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: 20030082874
    Abstract: In one aspect, the invention provides a method of forming an integrated circuitry memory device. In one preferred implementation, a conductive layer is formed over both memory array areas and peripheral circuitry areas A refractory metal layer is formed over the conductive layer to provide conductive structure in both areas. According to a preferred aspect of this implementation, the conductive layer which is formed over the memory array provides an electrical contact for a capacitor container to be formed. According to another preferred aspect of this implementation, the conductive layer formed over the peripheral circuitry area constitutes a conductive line which includes at least some of the silicide. In another preferred implementation, the invention provides a method of forming a capacitor container over a substrate. According to a preferred aspect of this implementation, a conductive layer is elevationally interposed between an upper insulating layer and a lower conductive layer over the substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2002
    Publication date: May 1, 2003
    Inventors: Richard H. Lane, John K. Zahurak
  • Publication number: 20030073277
    Abstract: The invention encompasses a method of forming a portion of a transistor structure. A substrate is provided, and a transistor gate is formed over the substrate. The transistor gate has a sidewall. A silicon oxide is deposited over a portion of the substrate proximate the transistor gate by high density plasma deposition. A spacer is formed over the silicon oxide and along the sidewall of the transistor gate. The invention also encompasses a method of oxidizing a portion of a conductive structure. Additionally, the invention encompasses transistor gate structures, as well as structures comprising memory array and peripheral circuitry.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2002
    Publication date: April 17, 2003
    Inventors: Chih-Chen Cho, Richard H. Lane, Charles H. Dennison
  • Publication number: 20030054603
    Abstract: A double blanket ion implant method for forming diffusion regions in memory array devices, such as a MOSFET access device is disclosed. The method provides a semiconductor substrate with a gate structure formed on its surface Next, a first pair of diffusion regions are formed in a region adjacent to the channel region by a first blanket ion implantation process. The first blanket ion implantation process has a first energy level and dose. The device is subjected to oxidizing conditions, which form oxidized sidewalls on the gate structure. A second blanket ion implantation process is conducted at the same location as the first ion implantation process adding additional dopant to the diffusion regions. The second blanket ion implantation process has a second energy level and dose. The resultant diffusion regions provide the device with improved static refresh performance over prior art devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2002
    Publication date: March 20, 2003
    Inventors: Mark Fischer, Charles H. Dennison, Fawad Ahmed, Richard H. Lane, John K. Zahurak, Kunal R. Parekh
  • Publication number: 20030032255
    Abstract: A 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: October 18, 2002
    Publication date: February 13, 2003
    Inventor: Richard H. Lane
  • Publication number: 20030032258
    Abstract: In one aspect, the invention includes an isolation region forming method comprising: a) forming an oxide layer over a substrate; b) forming a nitride layer over the oxide layer, the nitride layer and oxide layer having a pattern of openings extending therethrough to expose portions of the underlying substrate; c) etching the exposed portions of the underlying substrate to form openings extending into the substrate; d) after etching the exposed portions of the underlying substrate, removing portions of the nitride layer while leaving some of the nitride layer remaining over the substrate; and e) after removing portions of the nitride layer, forming oxide within the openings in the substrate, the oxide within the openings forming at least portions of isolation regions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2002
    Publication date: February 13, 2003
    Inventors: David L. Dickerson, Richard H. Lane, Charles H. Dennison, Kunal R. Parekh, Mark Fischer, John K. Zahurak
  • Publication number: 20030022459
    Abstract: In one aspect, the invention includes an isolation region forming method comprising: a) forming an oxide layer over a substrate; b) forming a nitride layer over the oxide layer, the nitride layer and oxide layer having a pattern of openings extending therethrough to expose portions of the underlying substrate; c) etching the exposed portions of the underlying substrate to form openings extending into the substrate; d) after etching the exposed portions of the underlying substrate, removing portions of the nitride layer while leaving some of the nitride layer remaining over the substrate; and e) after removing portions of the nitride layer, forming oxide within the openings in the substrate, the oxide within the openings forming at least portions of isolation regions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2002
    Publication date: January 30, 2003
    Inventors: David L. Dickerson, Richard H. Lane, Charles H. Dennison, Kunal R. Parekh, Mark Fischer, John K. Zahurak
  • Publication number: 20030003672
    Abstract: This invention embodies an improved process for annealing integrated circuits to repair fabrication-induced damage. An integrated circuit is annealed in a pressurized, sealed chamber in which a forming gas comprising hydrogen is present. Pressurization of the chamber reduces the contribution made by the final anneal step to total thermal exposure by increasing the diffusion rate of the hydrogen into the materials from which the integrated circuit is fabricated. Ideally, the forming gas contains, in addition to hydrogen, at least one other gas such as nitrogen or argon that will not react with hydrogen and, thus, reduces the danger of explosion. However, the integrated circuit may be annealed in an ambiance containing only hydrogen gas that is maintained at a pressure greater than ambient atmospheric pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2002
    Publication date: January 2, 2003
    Inventors: Richard H. Lane, Phillip G. Wald
  • Patent number: 6501114
    Abstract: The invention encompasses a method of forming a portion of a transistor structure. A substrate is provided, and a transistor gate is formed over the substrate. The transistor gate has a sidewall. A silicon oxide is deposited over a portion of the substrate proximate the transistor gate by high density plasma deposition. A spacer is formed over the silicon oxide and along the sidewall of the transistor gate. The invention also encompasses a method of oxidizing a portion of a conductive structure. Additionally, the invention encompasses transistor gate structures, as well as structures comprising memory array and peripheral circuitry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2002
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Chih-Chen Cho, Richard H. Lane, Charles H. Dennison
  • Publication number: 20020192898
    Abstract: The invention is a method of depositing an aluminum nitride comprising layer over a semiconductor substrate, a method of forming DRAM circuitry, DRAM circuitry, a method of forming a field emission device, and a field emission device. In one aspect, a method of depositing an aluminum nitride comprising layer over a semiconductor substrate includes positioning a semiconductor substrate within a chemical vapor deposition reactor. Ammonia and at least one of triethylaluminum and trimethylaluminum are fed to the reactor while the substrate is at a temperature of about 500° C. or less and at a reactor pressure from about 100 mTorr to about 725 Torr effective to deposit a layer comprising aluminum nitride over the substrate at such temperature and reactor pressure. In one aspect, such layer is utilized as a cell dielectric layer in DRAM circuitry. In one aspect, such layer is deposited over emitters of a field emission display.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2002
    Publication date: December 19, 2002
    Inventors: Brenda D. Kraus, Richard H. Lane
  • Publication number: 20020192903
    Abstract: In one aspect, the invention provides a method of forming an integrated circuitry memory device. In one preferred implementation, a conductive layer is formed over both memory array areas and peripheral circuitry areas. A refractory metal layer is formed over the conductive layer to provide conductive structure in both areas. According to a preferred aspect of this implementation, the conductive layer which is formed over the memory array provides an electrical contact for a capacitor container to be formed. According to another preferred aspect of this implementation, the conductive layer formed over the peripheral circuitry area constitutes a conductive line which includes at least some of the silicide. In another preferred implementation, the invention provides a method of forming a capacitor container over a substrate. According to a preferred aspect of this implementation, a conductive layer is elevationally interposed between an upper insulating layer and a lower conductive layer over the substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2002
    Publication date: December 19, 2002
    Inventors: Richard H. Lane, John K. Zahurak
  • Patent number: 6495410
    Abstract: In one aspect, the invention provides a method of forming an integrated circuitry memory device. In one preferred implementation, a conductive layer is formed over both memory array areas and peripheral circuitry areas. A refractory metal layer is formed over the conductive layer to provide conductive structure in both areas. According to a preferred aspect of this implementation, the conductive a layer which is formed over the memory array provides an electrical contact for a capacitor container to be formed. According to another preferred aspect of this implementation, the conductive layer formed over the peripheral circuitry area constitutes a conductive line which includes at least some of the silicide. In another preferred implementation, the invention provides a method of forming a capacitor container over a substrate. According to a preferred aspect of this implementation, a conductive layer is elevationally interposed between an upper insulating layer and a lower conductive layer over the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2002
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard H. Lane, John K. Zahurak
  • Patent number: 6492285
    Abstract: This invention embodies an improved process for annealing integrated circuits to repair fabrication-induced damage. An integrated circuit is annealed in a pressurized sealed chamber in which a forming gas comprising hydrogen is present. Pressurization of the chamber reduces the contribution made by the final anneal step to total thermal exposure by increasing the diffusion rate of the hydrogen into the materials from which the integrated circuit is fabricated. Ideally, the forming gas contains, in addition to hydrogen, at least one other gas such as nitrogen or argon that will not react with hydrogen and, thus, reduce the danger of explosion. However, the integrated circuit may be annealed in an ambiance containing only hydrogen gas that is maintained at a pressure greater than ambient atmospheric pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2002
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard H. Lane, Phillip G. Wald
  • Patent number: 6482707
    Abstract: A double blanket ion implant method for forming diffusion regions in memory array devices, such as a MOSFET access device is disclosed. The method provides a semiconductor substrate with a gate structure formed on its surface Next, a first pair of diffusion regions are formed in a region adjacent to the channel region by a first blanket ion implantation process. The first blanket ion implantation process has a first energy level and dose. The device is subjected to oxidizing conditions, which form oxidized sidewalls on the gate structure. A second blanket ion implantation process is conducted at the same location as the first ion implantation process adding additional dopant to the diffusion regions. The second blanket ion implantation process has a second energy level and dose. The resultant diffusion regions provide the device with improved static refresh performance over prior art devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2002
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Fischer, Charles H. Dennison, Fawad Ahmed, Richard H. Lane, John K. Zahurak, Kunal R. Parekh
  • Patent number: 6475911
    Abstract: A process for high resolution patterning of noble metals, such as platinum, for forming various semiconductor devices, such as capacitors or wiring patterns, is disclosed. A layer of noble metal, which will form an upper electrode of a capacitor, is formed over a dielectric layer. A mask layer is then formed over the noble metal layer and patterned to leave a portion of the noble metal layer exposed. The portion of the exposed noble metal is subsequently converted to its silicide, the noble metal silicide is then etched and the dielectric layer is removed, leaving the noble metal layer patterned in an upper electrode of an IC capacitor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2002
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard H. Lane
  • Publication number: 20020151128
    Abstract: An improved process for annealing integrated circuits to repair fabrication-induced damage. An integrated circuit is annealed in a pressurized sealed chamber in which a forming gas comprising hydrogen is present. Pressurization of the chamber reduces the contribution made by the final anneal step to total thermal exposure by increasing the diffusion rate of the hydrogen into the materials from which the integrated circuit is fabricated. Ideally, the forming gas contains, in addition to hydrogen, at least one other gas such as nitrogen or argon that will not react with hydrogen and, thus, reduce the danger of explosion. However, the integrated circuit may be annealed in an ambiance containing only hydrogen gas that is maintained at a pressure greater than ambient atmospheric pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2002
    Publication date: October 17, 2002
    Inventors: Richard H. Lane, Phillip G. Wald
  • Patent number: 6455370
    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: August 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2002
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard H. Lane
  • Publication number: 20020127885
    Abstract: This invention embodies an improved process for annealing integrated circuits to repair fabrication-induced damage. An integrated circuit is annealed in a pressurized, sealed chamber in which a forming gas comprising hydrogen is present. Pressurization of the chamber reduces the contribution made by the final anneal step to total thermal exposure by increasing the diffusion rate of the hydrogen into the materials from which the integrated circuit is fabricated. ideally, the forming gas contains, in addition to hydrogen, at least one other gas such as nitrogen or argon that will not react with hydrogen and, thus, reduces the danger of explosion. However, the integrated circuit may be annealed in an ambiance containing only hydrogen gas that is maintained at a pressure greater than ambient atmospheric pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2002
    Publication date: September 12, 2002
    Inventors: Richard H. Lane, Phillip G. Wald
  • Publication number: 20020115231
    Abstract: A 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: April 8, 2002
    Publication date: August 22, 2002
    Inventor: Richard H. Lane
  • Publication number: 20020098715
    Abstract: This invention embodies an improved process for annealing integrated circuits to repair fabrication-induced damage. An integrated circuit is annealed in a pressurized sealed chamber in which a forming gas comprising hydrogen is present. Pressurization of the chamber reduces the contribution made by the final anneal step to total thermal exposure by increasing the diffusion rate of the hydrogen into the materials from which the integrated circuit is fabricated. Ideally, the forming gas contains, in addition to hydrogen, at least one other gas such as nitrogen or argon that will not react with hydrogen and, thus, reduce the danger of explosion. However, the integrated circuit may be annealed in an ambiance containing only hydrogen gas that is maintained at a pressure greater than ambient atmospheric pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2002
    Publication date: July 25, 2002
    Inventors: Richard H. Lane, Phillip G. Wald
  • Patent number: 6424043
    Abstract: In one aspect, the invention provides a method of forming an integrated circuitry memory device. In one preferred implementation, a conductive layer is formed over both memory array areas and peripheral circuitry areas. A refractory metal layer is formed over the conductive layer to provide conductive structure in both areas. According to a preferred aspect of this implementation, the conductive layer which is formed over the memory array provides an electrical contact for a capacitor container to be formed. According to another preferred aspect of this implementation, the conductive layer formed over the peripheral circuitry area constitutes a conductive line which includes at least some of the silicide. In another preferred implementation, the invention provides a method of forming a capacitor container over a substrate. According to a preferred aspect of this implementation, a conductive layer is elevationally interposed between an upper insulating layer and a lower conductive layer over the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2002
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard H. Lane, John K. Zahurak