Patents by Inventor Erik Byers

Erik Byers 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: 11329062
    Abstract: A method used in forming a memory array comprises forming a stack comprising vertically-alternating insulative tiers and wordline tiers. The stack comprises an insulator tier above the wordline tiers. The insulator tier comprises first insulator material comprising silicon, nitrogen, and one or more of carbon, oxygen, boron, and phosphorus. The first insulator material is patterned to form first horizontally-elongated trenches in the insulator tier. Second insulator material is formed in the first trenches along sidewalls of the first insulator material. The second insulator material is of different composition from that of the first insulator material and narrows the first trenches. After forming the second insulator material, second horizontally-elongated trenches are formed through the insulative tiers and the wordline tiers. The second trenches are horizontally along the narrowed first trenches laterally between and below the second insulator material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Justin B. Dorhout, Erik Byers, Merri L. Carlson, Indra V. Chary, Damir Fazil, John D. Hopkins, Nancy M. Lomeli, Eldon Nelson, Joel D. Peterson, Dimitrios Pavlopoulos, Paolo Tessariol, Lifang Xu
  • Publication number: 20200127004
    Abstract: A method used in forming a memory array comprises forming a stack comprising vertically-alternating insulative tiers and wordline tiers. The stack comprises an insulator tier above the wordline tiers. The insulator tier comprises first insulator material comprising silicon, nitrogen, and one or more of carbon, oxygen, boron, and phosphorus. The first insulator material is patterned to form first horizontally-elongated trenches in the insulator tier. Second insulator material is formed in the first trenches along sidewalls of the first insulator material. The second insulator material is of different composition from that of the first insulator material and narrows the first trenches. After forming the second insulator material, second horizontally-elongated trenches are formed through the insulative tiers and the wordline tiers. The second trenches are horizontally along the narrowed first trenches laterally between and below the second insulator material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2018
    Publication date: April 23, 2020
    Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Justin B. Dorhout, Erik Byers, Merri L. Carlson, Indra V. Chary, Damir Fazil, John D. Hopkins, Nancy M. Lomeli, Eldon Nelson, Joel D. Peterson, Dimitrios Pavlopoulos, Paolo Tessariol, Lifang Xu
  • Patent number: 9842965
    Abstract: Epitaxial growth methods and devices are described that include a textured surface on a substrate in a liquid crystal device. Geometry of the textured surface provides a organization of a liquid crystal media.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2017
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Anton deVilliers, Erik Byers, Scott E. Sills
  • Publication number: 20160315223
    Abstract: Epitaxial growth methods and devices are described that include a textured surface on a substrate. Geometry of the textured surface provides a reduced lattice mismatch between an epitaxial material and the substrate. Devices formed by the methods described exhibit better interfacial adhesion and lower defect density than devices formed without texture. Silicon substrates are shown with gallium nitride epitaxial growth and devices such as LEDs are formed within the gallium nitride.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2016
    Publication date: October 27, 2016
    Inventors: Anton deVilliers, Erik Byers, Scott E. Sills
  • Patent number: 9385276
    Abstract: Epitaxial growth methods and devices are described that include a textured surface on a substrate. Geometry of the textured surface provides a reduced lattice mismatch between an epitaxial material and the substrate. Devices formed by the methods described exhibit better interfacial adhesion and lower defect density than devices formed without texture. Silicon substrates are shown with gallium nitride epitaxial growth and devices such as LEDs are formed within the gallium nitride.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2016
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Anton deVilliers, Erik Byers, Scott E. Sills
  • Publication number: 20150349204
    Abstract: Epitaxial growth methods and devices are described that include a textured surface on a substrate. Geometry of the textured surface provides a reduced lattice mismatch between an epitaxial material and the substrate. Devices formed by the methods described exhibit better interfacial adhesion and lower defect density than devices formed without texture. Silicon substrates are shown with gallium nitride epitaxial growth and devices such as LEDs are formed within the gallium nitride.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2015
    Publication date: December 3, 2015
    Inventors: Anton deVilliers, Erik Byers, Scott E. Sills
  • Patent number: 9112104
    Abstract: Epitaxial growth methods and devices are described that include a textured surface on a substrate. Geometry of the textured surface provides a reduced lattice mismatch between an epitaxial material and the substrate. Devices formed by the methods described exhibit better interfacial adhesion and lower defect density than devices formed without texture. Silicon substrates are shown with gallium nitride epitaxial growth and devices such as LEDs are formed within the gallium nitride.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Anton deVilliers, Erik Byers, Scott E. Sills
  • Publication number: 20140284614
    Abstract: Epitaxial growth methods and devices are described that include a textured surface on a substrate. Geometry of the textured surface provides a reduced lattice mismatch between an epitaxial material and the substrate. Devices formed by the methods described exhibit better interfacial adhesion and lower defect density than devices formed without texture. Silicon substrates are shown with gallium nitride epitaxial growth and devices such as LEDs are formed within the gallium nitride.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2014
    Publication date: September 25, 2014
    Inventors: Anton deVilliers, Erik Byers, Scott E. Sills
  • Patent number: 8748321
    Abstract: Epitaxial growth methods and devices are described that include a textured surface on a substrate. Geometry of the textured surface provides a reduced lattice mismatch between an epitaxial material and the substrate. Devices formed by the methods described exhibit better interfacial adhesion and lower defect density than devices formed without texture. Silicon substrates are shown with gallium nitride epitaxial growth and devices such as LEDs are formed within the gallium nitride.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Anton deVilliers, Erik Byers, Scott E. Sills
  • Patent number: 8691477
    Abstract: A reticle for lens heating mitigation includes a substrate, a target pattern and a redistributive pattern. The substrate includes a live pattern region and the target pattern is disposed within the live pattern region for constructing the target pattern onto a wafer. The redistributive pattern is also disposed within the live pattern region for redistributing energy onto a lens without being printed onto the wafer and without correcting said target pattern to be printed onto the wafer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Nanya Technology Corp.
    Inventors: Jianming Zhou, Anton Devilliers, Erik Byers
  • Publication number: 20130256692
    Abstract: Epitaxial growth methods and devices are described that include a textured surface on a substrate. Geometry of the textured surface provides a reduced lattice mismatch between an epitaxial material and the substrate. Devices formed by the methods described exhibit better interfacial adhesion and lower defect density than devices formed without texture. Silicon substrates are shown with gallium nitride epitaxial growth and devices such as LEDs are formed within the gallium nitride.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2013
    Publication date: October 3, 2013
    Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Anton deVilliers, Erik Byers, Scott E. Sills
  • Publication number: 20130216795
    Abstract: A reticle for lens heating mitigation includes a substrate, a target pattern and a redistributive pattern. The substrate includes a live pattern region and the target pattern is disposed within the live pattern region for constructing the target pattern onto a wafer. The redistributive pattern is also disposed within the live pattern region for redistributing energy onto a lens without being printed onto the wafer and without correcting said target pattern to be printed onto the wafer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2012
    Publication date: August 22, 2013
    Inventors: Jianming Zhou, Anton Devilliers, Erik Byers
  • Patent number: 8450776
    Abstract: Epitaxial devices are described that include a textured surface on a substrate. Geometry of the textured surface provides a reduced lattice mismatch between an epitaxial material and the substrate. Devices exhibit better interfacial adhesion and lower defect density than devices formed without texture. Silicon substrates are shown with gallium nitride epitaxial growth and devices such as LEDs are formed within the gallium nitride.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Anton deVilliers, Erik Byers, Scott Sills
  • Publication number: 20120256191
    Abstract: Epitaxial growth methods and devices are described that include a textured surface on a substrate. Geometry of the textured surface provides a reduced lattice mismatch between an epitaxial material and the substrate. Devices formed by the methods described exhibit better interfacial adhesion and lower defect density than devices formed without texture. Silicon substrates are shown with gallium nitride epitaxial growth and devices such as LEDs are formed within the gallium nitride.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2012
    Publication date: October 11, 2012
    Inventors: Anton deVilliers, Erik Byers, Scott Sills
  • Patent number: 8216943
    Abstract: Epitaxial growth methods and devices are described that include a textured surface on a substrate. Geometry of the textured surface provides a reduced lattice mismatch between an epitaxial material and the substrate. Devices formed by the methods described exhibit better interfacial adhesion and lower defect density than devices formed without texture. Silicon substrates are shown with gallium nitride epitaxial growth and devices such as LEDs are formed within the gallium nitride.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Anton deVilliers, Erik Byers, Scott Sills
  • Publication number: 20090040494
    Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for configuring radiation used in microlithographic processing of workpieces are disclosed herein. One particular embodiment of such a method comprises directing a radiation beam along a radiation path from a reticle to an adjustment structure. The radiation beam has a wavefront with a first configuration in an image plane generally transverse to the radiation path. The method continues by changing at least one independently controllable parameter of the adjustment structure to change the wavefront of the radiation beam from the first configuration to a second configuration. After changing the shape of the wavefront from the first configuration to the second configuration, the method continues by impinging the radiation beam on the workpiece.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2008
    Publication date: February 12, 2009
    Applicant: MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventor: Erik Byers
  • Patent number: 7446855
    Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for configuring radiation used in microlithographic processing of workpieces are disclosed herein. One particular embodiment of such a method comprises directing a radiation beam along a radiation path from a reticle to an adjustment structure. The radiation beam has a wavefront with a first configuration in an image plane generally transverse to the radiation path. The method continues by changing at least one independently controllable parameter of the adjustment structure to change the wavefront of the radiation beam from the first configuration to a second configuration. After changing the shape of the wavefront from the first configuration to the second configuration, the method continues by impinging the radiation beam on the workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2008
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc
    Inventor: Erik Byers
  • Patent number: 7229724
    Abstract: Reticles having reticle patterns suitable for reducing edge of array effects are provided. The reticle patterns have unresolvable patterns formed in the periphery areas of the reticle patterns. The unresolvable patterns are non-transparent with respect to patterning radiation. Systems incorporating the reticles are also provided. Additionally, methods of forming and using the reticles are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2007
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: William J. Baggenstoss, Byron N. Burgess, Erik Byers, William A. Stanton
  • Publication number: 20070019178
    Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for configuring radiation used in microlithographic processing of workpieces are disclosed herein. One particular embodiment of such a method comprises directing a radiation beam along a radiation path from a reticle to an adjustment structure. The radiation beam has a wavefront with a first configuration in an image plane generally transverse to the radiation path. The method continues by changing at least one independently controllable parameter of the adjustment structure to change the wavefront of the radiation beam from the first configuration to a second configuration. After changing the shape of the wavefront from the first configuration to the second configuration, the method continues by impinging the radiation beam on the workpiece.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2005
    Publication date: January 25, 2007
    Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Erik Byers
  • Patent number: 7144690
    Abstract: The invention includes a photolithographic method in which overlapping first and second exposure patterns are formed on a photosensitive material from light passed through a single reticle. The first exposure pattern of the radiation comprises features separated by about a minimum feature spacing that can be accomplished with a single reticle exposure at the time of the photolithographic processing, and the overlapping first and second patterns comprise features separated by less than the minimum feature spacing. The invention also includes a photolithographic method of forming overlapping exposure patterns on a photosensitive material from light passed through a single reticle wherein the reticle is moved between a first exposure to a first light and a second exposure to a second light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2006
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: John F. Van Itallie, Erik Byers