Patents Examined by Gustavo G Ramallo
  • Patent number: 11968833
    Abstract: A memory device includes a source element, a drain element, channel layers, control electrode layers, and a memory layer. The channel layers are individually electrically connected between the source element and the drain element. Memory cells are defined in the memory layer between the control electrode layers and the channel layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2024
    Assignee: MACRONIX INTERNATIONAL CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Wei-Chen Chen, Hang-Ting Lue
  • Patent number: 11963356
    Abstract: Embodiments of structure and methods for forming a three-dimensional (3D) memory device are provided. In an example, a 3D memory device includes a stack structure including a memory block including a plurality of memory cells. The 3D memory device also includes a first top select structure and a bottom select structure in the memory block and aligned with each other vertically; and a second top select structure in the memory block is separated from the first top select structure by at least one of the plurality of memory cells. The first top select structure, the bottom select structure, and the second top select structure each includes an insulating material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: YANGTZE MEMORY TECHNOLOGIES CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Zongliang Huo, Haohao Yang, Wei Xu, Ping Yan, Pan Huang, Wenbin Zhou
  • Patent number: 11963349
    Abstract: Embodiments of 3D memory devices and methods for forming the same are disclosed. In an example, a method for forming a 3D memory device is disclosed. A sacrificial layer on a substrate, a first stop layer on the sacrificial layer, an N-type doped semiconductor layer on the first stop layer, and a dielectric stack on the N-type doped semiconductor layer are sequentially formed. A plurality of channel structures each extending vertically through the dielectric stack and the N-type doped semiconductor layer are formed, stopping at the first stop layer. The dielectric stack is replaced with a memory stack, such that each of the plurality of channel structures extends vertically through the memory stack and the N-type doped semiconductor layer. The substrate, the sacrificial layer, and the first stop layer are sequentially removed to expose an end of each of the plurality of channel structures. A conductive layer is formed in contact with the ends of the plurality of channel structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: YANGTZE MEMORY TECHNOLOGIES CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kun Zhang, Ziqun Hua, Wenxi Zhou, Zhiliang Xia, Zongliang Huo
  • Patent number: 11956962
    Abstract: A 3D flash memory device includes a substrate having a substantial planar surface. A plurality of active columns of semiconducting material is disposed above the substrate. Each of the plurality of active columns extends along a first direction orthogonal to the planar surface of the substrate. The plurality of active columns is arranged in a two-dimensional array. Each of the plurality of active columns may comprise multiple local bit lines and multiple local source lines extending along the first direction. Multiple channel regions are disposed between the multiple local bit lines and multiple local source lines. A word line stack wraps around the plurality of active columns. A charge-storage element is disposed between the word line stack and each of the plurality of active columns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: YANGTZE MEMORY TECHNOLOGIES CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Min She, Qiang Tang
  • Patent number: 11948639
    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 comprising laterally-spaced memory-block regions having horizontally-elongated trenches there-between. Two of the first tiers have different vertical thicknesses relative one another. Channel-material strings of memory cells extend through the first tiers and the second tiers. Through the horizontally-elongated trenches, first conductive material is formed in void space in the two first tiers. The first conductive material fills the first tier of the two first tiers that has a smaller of the different vertical thicknesses in individual of the memory-block regions. The first conductive material less-than-fills the first tier of the two first tiers that has a larger of the different vertical thicknesses in the individual memory-block regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: John D. Hopkins, Alyssa N. Scarbrough
  • Patent number: 11948835
    Abstract: A device comprises a first metal structure, a dielectric structure, a dielectric residue, and a second metal structure. The dielectric structure is over the first metal structure. The dielectric structure has a stepped sidewall structure. The stepped sidewall structure comprises a lower sidewall and an upper sidewall laterally set back from the lower sidewall. The dielectric residue is embedded in a recessed region in the lower sidewall of the stepped sidewall structure of the dielectric structure. The second metal structure extends through the dielectric structure to the first metal structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Che-Cheng Chang, Chih-Han Lin
  • Patent number: 11943911
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure for a memory device includes a substrate including a memory cell region and a peripheral circuit region defined thereon, at least an active region formed in the peripheral circuit region, a buried gate structure formed in the active region in the peripheral circuit region, a conductive line structure formed on the buried gate structure, and at least a bit line contact plug formed in the memory cell region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignees: UNITED MICROELECTRONICS CORP., Fujian Jinhua Integrated Circuit Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yukihiro Nagai
  • Patent number: 11943925
    Abstract: A semiconductor memory device includes first conductive lines stacked in a first direction perpendicular to a top surface of a substrate, second conductive lines extending in the first direction and intersecting the first conductive lines, and memory cells provided at intersection points between the first conductive lines and the second conductive lines, respectively. Each of the memory cells includes a semiconductor pattern parallel to the top surface of the substrate, the semiconductor pattern including a source region having a first conductivity type, a drain region having a second conductivity type, and a channel region between the source region and the drain region, first and second gate electrodes surrounding the channel region of the semiconductor pattern, and a charge storage pattern between the semiconductor pattern and the first and second gate electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hyuncheol Kim, Jaeho Hong, Yongseok Kim, Ilgweon Kim, Hyeoungwon Seo, Sungwon Yoo, Kyunghwan Lee
  • Patent number: 11937427
    Abstract: In certain aspects, a first opening extending vertically through a first dielectric deck including a first plurality of interleaved sacrificial layers and dielectric layers above a substrate is formed. A high-k dielectric layer and a channel sacrificial layer free of polysilicon are subsequently formed along a sidewall of the first opening. A second opening extending vertically through a second dielectric deck including a second plurality of interleaved sacrificial layers and dielectric layers on the first dielectric deck is formed to expose the channel sacrificial layer in the first opening. The channel sacrificial layer is removed in the first opening. A memory film and a semiconductor channel are subsequently formed over the high-k dielectric layer along sidewalls of the first and second openings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: YANGTZE MEMORY TECHNOLOGIES CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shuangshuang Peng, Jingjing Geng, Jiajia Wu, Tuo Li
  • Patent number: 11929342
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes: a lead frame that is formed of metal; a wiring substrate that is opposed to the lead frame; an electronic component that is disposed between the lead frame and the wiring substrate; a connection member that connects lead frame and the wiring substrate; and encapsulating resin that is filled between the lead frame and the wiring substrate and covers the electronic component and the connection member. The lead frame includes: a first surface opposed to the wiring substrate and covered by the encapsulating resin; a second surface located on a back side of the first surface and exposed from the encapsulating resin; and a side surface neighboring first surface or the second surface, at least a portion of the side surface exposed from the encapsulating resin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignee: SHINKO ELECTRIC INDUSTRIES CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Futoshi Tsukada, Yukinori Hatori, Yoshiyuki Sawamura
  • Patent number: 11916023
    Abstract: A package includes a package component, a device die over and bonded to the package component, a metal cap having a top portion over the device die, and a thermal interface material between and contacting the device die and the metal cap. The thermal interface material includes a first portion directly over an inner portion of the device die, and a second portion extending directly over a corner region of the device die. The first portion has a first thickness. The second portion has a second thickness greater than the first thickness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Sung-Hui Huang, Da-Cyuan Yu, Kuan-Yu Huang, Pai Yuan Li, Hsiang-Fan Lee
  • Patent number: 11894431
    Abstract: The present technology includes a memory device. The memory device includes a stack structure including word lines and a select line, a vertical hole vertically penetrating the stack structure, and a memory layer, a channel layer, and a plug, sequentially formed along an inner side surface of the vertical hole. The plug includes a material layer having a fixed negative charge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: SK hynix Inc.
    Inventors: Dae Hwan Yun, Gil Bok Choi
  • Patent number: 11894465
    Abstract: Deep gate-all-around semiconductor devices having germanium or group 111-V active layers are described. For example, a non-planar semiconductor device includes a hetero-structure disposed above a substrate. The hetero-structure includes a hetero-junction between an upper layer and a lower layer of differing composition. An active layer is disposed above the hetero-structure and has a composition different from the upper and lower layers of the hetero-structure. A gate electrode stack is disposed on and completely surrounds a channel region of the active layer, and is disposed in a trench in the upper layer and at least partially in the lower layer of the hetero-structure. Source and drain regions are disposed in the active layer and in the upper layer, but not in the lower layer, on either side of the gate electrode stack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: Google LLC
    Inventors: Ravi Pillarisetty, Willy Rachmady, Van H. Le, Seung Hoon Sung, Jessica S. Kachian, Jack T. Kavalieros, Han Wui Then, Gilbert Dewey, Marko Radosavljevic, Benjamin Chu-Kung, Niloy Mukherjee
  • Patent number: 11842952
    Abstract: System, method, and silicon chip package for providing structural strength, heat dissipation and electrical connectivity using “W” shaped frame bonded to the one or more dies, wherein the “W” shaped frame provides compression strength to the silicon chip package when the one or more dies are bonded, and electrically conductivity between for the one or more dies to leads of silicon chip package, and heat dissipation for the silicon chip package.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventor: Makoto Shibuya
  • Patent number: 11844221
    Abstract: A 3D flash memory device such as a 3D AND flash memory device is provided. The 3D flash memory device includes a substrate, a conductive layer, a 3D flash memory array, and through-array vias (TAVs). The substrate includes a memory cell region and a passive device region. The conductive layer is formed on the substrate, and the conductive layer includes: a first circuit disposed at the memory cell region and a second circuit of a passive device disposed at the passive device region. The 3D flash memory array is formed on the first circuit of the memory cell region. The TAVs are respectively formed on the second circuit of the passive device disposed at the passive device region and connected to at least one end of the second circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Assignee: MACRONIX INTERNATIONAL CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Li-Yen Liang, Teng-Hao Yeh
  • Patent number: 11830892
    Abstract: An image sensor with high quantum efficiency is provided. In some embodiments, a semiconductor substrate includes a non-porous semiconductor layer along a front side of the semiconductor substrate. A periodic structure is along a back side of the semiconductor substrate. A high absorption layer lines the periodic structure on the back side of the semiconductor substrate. The high absorption layer is a semiconductor material with an energy bandgap less than that of the non-porous semiconductor layer. A photodetector is in the semiconductor substrate and the high absorption layer. A method for manufacturing the image sensor is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Chien-Chang Huang, Chien Nan Tu, Ming-Chi Wu, Yu-Lung Yeh, Ji Heng Jiang
  • Patent number: 11823949
    Abstract: An embodiment is a device including a first fin extending from a substrate, a first gate stack over and along sidewalls of the first fin, a first gate spacer disposed along a sidewall of the first gate stack, and a first source/drain region in the first fin and adjacent the first gate spacer. The first source/drain region including a first insulator layer on the first fin, and a first epitaxial layer on the first insulator layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Tzu-Ching Lin, Tuoh Bin Ng
  • Patent number: 11805647
    Abstract: Embodiments of 3D memory devices and methods for forming the same are disclosed. In an example, a method for forming a 3D memory device is disclosed. A channel opening extending vertically is formed above a substrate. A semiconductor plug is formed in a lower portion of the channel opening. A memory film and a channel sacrificial layer are subsequently formed above the semiconductor plug and along a sidewall of the channel opening. A semiconductor plug protrusion protruding above the semiconductor plug and through a bottom of the memory film and the channel sacrificial layer is formed. A cap layer is formed in the channel opening and over the channel sacrificial layer. The cap layer covers the semiconductor plug protrusion. A semiconductor channel is formed between the memory film and the cap layer by replacing the channel sacrificial layer with a semiconductor material epitaxially grown from the semiconductor plug protrusion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2023
    Assignee: YANGTZE MEMORY TECHNOLOGIES CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Hongbin Zhu
  • Patent number: 11804410
    Abstract: A method for evaluation of thin film non-uniform stress using high order wafer warpage, the steps including measuring a net wafer warpage across a wafer area due to thin film deposition, fitting a two dimensional low-order polynomial to the wafer warpage measurements and subtracting the low-order polynomial from the net wafer warpage across the wafer area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2023
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Wei-De Ho, Han-Wei Wu, Pei-Sheng Tang, Meng-Jung Lee, Hua-Tai Lin, Szu-Ping Tung, Lan-Hsin Chiang
  • Patent number: 11800707
    Abstract: Embodiments of 3D memory devices and methods for forming the same are disclosed. In an example, a 3D memory device includes a substrate, a memory stack including interleaved conductive layers and dielectric layers above the substrate, and a channel structure extending vertically through the memory stack. The channel structure includes a high dielectric constant (high-k) dielectric layer disposed continuously along a sidewall of the channel structure, a memory film over the high-k dielectric layer along the sidewall of the channel structure, and a semiconductor channel over the memory film along the sidewall of the channel structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: YANGTZE MEMORY TECHNOLOGIES CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shuangshuang Peng, Jingjing Geng, Jiajia Wu, Tuo Li