Patents by Inventor Brian F. Lawlor

Brian F. Lawlor 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: 7442608
    Abstract: Methods of fabricating structures, such as memory cell structures by exposing at least one edge portion of an intermediate nitride layer arranged between a polysilicon layer and a tungsten layer and performing an angled implant at the at least one edge portion to form a doped region through the at least one edge portion of the intermediate nitride layer is provided. The intermediate nitride layer may be formed by an anneal process, for example.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2008
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Brian F. Lawlor
  • Patent number: 7291895
    Abstract: A silicon nitride comprising layer formed over a semiconductor substrate includes Al, Ga or a mixture thereof. A silicon dioxide comprising layer is formed proximate thereto. The silicon dioxide comprising layer is removed substantially selectively relative to the silicon nitride comprising layer, with the Al, Ga or a mixture thereof enhancing selectivity to the silicon nitride comprising layer during the removal. A substantially undoped silicon dioxide comprising layer formed over a semiconductor substrate includes B, Al, Ga or mixtures thereof. A doped silicon dioxide comprising layer is formed proximate thereto. The doped silicon dioxide comprising layer is removed substantially selectively relative to the substantially undoped silicon dioxide comprising layer, with the B, Al, Ga or mixtures thereof enhancing selectivity to the substantially undoped silicon dioxide comprising layer during the removal. Integrated circuitry is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2007
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Shane J. Trapp, Brian F. Lawlor
  • Patent number: 7148534
    Abstract: Ion implantation may be used to break up a dielectric layer that forms during the fabrication of a memory array. More specifically, during the fabrication of wordline stacks, a nitride layer may form between the polysilicon layer and the conductive metal layers above the polysilicon layer. While the nitride layer may be desirable during the fabrication process, it may inhibit electrical conductivity between the polysilicon layer and the conductive metal layers. A two step etch process may be implemented wherein the wordline stacks are etched into the polysilicon layer in the first etch and etched down to the substrate during the second etch. An angled implant may be used to break up the nitride layer between the first etch and the second etch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2006
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Brian F. Lawlor
  • Patent number: 6806197
    Abstract: A silicon nitride comprising layer formed over a semiconductor substrate includes Al, Ga or a mixture thereof. A silicon dioxide comprising layer is formed proximate thereto. The silicon dioxide comprising layer is removed substantially selectively relative to the silicon nitride comprising layer, with the Al, Ga or a mixture thereof enhancing selectivity to the silicon nitride comprising layer during the removal. A substantially undoped silicon dioxide comprising layer formed over a semiconductor substrate includes B, Al, Ga or mixtures thereof. A doped silicon dioxide comprising layer is formed proximate thereto. The doped silicon dioxide comprising layer is removed substantially selectively relative to the substantially undoped silicon dioxide comprising layer, with the B, Al, Ga or mixtures thereof enhancing selectivity to the substantially undoped silicon dioxide comprising layer during the removal. Integrated circuitry is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2004
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Shane J. Trapp, Brian F. Lawlor
  • Publication number: 20040043587
    Abstract: Ion implantation may be used to break up a dielectric layer that forms during the fabrication of a memory array. More specifically, during the fabrication of wordline stacks, a nitride layer may form between the polysilicon layer and the conductive metal layers above the polysilicon layer. While the nitride layer may be desirable during the fabrication process, it may inhibit electrical conductivity between the polysilicon layer and the conductive metal layers. A two step etch process may be implemented wherein the wordline stacks are etched into the polysilicon layer in the first etch and etched down to the substrate during the second etch. An angled implant may be used to break up the nitride layer between the first etch and the second etch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2003
    Publication date: March 4, 2004
    Inventor: Brian F. Lawlor
  • Patent number: 6682997
    Abstract: Ion implantation may be used to break up a dielectric layer that forms during the fabrication of a memory array. More specifically, during the fabrication of wordline stacks, a nitride layer may form between the polysilicon layer and the conductive metal layers above the polysilicon layer. While the nitride layer may be desirable during the fabrication process, it may inhibit electrical conductivity between the polysilicon layer and the conductive metal layers. A two step etch process may be implemented wherein the wordline stacks are etched into the polysilicon layer in the first etch and etched down to the substrate during the second etch. An angled implant may be used to break up the nitride layer between the first etch and the second etch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2004
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Brian F. Lawlor
  • Publication number: 20030203628
    Abstract: A silicon nitride comprising layer formed over a semiconductor substrate includes Al, Ga or a mixture thereof. A silicon dioxide comprising layer is formed proximate thereto. The silicon dioxide comprising layer is removed substantially selectively relative to the silicon nitride comprising layer, with the Al, Ga or a mixture thereof enhancing selectivity to the silicon nitride comprising layer during the removal. A substantially undoped silicon dioxide comprising layer formed over a semiconductor substrate includes B, Al, Ga or mixtures thereof. A doped silicon dioxide comprising layer is formed proximate thereto. The doped silicon dioxide comprising layer is removed substantially selectively relative to the substantially undoped silicon dioxide comprising layer, with the B, Al, Ga or mixtures thereof enhancing selectivity to the substantially undoped silicon dioxide comprising layer during the removal. Integrated circuitry is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2003
    Publication date: October 30, 2003
    Inventors: Shane J. Trapp, Brian F. Lawlor
  • Publication number: 20030032296
    Abstract: A silicon nitride comprising layer formed over a semiconductor substrate includes Al, Ga or a mixture thereof. A silicon dioxide comprising layer is formed proximate thereto. The silicon dioxide comprising layer is removed substantially selectively relative to the silicon nitride comprising layer, with the Al, Ga or a mixture thereof enhancing selectivity to the silicon nitride comprising layer during the removal. A substantially undoped silicon dioxide comprising layer formed over a semiconductor substrate includes B, Al, Ga or mixtures thereof. A doped silicon dioxide comprising layer is formed proximate thereto. The doped silicon dioxide comprising layer is removed substantially selectively relative to the substantially undoped silicon dioxide comprising layer, with the B, Al, Ga or mixtures thereof enhancing selectivity to the substantially undoped silicon dioxide comprising layer during the removal. Integrated circuitry is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2001
    Publication date: February 13, 2003
    Inventors: Shane J. Trapp, Brian F. Lawlor