Patents by Inventor Marcello Mariani

Marcello Mariani 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: 20240127877
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for differential storage in memory arrays are described. A memory device may include pairs of memory cells configured to store a single logic state (e.g., a single bit of information). Additionally, the memory device may include sense amplifiers configured to sense the logic state based on a difference between a voltage of a first ferroelectric memory cell of the pair of memory cells and a voltage of a second ferroelectric memory cell of the pair of memory cells. In one example, the memory device may include pairs of memory cells within a single memory array on a single level. Here, each memory cell pair may include a memory cells that are each coupled with a same word line and plate line. Additionally, each memory cell pair may include memory cells each coupled with different digit lines.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2022
    Publication date: April 18, 2024
    Inventors: Durai Vishak Nirmal Ramaswamy, Giorgio Servalli, Angelo Visconti, Marcello Mariani, Alessandro Calderoni
  • Publication number: 20240113224
    Abstract: Some embodiments include an integrated assembly having a pillar of semiconductor material. The pillar has a base region, and bifurcates into two segments which extend upwardly from the base region. The two segments are horizontally spaced from one another by an intervening region. A conductive gate is within the intervening region. A first source/drain region is within the base region, a second source/drain region is within the segments, and a channel region is within the segments. The channel region is adjacent to the conductive gate and is vertically disposed between the first and second source/drain regions. Some embodiments include methods of forming integrated assemblies.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2023
    Publication date: April 4, 2024
    Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Antonino Rigano, Marcello Mariani
  • Patent number: 11917834
    Abstract: Some embodiments include an integrated assembly having a first bottom electrode adjacent to a second bottom electrode. An intervening region is directly between the first and second bottom electrodes. Capacitor-insulative-material is adjacent to the first and second bottom electrodes. The capacitor-insulative-material is substantially not within the intervening region. Top-electrode-material is adjacent to the capacitor-insulative-material. Some embodiments include methods of forming integrated assemblies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Durai Vishak Nirmal Ramaswamy, Marcello Mariani, Giorgio Servalli
  • Patent number: 11888068
    Abstract: Some embodiments include an integrated assembly having a pillar of semiconductor material. The pillar has a base region, and bifurcates into two segments which extend upwardly from the base region. The two segments are horizontally spaced from one another by an intervening region. A conductive gate is within the intervening region. A first source/drain region is within the base region, a second source/drain region is within the segments, and a channel region is within the segments. The channel region is adjacent to the conductive gate and is vertically disposed between the first and second source/drain regions. Some embodiments include methods of forming integrated assemblies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Antonino Rigano, Marcello Mariani
  • Publication number: 20230397428
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for ferroelectric memory arrays with low permittivity dielectric barriers are described. In some cases, a manufacturing process to manufacture a memory array may include depositing a dielectric barrier between respective bottom electrodes of a pair of adjacent memory cells of the array. For example, the manufacturing process may include depositing a film of dielectric material over rows of bottom electrodes formed on a set of dielectric walls to at least partially fill space between adjacent bottom electrodes. Alternatively, the manufacturing process may include depositing a film of dielectric material into a set of cavities of the memory array, each cavity having a set of bottom electrodes formed on sidewalls of the cavity. Subsequently, a portion of the dielectric material may be removed to expose surfaces of the bottom electrodes, leaving behind a set of dielectric barriers between adjacent bottom electrodes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2023
    Publication date: December 7, 2023
    Inventors: Giorgio Servalli, Marcello Mariani, Kamal Karda
  • Publication number: 20230395113
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for techniques to manufacture ferroelectric memory devices are described. In some cases, a memory array may be manufactured using a self-aligned manufacturing technique. For example, a continuous layer of dielectric material may be formed over an assembly which includes an array of transistors coupling contacts on the surface of the assembly with a set of digit lines. In some cases, an array of cavities may be etched into the dielectric material, each cavity exposing a set of contacts. A set of bottom electrodes corresponding to the set of contacts may be formed on sidewalls in each cavity, for example by depositing a layer of electrode material and etching the electrode material using a variety of hard masks.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2023
    Publication date: December 7, 2023
    Inventors: Giorgio Servalli, Marcello Mariani, Agostino Pirovano
  • Publication number: 20230397436
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for a ferroelectric memory architecture are described. A memory architecture may include a gap region between memory cells to reduce a capacitance between plates coupled with the memory cells. The gap region may include a fluid, such as air, which may have a relatively low dielectric constant to reduce a capacitance between plates and reduce (e.g., eliminate) undesirable coupling between plates during memory operations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2023
    Publication date: December 7, 2023
    Inventors: Giorgio Servalli, Marcello Mariani
  • Publication number: 20230397434
    Abstract: A memory device includes an array of memory cells. A memory cell includes a transistor with a pillar that includes an upper source/drain, a lower source/drain, and a channel between the upper source/drain and the lower source/drain. The transistor includes a gate that is part of a gate line and that is proximate to the channel. The memory cell includes a capacitor having a bottom electrode, an insulator, and a top electrode. The memory cell includes a conductive contact region that couples the transistor and the capacitor and that includes the upper source/drain, a first conductive region having a right surface that abuts the upper source/drain and having a left surface that contacts a first insulator line, and a second conductive region having a left surface that abuts the upper source/drain and having a right surface that contacts a second insulator line that is parallel to the first insulator line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2022
    Publication date: December 7, 2023
    Inventors: Marcello MARIANI, Giorgio SERVALLI
  • Publication number: 20230397431
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for formation for memory cells are described. A semiconductor device (e.g., a memory die) may include asymmetrical rows of conductive pillars and one or more dielectric materials. For example, the memory die may include a set of conductive pillars that are arranged in rows that are asymmetrically spaced. Here, a first row of conductive pillars may be a first distance away from a second row of conductive pillars and a second, larger distance away from a third row of conductive pillars. Additionally, the memory die may include one or more dielectric materials. In some cases, when depositing a dielectric material as part of a self-aligning process, the material may conformally line exposed surfaces according to a substantially uniform depth, which may decrease a subsequent quantity of masking operations to form the memory die.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2023
    Publication date: December 7, 2023
    Inventors: Giorgio Servalli, Durai Vishak Nirmal Ramaswamy, Marcello Mariani
  • Publication number: 20230378200
    Abstract: A method used in forming an array of memory cells comprises forming a vertical stack comprising transistor material directly above insulator material. A mask is used to subtractively etch both the transistor material and thereafter the insulator material to form a plurality of pillars that individually comprise the transistor material and the insulator material. The insulator material is laterally-recessed from opposing lateral sides of individual of the pillars selectively relative to the transistor material of the individual pillars. The individual pillars are formed to comprise a first capacitor electrode that is in void space formed from the laterally recessing. Capacitors are formed that individually comprise the first capacitor electrode of the individual pillars. A capacitor insulator is aside the first capacitor electrode of the individual pillars and a second capacitor electrode is laterally-outward of the capacitor insulator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2023
    Publication date: November 23, 2023
    Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Marcello Mariani, Giorgio Servalli
  • Publication number: 20230301112
    Abstract: Some embodiments include an integrated assembly having pillars arranged in an array. The pillars have channel regions between upper and lower source/drain regions. Gating structures are proximate to the channel regions and extend along a row direction. Digit lines are beneath the pillars, extend along a column direction, and are coupled with the lower source/drain regions. Linear structures are above the pillars and extend along the column direction. Bottom electrodes are coupled with the upper source/drain regions. The bottom electrodes have horizontal segments adjacent the upper source/drain regions and have vertical segments extending upwardly from the horizontal segments. The vertical segments are adjacent to lateral sides of the linear structures. Ferroelectric-insulative-material and top-electrode-material are over the bottom electrodes. A slit passes through the top-electrode-material, is directly over one of the linear structures, and extends along the column direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2023
    Publication date: September 21, 2023
    Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Giorgio Servalli, Marcello Mariani
  • Patent number: 11764234
    Abstract: A method used in forming an array of memory cells comprises forming a vertical stack comprising transistor material directly above insulator material. A mask is used to subtractively etch both the transistor material and thereafter the insulator material to form a plurality of pillars that individually comprise the transistor material and the insulator material. The insulator material is laterally-recessed from opposing lateral sides of individual of the pillars selectively relative to the transistor material of the individual pillars. The individual pillars are formed to comprise a first capacitor electrode that is in void space formed from the laterally recessing. Capacitors are formed that individually comprise the first capacitor electrode of the individual pillars. A capacitor insulator is aside the first capacitor electrode of the individual pillars and a second capacitor electrode is laterally-outward of the capacitor insulator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Marcello Mariani, Giorgio Servalli
  • Patent number: 11706927
    Abstract: Some embodiments include an integrated assembly having pillars arranged in an array. The pillars have channel regions between upper and lower source/drain regions. Gating structures are proximate to the channel regions and extend along a row direction. Digit lines are beneath the pillars, extend along a column direction, and are coupled with the lower source/drain regions. Linear structures are above the pillars and extend along the column direction. Bottom electrodes are coupled with the upper source/drain regions. The bottom electrodes have horizontal segments adjacent the upper source/drain regions and have vertical segments extending upwardly from the horizontal segments. The vertical segments are adjacent to lateral sides of the linear structures. Ferroelectric-insulative-material and top-electrode-material are over the bottom electrodes. A slit passes through the top-electrode-material, is directly over one of the linear structures, and extends along the column direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Giorgio Servalli, Marcello Mariani
  • Publication number: 20230215947
    Abstract: Some embodiments include an integrated assembly having first and second pillars of semiconductor material laterally offset from one another. The pillars have source/drain regions and channel regions vertically offset from the source/drain regions. Gating structures pass across the channel regions, and extend along a first direction. An insulative structure is over regions of the first and second pillars, and extends along a second direction which is crosses the first direction. Bottom electrodes are coupled with the source/drain regions. Leaker-device-structures extend upwardly from the bottom electrodes. Ferroelectric-insulative-material is laterally adjacent to the leaker-device-structures and over the regions of the bottom electrodes. Top-electrode-material is over the ferroelectric-insulative-material and is directly against the leaker-device-structures. Some embodiments include methods of forming integrated assemblies.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2023
    Publication date: July 6, 2023
    Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Marcello Mariani, Giorgio Servalli
  • Patent number: 11695072
    Abstract: Some embodiments include an integrated assembly having first and second pillars of semiconductor material laterally offset from one another. The pillars have source/drain regions and channel regions vertically offset from the source/drain regions. Gating structures pass across the channel regions, and extend along a first direction. An insulative structure is over regions of the first and second pillars, and extends along a second direction which is crosses the first direction. Bottom electrodes are coupled with the source/drain regions. Leaker-device-structures extend upwardly from the bottom electrodes. Ferroelectric-insulative-material is laterally adjacent to the leaker-device-structures and over the regions of the bottom electrodes. Top-electrode-material is over the ferroelectric-insulative-material and is directly against the leaker-device-structures. Some embodiments include methods of forming integrated assemblies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Marcello Mariani, Giorgio Servalli
  • Patent number: 11694932
    Abstract: A method used in forming an array of vertical transistors comprises forming laterally-spaced vertical projections that project upwardly from a substrate in a vertical cross-section. The vertical projections individually comprise an upper source/drain region, a lower source/drain region, and a channel region vertically there-between. First gate insulator material is formed along opposing sidewalls of the channel region in the vertical cross-section. One of (a) or (b) is formed over opposing sidewalls of the first gate insulator material in the vertical cross-section, where (a): conductive gate lines that are horizontally elongated through the vertical cross-section; and (b): sacrificial placeholder gate lines that are horizontally elongated through the vertical cross-section. The one of the (a) or the (b) laterally overlaps the upper source/drain region and the lower source/drain region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Marcello Calabrese, Antonino Rigano, Marcello Mariani
  • Publication number: 20230206959
    Abstract: Some embodiments include an integrated assembly having digit lines supported by a base and extending along a first direction. A shield-connection-line is supported by the base and extends along the first direction. Transistor active regions are over the digit lines. Each of the active regions includes a channel region between an upper source/drain region and a lower source/drain region. The lower source/drain regions are coupled with the digit lines. Capacitors are coupled with the upper source/drain regions. Wordlines extend along a second direction which crosses the first direction. The wordlines include gate regions adjacent the channel regions. Shield lines extend along the second direction. The shield lines are above the digit lines and are coupled with the shield-connection-line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2023
    Publication date: June 29, 2023
    Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Marcello Mariani, Antonino Rigano
  • Publication number: 20230200048
    Abstract: Implementations described herein relate to various structures, integrated assemblies, and memory devices. In some implementations, an integrated assembly includes a pillar having an upper source/drain, a middle source/drain, a lower source/drain, an upper channel between the upper source/drain and the middle source/drain, and a lower channel between the middle source/drain and the lower source/drain. The integrated assembly includes a gate pair that includes a first gate and a second gate. The first gate is positioned on a first side of the pillar at a first height, and the second gate is positioned on a second side of the pillar, that is opposite the first side, at a second height that is different from the first height. The integrated assembly includes a capacitor that is electrically coupled with the upper source/drain. Some implementations include methods of forming the various structures, integrated assemblies, and memory devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2021
    Publication date: June 22, 2023
    Inventors: Giorgio Servalli, Marcello Mariani, Antonino Rigano, Marcello Calabrese
  • Patent number: 11672128
    Abstract: Some embodiments include an integrated assembly having a row of conductive posts. The conductive posts are spaced from one another by gaps. Leaker device material extends is within at least some of the gaps. An insulative material is along sidewalls of the conductive posts. A conductive structure is over the conductive posts. The conductive structure has downward projections extending into at least some of the gaps. The leaker device material is configured as segments along sides of the downward projections and extends from the sides to one or more of the conductive posts. Some embodiments include methods of forming integrated assemblies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Marcello Mariani, Giorgio Servalli
  • Patent number: 11636882
    Abstract: Some embodiments include an integrated assembly having digit lines supported by a base and extending along a first direction. A shield-connection-line is supported by the base and extends along the first direction. Transistor active regions are over the digit lines. Each of the active regions includes a channel region between an upper source/drain region and a lower source/drain region. The lower source/drain regions are coupled with the digit lines. Capacitors are coupled with the upper source/drain regions. Wordlines extend along a second direction which crosses the first direction. The wordlines include gate regions adjacent the channel regions. Shield lines extend along the second direction. The shield lines are above the digit lines and are coupled with the shield-connection-line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2023
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Marcello Mariani, Antonino Rigano