Patents by Inventor Ron Weimer
Ron Weimer 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: 20140159136Abstract: Methods and devices are disclosed, such as those involving memory cell devices with improved charge retention characteristics. In one or more embodiments, a memory cell is provided having an active area defined by sidewalls of neighboring trenches. A layer of dielectric material is blanket deposited over the memory cell, and etched to form spacers on sidewalls of the active area. Dielectric material is formed over the active area, a charge trapping structure is formed over the dielectric material over the active area, and a control gate is formed over the charge trapping structure. In some embodiments, the charge trapping structure includes nanodots. In some embodiments, the width of the spacers is between about 130% and about 170% of the thickness of the dielectric material separating the charge trapping material and an upper surface of the active area.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 3, 2014Publication date: June 12, 2014Applicant: MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.Inventors: Ron Weimer, Kyu Min, Tom Graettinger, Nirmal Ramaswamy
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Patent number: 8643082Abstract: Methods and devices are disclosed, such as those involving memory cell devices with improved charge retention characteristics. In one or more embodiments, a memory cell is provided having an active area defined by sidewalls of neighboring trenches. A layer of dielectric material is blanket deposited over the memory cell, and etched to form spacers on sidewalls of the active area. Dielectric material is formed over the active area, a charge trapping structure is formed over the dielectric material over the active area, and a control gate is formed over the charge trapping structure. In some embodiments, the charge trapping structure includes nanodots. In some embodiments, the width of the spacers is between about 130% and about 170% of the thickness of the dielectric material separating the charge trapping material and an upper surface of the active area.Type: GrantFiled: October 19, 2011Date of Patent: February 4, 2014Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.Inventors: Ron Weimer, Kyu Min, Tom Graettinger, Nirmal Ramaswamy
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Publication number: 20120032252Abstract: Methods and devices are disclosed, such as those involving memory cell devices with improved charge retention characteristics. In one or more embodiments, a memory cell is provided having an active area defined by sidewalls of neighboring trenches. A layer of dielectric material is blanket deposited over the memory cell, and etched to form spacers on sidewalls of the active area. Dielectric material is formed over the active area, a charge trapping structure is formed over the dielectric material over the active area, and a control gate is formed over the charge trapping structure. In some embodiments, the charge trapping structure includes nanodots. In some embodiments, the width of the spacers is between about 130% and about 170% of the thickness of the dielectric material separating the charge trapping material and an upper surface of the active area.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 19, 2011Publication date: February 9, 2012Applicant: MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.Inventors: Ron Weimer, Kyu Min, Tom Graettinger, Nirmal Ramaswamy
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Patent number: 8058140Abstract: Methods and devices are disclosed, such as those involving memory cell devices with improved charge retention characteristics. In one or more embodiments, a memory cell is provided having an active area defined by sidewalls of neighboring trenches. A layer of dielectric material is blanket deposited over the memory cell, and etched to form spacers on sidewalls of the active area. Dielectric material is formed over the active area, a charge trapping structure is formed over the dielectric material over the active area, and a control gate is formed over the charge trapping structure. In some embodiments, the charge trapping structure includes nanodots. In some embodiments, the width of the spacers is between about 130% and about 170% of the thickness of the dielectric material separating the charge trapping material and an upper surface of the active area.Type: GrantFiled: April 9, 2010Date of Patent: November 15, 2011Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.Inventors: Ron Weimer, Kyu Min, Tom Graettinger, Nirmal Ramaswamy
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Publication number: 20100197131Abstract: Methods and devices are disclosed, such as those involving memory cell devices with improved charge retention characteristics. In one or more embodiments, a memory cell is provided having an active area defined by sidewalls of neighboring trenches. A layer of dielectric material is blanket deposited over the memory cell, and etched to form spacers on sidewalls of the active area. Dielectric material is formed over the active area, a charge trapping structure is formed over the dielectric material over the active area, and a control gate is formed over the charge trapping structure. In some embodiments, the charge trapping structure includes nanodots. In some embodiments, the width of the spacers is between about 130% and about 170% of the thickness of the dielectric material separating the charge trapping material and an upper surface of the active area.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 9, 2010Publication date: August 5, 2010Applicant: MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.Inventors: Ron Weimer, Kyu Min, Tom Graettinger, Nirmal Ramaswamy
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Patent number: 7705389Abstract: Methods and devices are disclosed, such as those involving memory cell devices with improved charge retention characteristics. In one or more embodiments, a memory cell is provided having an active area defined by sidewalls of neighboring trenches. A layer of dielectric material is blanket deposited over the memory cell, and etched to form spacers on sidewalls of the active area. Dielectric material is formed over the active area, a charge trapping structure is formed over the dielectric material over the active area, and a control gate is formed over the charge trapping structure. In some embodiments, the charge trapping structure includes nanodots. In some embodiments, the width of the spacers is between about 130% and about 170% of the thickness of the dielectric material separating the charge trapping material and an upper surface of the active area.Type: GrantFiled: August 29, 2007Date of Patent: April 27, 2010Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.Inventors: Ron Weimer, Kyu Min, Tom Graettinger, Nirmal Ramaswamy
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Publication number: 20090057744Abstract: Methods and devices are disclosed, such as those involving memory cell devices with improved charge retention characteristics. In one or more embodiments, a memory cell is provided having an active area defined by sidewalls of neighboring trenches. A layer of dielectric material is blanket deposited over the memory cell, and etched to form spacers on sidewalls of the active area. Dielectric material is formed over the active area, a charge trapping structure is formed over the dielectric material over the active area, and a control gate is formed over the charge trapping structure. In some embodiments, the charge trapping structure includes nanodots. In some embodiments, the width of the spacers is between about 130% and about 170% of the thickness of the dielectric material separating the charge trapping material and an upper surface of the active area.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 29, 2007Publication date: March 5, 2009Applicant: MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.Inventors: Ron Weimer, Kyu Min, Tom Graettinger, Nirmal Ramaswamy
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Patent number: 6734062Abstract: The invention includes a method of forming a DRAM cell. A first substrate is formed to include first DRAM sub-structures separated from one another by an insulative material. A second semiconductor substrate including a monocrystalline material is bonded to the first substrate. After the bonding, second DRAM sub-structures are formed in electrical connection with the first DRAM sub-structures. The invention also includes a semiconductor structure which includes a capacitor structure, and a first substrate defined to encompass the capacitor structure. The semiconductor structure further includes a monocrystalline silicon substrate bonded to the first substrate and over the capacitor structure. Additionally, the semiconductor structure comprises a transistor gate on the monocrystalline silicon substrate and operatively connected with the capacitor structure to define a DRAM cell.Type: GrantFiled: July 1, 2002Date of Patent: May 11, 2004Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.Inventors: Fernando Gonzalez, Kevin L. Beaman, John T. Moore, Ron Weimer
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Patent number: 6707090Abstract: The invention includes a method of forming a DRAM cell. A first substrate is formed to include first DRAM sub-structures separated from one another by an insulative material. A second semiconductor substrate containing a monocrystalline material is bonded to the first substrate. After the bonding, second DRAM sub-structures are formed in electrical connection with the first DRAM sub-structures. The invention also includes a semiconductor structure which has a capacitor structure, and a first substrate defined to encompass the capacitor structure. The semiconductor structure further contains a monocrystalline silicon substrate bonded to the first substrate and over the capacitor structure. Additionally, the semiconductor structure includes a transistor gate on the monocrystalline silicon substrate and operatively connected with the capacitor structure to define a DRAM cell.Type: GrantFiled: March 20, 2003Date of Patent: March 16, 2004Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.Inventors: Fernando Gonzalez, Kevin L. Beaman, John T. Moore, Ron Weimer
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Patent number: 6639243Abstract: The invention includes a method of forming a DRAM cell. A first substrate is formed to include first DRAM sub-structures separated from one another by an insulative material. A second semiconductor substrate having a monocrystalline material is bonded to the first substrate. After the bonding, second DRAM sub-structures are formed in electrical connection with the first DRAM sub-structures. The invention also includes a semiconductor structure which has a capacitor structure, and a first substrate defined to encompass the capacitor structure. The semiconductor structure further includes a monocrystalline silicon substrate bonded to the first substrate and over the capacitor structure. Additionally, the semiconductor structure includes a transistor gate on the monocrystalline silicon substrate and operatively connected with the capacitor structure to define a DRAM cell.Type: GrantFiled: December 5, 2001Date of Patent: October 28, 2003Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.Inventors: Fernando Gonzalez, Kevin L. Beaman, John T. Moore, Ron Weimer
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Publication number: 20030160242Abstract: The invention includes a method of forming a DRAM cell. A first substrate is formed to comprise first DRAM sub-structures separated from one another by an insulative material. A second semiconductor substrate comprising a monocrystalline material is bonded to the first substrate. After the bonding, second DRAM sub-structures are formed in electrical connection with the first DRAM sub-structures. The invention also includes a semiconductor structure which comprises a capacitor structure, and a first substrate defined to encompass the capacitor structure. The semiconductor structure further comprises a monocrystalline silicon substrate bonded to the first substrate and over the capacitor structure. Additionally, the semiconductor structure comprises a transistor gate on the monocrystalline silicon substrate and operatively connected with the capacitor structure to define a DRAM cell.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 20, 2003Publication date: August 28, 2003Inventors: Fernando Gonzalez, Kevin L. Beaman, John T. Moore, Ron Weimer
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Publication number: 20030003655Abstract: The invention includes a method of forming a DRAM cell. A first substrate is formed to comprise first DRAM sub-structures separated from one another by an insulative material. A second semiconductor substrate comprising a monocrystalline material is bonded to the first substrate. After the bonding, second DRAM substructures are formed in electrical connection with the first DRAM sub-structures. The invention also includes a semiconductor structure which comprises a capacitor structure, and a first substrate defined to encompass the capacitor structure. The semiconductor structure further comprises a monocrystalline silicon substrate bonded to the first substrate and over the capacitor structure. Additionally, the semiconductor structure comprises a transistor gate on the monocrystalline silicon substrate and operatively connected with the capacitor structure to define a DRAM cell.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 1, 2002Publication date: January 2, 2003Inventors: Fernando Gonzalez, Kevin L. Beaman, John T. Moore, Ron Weimer
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Patent number: 6458714Abstract: Disclosed is a method of selective oxidation of components of a semiconductor transistor containing silicon in the presence of high conductivity metal or metal alloys. A high temperature annealing step allows hydrogen gas to permeate the surface of a metal or metal alloy and creates a hydrogen-terminated passivation layer that surrounds the metallic layer. This passivating layer protects the underlying metal or metal alloy from oxidation by oxygen or water and reduces any oxidized metal present back into the constituent metal or metal alloy. In a subsequent wet oxidation step the source and drain regions of a semiconductor transistor gate electrode are reoxidized without oxidation of the passivated metal or metal alloy. The process does not consume the metal or metal alloy layer, insures that the overall gate electrode resistance remains low, and preserves the desirable characteristics of the gate electrode that insure a quality component with superior longevity.Type: GrantFiled: November 22, 2000Date of Patent: October 1, 2002Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.Inventors: Don Carl Powell, Ron Weimer, Lyle Breiner, Howard Rhodes, Jeff McKee, David Kubista
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Patent number: 6429070Abstract: The invention includes a method of forming a DRAM cell. A first substrate is formed to include first DRAM sub-structures separated from one another by an insulative material. A second semiconductor substrate including a monocrystalline material is bonded to the first substrate. After the bonding, second DRAM sub-structures are formed in electrical connection with the first DRAM sub-structures. The invention also includes a semiconductor structure which includes a capacitor structure, and a first substrate defined to encompass the capacitor structure. The semiconductor structure further includes a monocrystalline silicon substrate bonded to the first substrate and over the capacitor structure. Additionally, the semiconductor structure includes a transistor gate on the monocrystalline silicon substrate and operatively connected with the capacitor structure to define a DRAM cell.Type: GrantFiled: August 30, 2000Date of Patent: August 6, 2002Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.Inventors: Fernando Gonzalez, Kevin L. Beaman, John T. Moore, Ron Weimer
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Publication number: 20020055225Abstract: The invention includes a method of forming a DRAM cell. A first substrate is formed to comprise first DRAM sub-structures separated from one another by an insulative material. A second semiconductor substrate comprising a monocrystalline material is bonded to the first substrate. After the bonding, second DRAM sub-structures are formed in electrical connection with the first DRAM sub-structures. The invention also includes a semiconductor structure which comprises a capacitor structure, and a first substrate defined to encompass the capacitor structure. The semiconductor structure further comprises a monocrystalline silicon substrate bonded to the first substrate and over the capacitor structure. Additionally, the semiconductor structure comprises a transistor gate on the monocrystalline silicon substrate and operatively connected with the capacitor structure to define a DRAM cell.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 5, 2001Publication date: May 9, 2002Inventors: Fernando Gonzalez, Kevin L. Beaman, John T. Moore, Ron Weimer