Patents by Inventor Qian Tao

Qian Tao 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: 10541252
    Abstract: Some embodiments include a memory array which has a vertical stack of alternating insulative levels and wordline levels. The wordline levels have terminal ends corresponding to control gate regions. Charge-trapping material is along the control gate regions of the wordline levels and not along the insulative levels. The charge-trapping material is spaced from the control gate regions by charge-blocking material. Channel material extends vertically along the stack and is laterally spaced from the charge-trapping material by dielectric material. Some embodiments include methods of forming NAND memory arrays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2020
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: David Daycock, Richard J. Hill, Christopher Larsen, Woohee Kim, Justin B. Dorhout, Brett D. Lowe, John D. Hopkins, Qian Tao, Barbara L. Casey
  • Patent number: 10515975
    Abstract: A method for forming a channel hole structure of a 3D memory device is disclosed. The method includes: forming a first alternating dielectric stack and a first insulating layer on a substrate; forming a first channel structure in a first channel hole penetrating the first insulating layer and the first alternating dielectric stack; forming a sacrificial inter-deck plug in the first insulating layer; forming a second alternating dielectric stack on the sacrificial inter-deck plug; forming a second channel hole penetrating the second alternating dielectric stack and expose a portion of the sacrificial inter-deck plug; removing the sacrificial inter-deck plug to form a cavity; and forming an inter-deck channel plug in the cavity and a second channel structure in the second channel hole, the inter-deck channel plug contacts the first channel structure and the second channel structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2019
    Assignee: Yangtze Memory Technologies Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Qian Tao, Yushi Hu, Zhenyu Lu, Li Hong Xiao, Jun Chen, Xiaowang Dai, Jin Lyu, Jifeng Zhu, Jin Wen Dong, Lan Yao
  • Publication number: 20190386015
    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: August 26, 2019
    Publication date: December 19, 2019
    Inventors: Qian Tao, Matthew N. Rocklein, Beth R. Cook, Durai Vishak Nirmal Ramaswamy
  • Publication number: 20190378849
    Abstract: A method for forming a channel hole structure of a 3D memory device is disclosed. The method includes: forming a first alternating dielectric stack and a first insulating layer on a substrate; forming a first channel structure in a first channel hole penetrating the first insulating layer and the first alternating dielectric stack; forming a sacrificial inter-deck plug in the first insulating layer; forming a second alternating dielectric stack on the sacrificial inter-deck plug; forming a second channel hole penetrating the second alternating dielectric stack and expose a portion of the sacrificial inter-deck plug; removing the sacrificial inter-deck plug to form a cavity; and forming an inter-deck channel plug in the cavity and a second channel structure in the second channel hole, the inter-deck channel plug contacts the first channel structure and the second channel structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2018
    Publication date: December 12, 2019
    Applicant: Yangtze Memory Technologies Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Qian Tao, Yushi HU, Zhenyu Lu, Li Hong XIAO, Jun CHEN, Xiaowang DAI, Jin LYU, Jifeng ZHU, Jin Wen DONG, Lan YAO
  • Publication number: 20190378853
    Abstract: Methods and structures of a three-dimensional memory device are disclosed. In an example, the memory device includes a first alternating conductor/dielectric stack disposed on the substrate and a layer of silicon carbide disposed over the first alternating conductor/dielectric stack. A second alternating conductor/dielectric stack is disposed on the silicon carbide layer. The memory device includes one or more first structures extending orthogonally with respect to the surface of the substrate through the first alternating conductor/dielectric stack and over the epitaxially-grown material disposed in the plurality of recesses, and one or more second structures extending orthogonally with respect to the surface of the substrate through the second alternating conductor/dielectric stack. The one or more second structures are substantially aligned over corresponding ones of the one or more first structures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2018
    Publication date: December 12, 2019
    Applicant: Yangtze Memory Technologies Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Li Hong XIAO, EnBo WANG, Zhao Hui TANG, Qian TAO, Yu Ting ZHOU, Sizhe LI, Zhaosong LI, Sha Sha LIU
  • Publication number: 20190348603
    Abstract: A memory cell comprising a threshold switching material over a first electrode on a substrate. The memory cell includes a second electrode over the threshold switching material and at least one dielectric material between the threshold switching material and at least one of the first electrode and the second electrode. A memory material overlies the second electrode. The dielectric material may directly contact the threshold switching material and each of the first electrode and the second electrode. Memory cells including only one dielectric material between the threshold switching material and an electrode are disclosed. A memory device including the memory cells and methods of forming the memory cells are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2019
    Publication date: November 14, 2019
    Inventors: Tsz W. Chan, Durai Vishak Nirmal Ramaswamy, Qian Tao, Yongjun Jeff Hu, Everett A. McTeer
  • Publication number: 20190341399
    Abstract: Embodiments of interconnect structures of a three-dimensional (3D) memory device and method for forming the interconnect structures are disclosed. In an example, a 3D NAND memory device includes a semiconductor substrate, an alternating layer stack disposed on the semiconductor substrate, and a dielectric structure, which extends vertically through the alternating layer stack, on an isolation region of the substrate. Further, the alternating layer stack abuts a sidewall surface of the dielectric structure and the dielectric structure is formed of a dielectric material. The 3D memory device additionally includes one or more through array contacts that extend vertically through the dielectric structure and the isolation region, and one or more channel structures that extend vertically through the alternating layer stack.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2018
    Publication date: November 7, 2019
    Applicant: Yangtze Memory Technologies Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Qian TAO, Yushi HU, Zhenyu LU, Li Hong XIAO, Xiaowang DAI, Yu Ting ZHOU, Zhao Hui TANG, Mei Lan GUO, ZhiWu TANG, Qinxiang WEI, Qianbing XU, Sha Sha LIU, Jian Hua SUN, Enbo WANG
  • Publication number: 20190326308
    Abstract: Methods and structures of a three-dimensional memory device are disclosed. In an example, the memory device includes a substrate having one or more first recesses in a first region and one or more second recesses in a second region. A liner layer is disposed over the sidewalls and bottom of the one or more first recesses in the first region and an epitaxially-grown material is formed in the one or more second recesses in the second region. One or more NAND strings are formed over the epitaxially-grown material disposed in the one or more second recesses, and one or more vertical structures are formed over the one or more first recesses in the first region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2018
    Publication date: October 24, 2019
    Applicant: Yangtze Memory Technologies Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yue Qiang PU, Jin Wen Dong, Jun Chen, Zhenyu Lu, Qian Tao, Yushi Hu, Zhao Hui Tang, Li Hong Xiao, Yu Ting Zhou, Sizhe Li, Zhaosong Li
  • Publication number: 20190326314
    Abstract: Embodiments of a channel hole plug structure of 3D memory devices and fabricating methods thereof are disclosed. The memory device includes an alternating layer stack disposed on a substrate, an insulating layer disposed on the alternating dielectric stack, a channel hole extending vertically through the alternating dielectric stack and the insulating layer, a channel structure including a channel layer in the channel hole, and a channel hole plug in the insulating layer and above the channel structure. The channel hole plug is electrically connected with the channel layer. A projection of the channel hole plug in a lateral plane covers a projection of the channel hole in the lateral plane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2018
    Publication date: October 24, 2019
    Applicant: Yangtze Memory Technologies Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Li Hong XIAO, Zhenyu LU, Qian TAO, Yushi HU, Jun CHEN, LongDong LIU, Meng WANG
  • Publication number: 20190296235
    Abstract: Some embodiments include a method of forming a memory cell. A first portion of a switching region is formed over a first electrode. A second portion of the switching region is formed over the first portion using atomic layer deposition. The second portion is a different composition than the first portion. An ion source region is formed over the switching region. A second electrode is formed over the ion source region. Some embodiments include a memory cell having a switching region between a pair of electrodes. The switching region is configured to be reversibly transitioned between a low resistive state and a high resistive state. The switching region includes two or more discrete portions, with one of the portions not having a non-oxygen component in common with any composition directly against it in the high resistive state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2019
    Publication date: September 26, 2019
    Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Shuichiro Yasuda, Noel Rocklein, Scott E. Sills, Durai Vishal Nirmal Ramaswamy, Qian Tao
  • Patent number: 10418554
    Abstract: A memory cell comprising a threshold switching material over a first electrode on a substrate. The memory cell includes a second electrode over the threshold switching material and at least one dielectric material between the threshold switching material and at least one of the first electrode and the second electrode. A memory material overlies the second electrode. The dielectric material may directly contact the threshold switching material and each of the first electrode and the second electrode. Memory cells including only one dielectric material between the threshold switching material and an electrode are disclosed. A memory device including the memory cells and methods of forming the memory cells are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Tsz W. Chan, D. V. Nirmal Ramaswamy, Qian Tao, Yongjun Jeff Hu, Everett A. McTeer
  • Patent number: 10403631
    Abstract: Embodiments of three-dimensional (3D) ferroelectric memory devices and methods for forming the ferroelectric memory devices are disclosed. In an example, a 3D ferroelectric memory device includes a substrate and a plurality of ferroelectric memory cells each extending vertically above the substrate. Each of the ferroelectric memory cells includes a capacitor and a transistor electrically connected to the capacitor. The capacitor includes a first electrode, a second electrode, and a ferroelectric layer disposed laterally between the first electrode and the second electrode. The transistor includes a channel structure, a gate conductor, and a gate dielectric layer disposed laterally between the channel structure and the gate conductor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignee: Wuxi Petabyte Technologies Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Zhenyu Lu, Yushi Hu, Qian Tao
  • Patent number: 10403630
    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 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Qian Tao, Matthew N. Rocklein, Beth R. Cook, D. V. Nirmal Ramaswamy
  • Publication number: 20190267383
    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: February 23, 2018
    Publication date: August 29, 2019
    Inventors: Matthew N. Rocklein, Paul A. Paduano, Sanket S. Kelkar, Christopher W. Petz, Zhe Song, Vassil Antonov, Qian Tao
  • Publication number: 20190267396
    Abstract: Some embodiments include a memory array which has a vertical stack of alternating insulative levels and wordline levels. The wordline levels have terminal ends corresponding to control gate regions. Charge-trapping material is along the control gate regions of the wordline levels and not along the insulative levels. The charge-trapping material is spaced from the control gate regions by charge-blocking material. Channel material extends vertically along the stack and is laterally spaced from the charge-trapping material by dielectric material. Some embodiments include methods of forming NAND memory arrays.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2019
    Publication date: August 29, 2019
    Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: David Daycock, Richard J. Hill, Christopher Larsen, Woohee Kim, Justin B. Dorhout, Brett D. Lowe, John D. Hopkins, Qian Tao, Barbara L. Casey
  • Patent number: 10388871
    Abstract: Some embodiments include a method of forming a memory cell. A first portion of a switching region is formed over a first electrode. A second portion of the switching region is formed over the first portion using atomic layer deposition. The second portion is a different composition than the first portion. An ion source region is formed over the switching region. A second electrode is formed over the ion source region. Some embodiments include a memory cell having a switching region between a pair of electrodes. The switching region is configured to be reversibly transitioned between a low resistive state and a high resistive state. The switching region includes two or more discrete portions, with one of the portions not having a non-oxygen component in common with any composition directly against it in the high resistive state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2019
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Shuichiro Yasuda, Noel Rocklein, Scott E. Sills, Durai Vishak Nirmal Ramaswamy, Qian Tao
  • Publication number: 20190244893
    Abstract: Embodiments of three-dimensional (3D) memory devices and methods for forming the 3D memory devices are disclosed. In an example, a NAND memory device includes a substrate, a plurality of NAND strings on the substrate, one or more peripheral devices above the NAND strings, a single crystalline silicon layer above the peripheral devices, and one or more interconnect layers between the peripheral devices and the NAND strings. In some embodiments, the NAND memory device includes a bonding interface at which an array interconnect layer contacts a peripheral interconnect layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2019
    Publication date: August 8, 2019
    Applicant: Yangtze Memory Technologies Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jifeng ZHU, Zhenyu LU, Jun CHEN, Yushi HU, Qian TAO, Simon Shi-Ning YANG, Steve Weiyi YANG
  • Publication number: 20190244892
    Abstract: Embodiments of source structure of a three-dimensional (3D) memory device and method for forming the source structure of the 3D memory device are disclosed. In an example, a NAND memory device includes a substrate, an alternating conductor/dielectric stack, a NAND string, a source conductor layer, and a source contact. The alternating conductor/dielectric stack includes a plurality of conductor/dielectric pairs above the substrate, The NAND string extends vertically through the alternating conductor/dielectric stack. The source conductor layer is above the alternating conductor/dielectric stack and is in contact with an end of the NAND string. The source contact includes an end in contact with the source conductor layer. The NAND string is electrically connected to the source contact by the source conductor layer. In some embodiments, the source conductor layer includes one or more conduction regions each including one or more of a metal, a metal alloy, and a metal silicide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2019
    Publication date: August 8, 2019
    Applicant: Yangtze Memory Technologies Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jifeng Zhu, Zhenyu Lu, Jun Chen, Yushi Hu, Qian Tao, Simon Shi-Ning Yang, Steve Weiyi Yang
  • Publication number: 20190189626
    Abstract: A memory cell includes a select device and a capacitor electrically coupled in series with the select device. The capacitor includes two conductive capacitor electrodes having ferroelectric material there-between. The capacitor has an intrinsic current leakage path from one of the capacitor electrodes to the other through the ferroelectric material. There is a parallel current leakage path from the one capacitor electrode to the other. The parallel current leakage path is circuit-parallel the intrinsic path and of lower total resistance than the intrinsic path. Other aspects are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2019
    Publication date: June 20, 2019
    Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Kamal M. Karda, Qian Tao, Durai Vishak Nirmal Ramaswamy, Haitao Liu, Kirk D. Prall, Ashonita Chavan
  • Publication number: 20190189627
    Abstract: A ferroelectric memory device includes a plurality of memory cells. Each of the memory cells comprises at least one electrode and a ferroelectric crystalline material disposed proximate the at least one electrode. The ferroelectric crystalline material is polarizable by an electric field capable of being generated by electrically charging the at least one electrode. The ferroelectric crystalline material comprises a polar and chiral crystal structure without inversion symmetry through an inversion center. The ferroelectric crystalline material does not consist essentially of an oxide of at least one of hafnium (Hf) and zirconium (Zr).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2019
    Publication date: June 20, 2019
    Inventors: Sumeet C. Pandey, Lei Bi, Roy E. Meade, Qian Tao, Ashonita A. Chavan