Patents by Inventor John D. Hopkins

John D. Hopkins 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: 20220199637
    Abstract: A microelectronic device comprises a stack structure comprising a vertically alternating sequence of conductive material and insulative material arranged in tiers. The stack structure has blocks separated from one another by first dielectric slot structures. Each of the blocks comprises two crest regions, a stadium structure interposed between the two crest regions in a first horizontal direction and comprising opposing staircase structures each having steps comprising edges of the tiers of the stack structure, and two bridge regions neighboring opposing sides of the stadium structure in a second horizontal direction orthogonal to the first horizontal direction and having upper surfaces substantially coplanar with upper surfaces of the two crest regions. At least one second dielectric slot structure is within horizontal boundaries of the stadium structure in the first horizontal direction and partially vertically extends through and segmenting each of the two bridge regions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2020
    Publication date: June 23, 2022
    Inventors: Shuangqiang Luo, John D. Hopkins, Lifang Xu, Nancy M. Lomeli, Indra V. Chary, Kar Wui Thong, Shicong Wang
  • Publication number: 20220199640
    Abstract: Some embodiments include an integrated assembly having a first memory region, a second memory region, and an intermediate region between the first and second memory regions. The intermediate region has a first edge proximate the first memory region and has a second edge proximate the second memory region. Channel-material-pillars are arranged within the first and second memory regions. Conductive posts are arranged within the intermediate region. Doped-semiconductor-material is within the intermediate region and is configured as a substantially H-shaped structure having a first leg region along the first edge, a second leg region along the second edge, and a belt region adjacent the panel. Some embodiments include methods of forming integrated assemblies.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2020
    Publication date: June 23, 2022
    Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: John D. Hopkins, Jordan D. Greenlee
  • Publication number: 20220199644
    Abstract: Some embodiments include an integrated assembly having a base (e.g., a monocrystalline silicon wafer), and having memory cells over the base and along channel-material-pillars. A conductive structure is between the memory cells and the base. The channel-material-pillars are coupled with the conductive structure. A foundational structure extends into the base and projects upwardly to a level above the conductive structure. The foundational structure locks the conductive structure to the base to provide foundational support to the conductive structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2022
    Publication date: June 23, 2022
    Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Darwin A. Clampitt, Matthew J. King, John D. Hopkins, M. Jared Barclay
  • Publication number: 20220165742
    Abstract: A method used in forming a memory array comprising strings of memory cells comprises forming a lower portion of a stack that will comprise vertically-alternating first tiers and second tiers on a substrate. The stack comprises laterally-spaced memory-block regions, Material of the first tiers is of different composition from material of the second tiers. Horizontally-elongated lines are formed in the lower portion that are individually between immediately-laterally-adjacent of the memory-block regions. The lines comprise sacrificial material. The lines individually comprise laterally-opposing projections longitudinally therealong in a lowest of the first tiers. The vertically-alternating first tiers and second tiers of an upper portion of the stack are formed above the lower portion and the lines, and channel-material strings are formed that extend through the first tiers and the second tiers in the upper portion to the lower portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2022
    Publication date: May 26, 2022
    Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: John D. Hopkins, Alyssa N. Scarbrough
  • Publication number: 20220157940
    Abstract: A memory array comprises laterally-spaced memory blocks individually comprising a vertical stack comprising alternating insulative tiers and conductive tiers. Channel-material strings of memory cells extend through the insulative tiers and the conductive tiers. A ring is around individual of the channel-material strings in at least one of a lowest of the conductive tiers or a lowest of the insulative tiers. Individual of the rings have a top that is below all of the memory cells. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2020
    Publication date: May 19, 2022
    Applicant: Micron Technology Inc.
    Inventors: John D. Hopkins, Nancy M. Lomeli
  • Publication number: 20220149066
    Abstract: A memory array comprises laterally-spaced memory blocks individually comprising a vertical stack comprising alternating insulative tiers and conductive tiers. Channel-material strings of memory cells extend through the insulative tiers and the conductive tiers. Intervening material is laterally-between and longitudinally-along immediately-laterally-adjacent of the memory blocks. The intervening material in a lowest of the conductive tiers comprises intervenor material. Bridges extend laterally-between the immediately-laterally-adjacent memory blocks. The bridges comprise bridging material that is of different composition from that of the intervenor material. The bridges are longitudinally-spaced-along the immediately-laterally-adjacent memory blocks by the intervenor material and extend laterally into the immediately-laterally-adjacent memory blocks. Other embodiments, including method, are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2020
    Publication date: May 12, 2022
    Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: John D. Hopkins, Jordan D. Greenlee, Nancy M. Lomeli, Alyssa N. Scarbrough
  • Publication number: 20220149067
    Abstract: A memory array comprises laterally-spaced memory blocks individually comprising a vertical stack comprising alternating insulative tiers and conductive tiers. Channel-material strings of memory cells extend through the insulative tiers and the conductive tiers. Dummy pillars extend through the insulative tiers and the conductive tiers. A lowest of the conductive tiers comprises conducting material and dummy-region material that is aside and of different composition from that of the conducting material. The channel-material strings extend through the conducting material of the lowest conductive tier. The dummy pillars extend through the dummy-region material of the lowest conductive tier. Other embodiments, including method, are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2020
    Publication date: May 12, 2022
    Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: John D. Hopkins, Jordan D. Greenlee, Nancy M. Lomeli, Alyssa N. Scarbrough
  • Publication number: 20220149061
    Abstract: A memory array comprises a conductor tier comprising upper conductor material directly above and directly electrically coupled to lower conductor material. The upper and lower conductor materials comprise different compositions relative one another. Laterally-spaced memory blocks individually comprising a vertical stack comprise alternating insulative tiers and conductive tiers, Channel-material strings of memory cells extend through the insulative tiers and the conductive tiers and through the upper conductor material into the lower conductor material. The channel material of the channel-material strings is directly electrically coupled to the upper and lower conductor materials of the conductor tier. Intervening material is laterally-between and longitudinally-along immediately-laterally-adjacent of the memory blocks. Other embodiments, including method, are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2020
    Publication date: May 12, 2022
    Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: John D. Hopkins, Nancy M. Lomeli
  • 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: 20220139779
    Abstract: Some embodiments include an integrated assembly having a stack of alternating first and second levels. The first levels contain conductive material and the second levels contain insulative material. At least some of the first and second levels are configured as steps. Each of the steps has one of the second levels over an associated one of the first levels. A layer is over the steps and is spaced from the stack by an intervening insulative region. Insulative material is over the layer. Conductive interconnects extend through the insulative material, through the layer, through the intervening insulative region and to the conductive material within the first levels of the steps. Some embodiments include methods of forming integrated assemblies.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2022
    Publication date: May 5, 2022
    Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: John D. Hopkins, Lifang Xu, Nancy M. Lomeli
  • Publication number: 20220130859
    Abstract: A method used in forming a memory array comprising strings of memory cells comprises forming a conductor tier comprising conductor material on a substrate. A stack comprising vertically-alternating first tiers and second tiers is formed above the conductor tier. The stack comprises laterally-spaced memory-block regions that have horizontally-elongated trenches there-between. Channel-material strings extend through the first tiers and the second tiers. Material of the first tiers is of different composition from material of the second tiers. A lowest of the first tiers comprises sacrificial material of different composition from the first-tier material there-above and from the second-tier material tier there-above. The sacrificial material is of different composition from that of an uppermost portion of the conductor material of the conductor tier.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2022
    Publication date: April 28, 2022
    Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: John D. Hopkins
  • Publication number: 20220130858
    Abstract: A memory array comprising strings of memory cells comprises laterally-spaced memory blocks individually comprising a vertical stack comprising alternating insulative tiers and conductive tiers. Channel-material-string structures of memory cells extend through the insulative tiers and the conductive tiers. The channel-material-string structures individually comprise an upper portion above and joined. with a lower portion. Individual of the channel-material-string structures comprise at least one external jog surface in a vertical cross-section where the upper and lower portions join.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2022
    Publication date: April 28, 2022
    Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: John D. Hopkins, Nancy M. Lomeli
  • Publication number: 20220130850
    Abstract: A method of forming a microelectronic device comprises forming isolated nitride structures on steps of stair step structures comprising stacked tiers comprising alternating levels of a first insulative material and a second insulative material, forming a photoresist material over some of the stair step structures, and replacing the isolated nitride structures and the second insulative material with an electrically conductive material to respectively form conductive pad structures and electrically conductive lines. Related microelectronic devices and electronic devices are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2022
    Publication date: April 28, 2022
    Inventors: Lifang Xu, John D. Hopkins, Roger W. Lindsay, Shuangqiang Luo
  • Patent number: 11315877
    Abstract: A microelectronic device includes a stack structure, a staircase structure, conductive pad structures, and conductive contact structures. The stack structure includes vertically alternating conductive structures and insulating structures arranged in tiers. Each of the tiers individually includes one of the conductive structures and one of the insulating structures. The staircase structure has steps made up of edges of at least some of the tiers of the stack structure. The conductive pad structures are on the steps of the staircase structure and include beta phase tungsten. The conductive contact structures are on the conductive pad structures. Memory devices, electronic systems, and methods of forming microelectronic devices are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Jordan D. Greenlee, John D. Hopkins, Rita J. Klein, Everett A. McTeer, Lifang Xu, Daniel Billingsley, Collin Howder
  • Patent number: 11315941
    Abstract: The present disclosure includes memory having a continuous channel, and methods of processing the same. A number of embodiments include forming a vertical stack having memory cells connected in series between a source select gate and a drain select gate, wherein forming the vertical stack includes forming a continuous channel for the source select gate, the memory cells, and the drain select gate, and removing a portion of the continuous channel for the drain select gate such that the continuous channel is thinner for the drain select gate than for the memory cells and the source select gate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Luan C. Tran, Hongbin Zhu, John D. Hopkins, Yushi Hu
  • Publication number: 20220123018
    Abstract: Some embodiments include a NAND memory array having a vertical stack of alternating insulative levels and conductive levels. The conductive levels include control gate regions. High-k dielectric material is adjacent to the control gate regions and is configured as an arrangement of first vertically-extending linear segments which are vertically spaced from one another. Charge-blocking material is adjacent to the high-k dielectric material and is configured as an arrangement of second vertically-extending linear segments which are vertically spaced from one another. Charge-storage material is adjacent to the charge-blocking material and is configured as an arrangement of third vertically-extending linear segments which are vertically spaced from one another. Gate-dielectric material is adjacent to the charge-storage material. Channel material extends vertically along the stack and is adjacent to the gate-dielectric material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2021
    Publication date: April 21, 2022
    Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Shyam Surthi, Davide Resnati, Paolo Tessariol, Richard J. Hill, John D. Hopkins
  • Publication number: 20220115401
    Abstract: Some embodiments include an integrated structure having vertically-stacked conductive levels alternating with dielectric levels. A layer over the conductive levels includes silicon, nitrogen, and one or more of carbon, oxygen, boron and phosphorus. In some embodiments the vertically-stacked conductive levels are wordline levels within a NAND memory array. Some embodiments include an integrated structure having vertically-stacked conductive levels alternating with dielectric levels. Vertically-stacked NAND memory cells are along the conductive levels within a memory array region. A staircase region is proximate the memory array region. The staircase region has electrical contacts in one-to-one correspondence with the conductive levels. A layer is over the memory array region and over the staircase region. The layer includes silicon, nitrogen, and one or more of carbon, oxygen, boron and phosphorus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2021
    Publication date: April 14, 2022
    Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Justin B. Dorhout, Fei Wang, Chet E. Carter, Ian Laboriante, John D. Hopkins, Kunal Shrotri, Ryan Meyer, Vinayak Shamanna, Kunal R. Parekh, Martin C. Roberts, Matthew Park
  • Patent number: 11302707
    Abstract: Some embodiments include a memory device having a vertical stack of alternating insulative levels and conductive levels. The conductive levels include first regions, and include second regions laterally adjacent to the first regions. The first regions have a first vertical thickness and at least two different metal-containing materials along the first vertical thickness. The second regions have a second vertical thickness at least as large as the first vertical thickness, and have only a single metal-containing material along the second vertical thickness. Dielectric-barrier material is laterally adjacent to the first regions. Charge-blocking material is laterally adjacent to the dielectric-barrier material. Charge-storage material is laterally adjacent to the charge-blocking material. Dielectric material is laterally adjacent to the charge storage material. Channel material is laterally adjacent to the dielectric material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: John D. Hopkins, Jordan D. Greenlee
  • Patent number: 11302710
    Abstract: Some embodiments include an integrated assembly having a base (e.g., a monocrystalline silicon wafer), and having memory cells over the base and along channel-material-pillars. A conductive structure is between the memory cells and the base. The channel-material-pillars are coupled with the conductive structure. A foundational structure extends into the base and projects upwardly to a level above the conductive structure. The foundational structure locks the conductive structure to the base to provide foundational support to the conductive structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Darwin A. Clampitt, Matthew J. King, John D. Hopkins, M. Jared Barclay
  • Patent number: 11282847
    Abstract: A method used in forming a memory array comprising strings of memory cells comprises forming a lower portion of a stack that will comprise vertically-alternating first tiers and second tiers on a substrate. The stack comprises laterally-spaced memory-block regions. Material of the first tiers is of different composition from material of the second tiers. Horizontally-elongated lines are formed in the lower portion that are individually between immediately-laterally-adjacent of the memory-block regions. The lines comprise sacrificial material. The lines individually comprise laterally-opposing projections longitudinally there-along in a lowest of the first tiers. The vertically-alternating first tiers and second tiers of an upper portion of the stack are formed above the lower portion and the lines, and channel-material strings are formed that extend through the first tiers and the second tiers in the upper portion to the lower portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: John D. Hopkins, Alyssa N. Scarbrough