Patents Examined by Tan T. Nguyen
  • Patent number: 11751492
    Abstract: A memory device is provided. The memory device includes a memory stack on a first dielectric layer, and a sidewall spacer on the memory stack. The memory device further includes a conductive cap on the sidewall spacer and the memory stack and an upper metal line on the conductive cap and the sidewall spacer, wherein the upper metal line wraps around the conductive cap, sidewall spacer, and memory stack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Dexin Kong, Ashim Dutta, Ekmini Anuja De Silva, Daniel Schmidt
  • Patent number: 11749356
    Abstract: A memory system includes a non-volatile memory device including a machine learning (ML) module and a peripheral power management integrated circuit (IC), and a memory controller configured to command the non-volatile memory device to enter an idle mode by providing an external power command to the non-volatile memory device. The machine learning (ML) module configures a neural network and trains the neural network via machine learning, and the peripheral power management IC is configured to generate an internal power command that is different from the external power command based on the external power command and monitoring information corresponding to the ML module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jinyoung Kim, Sehwan Park, Youngdeok Seo, Dongmin Shin
  • Patent number: 11751386
    Abstract: Field-effect transistors, and integrated circuit devices containing such field-effect transistors, might include a semiconductor material having a first conductivity type, a first source/drain region having a second conductivity type, a second source/drain region having the second conductivity type, a first contact connected to the first source/drain region, a conductor overlying an active area of the semiconductor material and having an annular portion surrounding the first contact and a spur portion extending from an outer perimeter of the annular portion of the conductor, a second contact connected to the second source/drain region outside the annular portion of the conductor, a dielectric between the conductor and the active area, and a third contact overlying the active area and connected to the spur portion of the conductor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Daniele Vimercati
  • Patent number: 11742380
    Abstract: A variety of applications can include memory devices designed to provide enhanced gate-induced-drain-leakage (GIDL) current during memory erase operations. The enhanced operation can be provided by enhancing the electric field in the channel structures of the topmost select gate transistors to strings of memory cells upon application of a voltage to the gates of the topmost select gate transistors. This electric field can be provided by using a dissected plug as a contact to the channel structure of the topmost select gate transistor, where the dissected plug has one or more conductive regions contacting the channel structure and one or more non-conductive regions contacting the channel structure. The dissected plug can be part of a contact between the data line and the channel structure. Additional devices, systems, and methods are discussed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Albert Fayrushin, Haitao Liu, Matthew J. King
  • Patent number: 11742039
    Abstract: A small-area side-capacitor read-only memory device, a memory array and a method for operating the same are provided. The small-area side-capacitor read-only memory device embeds a field-effect transistor in a semiconductor substrate. The field-effect transistor includes a first dielectric layer and a first conductive gate stacked on the first dielectric layer. The side of the first conductive gate extends to the top of the second dielectric layer and connects to the second conductive gate to generate a capacitance effect. The second conductive gate has finger portions connected to a strip portion. Thus, the memory device employs the smallest layout area to generate the highest capacitance value, thereby decreasing the overall area of the read-only memory and performing efficient reading and writing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: Yield Microelectronics Corp.
    Inventors: Yu Ting Huang, Chi Pei Wu
  • Patent number: 11735243
    Abstract: Embodiments of 3D memory devices with a static random-access memory (SRAM) and fabrication methods thereof are disclosed herein. In certain embodiments, the 3D memory device includes a first semiconductor structure and a second semiconductor structure. The first semiconductor structure includes an array of SRAM cells and a first bonding layer, and the second semiconductor structure includes an array of 3D NAND memory strings and a second bonding layer. The first semiconductor structure is attached with the second semiconductor structure through the first bonding layer and the second bonding layer. The array of 3D NAND memory strings and the array of SRAM cells are coupled through a plurality of bonding contacts in the first bonding layer and the second bonding layer and are arranged at opposite sides of the plurality of bonding contacts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: YANGTZE MEMORY TECHNOLOGIES CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yue Ping Li, Chun Yuan Hou
  • Patent number: 11735244
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for time-based access of memory cells in a memory array are described herein. During a sense portion of a read operation, a selected memory cell may be charged to a predetermined voltage level. A logic state stored on the selected memory cell may be identified based on a duration between the beginning of the charging and when selected memory cell reaches the predetermined voltage level. In some examples, time-varying signals may be used to indicate the logic state based on the duration of the charging. The duration of the charging may be based on a polarization state of the selected memory cell, a dielectric charge state of the selected state, or both a polarization state and a dielectric charge state of the selected memory cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Umberto Di Vincenzo
  • Patent number: 11721385
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for dynamic power distribution for stacked memory are described. A stacked memory device may include switching components that support dynamic coupling between a shared power source of the memory device and circuitry associated with operating memory arrays of respective memory dies. In some examples, such techniques include coupling a power source with array circuitry based on an access activity or a degree of access activity for the array circuitry. In some examples, such techniques include isolating a power source from array circuitry based on a lack of access activity or a degree of access activity for the array circuitry. The dynamic coupling or isolation may be supported by various signaling of the memory device, such as signaling between memory dies, signaling between a memory die and a central controller, or signaling between the memory device and a host device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Anthony D. Veches, Brian P. Callaway
  • Patent number: 11721377
    Abstract: A programming method for a three-dimensional ferroelectric memory device is disclosed. The programming method includes applying a first voltage on a selected word line of a target memory cell. The target memory cell has a first logic state and a second logic state corresponding to a first threshold voltage and a second threshold voltage, respectively. The first and second threshold voltages are determined by two opposite electric polarization directions of a ferroelectric film in the target memory cell. The programming method also includes applying a second voltage on a selected bit line, where a voltage difference between the first and second voltages has a magnitude larger than a coercive voltage of the ferroelectric film such that the target memory cell is switched from the first logic state to the second logic state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: Yangtze Memory Technologies Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Qiang Tang
  • Patent number: 11715726
    Abstract: A memory device includes: a first wafer including a first substrate, a plurality of first electrode layers and a plurality of first interlayer dielectric layers alternately stacked along first vertical channels projecting in a vertical direction on a top surface of the first substrate, and a dielectric stack comprising a plurality of dielectric layers and the plurality of first interlayer dielectric layers alternately stacked on the top surface of the first substrate; and a second wafer disposed on the first wafer, and including a second substrate, and a plurality of second electrode layers that are alternately stacked with a plurality of second interlayer dielectric layers along second vertical channels projecting in the vertical direction on a bottom surface of the second substrate and have pad parts overlapping with the dielectric stack in the vertical direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2023
    Assignee: SK hynix Inc.
    Inventors: Sung Lae Oh, Ki Soo Kim, Sang Woo Park, Dong Hyuk Chae
  • Patent number: 11710513
    Abstract: Some embodiments include a ferroelectric transistor having a conductive gate structure, a first ring extending around the conductive gate structure and a second ring extending around the first ring. The first ring includes ferroelectric material. The second ring includes insulative material. A mass of channel material is outward of the second ring. Some embodiments include integrated assemblies and methods of forming integrated assemblies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Durai Vishak Nirmal Ramaswamy, Kamal M. Karda
  • Patent number: 11695000
    Abstract: In certain aspects, a three-dimensional (3D) memory device includes a memory stack including interleaved conductive layers and dielectric layers, a plurality of channel structures each extending vertically through the memory stack, a conductive layer in contact with source ends of the plurality of channel structures, a first source contact electrically connected to the channel structures, and a second source contact electrically connected to the channel structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: YANGTZE MEMORY TECHNOLOGIES CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Kun Zhang
  • Patent number: 11690298
    Abstract: Magnetic memory structure and memory device are provided. A magnetic memory structure includes a metal layer, a first magnetic tunnel junction, and a second magnetic tunnel junction. The metal layer includes a first contact region and a second contact region. Electrical resistivity of at least a first part of the first contact region is different than electrical resistivity of the second contact region. The first magnetic tunnel junction is disposed on the metal layer. The first magnetic tunnel junction includes a first free layer in contact with the first contact region of the metal layer. The second magnetic tunnel junction is disposed on the metal layer. The second magnetic tunnel junction includes a second free layer in contact with the second contact region of the metal layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: YANGTZE MEMORY TECHNOLOGIES CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Dan Yu
  • Patent number: 11688447
    Abstract: According to various aspects, a memory cell is provided, the memory cell may include a field-effect transistor; a first control node and a second control node, a first capacitor structure including a first electrode connected to the first control node, a second electrode connected to a gate region of the field-effect transistor, and a remanent-polarizable region disposed between the first electrode and the second electrode of the first capacitor structure; and a second capacitor structure including a first electrode connected to the second control node, a second electrode connected to the gate region of the field-effect transistor. In some aspects, the first capacitor structure may have a first capacitance and the second capacitor structure may have a second capacitance different from the first capacitance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: Ferroelectric Memory GmbH
    Inventor: Johannes Ocker
  • Patent number: 11688476
    Abstract: A device might include a common source, a three-dimensional array of memory cells, a plurality of access lines, and a controller. The three-dimensional array of memory cells might include a plurality of NAND strings. Each NAND string might be selectively connected between a corresponding data line and the common source. Each access line of the plurality of access lines might be connected to a control gate of a respective memory cell of each NAND string of the plurality of NAND strings. The controller might be configured to access the three-dimensional array of memory cells to implement a source-side seeding operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Jun Xu, Yingda Dong
  • Patent number: 11676836
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a first semiconductor chip including bitlines, wordlines, common source line, first bonding pads, second bonding pads, third bonding pads and memory cells, the memory cells being electrically connected to the bitlines, the wordlines, and the common source line, the first bonding pads being electrically connected to the bitlines, the second bonding pads being electrically connected to the wordlines, and the third bonding pads being electrically connected to the common source line; a second semiconductor chip including fourth bonding pads, fifth bonding pads, sixth bonding pads and an input/output circuit, the fourth bonding pads being electrically connected to the first bonding pads, the fifth bonding pads being electrically connected to the second bonding pads, the sixth bonding pads being electrically connected to the third bonding pads and the input/output circuit being configured to write data to the memory cells via the fourth bonding pads and the fifth bonding pads; a sens
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jae Ick Son, Dae Seok Byeon, Bong Soon Lim
  • Patent number: 11670378
    Abstract: A nonvolatile memory device includes a memory cell array in a first semiconductor layer and including a first memory cell connected to a first word line and a first bit line and a second memory cell connected to the first word line and a second bit line; a page buffer circuit in a second semiconductor layer and including a first page buffer connected to the first bit line, and a second page buffer connected to the second bit line; and a page buffer controller in the second semiconductor layer. The page buffer controller controls the first and second page buffers so that a develop timing of a first sensing node of the first page buffer is different from a develop timing of a second sensing node of the second page buffer. The first page buffer is closer to a through electrode region than the second page buffer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Myeongwoo Lee, Chaehoon Kim, Jihwan Kim, Jungho Song
  • Patent number: 11665984
    Abstract: A projected memory device includes a carbon-based projection component. The device includes two electrodes, a memory segment, and a projection component. The projection component and the memory segment form a dual element that connects the two electrodes. The projection component extends parallel to and in contact with the memory segment. The memory segment includes a resistive memory material, while the projection component includes a thin film of non-insulating material that essentially comprises carbon. In a particular implementation, the non-insulating material and the projection component essentially comprises amorphous carbon. Using carbon and, in particular, amorphous carbon, as a main component of the projection component, allows unprecedented flexibility to be achieved when tuning the electrical resistance of the projection component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Ghazi Sarwat Syed, Vara Sudananda Prasad Jonnalagadda, Benedikt Kersting, Manuel Le Gallo-Bourdeau, Abu Sebastian
  • Patent number: 11657867
    Abstract: A memory device in which bit line parasitic capacitance is reduced is provided. The memory device includes a sense amplifier electrically connected to a bit line and a memory cell array stacked over the sense amplifier. The memory cell array includes a plurality of memory cells. The plurality of memory cells are each electrically connected to a bit line. A portion for leading the bit lines is not provided in the memory cell array. Thus, the bit line can be shortened and the bit line parasitic capacitance is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tatsuya Onuki, Takanori Matsuzaki, Kiyoshi Kato, Shunpei Yamazaki
  • Patent number: 11658247
    Abstract: A memory device which includes a gain-cell memory cell formed using an n-channel transistor and in which a potential lower than a potential applied to a bit line is not necessary is provided. Memory cells included in the memory device are arranged in a matrix, and each of the memory cells is connected to a write word line, a write bit line, a read word line, and a read bit line. The write word line is arranged in parallel to one of directions of a row and a column of memory cells arranged in a matrix, and the write bit line is arranged in parallel to the other of the directions of the row and the column. The read word line is arranged in parallel to the one of the directions of the row and the column of the memory cells arranged in a matrix, and the read bit line is arranged in parallel to the other of the directions of the row and the column.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takahiko Ishizu, Kazuma Furutani