Patents by Inventor Joel D. Peterson

Joel D. Peterson 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).

  • Publication number: 20230380159
    Abstract: A memory array comprises strings of memory cells. The memory array comprises laterally-spaced memory blocks that individually comprise a vertical stack comprising alternating insulative tiers and conductive tiers directly above a conductor tier. Channel-material strings of memory cells extend through the insulative tiers and the conductive tiers. The channel material of the channel-material strings directly electrically couples to conductor material of the conductor tier. Individual ones of the channel-material strings in a vertical cross-section comprise an external jog surface that is above the conductor tier and an internal jog surface that is in the conductor tier. Other aspects, including methods, are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2022
    Publication date: November 23, 2023
    Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Damir Fazil, John D. Hopkins, Indra V. Chary, Tom John, Joel D. Peterson, Kar Wui Thong, Zhaohui Ma
  • Publication number: 20230063178
    Abstract: A microelectronic device includes a stack structure including a vertically alternating sequence of conductive structures and insulating structures arranged in tiers, a dielectric-filled opening vertically extending into the stack structure and defined between two internal sidewalls of the stack structure, a stadium structure within the stack structure and comprising steps defined by horizontal ends of at least some of the tiers, a first ledge extending upward from a first uppermost step of the steps of the stadium structure and interfacing with a first internal sidewall of the two internal sidewalls of the stack structure, and a second ledge extending upward from a second, opposite uppermost step of the steps of the stadium structure and interfacing with a second, opposite internal sidewall of the two internal sidewalls.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2021
    Publication date: March 2, 2023
    Inventors: Bo Zhao, Matthew J. King, Jason Reece, Michael J. Gossman, Shruthi Kumara Vadivel, Martin J. Barclay, Lifang Xu, Joel D. Peterson, Matthew Park, Adam L. Olson, David A. Kewley, Xiaosong Zhang, Justin B. Dorhout, Zhen Feng Yow, Kah Sing Chooi, Tien Minh Quan Tran, Biow Hiem Ong
  • Publication number: 20220367512
    Abstract: Some embodiments include an integrated assembly having a first deck. The first deck has first memory cell levels alternating with first insulative levels. A second deck is over the first deck. The second deck has second memory cell levels alternating with second insulative levels. A cell-material-pillar passes through the first and second decks. Memory cells are along the first and second memory cell levels and include regions of the cell-material-pillar. An intermediate level is between the first and second decks. The intermediate level includes a buffer region adjacent the cell-material-pillar. The buffer region includes a composition different from the first and second insulative materials, and different from the first and second conductive regions. Some embodiments include methods of forming integrated assemblies.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2022
    Publication date: November 17, 2022
    Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: S.M. Istiaque Hossain, Prakash Rau Mokhna Rau, Arun Kumar Dhayalan, Damir Fazil, Joel D. Peterson, Anilkumar Chandolu, Albert Fayrushin, George Matamis, Christopher Larsen, Rokibul Islam
  • Patent number: 11430809
    Abstract: Some embodiments include an integrated assembly having a first deck. The first deck has first memory cell levels alternating with first insulative levels. A second deck is over the first deck. The second deck has second memory cell levels alternating with second insulative levels. A cell-material-pillar passes through the first and second decks. Memory cells are along the first and second memory cell levels and include regions of the cell-material-pillar. An intermediate level is between the first and second decks. The intermediate level includes a buffer region adjacent the cell-material-pillar. The buffer region includes a composition different from the first and second insulative materials, and different from the first and second conductive regions. Some embodiments include methods of forming integrated assemblies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: S. M. Istiaque Hossain, Prakash Rau Mokhna Rau, Arun Kumar Dhayalan, Damir Fazil, Joel D. Peterson, Anilkumar Chandolu, Albert Fayrushin, George Matamis, Christopher Larsen, Rokibul Islam
  • 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: 20220045086
    Abstract: Some embodiments include an integrated assembly having a first deck. The first deck has first memory cell levels alternating with first insulative levels. A second deck is over the first deck. The second deck has second memory cell levels alternating with second insulative levels. A cell-material-pillar passes through the first and second decks. Memory cells are along the first and second memory cell levels and include regions of the cell-material-pillar. An intermediate level is between the first and second decks. The intermediate level includes a buffer region adjacent the cell-material-pillar. The buffer region includes a composition different from the first and second insulative materials, and different from the first and second conductive regions. Some embodiments include methods of forming integrated assemblies.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2020
    Publication date: February 10, 2022
    Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: S.M. Istiaque Hossain, Prakash Rau Mokhna Rau, Arun Kumar Dhayalan, Damir Fazil, Joel D. Peterson, Anilkumar Chandolu, Albert Fayrushin, George Matamis, Christopher Larsen, Rokibul Islam
  • 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