Patents by Inventor DerChang Kau

DerChang Kau 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: 9905296
    Abstract: Some embodiments include apparatuses and methods having a memory cell, first and second conductive lines configured to access the memory cell, and a switch configured to apply a signal to one of the first and second conductive lines. In at least one of such embodiments, the switch can include a phase change material. Other embodiments including additional apparatuses and methods are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2018
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: DerChang Kau, Gianpaolo Spadini
  • Patent number: 9905280
    Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for increasing the voltage budget window of a memory array are disclosed. One or more pre-bias voltages may be applied across a selected cell by providing voltages to memory access lines coupled to the selected cell. The threshold voltage of the selected cell may decrease responsive to the pre-bias voltage. Conversely, threshold voltage of deselected cells coupled to only one of the memory access lines coupled to the selected cell may increase responsive to the pre-bias voltage. The decrease of the threshold voltage of the selected cell and the increase of the threshold voltage of the deselected cells may increase the voltage window of the memory array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2018
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Davide Mantegazza, Kiran Pangal, Feng Q. Pan, Hernan A. Castro, DerChang Kau
  • Publication number: 20170345498
    Abstract: Some embodiments include apparatuses and methods having a memory cell, first and second conductive lines configured to access the memory cell, and a switch configured to apply a signal to one of the first and second conductive lines. In at least one of such embodiments, the switch can include a phase change material. Other embodiments including additional apparatuses and methods are described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2017
    Publication date: November 30, 2017
    Inventors: DerChang Kau, Gianpaolo Spadini
  • Publication number: 20170263684
    Abstract: Methods of forming memory cells comprising phase change and/or chalcogenide materials are disclosed. In one aspect, the method includes providing a lower line stack extending in a first direction, the lower line stack comprising a sacrificial line over a lower conductive line. The method further includes forming a chalcogenide line extending in the first direction by selectively removing the sacrificial material of the sacrificial line and replacing the sacrificial line with a chalcogenide material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2017
    Publication date: September 14, 2017
    Inventors: Jong-Won Lee, Gianpaolo Spadini, Stephen W. Russell, Derchang Kau
  • Patent number: 9747978
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to reference and sense architecture in a cross-point memory. An apparatus may include a memory controller configured to select a target memory cell for a memory access operation. The memory controller includes word line (WL) switch circuitry configured to select a global WL (GWL) and a local WL (LWL) associated with the target memory cell; bit line (BL) switch circuitry configured to select a global BL (GBL) and a local BL (LBL) associated with the target memory cell; and sense circuitry including a first sense circuitry capacitance and a second sense circuitry capacitance, the sense circuitry configured to precharge the selected GWL, the LWL and the first sense circuitry capacitance to a WL bias voltage WLVDM, produce a reference voltage (VREF) utilizing charge on the selected GWL and charge on the first sense circuitry capacitance and determine a state of the target memory cell based, at least in part, on VREF and a detected memory cell voltage VLWL.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignee: INTEL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Balaji Srinivasan, Doyle Rivers, Derchang Kau, Matthew Goldman
  • Patent number: 9734907
    Abstract: Some embodiments include apparatuses and methods having a memory cell, first and second conductive lines configured to access the memory cell, and a switch configured to apply a signal to one of the first and second conductive lines. In at least one of such embodiments. the switch can include a phase change material. Other embodiments including additional apparatuses and methods are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: DerChang Kau, Gianpaolo Spadini
  • Publication number: 20170221536
    Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for increasing the voltage budget window of a memory array are disclosed. One or more pre-bias voltages may be applied across a selected cell by providing voltages to memory access lines coupled to the selected cell. The threshold voltage of the selected cell may decrease responsive to the pre-bias voltage. Conversely, threshold voltage of deselected cells coupled to only one of the memory access lines coupled to the selected cell may increase responsive to the pre-bias voltage. The decrease of the threshold voltage of the selected cell and the increase of the threshold voltage of the deselected cells may increase the voltage window of the memory array.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2017
    Publication date: August 3, 2017
    Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Davide Mantegazza, Kiran Pangal, Feng Q. Pan, Hernan A. Castro, DerChang Kau
  • Publication number: 20170199666
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for performing multithread, concurrent access of different partition of a memory are disclosed herein. An example apparatus may include a non-volatile memory array comprising a plurality of partitions. Each of the plurality of partitions may include a respective plurality of memory cells. The apparatus may further include a plurality of local controllers that are each configured to independently and concurrently access a respective one of the plurality of partitions to execute a respective memory access command of a plurality of memory access commands responsive to receiving the respective memory access command. The example apparatus may further include a controller configured to receive the plurality of memory access commands and to determine a respective target partition of the plurality of partitions for each of the plurality of memory access commands.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2016
    Publication date: July 13, 2017
    Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: RAJESH SUNDARAM, DERCHANG KAU, OWEN W. JUNGROTH, DANIEL CHU, RAYMOND W. ZENG, SHEKOUFEH QAWAMI
  • Patent number: 9698344
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure describe techniques and configurations for increasing thermal insulation in a resistance change memory device, also known as a phase change memory (PCM) device. In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a storage structure of a PCM device, the storage structure having a chalcogenide material, an electrode having an electrically conductive material, the electrode having a first surface that is directly coupled with the storage structure, and a dielectric film having a dielectric material, the dielectric film being directly coupled with a second surface of the electrode that is disposed opposite to the first surface. Other embodiments may be described and/or claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: INTEL CORPORATION
    Inventor: DerChang Kau
  • Publication number: 20170162263
    Abstract: Some embodiments include apparatuses and methods having a memory cell, first and second conductive lines configured to access the memory cell, and a switch configured to apply a signal to one of the first and second conductive lines. In at least one of such embodiments, the switch can include a phase change material. Other embodiments including additional apparatuses and methods are described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2017
    Publication date: June 8, 2017
    Inventors: DerChang Kau, Gianpaolo Spadini
  • Patent number: 9659997
    Abstract: Methods of forming memory cells comprising phase change and/or chalcogenide materials are disclosed. In one aspect, the method includes providing a lower line stack extending in a first direction, the lower line stack comprising a sacrificial line over a lower conductive line. The method further includes forming a chalcogenide line extending in the first direction by selectively removing the sacrificial material of the sacrificial line and replacing the sacrificial line with a chalcogenide material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Jong-Won Lee, Gianpaolo Spadini, Stephen W. Russell, Derchang Kau
  • Patent number: 9653127
    Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for increasing the voltage budget window of a memory array are disclosed. One or more pre-bias voltages may be applied across a selected cell by providing voltages to memory access lines coupled to the selected cell. The threshold voltage of the selected cell may decrease responsive to the pre-bias voltage. Conversely, threshold voltage of deselected cells coupled to only one of the memory access lines coupled to the selected cell may increase responsive to the pre-bias voltage. The decrease of the threshold voltage of the selected cell and the increase of the threshold voltage of the deselected cells may increase the voltage window of the memory array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Davide Mantegazza, Kiran Pangal, Feng Q. Pan, Hernan A. Castro, DerChang Kau
  • Publication number: 20170133433
    Abstract: Subject matter disclosed herein relates to a memory device, and more particularly to a self-aligned cross-point phase change memory-switch array and methods of fabricating same.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2017
    Publication date: May 11, 2017
    Inventors: Jong Won Lee, Gianpaolo Spadini, Derchang Kau
  • Patent number: 9613698
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure describe techniques and configurations for word-line path isolation in a phase change memory (PCM) device. In an embodiment, a method includes increasing a current through a memory cell of a phase change memory (PCM) device, wherein the memory cell is coupled with a capacitor and subsequent to said increasing the current, generating a transient current through the memory cell by discharge of the capacitor to reset the memory cell. In another embodiment, a method includes increasing a current through a memory cell of a phase change memory (PCM) device and controlling the current to be greater than a threshold current and lower than a hold current of the memory cell to set the memory cell. Other embodiments may be described and/or claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2017
    Assignee: INTEL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Davide Mantegazza, Kiran Pangal, Gerard H. Joyce, Prashant Damle, Derchang Kau, Davide Fugazza
  • Patent number: 9590012
    Abstract: Subject matter disclosed herein relates to a memory device, and more particularly to a self-aligned cross-point phase change memory-switch array and methods of fabricating same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Jong Won Lee, Gianpaolo Spadini, Derchang Kau
  • Publication number: 20170062714
    Abstract: Thermally-regulated electronic devices, structures, and systems having incorporated high thermal conductivity dielectric (HTCD) materials are disclosed and described, including associated methods.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2015
    Publication date: March 2, 2017
    Applicant: Intel Corporation
    Inventor: Derchang Kau
  • Patent number: 9576659
    Abstract: Some embodiments include apparatuses and methods having a memory cell, first and second conductive lines configured to access the memory cell, and a switch configured to apply a signal to one of the first and second conductive lines. In at least one of such embodiments, the switch can include a phase change material. Other embodiments including additional apparatuses and methods are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: DerChang Kau, Gianpaolo Spadini
  • Publication number: 20160293254
    Abstract: Some embodiments include apparatuses and methods having a memory cell, first and second conductive lines configured to access the memory cell, and a switch configured to apply a signal to one of the first and second conductive lines. In at least one of such embodiments, the switch can include a phase change material. Other embodiments including additional apparatuses and methods are described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2016
    Publication date: October 6, 2016
    Inventors: DerChang Kau, Gianpaolo Spadini
  • Publication number: 20160260776
    Abstract: Methods of forming memory cells comprising phase change and/or chalcogenide materials are disclosed. In one aspect, the method includes providing a lower line stack extending in a first direction, the lower line stack comprising a sacrificial line over a lower conductive line. The method further includes forming a chalcogenide line extending in the first direction by selectively removing the sacrificial material of the sacrificial line and replacing the sacrificial line with a chalcogenide material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2016
    Publication date: September 8, 2016
    Inventors: Jong-Won Lee, Gianpaolo Spadini, Stephen W. Russell, Derchang Kau
  • Publication number: 20160254052
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure describe techniques and configurations for word-line path isolation in a phase change memory (PCM) device. In an embodiment, a method includes increasing a current through a memory cell of a phase change memory (PCM) device, wherein the memory cell is coupled with a capacitor and subsequent to said increasing the current, generating a transient current through the memory cell by discharge of the capacitor to reset the memory cell. In another embodiment, a method includes increasing a current through a memory cell of a phase change memory (PCM) device and controlling the current to be greater than a threshold current and lower than a hold current of the memory cell to set the memory cell. Other embodiments may be described and/or claimed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2016
    Publication date: September 1, 2016
    Inventors: Davide Mantegazza, Kiran Pangal, Gerard H. Joyce, Prashant Damle, Derchang Kau, Davide Fugazza