Patents by Inventor Masumi Saitoh

Masumi Saitoh 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: 11929352
    Abstract: A semiconductor memory device includes a memory chip. The memory chip includes a first region including a plurality of first memory cells and second memory cells, a second region different from the first region, a plurality of first word lines stacked apart from each other in a first direction in the first and second regions, a first pillar including a first semiconductor layer extending through the first word lines, and a first insulator layer provided between the first semiconductor layer and the first word lines, in the first region, the first memory cells being located at intersections of the first pillar with the first word lines, a first bonding pad in the second region, and a first transistor between the first word lines and the first bonding pad, and connected between one of the first word lines and the first bonding pad, in the second region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignee: Kioxia Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroshi Maejima, Toshifumi Hashimoto, Takashi Maeda, Masumi Saitoh, Tetsuaki Utsumi
  • Patent number: 11776632
    Abstract: A semiconductor memory device includes a semiconductor layer, a gate electrode, a gate insulating film disposed therebetween, first and second wirings connected to the semiconductor layer, and a third wiring connected to the gate electrode and is configured to execute a write operation, an erase operation, and a read operation. In the write operation, a write voltage of a first polarity is supplied between the third wiring and at least one of the first wiring or the second wiring. In the erase operation, an erase voltage of a second polarity is supplied between the third wiring and at least one of the first wiring or the second wiring. In the read operation, the write voltage or a voltage having a larger amplitude than that of the write voltage is supplied between the third wiring and at least one of the first wiring or the second wiring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: Kioxia Corporation
    Inventors: Reika Tanaka, Masumi Saitoh
  • Patent number: 11737281
    Abstract: A semiconductor memory device according to an embodiment includes: a semiconductor layer extending in a first direction; a first gate electrode layer; a first insulating layer between the semiconductor layer and the first gate electrode layer; a second insulating layer between the first insulating layer and the first gate electrode layer, the second insulating layer having a first portion containing a ferroelectric material; and a first layer between the first insulating layer and the second insulating layer, the first layer containing silicon, nitrogen, and fluorine, the first layer having a first region and a second region between the first region and the second insulating layer, the first layer having a second atomic ratio of nitrogen to silicon in the second region higher than a first atomic ratio of nitrogen to silicon in the first region, and the first layer having fluorine concentration higher than the second region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: Kioxia Corporation
    Inventors: Harumi Seki, Kensuke Ota, Masumi Saitoh
  • Patent number: 11723211
    Abstract: A semiconductor memory device of an embodiment includes a first gate electrode layer and a second gate electrode layer extending parallel to each other, a semiconductor layer between the first and the second gate electrode layer intersecting with the first and the second gate electrodes, and a dielectric layer surrounding the semiconductor layer, the dielectric layer containing oxygen and one of hafnium oxide or zirconium, the dielectric layer including a first region containing crystal of orthorhombic or trigonal as a main component between the first gate electrode layer and the semiconductor layer, a second region containing crystal of orthorhombic or trigonal as a main component between the second gate electrode layer and the semiconductor layer, and a third region containing a substance other than crystal of orthorhombic or trigonal as a main component between the first region and the second region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: Kioxia Corporation
    Inventors: Harumi Seki, Masumi Saitoh
  • Patent number: 11715534
    Abstract: A semiconductor storage device includes a memory cell array including a plurality of memory strings, each connected between one of a plurality of bit lines and a source line and includes a first select transistor, a second select transistor, and memory cell transistors that are connected in series between the first select transistor and the second select transistor, and a plurality of word lines respectively connected to gates of the memory cell transistors in each memory string. A threshold voltage of the memory cell transistor is increased when a voltage that is applied to the word line connected to the gate thereof is lower than a voltage of a channel thereof. In the erase operation, data stored in the memory cell transistors connected to a selected one of the word lines are erased while data stored in the memory cell transistors not connected to the selected word line are not erased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2023
    Assignee: Kioxia Corporation
    Inventors: Rieko Funatsuki, Takashi Maeda, Reiko Sumi, Reika Tanaka, Masumi Saitoh
  • Patent number: 11672129
    Abstract: A memory device according to an embodiment includes a first conductive layer; a second conductive layer; a ferroelectric layer provided between the first conductive layer and the second conductive layer and containing hafnium oxide; a paraelectric layer provided between the first conductive layer and the ferroelectric layer and containing a first oxide; and an oxide layer provided between the paraelectric layer and the ferroelectric layer and containing a second oxide having an oxygen area density lower than an oxygen area density of the first oxide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: Kioxia Corporation
    Inventors: Shoichi Kabuyanagi, Yuuichi Kamimuta, Masumi Saitoh, Marina Yamaguchi
  • Patent number: 11605647
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a semiconductor memory device includes a ferroelectric layer and a first semiconductor layer. The first semiconductor layer is electrically connected to a first electrode and a second electrode and includes an n-type oxide semiconductor. A third electrode is opposite the first semiconductor layer. The ferroelectric layer is between the third electrode and the first semiconductor layer. A second semiconductor layer includes at least one of a Group IV semiconductor material or a p-type oxide semiconductor material. The first semiconductor layer is between the ferroelectric layer and the second semiconductor layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Assignee: Kioxia Corporation
    Inventors: Yusuke Tanaka, Masumi Saitoh, Kensuke Ota
  • Publication number: 20230074030
    Abstract: A semiconductor memory device includes a memory chip. The memory chip includes a first region including a plurality of first memory cells and second memory cells, a second region different from the first region, a plurality of first word lines stacked apart from each other in a first direction in the first and second regions, a first pillar including a first semiconductor layer extending through the first word lines, and a first insulator layer provided between the first semiconductor layer and the first word lines, in the first region, the first memory cells being located at intersections of the first pillar with the first word lines, a first bonding pad in the second region, and a first transistor between the first word lines and the first bonding pad, and connected between one of the first word lines and the first bonding pad, in the second region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2022
    Publication date: March 9, 2023
    Inventors: Hiroshi MAEJIMA, Toshifumi HASHIMOTO, Takashi MAEDA, Masumi SAITOH, Tetsuaki UTSUMI
  • Patent number: 11538791
    Abstract: A semiconductor memory device includes a memory chip. The memory chip includes a first region including a plurality of first memory cells and second memory cells, a second region different from the first region, a plurality of first word lines stacked apart from each other in a first direction in the first and second regions, a first pillar including a first semiconductor layer extending through the first word lines, and a first insulator layer provided between the first semiconductor layer and the first word lines, in the first region, the first memory cells being located at intersections of the first pillar with the first word lines, a first bonding pad in the second region, and a first transistor between the first word lines and the first bonding pad, and connected between one of the first word lines and the first bonding pad, in the second region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Assignee: KIOXIA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiroshi Maejima, Toshifumi Hashimoto, Takashi Maeda, Masumi Saitoh, Tetsuaki Utsumi
  • Publication number: 20220406796
    Abstract: A semiconductor memory device according to an embodiment includes: a semiconductor layer extending in a first direction; a first gate electrode layer; a first insulating layer between the semiconductor layer and the first gate electrode layer; a second insulating layer between the first insulating layer and the first gate electrode layer, the second insulating layer having a first portion containing a ferroelectric material; and a first layer between the first insulating layer and the second insulating layer, the first layer containing silicon, nitrogen, and fluorine, the first layer having a first region and a second region between the first region and the second insulating layer, the first layer having a second atomic ratio of nitrogen to silicon in the second region higher than a first atomic ratio of nitrogen to silicon in the first region, and the first layer having fluorine concentration higher than the second region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2021
    Publication date: December 22, 2022
    Applicant: Kioxia Corporation
    Inventors: Harumi SEKI, Kensuke OTA, Masumi SAITOH
  • Patent number: 11514970
    Abstract: A memory device according to an embodiment includes first and second interconnects, memory cells, and a control circuit. In a first process, the control circuit applies a write voltage of a first direction to a memory cell coupled to selected first and second interconnects, and applies a write voltage of a second direction to a memory cell coupled to the selected first interconnect and a non-selected second interconnect. In second processes of first to m-th trial processes, the control circuit applies the write voltage of the second direction to the memory cell coupled to the selected first and second interconnects, and omits a write operation in which the memory cell coupled to the selected first interconnect and the non-selected second interconnect is targeted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: Kioxia Corporation
    Inventors: Marina Yamaguchi, Kensuke Ota, Kazuhiko Yamamoto, Masumi Saitoh
  • Publication number: 20220310170
    Abstract: A semiconductor memory device includes a semiconductor layer, a gate electrode, a gate insulating film disposed therebetween, first and second wirings connected to the semiconductor layer, and a third wiring connected to the gate electrode and is configured to execute a write operation, an erase operation, and a read operation. In the write operation, a write voltage of a first polarity is supplied between the third wiring and at least one of the first wiring or the second wiring. In the erase operation, an erase voltage of a second polarity is supplied between the third wiring and at least one of the first wiring or the second wiring. In the read operation, the write voltage or a voltage having a larger amplitude than that of the write voltage is supplied between the third wiring and at least one of the first wiring or the second wiring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2021
    Publication date: September 29, 2022
    Applicant: Kioxia Corporation
    Inventors: Reika TANAKA, Masumi SAITOH
  • Publication number: 20220302169
    Abstract: A semiconductor storage device includes a channel layer extending along a first direction and including titanium oxide, an electrode layer extending along a second direction crossing the first direction, and a ferroelectric layer between the channel layer and the electrode layer and including titanium.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2021
    Publication date: September 22, 2022
    Inventors: Keisuke TAKAGI, Kazuhiro MATSUO, Kunifumi SUZUKI, Yuuichi KAMIMUTA, Taro SHIOKAWA, Masumi SAITOH, Yuta KAMIYA, Kota TAKAHASHI
  • Publication number: 20220301643
    Abstract: A semiconductor storage device includes a memory cell array including a plurality of memory strings, each connected between one of a plurality of bit lines and a source line and includes a first select transistor, a second select transistor, and memory cell transistors that are connected in series between the first select transistor and the second select transistor, and a plurality of word lines respectively connected to gates of the memory cell transistors in each memory string. A threshold voltage of the memory cell transistor is increased when a voltage that is applied to the word line connected to the gate thereof is lower than a voltage of a channel thereof. In the erase operation, data stored in the memory cell transistors connected to a selected one of the word lines are erased while data stored in the memory cell transistors not connected to the selected word line are not erased.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2021
    Publication date: September 22, 2022
    Inventors: Rieko FUNATSUKI, Takashi MAEDA, Reiko SUMI, Reika TANAKA, Masumi SAITOH
  • Patent number: 11430500
    Abstract: A semiconductor storage device includes a plurality of gate electrodes, a semiconductor layer facing the plurality of gate electrodes, a gate insulating layer arranged between each of the plurality of gate electrodes and the semiconductor layer. The gate insulating layer contains oxygen (O) and hafnium (Hf) and has an orthorhombic crystal structure. A plurality of first wirings is connected to the respective gate electrodes. A controller is configured to execute a write sequence and an erasing sequence by applying certain voltages to at least one of the first wirings. The controller is further configured to increase either a program voltage to be applied to the first wirings in the write sequence or an application time of the program voltage in the write sequence after a total number of executions of the write sequence or the erasing sequence has reached a particular number.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignee: KIOXIA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Haruka Sakuma, Kiwamu Sakuma, Masumi Saitoh
  • Publication number: 20220262422
    Abstract: A memory device according to an embodiment includes first and second interconnects, memory cells, and a control circuit. In a first process, the control circuit applies a write voltage of a first direction to a memory cell coupled to selected first and second interconnects, and applies a write voltage of a second direction to a memory cell coupled to the selected first interconnect and a non-selected second interconnect. In second processes of first to m-th trial processes, the control circuit applies the write voltage of the second direction to the memory cell coupled to the selected first and second interconnects, and omits a write operation in which the memory cell coupled to the selected first interconnect and the non-selected second interconnect is targeted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2021
    Publication date: August 18, 2022
    Applicant: Kioxia Corporation
    Inventors: Marina YAMAGUCHI, Kensuke OTA, Kazuhiko YAMAMOTO, Masumi SAITOH
  • Patent number: 11398487
    Abstract: A storage device of an embodiment includes a first conductive layer; a second conductive layer; a fluid layer between the first conductive layer and the second conductive layer; particles in the fluid layer; a first control electrode between the first conductive layer and the second conductive layer; a first insulating layer between the first conductive layer and the first control electrode surrounding the fluid layer; and a second insulating layer between the first control electrode and the second conductive layer surrounding the fluid layer. In this storage device, a first cross-sectional area of the fluid layer in a first cross-section perpendicular to a first direction is smaller than a second cross-sectional area of the fluid layer in a second cross-section perpendicular to the first direction. The first cross-section includes the first control electrode, and the second cross-section includes the second insulating layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2022
    Assignee: KIOXIA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Daisuke Matsubayashi, Masumi Saitoh
  • Publication number: 20220093149
    Abstract: A semiconductor storage device includes a plurality of gate electrodes, a semiconductor layer facing the plurality of gate electrodes, a gate insulating layer arranged between each of the plurality of gate electrodes and the semiconductor layer. The gate insulating layer contains oxygen (O) and hafnium (Hf) and has an orthorhombic crystal structure. A plurality of first wirings is connected to the respective gate electrodes. A controller is configured to execute a write sequence and an erasing sequence by applying certain voltages to at least one of the first wirings. The controller is further configured to increase either a program voltage to be applied to the first wirings in the write sequence or an application time of the program voltage in the write sequence after a total number of executions of the write sequence or the erasing sequence has reached a particular number.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2021
    Publication date: March 24, 2022
    Inventors: Haruka SAKUMA, Kiwamu SAKUMA, Masumi SAITOH
  • Publication number: 20220093615
    Abstract: A semiconductor memory device of an embodiment includes a first gate electrode layer and a second gate electrode layer extending parallel to each other, a semiconductor layer between the first and the second gate electrode layer intersecting with the first and the second gate electrodes, and a dielectric layer surrounding the semiconductor layer, the dielectric layer containing oxygen and one of hafnium oxide or zirconium, the dielectric layer including a first region containing crystal of orthorhombic or trigonal as a main component between the first gate electrode layer and the semiconductor layer, a second region containing crystal of orthorhombic or trigonal as a main component between the second gate electrode layer and the semiconductor layer, and a third region containing a substance other than crystal of orthorhombic or trigonal as a main component between the first region and the second region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2021
    Publication date: March 24, 2022
    Applicant: Kioxia Corporation
    Inventors: Harumi SEKI, Masumi SAITOH
  • Publication number: 20220093152
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a memory device includes: a third layer between first and a second layers above a substrate; a pillar being adjacent to the first to third layers and including a ferroelectric layer; a memory cell between the third layer and the pillar; and a circuit which executes a first operation for a programming, a second operation for an erasing using a first voltage, and a third operation of applying a second voltage between the third layer and the pillar. The first voltage has a first potential difference, the second voltage has a second potential difference smaller than the first potential difference. A potential of the third conductive layer is lower than a potential of the pillar in each of the first and second voltages. The third operation is executed between the first operation and the second operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2021
    Publication date: March 24, 2022
    Applicant: Kioxia Corporation
    Inventors: Reika TANAKA, Masumi SAITOH, Takashi MAEDA, Rieko FUNATSUKI, Hidehiro SHIGA