Patents by Inventor Alessandro Torsi

Alessandro Torsi 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: 10515696
    Abstract: Examples described include apparatuses and methods for determining stability of memory cells. Resistance variable memory cells may be used. Once a memory cell is placed in a low or high resistance state responsive to set or reset pulses, the stability of the state may be determined, such as by providing another pulse to the memory cell or otherwise stressing the cell. The another pulse may be of an opposite polarity to the set or reset pulses already applied. If the memory cell is no longer in the target state after providing the another pulse, additional set or reset pulses may be applied to achieve a stable state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2019
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Alessandro Torsi
  • Patent number: 9419220
    Abstract: A method of forming a resistive memory element comprises forming an oxide material over a first electrode. The oxide material is exposed to a plasma process to form a treated oxide material. A second electrode is formed on the treated oxide material. Additional methods of forming a resistive memory element, as well as related resistive memory elements, resistive memory cells, and resistive memory devices are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: D. V. Nirmal Ramaswamy, Sanh D. Tang, Alessandro Torsi, Muralikrishnan Balakrishnan, Xiaonan Chen, John K. Zahurak
  • Publication number: 20150333257
    Abstract: A method of forming a resistive memory element comprises forming an oxide material over a first electrode. The oxide material is exposed to a plasma process to form a treated oxide material. A second electrode is formed on the treated oxide material. Additional methods of forming a resistive memory element, as well as related resistive memory elements, resistive memory cells, and resistive memory devices are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2015
    Publication date: November 19, 2015
    Inventors: D.V. Nirmal Ramaswamy, Sanh D. Tang, Alessandro Torsi, Muralikrishnan Balakrishnan, Xiaonan Chen, John K. Zahurak
  • Patent number: 9112138
    Abstract: A method of forming a resistive memory element comprises forming an oxide material over a first electrode. The oxide material is exposed to a plasma process to form a treated oxide material. A second electrode is formed on the treated oxide material. Additional methods of forming a resistive memory element, as well as related resistive memory elements, resistive memory cells, and resistive memory devices are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: D. V. Nirmal Ramaswamy, Sanh D. Tang, Alessandro Torsi, Muralikrishnan Balakrishnan, Xiaonan Chen, John K. Zahurak
  • Patent number: 8891309
    Abstract: Read failure is reduced by increasing the drain current through a serial string of memory cells during the read operation. In one embodiment, this is accomplished by using a higher read pass voltage for unselected word lines when the selected word line is within a predetermined distance of the drain side of the memory block array. If the selected word line is closer to the source side, a lower read pass voltage is used. In another embodiment, the cells on the word lines closer to the drain side of the memory block array are erased to a lower threshold voltage than the memory cells on the remaining word lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Seiichi Aritome, Alessandro Torsi, Carlo Musilli
  • Publication number: 20140334223
    Abstract: Examples described include apparatuses and methods for determining stability of memory cells. Resistance variable memory cells may be used. Once a memory cell is placed in a low or high resistance state responsive to set or reset pulses, the stability of the state may be determined, such as by providing another pulse to the memory cell or otherwise stressing the cell. The another pulse may be of an opposite polarity to the set or reset pulses already applied. If the memory cell is no longer in the target state after providing the another pulse, additional set or reset pulses may be applied to achieve a stable state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2014
    Publication date: November 13, 2014
    Inventor: Alessandro Torsi
  • Patent number: 8859329
    Abstract: Some embodiments include memory cells having programmable material between a pair of electrodes. The programmable material includes a material selected from the group consisting of a metal silicate with a ratio of metal to silicon within a range of from about 2 to about 6, and metal aluminate with a ratio of metal to aluminum within a range of from about 2 to about 6. Some embodiments include methods of forming memory cells. First electrode material is formed. Programmable material is formed over the first electrode material, with the programmable material including metal silicate and/or metal aluminate. Second electrode material is formed over the programmable material, and then an anneal is conducted at a temperature within a range of from about 300° C. to about 500° C. for a time of from about 1 minute to about 1 hour.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: D. V. Nirmal Ramaswamy, Murali Balakrishnan, Alessandro Torsi, Noel Rocklein
  • Publication number: 20140231743
    Abstract: Some embodiments include memory cells having programmable material between a pair of electrodes. The programmable material includes a material selected from the group consisting of a metal silicate with a ratio of metal to silicon within a range of from about 2 to about 6, and metal aluminate with a ratio of metal to aluminum within a range of from about 2 to about 6. Some embodiments include methods of forming memory cells. First electrode material is formed. Programmable material is formed over the first electrode material, with the programmable material including metal silicate and/or metal aluminate. Second electrode material is formed over the programmable material, and then an anneal is conducted at a temperature within a range of from about 300° C. to about 500° C. for a time of from about 1 minute to about 1 hour.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2014
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: D. V. Nirmal Ramaswamy, Murali Balakrishnan, Alessandro Torsi, Noel Rocklein
  • Patent number: 8787065
    Abstract: Examples described include apparatuses and methods for determining stability of memory cells. Resistance variable memory cells may be used. Once a memory cell is placed in a low or high resistance state responsive to set or reset pulses, the stability of the state may be determined, such as by providing another pulse to the memory cell or otherwise stressing the cell. The another pulse may be of an opposite polarity to the set or reset pulses already applied. If the memory cell is no longer in the target state after providing the another pulse, additional set or reset pulses may be applied to achieve a stable state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Alessandro Torsi
  • Patent number: 8753919
    Abstract: Some embodiments include memory cells having programmable material between a pair of electrodes. The programmable material includes a material selected from the group consisting of a metal silicate with a ratio of metal to silicon within a range of from about 2 to about 6, and metal aluminate with a ratio of metal to aluminum within a range of from about 2 to about 6. Some embodiments include methods of forming memory cells. First electrode material is formed. Programmable material is formed over the first electrode material, with the programmable material including metal silicate and/or metal aluminate. Second electrode material is formed over the programmable material, and then an anneal is conducted at a temperature within a range of from about 300° C. to about 500° C. for a time of from about 1 minute to about 1 hour.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: D. V. Nirmal Ramaswamy, Murali Balakrishnan, Alessandro Torsi, Noel Rocklein
  • Patent number: 8705290
    Abstract: Some embodiments include methods and devices having a module and memory cells. The module is configured to reduce the amount of electrons in the sources and drains of the memory cells during a programming operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Prashant S. Damle, Krishna K. Parat, Alessandro Torsi, Carlo Musilli, Kalpana Vakati, Akira Goda
  • Publication number: 20140106533
    Abstract: Some embodiments include memory cells having programmable material between a pair of electrodes. The programmable material includes a material selected from the group consisting of a metal silicate with a ratio of metal to silicon within a range of from about 2 to about 6, and metal aluminate with a ratio of metal to aluminum within a range of from about 2 to about 6. Some embodiments include methods of forming memory cells. First electrode material is formed. Programmable material is formed over the first electrode material, with the programmable material including metal silicate and/or metal aluminate. Second electrode material is formed over the programmable material, and then an anneal is conducted at a temperature within a range of from about 300° C. to about 500° C. for a time of from about 1 minute to about 1 hour.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2013
    Publication date: April 17, 2014
    Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: D.V. Nirmal Ramaswamy, Murali Balakrishnan, Alessandro Torsi, Noel Rocklein
  • Patent number: 8629421
    Abstract: Some embodiments include memory cells having programmable material between a pair of electrodes. The programmable material includes a material selected from the group consisting of a metal silicate with a ratio of metal to silicon within a range of from about 2 to about 6, and metal aluminate with a ratio of metal to aluminum within a range of from about 2 to about 6. Some embodiments include methods of forming memory cells. First electrode material is formed. Programmable material is formed over the first electrode material, with the programmable material including metal silicate and/or metal aluminate. Second electrode material is formed over the programmable material, and then an anneal is conducted at a temperature within a range of from about 300° C. to about 500° C. for a time of from about 1 minute to about 1 hour.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: D.V. Nirmal Ramaswamy, Murali Balakrishnan, Alessandro Torsi, Noel Rocklein
  • Publication number: 20130334483
    Abstract: A method of forming a resistive memory element comprises forming an oxide material over a first electrode. The oxide material is exposed to a plasma process to form a treated oxide material. A second electrode is formed on the treated oxide material. Additional methods of forming a resistive memory element, as well as related resistive memory elements, resistive memory cells, and resistive memory devices are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2012
    Publication date: December 19, 2013
    Applicant: MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: D. V. Nirmal Ramaswamy, Sanh D. Tang, Alessandro Torsi, Muralikrishnan Balakrishnan, Xiaonan Chen, John K. Zahurak
  • Patent number: 8610490
    Abstract: Voltage switches, memory devices, memory systems, and methods for switching are disclosed. One such voltage switch uses a pair of switch circuits coupled in series, each switch circuit being driven by a level shift circuit. Each switch circuit uses a group of series coupled transistors with a parallel control transistor where the number of transistors in each group may be determined by an expected switch input voltage and a maximum allowable voltage drop for each transistor. A voltage of a particular state of an enable signal is shifted up to the switch input voltage by the level shift circuits. The particular state of the enable signal turns on the voltage switch such that the switch output voltage is substantially equal to the switch input voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Giulio G. Marotta, Carlo Musilli, Stefano Perugini, Alessandro Torsi, Tommaso Vali
  • Patent number: 8565018
    Abstract: A method for programming includes initially biasing a subset of a plurality of control gates of a string of memory cells with a negative voltage, wherein the subset is less than all of the plurality of control gates of the string. The control gate of a selected memory cell is subsequently biased with a programming voltage during a programming phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Akira Goda, Alessandro Torsi, Carlo Musilli, Mark A. Helm, Doyle Rivers
  • Patent number: 8451661
    Abstract: Methods of programming memory cells, and memories incorporating such methods, are disclosed. In at least one embodiment, programming is accomplished by applying a set of incrementing program pulses to program a selected cell to a first target threshold voltage, and applying a set of incrementing inhibit pulses to an unselected cell to fine-tune program the selected cell to a second threshold voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Giuliano G. Imondi, Alessandro Torsi
  • Publication number: 20130094276
    Abstract: Examples described include apparatuses and methods for determining stability of memory cells. Resistance variable memory cells may be used. Once a memory cell is placed in a low or high resistance state responsive to set or reset pulses, the stability of the state may be determined, such as by providing another pulse to the memory cell or otherwise stressing the cell. The another pulse may be of an opposite polarity to the set or reset pulses already applied. If the memory cell is no longer in the target state after providing the another pulse, additional set or reset pulses may be applied to achieve a stable state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2011
    Publication date: April 18, 2013
    Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Alessandro Torsi
  • Patent number: 8405444
    Abstract: Voltage switches, memory devices, memory systems, and methods for switching are disclosed. One such voltage switch uses a pair of switch circuits coupled in series, each switch circuit being driven by a level shift circuit. Each switch circuit uses a group of series coupled transistors with a parallel control transistor where the number of transistors in each group may be determined by an expected switch input voltage and a maximum allowable voltage drop for each transistor. A voltage of a particular state of an enable signal is shifted up to the switch input voltage by the level shift circuits. The particular state of the enable signal turns on the voltage switch such that the switch output voltage is substantially equal to the switch input voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Giulio G. Marotta, Carlo Musilli, Stefano Perugini, Alessandro Torsi, Tommaso Vali
  • Publication number: 20130016569
    Abstract: Some embodiments include methods and devices having a module and memory cells. The module is configured to reduce the amount of electrons in the sources and drains of the memory cells during a programming operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2012
    Publication date: January 17, 2013
    Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Prashant S. Damle, Krishna Parat, Alessandro Torsi, Carlo Musilli, Kalpana Vakati, Akira Goda