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: 20240138145
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2023
    Publication date: April 25, 2024
    Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: John D. Hopkins, Darwin A. Clampitt, Michael J. Puett, Christopher R. Ritchie
  • Patent number: 11889683
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: John D. Hopkins, Darwin A. Clampitt, Michael J. Puett, Christopher R. Ritchie
  • Publication number: 20230397424
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2023
    Publication date: December 7, 2023
    Inventors: 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: 20230043786
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2022
    Publication date: February 9, 2023
    Inventors: Darwin A. Clampitt, Roger W. Lindsay, Christopher R. Ritchie, Shawn D. Lyonsmith, Matthew J. King, Lisa M. Clampitt
  • Patent number: 11521897
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Anilkumar Chandolu, Christopher R. Ritchie, Darwin A. Clampitt, S M Istiaque Hossain
  • Patent number: 11508746
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Darwin A. Clampitt, Roger W. Lindsay, Christopher R. Ritchie, Shawn D. Lyonsmith, Matthew J. King, Lisa M. Clampitt
  • Publication number: 20220005817
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2020
    Publication date: January 6, 2022
    Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: John D. Hopkins, Darwin A. Clampitt, Michael J. Puett, Christopher R. Ritchie
  • Publication number: 20210272845
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2021
    Publication date: September 2, 2021
    Inventors: Anilkumar Chandolu, Christopher R. Ritchie, Darwin A. Clampitt, S M Istiaque Hossain
  • Patent number: 11043412
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2021
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Anilkumar Chandolu, Christopher R. Ritchie, Darwin A. Clampitt, S M Istiaque Hossain
  • Publication number: 20210126007
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2019
    Publication date: April 29, 2021
    Inventors: Darwin A. Clampitt, Roger W. Lindsay, Christopher R. Ritchie, Shawn D. Lyonsmith, Matthew J. King, Lisa M. Clampitt
  • Publication number: 20210043504
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2019
    Publication date: February 11, 2021
    Inventors: Anilkumar Chandolu, Christopher R. Ritchie, Darwin A. Clampitt, S M Istiaque Hossain
  • Patent number: 7928996
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: Oracle America, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald A. Kearns, Christopher R. Ritchie
  • Publication number: 20090091905
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2007
    Publication date: April 9, 2009
    Applicant: SUN MICROSYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Donald A. Kearns, Christopher R. Ritchie