Patents by Inventor John M. Meldrim

John M. Meldrim 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: 20240071919
    Abstract: A microelectronic device includes a stack structure comprising blocks separated from one another by dielectric slot structures and each including a vertically alternating sequence of conductive structures and insulative structures arranged in tiers. At least one of the blocks comprising a stadium structure comprising opposing staircase structures each having steps comprising edges of the tiers; and a filled trench vertically overlying and within horizontal boundaries of the stadium structure of the at least one of the blocks. The filled trench includes a dielectric liner material on the opposing staircase structures of the stadium structure and on inner sidewalls of the two bridge regions and at least one dielectric structure doped with one or more of carbon and boron on the dielectric liner material, the at least one dielectric structure horizontally overlapping the steps of the stadium structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2022
    Publication date: February 29, 2024
    Inventors: Mohad Baboli, Yiping Wang, Xiao Li, Lifang Xu, John M. Meldrim, Jivaan Kishore Jhothiraman, Shuangqiang Luo
  • Publication number: 20230387229
    Abstract: A microelectronic device comprises conductive structures and insulative structures vertically alternating with the conductive structures. At least one of the insulative structures includes interfacial regions extending inward from vertical boundaries of the at least one of the insulative structures, and central region vertically interposed between the interfacial regions. The interfacial regions are doped with one or more of carbon and boron. The insulative structures comprise a lower concentration of the one or more of carbon and boron than the interfacial regions. Additional microelectronic devices, electronic systems, and methods are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2022
    Publication date: November 30, 2023
    Inventors: Everett A. McTeer, Farrell M. Good, John M. Meldrim, Jordan D. Greenlee, Justin D. Shepherdson, Naiming Liu, Yifen Liu
  • Publication number: 20230361053
    Abstract: Microelectronic devices include a stack structure of insulative structures vertically alternating with conductive structures and arranged in tiers forming opposing staircase structures. A polysilicon fill material substantially fills an opening (e.g., a high-aspect-ratio opening) between the opposing staircase structures. The polysilicon fill material may have non-compressive stress such that the stack structure may be partitioned into blocks without the blocks bending and without contacts—formed in at least one of the polysilicon fill material and the stack structure—deforming, misaligning, or forming electrical shorts with neighboring contacts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2023
    Publication date: November 9, 2023
    Inventors: Jivaan Kishore Jhothiraman, John M. Meldrim, Lifang Xu
  • Patent number: 11710710
    Abstract: Microelectronic devices include a stack structure of insulative structures vertically alternating with conductive structures and arranged in tiers forming opposing staircase structures. A polysilicon fill material substantially fills an opening (e.g., a high-aspect-ratio opening) between the opposing staircase structures. The polysilicon fill material may have non-compressive stress such that the stack structure may be partitioned into blocks without the blocks bending and without contacts—formed in at least one of the polysilicon fill material and the stack structure—deforming, misaligning, or forming electrical shorts with neighboring contacts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Inventors: Jivaan Kishore Jhothiraman, John M. Meldrim, Lifang Xu
  • Publication number: 20210358868
    Abstract: Microelectronic devices include a stack structure of insulative structures vertically alternating with conductive structures and arranged in tiers forming opposing staircase structures. A polysilicon fill material substantially fills an opening (e.g., a high-aspect-ratio opening) between the opposing staircase structures. The polysilicon fill material may have non-compressive stress such that the stack structure may be partitioned into blocks without the blocks bending and without contacts—formed in at least one of the polysilicon fill material and the stack structure—deforming, misaligning, or forming electrical shorts with neighboring contacts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2021
    Publication date: November 18, 2021
    Inventors: Jivaan Kishore Jhothiraman, John M. Meldrim, Lifang Xu
  • Patent number: 11088088
    Abstract: Microelectronic devices include a stack structure of insulative structures vertically alternating with conductive structures and arranged in tiers forming opposing staircase structures. A polysilicon fill material substantially fills an opening (e.g., a high-aspect-ratio opening) between the opposing staircase structures. The polysilicon fill material may have non-compressive stress such that the stack structure may be partitioned into blocks without the blocks bending and without contacts—formed in at least one of the polysilicon fill material and the stack structure—deforming, misaligning, or forming electrical shorts with neighboring contacts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2021
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Jivaan Kishore Jhothiraman, John M. Meldrim, Lifang Xu
  • Patent number: 11081644
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods of manufacture are disclosed for phase change memory cell electrodes having a conductive barrier material. In one example, apparatus includes a first chalcogenide structure and a second chalcogenide structure stacked together with the first chalcogenide structure. A first electrode portion is coupled to the first chalcogenide structure, and a second electrode portion is coupled to the second chalcogenide structure. An electrically conductive barrier material is disposed between the first and second electrode portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Swapnil A. Lengade, John M. Meldrim, Andrea Gotti
  • Publication number: 20210134736
    Abstract: Microelectronic devices include a stack structure of insulative structures vertically alternating with conductive structures and arranged in tiers forming opposing staircase structures. A polysilicon fill material substantially fills an opening (e.g., a high-aspect-ratio opening) between the opposing staircase structures. The polysilicon fill material may have non-compressive stress such that the stack structure may be partitioned into blocks without the blocks bending and without contacts—formed in at least one of the polysilicon fill material and the stack structure—deforming, misaligning, or forming electrical shorts with neighboring contacts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2019
    Publication date: May 6, 2021
    Inventors: Jivaan Kishore Jhothiraman, John M. Meldrim, Lifang Xu
  • Patent number: 10957855
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods of manufacture are disclosed for phase change memory cell electrodes having a conductive barrier material. In one example, an apparatus includes a first chalcogenide structure and a second chalcogenide structure stacked together with the first chalcogenide structure. A first electrode portion is coupled to the first chalcogenide structure, and a second electrode portion is coupled to the second chalcogenide structure. An electrically conductive barrier material is disposed between the first and second electrode portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Swapnil A. Lengade, John M. Meldrim, Andrea Gotti
  • Patent number: 10950791
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods of manufacture are disclosed for phase change memory cell electrodes having a conductive barrier material. In one example, an apparatus includes a first chalcogenide structure and a second chalcogenide structure stacked together with the first chalcogenide structure. A first electrode portion is coupled to the first chalcogenide structure, and a second electrode portion is coupled to the second chalcogenide structure. An electrically conductive barrier material is disposed between the first and second electrode portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Swapnil A. Lengade, John M. Meldrim, Andrea Gotti
  • Patent number: 10943920
    Abstract: Some embodiments include a memory array which has a stack of alternating first and second levels. Channel material pillars extend through the stack, and vertically-stacked memory cell strings are along the channel material pillars. A common source is under the stack and electrically coupled to the channel material pillars. The common source has conductive protective material over and directly against metal silicide, with the conductive protective material being a composition other than metal silicide. Some embodiments include methods of fabricating integrated structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: John M. Meldrim, Yushi Hu, Rita J. Klein, John D. Hopkins, Hongbin Zhu, Gordon A. Haller, Luan C. Tran
  • Publication number: 20200152658
    Abstract: Some embodiments include a memory array which has a stack of alternating first and second levels. Channel material pillars extend through the stack, and vertically-stacked memory cell strings are along the channel material pillars. A common source is under the stack and electrically coupled to the channel material pillars. The common source has conductive protective material over and directly against metal silicide, with the conductive protective material being a composition other than metal silicide. Some embodiments include methods of fabricating integrated structures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2020
    Publication date: May 14, 2020
    Inventors: John M. Meldrim, Yushi Hu, Rita J. Klein, John D. Hopkins, Hongbin Zhu, Gordon A. Haller, Luan C. Tran
  • Patent number: 10651381
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods of manufacture are disclosed for phase change memory cell electrodes having a conductive barrier material. In one example, an apparatus includes a first chalcogenide structure and a second chalcogenide structure stacked together with the first chalcogenide structure. A first electrode portion is coupled to the first chalcogenide structure, a second electrode portion is coupled to the second chalcogenide structure, and a third electrode portion is between the first and second electrode portions. A first portion of an electrically conductive barrier material is disposed between the first and third electrode portions. A second portion of the electrically conductive barrier material is disposed between the second and third electrode portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Swapnil A. Lengade, John M. Meldrim, Andrea Gotti
  • Patent number: 10553611
    Abstract: Some embodiments include a memory array which has a stack of alternating first and second levels. Channel material pillars extend through the stack, and vertically-stacked memory cell strings are along the channel material pillars. A common source is under the stack and electrically coupled to the channel material pillars. The common source has conductive protective material over and directly against metal silicide, with the conductive protective material being a composition other than metal silicide. Some embodiments include methods of fabricating integrated structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2020
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: John M. Meldrim, Yushi Hu, Rita J. Klein, John D. Hopkins, Hongbin Zhu, Gordon A. Haller, Luan C. Tran
  • Publication number: 20190280007
    Abstract: Some embodiments include a memory array which has a stack of alternating first and second levels. Channel material pillars extend through the stack, and vertically-stacked memory cell strings are along the channel material pillars. A common source is under the stack and electrically coupled to the channel material pillars. The common source has conductive protective material over and directly against metal silicide, with the conductive protective material being a composition other than metal silicide. Some embodiments include methods of fabricating integrated structures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2019
    Publication date: September 12, 2019
    Inventors: John M. Meldrim, Yushi Hu, Rita J. Klein, John D. Hopkins, Hongbin Zhu, Gordon A. Haller, Luan C. Tran
  • Patent number: 10217936
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods of manufacture are disclosed for phase change memory cell electrodes having a conductive barrier material. In one example, an apparatus includes a first chalcogenide structure and a second chalcogenide structure stacked together with the first chalcogenide structure. A first electrode portion is coupled to the first chalcogenide structure, and a second electrode portion is coupled to the second chalcogenide structure. An electrically conductive barrier material is disposed between the first and second electrode portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Swapnil A. Lengade, John M. Meldrim, Andrea Gotti
  • Publication number: 20180351096
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods of manufacture are disclosed for phase change memory cell electrodes having a conductive barrier material. In one example, an apparatus includes a first chalcogenide structure and a second chalcogenide structure stacked together with the first chalcogenide structure. A first electrode portion is coupled to the first chalcogenide structure, and a second electrode portion is coupled to the second chalcogenide structure. An electrically conductive barrier material is disposed between the first and second electrode portions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2018
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Applicant: MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: SWAPNIL A. LENGADE, JOHN M. MELDRIM, ANDREA GOTTI
  • Publication number: 20180351097
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods of manufacture are disclosed for phase change memory cell electrodes having a conductive barrier material. In one example, an apparatus includes a first chalcogenide structure and a second chalcogenide structure stacked together with the first chalcogenide structure. A first electrode portion is coupled to the first chalcogenide structure, and a second electrode portion is coupled to the second chalcogenide structure. An electrically conductive barrier material is disposed between the first and second electrode portions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2018
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Swapnil A. Lengade, John M. Meldrim, Andrea Gotti
  • Publication number: 20180331285
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods of manufacture are disclosed for phase change memory cell electrodes having a conductive barrier material. In one example, an apparatus includes a first chalcogenide structure and a second chalcogenide structure stacked together with the first chalcogenide structure. A first electrode portion is coupled to the first chalcogenide structure, a second electrode portion is coupled to the second chalcogenide structure, and a third electrode portion is between the first and second electrode portions. A first portion of an electrically conductive barrier material is disposed between the first and third electrode portions. A second portion of the electrically conductive barrier material is disposed between the second and third electrode portions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2018
    Publication date: November 15, 2018
    Inventors: Swapnil A. Lengade, John M. Meldrim, Andrea Gotti
  • Publication number: 20180331286
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods of manufacture are disclosed for phase change memory cell electrodes having a conductive barrier material. In one example, an apparatus includes a first chalcogenide structure and a second chalcogenide structure stacked together with the first chalcogenide structure. A first electrode portion is coupled to the first chalcogenide structure, and a second electrode portion is coupled to the second chalcogenide structure. An electrically conductive barrier material is disposed between the first and second electrode portions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2018
    Publication date: November 15, 2018
    Applicant: MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Swapnil A. Lengade, JOHN M. MELDRIM, ANDREA GOTTI