Patents by Inventor Adam L. Olson
Adam L. Olson 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).
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Publication number: 20250120085Abstract: Microelectronic devices include a lower deck and an upper deck, each comprising a stack structure with a vertically alternating sequence of insulative structures and conductive structures arranged in tiers. First and second arrays of pillars extend through the stack structure of the lower and upper decks, respectively. In one or more of the first and second pillar arrays, at least some pillars exhibit a greater degree of bending away from a vertical orientation than at least some other pillars. The pillars of the first array align with the pillars of the second array along an interface between the lower and upper decks. Related methods are also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 18, 2024Publication date: April 10, 2025Inventors: Md Zakir Ullah, Xiaosong Zhang, Adam L. Olson, Mohammad Moydul Islam, Tien Minh Quan Tran, Chao Zhu, Zhigang Yang, Merri L. Carlson, Hui Chin Chong, David A. Kewley, Kok Siak Tang
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Patent number: 12237259Abstract: An electronic device comprising multilevel bitlines comprising first bitlines and second bitlines. The first bitlines and the second bitlines are positioned at different levels. Pillar contacts are electrically connected to the first bitlines and to the second bitlines. Level 1 contacts are electrically connected to the first bitlines and level 2 contacts are electrically connected to the second bitlines. A liner is between the first bitlines and the level 2 contacts. Each bitline of the first bitlines is electrically connected to a single pillar contact in a subblock adjacent to the level 1 contacts and each bitline of the second bitlines is electrically connected to a single pillar contact adjacent to the level 2 contacts. Methods of forming an electronic device and related systems are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: July 27, 2021Date of Patent: February 25, 2025Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.Inventors: Yoshiaki Fukuzumi, Harsh Narendrakumar Jain, Naveen Kaushik, Adam L. Olson, Richard J. Hill, Lars P. Heineck
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Patent number: 12232314Abstract: Methods of improving adhesion between a photoresist and conductive or insulating structures. The method comprises forming a slot through at least a portion of alternating conductive structures and insulating structures on a substrate. Portions of the conductive structures or of the insulating structures are removed to form recesses in the conductive structures or in the insulating structures. A photoresist is formed over the alternating conductive structures and insulating structures and within the slot. Methods of improving adhesion between a photoresist and a spin-on dielectric material are also disclosed, as well as methods of forming a staircase structure.Type: GrantFiled: June 12, 2023Date of Patent: February 18, 2025Assignee: Lodestar Licensing Group LLCInventors: Rohit Kothari, Jason C. McFarland, Jason Reece, David A. Kewley, Adam L. Olson
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Patent number: 12178045Abstract: Microelectronic devices include a lower deck and an upper deck, each comprising a stack structure with a vertically alternating sequence of insulative structures and conductive structures arranged in tiers. First and second arrays of pillars extend through the stack structure of the lower and upper decks, respectively. In one or more of the first and second pillar arrays, at least some pillars exhibit a greater degree of bending away from a vertical orientation than at least some other pillars. The pillars of the first array align with the pillars of the second array along an interface between the lower and upper decks. Related methods are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: January 24, 2023Date of Patent: December 24, 2024Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.Inventors: Md Zakir Ullah, Xiaosong Zhang, Adam L. Olson, Mohammad Moydul Islam, Tien Minh Quan Tran, Chao Zhu, Zhigang Yang, Merri L. Carlson, Hui Chin Chong, David A. Kewley, Kok Siak Tang
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Publication number: 20240186267Abstract: A method of forming a semiconductor device comprising forming a patterned resist over a stack comprising at least one material and removing a portion of the stack exposed through the patterned resist to form a stack opening. A portion of the patterned resist is laterally removed to form a trimmed resist and an additional portion of the stack exposed through the trimmed resist is removed to form steps in sidewalls of the stack. A dielectric material is formed between the sidewalls of the stack to substantially completely fill the stack opening, and the dielectric material is planarized. Additional methods are disclosed, as well as semiconductor devices.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 15, 2024Publication date: June 6, 2024Inventors: Rohit Kothari, Adam L. Olson, John D. Hopkins, Jeslin J. Wu
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Patent number: 11916024Abstract: A method of forming a semiconductor device comprising forming a patterned resist over a stack comprising at least one material and removing a portion of the stack exposed through the patterned resist to form a stack opening. A portion of the patterned resist is laterally removed to form a trimmed resist and an additional portion of the stack exposed through the trimmed resist is removed to form steps in sidewalls of the stack. A dielectric material is formed between the sidewalls of the stack to substantially completely fill the stack opening, and the dielectric material is planarized. Additional methods are disclosed, as well as semiconductor devices.Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 2021Date of Patent: February 27, 2024Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.Inventors: Rohit Kothari, Adam L Olson, John D. Hopkins, Jeslin J. Wu
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Publication number: 20230354595Abstract: Methods of improving adhesion between a photoresist and conductive or insulating structures. The method comprises forming a slot through at least a portion of alternating conductive structures and insulating structures on a substrate. Portions of the conductive structures or of the insulating structures are removed to form recesses in the conductive structures or in the insulating structures. A photoresist is formed over the alternating conductive structures and insulating structures and within the slot. Methods of improving adhesion between a photoresist and a spin-on dielectric material are also disclosed, as well as methods of forming a staircase structure.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 12, 2023Publication date: November 2, 2023Inventors: Rohit Kothari, Jason C. McFarland, Jason Reece, David A. Kewley, Adam L. Olson
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Patent number: 11690234Abstract: A microelectronic device comprises a microelectronic device structure having a memory array region and a staircase region. The microelectronic device structure comprises a stack structure having tiers each comprising a conductive structure and an insulative structure; staircase structures confined within the staircase region and having steps comprising edges of the tiers of the stack structure within the deck and the additional deck; and semiconductive pillar structures confined within the memory array region and extending through the stack structures. The stack structure comprises a deck comprising a group of the tiers; an additional deck overlying the deck and comprising an additional group of the tiers; and an interdeck section between the deck and the additional deck and comprising a dielectric structure confined within the memory array region, and another group of the tiers within vertical boundaries of the dielectric structure and confined within the staircase region.Type: GrantFiled: February 24, 2022Date of Patent: June 27, 2023Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.Inventors: Bo Zhao, Nancy M. Lomeli, Lifang Xu, Adam L. Olson
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Patent number: 11678481Abstract: Methods of improving adhesion between a photoresist and conductive or insulating structures. The method comprises forming a slot through at least a portion of alternating conductive structures and insulating structures on a substrate. Portions of the conductive structures or of the insulating structures are removed to form recesses in the conductive structures or in the insulating structures. A photoresist is formed over the alternating conductive structures and insulating structures and within the slot. Methods of improving adhesion between a photoresist and a spin-on dielectric material are also disclosed, as well as methods of forming a staircase structure.Type: GrantFiled: February 11, 2021Date of Patent: June 13, 2023Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.Inventors: Rohit Kothari, Jason C. McFarland, Jason Reece, David A. Kewley, Adam L. Olson
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Publication number: 20230116129Abstract: A self-assembled nanostructure comprises first domains and second domains. The first domains comprise a first block of a block copolymer material and an activatable catalyst. The second domains comprise a second block and substantially without the activatable catalyst. The activatable catalyst is capable of generating catalyst upon application of activation energy, and the generated catalyst is capable of reacting with a metal oxide precursor to provide a metal oxide. A semiconductor structure comprises such self-assembled nanostructure on a substrate.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 6, 2022Publication date: April 13, 2023Inventors: Nicholas Hendricks, Adam L. Olson, William R. Brown, Ho Seop Eom, Xue Chen, Kaveri Jain, Scott Schuldenfrei
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Publication number: 20230063178Abstract: A microelectronic device includes a stack structure including a vertically alternating sequence of conductive structures and insulating structures arranged in tiers, a dielectric-filled opening vertically extending into the stack structure and defined between two internal sidewalls of the stack structure, a stadium structure within the stack structure and comprising steps defined by horizontal ends of at least some of the tiers, a first ledge extending upward from a first uppermost step of the steps of the stadium structure and interfacing with a first internal sidewall of the two internal sidewalls of the stack structure, and a second ledge extending upward from a second, opposite uppermost step of the steps of the stadium structure and interfacing with a second, opposite internal sidewall of the two internal sidewalls.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 29, 2021Publication date: March 2, 2023Inventors: Bo Zhao, Matthew J. King, Jason Reece, Michael J. Gossman, Shruthi Kumara Vadivel, Martin J. Barclay, Lifang Xu, Joel D. Peterson, Matthew Park, Adam L. Olson, David A. Kewley, Xiaosong Zhang, Justin B. Dorhout, Zhen Feng Yow, Kah Sing Chooi, Tien Minh Quan Tran, Biow Hiem Ong
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Publication number: 20230032177Abstract: An electronic device comprising multilevel bitlines, pillar contacts, level 1 contacts, and level 2 contacts. The multilevel bitlines comprise first bitlines and second bitlines, with the first bitlines and second bitlines positioned at different levels. The pillar contacts are electrically connected to the first bitlines and to the second bitlines, the level 1 contacts are electrically connected to the first bitlines, and the level 2 contacts are electrically connected to the second bitlines. Each bitline of the first bitlines is electrically connected to a single pillar contact adjacent to the level 1 contacts and each bitline of the second bitlines is electrically connected to a single pillar contact adjacent to the level 2 contacts. Additional electronic devices are disclosed, as are methods of forming an electronic device and related systems.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 27, 2021Publication date: February 2, 2023Inventors: Harsh Narendrakumar Jain, Adam L. Olson, Yoshiaki Fukuzumi, Naveen Kaushik, Richard J. Hill, Lars P. Heineck
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Publication number: 20230033803Abstract: An electronic device comprising multilevel bitlines comprising first bitlines and second bitlines. The first bitlines and the second bitlines are positioned at different levels. Pillar contacts are electrically connected to the first bitlines and to the second bitlines. Level 1 contacts are electrically connected to the first bitlines and level 2 contacts are electrically connected to the second bitlines. A liner is between the first bitlines and the level 2 contacts. Each bitline of the first bitlines is electrically connected to a single pillar contact in a subblock adjacent to the level 1 contacts and each bitline of the second bitlines is electrically connected to a single pillar contact adjacent to the level 2 contacts. Methods of forming an electronic device and related systems are also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 27, 2021Publication date: February 2, 2023Inventors: Yoshiaki Fukuzumi, Harsh Narendrakumar Jain, Naveen Kaushik, Adam L. Olson, Richard J. Hill, Lars P. Heineck
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Patent number: 11563027Abstract: Microelectronic devices include a lower deck and an upper deck, each comprising a stack structure with a vertically alternating sequence of insulative structures and conductive structures arranged in tiers. A lower array of pillars extends through the stack structure of the lower deck, and an upper array of pillars extends through the stack structure of the upper deck. Along an interface between the lower deck and the upper deck, the pillars of the lower array align with the pillars of the upper array. At least at elevations comprising bases of the pillars, a pillar density of the pillars of the lower array differs from a pillar density of the pillars of the upper array, “pillar density” being a number of pillars per unit of horizontal area of the respective array. Related methods and electronic systems are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: September 9, 2020Date of Patent: January 24, 2023Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.Inventors: Md Zakir Ullah, Xiaosong Zhang, Adam L. Olson, Mohammad Moydul Islam, Tien Minh Quan Tran, Chao Zhu, Zhigang Yang, Merri L. Carlson, Hui Chin Chong, David A. Kewley, Kok Siak Tang
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Patent number: 11532477Abstract: A self-assembled nanostructure comprises first domains and second domains. The first domains comprise a first block of a block copolymer material and an activatable catalyst. The second domains comprise a second block and substantially without the activatable catalyst. The activatable catalyst is capable of generating catalyst upon application of activation energy, and the generated catalyst is capable of reacting with a metal oxide precursor to provide a metal oxide. A semiconductor structure comprises such self-assembled nanostructure on a substrate.Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 2018Date of Patent: December 20, 2022Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.Inventors: Nicholas Hendricks, Adam L. Olson, William R. Brown, Ho Seop Eom, Xue Chen, Kaveri Jain, Scott Schuldenfrei
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Publication number: 20220189827Abstract: A microelectronic device comprises a microelectronic device structure having a memory array region and a staircase region. The microelectronic device structure comprises a stack structure having tiers each comprising a conductive structure and an insulative structure; staircase structures confined within the staircase region and having steps comprising edges of the tiers of the stack structure within the deck and the additional deck; and semiconductive pillar structures confined within the memory array region and extending through the stack structures. The stack structure comprises a deck comprising a group of the tiers; an additional deck overlying the deck and comprising an additional group of the tiers; and an interdeck section between the deck and the additional deck and comprising a dielectric structure confined within the memory array region, and another group of the tiers within vertical boundaries of the dielectric structure and confined within the staircase region.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 24, 2022Publication date: June 16, 2022Inventors: Bo Zhao, Nancy M. Lomeli, Lifang Xu, Adam L. Olson
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Patent number: 11282747Abstract: A microelectronic device comprises a microelectronic device structure having a memory array region and a staircase region. The microelectronic device structure comprises a stack structure having tiers each comprising a conductive structure and an insulative structure; staircase structures confined within the staircase region and having steps comprising edges of the tiers of the stack structure within the deck and the additional deck; and semiconductive pillar structures confined within the memory array region and extending through the stack structures. The stack structure comprises a deck comprising a group of the tiers; an additional deck overlying the deck and comprising an additional group of the tiers; and an interdeck section between the deck and the additional deck and comprising a dielectric structure confined within the memory array region, and another group of the tiers within vertical boundaries of the dielectric structure and confined within the staircase region.Type: GrantFiled: February 24, 2020Date of Patent: March 22, 2022Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.Inventors: Bo Zhao, Nancy M. Lomeli, Lifang Xu, Adam L. Olson
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Publication number: 20220077177Abstract: Microelectronic devices include a lower deck and an upper deck, each comprising a stack structure with a vertically alternating sequence of insulative structures and conductive structures arranged in tiers. A lower array of pillars extends through the stack structure of the lower deck, and an upper array of pillars extends through the stack structure of the upper deck. Along an interface between the lower deck and the upper deck, the pillars of the lower array align with the pillars of the upper array. At least at elevations comprising bases of the pillars, a pillar density of the pillars of the lower array differs from a pillar density of the pillars of the upper array, “pillar density” being a number of pillars per unit of horizontal area of the respective array. Related methods and electronic systems are also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 9, 2020Publication date: March 10, 2022Inventors: Md Zakir Ullah, Xiaosong Zhang, Adam L. Olson, Mohammad Moydul Islam, Tien Minh Quan Tran, Chao Zhu, Zhigang Yang, Merri L. Carlson, Hui Chin Chong, David A. Kewley, Kok Siak Tang
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Publication number: 20210407930Abstract: A method of forming a semiconductor device comprising forming a patterned resist over a stack comprising at least one material and removing a portion of the stack exposed through the patterned resist to form a stack opening. A portion of the patterned resist is laterally removed to form a trimmed resist and an additional portion of the stack exposed through the trimmed resist is removed to form steps in sidewalls of the stack. A dielectric material is formed between the sidewalls of the stack to substantially completely fill the stack opening, and the dielectric material is planarized. Additional methods are disclosed, as well as semiconductor devices.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 14, 2021Publication date: December 30, 2021Inventors: Rohit Kothari, Adam L. Olson, John D. Hopkins, Jeslin J. Wu
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Patent number: 11189526Abstract: Methods of forming staircase structures. The method comprises forming a patterned hardmask over tiers. An exposed portion of an uppermost tier is removed to form an uppermost stair. A first liner material is formed over the patterned hardmask and the uppermost tier, and a portion of the first liner material is removed to form a first liner and expose an underlying tier. An exposed portion of the underlying tier is removed to form an underlying stair in the underlying tier. A second liner material is formed over the patterned hardmask, the first liner, and the second liner. A portion of the second liner material is removed to form a second liner and expose another underlying tier. An exposed portion of the another underlying tier is removed to form another underlying stair. The patterned hardmask is removed. Staircase structures and semiconductor device structure are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: February 24, 2020Date of Patent: November 30, 2021Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.Inventors: Lance Williamson, Adam L. Olson, Kaveri Jain, Robert Dembi, William R. Brown