Patents by Inventor Richard H. Lane

Richard H. Lane 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: 20150187767
    Abstract: Methods of isolating gates in a semiconductor structure. In one embodiment, isolation is achieved using a spacer material in combination with fins. In another embodiment, etch characteristics of various materials utilized in fabrication of the semiconductor structure are used to increase an effective gate length (“Leffective”) and a field gate oxide. Semiconductor structures formed by these methods are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2015
    Publication date: July 2, 2015
    Inventors: Paul Grisham, Werner Juengling, Richard H. Lane
  • Patent number: 8987834
    Abstract: Methods of isolating gates in a semiconductor structure. In one embodiment, isolation is achieved using a spacer material in combination with fins. In another embodiment, etch characteristics of various materials utilized in fabrication of the semiconductor structure are used to increase an effective gate length (“Leffective”) and a field gate oxide. Semiconductor structures formed by these methods are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Grisham, Richard H. Lane
  • Publication number: 20120181605
    Abstract: Methods of isolating gates in a semiconductor structure. In one embodiment, isolation is achieved using a spacer material in combination with fins. In another embodiment, etch characteristics of various materials utilized in fabrication of the semiconductor structure are used to increase an effective gate length (“Leffective”) and a field gate oxide. Semiconductor structures formed by these methods are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2012
    Publication date: July 19, 2012
    Applicant: MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Paul Grisham, Richard H. Lane
  • Patent number: 8148775
    Abstract: Methods of isolating gates in a semiconductor structure. In one embodiment, isolation is achieved using a spacer material in combination with fins having substantially vertical sidewalls. In another embodiment, etch characteristics of various materials utilized in fabrication of the semiconductor structure are used to increase an effective gate length (“Leffective”) and a field gate oxide. In yet another embodiment, a V-shaped trench is formed in the semiconductor structure to increase the Leffective and the field gate oxide. Semiconductor structures formed by these methods are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Brent D. Gilgen, Paul Grisham, Werner Juengling, Richard H. Lane
  • Patent number: 7943477
    Abstract: An electropolishing process for high resolution patterning of noble metals, such as platinum, for forming various semiconductor devices, such as capacitors or wiring patterns is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2011
    Assignee: Round Rock Research, LLC
    Inventor: Richard H. Lane
  • Patent number: 7935602
    Abstract: The invention includes methods of forming isolation regions. An opening can be formed to extend into a semiconductor material, and an upper periphery of the opening can be protected with a liner while a lower periphery is unlined. The unlined portion can then be etched to form a widened region of the opening. Subsequently, the opening can be filled with insulative material to form an isolation region. Transistor devices can then be formed on opposing sides of the isolation region, and electrically isolated from one another with the isolation region. The invention also includes semiconductor constructions containing an electrically insulative isolation structure extending into a semiconductor material, with the structure having a bulbous bottom region and a stem region extending upwardly from the bottom region to a surface of the semiconductor material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2011
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Hongmei Wang, Fred D. Fishburn, Janos Fucsko, T. Earl Allen, Richard H. Lane, Robert J. Hanson, Kevin R. Shea
  • Publication number: 20100133609
    Abstract: Methods of isolating gates in a semiconductor structure. In one embodiment, isolation is achieved using a spacer material in combination with fins having substantially vertical sidewalls. In another embodiment, etch characteristics of various materials utilized in fabrication of the semiconductor structure are used to increase an effective gate length (“Leffective”) and a field gate oxide. In yet another embodiment, a V-shaped trench is formed in the semiconductor structure to increase the Leffective and the field gate oxide. Semiconductor structures formed by these methods are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2010
    Publication date: June 3, 2010
    Applicant: MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Brent D. Gilgen, Paul Grisham, Werner Juengling, Richard H. Lane
  • Publication number: 20100055863
    Abstract: An electropolishing process for high resolution patterning of noble metals, such as platinum, for forming various semiconductor devices, such as capacitors or wiring patterns is disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2009
    Publication date: March 4, 2010
    Inventor: Richard H. Lane
  • Patent number: 7629630
    Abstract: An electropolishing process for high resolution patterning of noble metals, such as platinum, for forming various semiconductor devices, such as capacitors or wiring patterns is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2009
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard H. Lane
  • Publication number: 20090294840
    Abstract: Methods of isolating gates in a semiconductor structure. In one embodiment, isolation is achieved using a spacer material in combination with fins having substantially vertical sidewalls. In another embodiment, etch characteristics of various materials utilized in fabrication of the semiconductor structure are used to increase the effective gate length (“Leffective”) and the field gate oxide. In yet another embodiment, a V-shaped trench is formed in the semiconductor structure to increase the Leffective and the field gate oxide. Semiconductor structures formed by these methods are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2008
    Publication date: December 3, 2009
    Applicant: MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Brent D. Gilgen, Paul Grisham, Werner Juengling, Richard H. Lane
  • Patent number: 7601598
    Abstract: The present invention teaches a method of forming a MOSFET transistor having a silicide gate which is not subject to problems produced by etching a metal containing layer when forming the gate stack structure. A gate stack is formed over a semiconductor substrate comprising a gate oxide layer, a conducting layer, and a first insulating layer. Sidewall spacers are formed adjacent to the sides of the gate stack structure and a third insulating layer is formed over the gate stack and substrate. The third insulating layer and first insulating layer are removed to expose the conducting layer and, at least one unetched metal-containing layer is formed over and in contact with the conducting layer. The gate stack structure then undergoes a siliciding process with different variations to finally form a silicide gate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2009
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Werner Juengling, Richard H. Lane
  • Patent number: 7501672
    Abstract: A method used to form a semiconductor device provides a silicide layer on a plurality of transistor word lines and on a plurality of conductive plugs. In one embodiment, the word lines, one or more sacrificial dielectric layers on the word lines, conductive plugs, and a conductive enhancement layer are formed through the use of a single mask. An in-process semiconductor device which may be formed using one embodiment of the inventive method is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2009
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Fredrick D. Fishburn, Terrence B. McDaniel, Richard H. Lane
  • Patent number: 7473644
    Abstract: Methods for forming accurate, symmetric cross-section spacers of hardmask material on a substrate such as a silicon wafer or quartz substrate, for formation of precise subresolution features useful for forming integrated circuits. The resulting symmetrical hardmask spacers with their symmetric upper portions may be used to accurately etch well-defined, high aspect ratio features in the underlying substrate. Some disclosed methods also enable simultaneous formation of hardmask structures of various dimensions, of both conventional and subresolution size, to enable etching structural features of different sizes in the underlying substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2009
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard H. Lane, Fred Fishburn
  • Patent number: 7375014
    Abstract: The invention includes methods of electrochemically treating semiconductor substrates. The invention includes a method of electroplating a substance. A substrate having defined first and second regions is provided. The first and second regions can be defined by a single mask, and accordingly can be considered to be self-aligned relative to one another. A first electrically conductive material is formed over the first region, and a second electrically conductive material is formed over the second region. The first and second electrically conductive materials are exposed to an electrolytic solution while providing electrical current to the first and second electrically conductive materials. A desired substance is selectively electroplated onto the first electrically conductive material during the exposing of the first and second electrically conductive materials to the electrolytic solution. The invention also includes methods of forming capacitor constructions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2008
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Dale W. Collins, Richard H. Lane, Rita J. Klein
  • Patent number: 7348234
    Abstract: The invention includes methods of electrochemically treating semiconductor substrates. The invention includes a method of electroplating a substance. A substrate having defined first and second regions is provided. The first and second regions can be defined by a single mask, and accordingly can be considered to be self-aligned relative to one another. A first electrically conductive material is formed over the first region, and a second electrically conductive material is formed over the second region. The first and second electrically conductive materials are exposed to an electrolytic solution while providing electrical current to the first and second electrically conductive materials. A desired substance is selectively electroplated onto the first electrically conductive material during the exposing of the first and second electrically conductive materials to the electrolytic solution. The invention also includes methods of forming capacitor constructions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2008
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Dale W. Collins, Richard H. Lane, Rita J. Klein
  • Patent number: 7344977
    Abstract: The invention includes methods of electrochemically treating semiconductor substrates. The invention includes a method of electroplating a substance. A substrate having defined first and second regions is provided. The first and second regions can be defined by a single mask, and accordingly can be considered to be self-aligned relative to one another. A first electrically conductive material is formed over the first region, and a second electrically conductive material is formed over the second region. The first and second electrically conductive materials are exposed to an electrolytic solution while providing electrical current to the first and second electrically conductive materials. A desired substance is selectively electroplated onto the first electrically conductive material during the exposing of the first and second electrically conductive materials to the electrolytic solution. The invention also includes methods of forming capacitor constructions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Dale W. Collins, Richard H. Lane, Rita J. Klein
  • Patent number: 7329618
    Abstract: An ion implanting method includes forming a pair of spaced and adjacent features projecting outwardly from a substrate. At least outermost portions of the pair of spaced features are laterally pulled away from one another with a patterned photoresist layer received over the features and which has an opening therein received intermediate the pair of spaced features. While such spaced features are laterally pulled, a species is ion implanted into substrate material which is received lower than the pair of spaced features. After the ion implanting, the patterned photoresist layer is removed from the substrate. Other aspects and implementations are contemplated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2008
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Randall Culver, Terrence B. McDaniel, Hongmei Wang, James L. Dale, Richard H. Lane, Fred D. Fishburn
  • Patent number: 7288817
    Abstract: The present invention teaches a method of forming a MOSFET transistor having a silicide gate which is not subject to problems produced by etching a metal containing layer when forming the gate stack structure. A gate stack is formed over a semiconductor substrate comprising a gate oxide layer, a conducting layer, and a first insulating layer. Sidewall spacers are formed adjacent to the sides of the gate stack structure and a third insulating layer is formed over the gate stack and substrate. The third insulating layer and first insulating layer are removed to expose the conducting layer and, at least one unetched metal-containing layer is formed over and in contact with the conducting layer. The gate stack structure then undergoes a siliciding process with different variations to finally form a silicide gate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2007
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Werner Juengling, Richard H. Lane
  • Patent number: 7282131
    Abstract: The invention includes methods of electrochemically treating semiconductor substrates. The invention includes a method of electroplating a substance. A substrate having defined first and second regions is provided. The first and second regions can be defined by a single mask, and accordingly can be considered to be self-aligned relative to one another. A first electrically conductive material is formed over the first region, and a second electrically conductive material is formed over the second region. The first and second electrically conductive materials are exposed to an electrolytic solution while providing electrical current to the first and second electrically conductive materials. A desired substance is selectively electroplated onto the first electrically conductive material during the exposing of the first and second electrically conductive materials to the electrolytic solution. The invention also includes methods of forming capacitor constructions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2007
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Dale W. Collins, Richard H. Lane, Rita J. Klein
  • Patent number: 7273778
    Abstract: The invention includes methods of electrochemically treating semiconductor substrates. The invention includes a method of electroplating a substance. A substrate having defined first and second regions is provided. The first and second regions can be defined by a single mask, and accordingly can be considered to be self-aligned relative to one another. A first electrically conductive material is formed over the first region, and a second electrically conductive material is formed over the second region. The first and second electrically conductive materials are exposed to an electrolytic solution while providing electrical current to the first and second electrically conductive materials. A desired substance is selectively electroplated onto the first electrically conductive material during the exposing of the first and second electrically conductive materials to the electrolytic solution. The invention also includes methods of forming capacitor constructions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2007
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Dale W. Collins, Richard H. Lane, Rita J. Klein