Patents by Inventor Matthew N. Rocklein

Matthew N. Rocklein 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: 20220344451
    Abstract: Some embodiments include dielectric material having a first region containing HfO and having a second region containing ZrO, where the chemical formulas indicate primary constituents rather than specific stoichiometries. The first region contains substantially no Zr, and the second region contains substantially no Hf. Some embodiments include capacitors having a first electrode, a second electrode, and a dielectric material between the first and second electrodes. The dielectric material includes one or more first regions and one or more second regions. The first region(s) contain(s) Hf and substantially no Zr. The second region(s) contain(s) Zr and substantially no Hf. Some embodiments include memory arrays.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2021
    Publication date: October 27, 2022
    Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Beeler, Matthew N. Rocklein, Timothy A. Quick, An-Jen B. Cheng, Sumeet C. Pandey
  • Patent number: 11417661
    Abstract: Some embodiments include an integrated capacitor assembly having a conductive pillar supported by a base, with the conductive pillar being included within a first electrode of a capacitor. The conductive pillar has a first upper surface. A dielectric liner is along an outer surface of the conductive pillar and has a second upper surface. A conductive liner is along the dielectric liner and is included within a second electrode of the capacitor. The conductive liner has a third upper surface. One of the first and third upper surfaces is above the other of the first and third upper surfaces. The second upper surface is at least as high above the base as said one of the first and third upper surfaces. Some embodiments include memory arrays having capacitors with pillar-type first electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Gurtej S. Sandhu, Matthew N. Rocklein, Brett W. Busch
  • Publication number: 20220238532
    Abstract: A DRAM capacitor may include a first capacitor electrode, a capacitor dielectric adjacent to the first capacitor electrode, and a second capacitor electrode adjacent to the capacitor dielectric. The first capacitor electrode may include a lower portion, an upper portion, and a step transition between the lower portion and the upper portion, a width of the upper portion of the first capacitor electrode at the step transition is less than a width of the lower portion of the first capacitor electrode at the step transition. Semiconductor devices, systems, and methods are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2022
    Publication date: July 28, 2022
    Inventors: Devesh Dadhich Shreeram, Kangle Li, Matthew N. Rocklein, Wei Ching Huang, Ping-Cheng Hsu, Sevim Korkmaz, Sanjeev Sapra, An-Jen B. Cheng
  • Publication number: 20220208767
    Abstract: A DRAM capacitor comprising a first capacitor electrode configured as a container and comprising a doped titanium nitride material, a capacitor dielectric on the first capacitor electrode, and a second capacitor electrode on the capacitor dielectric. Methods of forming the DRAM capacitor are also disclosed, as are semiconductor devices and systems comprising such DRAM capacitors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2022
    Publication date: June 30, 2022
    Inventors: Matthew N. Rocklein, Paul A. Paduano, Sanket S. Kelkar, Christopher W. Petz, Zhe Song, Vassil Antonov, Qian Tao
  • Publication number: 20220102630
    Abstract: Semiconductor memory devices, resistive memory devices, memory cell structures, and methods of forming a resistive memory cell are provided. One example method of a resistive memory cell can include a number of dielectric regions formed between two electrodes, and a barrier dielectric region formed between each of the dielectric regions. The barrier dielectric region serves to reduce an oxygen diffusion rate associated with the dielectric regions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2021
    Publication date: March 31, 2022
    Inventors: Matthew N. Rocklein, D.V. Nirmal Ramaswamy
  • Patent number: 11289487
    Abstract: A DRAM capacitor comprising a first capacitor electrode configured as a container and comprising a doped titanium nitride material, a capacitor dielectric on the first capacitor electrode, and a second capacitor electrode on the capacitor dielectric. Methods of forming the DRAM capacitor are also disclosed, as are semiconductor devices and systems comprising such DRAM capacitors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew N. Rocklein, Paul A. Paduano, Sanket S. Kelkar, Christopher W. Petz, Zhe Song, Vassil Antonov, Qian Tao
  • Patent number: 11251261
    Abstract: Methods, apparatuses, and systems related to forming a barrier material on an electrode are described. An example method includes forming a top electrode of a storage node on a dielectric material in a semiconductor fabrication sequence and forming, in-situ in a semiconductor fabrication apparatus, a barrier material on the top electrode to reduce damage to the dielectric material when ex-situ of the semiconductor fabrication apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Sanket S Kelkar, An-Jen B. Cheng, Dojun Kim, Christopher W. Petz, Matthew N. Rocklein, Brenda D. Kraus
  • Publication number: 20220028968
    Abstract: Methods, apparatuses, and systems related to forming a barrier material between an electrode and a dielectric material are described. An example method includes forming a dielectric material on a bottom electrode material of a storage node in a semiconductor fabrication process. The method further includes forming a barrier material on the dielectric material to reduce oxygen vacancies in the dielectric material. The method further includes forming a top electrode on the barrier material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2021
    Publication date: January 27, 2022
    Inventors: Sanket S. Kelkar, Christopher W. Petz, Dojun Kim, Matthew N. Rocklein, Brenda D. Kraus
  • Patent number: 11201286
    Abstract: Semiconductor memory devices, resistive memory devices, memory cell structures, and methods of forming a resistive memory cell are provided. One example method of a resistive memory cell can include a number of dielectric regions formed between two electrodes, and a barrier dielectric region formed between each of the dielectric regions. The barrier dielectric region serves to reduce an oxygen diffusion rate associated with the dielectric regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew N. Rocklein, D. V. Nirmal Ramaswamy
  • Patent number: 11145710
    Abstract: Methods, apparatuses, and systems related to forming a barrier material between an electrode and a dielectric material are described. An example method includes forming a dielectric material on a bottom electrode material of a storage node in a semiconductor fabrication process. The method further includes forming a barrier material on the dielectric material to reduce oxygen vacancies in the dielectric material. The method further includes forming a top electrode on the barrier material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Sanket S. Kelkar, Christopher W. Petz, Dojun Kim, Matthew N. Rocklein, Brenda D. Kraus
  • Publication number: 20210313339
    Abstract: A method of forming a ferroelectric memory cell. The method comprises forming an electrode material exhibiting a desired dominant crystallographic orientation. A hafnium-based material is formed over the electrode material and the hafnium-based material is crystallized to induce formation of a ferroelectric material having a desired crystallographic orientation. Additional methods are also described, as are semiconductor device structures including the ferroelectric material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2021
    Publication date: October 7, 2021
    Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Qian Tao, Matthew N. Rocklein, Beth R. Cook, Durai Vishak Nirmal Ramaswamy
  • Patent number: 11139256
    Abstract: Systems, apparatus, and methods related to tamper-resistant integrated circuits are described. The tamper-resistant integrated circuits include tamper-resistant features including a tamper-resistant material formulated or configured to exhibit a change in at least one electrical property responsive to exposure to oxygen, electromagnetic radiation, or other environmental conditions. Data located within the integrated circuit may be erased, or at least a portion of the integrated circuit may be destroyed, responsive to a change in the at least one electrical property. In some examples, one or more electrical properties of a tamper-resistant feature may be measured. A change in an electrical property may be an indication that the associated integrated circuit has been tampered with.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2021
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Diana C. Majerus, Scott D. Van De Graaff, Matthew N. Rocklein
  • Patent number: 11043502
    Abstract: A method of forming a ferroelectric memory cell. The method comprises forming an electrode material exhibiting a desired dominant crystallographic orientation. A hafnium-based material is formed over the electrode material and the hafnium-based material is crystallized to induce formation of a ferroelectric material having a desired crystallographic orientation. Additional methods are also described, as are semiconductor device structures including the ferroelectric material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2021
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Qian Tao, Matthew N. Rocklein, Beth R. Cook, Durai Vishak Nirmal Ramaswamy
  • Patent number: 10985239
    Abstract: Methods, apparatuses, and systems related to trim a semiconductor structure using oxygen are described. An example method includes forming a support structure for a semiconductor structure having a first silicate material on a working surface. The method further includes forming a first nitride material on the first silicate material. The method further includes forming a second silicate material on the first nitride material. The method further includes forming a second nitride material on the second silicate material. The method further includes forming an opening through the semiconductor structure. The method further includes depositing an electrode material within the opening. The method further includes removing portions of the support structure. The method further includes performing a controlled oxidative trim to an upper portion of the electrode material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2021
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew N. Rocklein, An-Jen B. Cheng, Fredrick D. Fishburn, Sevim Korkmaz, Paul A. Paduano
  • Patent number: 10964536
    Abstract: Methods, apparatuses, and systems related to formation of an atomic layer of germanium (Ge) on a substrate material are described. An example method includes introducing, into a semiconductor processing chamber housing a substrate material having a high aspect ratio, a reducing agent, and introducing, into the semiconductor processing chamber, a germanium amidinate precursor. The example method further includes forming an atomic layer of germanium on the substrate material resulting from a reaction of the reducing agent and the germanium amidinate precursor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Francois H. Fabreguette, Paul A. Paduano, Gurtej S. Sandhu, John A. Smythe, III, Matthew N. Rocklein
  • Publication number: 20210057357
    Abstract: Systems, apparatus, and methods related to tamper-resistant integrated circuits are described. The tamper-resistant integrated circuits include tamper-resistant features including a tamper-resistant material formulated or configured to exhibit a change in at least one electrical property responsive to exposure to oxygen, electromagnetic radiation, or other environmental conditions. Data located within the integrated circuit may be erased, or at least a portion of the integrated circuit may be destroyed, responsive to a change in the at least one electrical property. In some examples, one or more electrical properties of a tamper-resistant feature may be measured. A change in an electrical property may be an indication that the associated integrated circuit has been tampered with.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2019
    Publication date: February 25, 2021
    Inventors: Diana C. Majerus, Scott D. Van De Graaff, Matthew N. Rocklein
  • Publication number: 20210050409
    Abstract: Methods, apparatuses, and systems related to trim a semiconductor structure using oxygen are described. An example method includes forming a support structure for a semiconductor structure having a first silicate material on a working surface. The method further includes forming a first nitride material on the first silicate material. The method further includes forming a second silicate material on the first nitride material. The method further includes forming a second nitride material on the second silicate material. The method further includes forming an opening through the semiconductor structure. The method further includes depositing an electrode material within the opening. The method further includes removing portions of the support structure. The method further includes performing a controlled oxidative trim to an upper portion of the electrode material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2019
    Publication date: February 18, 2021
    Inventors: Matthew N. Rocklein, An-Jen B. Cheng, Fredrick D. Fishburn, Sevim Korkmaz, Paul A. Paduano
  • Publication number: 20210013318
    Abstract: Apparatuses, methods, and systems related to electrode formation are described. A first portion of a top electrode is formed over a dielectric material of a storage node. A metal oxide is formed over the first portion of the electrode. A second portion of the electrode is formed over the metal oxide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2019
    Publication date: January 14, 2021
    Inventors: An-Jen B. Cheng, Brenda D. Kraus, Sanket S. Kelkar, Matthew N. Rocklein, Christopher W. Petz, Richard Beeler, Dojun Kim
  • Publication number: 20200365684
    Abstract: Methods, apparatuses, and systems related to forming a barrier material on an electrode are described. An example method includes forming a top electrode of a storage node on a dielectric material in a semiconductor fabrication sequence and forming, in-situ in a semiconductor fabrication apparatus, a barrier material on the top electrode to reduce damage to the dielectric material when ex-situ of the semiconductor fabrication apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2019
    Publication date: November 19, 2020
    Inventors: Sanket S Kelkar, An-Jen B. Cheng, Dojun Kim, Christopher W. Petz, Matthew N. Rocklein, Brenda D. Kraus
  • Patent number: 10811419
    Abstract: Methods, apparatuses, and systems related to shaping a storage node material are described. An example method includes forming a pillar with a pattern of materials. The method further includes depositing a storage node material on a side of the pillar. The method further includes etching sacrificial materials within the pillar. The method further includes etching the storage node material in a direction from the pillar into the storage node.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Devesh Dadhich Shreeram, Sanket S. Kelkar, Gurpreet S. Lugani, Paul A. Paduano, Matthew N. Rocklein, Sanjeev Sapra, Christopher W. Petz