Patents by Inventor Armin Saeedi Vahdat

Armin Saeedi Vahdat 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: 11942361
    Abstract: Disclosed are approaches for forming semiconductor device cavities using directional dielectric deposition. One method may include providing a plurality of semiconductor structures and a plurality of trenches of a semiconductor device, and forming a dielectric atop the plurality of semiconductor structures by delivering a dielectric material at a non-zero angle of inclination relative to a normal extending perpendicular from a top surface of the plurality of semiconductor structures. The dielectric may be further formed by delivering the dielectric material at a second non-zero angle of inclination relative to the normal extending perpendicular from the top surface of the plurality of semiconductor structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Armin Saeedi Vahdat, Tristan Y. Ma, Johannes M. van Meer, John Hautala, Naushad K. Variam
  • Publication number: 20240049443
    Abstract: Approaches for reducing GIDL are disclosed. In one example, a method of forming a DRAM device may include forming a trench in a substrate layer, providing a first gate oxide layer along a sidewall and a bottom surface of the trench, and forming a first gate material within the trench. The method may further include removing the first gate oxide layer along an upper portion of the sidewall of the trench by delivering ions into the upper portion of the trench at a non-zero angle relative to a perpendicular extending from an upper surface of the substrate layer, and forming a second gate oxide layer along the upper portion of the sidewall of the trench, wherein a first dielectric constant of the first gate oxide layer is greater than a second dielectric constant of the second gate oxide layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2022
    Publication date: February 8, 2024
    Applicant: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Armin Saeedi Vahdat, John Hautala, Yan Zhang, Johannes M. van Meer
  • Patent number: 11778832
    Abstract: Disclosed are approaches for 3D NAND structure fabrication. One method may include providing a stack of layers comprising a first and second plurality of layers, and forming a plurality of trenches in the stack of layers, wherein each of the trenches includes a tiered sidewall. A first trench may be formed to a first depth, and a second trench may be formed to a second depth, which is greater than the first depth. The method may further include forming a liner within the trenches, wherein the liner is deposited at a non-zero angle of inclination relative to a normal extending perpendicular from the top surface of the stack of layers. The liner may have a first thickness along the tiered sidewall of the first trench and a second thickness along the tiered sidewall of the second trench, wherein the first thickness is greater than the second thickness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Armin Saeedi Vahdat, Tristan Y. Ma, Johannes M. van Meer, John Hautala, Naushad K. Variam
  • Publication number: 20230257872
    Abstract: Disclosed are approaches for forming semiconductor device cavities. One method may include providing a set of semiconductor structures defining an opening, wherein the opening has a first opening width along an upper portion of the opening and a second opening width along a lower portion of the opening, the first opening width being greater than the second opening width. The method may further include forming a blocking layer along the set of semiconductor structures by delivering a material at a non-zero angle of inclination relative to a normal extending perpendicular from a top surface of the set of semiconductor structures. The blocking layer may be formed along the upper portion of the opening without being formed along the lower portion of the opening, and wherein an opening through the blocking layer is present above the opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2022
    Publication date: August 17, 2023
    Applicant: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Armin Saeedi Vahdat, Yan Zhang, John Hautala
  • Patent number: 11640837
    Abstract: A method used in forming a memory array comprises forming digitlines above and electrically couple to memory cells there-below. The digitlines are laterally-spaced relative one another in a vertical cross-section. An upwardly-open void-space is laterally-between immediately-adjacent of the digitlines in the vertical cross-section. Conductive material of the digitlines is covered with masking material that is in and less-than-fills the upwardly-open void-spaces. The masking material is removed from being directly above tops of the digitlines to expose the conductive digitline material and to leave the masking material over sidewalls of the conductive digitline material in the upwardly-open void-spaces. Insulative material is selectively grown from the exposed conductive digitline material relative to the masking material across the upwardly-open void-spaces to form covered void-spaces there-from between the immediately-adjacent digitlines in the vertical cross-section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2023
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Armin Saeedi Vahdat, Richard J. Hill, Aaron Michael Lowe
  • Publication number: 20230119618
    Abstract: A semiconductor manufacturing process and semiconductor device having an airgap to isolate bottom implant portions of a substrate from upper source and drain device structure to reduce bottom current leakage and parasitic capacitance with an improved scalability on n-to-p spacing scaling. The disclosed device can be implanted to fabricate nanosheet FET and other such semiconductor device. The airgap is formed by etching into the substrate, below a trench in a vertical and horizontal direction. The trench is then filled with dielectric and upper device structure formed on either side of the dielectric filler trench.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2021
    Publication date: April 20, 2023
    Applicant: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Armin Saeedi Vahdat, John Hautala, Johannes M. van Meer
  • Publication number: 20220399225
    Abstract: Disclosed are approaches for forming semiconductor device cavities using directional dielectric deposition. One method may include providing a plurality of semiconductor structures and a plurality of trenches of a semiconductor device, and forming a dielectric atop the plurality of semiconductor structures by delivering a dielectric material at a non-zero angle of inclination relative to a normal extending perpendicular from a top surface of the plurality of semiconductor structures. The dielectric may be further formed by delivering the dielectric material at a second non-zero angle of inclination relative to the normal extending perpendicular from the top surface of the plurality of semiconductor structures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2021
    Publication date: December 15, 2022
    Applicant: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Armin Saeedi Vahdat, Tristan Y. Ma, Johannes M. van Meer, John Hautala, Naushad K. Variam
  • Publication number: 20220352182
    Abstract: Disclosed are approaches for 3D NAND structure fabrication. One method may include providing a stack of layers comprising a first and second plurality of layers, and forming a plurality of trenches in the stack of layers, wherein each of the trenches includes a tiered sidewall. A first trench may be formed to a first depth, and a second trench may be formed to a second depth, which is greater than the first depth. The method may further include forming a liner within the trenches, wherein the liner is deposited at a non-zero angle of inclination relative to a normal extending perpendicular from the top surface of the stack of layers. The liner may have a first thickness along the tiered sidewall of the first trench and a second thickness along the tiered sidewall of the second trench, wherein the first thickness is greater than the second thickness.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2021
    Publication date: November 3, 2022
    Applicant: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Armin Saeedi Vahdat, Tristan Y. Ma, Johannes M. van Meer, John Hautala, Naushad K. Variam
  • Patent number: 11476251
    Abstract: Systems, methods and apparatus are provided for a three-node access device in vertical three dimensional (3D) memory. An example method includes a method for forming arrays of vertically stacked memory cells, having horizontally oriented access devices and vertically oriented access lines. The method includes depositing alternating layers of a dielectric material and a sacrificial material in repeating iterations to form a vertical stack. An etchant process is used to form a first vertical opening exposing vertical sidewalls in the vertical stack adjacent a first region. The first region is selectively etched to form a first horizontal opening removing the sacrificial material a first horizontal distance back from the first vertical opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott E. Sills, John A. Smythe, III, Si-Woo Lee, Gurtej S. Sandhu, Armin Saeedi Vahdat
  • Publication number: 20220223602
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatuses are provided for epitaxial single crystalline silicon growth for a horizontal access device. One example method includes depositing layers of a first dielectric material, a semiconductor material, and a second dielectric material to form a vertical stack, forming first vertical openings to form elongated vertical, pillar columns with first vertical sidewalls in the vertical stack, and forming second vertical openings through the vertical stack to expose second vertical sidewalls. Further, the example method includes selectively removing first portions of the semiconductor material from the second vertical openings to form horizontal openings with a remaining second portion of the semiconductor material at a distal end of the horizontal openings from the second vertical openings, and epitaxially growing single crystalline silicon within the horizontal openings from the distal end of the horizontal openings toward the second vertical openings to fill the horizontal openings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2022
    Publication date: July 14, 2022
    Inventors: Armin Saeedi Vahdat, Gurtej S. Sandhu, Scott E. Sills, Si-Woo Lee, John A. Smythe, III
  • Patent number: 11329051
    Abstract: Systems, methods and apparatus are provided for a three-node access device in vertical three-dimensional (3D) memory. An example method includes a method for forming arrays of vertically stacked memory cells, having horizontally oriented access devices and vertically oriented access lines. The method includes depositing alternating layers of a dielectric material and a sacrificial material to form a vertical stack. Forming a plurality of first vertical openings to form elongated vertical, pillar columns with sidewalls in the vertical stack. Conformally depositing a gate dielectric in the plurality of first vertical openings. Forming a conductive material on the gate dielectric. Removing portions of the conductive material to form a plurality of separate, vertical access lines. Repairing a first side of the gate dielectric exposed where the conductive material was removed. Forming a second vertical opening to expose sidewalls adjacent a first region of the sacrificial material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: John A. Smythe, III, Gurtej S. Sandhu, Armin Saeedi Vahdat, Si-Woo Lee, Scott E. Sills
  • Publication number: 20220102356
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatuses are provided for epitaxial single crystalline silicon growth for a horizontal access device. One example method includes depositing layers of a first dielectric material, a semiconductor material, and a second dielectric material to form a vertical stack, forming first vertical openings to form elongated vertical, pillar columns with first vertical sidewalls in the vertical stack, and forming second vertical openings through the vertical stack to expose second vertical sidewalls. Further, the example method includes selectively removing first portions of the semiconductor material from the second vertical openings to form horizontal openings with a remaining second portion of the semiconductor material at a distal end of the horizontal openings from the second vertical openings, and epitaxially growing single crystalline silicon within the horizontal openings from the distal end of the horizontal openings toward the second vertical openings to fill the horizontal openings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2020
    Publication date: March 31, 2022
    Inventors: Armin Saeedi Vahdat, Gurtej S. Sandhu, Scott E. Sills, Si-Woo Lee, John A. Smythe III
  • Patent number: 11289491
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatuses are provided for epitaxial single crystalline silicon growth for a horizontal access device. One example method includes depositing layers of a first dielectric material, a semiconductor material, and a second dielectric material to form a vertical stack, forming first vertical openings to form elongated vertical, pillar columns with first vertical sidewalls in the vertical stack, and forming second vertical openings through the vertical stack to expose second vertical sidewalls. Further, the example method includes selectively removing first portions of the semiconductor material from the second vertical openings to form horizontal openings with a remaining second portion of the semiconductor material at a distal end of the horizontal openings from the second vertical openings, and epitaxially growing single crystalline silicon within the horizontal openings from the distal end of the horizontal openings toward the second vertical openings to fill the horizontal openings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Armin Saeedi Vahdat, Gurtej S. Sandhu, Scott E. Sills, Si-Woo Lee, John A. Smythe, III
  • Publication number: 20220068933
    Abstract: Systems, methods and apparatus are provided for a three-node access device in vertical three-dimensional (3D) memory. An example method includes a method for forming arrays of vertically stacked memory cells, having horizontally oriented access devices and vertically oriented access lines. The method includes depositing alternating layers of a dielectric material and a sacrificial material to form a vertical stack. Forming a plurality of first vertical openings to form elongated vertical, pillar columns with sidewalls in the vertical stack. Conformally depositing a gate dielectric in the plurality of first vertical openings. Forming a conductive material on the gate dielectric. Removing portions of the conductive material to form a plurality of separate, vertical access lines. Repairing a first side of the gate dielectric exposed where the conductive material was removed. Forming a second vertical opening to expose sidewalls adjacent a first region of the sacrificial material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2020
    Publication date: March 3, 2022
    Inventors: John A. Smythe III, Gurtej S. Sandhu, Armin Saeedi Vahdat, Si-Woo Lee, Scott E. Sills
  • Publication number: 20220045069
    Abstract: Systems, methods and apparatus are provided for a three-node access device in vertical three dimensional (3D) memory. An example method includes a method for forming arrays of vertically stacked memory cells, having horizontally oriented access devices and vertically oriented access lines. The method includes depositing alternating layers of a dielectric material and a sacrificial material in repeating iterations to form a vertical stack. An etchant process is used to form a first vertical opening exposing vertical sidewalls in the vertical stack adjacent a first region of the sacrificial material. The first region is selectively etched to form a first horizontal opening removing the sacrificial material a first horizontal distance back from the first vertical opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2020
    Publication date: February 10, 2022
    Inventors: Scott E. Sills, John A. Smythe, III, Si-Woo Lee, Gurtej S. Sandhu, Armin Saeedi Vahdat
  • Publication number: 20220045062
    Abstract: Systems, methods and apparatus are provided for storage node after horizontally oriented, three-node access device formation in vertical three dimensional (3D) memory. An example method includes a method for forming arrays of vertically stacked memory cells, having horizontally oriented access devices and vertically oriented access lines. The method includes depositing alternating layers of a dielectric material and a sacrificial material to form a vertical stack. A plurality of first vertical openings are formed through the vertical stack to form elongated vertical, pillar columns with sidewalls in the vertical stack. A first conductive material is conformally deposited on a gate dielectric material in the first vertical openings. Portions of the first conductive material are removed to form a plurality of separate, vertical access lines along the sidewalls of the elongated vertical, pillar columns.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2020
    Publication date: February 10, 2022
    Inventors: Armin Saeedi Vahdat, John A. Smythe III, Si-Woo Lee, Gurtej S. Sandhu, Scott E. Sills
  • Publication number: 20220045060
    Abstract: Systems, methods and apparatus are provided for a three-node access device in vertical three dimensional (3D) memory. An example method includes a method for forming arrays of vertically stacked memory cells, having horizontally oriented access devices and vertically oriented access lines. The method includes depositing alternating layers of a dielectric material and a sacrificial material in repeating iterations to form a vertical stack. An etchant process is used to form a first vertical opening exposing vertical sidewalls in the vertical stack adjacent a first region. The first region is selectively etched to form a first horizontal opening removing the sacrificial material a first horizontal distance back from the first vertical opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2020
    Publication date: February 10, 2022
    Inventors: Scott E. Sills, John A. Smythe, III, Si-Woo Lee, Gurtej S. Sandhu, Armin Saeedi Vahdat
  • Publication number: 20220045061
    Abstract: Systems, methods and apparatus are provided for a three-node access device in vertical three dimensional (3D) memory. An example method includes a method for forming arrays of vertically stacked memory cells, having horizontally oriented access devices and vertically oriented access lines. The three-node access devices include a first source/drain region (1) and a second source/drain region (2) separated by a channel and gates (3) opposing the channel, but do not have a direct, electrical body contact to a body region and/or channel of the access devices. The method includes depositing alternating layers of a dielectric material and a sacrificial semiconductor material in repeating iterations to form a vertical stack, a first region of the sacrificial semiconductor material in which to form a first and a second source/drain region separated laterally by a channel region. An etchant process is used to form a first vertical opening exposing vertical sidewalls in the vertical stack adjacent the first region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2020
    Publication date: February 10, 2022
    Inventors: Si-Woo Lee, John A. Smythe, III, Scott E. Sills, Gurtej S. Sandhu, Armin Saeedi Vahdat
  • Patent number: 11239117
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatus are provided for storage node after horizontally oriented, three-node access device formation in vertical three dimensional (3D) memory. An example method includes a method for forming arrays of vertically stacked memory cells, having horizontally oriented access devices and vertically oriented access lines. The method includes depositing alternating layers of a dielectric material and a sacrificial semiconductor material to form a vertical stack. A first vertical opening is formed through the vertical stack to expose a first region of the sacrificial semiconductor material. The first region is selectively removed to form a first horizontal opening in which to replace a sacrificial gate dielectric material, form a source/drain conductive contact material, a channel conductive material, and a digit line conductive contact material of the three-node access device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Armin Saeedi Vahdat, John A. Smythe, III, Si-Woo Lee, Gurtej S. Sandhu, Scott E. Sills
  • Patent number: 11227864
    Abstract: Systems, methods and apparatus are provided for storage node after horizontally oriented, three-node access device formation in vertical three dimensional (3D) memory. An example method includes a method for forming arrays of vertically stacked memory cells, having horizontally oriented access devices and vertically oriented access lines. The method includes forming elongated vertical, pillar columns with sidewalls in a vertical stack. A first conductive material is conformally deposited on a gate dielectric material in the first vertical openings. Portions of the first conductive material are removed to form a plurality of separate, vertical access lines along the sidewalls of the elongated vertical, pillar columns. A second vertical opening is formed through the vertical stack to expose a first region of the sacrificial material. A third vertical opening is formed through the vertical stack to in which to form a storage node electrically coupled to the first source/drain material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2022
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Armin Saeedi Vahdat, John A. Smythe, III, Si-Woo Lee, Gurtej S. Sandhu, Scott E. Sills