Patents by Inventor Purnima Narayanan
Purnima Narayanan 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).
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Publication number: 20220020759Abstract: A method used in forming integrated circuitry comprises forming a stack comprising vertically-alternating first tiers and second tiers. The first tiers comprise doped silicon dioxide and the second tiers comprise undoped silicon dioxide. Horizontally-elongated trenches are formed into the stack. Through the trenches, the doped silicon dioxide that is in the first tiers is etched selectively relative to the undoped silicon dioxide that is in the second tiers. Conducting material is formed in the void space in the first tiers that is left by the etching. Structure independent of method is disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 16, 2020Publication date: January 20, 2022Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.Inventor: Purnima Narayanan
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Publication number: 20210358951Abstract: Some embodiments include an integrated assembly having a first deck which has first memory cells, and having a second deck which has second memory cells. The first memory cells have first control gate regions which include a first conductive material vertically between horizontally-extending bars of a second conductive material. The second memory cells have second control gate regions which include a fourth conductive material along an outer surface of a third conductive material. A pillar passes through the first and second decks. The pillar includes a dielectric-barrier material laterally surrounding a channel material. The first and fourth materials are directly against the dielectric-barrier material. Some embodiments include methods of forming integrated assemblies.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 2, 2021Publication date: November 18, 2021Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.Inventors: John D. Hopkins, Justin B. Dorhout, Nirup Bandaru, Damir Fazil, Nancy M. Lomeli, Jivaan Kishore Jhothiraman, Purnima Narayanan
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Publication number: 20210327898Abstract: Some embodiments include a memory array having a vertical stack of alternating insulative levels and wordline levels. The wordline levels have conductive terminal ends within control gate regions. The control gate regions are vertically spaced from one another by first insulative regions which include first insulative material. Charge-storage material is laterally outward of the conductive terminal ends, and is configured as segments. The segments of the charge-storage material are arranged one atop another and are vertically spaced from one another by second insulative regions which include second insulative material. The second insulative material has a different dielectric constant than the first insulative material. Charge-tunneling material extends vertically along the stack, and is adjacent to the segments of the charge-trapping material. Channel material extends vertically along the stack, and is adjacent to the charge-tunneling material.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 24, 2021Publication date: October 21, 2021Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.Inventors: Byeung Chul Kim, Francois H. Fabreguette, Richard J. Hill, Purnima Narayanan, Shyam Surthi
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Publication number: 20210313346Abstract: Some embodiments include a method of forming an integrated assembly. A stack of alternating first and second materials is formed over a conductive structure. The conductive structure includes a semiconductor-containing material over a metal-containing material. An opening is formed to extend through the stack and through the semiconductor-containing material, to expose the metal-containing material. The semiconductor-containing material is doped with carbon and/or with one or more metals. After the doping of the semiconductor-containing material, the second material of the stack is removed to form voids. Conductive material is formed within the voids. Insulative material is formed within the opening. Some embodiments include integrated assemblies having carbon distributed within at least a portion of a semiconductor material.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 15, 2021Publication date: October 7, 2021Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.Inventors: John D. Hopkins, Purnima Narayanan, Jordan D. Greenlee
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Patent number: 11107831Abstract: Some embodiments include an integrated assembly having a first deck which has first memory cells, and having a second deck which has second memory cells. The first memory cells have first control gate regions which include a first conductive material vertically between horizontally-extending bars of a second conductive material. The second memory cells have second control gate regions which include a fourth conductive material along an outer surface of a third conductive material. A pillar passes through the first and second decks. The pillar includes a dielectric-barrier material laterally surrounding a channel material. The first and fourth materials are directly against the dielectric-barrier material. Some embodiments include methods of forming integrated assemblies.Type: GrantFiled: December 2, 2019Date of Patent: August 31, 2021Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.Inventors: John D. Hopkins, Justin B. Dorhout, Nirup Bandaru, Damir Fazil, Nancy M. Lomeli, Jivaan Kishore Jhothiraman, Purnima Narayanan
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Patent number: 11056505Abstract: Some embodiments include a method of forming an integrated assembly. A stack of alternating first and second materials is formed over a conductive structure. The conductive structure includes a semiconductor-containing material over a metal-containing material. An opening is formed to extend through the stack and through the semiconductor-containing material, to expose the metal-containing material. The semiconductor-containing material is doped with carbon and/or with one or more metals. After the doping of the semiconductor-containing material, the second material of the stack is removed to form voids. Conductive material is formed within the voids. Insulative material is formed within the opening. Some embodiments include integrated assemblies having carbon distributed within at least a portion of a semiconductor material.Type: GrantFiled: December 10, 2019Date of Patent: July 6, 2021Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.Inventors: John D. Hopkins, Purnima Narayanan, Jordan D. Greenlee
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Patent number: 11037956Abstract: Some embodiments include a memory array having a vertical stack of alternating insulative levels and wordline levels. The wordline levels have conductive terminal ends within control gate regions. The control gate regions are vertically spaced from one another by first insulative regions which include first insulative material. Charge-storage material is laterally outward of the conductive terminal ends, and is configured as segments. The segments of the charge-storage material are arranged one atop another and are vertically spaced from one another by second insulative regions which include second insulative material. The second insulative material has a different dielectric constant than the first insulative material. Charge-tunneling material extends vertically along the stack, and is adjacent to the segments of the charge-trapping material. Channel material extends vertically along the stack, and is adjacent to the charge-tunneling material.Type: GrantFiled: August 7, 2020Date of Patent: June 15, 2021Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.Inventors: Byeung Chul Kim, Francois H. Fabreguette, Richard J. Hill, Purnima Narayanan, Shyam Surthi
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Publication number: 20210175249Abstract: Some embodiments include a method of forming an integrated assembly. A stack of alternating first and second materials is formed over a conductive structure. The conductive structure includes a semiconductor-containing material over a metal-containing material. An opening is formed to extend through the stack and through the semiconductor-containing material, to expose the metal-containing material. The semiconductor-containing material is doped with carbon and/or with one or more metals. After the doping of the semiconductor-containing material, the second material of the stack is removed to form voids. Conductive material is formed within the voids. Insulative material is formed within the opening. Some embodiments include integrated assemblies having carbon distributed within at least a portion of a semiconductor material.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 10, 2019Publication date: June 10, 2021Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.Inventors: John D. Hopkins, Purnima Narayanan, Jordan D. Greenlee
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Publication number: 20210167081Abstract: Some embodiments include an integrated assembly having a first deck which has first memory cells, and having a second deck which has second memory cells. The first memory cells have first control gate regions which include a first conductive material vertically between horizontally-extending bars of a second conductive material. The second memory cells have second control gate regions which include a fourth conductive material along an outer surface of a third conductive material. A pillar passes through the first and second decks. The pillar includes a dielectric-barrier material laterally surrounding a channel material. The first and fourth materials are directly against the dielectric-barrier material. Some embodiments include methods of forming integrated assemblies.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 2, 2019Publication date: June 3, 2021Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.Inventors: John D. Hopkins, Justin B. Dorhout, Nirup Bandaru, Damir Fazil, Nancy M. Lomeli, Jivaan Kishore Jhothiraman, Purnima Narayanan
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Patent number: 10879259Abstract: Methods for forming a string of memory cells, apparatuses having a string of memory cells, and systems are disclosed. One such method for forming a string of memory cells forms a source material over a substrate. A capping material may be formed over the source material. A select gate material may be formed over the capping material. A plurality of charge storage structures may be formed over the select gate material in a plurality of alternating levels of control gate and insulator materials. A first opening may be formed through the plurality of alternating levels of control gate and insulator materials, the select gate material, and the capping material. A channel material may be formed along the sidewall of the first opening. The channel material has a thickness that is less than a width of the first opening, such that a second opening is formed by the semiconductor channel material.Type: GrantFiled: September 17, 2018Date of Patent: December 29, 2020Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.Inventors: Jie Sun, Zhenyu Lu, Roger W. Lindsay, Brian Cleereman, John Hopkins, Hongbin Zhu, Fatma Arzum Simsek-Ege, Prasanna Srinivasan, Purnima Narayanan
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Publication number: 20200373325Abstract: Some embodiments include a memory array having a vertical stack of alternating insulative levels and wordline levels. The wordline levels have conductive terminal ends within control gate regions. The control gate regions are vertically spaced from one another by first insulative regions which include first insulative material. Charge-storage material is laterally outward of the conductive terminal ends, and is configured as segments. The segments of the charge-storage material are arranged one atop another and are vertically spaced from one another by second insulative regions which include second insulative material. The second insulative material has a different dielectric constant than the first insulative material. Charge-tunneling material extends vertically along the stack, and is adjacent to the segments of the charge-trapping material. Channel material extends vertically along the stack, and is adjacent to the charge-tunneling material.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 7, 2020Publication date: November 26, 2020Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.Inventors: Byeung Chul Kim, Francois H. Fabreguette, Richard J. Hill, Purnima Narayanan, Shyam Surthi
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Publication number: 20200321351Abstract: Some embodiments include a memory array having a vertical stack of alternating insulative levels and wordline levels. The wordline levels have conductive terminal ends within control gate regions. The control gate regions are vertically spaced from one another by first insulative regions which include first insulative material. Charge-storage material is laterally outward of the conductive terminal ends, and is configured as segments. The segments of the charge-storage material are arranged one atop another and are vertically spaced from one another by second insulative regions which include second insulative material. The second insulative material has a different dielectric constant than the first insulative material. Charge-tunneling material extends vertically along the stack, and is adjacent to the segments of the charge-trapping material. Channel material extends vertically along the stack, and is adjacent to the charge-tunneling material.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 3, 2019Publication date: October 8, 2020Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.Inventors: Byeung Chul Kim, Francois H. Fabreguette, Richard J. Hill, Purnima Narayanan, Shyam Surthi
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Patent number: 10790290Abstract: A 3D NAND storage device includes a plurality of layers containing doped semiconductor material interleaved with a plurality of layers of dielectric material. Each of the pillars forming the 3D NAND storage device includes a plurality of memory cells and a drain-end select gate (SGD). The pillars are separated by a hollow channel in which a plurality of film layers, including at least a lower film layer and an upper film layer have been deposited. The systems and methods described herein remove at least the upper film layer proximate the SGD while maintaining the film layers proximate the memory cells. Such an arrangement beneficially permits tailoring the film layers proximate the SGD prior to depositing the channel film layer in the hollow channel. The systems and methods described herein permit the deposition of a continuous channel film layer proximate both the memory cells and the SGD.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 2017Date of Patent: September 29, 2020Assignee: Intel CorporationInventors: David A. Daycock, Purnima Narayanan, John Hopkins, Guoxing Duan, Barbara L. Casey, Christopher J. Larsen, Meng-Wei Kuo, Qian Tao
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Patent number: 10777576Abstract: Some embodiments include a memory array having a vertical stack of alternating insulative levels and wordline levels. The wordline levels have conductive terminal ends within control gate regions. The control gate regions are vertically spaced from one another by first insulative regions which include first insulative material. Charge-storage material is laterally outward of the conductive terminal ends, and is configured as segments. The segments of the charge-storage material are arranged one atop another and are vertically spaced from one another by second insulative regions which include second insulative material. The second insulative material has a different dielectric constant than the first insulative material. Charge-tunneling material extends vertically along the stack, and is adjacent to the segments of the charge-trapping material. Channel material extends vertically along the stack, and is adjacent to the charge-tunneling material.Type: GrantFiled: April 3, 2019Date of Patent: September 15, 2020Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.Inventors: Byeung Chul Kim, Francois H. Fabreguette, Richard J. Hill, Purnima Narayanan, Shyam Surthi
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Publication number: 20190131315Abstract: Methods for forming a string of memory cells, apparatuses having a string of memory cells, and systems are disclosed. One such method for forming a string of memory cells forms a source material over a substrate. A capping material may be formed over the source material. A select gate material may be formed over the capping material. A plurality of charge storage structures may be formed over the select gate material in a plurality of alternating levels of control gate and insulator materials. A first opening may be formed through the plurality of alternating levels of control gate and insulator materials, the select gate material, and the capping material. A channel material may be formed along the sidewall of the first opening. The channel material has a thickness that is less than a width of the first opening, such that a second opening is formed by the semiconductor channel material.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 17, 2018Publication date: May 2, 2019Inventors: Jie Sun, Zhenyu Lu, Roger W. Lindsay, Brian Cleereman, John Hopkins, Hongbin Zhu, Fatam Arzum Simsek-Ege, Prasanna Srinivasan, Purnima Narayanan
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Publication number: 20190103410Abstract: A 3D NAND storage device includes a plurality of layers containing doped semiconductor material interleaved with a plurality of layers of dielectric material. Each of the pillars forming the 3D NAND storage device includes a plurality of memory cells and a drain-end select gate (SGD). The pillars are separated by a hollow channel in which a plurality of film layers, including at least a lower film layer and an upper film layer have been deposited. The systems and methods described herein remove at least the upper film layer proximate the SGD while maintaining the film layers proximate the memory cells. Such an arrangement beneficially permits tailoring the film layers proximate the SGD prior to depositing the channel film layer in the hollow channel. The systems and methods described herein permit the deposition of a continuous channel film layer proximate both the memory cells and the SGD.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 29, 2017Publication date: April 4, 2019Applicant: INTEL CORPORATIONInventors: DAVID A. DAYCOCK, PURNIMA NARAYANAN, JOHN HOPKINS, GUOXING DUAN, BARBARA L. CASEY, CHRISTOPHER J. LARSEN, MENG-WEI KUO, QIAN TAO
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Patent number: 10134758Abstract: 3D NAND memory devices and systems having reduced bit line to drain select gate shorting, including associated methods, are provided and described.Type: GrantFiled: August 22, 2017Date of Patent: November 20, 2018Assignee: Intel CorporationInventors: Hongbin Zhu, Jun Zhao, Purnima Narayanan, Gordon Haller, Damir Fazil
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Patent number: 10090317Abstract: Methods for forming a string of memory cells, apparatuses having a string of memory cells, and systems are disclosed. One such method for forming a string of memory cells forms a source material over a substrate. A capping material may be formed over the source material. A select gate material may be formed over the capping material. A plurality of charge storage structures may be formed over the select gate material in a plurality of alternating levels of control gate and insulator materials. A first opening may be formed through the plurality of alternating levels of control gate and insulator materials, the select gate material, and the capping material. A channel material may be formed along the sidewall of the first opening. The channel material has a thickness that is less than a width of the first opening, such that a second opening is formed by the semiconductor channel material.Type: GrantFiled: July 27, 2016Date of Patent: October 2, 2018Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.Inventors: Jie Sun, Zhenyu Lu, Roger W. Lindsay, Brian Cleereman, John Hopkins, Hongbin Zhu, Fatma Arzum Simsek-Ege, Prasanna Srinivasan, Purnima Narayanan
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Publication number: 20180130819Abstract: 3D NAND memory devices and systems having reduced bit line to drain select gate shorting, including associated methods, are provided and described.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 22, 2017Publication date: May 10, 2018Applicant: Intel CorporationInventors: Hongbin Zhu, Jun Zhao, Purnima Narayanan, Gordon Haller, Damir Fazil
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Patent number: 9741734Abstract: 3D NAND memory devices and systems having reduced bit line to drain select gate shorting, including associated methods, are provided and described.Type: GrantFiled: December 15, 2015Date of Patent: August 22, 2017Assignee: Intel CorporationInventors: Hongbin Zhu, Jun Zhao, Purnima Narayanan, Gordon Haller, Damir Fazil