop material is deposited over the metal oxide-comprising material. Conductive material is deposited over the etch stop material. A second conductive electrode of the memory cell which comprises the conductive material received is formed over the etch stop material. Such includes etching through the conductive material to stop relative to the etch stop material and forming the non-volatile resistive oxide memory cell to comprise the first and second conductive electrodes having both the metal oxide-comprising material and the etch stop material therebetween. Other implementations are contemplated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Nishant Sinha, John Smythe, Bhaskar Srinivasan, Gurtej S. Sandhu, Joseph Neil Greeley, Kunal R. Parekh
  • Patent number: 9276059
    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: February 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Dan B. Millward, Timothy A. Quick, J. Neil Greeley
  • Publication number: 20160013263
    Abstract: A method of forming capacitors includes forming support material over a substrate. A first capacitor electrode is formed within individual openings in the support material. A first etching is conducted only partially into the support material using a liquid etching fluid to expose an elevationally outer portion of sidewalls of individual of the first capacitor electrodes. A second etching is conducted into the support material using a dry etching fluid to expose an elevationally inner portion of the sidewalls of the individual first capacitor electrodes. A capacitor dielectric is formed over the outer and inner portions of the sidewalls of the first capacitor electrodes. A second capacitor electrode is formed over the capacitor dielectric.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2015
    Publication date: January 14, 2016
    Inventors: Joseph Neil Greeley, Prashant Raghu, Niraj B. Rana
  • Patent number: 9236427
    Abstract: Some embodiments include a method of forming a capacitor. An opening is formed through a silicon-containing mass to a base, and sidewalls of the opening are lined with protective material. A first capacitor electrode is formed within the opening and has sidewalls along the protective material. At least some of the silicon-containing mass is removed with an etch. The protective material protects the first capacitor electrode from being removed by the etch. A second capacitor electrode is formed along the sidewalls of the first capacitor electrode, and is spaced from the first capacitor electrode by capacitor dielectric. Some embodiments include multi-material structures having one or more of aluminum nitride, molybdenum nitride, niobium nitride, niobium oxide, silicon dioxide, tantalum nitride and tantalum oxide. Some embodiments include semiconductor constructions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph Neil Greeley, Duane M. Goodner, Vishwanath Bhat, Vassil N. Antonov, Prashant Raghu
  • Patent number: 9175217
    Abstract: Methods for preventing isotropic removal of materials at corners faulted by seams, keyholes, and other anomalies in films or other structures include use of etch blockers to cover or coat such corners. This covering or coating prevents exposure of the corners to isotropic etch solutions and cleaning solutions and, thus, prevents higher material removal rates at the corners than at smoother areas of the structure or film. Solutions, including wet etchants and cleaning solutions, that include at least one type of etch blocker are also disclosed, as are systems for preventing higher rates of material removal at corners formed by seams, crevices, or recesses in a film or other structure. Semiconductor device structures in which etch blockers are located so as to prevent isotropic etchants from removing material from corners of seams, crevices, or recesses of a film or other structure at undesirably high rates are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Nishant Sinha, J. Neil Greeley
  • Patent number: 9159780
    Abstract: A method of forming capacitors includes forming support material over a substrate. A first capacitor electrode is formed within individual openings in the support material. A first etching is conducted only partially into the support material using a liquid etching fluid to expose an elevationally outer portion of sidewalls of individual of the first capacitor electrodes. A second etching is conducted into the support material using a dry etching fluid to expose an elevationally inner portion of the sidewalls of the individual first capacitor electrodes. A capacitor dielectric is formed over the outer and inner portions of the sidewalls of the first capacitor electrodes. A second capacitor electrode is formed over the capacitor dielectric.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph Neil Greeley, Prashant Raghu, Niraj B. Rana
  • Publication number: 20150128992
    Abstract: Some embodiments include methods of removing particles from over surfaces of semiconductor substrates. Liquid may be flowed across the surfaces and the particles. While the liquid is flowing, electrophoresis and/or electroosmosis may be utilized to enhance transport of the particles from the surfaces and into the liquid. In some embodiments, temperature, pH and/or ionic strength within the liquid may be altered to assist in the removal of the particles from over the surfaces of the substrates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2015
    Publication date: May 14, 2015
    Inventors: Joseph Neil Greeley, Dan Millward, Wayne Huang
  • Publication number: 20150126016
    Abstract: A method of forming capacitors includes forming support material over a substrate. A first capacitor electrode is formed within individual openings in the support material. A first etching is conducted only partially into the support material using a liquid etching fluid to expose an elevationally outer portion of sidewalls of individual of the first capacitor electrodes. A second etching is conducted into the support material using a dry etching fluid to expose an elevationally inner portion of the sidewalls of the individual first capacitor electrodes. A capacitor dielectric is formed over the outer and inner portions of the sidewalls of the first capacitor electrodes. A second capacitor electrode is formed over the capacitor dielectric.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2015
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Inventors: Joseph Neil Greeley, Prashant Raghu, Niraj B. Rana
  • Publication number: 20150118821
    Abstract: A method of forming a semiconductor device structure comprises forming a mold template comprising trenches within a mold material. Structures are formed within the trenches of the mold template. A wet removal process is performed to remove the mold template, a liquid material of the wet removal process remaining at least in spaces between adjacent pairs of the structures following the wet removal process. A polymer material is formed at least in the spaces between the adjacent pairs of the structures. At least one dry removal process is performed to remove the polymer material from at least the spaces between the adjacent pairs of the structures. Additional methods of forming a semiconductor device structure, and methods of forming capacitor structures are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2013
    Publication date: April 30, 2015
    Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Dan B. Millward, J. Neil Greeley
  • Patent number: 9005473
    Abstract: A method of removing at least a portion of a silicon oxide material is disclosed. The silicon oxide is removed by exposing a semiconductor structure comprising a substrate and the silicon oxide to an ammonium fluoride chemical treatment and a subsequent plasma treatment, both of which may be effected in the same vacuum chamber of a processing apparatus. The ammonium fluoride chemical treatment converts the silicon oxide to a solid reaction product in a self-limiting reaction, the solid reaction product then being volatilized by the plasma treatment. The plasma treatment includes a plasma having an ion bombardment energy of less than or equal to approximately 20 eV. An ammonium fluoride chemical treatment including an alkylated ammonia derivative and hydrogen fluoride is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark W. Kiehlbauch, J. Neil Greeley, Paul A. Morgan
  • Publication number: 20150054127
    Abstract: Some embodiments include a method of forming a capacitor. An opening is formed through a silicon-containing mass to a base, and sidewalls of the opening are lined with protective material. A first capacitor electrode is formed within the opening and has sidewalls along the protective material. At least some of the silicon-containing mass is removed with an etch. The protective material protects the first capacitor electrode from being removed by the etch. A second capacitor electrode is formed along the sidewalls of the first capacitor electrode, and is spaced from the first capacitor electrode by capacitor dielectric. Some embodiments include multi-material structures having one or more of aluminum nitride, molybdenum nitride, niobium nitride, niobium oxide, silicon dioxide, tantalum nitride and tantalum oxide. Some embodiments include semiconductor constructions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2014
    Publication date: February 26, 2015
    Inventors: Joseph Neil Greeley, Duane M. Goodner, Vishwanath Bhat, Vassil N. Antonov, Prashant Raghu
  • Patent number: 8946043
    Abstract: A method of forming capacitors includes forming support material over a substrate. A first capacitor electrode is formed within individual openings in the support material. A first etching is conducted only partially into the support material using a liquid etching fluid to expose an elevationally outer portion of sidewalls of individual of the first capacitor electrodes. A second etching is conducted into the support material using a dry etching fluid to expose an elevationally inner portion of the sidewalls of the individual first capacitor electrodes. A capacitor dielectric is formed over the outer and inner portions of the sidewalls of the first capacitor electrodes. A second capacitor electrode is formed over the capacitor dielectric.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph Neil Greeley, Prashant Raghu, Niraj B. Rana