Patents by Inventor Richard J. Hill

Richard J. Hill 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: 20240130124
    Abstract: An electronic device comprising a cell region comprising stacks of alternating dielectric materials and conductive materials. A pillar region is adjacent to the cell region and comprises storage node segments adjacent to adjoining oxide materials and adjacent to a tunnel region. The storage node segments are separated by a vertical portion of the tunnel region. A high-k dielectric material is adjacent to the conductive materials of the cell region and to the adjoining oxide materials of the pillar region. Additional electronic devices are disclosed, as are methods of forming an electronic device and related systems.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2023
    Publication date: April 18, 2024
    Inventors: Shyam Surthi, Richard J. Hill, Gurtej S. Sandhu, Byeung Chul Kim, Francois H. Fabreguette, Chris M. Carlson, Michael E. Koltonski, Shane J. Trapp
  • Publication number: 20240121943
    Abstract: Some embodiments include an integrated assembly having first conductive structures extending along a first direction. Spaced-apart upwardly-opening container-shapes are over the first conductive structures. Each of the container-shapes has a first sidewall region, a second sidewall region, and a bottom region extending from the first sidewall region to the second sidewall region. Each of the first and second sidewall regions includes a lower source/drain region, an upper source/drain region, and a channel region between the upper and lower source/drain regions. The lower source/drain regions are electrically coupled with the first conductive structures. Second conductive structures extend along a second direction which crosses the first direction. The second conductive structures have gate regions operatively adjacent the channel regions. Storage elements are electrically coupled with the upper source/drain regions. Some embodiments include methods of forming integrated assemblies.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2023
    Publication date: April 11, 2024
    Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: David K. Hwang, Richard J. Hill, Gurtej S. Sandhu
  • Patent number: 11948992
    Abstract: Electronic devices comprising a doped dielectric material adjacent to a source contact, tiers of alternating conductive materials and dielectric materials adjacent to the doped dielectric material, and pillars extending through the tiers, the doped dielectric material, and the source contact and into the source stack. Related methods and electronic systems are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc .
    Inventors: Michael A. Lindemann, Collin Howder, Yoshiaki Fukuzumi, Richard J. Hill
  • Publication number: 20240099007
    Abstract: A microelectronic device comprises a stack structure comprising a stack structure comprising a vertically alternating sequence of conductive structures and insulative structures arranged in tiers, the stack structure divided into block structures separated from one another by slot structures, strings of memory cells vertically extending through the block structures of the stack structure, the strings of memory cells individually comprising a channel material vertically extending through the stack structure, an additional stack structure vertically overlying the stack structure and comprising a vertical sequence of additional conductive structures and additional insulative structures arranged in additional tiers, first pillars extending through the additional stack structure and vertically overlying the strings of memory cells, each of the first pillars horizontally offset from a center of a corresponding string of memory cells, second pillars extending through the additional stack structure and vertically ove
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2023
    Publication date: March 21, 2024
    Inventors: Yoshiaki Fukuzumi, Jun Fujiki, Matthew J. King, Sidhartha Gupta, Paolo Tessariol, Kunal Shrotri, Kye Hyun Baek, Kyle A. Ritter, Shuji Tanaka, Umberto Maria Meotto, Richard J. Hill, Matthew Holland
  • Publication number: 20240071918
    Abstract: A microelectronic device includes a stack structure having tiers each including conductive material vertically neighboring insulative material and conductive contact structures. The stack structure is divided into blocks horizontally extending in parallel in a first direction and separated from one another in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction by insulative slot structures. At least one of the blocks includes a lower stadium structure having steps including edges of some of the tiers, and an upper stadium structure vertically overlying the lower stadium structure and having additional steps including edges of some other of the tiers vertically overlying the some of the tiers. The additional steps have greater tread widths in the first direction than the steps. Conductive contact structures are in contact with the additional steps of the upper stadium structure of the at least one of the blocks. Memory devices and electronic systems are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2022
    Publication date: February 29, 2024
    Inventors: Lifang Xu, Sidhartha Gupta, Indra V. Chary, Richard J. Hill, Umberto Maria Meotto
  • Publication number: 20240057337
    Abstract: Microelectronic devices include a stack structure comprising a vertically alternating sequence of insulative structures and conductive structures arranged in tiers. A series of pillars extends through the stack structure. At least one isolation structure extends through an upper stack portion of the stack structure. The at least one isolation structure protrudes into pillars of neighboring columns of pillars of the series of pillars. Conductive contacts are in electrical communication with the pillars into which the at least one isolation structure protrudes. Related methods and electronic systems are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2023
    Publication date: February 15, 2024
    Inventors: Matthew J. King, David A. Daycock, Yoshiaki Fukuzumi, Albert Fayrushin, Richard J. Hill, Chandra S. Tiwari, Jun Fujiki
  • Patent number: 11903196
    Abstract: A microelectronic device comprises a stack structure comprising a stack structure comprising a vertically alternating sequence of conductive structures and insulative structures arranged in tiers, the stack structure divided into block structures separated from one another by slot structures, strings of memory cells vertically extending through the block structures of the stack structure, the strings of memory cells individually comprising a channel material vertically extending through the stack structure, an additional stack structure vertically overlying the stack structure and comprising a vertical sequence of additional conductive structures and additional insulative structures arranged in additional tiers, first pillars extending through the additional stack structure and vertically overlying the strings of memory cells, each of the first pillars horizontally offset from a center of a corresponding string of memory cells, second pillars extending through the additional stack structure and vertically ove
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Yoshiaki Fukuzumi, Jun Fujiki, Matthew J. King, Sidhartha Gupta, Paolo Tessariol, Kunal Shrotri, Kye Hyun Baek, Kyle A. Ritter, Shuji Tanaka, Umberto Maria Meotto, Richard J. Hill, Matthew Holland
  • Patent number: 11889680
    Abstract: Some embodiments include an integrated assembly having first conductive structures extending along a first direction. Spaced-apart upwardly-opening container-shapes are over the first conductive structures. Each of the container-shapes has a first sidewall region, a second sidewall region, and a bottom region extending from the first sidewall region to the second sidewall region. Each of the first and second sidewall regions includes a lower source/drain region, an upper source/drain region, and a channel region between the upper and lower source/drain regions. The lower source/drain regions are electrically coupled with the first conductive structures. Second conductive structures extend along a second direction which crosses the first direction. The second conductive structures have gate regions operatively adjacent the channel regions. Storage elements are electrically coupled with the upper source/drain regions. Some embodiments include methods of forming integrated assemblies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: David K. Hwang, Richard J. Hill, Gurtej S. Sandhu
  • Patent number: 11871572
    Abstract: Some embodiments include a NAND memory array having a vertical stack of alternating insulative levels and conductive levels. The conductive levels include control gate regions. High-k dielectric material is adjacent to the control gate regions and is configured as an arrangement of first vertically-extending linear segments which are vertically spaced from one another. Charge-blocking material is adjacent to the high-k dielectric material and is configured as an arrangement of second vertically-extending linear segments which are vertically spaced from one another. Charge-storage material is adjacent to the charge-blocking material and is configured as an arrangement of third vertically-extending linear segments which are vertically spaced from one another. Gate-dielectric material is adjacent to the charge-storage material. Channel material extends vertically along the stack and is adjacent to the gate-dielectric material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Inventors: Shyam Surthi, Davide Resnati, Paolo Tessariol, Richard J. Hill, John D. Hopkins
  • Patent number: 11864386
    Abstract: A memory array comprises vertically-alternating tiers of insulative material and memory cells. The memory cells individually comprise a transistor comprising first and second source/drain regions having a channel region there-between and a gate operatively proximate the channel region. The individual memory cells comprise a capacitor comprising first and second electrodes having a capacitor insulator there-between. The first electrode electrically couples to the first source/drain region. Wordline structures extend elevationally through the insulative material and the memory cells of the vertically-alternating tiers. Individual of the gates that are in different of the memory cell tiers directly electrically couple to individual of the wordline structures. Sense-lines electrically couple to multiple of the second source/drain regions of individual of the transistors. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Sanh D. Tang, Richard J. Hill, Yi Fang Lee, Martin C. Roberts
  • Publication number: 20230397422
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for merged cavities and buried etch stops for three-dimensional memory arrays are described. For example, a row of cavities may be formed using a cavity etching process and material separating cavities of the row may be removed to merge the row of cavities to form a trench. In some cases, a trench may be formed from multiple rows of cavities. Additionally, or alternatively, a trench may be formed from a pattern of cavities that includes different quantities of rows at different locations along the trench. In some examples, etch stopping material portions (e.g., etch stops) may be formed at locations corresponding to cavities prior to the cavity etching process. For example, exposed material surfaces at locations corresponding to cavities or trenches may be oxidized to form etch stops.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2022
    Publication date: December 7, 2023
    Inventors: Yoshiaki Fukuzumi, David H. Wells, Byeung Chul Kim, Richard J. Hill, Paolo Tessariol
  • Publication number: 20230395723
    Abstract: Some embodiments include an integrated assembly having an upwardly-extending structure with a sidewall surface. Two-dimensional-material extends along the sidewall surface. First electrostatic-doping-material is adjacent a lower region of the two-dimensional-material, insulative material is adjacent a central region of the two-dimensional-material, and second electrostatic-doping-material is adjacent an upper region of the two-dimensional-material. A conductive-gate-structure is over the first electrostatic-doping-material and adjacent to the insulative material. Some embodiments include methods of forming integrated assemblies.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2023
    Publication date: December 7, 2023
    Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: David K. Hwang, Richard J. Hill, Gurtej S. Sandhu
  • Publication number: 20230345722
    Abstract: Some embodiments include apparatuses and methods of forming the apparatuses. One of the methods includes forming levels of materials one over another; forming a first opening and a second opening in the levels of materials; forming at least one dielectric material in the first and second openings; forming tiers of materials over the levels of materials and over the dielectric material in the first and second openings; forming a first pillar of a memory cell string, the first pillar extending through the tiers of materials and extending partially into a location of the first opening; and forming a second pillar of a contact structure, the second pillar extending through the tiers of materials and through a location of the second opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2022
    Publication date: October 26, 2023
    Inventors: Byeung Chul Kim, Joshua Wolanyk, Richard J. Hill, Damir Fazil
  • Patent number: 11800717
    Abstract: Microelectronic devices include a stack structure comprising a vertically alternating sequence of insulative structures and conductive structures arranged in tiers. A series of pillars extends through the stack structure. At least one isolation structure extends through an upper stack portion of the stack structure. The at least one isolation structure protrudes into pillars of neighboring columns of pillars of the series of pillars. Conductive contacts are in electrical communication with the pillars into which the at least one isolation structure protrudes. Related methods and electronic systems are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Inventors: Matthew J. King, David A. Daycock, Yoshiaki Fukuzumi, Albert Fayrushin, Richard J. Hill, Chandra S. Tiwari, Jun Fujiki
  • Publication number: 20230320085
    Abstract: A memory array comprising strings of memory cells comprises a vertical stack comprising vertically-alternating insulative tiers and conductive tiers directly above a conductor tier. Channel-material-string constructions of memory-cell strings extend through the insulative and conductive tiers. The channel material of the channel-material-string constructions directly electrically couples with conductor material of the conductor tier. The vertical stack comprising a memory-cell region comprises memory cells. Individual of the insulative tiers in the memory-cell region laterally-outward of the channel-material-string constructions have at least a majority of their insulative matter being void space. The vertical stack comprises an upper region directly above the memory-cell region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2022
    Publication date: October 5, 2023
    Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Shyam Surthi, Richard J. Hill
  • Patent number: 11777036
    Abstract: Some embodiments include an integrated assembly having an upwardly-extending structure with a sidewall surface. Two-dimensional-material extends along the sidewall surface. First electrostatic-doping-material is adjacent a lower region of the two-dimensional-material, insulative material is adjacent a central region of the two-dimensional-material, and second electrostatic-doping-material is adjacent an upper region of the two-dimensional-material. A conductive-gate-structure is over the first electrostatic-doping-material and adjacent to the insulative material. Some embodiments include methods of forming integrated assemblies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: David K. Hwang, Richard J. Hill, Gurtej S. Sandhu
  • Publication number: 20230307350
    Abstract: A microelectronic device includes a stack structure having blocks separated by dielectric slot structures and each including a vertically alternating sequence of conductive structures and insulative structures arranged in tiers. At least one of the blocks includes an upper stadium structure, two crest regions, a lower stadium structure, and two bridge regions. The upper stadium structure extends from and between two of the dielectric slot structures, and includes staircase structures having steps including edges of some of the tiers. The two crest regions are horizontally offset from the upper stadium structure. The lower stadium structure is below the upper stadium structure, is interposed between the two crest regions, and includes additional staircase structures. The two bridge regions are interposed between the lower stadium structure and the two of the dielectric slot structures, and extend between the two crest regions. Related memory devices, electronic systems, and methods are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2022
    Publication date: September 28, 2023
    Inventors: Lifang Xu, Indra V. Chary, Richard J. Hill
  • Patent number: 11735672
    Abstract: Some embodiments include an integrated transistor having an active region comprising semiconductor material. A conductive gating structure is adjacent to the active region. The conductive gating structure includes an inner region proximate the active region and includes an outer region distal from the active region. The inner region includes a first material containing titanium and nitrogen, and the outer region includes a metal-containing second material. The second material has a higher conductivity than the first material. Some embodiments include integrated assemblies. Some embodiments include methods of forming integrated assemblies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Aaron Michael Lowe, Zhuo Chen, Marko Milojevic, Timothy A. Quick, Richard J. Hill, Scott E. Sills
  • Publication number: 20230262981
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2023
    Publication date: August 17, 2023
    Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Byeung Chul Kim, Francois H. Fabreguette, Richard J. Hill, Purnima Narayanan, Shyam Surthi
  • Patent number: D1023009
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Jody Akana, Molly Anderson, Bartley K. Andre, Shota Aoyagi, Anthony Michael Ashcroft, John J. Baker, Marine C. Bataille, Jeremy Bataillou, Abidur Rahman Chowdhury, Clara Geneviève Marine Courtaigne, Markus Diebel, Richard Hung Minh Dinh, Christopher E. Glazowski, Jonathan Gomez Garcia, Jean-Pierre S. Guillou, M. Evans Hankey, Matthew David Hill, Julian Hoenig, Richard P. Howarth, Jonathan P. Ive, Julian Jaede, Duncan Robert Kerr, Peter Russell-Clarke, Benjamin Andrew Shaffer, Sung-Ho Tan, Clement Tissandier, Eugene Antony Whang, Rico Zörkendörfer