Patents by Inventor David K. Hwang

David K. Hwang 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: 8178911
    Abstract: A semiconductor device fabricated in the semiconductor substrate includes a FinFET transistor having opposed source and drain pillars, and a fin interposed between the source and drain pillars. A cavity is formed in the semiconductor substrate extending at least partially between the fin and the semiconductor substrate. The cavity may be formed within a shallow trench isolation structure, and it may also extend at least partially between the semiconductor substrate and one or both of the pillars. The cavities increase the impedance between the semiconductor substrate and the fin and/or pillars to decrease the sub-threshold leakage of the FinFET transistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: David K. Hwang, Larson Lindholm
  • Publication number: 20120003810
    Abstract: A semiconductor device fabricated in the semiconductor substrate includes a FinFET transistor having opposed source and drain pillars, and a fin interposed between the source and drain pillars. A cavity is formed in the semiconductor substrate extending at least partially between the fin and the semiconductor substrate. The cavity may be formed within a shallow trench isolation structure, and it may also extend at least partially between the semiconductor substrate and one or both of the pillars. The cavities increase the impedance between the semiconductor substrate and the fin and/or pillars to decrease the sub-threshold leakage of the FinFET transistor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2011
    Publication date: January 5, 2012
    Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: David K. Hwang, Larson Lindholm
  • Publication number: 20110318921
    Abstract: The invention includes methods of electrically interconnecting different elevation conductive structures, methods of forming capacitors, methods of forming an interconnect between a substrate bit line contact and a bit line in DRAM, and methods of forming DRAM memory cells. In one implementation, a method of electrically interconnecting different elevation conductive structures includes forming a first conductive structure comprising a first electrically conductive surface at a first elevation of a substrate. A nanowhisker is grown from the first electrically conductive surface, and is provided to be electrically conductive. Electrically insulative material is provided about the nanowhisker. An electrically conductive material is deposited over the electrically insulative material in electrical contact with the nanowhisker at a second elevation which is elevationally outward of the first elevation, and the electrically conductive material is provided into a second conductive structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2011
    Publication date: December 29, 2011
    Applicant: MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Brett W. Busch, David K. Hwang, F. Daniel Gealy
  • Patent number: 8030168
    Abstract: The invention includes methods of electrically interconnecting different elevation conductive structures, methods of forming capacitors, methods of forming an interconnect between a substrate bit line contact and a bit line in DRAM, and methods of forming DRAM memory cells. In one implementation, a method of electrically interconnecting different elevation conductive structures includes forming a first conductive structure comprising a first electrically conductive surface at a first elevation of a substrate. A nanowhisker is grown from the first electrically conductive surface, and is provided to be electrically conductive. Electrically insulative material is provided about the nanowhisker. An electrically conductive material is deposited over the electrically insulative material in electrical contact with the nanowhisker at a second elevation which is elevationally outward of the first elevation, and the electrically conductive material is provided into a second conductive structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2011
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Brett W. Busch, David K. Hwang, F. Daniel Gealy
  • Patent number: 8022473
    Abstract: A semiconductor device fabricated in the semiconductor substrate includes a FinFET transistor having opposed source and drain pillars, and a fin interposed between the source and drain pillars. A cavity is formed in the semiconductor substrate extending at least partially between the fin and the semiconductor substrate. The cavity may be formed within a shallow trench isolation structure, and it may also extend at least partially between the semiconductor substrate and one or both of the pillars. The cavities increase the impedance between the semiconductor substrate and the fin and/or pillars to decrease the sub-threshold leakage of the FinFET transistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: David K. Hwang, Larson Lindholm
  • Publication number: 20110133263
    Abstract: A semiconductor device fabricated in the semiconductor substrate includes a FinFET transistor having opposed source and drain pillars, and a fin interposed between the source and drain pillars. A cavity is formed in the semiconductor substrate extending at least partially between the fin and the semiconductor substrate. The cavity may be formed within a shallow trench isolation structure, and it may also extend at least partially between the semiconductor substrate and one or both of the pillars. The cavities increase the impedance between the semiconductor substrate and the fin and/or pillars to decrease the sub-threshold leakage of the FinFET transistor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2011
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: DAVID K. HWANG, Larson Lindholm
  • Patent number: 7948030
    Abstract: Some embodiments include methods of recessing multiple materials to a common depth utilizing etchant comprising C4F6 and C4F3. The recessed materials may be within isolation regions, and the recessing may be utilized to form trenches for receiving gatelines. Some embodiments include structures having an island of semiconductor material laterally surrounded by electrically insulative material. Two gatelines extend across the insulative material and across the island of semiconductor material. One of the gatelines is recessed deeper into the electrically insulative material than the other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Larson Lindholm, Aaron R. Wilson, David K. Hwang
  • Patent number: 7935999
    Abstract: A memory device comprises an active area comprising a source and at least two drains defining a first axis. At least two substantially parallel word lines are defined by a first pitch, with one word line located between each drain and the source. Digit lines are defined by a second pitch, one of the digit lines being coupled to the source and forming a second axis. The active areas of the memory array are tilted at 45° to the grid defined by the word lines and digit lines. The word line pitch is about 1.5F, while the digit line pitch is about 3F.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2011
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Gordon A. Haller, David K. Hwang, Sanh Dang Tang, Ceredig Roberts
  • Patent number: 7897465
    Abstract: A semiconductor device fabricated in the semiconductor substrate includes a FinFET transistor having opposed source and drain pillars, and a fin interposed between the source and drain pillars. A cavity is formed in the semiconductor substrate extending at least partially between the fin and the semiconductor substrate. The cavity may be formed within a shallow trench isolation structure, and it may also extend at least partially between the semiconductor substrate and one or both of the pillars. The cavities increase the impedance between the semiconductor substrate and the fin and/or pillars to decrease the sub-threshold leakage of the FinFET transistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: David K. Hwang, Larson Lindholm
  • Publication number: 20100327369
    Abstract: Some embodiments include methods of recessing multiple materials to a common depth utilizing etchant comprising C4F6 and C4F3. The recessed materials may be within isolation regions, and the recessing may be utilized to form trenches for receiving gatelines. Some embodiments include structures having an island of semiconductor material laterally surrounded by electrically insulative material. Two gatelines extend across the insulative material and across the island of semiconductor material. One of the gatelines is recessed deeper into the electrically insulative material than the other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2010
    Publication date: December 30, 2010
    Applicant: MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Larson Lindholm, Aaron R. Wilson, David K. Hwang
  • Patent number: 7808041
    Abstract: Some embodiments include methods of recessing multiple materials to a common depth utilizing etchant comprising C4F6 and C4F8. The recessed materials may be within isolation regions, and the recessing may be utilized to form trenches for receiving gatelines. Some embodiments include structures having an island of semiconductor material laterally surrounded by electrically insulative material. Two gatelines extend across the insulative material and across the island of semiconductor material. One of the gatelines is recessed deeper into the electrically insulative material than the other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2010
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Larson Lindholm, Aaron R. Wilson, David K. Hwang
  • Publication number: 20100171170
    Abstract: A semiconductor device fabricated in the semiconductor substrate includes a FinFET transistor having opposed source and drain pillars, and a fin interposed between the source and drain pillars. A cavity is formed in the semiconductor substrate extending at least partially between the fin and the semiconductor substrate. The cavity may be formed within a shallow trench isolation structure, and it may also extend at least partially between the semiconductor substrate and one or both of the pillars. The cavities increase the impedance between the semiconductor substrate and the fin and/or pillars to decrease the sub-threshold leakage of the FinFET transistor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2010
    Publication date: July 8, 2010
    Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: David K. Hwang, Larson Lindholm
  • Publication number: 20100148249
    Abstract: A memory device comprises an active area comprising a source and at least two drains defining a first axis. At least two substantially parallel word lines are defined by a first pitch, with one word line located between each drain and the source. Digit lines are defined by a second pitch, one of the digit lines being coupled to the source and forming a second axis. The active areas of the memory array are tilted at 45° to the grid defined by the word lines and digit lines. The word line pitch is about 1.5F, while the digit line pitch is about 3F.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2010
    Publication date: June 17, 2010
    Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Gordon A. Haller, David K. Hwang, Sanh Dang Tang, Ceredig Roberts
  • Patent number: 7696568
    Abstract: A semiconductor device fabricated in the semiconductor substrate includes a FinFET transistor having opposed source and drain pillars, and a fin interposed between the source and drain pillars. A cavity is formed in the semiconductor substrate extending at least partially between the fin and the semiconductor substrate. The cavity may be formed within a shallow trench isolation structure, and it may also extend at least partially between the semiconductor substrate and one or both of the pillars. The cavities increase the impedance between the semiconductor substrate and the fin and/or pillars to decrease the sub-threshold leakage of the FinFET transistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: David K. Hwang, Larson Lindholm
  • Patent number: 7687342
    Abstract: A memory device comprises an active area comprising a source and at least two drains defining a first axis. At least two substantially parallel word lines are defined by a first pitch, with one word line located between each drain and the source. Digit lines are defined by a second pitch, one of the digit lines being coupled to the source and forming a second axis. The active areas of the memory array are tilted at 45° to the grid defined by the word lines and digit lines. The word line pitch is about 1.5F, while the digit line pitch is about 3F.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2010
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Gordon A. Haller, David K. Hwang, Sanh Dang Tang, Ceredig Roberts
  • Publication number: 20100072557
    Abstract: Some embodiments include methods of recessing multiple materials to a common depth utilizing etchant comprising C4F6 and C4F3. The recessed materials may be within isolation regions, and the recessing may be utilized to form trenches for receiving gatelines. Some embodiments include structures having an island of semiconductor material laterally surrounded by electrically insulative material. Two gatelines extend across the insulative material and across the island of semiconductor material. One of the gatelines is recessed deeper into the electrically insulative material than the other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2009
    Publication date: March 25, 2010
    Applicant: MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Larson Lindholm, Aaron R. Wilson, David K. Hwang
  • Patent number: 7648915
    Abstract: Some embodiments include methods of recessing multiple materials to a common depth utilizing etchant comprising C4F6 and C4F8. The recessed materials may be within isolation regions, and the recessing may be utilized to form trenches for receiving gatelines. Some embodiments include structures having an island of semiconductor material laterally surrounded by electrically insulative material. Two gatelines extend across the insulative material and across the island of semiconductor material. One of the gatelines is recessed deeper into the electrically insulative material than the other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2010
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Larson Lindholm, Aaron R. Wilson, David K. Hwang
  • Patent number: 7601591
    Abstract: The present invention is generally directed to a method of manufacturing sidewall spacers on a memory device, and a memory device comprising such sidewall spacers. In one illustrative embodiment, the method includes forming sidewall spacers on a memory device comprised of a memory array and at least one peripheral circuit by forming a first sidewall spacer adjacent a word line structure in the memory array, the first sidewall spacer having a first thickness and forming a second sidewall spacer adjacent a transistor structure in the peripheral circuit, the second sidewall spacer having a second thickness that is greater than the first thickness, wherein the first and second sidewall spacers comprise material from a single layer of spacer material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2009
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: David K. Hwang, Kunal Parekh, Michael Willett, Jigish Trivedi, Suraj Mathew, Greg Peterson
  • Publication number: 20090197386
    Abstract: The invention includes methods of electrically interconnecting different elevation conductive structures, methods of forming capacitors, methods of forming an interconnect between a substrate bit line contact and a bit line in DRAM, and methods of forming DRAM memory cells. In one implementation, a method of electrically interconnecting different elevation conductive structures includes forming a first conductive structure comprising a first electrically conductive surface at a first elevation of a substrate. A nanowhisker is grown from the first electrically conductive surface, and is provided to be electrically conductive. Electrically insulative material is provided about the nanowhisker. An electrically conductive material is deposited over the electrically insulative material in electrical contact with the nanowhisker at a second elevation which is elevationally outward of the first elevation, and the electrically conductive material is provided into a second conductive structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2009
    Publication date: August 6, 2009
    Inventors: Brett W. Busch, David K. Hwang, F. Daniel Gealy
  • Patent number: 7563723
    Abstract: Methods of etching substrates with small critical dimensions and altering the critical dimensions are disclosed. In one embodiment, a sulfur oxide based plasma is used to etch an amorphous carbon hard mask layer. The features of a pattern can be shrunk using a plasma etch to reduce the resist elements on the surface of the masking structure. Features in the pattern can also be enlarged by depositing polymer on the resist elements or by sloping an underlying layer. In one preferred embodiment, features of the pattern are shrunk before being enlarged in order to reduce line edge roughness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2009
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Mirzafer K. Abatchev, David K. Hwang, Robert G. Veltrop