Patents by Inventor Byeung-chul Kim

Byeung-chul Kim 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).

  • Publication number: 20240130124
    Abstract: An electronic device comprising a cell region comprising stacks of alternating dielectric materials and conductive materials. A pillar region is adjacent to the cell region and comprises storage node segments adjacent to adjoining oxide materials and adjacent to a tunnel region. The storage node segments are separated by a vertical portion of the tunnel region. A high-k dielectric material is adjacent to the conductive materials of the cell region and to the adjoining oxide materials of the pillar region. Additional electronic devices are disclosed, as are methods of forming an electronic device and related systems.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2023
    Publication date: April 18, 2024
    Inventors: Shyam Surthi, Richard J. Hill, Gurtej S. Sandhu, Byeung Chul Kim, Francois H. Fabreguette, Chris M. Carlson, Michael E. Koltonski, Shane J. Trapp
  • Publication number: 20230395422
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for selective cavity merging for isolation regions in a memory die are described. For example, formation of material structures of a memory die may include depositing a stack of alternating layers of a first material and a second material over a substrate of the memory die, forming a pattern of cavities through the stack of alternating material layers, and forming voids between layers of the first material based on removing portions of the second material. An electrical isolation region may be formed between portions of the memory die based on depositing a dielectric material in at least some of the cavities and in at least a portion of the voids between the layers of the first material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2022
    Publication date: December 7, 2023
    Inventors: Yoshiaki Fukuzumi, David H. Wells, Byeung Chul Kim, Richard H. Hill, Paolo Tessariol
  • Publication number: 20230397422
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for merged cavities and buried etch stops for three-dimensional memory arrays are described. For example, a row of cavities may be formed using a cavity etching process and material separating cavities of the row may be removed to merge the row of cavities to form a trench. In some cases, a trench may be formed from multiple rows of cavities. Additionally, or alternatively, a trench may be formed from a pattern of cavities that includes different quantities of rows at different locations along the trench. In some examples, etch stopping material portions (e.g., etch stops) may be formed at locations corresponding to cavities prior to the cavity etching process. For example, exposed material surfaces at locations corresponding to cavities or trenches may be oxidized to form etch stops.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2022
    Publication date: December 7, 2023
    Inventors: Yoshiaki Fukuzumi, David H. Wells, Byeung Chul Kim, Richard J. Hill, Paolo Tessariol
  • Publication number: 20230389311
    Abstract: An electronic device includes a stack structure including vertically alternating dielectric materials and conductive materials, the conductive materials including first regions and second regions, and pillars extending vertically through the stack structure, the pillars adjacent to the second regions of the conductive materials. The pillars include cell films adjacent to the second regions, the cell films including a high-k dielectric material, a barrier oxide material, a storage node material, a tunneling material, and a channel material. Segments of each of the high-k dielectric material, the barrier oxide material, and the storage node material are adjacent to the second regions. A length of the segments of high-k dielectric material and a length of the segments of storage node material adjacent to the second regions are greater than a height of the first regions of the conductive materials. Related methods and systems are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2022
    Publication date: November 30, 2023
    Inventors: Yifen Liu, Xin Lan, Byeung Chul Kim, Ye Xiang Hong, Yun Huang, Sok Han Wong
  • Publication number: 20230345722
    Abstract: Some embodiments include apparatuses and methods of forming the apparatuses. One of the methods includes forming levels of materials one over another; forming a first opening and a second opening in the levels of materials; forming at least one dielectric material in the first and second openings; forming tiers of materials over the levels of materials and over the dielectric material in the first and second openings; forming a first pillar of a memory cell string, the first pillar extending through the tiers of materials and extending partially into a location of the first opening; and forming a second pillar of a contact structure, the second pillar extending through the tiers of materials and through a location of the second opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2022
    Publication date: October 26, 2023
    Inventors: Byeung Chul Kim, Joshua Wolanyk, Richard J. Hill, Damir Fazil
  • Publication number: 20230262981
    Abstract: Some embodiments include a memory array having a vertical stack of alternating insulative levels and wordline levels. The wordline levels have conductive terminal ends within control gate regions. The control gate regions are vertically spaced from one another by first insulative regions which include first insulative material. Charge-storage material is laterally outward of the conductive terminal ends, and is configured as segments. The segments of the charge-storage material are arranged one atop another and are vertically spaced from one another by second insulative regions which include second insulative material. The second insulative material has a different dielectric constant than the first insulative material. Charge-tunneling material extends vertically along the stack, and is adjacent to the segments of the charge-trapping material. Channel material extends vertically along the stack, and is adjacent to the charge-tunneling material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2023
    Publication date: August 17, 2023
    Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Byeung Chul Kim, Francois H. Fabreguette, Richard J. Hill, Purnima Narayanan, Shyam Surthi
  • Publication number: 20230189515
    Abstract: A microelectronic device comprises a stack structure, a staircase structure, an etch stop material, and insulative material. The stack structure comprises conductive structures, and air gaps vertically alternating with the conductive structures. The staircase structure is within the stack structure and has steps comprising edges of at least some of the conductive structures of the stack structure. The etch stop material continuously extends over the conductive structures and at least partially defines horizontal boundaries of the air gaps. The insulative material overlies the etch stop material. Additional microelectronic devices, memory devices, electronic systems, and methods are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2021
    Publication date: June 15, 2023
    Inventors: Byeung Chul Kim, Shyam Surthi
  • Patent number: 11672118
    Abstract: An electronic device comprising a cell region comprising stacks of alternating dielectric materials and conductive materials. A pillar region is adjacent to the cell region and comprises storage node segments adjacent to adjoining oxide materials and adjacent to a tunnel region. The storage node segments are separated by a vertical portion of the tunnel region. A high-k dielectric material is adjacent to the conductive materials of the cell region and to the adjoining oxide materials of the pillar region. Additional electronic devices are disclosed, as are methods of forming an electronic device and related systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Shyam Surthi, Richard J. Hill, Gurtej S. Sandhu, Byeung Chul Kim, Francois H. Fabreguette, Chris M. Carlson, Michael E. Koltonski, Shane J. Trapp
  • Patent number: 11631697
    Abstract: Some embodiments include a memory array which has a vertical stack of alternating insulative levels and wordline levels. A channel material extends vertically along the stack. The channel material includes a semiconductor composition and has first segments alternating with second segments. The first segments are adjacent the wordline levels and the second segments are adjacent the insulative levels. The first segments have a first dopant distribution and the second segments have a second dopant distribution which is different from the first dopant distribution. Some embodiments include methods of forming integrated assemblies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Shyam Surthi, Byeung Chul Kim, Richard J. Hill, Francois H. Fabreguette, Gurtej S. Sandhu
  • Patent number: 11587948
    Abstract: Some embodiments include a NAND memory array having a vertical stack of alternating insulative levels and conductive levels. The conductive levels include control gate regions and second regions proximate to the control gate regions. High-k dielectric material wraps around ends of the control gate regions, and is not along the second regions. Charge-blocking material is adjacent to the high-k dielectric material. Charge-storage material is adjacent to the charge-blocking material. The charge-storage material is configured as segments which are vertically stacked one atop another, and which are vertically spaced from one another by gaps. Gate-dielectric material is adjacent to the charge-storage material. Channel material extends vertically along the stack and is adjacent to the gate-dielectric material. Some embodiments include integrated assemblies, and methods of forming integrated assemblies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Shyam Surthi, Richard J. Hill, Byeung Chul Kim, Akira Goda
  • Publication number: 20230034157
    Abstract: Some embodiments include an integrated assembly having a stack of alternating insulative levels and conductive levels. A pillar of channel material extends through the stack. The conductive levels have terminal regions adjacent the pillar. Charge-storage-material-segments are adjacent the conductive levels of the stack, and are between the channel material and the terminal regions. Tunneling material is between the charge-storage-material-segments and the channel material. Charge-blocking-material is between the charge-storage-material-segments and the terminal regions. Ribbons of dielectric material extend vertically across the insulative levels and are laterally inset relative to the terminal regions. The ribbons have first regions adjacent the conductive levels and have second regions between the first regions, with the second regions being laterally inset relative to the first regions. Some embodiments include methods of forming integrated assemblies.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2021
    Publication date: February 2, 2023
    Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Byeung Chul Kim, Davide Resnati, Gianpietro Carnevale, Shyam Surthi
  • Patent number: 11557608
    Abstract: Some embodiments include a NAND memory array having a vertical stack of alternating insulative levels and conductive levels. The conductive levels include control gate regions and include second regions proximate to the control gate regions. High-k dielectric structures are directly against the control gate regions and extend entirely across the insulative levels. Charge-blocking material is adjacent to the high-k dielectric structures. Charge-storage material is adjacent to the charge-blocking material. The charge-storage material is configured as segments which are vertically stacked one atop another, and which are vertically spaced from one another. Gate-dielectric material is adjacent to the charge-storage material. Channel material extends vertically along the stack and is adjacent to the gate-dielectric material. Some embodiments include integrated assemblies, and methods of forming integrated assemblies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2023
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Byeung Chul Kim, Francois H. Fabreguette, Richard J. Hill, Shyam Surthi
  • Publication number: 20220173123
    Abstract: Some embodiments include a memory array which has a vertical stack of alternating insulative levels and wordline levels. A channel material extends vertically along the stack. The channel material includes a semiconductor composition and has first segments alternating with second segments. The first segments are adjacent the wordline levels and the second segments are adjacent the insulative levels. The first segments have a first dopant distribution and the second segments have a second dopant distribution which is different from the first dopant distribution. Some embodiments include methods of forming integrated assemblies.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2022
    Publication date: June 2, 2022
    Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Shyam Surthi, Byeung Chul Kim, Richard J. Hill, Francois H. Fabreguette, Gurtej S. Sandhu
  • Patent number: 11289501
    Abstract: Some embodiments include a memory array which has a vertical stack of alternating insulative levels and wordline levels. A channel material extends vertically along the stack. The channel material includes a semiconductor composition and has first segments alternating with second segments. The first segments are adjacent the wordline levels and the second segments are adjacent the insulative levels. The first segments have a first dopant distribution and the second segments have a second dopant distribution which is different from the first dopant distribution. Some embodiments include methods of forming integrated assemblies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Shyam Surthi, Byeung Chul Kim, Richard J. Hill, Francois H. Fabreguette, Gurtej S. Sandhu
  • Publication number: 20220077176
    Abstract: An electronic device comprising a cell region comprising stacks of alternating dielectric materials and conductive materials. A pillar region is adjacent to the cell region and comprises storage node segments adjacent to adjoining oxide materials and adjacent to a tunnel region. The storage node segments are separated by a vertical portion of the tunnel region. A high-k dielectric material is adjacent to the conductive materials of the cell region and to the adjoining oxide materials of the pillar region. Additional electronic devices are disclosed, as are methods of forming an electronic device and related systems.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2020
    Publication date: March 10, 2022
    Inventors: Shyam Surthi, Richard J. Hill, Gurtej S. Sandhu, Byeung Chul Kim, Francois H. Fabreguette, Chris M. Carlson, Michael E. Koltonski, Shane J. Trapp
  • Publication number: 20220037357
    Abstract: Some embodiments include a memory device having a vertical stack of alternating insulative levels and conductive levels. Memory cells are along the conductive levels. The conductive levels have control gate regions which include a first vertical thickness, have routing regions which include a second vertical thickness that is less than the first vertical thickness, and have tapered transition regions between the first vertical thickness and the second vertical thickness. Charge-blocking material is adjacent to the control gate regions. Charge-storage material is adjacent to the charge-blocking material. Dielectric material is adjacent to the charge-storage material. Channel material extends vertically along the vertical stack and is adjacent to the dielectric material. The memory cells include the control gate regions, and include regions of the charge-blocking material, the charge-storage material, the dielectric material and the channel material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2021
    Publication date: February 3, 2022
    Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Byeung Chul Kim, Shyam Surthi
  • Publication number: 20210366927
    Abstract: Some embodiments include a NAND memory array having a vertical stack of alternating insulative levels and conductive levels. The conductive levels include control gate regions and include second regions proximate to the control gate regions. High-k dielectric structures are directly against the control gate regions and extend entirely across the insulative levels. Charge-blocking material is adjacent to the high-k dielectric structures. Charge-storage material is adjacent to the charge-blocking material. The charge-storage material is configured as segments which are vertically stacked one atop another, and which are vertically spaced from one another. Gate-dielectric material is adjacent to the charge-storage material. Channel material extends vertically along the stack and is adjacent to the gate-dielectric material. Some embodiments include integrated assemblies, and methods of forming integrated assemblies.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2021
    Publication date: November 25, 2021
    Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Byeung Chul Kim, Francois H. Fabreguette, Richard J. Hill, Shyam Surthi
  • Patent number: 11171153
    Abstract: Some embodiments include a memory device having a vertical stack of alternating insulative levels and conductive levels. Memory cells are along the conductive levels. The conductive levels have control gate regions which include a first vertical thickness, have routing regions which include a second vertical thickness that is less than the first vertical thickness, and have tapered transition regions between the first vertical thickness and the second vertical thickness. Charge-blocking material is adjacent to the control gate regions. Charge-storage material is adjacent to the charge-blocking material. Dielectric material is adjacent to the charge-storage material. Channel material extends vertically along the vertical stack and is adjacent to the dielectric material. The memory cells include the control gate regions, and include regions of the charge-blocking material, the charge-storage material, the dielectric material and the channel material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Byeung Chul Kim, Shyam Surthi
  • Publication number: 20210335817
    Abstract: Some embodiments include a NAND memory array having a vertical stack of alternating insulative levels and conductive levels. The conductive levels include control gate regions and second regions proximate to the control gate regions. High-k dielectric material wraps around ends of the control gate regions, and is not along the second regions. Charge-blocking material is adjacent to the high-k dielectric material. Charge-storage material is adjacent to the charge-blocking material. The charge-storage material is configured as segments which are vertically stacked one atop another, and which are vertically spaced from one another by gaps. Gate-dielectric material is adjacent to the charge-storage material. Channel material extends vertically along the stack and is adjacent to the gate-dielectric material. Some embodiments include integrated assemblies, and methods of forming integrated assemblies.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2021
    Publication date: October 28, 2021
    Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Shyam Surthi, Richard J. Hill, Byeung Chul Kim, Akira Goda
  • Publication number: 20210327898
    Abstract: Some embodiments include a memory array having a vertical stack of alternating insulative levels and wordline levels. The wordline levels have conductive terminal ends within control gate regions. The control gate regions are vertically spaced from one another by first insulative regions which include first insulative material. Charge-storage material is laterally outward of the conductive terminal ends, and is configured as segments. The segments of the charge-storage material are arranged one atop another and are vertically spaced from one another by second insulative regions which include second insulative material. The second insulative material has a different dielectric constant than the first insulative material. Charge-tunneling material extends vertically along the stack, and is adjacent to the segments of the charge-trapping material. Channel material extends vertically along the stack, and is adjacent to the charge-tunneling material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2021
    Publication date: October 21, 2021
    Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Byeung Chul Kim, Francois H. Fabreguette, Richard J. Hill, Purnima Narayanan, Shyam Surthi