Patents by Inventor Christopher R. Ritchie
Christopher R. Ritchie 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: 20240138145Abstract: A method used in forming a memory array comprising strings of memory cells comprises forming a stack comprising vertically-alternating first tiers and second tiers. A channel-material string is in individual channel openings in the vertically-alternating first tiers and second tiers. A conductor-material contact is in the individual channel openings directly against the channel material of individual of the channel-material strings. The conductor-material contacts are vertically recessed in the individual channel openings. A conductive via is formed in the individual channel openings directly against the vertically-recessed conductor-material contact in that individual channel opening. Other aspects, including structure independent of method, are disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 27, 2023Publication date: April 25, 2024Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.Inventors: John D. Hopkins, Darwin A. Clampitt, Michael J. Puett, Christopher R. Ritchie
-
Patent number: 11889683Abstract: A method used in forming a memory array comprising strings of memory cells comprises forming a stack comprising vertically-alternating first tiers and second tiers. A channel-material string is in individual channel openings in the vertically-alternating first tiers and second tiers. A conductor-material contact is in the individual channel openings directly against the channel material of individual of the channel-material strings. The conductor-material contacts are vertically recessed in the individual channel openings. A conductive via is formed in the individual channel openings directly against the vertically-recessed conductor-material contact in that individual channel opening. Other aspects, including structure independent of method, are disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: July 1, 2020Date of Patent: January 30, 2024Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.Inventors: John D. Hopkins, Darwin A. Clampitt, Michael J. Puett, Christopher R. Ritchie
-
Publication number: 20230397424Abstract: A microelectronic device comprises a stack structure, a memory pillar, and a boron-containing material. The stack structure comprises alternating conductive structures and dielectric structures. The memory pillar extends through the stack structure and defines memory cells at intersections of the memory pillar and the conductive structures. The boron-containing material is on at least a portion of the conductive structures of the stack structure. Related methods and electronic systems are also described.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 25, 2023Publication date: December 7, 2023Inventors: Jordan D. Greenlee, Everett A. McTeer, Rita J. Klein, John D. Hopkins, Nancy M. Lomeli, Xiao Li, Christopher R. Ritchie, Alyssa N. Scarbrough, Jiewei Chen, Sijia Yu, Naiming Liu
-
Publication number: 20230043786Abstract: Some embodiments include apparatuses and methods of forming the apparatuses. One of the apparatus includes a first conductive contact; a second conductive contact; levels of conductive materials stacked over one another and located over the first and second conductive contacts; levels of dielectric materials interleaved with the levels of the conductive materials, the levels of conductive materials and the levels of dielectric materials formed a stack of materials; a first conductive structure located on a first side of the stack of materials and contacting the first conductive contact and a first level of conductive material of the levels of conductive materials; and a second conductive structure located on a second side of the stack of materials and contacting the second conductive contact and a second level of conductive material of the levels of conductive materials.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 14, 2022Publication date: February 9, 2023Inventors: Darwin A. Clampitt, Roger W. Lindsay, Christopher R. Ritchie, Shawn D. Lyonsmith, Matthew J. King, Lisa M. Clampitt
-
Patent number: 11521897Abstract: A method of forming a microelectronic device comprises forming a stack structure comprising vertically alternating insulating structures and additional insulating structures arranged in tiers. Each of the tiers individually comprises one of the insulating structures and one of the additional insulating structures. A first trench is formed to partially vertically extend through the stack structure. The first trench comprises a first portion having a first width, and a second portion at a horizontal boundary of the first portion and having a second width greater than the first width. A dielectric structure is formed within the first trench. The dielectric structure comprises a substantially void-free section proximate the horizontal boundary of the first portion of the trench. Microelectronic devices and electronic systems are also described.Type: GrantFiled: May 14, 2021Date of Patent: December 6, 2022Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.Inventors: Anilkumar Chandolu, Christopher R. Ritchie, Darwin A. Clampitt, S M Istiaque Hossain
-
Patent number: 11508746Abstract: Some embodiments include apparatuses and methods of forming the apparatuses. One of the apparatus includes a first conductive contact; a second conductive contact; levels of conductive materials stacked over one another and located over the first and second conductive contacts; levels of dielectric materials interleaved with the levels of the conductive materials, the levels of conductive materials and the levels of dielectric materials formed a stack of materials; a first conductive structure located on a first side of the stack of materials and contacting the first conductive contact and a first level of conductive material of the levels of conductive materials; and a second conductive structure located on a second side of the stack of materials and contacting the second conductive contact and a second level of conductive material of the levels of conductive materials.Type: GrantFiled: October 25, 2019Date of Patent: November 22, 2022Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.Inventors: Darwin A. Clampitt, Roger W. Lindsay, Christopher R. Ritchie, Shawn D. Lyonsmith, Matthew J. King, Lisa M. Clampitt
-
Publication number: 20220005817Abstract: A method used in forming a memory array comprising strings of memory cells comprises forming a stack comprising vertically-alternating first tiers and second tiers. A channel-material string is in individual channel openings in the vertically-alternating first tiers and second tiers. A conductor-material contact is in the individual channel openings directly against the channel material of individual of the channel-material strings. The conductor-material contacts are vertically recessed in the individual channel openings. A conductive via is formed in the individual channel openings directly against the vertically-recessed conductor-material contact in that individual channel opening. Other aspects, including structure independent of method, are disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 1, 2020Publication date: January 6, 2022Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.Inventors: John D. Hopkins, Darwin A. Clampitt, Michael J. Puett, Christopher R. Ritchie
-
Publication number: 20210272845Abstract: A method of forming a microelectronic device comprises forming a stack structure comprising vertically alternating insulating structures and additional insulating structures arranged in tiers. Each of the tiers individually comprises one of the insulating structures and one of the additional insulating structures. A first trench is formed to partially vertically extend through the stack structure. The first trench comprises a first portion having a first width, and a second portion at a horizontal boundary of the first portion and having a second width greater than the first width. A dielectric structure is formed within the first trench. The dielectric structure comprises a substantially void-free section proximate the horizontal boundary of the first portion of the trench. Microelectronic devices and electronic systems are also described.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 14, 2021Publication date: September 2, 2021Inventors: Anilkumar Chandolu, Christopher R. Ritchie, Darwin A. Clampitt, S M Istiaque Hossain
-
Patent number: 11043412Abstract: A method of forming a microelectronic device comprises forming a stack structure comprising vertically alternating insulating structures and additional insulating structures arranged in tiers. Each of the tiers individually comprises one of the insulating structures and one of the additional insulating structures. A first trench is formed to partially vertically extend through the stack structure. The first trench comprises a first portion having a first width, and a second portion at a horizontal boundary of the first portion and having a second width greater than the first width. A dielectric structure is formed within the first trench. The dielectric structure comprises a substantially void-free section proximate the horizontal boundary of the first portion of the trench. Microelectronic devices and electronic systems are also described.Type: GrantFiled: August 5, 2019Date of Patent: June 22, 2021Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.Inventors: Anilkumar Chandolu, Christopher R. Ritchie, Darwin A. Clampitt, S M Istiaque Hossain
-
Publication number: 20210126007Abstract: Some embodiments include apparatuses and methods of forming the apparatuses. One of the apparatus includes a first conductive contact; a second conductive contact; levels of conductive materials stacked over one another and located over the first and second conductive contacts; levels of dielectric materials interleaved with the levels of the conductive materials, the levels of conductive materials and the levels of dielectric materials formed a stack of materials; a first conductive structure located on a first side of the stack of materials and contacting the first conductive contact and a first level of conductive material of the levels of conductive materials; and a second conductive structure located on a second side of the stack of materials and contacting the second conductive contact and a second level of conductive material of the levels of conductive materials.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 25, 2019Publication date: April 29, 2021Inventors: Darwin A. Clampitt, Roger W. Lindsay, Christopher R. Ritchie, Shawn D. Lyonsmith, Matthew J. King, Lisa M. Clampitt
-
Publication number: 20210043504Abstract: A method of forming a microelectronic device comprises forming a stack structure comprising vertically alternating insulating structures and additional insulating structures arranged in tiers. Each of the tiers individually comprises one of the insulating structures and one of the additional insulating structures. A first trench is formed to partially vertically extend through the stack structure. The first trench comprises a first portion having a first width, and a second portion at a horizontal boundary of the first portion and having a second width greater than the first width. A dielectric structure is formed within the first trench. The dielectric structure comprises a substantially void-free section proximate the horizontal boundary of the first portion of the trench. Microelectronic devices and electronic systems are also described.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 5, 2019Publication date: February 11, 2021Inventors: Anilkumar Chandolu, Christopher R. Ritchie, Darwin A. Clampitt, S M Istiaque Hossain
-
Patent number: 7928996Abstract: A method for improving load balance involves obtaining a graphical representation of a load distribution for contacts in an integrated circuit stack, analyzing the graphical representation of the load distribution to determine contact loads, where a contact load corresponds to a contact, and designing at least one component of the integrated circuit stack, based on the contact loads.Type: GrantFiled: October 5, 2007Date of Patent: April 19, 2011Assignee: Oracle America, Inc.Inventors: Donald A. Kearns, Christopher R. Ritchie
-
Publication number: 20090091905Abstract: A method for improving load balance involves obtaining a graphical representation of a load distribution for contacts in an integrated circuit stack, analyzing the graphical representation of the load distribution to determine contact loads, where a contact load corresponds to a contact, and designing at least one component of the integrated circuit stack, based on the contact loads.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 5, 2007Publication date: April 9, 2009Applicant: SUN MICROSYSTEMS, INC.Inventors: Donald A. Kearns, Christopher R. Ritchie