Patents by Inventor Michael Mutch

Michael Mutch 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: 20240136391
    Abstract: A microelectronic device comprises an access device comprising a source region and a drain region spaced from the source region, an insulative material vertically adjacent to the access device, and a capacitor within the insulative material and in electrical communication with the access device. The capacitor comprises a material comprising silicon oxynitride or titanium silicon nitride over surfaces of the insulative material, a first electrode comprising titanium nitride on the material, a dielectric material over the first electrode, and a second electrode on the dielectric material. Related methods of forming the microelectronic device and an electronic system including the microelectronic devices are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2022
    Publication date: April 25, 2024
    Inventors: Sanket S. Kelkar, Michael Mutch, Luca Fumagalli, Hisham Abdussamad Abbas, Brenda D. Kraus, Dojun Kim, Christopher W. Petz, Darwin Franseda Fan
  • Patent number: 11935574
    Abstract: A memory cell comprises a capacitor comprising a first capacitor electrode having laterally-spaced walls, a second capacitor electrode comprising a portion above the first capacitor electrode, and capacitor insulator material between the second capacitor electrode and the first capacitor electrode. The capacitor comprises an intrinsic current leakage path from one of the first and second capacitor electrodes to the other through the capacitor insulator material. A parallel current leakage path is between the second capacitor electrode and the first capacitor electrode. The parallel current leakage path is circuit-parallel with the intrinsic current leakage path, of lower total resistance than the intrinsic current leakage path, and comprises leaker material that is everywhere laterally-outward of laterally-innermost surfaces of the laterally-spaced walls of the first capacitor electrode. Other embodiments, including methods, are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Mutch, Ashonita A. Chavan, Sameer Chhajed, Beth R. Cook, Kamal Kumar Muthukrishnan, Durai Vishak Nirmal Ramaswamy, Lance Williamson
  • Patent number: 11735416
    Abstract: A method includes forming a first amorphous material, forming a second amorphous material over and in contact with the first material, removing a portion of the second material and the first material to form pillars, and exposing the materials to a temperature between a crystallization temperature of the first material and a crystallization temperature of the second material. The first material and the second material each comprise at least one element selected from the group consisting of silicon and germanium. The second material exhibits a crystallization temperature different than a crystallization temperature of the first material. Semiconductor structures, memory devices, and systems are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Ashonita A. Chavan, Durai Vishak Nirmal Ramaswamy, Michael Mutch, Sameer Chhajed
  • Patent number: 11728387
    Abstract: A method of forming a semiconductor structure includes forming a first material over a base material by vapor phase epitaxy. The first material has a crystalline portion and an amorphous portion. The amorphous portion of the first material is removed by abrasive planarization. At least a second material is formed by vapor phase epitaxy over the crystalline portion of first material. The second material has a crystalline portion and an amorphous portion. The amorphous portion of the second material is removed by abrasive planarization. A semiconductor structure formed by such a method includes the substrate, the first material, the second material, and optionally, an oxide material between the first material and the second material. The substrate, the first material, and the second material define a continuous crystalline structure. Semiconductor structures, memory devices, and systems are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Mutch, Manuj Nahar
  • Patent number: 11695071
    Abstract: A transistor comprises a top source/drain region, a bottom source/drain region, and a channel region vertically between the top and bottom source/drain regions. A gate is operatively laterally-adjacent the channel region. The top source/drain region, the bottom source/drain region, and the channel region respectively have crystal grains and grain boundaries between immediately-adjacent of the crystal grains. At least one of the bottom source/drain region and the channel region has an internal interface there-within between the crystal grains that are above the internal interface and the crystal grains that are below the internal interface. At least some of the crystal grains that are immediately-above the internal interface physically contact at least some of the crystal grains that are immediately-below the internal interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Manuj Nahar, Michael Mutch
  • Publication number: 20230074063
    Abstract: A method includes forming a semiconductor structure. The structure includes a first material, a blocking material, a second material in an amorphous form, and a third material in an amorphous form. The blocking material is disposed between the first material and the second material. At least the second material and the third material each comprise silicon and/or germanium. The structure is exposed to a temperature above a crystallization temperature of the third material and below a crystallization temperature of the second material. Semiconductor structures, memory devices, and systems are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2022
    Publication date: March 9, 2023
    Inventors: Michael Mutch, Manuj Nahar, Wayne I. Kinney
  • Patent number: 11587938
    Abstract: Some embodiments include a capacitor having a container-shaped bottom portion. The bottom portion has a first region over a second region. The first region is thinner than the second region. The first region is a leaker region and the second region is a bottom electrode region. The bottom portion has an interior surface that extends along the first and second regions. An insulative material extends into the container shape. The insulative material lines the interior surface of the container shape. A conductive plug extends into the container shape and is adjacent the insulative material. A conductive structure extends across the conductive plug, the insulative material and the first region of the bottom portion. The conductive structure directly contacts the insulative material and the first region of the bottom portion, and is electrically coupled with the conductive plug. Some embodiments include methods of forming assemblies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Mutch, Sanket S. Kelkar, Ashonita A. Chavan, Sameer Chhajed, Adriel Jebin Jacob Jebaraj
  • Patent number: 11532699
    Abstract: A method includes forming a semiconductor structure. The structure includes a first material, a blocking material, a second material in an amorphous form, and a third material in an amorphous form. The blocking material is disposed between the first material and the second material. At least the second material and the third material each comprise silicon and/or germanium. The structure is exposed to a temperature above a crystallization temperature of the third material and below a crystallization temperature of the second material. Semiconductor structures, memory devices, and systems are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2022
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Mutch, Manuj Nahar, Wayne I. Kinney
  • Publication number: 20220344468
    Abstract: A transistor comprises a top source/drain region, a bottom source/drain region, a channel region vertically between the top and bottom source/drain regions, and a gate operatively laterally-adjacent the channel region. The channel region is crystalline and comprises a plurality of vertically-elongated crystal grains that individually are directly against both of the top source/drain region and the bottom source/drain region. Other embodiments, including methods, are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2022
    Publication date: October 27, 2022
    Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Manuj Nahar, Vassil N. Antonov, Kamal M. Karda, Michael Mutch, Hung-Wei Liu, Jeffery B. Hull
  • Patent number: 11417730
    Abstract: A transistor comprises a top source/drain region, a bottom source/drain region, a channel region vertically between the top and bottom source/drain regions, and a gate operatively laterally-adjacent the channel region. The channel region is crystalline and comprises a plurality of vertically-elongated crystal grains that individually are directly against both of the top source/drain region and the bottom source/drain region. Other embodiments, including methods, are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Manuj Nahar, Vassil N. Antonov, Kamal M. Karda, Michael Mutch, Hung-Wei Liu, Jeffery B. Hull
  • Publication number: 20220028442
    Abstract: A memory cell comprises a capacitor comprising a first capacitor electrode having laterally-spaced walls, a second capacitor electrode comprising a portion above the first capacitor electrode, and capacitor insulator material between the second capacitor electrode and the first capacitor electrode. The capacitor comprises an intrinsic current leakage path from one of the first and second capacitor electrodes to the other through the capacitor insulator material. A parallel current leakage path is between the second capacitor electrode and the first capacitor electrode. The parallel current leakage path is circuit-parallel with the intrinsic current leakage path, of lower total resistance than the intrinsic current leakage path, and comprises leaker material that is everywhere laterally-outward of laterally-innermost surfaces of the laterally-spaced walls of the first capacitor electrode. Other embodiments, including methods, are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2021
    Publication date: January 27, 2022
    Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Mutch, Ashonita A. Chavan, Sameer Chhajed, Beth R. Cook, Kamal Kumar Muthukrishnan, Durai Vishak Nirmal Ramaswamy, Lance Williamson
  • Publication number: 20210391343
    Abstract: Some embodiments include a capacitor having a container-shaped bottom portion. The bottom portion has a first region over a second region. The first region is thinner than the second region. The first region is a leaker region and the second region is a bottom electrode region. The bottom portion has an interior surface that extends along the first and second regions. An insulative material extends into the container shape. The insulative material lines the interior surface of the container shape. A conductive plug extends into the container shape and is adjacent the insulative material. A conductive structure extends across the conductive plug, the insulative material and the first region of the bottom portion. The conductive structure directly contacts the insulative material and the first region of the bottom portion, and is electrically coupled with the conductive plug. Some embodiments include methods of forming assemblies.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2020
    Publication date: December 16, 2021
    Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Mutch, Sanket S. Kelkar, Ashonita A. Chavan, Sameer Chhajed, Adriel Jebin Jacob Jebaraj
  • Patent number: 11170834
    Abstract: A memory cell comprises a capacitor comprising a first capacitor electrode having laterally-spaced walls, a second capacitor electrode comprising a portion above the first capacitor electrode, and capacitor insulator material between the second capacitor electrode and the first capacitor electrode. The capacitor comprises an intrinsic current leakage path from one of the first and second capacitor electrodes to the other through the capacitor insulator material. A parallel current leakage path is between the second capacitor electrode and the first capacitor electrode. The parallel current leakage path is circuit-parallel with the intrinsic current leakage path, of lower total resistance than the intrinsic current leakage path, and comprises leaker material that is everywhere laterally-outward of laterally-innermost surfaces of the laterally-spaced walls of the first capacitor electrode. Other embodiments, including methods, are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Mutch, Ashonita A. Chavan, Sameer Chhajed, Beth R. Cook, Kamal Kumar Muthukrishnan, Durai Vishak Nirmal Ramaswamy, Lance Williamson
  • Publication number: 20210265466
    Abstract: A method of forming a semiconductor structure includes forming a first material over a base material by vapor phase epitaxy. The first material has a crystalline portion and an amorphous portion. The amorphous portion of the first material is removed by abrasive planarization. At least a second material is formed by vapor phase epitaxy over the crystalline portion of first material. The second material has a crystalline portion and an amorphous portion. The amorphous portion of the second material is removed by abrasive planarization. A semiconductor structure formed by such a method includes the substrate, the first material, the second material, and optionally, an oxide material between the first material and the second material. The substrate, the first material, and the second material define a continuous crystalline structure. Semiconductor structures, memory devices, and systems are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2021
    Publication date: August 26, 2021
    Inventors: Michael Mutch, Manuj Nahar
  • Publication number: 20210175357
    Abstract: A transistor comprises a top source/drain region, a bottom source/drain region, and a channel region vertically between the top and bottom source/drain regions. A gate is operatively laterally-adjacent the channel region. The top source/drain region, the bottom source/drain region, and the channel region respectively have crystal grains and grain boundaries between immediately-adjacent of the crystal grains. At least one of the bottom source/drain region and the channel region has an internal interface there-within between the crystal grains that are above the internal interface and the crystal grains that are below the internal interface. At least some of the crystal grains that are immediately-above the internal interface physically contact at least some of the crystal grains that are immediately-below the internal interface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2021
    Publication date: June 10, 2021
    Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Manuj Nahar, Michael Mutch
  • Patent number: 11018229
    Abstract: A method of forming a semiconductor structure includes forming a first material over a base material by vapor phase epitaxy. The first material has a crystalline portion and an amorphous portion. The amorphous portion of the first material is removed by abrasive planarization. At least a second material is formed by vapor phase epitaxy over the crystalline portion of first material. The second material has a crystalline portion and an amorphous portion. The amorphous portion of the second material is removed by abrasive planarization. A semiconductor structure formed by such a method includes the substrate, the first material, the second material, and optionally, an oxide material between the first material and the second material. The substrate, the first material, and the second material define a continuous crystalline structure. Semiconductor structures, memory devices, and systems are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Mutch, Manuj Nahar
  • Patent number: 10964811
    Abstract: A transistor comprises a top source/drain region, a bottom source/drain region, and a channel region vertically between the top and bottom source/drain regions. A gate is operatively laterally-adjacent the channel region. The top source/drain region, the bottom source/drain region, and the channel region respectively have crystal grains and grain boundaries between immediately-adjacent of the crystal grains. At least one of the bottom source/drain region and the channel region has an internal interface there-within between the crystal grains that are above the internal interface and the crystal grains that are below the internal interface. At least some of the crystal grains that are immediately-above the internal interface physically contact at least some of the crystal grains that are immediately-below the internal interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Manuj Nahar, Michael Mutch
  • Publication number: 20210043731
    Abstract: A transistor comprises a top source/drain region, a bottom source/drain region, a channel region vertically between the top and bottom source/drain regions, and a gate operatively laterally-adjacent the channel region. The channel region is crystalline and comprises a plurality of vertically-elongated crystal grains that individually are directly against both of the top source/drain region and the bottom source/drain region. Other embodiments, including methods, are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2020
    Publication date: February 11, 2021
    Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Manuj Nahar, Vassil N. Antonov, Kamal M. Karda, Michael Mutch, Hung-Wei Liu, Jeffery B. Hull
  • Publication number: 20210043767
    Abstract: A transistor comprises a top source/drain region, a bottom source/drain region, and a channel region vertically between the top and bottom source/drain regions. A gate is operatively laterally-adjacent the channel region. The top source/drain region, the bottom source/drain region, and the channel region respectively have crystal grains and grain boundaries between immediately-adjacent of the crystal grains. At least one of the bottom source/drain region and the channel region has an internal interface there-within between the crystal grains that are above the internal interface and the crystal grains that are below the internal interface. At least some of the crystal grains that are immediately-above the internal interface physically contact at least some of the crystal grains that are immediately-below the internal interface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2019
    Publication date: February 11, 2021
    Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Manuj Nahar, Michael Mutch
  • Publication number: 20210012824
    Abstract: A memory cell comprises a capacitor comprising a first capacitor electrode having laterally-spaced walls, a second capacitor electrode comprising a portion above the first capacitor electrode, and capacitor insulator material between the second capacitor electrode and the first capacitor electrode. The capacitor comprises an intrinsic current leakage path from one of the first and second capacitor electrodes to the other through the capacitor insulator material. A parallel current leakage path is between the second capacitor electrode and the first capacitor electrode. The parallel current leakage path is circuit-parallel with the intrinsic current leakage path, of lower total resistance than the intrinsic current leakage path, and comprises leaker material that is everywhere laterally-outward of laterally-innermost surfaces of the laterally-spaced walls of the first capacitor electrode. Other embodiments, including methods, are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2019
    Publication date: January 14, 2021
    Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Mutch, Ashonita A. Chavan, Sameer Chhajed, Beth R. Cook, Kamal Kumar Muthukrishnan, Durai Vishak Nirmal Ramaswamy, Lance Williamson