Patents by Inventor Masaaki Higashitani

Masaaki Higashitani 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: 20250091350
    Abstract: An inkjet recording apparatus includes a processing liquid head ejecting a processing liquid, an ink head ejecting an ink, a processing liquid wiper wiping the processing liquid head, an ink wiper wiping the ink head, and an ink container including a first opening receiving the ink. A movement range of the processing liquid wiper during the wiping is set to a position without a region directly above the first opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2022
    Publication date: March 20, 2025
    Inventors: Hiroatsu TAMAI, Masaaki MARUTA, Daisuke ETO, Masahiro HIGASHITANI, Tomoya HOTANI
  • Patent number: 12245425
    Abstract: A three-dimensional memory device containing a plurality of levels of memory elements includes a memory film containing a layer stack that includes a resonant tunneling barrier stack, a semiconductor barrier layer, and a memory material layer located between the resonant tunneling barrier stack and the semiconductor barrier layer, a semiconductor channel, and a control gate electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2025
    Assignee: Sandisk Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter Rabkin, Masaaki Higashitani
  • Patent number: 12219756
    Abstract: A memory device includes at least one instance of a unit layer stack including a source layer, a channel-containing layer that contains a semiconductor channel, and a drain layer that are stacked along a vertical direction over a substrate; a memory opening vertically extending through the at least one instance of the unit layer stack; and a memory opening fill structure located in the memory opening and including a control gate electrode and a memory film in contact with each instance of the semiconductor channel. The memory film includes a resonant tunneling barrier stack, a barrier layer, and a memory material layer located between the resonant tunneling barrier stack and the barrier layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2025
    Assignee: SANDISK TECHNOLOGIES LLC
    Inventors: Peter Rabkin, Masaaki Higashitani
  • Patent number: 12217965
    Abstract: A method of depositing a metal includes providing a structure a process chamber, and providing a metal fluoride gas and a growth-suppressant gas into the process chamber to deposit the metal over the structure. The metal may comprise a word line or another conductor of a three-dimensional memory device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2025
    Assignee: SANDISK TECHNOLOGIES LLC
    Inventors: Fei Zhou, Rahul Sharangpani, Raghuveer S. Makala, Yujin Terasawa, Naoki Takeguchi, Kensuke Yamaguchi, Masaaki Higashitani
  • Patent number: 12207459
    Abstract: A bonded assembly includes a backside peripheral circuit, a memory die and a first logic die. The memory die includes a doped semiconductor material layer, a three-dimensional memory array, and memory-side metal interconnect structures and first memory-side bonding pads embedded in memory-side dielectric material layers. The first logic die includes a logic-side peripheral circuit including a first subset of logic devices configured to control operation of the three-dimensional memory array, logic-side dielectric material layers, and logic-side metal interconnect structures and first logic-side bonding pads that are bonded to a respective one of the first memory-side bonding pads. The backside peripheral circuit includes a second subset of the logic devices located on a second side of the doped semiconductor material layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2025
    Assignee: SANDISK TECHNOLOGIES LLC
    Inventors: Yuki Mizutani, Fumiaki Toyama, Masaaki Higashitani
  • Patent number: 12176203
    Abstract: A method of depositing a metal includes providing a structure a process chamber, and providing a metal fluoride gas and a growth-suppressant gas into the process chamber to deposit the metal over the structure. The metal may comprise a word line or another conductor of a three-dimensional memory device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2024
    Assignee: SANDISK TECHNOLOGIES LLC
    Inventors: Fei Zhou, Rahul Sharangpani, Raghuveer S. Makala, Yujin Terasawa, Naoki Takeguchi, Kensuke Yamaguchi, Masaaki Higashitani
  • Publication number: 20240387295
    Abstract: To provide more test data during the manufacture of non-volatile memories and other integrated circuits, machine learning is used to generate virtual test values. Virtual test results are interpolated for one set of tests for devices on which the test is not performed based on correlations with other sets of tests.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2024
    Publication date: November 21, 2024
    Applicant: Sandisk Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Tsuyoshi Sendoda, Yusuke Ikawa, Nagarjuna Asam, Yoshihiro Suzumura, Kei Samura, Masaaki Higashitani
  • Patent number: 12148478
    Abstract: A non-volatile memory system comprises a plurality of non-volatile memory cells divided into three or more tiers. The memory cells can be programmed, erased and read. In order to achieve uniform erase speed for the three or more tiers, the erase process comprises applying a larger voltage bias to control gates of non-volatile memory cells in the outer tiers than the voltage bias applied to control gates of non-volatile memory cells in one or more inner tiers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2024
    Assignee: SanDisk Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Xiang Yang, Masaaki Higashitani, Abhijith Prakash, Dengtao Zhao
  • Patent number: 12135542
    Abstract: To provide more test data during the manufacture of non-volatile memories and other integrated circuits, machine learning is used to generate virtual test values. Virtual test results are interpolated for one set of tests for devices on which the test is not performed based on correlations with other sets of tests. In one example, machine learning determines a correlation study between bad block values determined at die sort and photo-limited yield (PLY) values determined inline during processing. The correlation can be applied to interpolate virtual inline PLY data for all of the memory dies, allowing for more rapid feedback on the processing parameters for manufacturing the memory dies and making the manufacturing process more efficient and accurate. In another set of embodiments, the machine learning is used to extrapolate limited metrology (e.g., critical dimension) test data to all of the memory die through interpolated virtual metrology data values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2024
    Assignee: SanDisk Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Tsuyoshi Sendoda, Yusuke Ikawa, Nagarjuna Asam, Kei Samura, Masaaki Higashitani
  • Patent number: 12125814
    Abstract: A bonded assembly of a primary semiconductor die and a complementary semiconductor die includes first pairs of first primary bonding pads and first complementary bonding pads that are larger in area than the first primary bonding pads, and second pairs of second primary bonding pads and second complementary bonding pads that are smaller in area than the second primary bonding pads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2024
    Assignee: SANDISK TECHNOLOGIES LLC
    Inventors: Lin Hou, Peter Rabkin, Masaaki Higashitani
  • Patent number: 12127410
    Abstract: A memory device includes a ferroelectric semiconductor channel, a source region contacting a first portion of the ferroelectric semiconductor channel, a drain region located above the source region and contacting a second portion of the ferroelectric semiconductor channel located above the first portion, a word line, and a gate dielectric located between the word line and the ferroelectric semiconductor channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2024
    Assignee: SANDISK TECHNOLOGIES LLC
    Inventors: Peter Rabkin, Masaaki Higashitani
  • Patent number: 12105137
    Abstract: To provide more test data during the manufacture of non-volatile memories and other integrated circuits, machine learning is used to generate virtual test values. Virtual test results are interpolated for one set of tests for devices on which the test is not performed based on correlations with other sets of tests. In one example, machine learning determines a correlation study between bad block values determined at die sort and photo-limited yield (PLY) values determined inline during processing. The correlation can be applied to interpolate virtual inline PLY data for all of the memory dies, allowing for more rapid feedback on the processing parameters for manufacturing the memory dies and making the manufacturing process more efficient and accurate. In another set of embodiments, the machine learning is used to extrapolate limited metrology (e.g., critical dimension) test data to all of the memory die through interpolated virtual metrology data values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2024
    Assignee: SanDisk Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Yusuke Ikawa, Tsuyoshi Sendoda, Kei Samura, Masaaki Higashitani
  • Publication number: 20240206169
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes a vertical stack of repetition units, where each instance of the repetition unit extends along a first horizontal direction and includes a first electrically conductive strip, a first memory film located over the first electrically conductive strip, discrete semiconductor channels that are laterally spaced apart from each other along the first horizontal direction and located above the first memory film, a second memory film located above the discrete semiconductor channels, a second electrically conductive strip located above the second memory film, and an insulating strip located above the first electrically conductive strip.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2023
    Publication date: June 20, 2024
    Inventors: Masaaki HIGASHITANI, Peter RABKIN, Hiroyuki KINOSHITA
  • Publication number: 20240206171
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes a vertical stack of repetition units, where each instance of the repetition unit extends along a first horizontal direction and includes a first electrically conductive strip, a first memory film located over the first electrically conductive strip, discrete semiconductor channels that are laterally spaced apart from each other along the first horizontal direction and located above the first memory film, a second memory film located above the discrete semiconductor channels, a second electrically conductive strip located above the second memory film, and an insulating strip located above the first electrically conductive strip.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2023
    Publication date: June 20, 2024
    Inventors: Masaaki HIGASHITANI, Peter RABKIN, Hiroyuki KINOSHITA, Satoshi SHIMIZU, Yanli ZHANG, Johann ALSMEIER
  • Patent number: 12016179
    Abstract: A memory device includes an alternating stack of insulating layers and control gate layers, a memory opening vertically extending through the alternating stack, and a memory opening fill structure containing a memory film and a vertical semiconductor channel located within the memory opening. The memory film contains a resonant tunneling barrier stack, a semiconductor barrier layer, and a memory material layer located between the resonant tunneling barrier stack and the semiconductor barrier layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2024
    Assignee: SANDISK TECHNOLOGIES LLC
    Inventors: Peter Rabkin, Masaaki Higashitani
  • Patent number: 12009269
    Abstract: To provide more test data during the manufacture of non-volatile memories and other integrated circuits, machine learning is used to generate virtual test values. Virtual test results are interpolated for one set of tests for devices on which the test is not performed based on correlations with other sets of tests. In one example, machine learning determines a correlation study between bad block values determined at die sort and photo-limited yield (PLY) values determined inline during processing. The correlation can be applied to interpolate virtual inline PLY data for all of the memory dies, allowing for more rapid feedback on the processing parameters for manufacturing the memory dies and making the manufacturing process more efficient and accurate. In another set of embodiments, the machine learning is used to extrapolate limited metrology (e.g., critical dimension) test data to all of the memory die through interpolated virtual metrology data values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2024
    Assignee: SanDisk Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Cheng-Chung Chu, Masaaki Higashitani, Yusuke Ikawa, Seyyed Ehsan Esfahani Rashidi, Kei Samura, Tsuyoshi Sendoda, Yanli Zhang
  • Patent number: 12004348
    Abstract: A bonded assembly includes a memory die that is bonded to a logic die. The memory die includes a three-dimensional memory array located on a memory-side substrate, memory-side dielectric material layers located on the three-dimensional memory array and embedding memory-side metal interconnect structures and memory-side bonding pads, a backside peripheral circuit located on a backside surface of the memory-side substrate, and backside dielectric material layers located on a backside of the memory-side substrate and embedding backside metal interconnect structures. The logic die includes a logic-side peripheral circuit located on a logic-side substrate, and logic-side dielectric material layers located between the logic-side substrate and the memory die and embedding logic-side metal interconnect structures and logic-side bonding pads that are bonded to a respective one of the memory-side bonding pads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2024
    Assignee: SANDISK TECHNOLOGIES LLC
    Inventors: Yuki Mizutani, Fumiaki Toyama, Masaaki Higashitani
  • Patent number: 11996153
    Abstract: A memory die includes an alternating stack of insulating layers and electrically conductive layers through which memory opening fill structures vertically extend. The memory die includes at least three memory array regions interlaced with at least two contact regions, or at least three contact regions interlaced with at least two memory array regions in the same memory plane. A logic die including at least two word line driver regions can be bonded to the memory die. The interlacing of the contact regions and the memory array regions can reduce lateral offset of boundaries of the word line driver regions from boundaries of the contact regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2024
    Assignee: SANDISK TECHNOLOGIES LLC
    Inventors: James Kai, Yuki Mizutani, Hisakazu Otoi, Masaaki Higashitani, Hiroyuki Ogawa
  • Publication number: 20240172431
    Abstract: A three-dimensional memory device includes an alternating stack of insulating layers and electrically conductive layers located over a plurality of source layers, where the electrically conductive layers include word lines and source-side select gate electrodes which are located between the plurality of source layers and the word lines in a vertical direction, groups of memory openings vertically extending through the alternating stack, and groups of memory opening fill structures located in the groups of memory openings. The plurality of source layers are laterally spaced apart and electrically isolated from each other, and each respective one of the plurality of source layers contacts at least one respective group of the groups of memory opening fill structures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2024
    Publication date: May 23, 2024
    Inventors: James KAI, Johann ALSMEIER, Lito De La RAMA, Masaaki HIGASHITANI, Koichi MATSUNO, Marika GUNJI-YONEOKA, Makoto KOTO, Hisakazu OTOI, Masanori TSUTSUMI
  • Publication number: 20240127864
    Abstract: A memory device includes a first memory block containing first word lines and a first source layer segment, and a second memory block containing second word lines and a second source layer segment which is electrically isolated from the first source layer segment. The first word lines in the first memory block are electrically connected to the respective second word lines in the second memory block.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2023
    Publication date: April 18, 2024
    Inventors: Masaaki HIGASHITANI, James KAI, Johann ALSMEIER