Patents by Inventor David Daycock

David Daycock 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: 11081495
    Abstract: Some embodiments include an integrated structure having a conductive material, a select device gate material over the conductive material, and vertically-stacked conductive levels over the select device gate material. Vertically-extending monolithic channel material is adjacent the select device gate material and the conductive levels. The monolithic channel material contains a lower segment adjacent the select device gate material and an upper segment adjacent the conductive levels. A first vertically-extending region is between the lower segment of the monolithic channel material and the select device gate material. The first vertically-extending region contains a first material. A second vertically-extending region is between the upper segment of the monolithic channel material and the conductive levels. The second vertically-extending region contains a material which is different in composition from the first material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Justin B. Dorhout, David Daycock, Kunal R. Parekh, Martin C. Roberts, Yushi Hu
  • Publication number: 20210233922
    Abstract: Some embodiments include an integrated assembly with a semiconductor channel material having a boundary region where a more-heavily-doped region interfaces with a less-heavily-doped region. The more-heavily-doped region and the less-heavily-doped region are majority doped with a same dopant type. The integrated assembly includes a gating structure adjacent the semiconductor channel material and having a gating region and an interconnecting region of a common and continuous material. The gating region has a length extending across a segment of the more-heavily-doped region, a segment of the less-heavily-doped region, and the boundary region. The interconnecting region extends outwardly from the gating region on a side opposite the semiconductor channel region, and is narrower than the length of the gating region. Some embodiments include methods of forming integrated assemblies.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2021
    Publication date: July 29, 2021
    Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Justin B. Dorhout, Kunal R. Parekh, Martin C. Roberts, Mohd Kamran Akhtar, Chet E. Carter, David Daycock
  • Patent number: 11037944
    Abstract: A method used in forming a memory array comprising strings of memory cells and operative through-array-vias (TAVs) comprises forming a stack comprising vertically-alternating insulative tiers and conductive tiers. The stack comprises a TAV region and an operative memory-cell-string region. Operative channel-material strings are formed in the stack in the operative memory-cell-string region and dummy channel-material strings are formed in the stack in the TAV region. At least a majority of channel material of the dummy channel-material strings is replaced in the TAV region with insulator material and operative TAVs are formed in the TAV region. Other methods and structures independent of method are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2021
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: David Daycock, Prakash Rau Mokhna Rau
  • Publication number: 20210175250
    Abstract: A method that is part of a method of forming an elevationally-extending string of memory cells comprises forming an intervening structure that is elevationally between upper and lower stacks that respectively comprise alternating tiers comprising different composition materials. The intervening structure is formed to comprise an elevationally-extending-dopant-diffusion barrier and laterally-central material that is laterally inward of the dopant-diffusion barrier and has dopant therein. Some of the dopant is thermally diffused from the laterally-central material into upper-stack-channel material. The dopant-diffusion barrier during the thermally diffusing is used to cause more thermal diffusion of said dopant into the upper-stack-channel material than diffusion of said dopant, if any, into lower-stack-channel material. Other embodiments, including structure independent of method, are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2021
    Publication date: June 10, 2021
    Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: John D. Hopkins, David Daycock
  • Patent number: 11010058
    Abstract: A solid state memory component can include a plurality of bit lines, a source line, and a plurality of non-functional memory pillars. Each non-functional memory pillar is electrically isolated from one or both of the plurality of bit lines and the source line. A solid state memory component can include a plurality of pillars located in a periphery portion of the solid state memory component, and memory cells adjacent to each of the pillars. Associated systems and methods are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Jun Zhao, Gowrisankar Damaria, David A. Daycock, Gordon A. Haller, Sri Sai Sivakumar Vegunta, John B. Matovu, Matthew R. Park, Prakash Rau Mokhna Rau
  • Publication number: 20210143164
    Abstract: A method used in forming a memory array comprises forming a stack comprising vertically-alternating first tiers and second tiers. First insulator material is above the stack. The first insulator material comprises at least one of (a) and (b), where (a): silicon, nitrogen, and one or more of carbon, oxygen, boron, and phosphorus, and (b): silicon carbide. Channel-material strings are in and upwardly project from an uppermost material that is directly above the stack. Conducting material is directly against laterally-inner sides of individual of the upwardly-projecting channel-material strings and project upwardly from the individual upwardly-projecting channel-material strings. A ring comprising insulating material is formed individually circumferentially about the upwardly-projecting conducting material. Second insulator material is formed above the first insulator material, the ring, and the upwardly-projecting conducting material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2019
    Publication date: May 13, 2021
    Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Bharat Bhushan, David Daycock, Subramanian Krishnan, Leroy Ekarista Wibowo
  • Publication number: 20210143054
    Abstract: A method used in forming a memory array comprises forming a stack comprising vertically-alternating first tiers and second tiers. A first insulator tier is above the stack. First insulator material of the first insulator tier comprises at least one of (a) and (b), where (a): silicon, nitrogen, and one or more of carbon, oxygen, boron, and phosphorus, and (b): silicon carbide. Channel-material strings are in the stack and in the first insulator tier. Conducting material is in the first insulator tier directly against sides of individual of the channel-material strings. A second insulator tier is formed above the first insulator tier and the conducting material. Second insulator material of the second insulator tier comprises at least one of the (a) and the (b). Conductive vias are formed and extend through the second insulator tier and that are individually directly electrically coupled to the individual channel-material strings through the conducting material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2019
    Publication date: May 13, 2021
    Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Lingyu Kong, David Daycock, Venkata Satyanarayana Murthy Kurapati, Leroy Ekarista Wibowo
  • Patent number: 10998326
    Abstract: Some embodiments include an integrated assembly with a semiconductor channel material having a boundary region where a more-heavily-doped region interfaces with a less-heavily-doped region. The more-heavily-doped region and the less-heavily-doped region have the same majority carriers. The integrated assembly includes a gating structure adjacent the semiconductor channel material and having a gating region and an interconnecting region of a common and continuous material. The gating region has a length extending along a segment of the more-heavily-doped region, a segment of the less-heavily-doped region, and the boundary region. The interconnecting region extends laterally outward from the gating region on a side opposite the semiconductor channel region, and is narrower than the length of the gating region. Some embodiments include methods of forming integrated assemblies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Justin B. Dorhout, Kunal R. Parekh, Martin C. Roberts, Mohd Kamran Akhtar, Chet E. Carter, David Daycock
  • Patent number: 10998336
    Abstract: Some embodiments include an integrated structure having a vertical stack of alternating insulative levels and conductive levels. The conductive levels include primary regions of a first vertical thickness, and terminal projections of a second vertical thickness which is greater than the first vertical thickness. Charge-blocking material is adjacent the terminal projections. Charge-storage material is adjacent the charge-blocking material. Gate-dielectric material is adjacent the charge-storage material. Channel material is adjacent the gate-dielectric material. Some embodiments include NAND memory arrays. Some embodiments include methods of forming integrated structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: John D. Hopkins, David Daycock
  • Patent number: 10985179
    Abstract: A method used in forming a memory array comprising strings of memory cells and operative through-array-vias (TAVs) comprises forming a stack comprising vertically-alternating insulative tiers and conductive tiers. The stack comprises a TAV region and an operative memory-cell-string region. The TAV region comprises spaced operative TAV areas. Operative channel-material strings are formed in the stack in the operative memory-cell-string region and dummy channel-material strings are formed in the stack in the TAV region laterally outside of and not within the operative TAV areas. Operative TAVs are formed in individual of the spaced operative TAV areas in the TAV region. Other methods and structure independent of method are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2021
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Yi Hu, Merri L. Carlson, Anilkumar Chandolu, Indra V. Chary, David Daycock, Harsh Narendrakumar Jain, Matthew J. King, Jian Li, Brett D. Lowe, Prakash Rau Mokhna Rau, Lifang Xu
  • Publication number: 20210111184
    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. Horizontally-elongated trenches are formed into the stack to form laterally-spaced memory-block regions. A wall is formed in individual of the trenches laterally-between immediately-laterally-adjacent of the memory-block regions. The forming of the wall comprises lining sides of the trenches with insulative material comprising at least one of an insulative nitride and elemental-form boron. A core material is formed in the trenches to span laterally-between the at least one of the insulative nitride and the elemental-form boron. Structure independent of method is disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2019
    Publication date: April 15, 2021
    Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Cole Smith, Ramey M. Abdelrahaman, Silvia Borsari, Chris M. Carlson, David Daycock, Matthew J. King, Jin Lu
  • Publication number: 20210091009
    Abstract: Some embodiments include a memory device having a conductive structure which includes silicon-containing material. A stack is over the conductive structure and includes alternating insulative levels and conductive levels. Channel material pillars extend through the stack and are electrically coupled with the conductive structure. Memory cells are along the channel material pillars. A conductive barrier material is under the silicon-containing material. The conductive barrier material includes one or more metals in combination with one or more nonmetals. An electrical contact is under the conductive barrier material. The electrical contact includes a region reactive with silicon. Silicon is precluded from reaching said region at least in part due to the conductive barrier material. Control circuitry is under the electrical contact and is electrically coupled with the conductive structure through at least the electrical contact and the conductive barrier material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2019
    Publication date: March 25, 2021
    Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Devesh Kumar Datta, David Daycock, Keen Wah Chow, Tom George, Justin B. Dorhout, Bingli Ma, Rita J. Klein, John Mark Meldrim
  • Patent number: 10923492
    Abstract: A method that is part of a method of forming an elevationally-extending string of memory cells comprises forming an intervening structure that is elevationally between upper and lower stacks that respectively comprise alternating tiers comprising different composition materials. The intervening structure is formed to comprise an elevationally-extending-dopant-diffusion barrier and laterally-central material that is laterally inward of the dopant-diffusion barrier and has dopant therein. Some of the dopant is thermally diffused from the laterally-central material into upper-stack-channel material. The dopant-diffusion barrier during the thermally diffusing is used to cause more thermal diffusion of said dopant into the upper-stack-channel material than diffusion of said dopant, if any, into lower-stack-channel material. Other embodiments, including structure independent of method, are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: John D. Hopkins, David Daycock
  • Publication number: 20210043644
    Abstract: A method used in forming a memory array comprising strings of memory cells and operative through-array-vias (TAVs) comprises forming a stack comprising vertically-alternating insulative tiers and conductive tiers. The stack comprises a TAV region and an operative memory-cell-string region. The TAV region comprises spaced operative TAV areas. Operative channel-material strings are formed in the stack in the operative memory-cell-string region and dummy channel-material strings are formed in the stack in the TAV region laterally outside of and not within the operative TAV areas. Operative TAVs are formed in individual of the spaced operative TAV areas in the TAV region. Other methods and structure independent of method are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2019
    Publication date: February 11, 2021
    Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Yi Hu, Merri L. Carlson, Anilkumar Chandolu, Indra V. Chary, David Daycock, Harsh Narendrakumar Jain, Matthew J. King, Jian Li, Brett D. Lowe, Prakash Rau Mokhna Rau, Lifang Xu
  • Publication number: 20210013221
    Abstract: A method used in forming a memory array comprising strings of memory cells and operative through-array-vias (TAVs) comprises forming a stack comprising vertically-alternating insulative tiers and conductive tiers. The stack comprises a TAV region and an operative memory-cell-string region. Operative channel-material strings are formed in the stack in the operative memory-cell-string region and dummy channel-material strings are formed in the stack in the TAV region. At least a majority of channel material of the dummy channel-material strings is replaced in the TAV region with insulator material and operative TAVs are formed in the TAV region. Other methods and structures independent of method are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2019
    Publication date: January 14, 2021
    Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: David Daycock, Prakash Rau Mokhna Rau
  • Publication number: 20200350333
    Abstract: Some embodiments include a method of forming stacked memory decks. A first deck has first memory cells arranged in first tiers disposed one atop another, and has a first channel-material pillar extending through the first tiers. An inter-deck structure is over the first deck. The inter-deck structure includes an insulative expanse, and a region extending through the insulative expanse and directly over the first channel-material pillar. The region includes an etch-stop structure. A second deck is formed over the inter-deck structure. The second deck has second memory cells arranged in second tiers disposed one atop another. An opening is formed to extend through the second tiers and to the etch-stop structure. The opening is subsequently extended through the etch-stop structure. A second channel-material pillar is formed within the opening and is coupled to the first channel-material pillar. Some embodiments include integrated assemblies.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2020
    Publication date: November 5, 2020
    Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Liu Liu, David Daycock, Rithu K. Bhonsle, Giovanni Mazzone, Narula Bilik, Jordan D. Greenlee, Minsoo Lee, Benben Li
  • Publication number: 20200321347
    Abstract: Some embodiments include an integrated assembly with a semiconductor channel material having a boundary region where a more-heavily-doped region interfaces with a less-heavily-doped region. The more-heavily-doped region and the less-heavily-doped region have the same majority carriers. The integrated assembly includes a gating structure adjacent the semiconductor channel material and having a gating region and an interconnecting region of a common and continuous material. The gating region has a length extending along a segment of the more-heavily-doped region, a segment of the less-heavily-doped region, and the boundary region. The interconnecting region extends laterally outward from the gating region on a side opposite the semiconductor channel region, and is narrower than the length of the gating region. Some embodiments include methods of forming integrated assemblies.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2020
    Publication date: October 8, 2020
    Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Justin B. Dorhout, Kunal R. Parekh, Martin C. Roberts, Mohd Kamran Akhtar, Chet E. Carter, David Daycock
  • Patent number: 10790290
    Abstract: A 3D NAND storage device includes a plurality of layers containing doped semiconductor material interleaved with a plurality of layers of dielectric material. Each of the pillars forming the 3D NAND storage device includes a plurality of memory cells and a drain-end select gate (SGD). The pillars are separated by a hollow channel in which a plurality of film layers, including at least a lower film layer and an upper film layer have been deposited. The systems and methods described herein remove at least the upper film layer proximate the SGD while maintaining the film layers proximate the memory cells. Such an arrangement beneficially permits tailoring the film layers proximate the SGD prior to depositing the channel film layer in the hollow channel. The systems and methods described herein permit the deposition of a continuous channel film layer proximate both the memory cells and the SGD.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2020
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: David A. Daycock, Purnima Narayanan, John Hopkins, Guoxing Duan, Barbara L. Casey, Christopher J. Larsen, Meng-Wei Kuo, Qian Tao
  • Publication number: 20200279867
    Abstract: In an example, a method of forming a stacked memory array includes forming a stack of alternating first and second dielectrics, forming a termination structure through the stack, the termination structure comprising a dielectric liner around a conductor, forming a set of contacts concurrently with forming the termination structure, forming a third dielectric over an upper surface of the stack and an upper surface of the termination structure, forming a first opening through the third dielectric and the stack between first and second groups of semiconductor structures so that the first opening exposes an upper surface of the conductor, and removing the conductor from the termination structure to form a second opening lined with the dielectric liner. In some examples, the dielectric liner can include a rectangular or a triangular tab or a pair of prongs that can have a rectangular profile or that can be tapered.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2020
    Publication date: September 3, 2020
    Inventors: Matthew J. King, Anilkumar Chandolu, Indra V. Chary, Darwin A. Clampitt, Gordon Haller, Thomas George, Brett D. Lowe, David A. Daycock
  • Patent number: 10762939
    Abstract: Computer memory technology is disclosed. In one example, a method for isolating computer memory blocks in a memory array from one another can include forming an opening between adjacent blocks of memory structures. The method can also include forming a protective liner layer on at least the memory structures. The method can further include disposing isolating material in the opening and on the protective liner layer. The method can even further include removing the isolating material on the protective liner layer. The method can additionally include removing the protective liner layer on the memory structures. Associated devices and systems are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher J. Larsen, David A. Daycock, Qian Tao, Saniya Rathod, Devesh K. Datta, Srivardhan Gowda, Rithu K. Bhonsle