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).

  • Patent number: 8198124
    Abstract: Self-aligning fabrication methods for forming memory access devices comprising a doped chalcogenide material. The methods may be used for forming three-dimensionally stacked cross point memory arrays. The method includes forming an insulating material over a first conductive electrode, patterning the insulating material to form vias that expose portions of the first conductive electrode, forming a memory access device within the vias of the insulating material and forming a memory element over the memory access device, wherein data stored in the memory element is accessible via the memory access device. The memory access device is formed of a doped chalcogenide material and formed using a self-aligned fabrication method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Neil Greeley, Bhaskar Srinivasan, Gurtej Sandhu, John Smythe
  • Publication number: 20120141943
    Abstract: Some embodiments include methods of forming patterns of openings. The methods may include forming spaced features over a substrate. The features may have tops and may have sidewalls extending downwardly from the tops. A first material may be formed along the tops and sidewalls of the features. The first material may be formed by spin-casting a conformal layer of the first material across the features, or by selective deposition along the features relative to the substrate. After the first material is formed, fill material may be provided between the features while leaving regions of the first material exposed. The exposed regions of the first material may then be selectively removed relative to both the fill material and the features to create the pattern of openings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2012
    Publication date: June 7, 2012
    Applicant: MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Scott Sills, Gurtej S. Sandhu, John Smythe, Ming Zhang
  • Patent number: 8193607
    Abstract: A variable resistance memory cell structure and a method of forming it. The method includes forming a first electrode, forming an insulating material over the first electrode, forming a via in the insulating material to expose a surface of the first electrode, forming a heater material within the via using gas cluster ion beams, forming a variable resistance material within the via, and forming a second electrode such that the heater material and variable resistance material are provided between the first and second electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: John Smythe
  • Publication number: 20120122292
    Abstract: A method of forming a non-volatile resistive oxide memory array includes forming a plurality of one of conductive word lines or conductive bit lines over a substrate. Metal oxide-comprising material is formed over the plurality of said one of the word lines or bit lines. A series of elongated trenches is provided over the plurality of said one of the word lines or bit lines. A plurality of self-assembled block copolymer lines is formed within individual of the trenches in registered alignment with and between the trench sidewalls. A plurality of the other of conductive word lines or conductive bit lines is provided from said plurality of self-assembled block copolymer lines to form individually programmable junctions comprising said metal oxide-comprising material where the word lines and bit lines cross one another.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2012
    Publication date: May 17, 2012
    Applicant: MICRON TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Gurtej Sandhu, John Smythe, Bhaskar Srinivasan
  • Publication number: 20120068143
    Abstract: Some embodiments include methods of forming memory cells utilizing various arrangements of conductive lines, electrodes and programmable material; with the programmable material containing high k dielectric material directly against multivalent metal oxide. Some embodiments include arrays of memory cells, with the memory cells including programmable material containing high k dielectric material directly against multivalent metal oxide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2010
    Publication date: March 22, 2012
    Inventors: John Smythe, Gurtej S. Sandhu
  • Patent number: 8133664
    Abstract: Some embodiments include methods of forming patterns of openings. The methods may include forming spaced features over a substrate. The features may have tops and may have sidewalls extending downwardly from the tops. A first material may be formed along the tops and sidewalls of the features. The first material may be formed by spin-casting a conformal layer of the first material across the features, or by selective deposition along the features relative to the substrate. After the first material is formed, fill material may be provided between the features while leaving regions of the first material exposed. The exposed regions of the first material may then be selectively removed relative to both the fill material and the features to create the pattern of openings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott Sills, Gurtej S. Sandhu, John Smythe, Ming Zhang
  • Patent number: 8129289
    Abstract: Methods of controlling critical dimensions of reduced-sized features during semiconductor fabrication through pitch multiplication are disclosed. Pitch multiplication is accomplished by patterning mask structures via conventional photoresist techniques and subsequently transferring the pattern to a sacrificial material. Spacer regions are then formed on the vertical surfaces of the transferred pattern following the deposition of a conformal material via atomic layer deposition. The spacer regions, and therefore the reduced features, are then transferred to a semiconductor substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: John A. Smythe, Gurtej S. Sandhu, Brian J. Coppa, Shyam Surthi, Shuang Meng
  • Patent number: 8120184
    Abstract: The invention includes methods of forming layers conformally over undulating surface topographies associated with semiconductor substrates. The undulating surface topographies can first be exposed to one or more of titanium oxide, neodymium oxide, yttrium oxide, zirconium oxide and vanadium oxide to treat the surfaces, and can be subsequently exposed to a material that forms a layer conformally along the treated surfaces. The material can, for example, comprise one or both of aluminum silane and aluminum silazane. The invention also includes semiconductor constructions having conformal layers formed over liners containing one or more of titanium oxide, yttrium oxide, zirconium oxide and vanadium oxide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: John Smythe
  • Patent number: 8114468
    Abstract: A method of forming a non-volatile resistive oxide memory array includes forming a plurality of one of conductive word lines or conductive bit lines over a substrate. Metal oxide-comprising material is formed over the plurality of said one of the word lines or bit lines. A series of elongated trenches is provided over the plurality of said one of the word lines or bit lines. A plurality of self-assembled block copolymer lines is formed within individual of the trenches in registered alignment with and between the trench sidewalls. A plurality of the other of conductive word lines or conductive bit lines is provided from said plurality of self-assembled block copolymer lines to form individually programmable junctions comprising said metal oxide-comprising material where the word lines and bit lines cross one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: Boise Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Gurtej Sandhu, John Smythe, Bhaskar Srinivasan
  • Publication number: 20120015526
    Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein pertain to silicon dioxide deposition methods using at least ozone and tetraethylorthosilicate (TEOS) as deposition precursors. In one embodiment, a silicon dioxide deposition method using at least ozone and TEOS as deposition precursors includes flowing precursors comprising ozone and TEOS to a substrate under subatmospheric pressure conditions effective to deposit silicon dioxide-comprising material having an outer surface onto the substrate. The outer surface is treated effective to one of add hydroxyl to or remove hydroxyl from the outer surface in comparison to any hydroxyl presence on the outer surface prior to said treating. After the treating, precursors comprising ozone and TEOS are flowed to the substrate under subatmospheric pressure conditions effective to deposit silicon dioxide-comprising material onto the treated outer surface of the substrate. Other embodiments are contemplated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2011
    Publication date: January 19, 2012
    Applicant: MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: John Smythe, Gurtej S. Sandhu
  • Publication number: 20120001144
    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: July 2, 2010
    Publication date: January 5, 2012
    Applicant: MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Joseph N. Greeley, John A. Smythe, III
  • Publication number: 20120001147
    Abstract: A method of forming a non-volatile resistive oxide memory cell includes forming a first conductive electrode of the memory cell as part of a substrate. Insulative material is deposited over the first electrode. An opening is formed into the insulative material over the first electrode. The opening includes sidewalls and a base. The opening sidewalls and base are lined with a multi-resistive state layer comprising multi-resistive state metal oxide-comprising material which less than fills the opening. A second conductive electrode of the memory cell is formed within the opening laterally inward of the multi-resistive state layer lining the sidewalls and elevationally over the multi-resistive state layer lining the base. Other aspects and implementations are contemplated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2011
    Publication date: January 5, 2012
    Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: John Smythe, Bhaskar Srinivasan, Gurtej Sandhu
  • Publication number: 20110315944
    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: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2011
    Publication date: December 29, 2011
    Applicant: MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Gurtej S. Sandhu, John Smythe
  • Publication number: 20110315543
    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: June 28, 2010
    Publication date: December 29, 2011
    Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Yongjun Jeff Hu, Everett A. McTeer, John A. Smythe, III, Gurtej S. Sandhu
  • Patent number: 8048755
    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: February 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Gurtej S. Sandhu, John Smythe
  • Patent number: 8043975
    Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein pertain to silicon dioxide deposition methods using at least ozone and tetraethylorthosilicate (TEOS) as deposition precursors. In one embodiment, a silicon dioxide deposition method using at least ozone and TEOS as deposition precursors includes flowing precursors comprising ozone and TEOS to a substrate under subatmospheric pressure conditions effective to deposit silicon dioxide-comprising material having an outer surface onto the substrate. The outer surface is treated effective to one of add hydroxyl to or remove hydroxyl from the outer surface in comparison to any hydroxyl presence on the outer surface prior to said treating. After the treating, precursors comprising ozone and TEOS are flowed to the substrate under subatmospheric pressure conditions effective to deposit silicon dioxide-comprising material onto the treated outer surface of the substrate. Other embodiments are contemplated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: John Smythe, Gurtej S. Sandhu
  • Patent number: 8034315
    Abstract: Some embodiments include devices that contain bundles of CNTs. An undulating topography extends over the CNTs and within spaces between the CNTs. A global maximum lateral width is defined as the greatest lateral width of any of the spaces. A material is directly over the CNTs, with the material being a plurality of particles that have minimum cross-sectional equatorial widths exceeding the global maximum lateral width. Some embodiments include methods in which a plurality of crossed carbon nanotubes are formed over a semiconductor substrate. The CNTs form an undulating upper topography extending across the CNTs and within spaces between the CNTs. A global maximum lateral width is defined as the greatest lateral width of any of the spaces. A material is deposited over the CNTs, with the material being deposited as particles that have minimum cross-sectional equatorial widths exceeding the global maximum lateral width.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Nishant Sinha, Gurtej S. Sandhu, Eugene Marsh, Neil Greeley, John Smythe
  • Patent number: 8034655
    Abstract: A method of forming a non-volatile resistive oxide memory cell includes forming a first conductive electrode of the memory cell as part of a substrate. Insulative material is deposited over the first electrode. An opening is formed into the insulative material over the first electrode. The opening includes sidewalls and a base. The opening sidewalls and base are lined with a multi-resistive state layer comprising multi-resistive state metal oxide-comprising material which less than fills the opening. A second conductive electrode of the memory cell is formed within the opening laterally inward of the multi-resistive state layer lining the sidewalls and elevationally over the multi-resistive state layer lining the base. Other aspects and implementations are contemplated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: John Smythe, Bhaskar Srinivasan, Gurtej Sandhu
  • Publication number: 20110237042
    Abstract: Some embodiments include methods in which microwave radiation is used to activate dopant and/or increase crystallinity of semiconductor material during formation of a semiconductor construction. In some embodiments, the microwave radiation has a frequency of about 5.8 gigahertz, and a temperature of the semiconductor construction does not exceed about 500° C. during the exposure to the microwave radiation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2011
    Publication date: September 29, 2011
    Applicant: MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: John Smythe, Bhaskar Srinivasan, Ming Zhang
  • Publication number: 20110210423
    Abstract: Strontium ruthenium oxide provides an effective interface between a ruthenium conductor and a strontium titanium oxide dielectric. Formation of the strontium ruthenium oxide includes the use of atomic layer deposition to form strontium oxide and subsequent annealing of the strontium oxide to form the strontium ruthenium oxide. A first atomic layer deposition of strontium oxide is preformed using water as an oxygen source, followed by a subsequent atomic layer deposition of strontium oxide using ozone as an oxygen source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2011
    Publication date: September 1, 2011
    Inventors: Bhaskar Srinivasan, Vassil Antonov, John Smythe