Patents by Inventor Fumiaki Toyama

Fumiaki Toyama 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: 12004348
    Abstract: A bonded assembly includes a memory die that is bonded to a logic die. The memory die includes a three-dimensional memory array located on a memory-side substrate, memory-side dielectric material layers located on the three-dimensional memory array and embedding memory-side metal interconnect structures and memory-side bonding pads, a backside peripheral circuit located on a backside surface of the memory-side substrate, and backside dielectric material layers located on a backside of the memory-side substrate and embedding backside metal interconnect structures. The logic die includes a logic-side peripheral circuit located on a logic-side substrate, and logic-side dielectric material layers located between the logic-side substrate and the memory die and embedding logic-side metal interconnect structures and logic-side bonding pads that are bonded to a respective one of the memory-side bonding pads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2024
    Assignee: SANDISK TECHNOLOGIES LLC
    Inventors: Yuki Mizutani, Fumiaki Toyama, Masaaki Higashitani
  • Patent number: 11973044
    Abstract: An integrated memory assembly comprises a control die bonded to a memory die. The memory die includes multiple non-volatile memory structures (e.g., planes, arrays, groups of blocks, etc.), each comprising a stack of alternating conductive and dielectric layers forming staircases at one or more edges of the non-volatile memory structures. The non-volatile memory structures are positioned with gaps between the non-volatile memory structures such that the gaps separate the staircases of adjacent non-volatile memory structures. Metal interlayer segments positioned in the gaps are connected to a top metal layer positioned above non-volatile memory structures and to one or more electrical circuits on the control die via zero, one or more other metal layers/segments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: SanDisk Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Shiqian Shao, Fumiaki Toyama, Tuan Pham
  • Patent number: 11943922
    Abstract: A non-volatile memory includes a plurality of word lines connected to non-volatile memory cells, a plurality of driver lines configured to carry one or more word line voltages, and a plurality of word line switches that selectively connect the driver lines to the word lines. To more efficiently utilize space on the die, the word line switches are arranged in a plurality of three dimensional stacks such that each stack of the plurality of stacks comprises multiple word line switches vertically stacked.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2023
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: Western Digital Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Guangyuan Li, Qinghua Zhao, Sudarshan Narayanan, Yuji Totoki, Fumiaki Toyama
  • Publication number: 20240096826
    Abstract: An apparatus is provided that includes an integrated circuit die that includes an uppermost metal layer of an integrated circuit fabrication process, a plurality of first bonding pads disposed on the uppermost metal layer at a first bonding pad pitch, a first additional metal layer disposed above the uppermost metal layer, and a plurality of second bonding pads disposed on the first additional metal layer at a second bonding pad pitch greater than the first bonding pad pitch. The apparatus further includes a plurality of conductors each electrically coupling a unique one of the first bonding pads to a corresponding one of the second bonding pads.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2022
    Publication date: March 21, 2024
    Applicant: SanDisk Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Guangyuan Li, Yuji Totoki, Fumiaki Toyama
  • Patent number: 11894056
    Abstract: A three dimensional non-volatile memory structure includes word lines connected to non-volatile memory cells arranged in blocks. A plurality of word line switches are connected to the word lines and one or more sources of voltage. The word line switches are arranged in groups of X word line switches such that each group of X word line switches is positioned in a line under Y blocks of non-volatile memory cells and has a length that is equal to the width of the Y blocks of non-volatile memory cells, where X>Y.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: SanDisk Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Shiqian Shao, Fumiaki Toyama
  • Publication number: 20240032299
    Abstract: A bonded assembly includes a memory die containing a three-dimensional memory array, a first logic die bonded to the memory die, a first peripheral circuit located in the logic die and configured to control operation of a first set of electrical nodes of the three-dimensional memory array, and a second peripheral circuit configured to control operation of a second set of electrical nodes of the three-dimensional memory array, where the second peripheral circuit is located at a different vertical level than the first peripheral circuit relative to the three-dimensional-memory array.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2023
    Publication date: January 25, 2024
    Inventors: Masanori TSUTSUMI, Kazutaka YOSHIZAWA, Hiroyuki OGAWA, Fumiaki TOYAMA
  • Publication number: 20240005990
    Abstract: A three-dimensional memory device includes an alternating stack of insulating layers and electrically conductive layers, a first three-dimensional memory array located in a first memory array region, and a second three-dimensional memory array located in a second memory array region that is laterally spaced from the first memory array region along a first horizontal direction by an inter-array region. The alternating stack is laterally bounded by two trench fill structures that are laterally spaced apart along a second horizontal direction by an inter-trench spacing. The inter-array region includes a stepped cavity having vertical steps of the alternating stack that laterally extend along different horizontal directions. Multiple rows of contact via structures may contact different electrically conductive layers in the stepped cavity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2022
    Publication date: January 4, 2024
    Inventors: Hirofumi TOKITA, Tomohiro KUBO, Shiqian SHAO, Fumiaki TOYAMA
  • Publication number: 20240006310
    Abstract: A three-dimensional memory device includes an alternating stack of insulating layers and electrically conductive layers, a first three-dimensional memory array located in a first memory array region, and a second three-dimensional memory array located in a second memory array region that is laterally spaced from the first memory array region along a first horizontal direction by an inter-array region. The alternating stack is laterally bounded by two trench fill structures that are laterally spaced apart along a second horizontal direction by an inter-trench spacing. The inter-array region includes a stepped cavity having vertical steps of the alternating stack that laterally extend along different horizontal directions. Multiple rows of contact via structures may contact different electrically conductive layers in the stepped cavity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2022
    Publication date: January 4, 2024
    Inventors: Tomohiro KUBO, Hirofumi TOKITA, Shiqian SHAO, Fumiaki TOYAMA
  • Publication number: 20230402113
    Abstract: A multi-stage method for programming an n-bit memory cell array using a fixed number of data latches is disclosed. The fixed number of data latches may be a reduced number of data latches in sense amplifier and data latch (SADL) peripheral circuitry than is required by existing programming techniques. As such, the die area taken up by the SADL circuitry can be reduced, which in turn, reduces overall chip area. The multi-stage programming method may include utilizing a first data latch to receive and store program page data and utilizing a second data latch to store bit information indicating which cells are to be targeted for the multi-stage programming. At each program stage, a respective program loop may be performed with respect to each threshold voltage distribution generated during a prior program stage to create two new threshold voltage distributions from the prior distribution.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2022
    Publication date: December 14, 2023
    Inventors: TORU MIWA, Fumiaki Toyama
  • Publication number: 20230386576
    Abstract: A non-volatile memory apparatus comprises a stack of integrated memory assemblies. Each integrated memory assembly includes a memory die bonded to a control die and a set of power pads connected to metal lines in the respective memory die and control die. The memory dies comprise a non-volatile memory structure and a top metal layer for transmitting power signals above the memory structure. The control dies comprise a substrate, a control circuit positioned on the substrate for performing memory operations on a corresponding memory structure and a set of metals layers above the control circuit. The substrate comprises a set of conductive vias through the substrate that connect at one end to the top metal layer of the memory die of an adjacent integrated memory assembly and connect at a second end to the set of metals layers above the control circuit for routing signals between integrated memory assemblies.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2022
    Publication date: November 30, 2023
    Applicant: SANDISK TECHNOLOGIES LLC
    Inventors: Shiqian Shao, Tuan Pham, Fumiaki Toyama
  • Publication number: 20230389317
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes an alternating stack of first insulating layers and first electrically conductive layers, the first alternating stack having first stepped surfaces, at least one first metal oxide etch stop layer overlying and contacting the first stepped surfaces, a first stepped dielectric material portion overlying the at least one first metal oxide etch stop layer and the first stepped surfaces, a memory opening vertically extending through the first alternating stack, a memory opening fill structure located in the memory opening and containing a memory film and a vertical semiconductor channel, and an electrically conductive layer contact via structure vertically extending through the first stepped dielectric material portion and the at least one first metal oxide etch stop layer, and contacting a respective one of the first electrically conductive layers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2023
    Publication date: November 30, 2023
    Inventors: Mitsuhiro Togo, Fumiaki Toyama, Adarsh RAJASHEKHAR
  • Patent number: 11817150
    Abstract: To overcome a shortage of area for horizontal metal lines to connect word line switch transistors to corresponding word lines and for pass through signal lines, it is proposed to implement multiple architectures for the word line hook up regions. For example, some areas of a die will be designed to provide extra horizontal metal lines to connect word line switch transistors to word lines and other areas of the die will be designed to provide extra pass through signal lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: Sandisk Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Shiqian Shao, Fumiaki Toyama
  • Patent number: 11791327
    Abstract: A memory-containing die includes a three-dimensional memory array, a memory dielectric material layer located on a first side of the three-dimensional memory array, and memory-side bonding pads. A logic die includes a peripheral circuitry configured to control operation of the three-dimensional memory array, logic dielectric material layers located on a first side of the peripheral circuitry, and logic-side bonding pads included in the logic dielectric material layers. The logic-side bonding pads includes a pad-level mesh structure electrically connected to a source power supply circuit within the peripheral circuitry and containing an array of discrete openings therethrough, and discrete logic-side bonding pads. The logic-side bonding pads are bonded to a respective one, or a respective subset, of the memory-side bonding pads. The pad-level mesh structure can be used as a component of a source power distribution network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: SANDISK TECHNOLOGIES LLC
    Inventors: Kwang-Ho Kim, Masaaki Higashitani, Fumiaki Toyama, Akio Nishida
  • Patent number: 11792988
    Abstract: A memory die includes an alternating stack of insulating layers and electrically conductive layers through which memory opening fill structures vertically extend. The memory die includes at least three memory array regions interlaced with at least two contact regions, or at least three contact regions interlaced with at least two memory array regions in the same memory plane. A logic die including at least two word line driver regions can be bonded to the memory die. The interlacing of the contact regions and the memory array regions can reduce lateral offset of boundaries of the word line driver regions from boundaries of the contact regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: SANDISK TECHNOLOGIES LLC
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Ogawa, Fumiaki Toyama
  • Patent number: 11758730
    Abstract: A bonded assembly of a memory die and a logic die is provided. The memory die includes a memory array, a plurality of bit lines, and memory-side bit-line-connection bonding pads. The logic die includes sense amplifiers located in a sense amplifier region, and logic-side bit-line-connection bonding pads located within the sense amplifier region and bonded to a respective one of the memory-side bit-line-connection bonding pads. The sense amplifier region has an areal overlap with a respective first subset the plurality of bit lines in a plan view, while a second subset of the plurality of bit lines does not have an areal overlap with the sense amplifier region in the plan view.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: SANDISK TECHNOLOGIES LLC
    Inventors: Fumiaki Toyama, Jee-Yeon Kim
  • Publication number: 20230268001
    Abstract: A three dimensional non-volatile memory structure includes word lines connected to non-volatile memory cells arranged in blocks. A plurality of word line switches are connected to the word lines and one or more sources of voltage. The word line switches are arranged in groups of X word line switches such that each group of X word line switches is positioned in a line under Y blocks of non-volatile memory cells and has a length that is equal to the width of the Y blocks of non-volatile memory cells, where X>Y.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2022
    Publication date: August 24, 2023
    Applicant: SANDISK TECHNOLOGIES LLC
    Inventors: Shiqian Shao, Fumiaki Toyama
  • Patent number: 11728305
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes a bonded assembly of a first semiconductor die including first metal bonding pads and a second semiconductor die including second metal bonding pads, and a capacitor structure including a first electrode, a second electrode, and a node dielectric. The first electrode includes first bonded pairs of metal bonding pads. The second electrode includes second bonded pairs of metal bonding pads. The node dielectric includes portions dielectric material layers laterally surrounding the metal bonding pads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: SANDISK TECHNOLOGIES LLC
    Inventors: Shiqian Shao, Fumiaki Toyama, Peter Rabkin
  • Publication number: 20230207504
    Abstract: An integrated memory assembly comprises a control die bonded to a memory die. The memory die includes multiple non-volatile memory structures (e.g., planes, arrays, groups of blocks, etc.), each comprising a stack of alternating conductive and dielectric layers forming staircases at one or more edges of the non-volatile memory structures. The non-volatile memory structures are positioned with gaps between the non-volatile memory structures such that the gaps separate the staircases of adjacent non-volatile memory structures. Metal interlayer segments positioned in the gaps are connected to a top metal layer positioned above non-volatile memory structures and to one or more electrical circuits on the control die via zero, one or more other metal layers/segments.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2021
    Publication date: June 29, 2023
    Applicant: SANDISK TECHNOLOGIES LLC
    Inventors: Shiqian Shao, Fumiaki Toyama, Tuan Pham
  • Publication number: 20230045001
    Abstract: A memory die includes an alternating stack of insulating layers and electrically conductive layers through which memory opening fill structures vertically extend. The memory die includes at least three memory array regions interlaced with at least two contact regions, or at least three contact regions interlaced with at least two memory array regions in the same memory plane. A logic die including at least two word line driver regions can be bonded to the memory die. The interlacing of the contact regions and the memory array regions can reduce lateral offset of boundaries of the word line driver regions from boundaries of the contact regions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2021
    Publication date: February 9, 2023
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Ogawa, Fumiaki Toyama
  • Publication number: 20220399362
    Abstract: A bonded assembly includes a memory die that is bonded to a logic die. The memory die includes a three-dimensional memory array located on a memory-side substrate, memory-side dielectric material layers located on the three-dimensional memory array and embedding memory-side metal interconnect structures and memory-side bonding pads, a backside peripheral circuit located on a backside surface of the memory-side substrate, and backside dielectric material layers located on a backside of the memory-side substrate and embedding backside metal interconnect structures. The logic die includes a logic-side peripheral circuit located on a logic-side substrate, and logic-side dielectric material layers located between the logic-side substrate and the memory die and embedding logic-side metal interconnect structures and logic-side bonding pads that are bonded to a respective one of the memory-side bonding pads.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2021
    Publication date: December 15, 2022
    Inventors: Yuki MIZUTANI, Fumiaki TOYAMA, Masaaki HIGASHITANI