Patents by Inventor Beth R. Cook

Beth R. Cook 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: 11935574
    Abstract: A memory cell comprises a capacitor comprising a first capacitor electrode having laterally-spaced walls, a second capacitor electrode comprising a portion above the first capacitor electrode, and capacitor insulator material between the second capacitor electrode and the first capacitor electrode. The capacitor comprises an intrinsic current leakage path from one of the first and second capacitor electrodes to the other through the capacitor insulator material. A parallel current leakage path is between the second capacitor electrode and the first capacitor electrode. The parallel current leakage path is circuit-parallel with the intrinsic current leakage path, of lower total resistance than the intrinsic current leakage path, and comprises leaker material that is everywhere laterally-outward of laterally-innermost surfaces of the laterally-spaced walls of the first capacitor electrode. Other embodiments, including methods, are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Mutch, Ashonita A. Chavan, Sameer Chhajed, Beth R. Cook, Kamal Kumar Muthukrishnan, Durai Vishak Nirmal Ramaswamy, Lance Williamson
  • Publication number: 20240045604
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for self-aligned techniques for forming connections in a memory device are described. A redistribution layer (RDL) for coupling an electrode of a capacitor of a memory cell with a corresponding selector device may be fabricated at a same time or stage as the electrode, using self-aligned techniques. When forming portions of a memory cell, a cavity for the electrode may be etched, and a portion of the RDL that extends from the electrode cavity to a corresponding selector device may also be selectively etched. The resulting cavities may be filled with an electrode material, which may form the electrode and couple the electrode to the corresponding selector device. The resulting memory device may support implementation of a staggered configuration for memory cells, and may include electrodes that share a crystalline structure with one or more corresponding portions of an RDL.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2022
    Publication date: February 8, 2024
    Inventors: Zhuo Chen, Beth R. Cook, Dale W. Collins, Muralikrishnan Balakrishnan
  • Publication number: 20230397435
    Abstract: Implementations described herein relate to various structures, integrated assemblies, and memory devices. In some implementations, an integrated assembly includes a cell plate, a top electrode, and an insulator that separates the top electrode from bottom electrodes. The integrated assembly may include a first group of bottom electrodes that are coupled to the cell plate via a corresponding first group of leaker devices, wherein a first region between the first group of leaker includes the top electrode and the insulator. The integrated assembly may include a second group of bottom electrodes that are electrically coupled to the cell plate via a corresponding second group of leaker devices, wherein a second region between the second group of leaker devices does not include the top electrode and does not include the insulator. The first group of leaker devices and the second group of leaker devices have substantially identical electrical properties.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2022
    Publication date: December 7, 2023
    Inventor: Beth R. COOK
  • Patent number: 11711924
    Abstract: Some embodiments include an integrated assembly having first electrodes with top surfaces, and with sidewall surfaces extending downwardly from the top surfaces. The first electrodes are solid pillars. Insulative material is along the sidewall surfaces of the first electrodes. Second electrodes extend along the sidewall surfaces of the first electrodes and are spaced from the sidewall surfaces by the insulative material. Conductive-plate-material extends across the first and second electrodes, and couples the second electrodes to one another. Leaker-devices electrically couple the first electrodes to the conductive-plate-material and are configured to discharge at least a portion of excess charge from the first electrodes to the conductive-plate-material. Some embodiments include methods of forming integrated assemblies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Alessandro Calderoni, Beth R. Cook, Durai Vishak Nirmal Ramaswamy, Ashonita A. Chavan
  • Patent number: 11676768
    Abstract: Some embodiments include an apparatus having horizontally-spaced bottom electrodes supported by a supporting structure. Leaker device material is directly against the bottom electrodes. Insulative material is over the bottom electrodes, and upper electrodes are over the insulative material. Plate material extends across the upper electrodes and couples the upper electrodes to one another. The plate material is directly against the leaker device material. The leaker device material electrically couples the bottom electrodes to the plate material, and may be configured to discharge at least a portion of excess charge from the bottom electrodes to the plate material. Some embodiments include methods of forming apparatuses which include capacitors having bottom electrodes and top electrodes, with the top electrodes being electrically coupled to one another through a conductive plate. Leaker devices are formed to electrically couple the bottom electrodes to the conductive plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Ashonita A. Chavan, Beth R. Cook, Manuj Nahar, Durai Vishak Nirmal Ramaswamy
  • Patent number: 11600691
    Abstract: A memory cell comprises a capacitor having a first conductive capacitor electrode having laterally-spaced walls that individually have a top surface. A second conductive capacitor electrode is laterally between the walls of the first capacitor electrode, and comprises a portion above the first capacitor electrode. Ferroelectric material is laterally between the walls of the first capacitor electrode and laterally between the second capacitor electrode and the first capacitor electrode. The capacitor comprises an intrinsic current leakage path from one of the first and second capacitor electrodes to the other through the ferroelectric material. A parallel current leakage path is between an elevationally-inner surface of the portion of the second capacitor electrode that is above the first capacitor electrode and at least one of the individual top surfaces of the laterally-spaced walls of the first capacitor electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Muralikrishnan Balakrishnan, Beth R. Cook, Durai Vishak Nirmal Ramaswamy
  • Publication number: 20220367118
    Abstract: Some embodiments include an apparatus having horizontally-spaced bottom electrodes supported by a supporting structure. Leaker device material is directly against the bottom electrodes. Insulative material is over the bottom electrodes, and upper electrodes are over the insulative material. Plate material extends across the upper electrodes and couples the upper electrodes to one another. The plate material is directly against the leaker device material. The leaker device material electrically couples the bottom electrodes to the plate material, and may be configured to discharge at least a portion of excess charge from the bottom electrodes to the plate material. Some embodiments include methods of forming apparatuses which include capacitors having bottom electrodes and top electrodes, with the top electrodes being electrically coupled to one another through a conductive plate. Leaker devices are formed to electrically couple the bottom electrodes to the conductive plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2022
    Publication date: November 17, 2022
    Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Ashonita A. Chavan, Beth R. Cook, Manuj Nahar, Durai Vishak Nirmal Ramaswamy
  • Patent number: 11404217
    Abstract: Some embodiments include an apparatus having horizontally-spaced bottom electrodes supported by a supporting structure. Leaker device material is directly against the bottom electrodes. Insulative material is over the bottom electrodes, and upper electrodes are over the insulative material. Plate material extends across the upper electrodes and couples the upper electrodes to one another. The plate material is directly against the leaker device material. The leaker device material electrically couples the bottom electrodes to the plate material, and may be configured to discharge at least a portion of excess charge from the bottom electrodes to the plate material. Some embodiments include methods of forming apparatuses which include capacitors having bottom electrodes and top electrodes, with the top electrodes being electrically coupled to one another through a conductive plate. Leaker devices are formed to electrically couple the bottom electrodes to the conductive plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Ashonita A. Chavan, Beth R. Cook, Manuj Nahar, Durai Vishak Nirmal Ramaswamy
  • Publication number: 20220199634
    Abstract: Some embodiments include an integrated assembly having first electrodes with top surfaces, and with sidewall surfaces extending downwardly from the top surfaces. The first electrodes are solid pillars. Insulative material is along the sidewall surfaces of the first electrodes. Second electrodes extend along the sidewall surfaces of the first electrodes and are spaced from the sidewall surfaces by the insulative material. Conductive-plate-material extends across the first and second electrodes, and couples the second electrodes to one another. Leaker-devices electrically couple the first electrodes to the conductive-plate-material and are configured to discharge at least a portion of excess charge from the first electrodes to the conductive-plate-material. Some embodiments include methods of forming integrated assemblies.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2022
    Publication date: June 23, 2022
    Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Alessandro Calderoni, Beth R. Cook, Durai Vishak Nirmal Ramaswamy, Ashonita A. Chavan
  • Patent number: 11315939
    Abstract: Some embodiments include an integrated assembly having first electrodes with top surfaces, and with sidewall surfaces extending downwardly from the top surfaces. The first electrodes are solid pillars. Insulative material is along the sidewall surfaces of the first electrodes. Second electrodes extend along the sidewall surfaces of the first electrodes and are spaced from the sidewall surfaces by the insulative material. Conductive-plate-material extends across the first and second electrodes, and couples the second electrodes to one another. Leaker-devices electrically couple the first electrodes to the conductive-plate-material and are configured to discharge at least a portion of excess charge from the first electrodes to the conductive-plate-material. Some embodiments include methods of forming integrated assemblies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Alessandro Calderoni, Beth R. Cook, Durai Vishak Nirmal Ramaswamy, Ashonita A. Chavan
  • Publication number: 20220028442
    Abstract: A memory cell comprises a capacitor comprising a first capacitor electrode having laterally-spaced walls, a second capacitor electrode comprising a portion above the first capacitor electrode, and capacitor insulator material between the second capacitor electrode and the first capacitor electrode. The capacitor comprises an intrinsic current leakage path from one of the first and second capacitor electrodes to the other through the capacitor insulator material. A parallel current leakage path is between the second capacitor electrode and the first capacitor electrode. The parallel current leakage path is circuit-parallel with the intrinsic current leakage path, of lower total resistance than the intrinsic current leakage path, and comprises leaker material that is everywhere laterally-outward of laterally-innermost surfaces of the laterally-spaced walls of the first capacitor electrode. Other embodiments, including methods, are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2021
    Publication date: January 27, 2022
    Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Mutch, Ashonita A. Chavan, Sameer Chhajed, Beth R. Cook, Kamal Kumar Muthukrishnan, Durai Vishak Nirmal Ramaswamy, Lance Williamson
  • Patent number: 11170834
    Abstract: A memory cell comprises a capacitor comprising a first capacitor electrode having laterally-spaced walls, a second capacitor electrode comprising a portion above the first capacitor electrode, and capacitor insulator material between the second capacitor electrode and the first capacitor electrode. The capacitor comprises an intrinsic current leakage path from one of the first and second capacitor electrodes to the other through the capacitor insulator material. A parallel current leakage path is between the second capacitor electrode and the first capacitor electrode. The parallel current leakage path is circuit-parallel with the intrinsic current leakage path, of lower total resistance than the intrinsic current leakage path, and comprises leaker material that is everywhere laterally-outward of laterally-innermost surfaces of the laterally-spaced walls of the first capacitor electrode. Other embodiments, including methods, are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Mutch, Ashonita A. Chavan, Sameer Chhajed, Beth R. Cook, Kamal Kumar Muthukrishnan, Durai Vishak Nirmal Ramaswamy, Lance Williamson
  • Publication number: 20210313339
    Abstract: A method of forming a ferroelectric memory cell. The method comprises forming an electrode material exhibiting a desired dominant crystallographic orientation. A hafnium-based material is formed over the electrode material and the hafnium-based material is crystallized to induce formation of a ferroelectric material having a desired crystallographic orientation. Additional methods are also described, as are semiconductor device structures including the ferroelectric material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2021
    Publication date: October 7, 2021
    Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Qian Tao, Matthew N. Rocklein, Beth R. Cook, Durai Vishak Nirmal Ramaswamy
  • Patent number: 11043502
    Abstract: A method of forming a ferroelectric memory cell. The method comprises forming an electrode material exhibiting a desired dominant crystallographic orientation. A hafnium-based material is formed over the electrode material and the hafnium-based material is crystallized to induce formation of a ferroelectric material having a desired crystallographic orientation. Additional methods are also described, as are semiconductor device structures including the ferroelectric material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2021
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Qian Tao, Matthew N. Rocklein, Beth R. Cook, Durai Vishak Nirmal Ramaswamy
  • Publication number: 20210134816
    Abstract: Some embodiments include an integrated assembly having first electrodes with top surfaces, and with sidewall surfaces extending downwardly from the top surfaces. The first electrodes are solid pillars. Insulative material is along the sidewall surfaces of the first electrodes. Second electrodes extend along the sidewall surfaces of the first electrodes and are spaced from the sidewall surfaces by the insulative material. Conductive-plate-material extends across the first and second electrodes, and couples the second electrodes to one another. Leaker-devices electrically couple the first electrodes to the conductive-plate-material and are configured to discharge at least a portion of excess charge from the first electrodes to the conductive-plate-material. Some embodiments include methods of forming integrated assemblies.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2020
    Publication date: May 6, 2021
    Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Alessandro Calderoni, Beth R. Cook, Durai Vishak Nirmal Ramaswamy, Ashonita A. Chavan
  • Publication number: 20210104597
    Abstract: A memory cell comprises a capacitor having a first conductive capacitor electrode having laterally-spaced walls that individually have a top surface. A second conductive capacitor electrode is laterally between the walls of the first capacitor electrode, and comprises a portion above the first capacitor electrode. Ferroelectric material is laterally between the walls of the first capacitor electrode and laterally between the second capacitor electrode and the first capacitor electrode. The capacitor comprises an intrinsic current leakage path from one of the first and second capacitor electrodes to the other through the ferroelectric material. A parallel current leakage path is between an elevationally-inner surface of the portion of the second capacitor electrode that is above the first capacitor electrode and at least one of the individual top surfaces of the laterally-spaced walls of the first capacitor electrode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2020
    Publication date: April 8, 2021
    Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Muralikrishnan Balakrishnan, Beth R. Cook, Durai Vishak Nirmal Ramaswamy
  • Patent number: 10903218
    Abstract: Some embodiments include an integrated assembly having first electrodes with top surfaces, and with sidewall surfaces extending downwardly from the top surfaces. The first electrodes are solid pillars. Insulative material is along the sidewall surfaces of the first electrodes. Second electrodes extend along the sidewall surfaces of the first electrodes and are spaced from the sidewall surfaces by the insulative material. Conductive-plate-material extends across the first and second electrodes, and couples the second electrodes to one another. Leaker-devices electrically couple the first electrodes to the conductive-plate-material and are configured to discharge at least a portion of excess charge from the first electrodes to the conductive-plate-material. Some embodiments include methods of forming integrated assemblies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Alessandro Calderoni, Beth R. Cook, Durai Vishak Nirmal Ramaswamy, Ashonita A. Chavan
  • Publication number: 20210012824
    Abstract: A memory cell comprises a capacitor comprising a first capacitor electrode having laterally-spaced walls, a second capacitor electrode comprising a portion above the first capacitor electrode, and capacitor insulator material between the second capacitor electrode and the first capacitor electrode. The capacitor comprises an intrinsic current leakage path from one of the first and second capacitor electrodes to the other through the capacitor insulator material. A parallel current leakage path is between the second capacitor electrode and the first capacitor electrode. The parallel current leakage path is circuit-parallel with the intrinsic current leakage path, of lower total resistance than the intrinsic current leakage path, and comprises leaker material that is everywhere laterally-outward of laterally-innermost surfaces of the laterally-spaced walls of the first capacitor electrode. Other embodiments, including methods, are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2019
    Publication date: January 14, 2021
    Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Mutch, Ashonita A. Chavan, Sameer Chhajed, Beth R. Cook, Kamal Kumar Muthukrishnan, Durai Vishak Nirmal Ramaswamy, Lance Williamson
  • Patent number: 10879344
    Abstract: A memory cell comprises a capacitor having a first conductive capacitor electrode having laterally-spaced walls that individually have a top surface. A second conductive capacitor electrode is laterally between the walls of the first capacitor electrode, and comprises a portion above the first capacitor electrode. Ferroelectric material is laterally between the walls of the first capacitor electrode and laterally between the second capacitor electrode and the first capacitor electrode. The capacitor comprises an intrinsic current leakage path from one of the first and second capacitor electrodes to the other through the ferroelectric material. A parallel current leakage path is between an elevationally-inner surface of the portion of the second capacitor electrode that is above the first capacitor electrode and at least one of the individual top surfaces of the laterally-spaced walls of the first capacitor electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Muralikrishnan Balakrishnan, Beth R. Cook, Durai Vishak Nirmal Ramaswamy
  • Patent number: 10833092
    Abstract: Some embodiments include an integrated assembly having first electrodes with top surfaces, and with sidewall surfaces extending downwardly from the top surfaces. The first electrodes are solid pillars. Insulative material is along the sidewall surfaces of the first electrodes. Second electrodes extend along the sidewall surfaces of the first electrodes and are spaced from the sidewall surfaces by the insulative material. Conductive-plate-material extends across the first and second electrodes, and couples the second electrodes to one another. Leaker-devices electrically couple the first electrodes to the conductive-plate-material and are configured to discharge at least a portion of excess charge from the first electrodes to the conductive-plate-material. Some embodiments include methods of forming integrated assemblies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2020
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Alessandro Calderoni, Beth R. Cook, Durai Vishak Nirmal Ramaswamy, Ashonita A. Chavan