Patents by Inventor John Smythe

John Smythe 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: 20240120237
    Abstract: Methods of forming high aspect ratio openings. The method comprises removing a portion of a dielectric material at a temperature less than about 0° C. to form at least one opening in the dielectric material. The at least one opening comprises an aspect ratio of greater than about 30:1. A protective material is formed in the at least one opening and on sidewalls of the dielectric material at a temperature less than about 0° C. Methods of forming high aspect ratio features are also disclosed, as are semiconductor devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2023
    Publication date: April 11, 2024
    Inventors: Ken Tokashiki, John A. Smythe, Gurtej S. Sandhu
  • Patent number: 11935782
    Abstract: A method of forming a structure comprises forming a pattern of elongate features extending vertically from a base structure. Conductive material is formed on the elongate features. After completing the forming of the pattern of elongate features, the elongate features, the conductive material, or both is (are) exposed to at least one surface treatment gas. The at least one surface treatment gas comprises at least one species formulated to diminish attractive or cohesive forces at a surface of the conductive material. Apparatus and additional methods are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Gurtej S. Sandhu, Marko Milojevic, John A. Smythe, Timothy A. Quick, Sumeet C. Pandey
  • Publication number: 20240006478
    Abstract: An example apparatus includes a first source/drain region and a second source/drain region formed in a substrate to form an active area of the apparatus. The first source/drain region and the second source/drain region are separated by a channel. The apparatus includes a gate opposing the channel. A sense line is coupled to the first source/drain region and a storage node is coupled to the second source/drain region. An isolation trench is adjacent to the active area. The trench includes a dielectric material with a conductive bias opposing the conductive bias of the channel in the active area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2023
    Publication date: January 4, 2024
    Inventors: Kamal M. Karda, Haitao Liu, Si-Woo Lee, Fatma Arzum Simsek-Ege, Deepak Chandra Pandey, Chandra V. Mouli, John A. Smythe, III
  • Patent number: 11854869
    Abstract: Methods of forming high aspect ratio openings. The method comprises removing a portion of a dielectric material at a temperature less than about 0° C. to form at least one opening in the dielectric material. The at least one opening comprises an aspect ratio of greater than about 30:1. A protective material is formed in the at least one opening and on sidewalls of the dielectric material at a temperature less than about 0° C. Methods of forming high aspect ratio features are also disclosed, as are semiconductor devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Inventors: Ken Tokashiki, John A. Smythe, Gurtej S. Sandhu
  • Publication number: 20230404122
    Abstract: Processes for the preparation of glycosylated steviol glycoside compositions useful as sweeteners and flavor modifiers in food and beverage products and the like are improved by the use of basic conditions before, during and/or after an enzyme-catalyzed glycosylation of a steviol glycoside composition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2023
    Publication date: December 21, 2023
    Applicant: Tate & Lyle Solutions USA LLC
    Inventors: Joshua Fletcher, Ryan Woodyer, Mikhail Gololobov, Ryan Gross, John Smythe, Salma Siraj, Xian Chen, James Gaddy
  • Publication number: 20230391805
    Abstract: A germanium precursor comprising a chemical formula of Ge(R1NC(R3)NR2)(R4) where each of R1, R2, R3, and R4 is independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, an alkyl, a substituted alkyl, an alkoxide, a substituted amide, an amine, a substituted amine, and a halogen. Methods of forming the germanium precursor and a precursor composition including the germanium precursor are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2023
    Publication date: December 7, 2023
    Inventors: Gurtej S. Sandhu, Sumeet C. Pandey, Stefan Uhlenbrock, John A. Smythe
  • Publication number: 20230335493
    Abstract: A microelectronic device comprises a stack structure comprising alternating conductive structures and insulative structures arranged in tiers, each of the tiers individually comprising a conductive structure and an insulative structure, strings of memory cells vertically extending through the stack structure, the strings of memory cells comprising a channel material vertically extending through the stack structure, and conductive rails laterally adjacent to the conductive structures of the stack structure. The conductive rails comprise a material composition that is different than a material composition of the conductive structures of the stack structure. Related memory devices, electronic systems, and methods are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2023
    Publication date: October 19, 2023
    Inventors: John D. Hopkins, Jordan D. Greenlee, Francois H. Fabreguette, John A. Smythe
  • Patent number: 11769795
    Abstract: An example apparatus includes a first source/drain region and a second source/drain region formed in a substrate to form an active area of the apparatus. The first source/drain region and the second source/drain region are separated by a channel. The apparatus includes a gate opposing the channel. A sense line is coupled to the first source/drain region and a storage node is coupled to the second source/drain region. An isolation trench is adjacent to the active area. The trench includes a dielectric material with a conductive bias opposing the conductive bias of the channel in the active area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2023
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Kamal M. Karda, Haitao Liu, Si-Woo Lee, Fatma Arzum Simsek-Ege, Deepak Chandra Pandey, Chandra V. Mouli, John A. Smythe, III
  • Patent number: 11715692
    Abstract: A microelectronic device comprises a stack structure comprising alternating conductive structures and insulative structures arranged in tiers, each of the tiers individually comprising a conductive structure and an insulative structure, strings of memory cells vertically extending through the stack structure, the strings of memory cells comprising a channel material vertically extending through the stack structure, and conductive rails laterally adjacent to the conductive structures of the stack structure. The conductive rails comprise a material composition that is different than a material composition of the conductive structures of the stack structure. Related memory devices, electronic systems, and methods are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2023
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: John D. Hopkins, Jordan D. Greenlee, Francois H. Fabreguette, John A. Smythe
  • Patent number: 11700870
    Abstract: Tri- and tetra-saccharides are used in foods, beverages and other consumable products to mask or reduce the unpleasant taste of certain components also present in such products, such as the bitter taste of certain high intensity sweeteners. The organoleptic qualities of the products are thereby improved. In particular, melezitose, maltotriose and maltotetraose effectively reduce the bitterness of consumable products containing steviol glycosides such as rebaudioside A.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: Tate & Lyle Solutions USA LLC
    Inventors: Mikhail Gololobov, Joshua Fletcher, John Smythe, Ryan D. Woodyer
  • Patent number: 11651955
    Abstract: Methods of forming silicon nitride. Silicon nitride is formed on a substrate by atomic layer deposition at a temperature of less than or equal to about 275° C. The as-formed silicon nitride is exposed to a plasma. The silicon nitride may be formed as a portion of silicon nitride and at least one other portion of silicon nitride. The portion of silicon nitride and the at least one other portion of silicon nitride may be exposed to a plasma treatment. Methods of forming a semiconductor structure are also disclosed, as are semiconductor structures and silicon precursors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Sumeet C. Pandey, Brenda D. Kraus, Stefan Uhlenbrock, John A. Smythe, Timothy A. Quick
  • Patent number: 11515198
    Abstract: Some embodiments include a semiconductor construction which has one or more openings extending into a substrate. The openings are at least partially filled with dielectric material comprising silicon, oxygen and carbon. The carbon is present to a concentration within a range of from about 3 atomic percent to about 20 atomic percent. Some embodiments include a method of providing dielectric fill across a semiconductor construction having an opening extending therein. The semiconductor construction has an upper surface proximate the opening. The method includes forming photopatternable dielectric material within the opening and across the upper surface, and exposing the photopatternable dielectric material to patterned actinic radiation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Gurtej S. Sandhu, Scott L. Light, John A. Smythe, Sony Varghese
  • Publication number: 20220344200
    Abstract: Methods of forming high aspect ratio openings. The method comprises removing a portion of a dielectric material at a temperature less than about 0° C. to form at least one opening in the dielectric material. The at least one opening comprises an aspect ratio of greater than about 30:1. A protective material is formed in the at least one opening and on sidewalls of the dielectric material at a temperature less than about 0° C. Methods of forming high aspect ratio features are also disclosed, as are semiconductor devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2022
    Publication date: October 27, 2022
    Inventors: Ken Tokashiki, John A. Smythe, Gurtej S. Sandhu
  • Patent number: 11476251
    Abstract: Systems, methods and apparatus are provided for a three-node access device in vertical three dimensional (3D) memory. An example method includes a method for forming arrays of vertically stacked memory cells, having horizontally oriented access devices and vertically oriented access lines. The method includes depositing alternating layers of a dielectric material and a sacrificial material in repeating iterations to form a vertical stack. An etchant process is used to form a first vertical opening exposing vertical sidewalls in the vertical stack adjacent a first region. The first region is selectively etched to form a first horizontal opening removing the sacrificial material a first horizontal distance back from the first vertical opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott E. Sills, John A. Smythe, III, Si-Woo Lee, Gurtej S. Sandhu, Armin Saeedi Vahdat
  • Patent number: 11417565
    Abstract: Methods of forming high aspect ratio openings. The method comprises removing a portion of a dielectric material at a temperature less than about 0° C. to form at least one opening in the dielectric material. The at least one opening comprises an aspect ratio of greater than about 30:1. A protective material is formed in the at least one opening and on sidewalls of the dielectric material at a temperature less than about 0° C. Methods of forming high aspect ratio features are also disclosed, as are semiconductor devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Ken Tokashiki, John A. Smythe, Gurtej S. Sandhu
  • Patent number: 11411008
    Abstract: A method used in forming integrated circuitry comprises forming a plurality of conductive vias comprising conductive material. The conductive vias are spaced relative one another by intermediate material. A discontinuous material is formed atop the conductive material of the vias and atop the intermediate material that is between the vias. Metal material is formed atop, directly against, and between the discontinuous material and atop and directly against the conductive material of the vias. The metal material is of different composition from that of the discontinuous material and is above the intermediate material that is between the vias. The metal material with discontinuous material there-below is formed to comprise a conductive line that is atop the intermediate material that is between the vias and is directly against individual of the vias. Structures independent of method are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2022
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Gurtej S. Sandhu, John A. Smythe
  • Publication number: 20220238340
    Abstract: A method of forming a structure comprises forming a pattern of elongate features extending vertically from a base structure. Conductive material is formed on the elongate features. After completing the forming of the pattern of elongate features, the elongate features, the conductive material, or both is (are) exposed to at least one surface treatment gas. The at least one surface treatment gas comprises at least one species formulated to diminish attractive or cohesive forces at a surface of the conductive material. Apparatus and additional methods are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2022
    Publication date: July 28, 2022
    Inventors: Gurtej S. Sandhu, Marko Milojevic, John A. Smythe, Timothy A. Quick, Sumeet C. Pandey
  • Publication number: 20220223602
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatuses are provided for epitaxial single crystalline silicon growth for a horizontal access device. One example method includes depositing layers of a first dielectric material, a semiconductor material, and a second dielectric material to form a vertical stack, forming first vertical openings to form elongated vertical, pillar columns with first vertical sidewalls in the vertical stack, and forming second vertical openings through the vertical stack to expose second vertical sidewalls. Further, the example method includes selectively removing first portions of the semiconductor material from the second vertical openings to form horizontal openings with a remaining second portion of the semiconductor material at a distal end of the horizontal openings from the second vertical openings, and epitaxially growing single crystalline silicon within the horizontal openings from the distal end of the horizontal openings toward the second vertical openings to fill the horizontal openings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2022
    Publication date: July 14, 2022
    Inventors: Armin Saeedi Vahdat, Gurtej S. Sandhu, Scott E. Sills, Si-Woo Lee, John A. Smythe, III
  • Patent number: 11329051
    Abstract: Systems, methods and apparatus are provided for a three-node access device in vertical three-dimensional (3D) memory. An example method includes a method for forming arrays of vertically stacked memory cells, having horizontally oriented access devices and vertically oriented access lines. The method includes depositing alternating layers of a dielectric material and a sacrificial material to form a vertical stack. Forming a plurality of first vertical openings to form elongated vertical, pillar columns with sidewalls in the vertical stack. Conformally depositing a gate dielectric in the plurality of first vertical openings. Forming a conductive material on the gate dielectric. Removing portions of the conductive material to form a plurality of separate, vertical access lines. Repairing a first side of the gate dielectric exposed where the conductive material was removed. Forming a second vertical opening to expose sidewalls adjacent a first region of the sacrificial material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: John A. Smythe, III, Gurtej S. Sandhu, Armin Saeedi Vahdat, Si-Woo Lee, Scott E. Sills
  • Publication number: 20220102384
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatuses are provided for epitaxial single crystalline silicon growth for memory arrays. One example method includes forming logic circuitry on a silicon substrate in a first working surface and depositing an isolation material on the first working surface to encapsulate the logic circuitry and to form a second working surface above the first working surface. Further, the example method includes etching the isolation material to form a vertical opening through the isolation material and epitaxially growing single crystalline silicon from the silicon substrate and horizontally on the second working surface in a first, a second, and a third direction to cover the second working surface. The example method further includes removing a portion of the epitaxially grown single crystalline silicon to partition distinct and separate third working surface areas in which to form memory cell components and forming storage nodes above the memory cell components.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2021
    Publication date: March 31, 2022
    Inventors: Glen H. Walters, John A. Smythe III, Scott E. Sills, John F. Kaeding