Patents by Inventor Jordan D. Greenlee

Jordan D. Greenlee 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: 11894305
    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: April 12, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Inventors: Jordan D. Greenlee, John D. Hopkins, Rita J. Klein, Everett A. McTeer, Lifang Xu, Daniel Billingsley, Collin Howder
  • Patent number: 11895835
    Abstract: Integrated circuitry comprising a memory array comprises strings of memory cells comprising laterally-spaced memory blocks individually comprising a first vertical stack comprising alternating insulative tiers and conductive tiers. Strings of memory cells comprise channel-material strings that extend through the insulative tiers and the conductive tiers. The conductive tiers individually comprise a horizontally-elongated conductive line. A second vertical stack is aside the first vertical stack. The second vertical stack comprises an tipper portion and a lower portion. The upper portion comprises vertically alternating first tiers and second insulating tiers that are of different composition relative one another. The lower portion comprises an upper polysilicon-comprising layer, a lower polysilicon-comprising layer, an intervening-material layer vertically between the tipper and lower polysilicon-comprising layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Alyssa N. Scarbrough, Jordan D. Greenlee, John D. Hopkins
  • Publication number: 20240032295
    Abstract: Electronic devices comprising a source stack comprising one or more conductive materials, a source contact adjacent to the source stack, tiers of alternating conductive materials and insulative materials adjacent to the source contact, pillars extending through the tiers and the source contact and into the source stack, a slit structure extending through the tiers and the source contact, and an implant structure extending within the slit structure and into the source stack. Related methods and systems are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2022
    Publication date: January 25, 2024
    Inventors: John D. Hopkins, Jordan D. Greenlee
  • Publication number: 20230422503
    Abstract: A method used in forming a memory array comprising strings of memory cells comprises forming an upper stack directly above a lower stack. The lower stack comprises vertically-alternating lower-first-tiers and lower-second-tiers. The upper stack comprises vertically-alternating upper-first-tiers and upper-second-tiers. Lower channel openings extend through the lower-first-tiers and the lowers-second-tiers. The lower channel openings have sacrificial material therein. An upper of the lower-first-tiers or a lower of the upper-first-tiers comprises non-stoichiometric silicon nitride comprising (a) or (b), where (a): a nitrogen-to-silicon atomic ratio greater than 1.33 and less than 1.5; and (b): a nitrogen-to-silicon atomic ratio greater than or equal to 1.0 and less than 1.33. A higher of the upper-first-tiers that is above said lower upper-first-tier comprises silicon nitride not having either the (a) or the (b).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2023
    Publication date: December 28, 2023
    Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel Billingsley, Jordan D. Greenlee, John D. Hopkins, Yongjun Jeff Hu, Swapnil Lengade
  • Patent number: 11856764
    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. Laterally-spaced memory-block regions are formed that individually comprise a vertical stack comprising alternating first tiers and second tiers directly above the conductor tier. Channel-material strings of memory cells extend through the first tiers and the second tiers. Horizontally-elongated lines are formed in the conductor tier between the laterally-spaced memory-block regions. The horizontally-elongated lines are of different composition from an upper portion of the conductor material and comprise metal material. After the horizontally-elongated lines are formed, conductive material is formed in a lower of the first tiers and that directly electrically couples together the channel material of individual of the channel-material strings and the conductor material of the conductor tier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Jordan D. Greenlee, John D. Hopkins
  • Publication number: 20230397420
    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. Laterally-spaced memory-block regions individually comprising a vertical stack comprising alternating first tiers and second tiers are formed directly above the conductor tier. Channel-material strings extend through the first tiers and the second tier. Conducting material is formed in a lower of the first tiers that directly electrically couples together the channel material of individual of the channel-material strings and the conductor material of the conductor tier. The forming of the conducting material comprises forming conductive material in the lower first tier against the channel material of the individual channel-material strings. The conductive material comprises an upper portion and a lower portion having a void-space vertically there-between. The void-space comprises an exposed silicon-containing surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2022
    Publication date: December 7, 2023
    Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: John D. Hopkins, Nancy M. Lomeli, Jordan D. Greenlee
  • Publication number: 20230395510
    Abstract: Microelectronic devices include a stack with a vertically alternating sequence of insulative and conductive structures arranged in tiers. A staircased stadium within the stack comprises steps at different tier elevations of a group of the tiers. Treads of the steps are each provided by an upper surface area of one of the conductive structures within the group of the tiers and by an upper surface area of a metal oxide region extending through the one of the conductive structures. A pair of conductive contact structures extends to one of the steps. A first conductive contact structure of the pair terminates at the tread of the step, within the area of the conductive structure. A second conductive contact structure of the pair extends through the tread of the step, within the upper surface area of the metal oxide region. Related fabrication methods and electronic systems are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2022
    Publication date: December 7, 2023
    Inventors: Mithun Kumar Ramasahayam, Jordan D. Greenlee, Harsh Narendrakumar Jain, Jiewei Chen, Indra V. Chary
  • Publication number: 20230397424
    Abstract: A microelectronic device comprises a stack structure, a memory pillar, and a boron-containing material. The stack structure comprises alternating conductive structures and dielectric structures. The memory pillar extends through the stack structure and defines memory cells at intersections of the memory pillar and the conductive structures. The boron-containing material is on at least a portion of the conductive structures of the stack structure. Related methods and electronic systems are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2023
    Publication date: December 7, 2023
    Inventors: Jordan D. Greenlee, Everett A. McTeer, Rita J. Klein, John D. Hopkins, Nancy M. Lomeli, Xiao Li, Christopher R. Ritchie, Alyssa N. Scarbrough, Jiewei Chen, Sijia Yu, Naiming Liu
  • Publication number: 20230397418
    Abstract: A microelectronic device comprises lateral contact structures overlying a source structure and comprising conductive material, a cap material overlying the lateral contact structures and comprising implant regions therein, a stack structure overlying the cap material and comprising a vertically alternating sequence of insulative structures and conductive structures arranged in tiers, and pillars vertically extending through the stack structure and into the source structure. The pillars individually comprise semiconductive channel material in physical contact with the lateral contact structures. The microelectronic device comprises filled slot structures vertically extending at least through the stack structure and the cap material. The filled slot structures are positioned within horizontal areas of the implant regions of the cap material. Related memory devices, electronic systems, and methods of forming the microelectronic devices are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2022
    Publication date: December 7, 2023
    Inventors: Zhiqiang Teo, Chun Wei Ee, Anson Lin, Yuwei Ma, Martin J. Barclay, John D. Hopking, Jordan D. Greenlee
  • Publication number: 20230395704
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for self-aligned etching techniques for memory formation are described. A memory device may include a stack of alternating materials and a pillar extending through the stack of alternating materials, where the stack of alternating materials and the pillar may form a set of multiple memory cells. A polysilicon material may be formed above the pillar, where the polysilicon material may be associated with a selector device for the memory cells. A masking material may be formed above the polysilicon material and the stack of alternating materials, where the masking material may be aligned with the polysilicon material and may have a width that is greater than a width of the polysilicon material and the pillar. The masking material may prevent the polysilicon material, the pillar, and a portion of the stack of alternating materials beneath the masking material from being removed during an etching operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2022
    Publication date: December 7, 2023
    Inventors: John Hopkins, Jordan D. Greenlee
  • Publication number: 20230395149
    Abstract: A method used in forming a memory array comprising strings of memory cells comprises forming memory block regions individually comprising a vertical stack comprising alternating insulative tiers and conductive tiers. Channel-material strings extend through the insulative tiers and the conductive tiers. The conductive tiers individually comprise a void-space extending laterally-across individual of the memory-block regions. At least one of conductive or semiconductive material is formed in the void-space laterally-outward of individual of the channel-material strings. Conductive molybdenum-containing metal material is formed in the void-space directly against the at least one of the conductive or the semiconductive material and a conductive line comprising the conductive molybdenum-containing metal material is formed therefrom. The at least one of the conductive or the semiconductive material is of different composition from that of the conductive molybdenum-containing metal material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2022
    Publication date: December 7, 2023
    Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Jordan D. Greenlee, David Ross Economy, John D. Hopkins, Nancy M. Lomeli, Jiewei Chen, Rita J. Klein, Everett A. McTeer, Aaron P. Thurber
  • Publication number: 20230395507
    Abstract: A microelectronic device comprises a stack structure, a contact structure, a liner material, and a boron-containing material. The stack structure comprises alternating conductive structures and dielectric structures. The contact structure extends through the stack structure. The liner material is between the stack structure and the contact structure. The boron-containing material is between the liner material and the stack structure. Related electronic systems and methods are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2022
    Publication date: December 7, 2023
    Inventors: Xiao Li, Jordan D. Greenlee
  • Publication number: 20230389313
    Abstract: A memory array comprising strings of memory cells comprises laterally-spaced memory blocks individually comprising a first vertical stack comprising vertically-alternating insulative tiers and conductive tiers. Strings of memory cells comprise channel-material strings that extend through the insulative tiers and the conductive tiers. A second vertical stack is aside the first vertical stack. The second vertical stack comprises insulative tiers collectively comprising at least two different compositions relative individual of the insulative tiers. Individual of the at least two different compositions comprise silicon nitride. One of the individual different compositions comprise carbon-doped silicon nitride having at least 0.5 atomic percent more carbon than atomic percent of carbon, if any, in the silicon nitride of another of the individual different compositions. Other embodiments, including method, are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2022
    Publication date: November 30, 2023
    Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Jordan D. Greenlee, Jiewei Chen, John D. Hopkins, Everett A. McTeer
  • 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: 20230377652
    Abstract: A memory array comprising strings of memory cells comprises a conductor tier comprising conductor material. Laterally-spaced memory blocks individually comprise 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. Conducting material of a lowest of the conductive tiers directly electrically couples together the channel material of individual of the channel-material strings and the conductor material of the conductor tier. An uppermost portion of the conductor material comprises conductively-doped semiconductive material that is directly against the conducting material, of different composition from that of the conducting material, and comprises at least one of carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, metal, and n-type conductively-doped semiconductive material also comprising boron. Other embodiments, including method, are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2022
    Publication date: November 23, 2023
    Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: John D. Hopkins, Jordan D. Greenlee
  • Publication number: 20230377653
    Abstract: A memory array comprising strings of memory cells comprises laterally-spaced memory blocks individually comprising a first vertical stack comprising vertically-alternating insulative tiers and conductive tiers. Strings of memory cells comprise channel-material strings that extend through the insulative tiers and the conductive tiers. A second vertical stack is aside the first vertical stack. The second vertical stack comprises an upper portion directly above a lower portion. The upper portion comprises vertically-alternating tiers that are of different composition relative one another. The lower portion comprises dummy plugs that comprise metal oxide directly above metal material. The metal oxide and the metal material comprise different compositions relative one another. Other embodiments, including method, are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2022
    Publication date: November 23, 2023
    Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Alyssa N. Scarbrough, John D. Hopkins, Jordan D. Greenlee
  • Publication number: 20230380172
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for a barrier structure for preventing removal of, such as etching to, control circuitry are described. A memory device may include control circuitry over a substrate and for accessing a memory array and contact regions configured to couple with the control circuitry. The memory device may include barrier regions between respective contact regions that includes a barrier material. The memory device may include a stack of layers over the barrier region and the contact regions that is associated with the memory array, and the barrier material may prevent a removal (e.g., an etch) through the stack of layers and at least partially between contact regions from extending to the control circuitry.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2022
    Publication date: November 23, 2023
    Inventors: John Hopkins, Jordan D. Greenlee, Daniel Billingsley, Alyssa N. Scarbrough
  • Patent number: 11818968
    Abstract: Some embodiments include an integrated assembly having an insulative mass over a conductive base structure. A conductive interconnect extends through the insulative mass to an upper surface of the conductive base structure. The conductive interconnect includes a conductive liner extending around an outer lateral periphery of the interconnect. The conductive liner includes nitrogen in combination with a first metal. A container-shaped conductive structure is laterally surrounded by the conductive liner. The container-shaped conductive structure includes a second metal. A conductive plug is within the container-shaped conductive structure. Some embodiments include methods of forming conductive interconnects within integrated assemblies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Jordan D. Greenlee, Tao D. Nguyen, John Mark Meldrim, Aaron K. Belsher
  • Patent number: 11812610
    Abstract: Electronic devices (e.g., semiconductor devices, which may be configured for 3D NAND memory devices), comprise pillars extending through a stack of alternating conductive tiers and insulative tiers. The conductive tiers, which may include control gates for access lines (e.g., word lines), include conductive rails along an outer sidewall of the conductive tiers, distal from the pillars extending through the conductive tiers. The conductive rails protrude laterally beyond outer sidewalls of the insulative tiers. The conductive rails increase the amount of conductive material that may otherwise be in the conductive tiers, which may enable the conductive material to exhibit a lower electrical resistance, improving operational performance of the electronic devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: John D. Hopkins, Rita J. Klein, Jordan D. Greenlee
  • Patent number: 11805651
    Abstract: Some embodiments include an integrated assembly having a second deck over a first deck. The first deck has first memory cell levels, and the second deck has second memory cell levels. A pair of cell-material-pillars pass through the first and second decks. Memory cells are along the first and second memory cell levels. The cell-material-pillars are a first pillar and a second pillar. An intermediate level is between the first and second decks. The intermediate level includes a region between the first and second pillars. The region includes a first segment adjacent the first pillar, a second segment adjacent the second pillar, and a third segment between the first and second segments. The first and second segments include a first composition, and the third segment includes a second composition different from the first composition. Some embodiments include methods of forming integrated assemblies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2023
    Inventors: Jordan D. Greenlee, John D. Hopkins