Patents by Inventor Neil Greeley

Neil Greeley 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: 8198124
    Abstract: Self-aligning fabrication methods for forming memory access devices comprising a doped chalcogenide material. The methods may be used for forming three-dimensionally stacked cross point memory arrays. The method includes forming an insulating material over a first conductive electrode, patterning the insulating material to form vias that expose portions of the first conductive electrode, forming a memory access device within the vias of the insulating material and forming a memory element over the memory access device, wherein data stored in the memory element is accessible via the memory access device. The memory access device is formed of a doped chalcogenide material and formed using a self-aligned fabrication method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Neil Greeley, Bhaskar Srinivasan, Gurtej Sandhu, John Smythe
  • Publication number: 20120133017
    Abstract: Methods of forming metal oxide structures and methods of forming metal oxide patterns on a substrate using a block copolymer system formulated for self-assembly. A block copolymer at least within a trench in the substrate and including at least one soluble block and at least one insoluble block may be annealed to form a self-assembled pattern including a plurality of repeating units of the at least one soluble block laterally aligned with the trench and positioned within a matrix of the at least one insoluble block. The self-assembled pattern may be exposed to a metal oxide precursor that impregnates the at least one soluble block. The metal oxide precursor may be oxidized to form a metal oxide. The self-assembled pattern may be removed to form a pattern of metal oxide lines on the substrate surface. Semiconductor device structures are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2011
    Publication date: May 31, 2012
    Applicant: MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Dan B. Millward, Timothy A. Quick, J. Neil Greeley
  • Patent number: 8153019
    Abstract: Methods for preventing isotropic removal of materials at corners formed by seams, keyholes, and other anomalies in films or other structures include use of etch blockers to cover or coat such corners. This covering or coating prevents exposure of the corners to isotropic etch solutions and cleaning solutions and, thus, prevents higher material removal rates at the corners than at smoother areas of the structure or film from which material is removed. Solutions, including wet etchants and cleaning solutions, that include at least one type of etch blocker are also disclosed, as are systems for preventing higher rates of material removal at corners formed by seams, crevices, or recesses in a film or other structure. Semiconductor device structures in which etch blockers are located so as to prevent isotropic etchants from removing material from corners of seams, crevices, or recesses in a surface of a film or other structure at undesirably high rates are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Nishant Sinha, J. Neil Greeley
  • Publication number: 20120015520
    Abstract: Methods for reducing line roughness of spacers and other features utilizing a non-plasma and non-wet etch fluoride processing technology are provided. Embodiments of the methods can be used for spacer or line reduction and/or smoothing the surfaces along the edges of such features through the reaction and subsequent removal of material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2011
    Publication date: January 19, 2012
    Inventors: Joseph Neil Greeley, Paul Morgan, Mark Kiehlbauch
  • Patent number: 8097175
    Abstract: Methods of forming metal oxide structures and methods of forming metal oxide patterns on a substrate using a block copolymer system formulated for self-assembly. The metal oxide structures and patterns may be used, for example, as a mask for sublithographic patterning during various stages of semiconductor device fabrication. A block copolymer at least within a trench in the substrate and including at least one soluble block and at least one insoluble block may be annealed to form a self-assembled pattern including a plurality of repeating units of the at least one soluble block laterally aligned with the trench and positioned within a matrix of the at least one insoluble block. The self-assembled pattern may be exposed to a metal oxide precursor that impregnates the at least one soluble block. The metal oxide precursor may be oxidized to form a metal oxide. The self-assembled pattern may be removed to form a pattern of metal oxide lines on the substrate surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2012
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Dan B. Millward, Timothy A. Quick, J. Neil Greeley
  • Patent number: 8034315
    Abstract: Some embodiments include devices that contain bundles of CNTs. An undulating topography extends over the CNTs and within spaces between the CNTs. A global maximum lateral width is defined as the greatest lateral width of any of the spaces. A material is directly over the CNTs, with the material being a plurality of particles that have minimum cross-sectional equatorial widths exceeding the global maximum lateral width. Some embodiments include methods in which a plurality of crossed carbon nanotubes are formed over a semiconductor substrate. The CNTs form an undulating upper topography extending across the CNTs and within spaces between the CNTs. A global maximum lateral width is defined as the greatest lateral width of any of the spaces. A material is deposited over the CNTs, with the material being deposited as particles that have minimum cross-sectional equatorial widths exceeding the global maximum lateral width.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Nishant Sinha, Gurtej S. Sandhu, Eugene Marsh, Neil Greeley, John Smythe
  • Patent number: 8026180
    Abstract: Methods for reducing line roughness of spacers and other features utilizing a non-plasma and non-wet etch fluoride processing technology are provided. Embodiments of the methods can be used for spacer or line reduction and/or smoothing the surfaces along the edges of such features through the reaction and subsequent removal of material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2011
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph Neil Greeley, Paul Morgan, Mark Kiehlbauch
  • Publication number: 20110201211
    Abstract: A semiconductor device and a method of forming it are disclosed in which at least two adjacent conductors have an air-gap insulator between them which is covered by nanoparticles of insulating material being a size which prevent the nanoparticles from substantially entering into the air-gap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2011
    Publication date: August 18, 2011
    Inventors: Nishant Sinha, Gurtej Sandhu, Neil Greeley, John Smythe
  • Publication number: 20110165728
    Abstract: Self-aligning fabrication methods for forming memory access devices comprising a doped chalcogenide material. The methods may be used for forming three-dimensionally stacked cross point memory arrays. The method includes forming an insulating material over a first conductive electrode, patterning the insulating material to form vias that expose portions of the first conductive electrode, forming a memory access device within the vias of the insulating material and forming a memory element over the memory access device, wherein data stored in the memory element is accessible via the memory access device. The memory access device is formed of a doped chalcogenide material and formed using a self-aligned fabrication method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2010
    Publication date: July 7, 2011
    Inventors: Neil Greeley, Bhaskar Srinivasan, Gurtej Sandhu, John Smythe
  • Publication number: 20110143543
    Abstract: Some embodiments include methods of forming capacitors. Storage nodes are formed within a material. The storage nodes have sidewalls along the material. Some of the material is removed to expose portions of the sidewalls. The exposed portions of the sidewalls are coated with a substance that isn't wetted by water. Additional material is removed to expose uncoated regions of the sidewalls. The substance is removed, and then capacitor dielectric material is formed along the sidewalls of the storage nodes. Capacitor electrode material is then formed over the capacitor dielectric material. Some embodiments include methods of utilizing a silicon dioxide-containing masking structure in which the silicon dioxide of the masking structure is coated with a substance that isn't wetted by water.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2011
    Publication date: June 16, 2011
    Applicant: Micro Technology Inc.
    Inventors: NIRAJ RANA, Nishant Sinha, Prashant Raghu, Jim Hofmann, Neil Greeley
  • Patent number: 7952174
    Abstract: A semiconductor device and a method of forming it are disclosed in which at least two adjacent conductors have an air-gap insulator between them which is covered by nanoparticles of insulating material being a size which prevent the nanoparticles from substantially entering into the air-gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Nishant Sinha, Gurtej Sandhu, Neil Greeley, John Smythe
  • Publication number: 20110111597
    Abstract: Some embodiments include methods of forming capacitors. Storage nodes are formed within a material. The storage nodes have sidewalls along the material. Some of the material is removed to expose portions of the sidewalls. The exposed portions of the sidewalls are coated with a substance that isn't wetted by water. Additional material is removed to expose uncoated regions of the sidewalls. The substance is removed, and then capacitor dielectric material is formed along the sidewalls of the storage nodes. Capacitor electrode material is then formed over the capacitor dielectric material. Some embodiments include methods of utilizing a silicon dioxide-containing masking structure in which the silicon dioxide of the masking structure is coated with a substance that isn't wetted by water.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2011
    Publication date: May 12, 2011
    Applicant: MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Niraj Rana, Nishant Sinha, Prashant Raghu, Jim Hofmann, Neil Greeley
  • Patent number: 7892937
    Abstract: Some embodiments include methods of forming capacitors. Storage nodes are formed within a material. The storage nodes have sidewalls along the material. Some of the material is removed to expose portions of the sidewalls. The exposed portions of the sidewalls are coated with a substance that isn't wetted by water. Additional material is removed to expose uncoated regions of the sidewalls. The substance is removed, and then capacitor dielectric material is formed along the sidewalls of the storage nodes. Capacitor electrode material is then formed over the capacitor dielectric material. Some embodiments include methods of utilizing a silicon dioxide-containing masking structure in which the silicon dioxide of the masking structure is coated with a substance that isn't wetted by water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Niraj Rana, Nishant Sinha, Prashant Raghu, Jim Hofmann, Neil Greeley
  • Publication number: 20100301462
    Abstract: A semiconductor device and a method of forming it are disclosed in which at least two adjacent conductors have an air-gap insulator between them which is covered by nanoparticles of insulating material being a size which prevent the nanoparticles from substantially entering into the air-gap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2009
    Publication date: December 2, 2010
    Inventors: Nishant Sinha, Gurtej Sandhu, Neil Greeley, John Smythe
  • Publication number: 20100276656
    Abstract: Some embodiments include devices that contain bundles of CNTs. An undulating topography extends over the CNTs and within spaces between the CNTs. A global maximum lateral width is defined as the greatest lateral width of any of the spaces. A material is directly over the CNTs, with the material being a plurality of particles that have minimum cross-sectional equatorial widths exceeding the global maximum lateral width. Some embodiments include methods in which a plurality of crossed carbon nanotubes are formed over a semiconductor substrate. The CNTs form an undulating upper topography extending across the CNTs and within spaces between the CNTs. A global maximum lateral width is defined as the greatest lateral width of any of the spaces. A material is deposited over the CNTs, with the material being deposited as particles that have minimum cross-sectional equatorial widths exceeding the global maximum lateral width.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2008
    Publication date: November 4, 2010
    Inventors: Nishant Sinha, Gurtej S. Sandhu, Eugene Marsh, Neil Greeley, John Smythe
  • Publication number: 20100102415
    Abstract: Methods of forming metal oxide structure and methods of forming metal oxide patterns on a substrate using a block copolymer system formulated for self-assembly are disclosed. The metal oxide structures and patterns may be used, for example, as a mask for sublithographic patterning during various stages of semiconductor device fabrication. A block copolymer at least within a trench in the substrate and including at least one soluble block and at least one insoluble block may be annealed to form a self-assembled pattern including a plurality of repeating units of the soluble block laterally aligned with the trench and positioned within a matrix of the insoluble block. The self-assembled pattern may be exposed to a metal oxide precursor which impregnates the soluble block. The metal oxide precursor may be oxidized to form a metal oxide. The self-assembled pattern may be removed to form a pattern of metal oxide lines on the substrate surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2008
    Publication date: April 29, 2010
    Applicant: MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Dan B. Millward, Timothy A. Quick, J. Neil Greeley
  • Publication number: 20100099232
    Abstract: Some embodiments include methods of forming capacitors. Storage nodes are formed within a material. The storage nodes have sidewalls along the material. Some of the material is removed to expose portions of the sidewalls. The exposed portions of the sidewalls are coated with a substance that isn't wetted by water. Additional material is removed to expose uncoated regions of the sidewalls. The substance is removed, and then capacitor dielectric material is formed along the sidewalls of the storage nodes. Capacitor electrode material is then formed over the capacitor dielectric material. Some embodiments include methods of utilizing a silicon dioxide-containing masking structure in which the silicon dioxide of the masking structure is coated with a substance that isn't wetted by water.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2008
    Publication date: April 22, 2010
    Inventors: Niraj Rana, Nishant Sinha, Prashant Raghu, Jim Hofmann, Neil Greeley
  • Publication number: 20100003782
    Abstract: A method of forming a non-volatile resistive oxide memory cell includes forming a first conductive electrode of the memory cell as part of a substrate. Metal oxide-comprising material is formed over the first conductive electrode. Etch stop material is deposited over the metal oxide-comprising material. Conductive material is deposited over the etch stop material. A second conductive electrode of the memory cell which comprises the conductive material received is formed over the etch stop material. Such includes etching through the conductive material to stop relative to the etch stop material and forming the non-volatile resistive oxide memory cell to comprise the first and second conductive electrodes having both the metal oxide-comprising material and the etch stop material therebetween. Other implementations are contemplated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2008
    Publication date: January 7, 2010
    Inventors: Nishant Sinha, John Smythe, Bhaskar Srinivasan, Gurtej Sandhu, Neil Greeley, Kunal Parekh
  • Publication number: 20090275205
    Abstract: A method of removing at least a portion of a silicon oxide material is disclosed. The silicon oxide is removed by exposing a semiconductor structure comprising a substrate and the silicon oxide to an ammonium fluoride chemical treatment and a subsequent plasma treatment, both of which may be effected in the same vacuum chamber of a processing apparatus. The ammonium fluoride chemical treatment converts the silicon oxide to a solid reaction product in a self-limiting reaction, the solid reaction product then being volatilized by the plasma treatment. The plasma treatment includes a plasma having an ion bombardment energy of less than or equal to approximately 20 eV. An ammonium fluoride chemical treatment including an alkylated ammonia derivative and hydrogen fluoride is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2008
    Publication date: November 5, 2009
    Applicant: MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Mark W. Kiehlbauch, J. Neil Greeley, Paul A. Morgan
  • Publication number: 20090042401
    Abstract: Methods for preventing isotropic removal of materials at corners formed by seams, keyholes, and other anomalies in films or other structures include use of etch blockers to cover or coat such corners. This covering or coating prevents exposure of the corners to isotropic etch solutions and cleaning solutions and, thus, higher material removal rates at the corners than at smoother areas of the structure or film from which material is removed. Solutions, including wet etchants and cleaning solutions, that include at least one type of etch blocker are also disclosed, as are systems for preventing higher rates of material removal at corners formed by seams, crevices, or recesses in a film or other structure. Semiconductor device structures in which etch blockers are located so as to prevent isotropic etchants from removing material from corners of seams, crevices, or recesses in a surface of a film or other structure at undesirably high rates are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2007
    Publication date: February 12, 2009
    Applicant: MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Nishant Sinha, J. Neil Greeley