Patents by Inventor John A. Smythe, III

John A. Smythe, III 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: 20200251334
    Abstract: Methods, apparatuses, and systems related to formation of an atomic layer of germanium (Ge) on a substrate material are described. An example method includes introducing, into a semiconductor processing chamber housing a substrate material having a high aspect ratio, a reducing agent, and introducing, into the semiconductor processing chamber, a germanium amidinate precursor. The example method further includes forming an atomic layer of germanium on the substrate material resulting from a reaction of the reducing agent and the germanium amidinate precursor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2019
    Publication date: August 6, 2020
    Inventors: Francois H. Fabreguette, Paul A. Paduano, Gurtej S. Sandhu, John A. Smythe, III, Matthew N. Rocklein
  • Publication number: 20200251349
    Abstract: Systems, apparatuses, and methods related to reduction of crystal growth resulting from annealing a conductive material are described. An example apparatus includes a conductive material selected to have an electrical resistance that is reduced as a result of annealing. A stabilizing material may be formed over a surface of the conductive material. The stabilizing material may be selected to have properties that include stabilization of the reduced electrical resistance of the conductive material and reduction of a degree of freedom of crystal growth relative to the surface resulting from recrystallization of the conductive material during the annealing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2019
    Publication date: August 6, 2020
    Inventors: Marko Milojevic, John A. Smythe, III
  • Patent number: 9634250
    Abstract: The present disclosure includes a high density resistive random access memory (RRAM) device, as well as methods of fabricating a high density RRAM device. One method of forming an RRAM device includes forming a resistive element having a metal-metal oxide interface. Forming the resistive element includes forming an insulative material over the first electrode, and forming a via in the insulative material. The via is conformally filled with a metal material, and the metal material is planarized to within the via. A portion of the metal material within the via is selectively treated to create a metal-metal oxide interface within the via. A second electrode is formed over the resistive element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph N. Greeley, John A. Smythe, III
  • Patent number: 9514976
    Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure include a shallow trench isolation structure having a dielectric material with energetic species implanted to a predetermined depth of the dielectric material. Embodiments further include methods of fabricating the trench structures with the implant of energetic species to the predetermined depth. In various embodiments the implant of energetic species is used to densify the dielectric material to provide a uniform wet etch rate across the surface of the dielectric material. Embodiments also include memory devices, integrated circuits, and electronic systems that include shallow trench isolation structures having the dielectric material with the high flux of energetic species implanted to the predetermined depth of the dielectric material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Gurtej S. Sandhu, John A. Smythe, III
  • Publication number: 20160315258
    Abstract: The present disclosure includes a high density resistive random access memory (RRAM) device, as well as methods of fabricating a high density RRAM device. One method of forming an RRAM device includes forming a resistive element having a metal-metal oxide interface. Forming the resistive element includes forming an insulative material over the first electrode, and forming a via in the insulative material. The via is conformally filled with a metal material, and the metal material is planarized to within the via. A portion of the metal material within the via is selectively treated to create a metal-metal oxide interface within the via. A second electrode is formed over the resistive element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2016
    Publication date: October 27, 2016
    Inventors: Joseph N. Greeley, John A. Smythe, III
  • Patent number: 9419219
    Abstract: The present disclosure includes a high density resistive random access memory (RRAM) device, as well as methods of fabricating a high density RRAM device. One method of forming an RRAM device includes forming a resistive element having a metal-metal oxide interface. Forming the resistive element includes forming an insulative material over the first electrode, and forming a via in the insulative material. The via is conformally filled with a metal material, and the metal material is planarized to within the via. A portion of the metal material within the via is selectively treated to create a metal-metal oxide interface within the via. A second electrode is formed over the resistive element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph N. Greeley, John A. Smythe, III
  • Publication number: 20160155619
    Abstract: Forming memory using high power impulse magnetron sputtering is described herein. One or more method embodiments include forming a resistive memory material on a structure using high power impulse magnetron sputtering (HIPIMS), wherein the resistive memory material is formed on the structure in an environment having a temperature of approximately 400 degrees Celsius or less.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2016
    Publication date: June 2, 2016
    Inventors: Yongjun Jeff Hu, Everett A. McTeer, John A. Smythe, III, Gurtej S. Sandhu
  • Patent number: 9343677
    Abstract: The present disclosure includes GCIB-treated resistive devices, devices utilizing GCIB-treated resistive devices (e.g., as switches, memory cells), and methods for forming the GCIB-treated resistive devices. One method of forming a GCIB-treated resistive device includes forming a lower electrode, and forming an oxide material on the lower electrode. The oxide material is exposed to a gas cluster ion beam (GCIB) until a change in resistance of a first portion of the oxide material relative to the resistance of a second portion of the oxide material. An upper electrode is formed on the first portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: John A. Smythe, III, Gurtej S. Sandhu
  • Patent number: 9249498
    Abstract: Forming memory using high power impulse magnetron sputtering is described herein. One or more method embodiments include forming a resistive memory material on a structure using high power impulse magnetron sputtering (HIPIMS), wherein the resistive memory material is formed on the structure in an environment having a temperature of approximately 400 degrees Celsius or less.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Yongjun Jeff Hu, Everett A. McTeer, John A. Smythe, III, Gurtej S. Sandhu
  • Publication number: 20150357568
    Abstract: The present disclosure includes a high density resistive random access memory (RRAM) device, as well as methods of fabricating a high density RRAM device. One method of forming an RRAM device includes forming a resistive element having a metal-metal oxide interface. Forming the resistive element includes forming an insulative material over the first electrode, and forming a via in the insulative material. The via is conformally filled with a metal material, and the metal material is planarized to within the via. A portion of the metal material within the via is selectively treated to create a metal-metal oxide interface within the via. A second electrode is formed over the resistive element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2015
    Publication date: December 10, 2015
    Inventors: Joseph N. Greeley, John A. Smythe, III
  • Patent number: 9142770
    Abstract: The present disclosure includes a high density resistive random access memory (RRAM) device, as well as methods of fabricating a high density RRAM device. One method of forming an RRAM device includes forming a resistive element having a metal-metal oxide interface. Forming the resistive element includes forming an insulative material over the first electrode, and forming a via in the insulative material. The via is conformally filled with a metal material, and the metal material is planarized to within the via. A portion of the metal material within the via is selectively treated to create a metal-metal oxide interface within the via. A second electrode is formed over the resistive element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph N. Greeley, John A. Smythe, III
  • Patent number: 9087989
    Abstract: The present disclosure includes GCIB-treated resistive devices, devices utilizing GCIB-treated resistive devices (e.g., as switches, memory cells), and methods for forming the GCIB-treated resistive devices. One method of forming a GCIB-treated resistive device includes forming a lower electrode, and forming an oxide material on the lower electrode. The oxide material is exposed to a gas cluster ion beam (GCIB) until a change in resistance of a first portion of the oxide material relative to the resistance of a second portion of the oxide material. An upper electrode is formed on the first portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2015
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: John A Smythe, III, Gurtej S Sandhu
  • Publication number: 20150200360
    Abstract: The present disclosure includes GCIB-treated resistive devices, devices utilizing GCIB-treated resistive devices (e.g., as switches, memory cells), and methods for forming the GCIB-treated resistive devices. One method of forming a GCIB-treated resistive device includes forming a lower electrode, and forming an oxide material on the lower electrode. The oxide material is exposed to a gas cluster ion beam (GCIB) until a change in resistance of a first portion of the oxide material relative to the resistance of a second portion of the oxide material. An upper electrode is formed on the first portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2015
    Publication date: July 16, 2015
    Inventors: John A. Smythe, III, Gurtej S. Sandhu
  • Publication number: 20140319446
    Abstract: The present disclosure includes a high density resistive random access memory (RRAM) device, as well as methods of fabricating a high density RRAM device. One method of forming an RRAM device includes forming a resistive element having a metal-metal oxide interface. Forming the resistive element includes forming an insulative material over the first electrode, and forming a via in the insulative material. The via is conformally filled with a metal material, and the metal material is planarized to within the via. A portion of the metal material within the via is selectively treated to create a metal-metal oxide interface within the via. A second electrode is formed over the resistive element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2014
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph N. Greeley, John A. Smythe, III
  • Publication number: 20140241053
    Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure include a shallow trench isolation structure having a dielectric material with energetic species implanted to a predetermined depth of the dielectric material. Embodiments further include methods of fabricating the trench structures with the implant of energetic species to the predetermined depth. In various embodiments the implant of energetic species is used to densify the dielectric material to provide a uniform wet etch rate across the surface of the dielectric material. Embodiments also include memory devices, integrated circuits, and electronic systems that include shallow trench isolation structures having the dielectric material with the high flux of energetic species implanted to the predetermined depth of the dielectric material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2014
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Gurtej S. Sandhu, John A. Smythe, III
  • Publication number: 20140141590
    Abstract: The present disclosure includes GCIB-treated resistive devices, devices utilizing GCIB-treated resistive devices (e.g., as switches, memory cells), and methods for forming the GCIB-treated resistive devices. One method of forming a GCIB-treated resistive device includes forming a lower electrode, and forming an oxide material on the lower electrode. The oxide material is exposed to a gas cluster ion beam (GCIB) until a change in resistance of a first portion of the oxide material relative to the resistance of a second portion of the oxide material. An upper electrode is formed on the first portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2013
    Publication date: May 22, 2014
    Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc
    Inventors: John A. Smythe, III, Gurtej S. Sandhu
  • Patent number: 8686535
    Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure include a shallow trench isolation structure having a dielectric material with energetic species implanted to a predetermined depth of the dielectric material. Embodiments further include methods of fabricating the trench structures with the implant of energetic species to the predetermined depth. In various embodiments the implant of energetic species is used to densify the dielectric material to provide a uniform wet etch rate across the surface of the dielectric material. Embodiments also include memory devices, integrated circuits, and electronic systems that include shallow trench isolation structures having the dielectric material with the high flux of energetic species implanted to the predetermined depth of the dielectric material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Gurtej S. Sandhu, John A. Smythe, III
  • Patent number: 8617959
    Abstract: Resistive memory and methods of processing resistive memory are described herein. One or more method embodiments of processing resistive memory include conformally forming a cell material in an opening in an interlayer dielectric such that a seam is formed in the cell material, forming a conductive pathway by modifying the seam, and forming an electrode on the cell material and the seam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Gurtej S. Sandhu, John A. Smythe, III
  • Patent number: 8575040
    Abstract: Semiconductor devices, structures and systems that utilize a polysilazane-based silicon oxide layer or fill, and methods of making the oxide layer are disclosed. In one embodiment, a polysilazane solution is deposited on a substrate and processed with ozone in a wet oxidation at low temperature to chemically modify the polysilazane material to a silicon oxide layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Janos Fucsko, John A. Smythe, III, Li Li, Grady S. Waldo
  • Patent number: 8324065
    Abstract: Resistive memory and methods of processing resistive memory are described herein. One or more method embodiments of processing resistive memory include conformally forming a cell material in an opening in an interlayer dielectric such that a seam is formed in the cell material, forming a conductive pathway by modifying the seam, and forming an electrode on the cell material and the seam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Gurtej S. Sandhu, John A. Smythe, III