Patents by Inventor Kirk Prall

Kirk Prall 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: 6057200
    Abstract: A method of forming a field effect transistor relative to a monocrystalline silicon substrate, where the transistor has an elevated source and an elevated drain, includes: a) providing a transistor gate over the monocrystalline silicon substrate, the gate being encapsulated in electrically insulative material; b) providing outer exposed monocrystalline silicon substrate surfaces adjacent the transistor gate; c) cleaning the outer exposed substrate surfaces to remove oxide and impurities therefrom; d) within a rapid thermal chemical vapor deposition reactor and after the cleaning step, chemical vapor depositing a conductively doped non-polycrystalline silicon layer over the cleaned substrate surfaces adjacent the transistor gate, the non-polycrystalline silicon layer having an outer surface, the substrate not being exposed to oxidizing or contaminating conditions between the time of cleaning and the chemical vapor depositing; and e) after chemical vapor depositing, exposing the doped non-polycrystalline silico
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2000
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Kirk Prall, Pai-Hung Pan, Sujit Sharan
  • Patent number: 6043151
    Abstract: A method of forming a connection is comprised of the steps of depositing a lower conductor. A dielectric layer is deposited on the lower conductor, with the dielectric layer having a lower surface adjacent to the lower conductor, and having an upper surface. An opening extending between the upper surface and the lower surface of the dielectric layer is formed. A conductive plug is deposited within the opening, with the plug having an upper surface proximate the upper surface of the dielectric layer. The upper surface has an edge where the upper surface of the plug is adjacent to the dielectric layer. A recess is formed proximate to the edge of the upper surface of the plug, the recess extending into both the plug and the dielectric layer. Finally, an upper conductor is deposited on the upper surface of the dielectric layer and the upper surface of the plug. A connection thus formed is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2000
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Fernando Gonzalez, Guy Blalock, Kirk Prall
  • Patent number: 6005801
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a memory cell which comprises a storage node, a switching device for controlling access to the storage node, and a diode between the switching device and the storage node. A method for controlling charge transfer to and from a storage node through a switching device is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 21, 1999
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Zhiqiang (Jeff) Wu, Randhir P S Thakur, Alan Reinberg, Kirk Prall
  • Patent number: 5998844
    Abstract: A method of forming a field effect transistor relative to a monocrystalline silicon substrate, where the transistor has an elevated source and an elevated drain, includes: a) providing a transistor gate over the monocrystalline silicon substrate, the gate being encapsulated fin electrically insulative material; b) providing outer exposed monocrystalline silicon substrate surfaces adjacent the transistor gate; c) cleaning the outer exposed substrate surfaces to remove oxide and impurities therefrom; d) within a rapid thermal chemical vapor deposition reactor and after the cleaning step, chemical vapor depositing conductively doped non-polycrystalline silicon layer over the cleaned substrate surfaces adjacent the transistor gate, the non-polycrystalline silicon layer having an outer surface, the substrate not being exposed to oxidizing or contaminating conditions between the time of cleaning and the chemical vapor depositing; and e) after chemical vapor depositing, exposing the doped non-polycrystalline silicon
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1999
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Kirk Prall, Pai-Hung Pan, Sujit Sharan
  • Patent number: 5994220
    Abstract: A method of forming a connection is comprised of the steps of depositing a lower conductor. A dielectric layer is deposited on the lower conductor, with the dielectric layer having a lower surface adjacent to the lower conductor, and having an upper surface. An opening extending between the upper surface and the lower surface of the dielectric layer is formed. A conductive plug is deposited within the opening, with the plug having an upper surface proximate the upper surface of the dielectric layer. The upper surface has an edge where the upper surface of the plug is adjacent to the dielectric layer. A recess is formed proximate to the edge of the upper surface of the plug, the recess extending into both the plug and the dielectric layer. Finally, an upper conductor is deposited on the upper surface of the dielectric layer and the upper surface of the plug. A connection thus formed is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1999
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Fernando Gonzalez, Guy Blalock, Kirk Prall
  • Patent number: 5990021
    Abstract: This invention is a process for manufacturing a random access memory array. Each memory cell within the array which results from the process incorporates a stacked capacitor, a silicon nitride coated access transistor gate electrode, and a self-aligned high-aspect-ratio digit line contact having a tungsten plug which extends from the substrate to a metal interconnect structure located at a level above the stacked capacitor. The contact opening is lined with titanium metal which is in contact with the substrate, and with titanium nitride that is in contact with the plug. Both the titanium metal and the titanium nitride are deposited via chemical vapor deposition reactions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1999
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Kirk Prall, Howard E. Rhodes, Sujit Sharan, Gurtel Sandhu, Philip J. Ireland
  • Patent number: 5976976
    Abstract: A method is provided for forming a contact in an integrated circuit by chemical vapor deposition (CVD). In one embodiment, a titanium precursor and a silicon precursor are contacted in the presence of hydrogen, to form titanium silicide. In another embodiment, a titanium precursor contacts silicon to form to form titanium silicide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1999
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Trung T. Doan, Gurtej Singh Sandhu, Kirk Prall, Sujit Sharan
  • Patent number: 5958796
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a semiconductor device on a wafer that has a substrate with a front side and a backside, and an accumulation of waste matter on the backside of the substrate. In a method of the invention, a cover layer is deposited over the front side in a normal coating step of a process for fabricating a component on the wafer. The cover layer provides material used in the process for fabricating the component on the front side of the wafer and creates a barrier over the front side. The waste matter is removed from the backside of the wafer by etching the waste matter from the backside of the wafer with a suitable etchant, or by planarizing the backside of the wafer with a chemical-mechanical planarization ("CMP") process. During the removal step, the cover layer protects the front side and any device features on the front side from being damaged while the waste matter is removed from the backside of the wafer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1999
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Kirk Prall, Guy Blalock
  • Patent number: 5945348
    Abstract: A region is formed in a semiconductor substrate and extends beyond the substrate surface. First and second interconnects each having a predetermined thickness and a surface approximately parallel to the substrate surface are formed on the region. The first and second interconnects define a trench therebetween. A third interconnect is formed on the substrate. The thicknesses of the first and second interconnects are reduced a first amount to improve the aspect ratio of the trench, to improve the cross-sectional profile of the trench, or both. The thickness of the third strip is reduced a second amount. The second amount may be smaller than the first amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 31, 1999
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Guy Blalock, Scott Meikle, Sung Kim, Kirk Prall
  • Patent number: 5945698
    Abstract: A field effect transistor relative to a semiconductor substrate, where the transistor has a gate which defines a resultant lateral expanse of semiconductive material therebeneath for provision of a transistor channel region, includes a) providing a conductive gate layer over a semiconductor substrate; b) patterning the conductive gate layer into a first gate block, the first gate block having a first lateral expanse which is greater than the resultant lateral expanse; c) providing an insulating dielectric layer over the first gate block; d) providing a patterned layer of photoresist over the first gate block and the insulating dielectric layer, the patterned photoresist comprising a photoresist block positioned over and within the first lateral expanse of the first gate block; e) with the patterned photoresist in place, etching the insulating dielectric layer selectively relative to the first gate block; f) after etching the insulating dielectric layer and with the patterned photoresist in place, etching the
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 31, 1999
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Kirk Prall
  • Patent number: 5940712
    Abstract: A method of forming a resistor from semiconductive material includes, a) providing a substrate; b) providing a layer of semiconductive material over the substrate; c) providing a pair of openings into the semiconductive material layer; d) plugging the pair of openings with an electrically conductive material to define a pair of electrically conductive pillars within the semiconductive material, the pair of pillars having semiconductive material extending therebetween to provide a resistor construction; and e) providing a conductive node to each of the electrically conductive pillars.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 17, 1999
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Kirk Prall, Pierre C. Fazan, Aftab Ahmad, Howard E. Rhodes, Werner Juengling, Pai-Hung Pan, Tyler Lowrey
  • Patent number: 5929476
    Abstract: The invention includes several aspects related to semiconductor-on-insulator transistors, to memory and other DRAM circuitry and arrays, to transistor gate arrays, and to methods of fabricating such constructions. In one aspect, a semiconductor-on-insulator transistor includes, a) an insulator layer; b) a layer of semiconductor material over the insulator layer; c) a transistor gate provided within the semiconductor material layer; and d) an outer elevation source/drain diffusion region and an inner elevation diffusion region provided within the semiconductor material layer in operable proximity to the transistor gate. In another aspect, DRAM circuitry includes a plurality of memory cells not requiring sequential access, at least a portion of the plurality having more than two memory cells for a single bit line contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 27, 1999
    Inventor: Kirk Prall
  • Patent number: 5923078
    Abstract: A method of forming a resistor from semiconductive material includes, a) providing a substrate; b) providing a layer of semiconductive material over the substrate; c) providing a pair of openings into the semiconductive material layer; d) plugging the pair of openings with an electrically conductive material to define a pair of electrically conductive pillars within the semiconductive material, the pair of pillars having semiconductive material extending therebetween to provide a resistor construction; and e) providing a conductive node to each of the electrically conductive pillars.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 13, 1999
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Kirk Prall, Pierre C. Fazan, Aftab Ahmad, Howard E. Rhodes, Werner Juengling, Pai-Hung Pan, Tyler Lowrey
  • Patent number: 5905295
    Abstract: A configuration for a laser fuse bank is disclosed wherein the available space is more efficiently used. Fuses of graduated width and variable configuration are placed so as to minimize the average distance between fuses and maximize fuse density. Alternatively, a common source is added to a standard laser fuse structure such that it intersects the fuses and the number of available fuses is doubled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 18, 1999
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Kirk Prall, Tod S. Stone, Paul S. Zagar
  • Patent number: 5896309
    Abstract: The invention includes several aspects related to semiconductor-on-insulator transistors, to memory and other DRAM circuitry and arrays, to transistor gate arrays, and to methods of fabricating such constructions. In one aspect, a semiconductor-on-insulator transistor includes, a) an insulator layer; b) a layer of semiconductor material over the insulator layer; c) a transistor gate provided within the semiconductor material layer; and d) an outer elevation source/drain diffusion region and an inner elevation diffusion region provided within the semiconductor material layer in operable proximity to the transistor gate. In another aspect, DRAM circuitry includes a plurality of memory cells not requiring sequential access, at least a portion of the plurality having more than two memory cells for a single bit line contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 20, 1999
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Kirk Prall
  • Patent number: 5892285
    Abstract: A method of forming a connection is comprised of the steps of depositing a lower conductor. A dielectric layer is deposited on the lower conductor, with the dielectric layer having a lower surface adjacent to the lower conductor, and having an upper surface. An opening extending between the upper surface and the lower surface of the dielectric layer is formed. A conductive plug is deposited within the opening, with the plug having an upper surface proximate the upper surface of the dielectric layer. The upper surface has an edge where the upper surface of the plug is adjacent to the dielectric layer. A recess is formed proximate to the edge of the upper surface of the plug, the recess extending into both the plug and the dielectric layer. Finally, an upper conductor is deposited on the upper surface of the dielectric layer and the upper surface of the plug. A connection thus formed is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 6, 1999
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Fernando Gonzalez, Guy Blalock, Kirk Prall
  • Patent number: 5858865
    Abstract: Within an integrated circuit, a contact plug with a height not extending above the level of the gate/wordline nitride is nonetheless provided with a relatively large contact area or landing pad, significantly larger than the source/drain region to which the contact plug is electrically connected. Methods for producing the inventive contact plug include (1) use of a nitride facet etch, either (a) during a nitride spacer formation etch or (b) during a BPSG etch; (2) using at least one of (a) an isotropic photoresist etch or partial descum to narrow BPSG spacers above the gate/wordline nitride, and (b) a nitride step etch to etch the shoulder area of the gate/wordline nitride exposed by a BPSG etch; and (3) polishing a BPSG layer down to the top of a gate/wordline nitride before any doped polysilicon plug fill, masking for BPSG etch and performing a BPSG etch, etching the photoresist layer through a partial descum, and etching the shoulder area of the gate/wordline nitride exposed thereby.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 12, 1999
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Werner Juengling, Kirk Prall, Gordon Haller, David Keller, Tyler Lowrey
  • Patent number: 5849615
    Abstract: In one aspect of the invention, a semiconductor processing method includes: a) providing a semiconductor substrate; b) defining a first conductivity type region and a second conductivity type region of the semiconductor substrate; c) providing a first transistor gate over the first type region which defines a first source area and a first drain area operatively adjacent thereto; d) providing a second transistor gate over the second type region which defines a second source area and a second drain area operatively adjacent thereto; and e) blanket implanting a conductivity enhancing dopant of the second conductivity type through the first source and drain areas of the first conductivity region and the second source and drain areas of the second conductivity region to provide second conductivity type regular LDD implant regions within the substrate operatively adjacent the first transistor gate and to provide second conductivity type halo implant regions within the substrate operatively adjacent the second trans
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 15, 1998
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Aftab Ahmad, Kirk Prall
  • Patent number: 5831334
    Abstract: A method of forming a field effect transistor relative to a monocrystalline silicon substrate, where the transistor has an elevated source and an elevated drain, includes: a) providing a transistor gate over the monocrystalline silicon substrate, the gate being encapsulated in electrically insulative material; b) providing outer exposed monocrystalline silicon substrate surfaces adjacent the transistor gate; c) cleaning the outer exposed substrate surfaces to remove oxide and impurities therefrom; d) within a rapid thermal chemical vapor deposition reactor and after the cleaning step, chemical vapor depositing a conductively doped non-polycrystalline silicon layer over the cleaned substrate surfaces adjacent the transistor gate, the non-polycrystalline silicon layer having an outer surface, the substrate not being exposed to oxidizing or contaminating conditions between the time of cleaning and the chemical vapor depositing; and e) after chemical vapor depositing, exposing the doped non-polycrystalline silico
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 3, 1998
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Kirk Prall, Pai-Hung Pan, Sujit Sharan
  • Patent number: 5821150
    Abstract: A method of forming a resistor from semiconductive material includes, a) providing a substrate; b) providing a layer of semiconductive material over the substrate; c) providing a pair of openings into the semiconductive material layer; d) plugging the pair of openings with an electrically conductive material to define a pair of electrically conductive pillars within the semiconductive material, the pair of pillars having semiconductive material extending therebetween to provide a resistor construction; and e) providing a conductive node to each of the electrically conductive pillars.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 13, 1998
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Kirk Prall, Pierre C. Fazan, Aftab Ahmad, Howard E. Rhodes, Werner Juengling, Pai-Hung Pan, Tyler Lowrey