Patents by Inventor Steve Kuo

Steve Kuo 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: 8062942
    Abstract: A treated conductive element is provided. A conductive element can be treated by depositing either a reactive metal or a very thin layer of material on the conductive element. The reactive metal (or very thin layer of material) would typically be sandwiched between the conductive element and an electrode. The structure additionally exhibits non-linear IV characteristics, which can be favorable in certain arrays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Inventors: Darrell Rinerson, Wayne Kinney, Edmond Ward, Steve Kuo-Ren Hsia, Steven W. Longcor, Christophe J. Chevallier, John E. Sanchez, Jr., Philip Swab
  • Publication number: 20110186803
    Abstract: A memory cell including conductive oxide electrodes is disclosed. The memory cell includes a memory element operative to store data as a plurality of resistive states. The memory element includes a layer of a conductive metal oxide (CMO) (e.g., a perovskite) in contact with an electrode that may comprise one or more layers of material. At least one of those layers of material can be a conductive oxide (e.g., a perovskite such as LaSrCoO3-LSCoO or LaNiO3-LNO) that is in contact with the CMO. The conductive oxide layer can be selected as a seed layer operative to provide a good lattice match with and/or a lower crystallization temperature for the CMO. The conductive oxide layer may also be in contact with a metal layer (e.g., Pt). The memory cell additionally exhibits non-linear IV characteristics, which can be favorable in certain arrays, such as non-volatile two-terminal cross-point memory arrays.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2011
    Publication date: August 4, 2011
    Applicant: UNITY SEMICONDUCTOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Darrell Rinerson, Wayne Kinney, Edmond R. Ward, Steve Kuo-Ren Hsia, Steven W. Longcor, Christophe J. Chevallier, John Sanchez, Philip F.S. Swab
  • Publication number: 20110080767
    Abstract: A multi-layer non-volatile memory integrally formed on top of a substrate including active circuitry is disclosed. Each layer of memory includes memory cells (e.g., a two-terminal memory cell) having a multi-resistive state material layer that changes its resistive state between a low resistive state and a high resistive state upon application of a write voltage across the memory cell. Data stored in the memory cells can be non-destructively determined by applying a read voltage across the memory cells. Data storage capacity can be tailored to a specific application by increasing or decreasing the number of memory layers that are integrally fabricated on top of the substrate (e.g., more than four layers or less than four layers). The memory cells can include a non-ohmic device for allowing access to the memory cell only during read and write operations. Each memory layer can comprise a cross point array.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2010
    Publication date: April 7, 2011
    Applicant: UNITY SEMICONDUCTOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Darrell Rinerson, Christoophe J. Chevallier, Steve Kuo-Ren Hsia
  • Patent number: 7889539
    Abstract: A memory cell including conductive oxide electrodes is disclosed. The memory cell includes a memory element operative to store data as a plurality of resistive states. The memory element includes a layer of a conductive metal oxide (CMO) (e.g., a perovskite) in contact with an electrode that may comprise one or more layers of material. At least one of those layers of material can be a conductive oxide (e.g., a perovskite such as LaSrCoO3-LSCoO or LaNiO3-LNO) that is in contact with the CMO. The conductive oxide layer can be selected as a seed layer operative to provide a good lattice match with and/or a lower crystallization temperature for the CMO. The conductive oxide layer may also be in contact with a metal layer (e.g., Pt). The memory cell additionally exhibits non-linear IV characteristics, which can be favorable in certain arrays, such as non-volatile two-terminal cross-point memory arrays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2011
    Inventors: Darrell Rinerson, Wayne Kinney, Edmond Ward, Steve Kuo-Ren Hsia, Steven W. Longcor, Christophe Chevallier, John E. Sanchez, Jr., Philip Swab
  • Patent number: 7884349
    Abstract: A memory cell including a memory element and a non-ohmic device (NOD) that are electrically in series with each other is disclosed. The NOD comprises a semiconductor based selection device operative to electrically isolate the memory element from a range of voltages applied across the memory cell that are not read voltages operative read stored data from the memory element or write voltages operative to write data to the memory element. The selection device may comprise a pair of diodes that are electrically in series with each other and disposed in a back-to-back configuration. The memory cell may be fabricated over a substrate (e.g., a silicon wafer) that includes active circuitry. The selection device and the semiconductor materials (e.g., poly-silicon) that form the selection device are fabricated above the substrate and are integrated with other thin film layers of material that form the memory cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Inventors: Darrell Rinerson, Steve Kuo-Ren Hsia, Steven W. Longcor, Wayne Kinney, Edmond Ward, Christophe J. Chevallier
  • Patent number: 7847330
    Abstract: A multi-layer non-volatile memory integrally formed on top of a substrate including active circuitry is disclosed. Each layer of memory includes memory cells (e.g., a two-terminal memory cell) having a multi-resistive state material layer that changes its resistive state between a low resistive state and a high resistive state upon application of a write voltage across the memory cell. Data stored in the memory cells can be non-destructively determined by applying a read voltage across the memory cells. Data storage capacity can be tailored to a specific application by increasing or decreasing the number of memory layers that are integrally fabricated on top of the substrate (e.g., more than four layers or less than four layers). The memory cells can include a non-ohmic device for allowing access to the memory cell only during read and write operations. Each memory layer can comprise a cross point array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Inventors: Darrell Rinerson, Christophe Chevallier, Steve Kuo-Ren Hsia
  • Publication number: 20100157657
    Abstract: A memory cell including conductive oxide electrodes is disclosed. The memory cell includes a memory element operative to store data as a plurality of resistive states. The memory element includes a layer of a conductive metal oxide (CMO) (e.g., a perovskite) in contact with an electrode that may comprise one or more layers of material. At least one of those layers of material can be a conductive oxide (e.g., a perovskite such as LaSrCoO3-LSCoO or LaNiO3-LNO) that is in contact with the CMO. The conductive oxide layer can be selected as a seed layer operative to provide a good lattice match with and/or a lower crystallization temperature for the CMO. The conductive oxide layer may also be in contact with a metal layer (e.g., Pt). The memory cell additionally exhibits non-linear IV characteristics, which can be favorable in certain arrays, such as non-volatile two-terminal cross-point memory arrays.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2009
    Publication date: June 24, 2010
    Applicant: UNITY SEMICONDUCTOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Darrell Rinerson, Wayne Kinney, Edmond R. Ward, Steve Kuo-Ren Hsia, Steven W. Longcor, Christophe J. Chevallier, John Sanchez, Philip F.S. Swab
  • Publication number: 20100007989
    Abstract: An embodiment of the invention relates to a perpendicular magnetic recording medium comprising (1) a substrate, (2) an interlayer comprising hexagonal columns and (3) a magnetic layer, wherein the magnetic layer is deposited applying a bias voltage to the substrate such that the magnetic layer comprises magnetic grains having substantially no sub-grains within the magnetic layer, and the magnetic layer has perpendicular magnetic anisotropy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2008
    Publication date: January 14, 2010
    Applicant: SEAGATE TECHNOLOGY LLC
    Inventors: Weilu Xu, Miaogen Lu, Mariana R. Munteanu, Michael Z. Wu, Shanghsien Alex Rou, Steve Kuo-Hsing Hwang, Ed Yen
  • Patent number: 7633790
    Abstract: A memory cell including conductive oxide electrodes is disclosed. The memory cell includes a memory element operative to store data as a plurality of resistive states. The memory element includes a layer of a conductive metal oxide (CMO) (e.g., a perovskite) in contact with an electrode that may comprise one or more layers of material. At least one of those layers of material can be a conductive oxide (e.g., a perovskite such as LaSrCoO3—LSCoO or LaNiO3—LNO) that is in contact with the CMO. The conductive oxide layer can be selected as a seed layer operative to provide a good lattice match with and/or a lower crystallization temperature for the CMO. The conductive oxide layer may also be in contact with a metal layer (e.g., Pt). The memory cell additionally exhibits non-linear IV characteristics, which can be favorable in certain arrays, such as non-volatile two-terminal cross-point memory arrays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2009
    Inventors: Darrel Rinerson, Wayne Kinney, Edmond Ward, Steve Kuo-Ren Hsia, Steven W. Longcor, Christophe J. Chevallier, John E. Sanchez, Jr., Philip Swab
  • Publication number: 20090213633
    Abstract: A multi-layer non-volatile memory integrally formed on top of a substrate including active circuitry is disclosed. Each layer of memory includes memory cells (e.g., a two-terminal memory cell) having a multi-resistive state material layer that changes its resistive state between a low resistive state and a high resistive state upon application of a write voltage across the memory cell. Data stored in the memory cells can be non-destructively determined by applying a read voltage across the memory cells. Data storage capacity can be tailored to a specific application by increasing or decreasing the number of memory layers that are integrally fabricated on top of the substrate (e.g., more than four layers or less than four layers). The memory cells can include a non-ohmic device for allowing access to the memory cell only during read and write operations. Each memory layer can comprise a cross point array.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2009
    Publication date: August 27, 2009
    Applicant: UNITY SEMICONDUCTOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Darrell Rinerson, Christophe J. Chevallier, Steve Kuo-Ren Hsia
  • Publication number: 20090211898
    Abstract: CoCrPtB is a conventional material used in some of the layers of a thin film magnetic media structure used for recording data in data storage devices such as hard drives. Typically the CoCrPtB layers used for magnetic media have high Cr and low B in bottom magnetic layers and low Cr and high B in top magnetic layers. In accordance with one embodiment of this invention and to improve media electrical performance, fifth elements, such as Ta, Nb and Hf, etc. were added to the CoCrPtB materials, resulting in CoCrPtB-X, to enhance the grain segregation. The five element CoCrPtB-X layers were deposited using a pulsed direct current sputter technique instead of conventional direct current sputtering techniques. The resulting magnetic media structure having CoCrPtB-X alloy layers exhibits an increase in coercivity Hc and improvement in recording performance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2009
    Publication date: August 27, 2009
    Applicant: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventors: Charles Changqing Chen, Thanh Thien Ha, Abebe Hailu, Taesun Ernest Kim, Mariana Rodica Munteanu, Steve Kuo-Hsing Hwang
  • Patent number: 7528405
    Abstract: A conductive memory stack is provided. The memory stack includes a bottom electrode, a top electrode and a multi-resistive state element. The multi-resistive state element is sandwiched between the electrodes such that the top face of the bottom electrode is in contact with the multi-resistive state element's bottom face and the bottom face of the top electrode is in contact with the multi-resistive state element's top face. The bottom electrode, the top electrode and the multi-resistive state element all have sides that are adjacent to their faces. Furthermore, the sides are at least partially covered by a sidewall layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2009
    Inventors: Darrell Rinerson, Steve Kuo-Ren Hsia, Steven W. Longcor, Christophe Chevallier
  • Patent number: 7504166
    Abstract: CoCrPtB is a conventional material used in some of the layers of a thin film magnetic media structure used for recording data in data storage devices such as hard drives. Typically the CoCrPtB layers used for magnetic media have high Cr and low B in bottom magnetic layers and low Cr and high B in top magnetic layers. In accordance with one embodiment of this invention and to improve media electrical performance, fifth elements, such as Ta, Nb and Hf, etc. were added to the CoCrPtB materials, resulting in CoCrPtB—X, to enhance the grain segregation. The five element CoCrPtB—X layers were deposited using a pulsed direct current sputter technique instead of conventional direct current sputtering techniques. The resulting magnetic media structure having CoCrPtB—X alloy layers exhibits an increase in coercivity Hc and improvement in recording performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2009
    Assignee: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventors: Charles Changqing Chen, Thanh Thien Ha, Abebe Hailu, Taesun Ernest Kim, Mariana Rodica Munteanu, Steve Kuo-Hsing Hwang
  • Publication number: 20090045390
    Abstract: A memory cell including conductive oxide electrodes is disclosed. The memory cell includes a memory element operative to store data as a plurality of resistive states. The memory element includes a layer of a conductive metal oxide (CMO) (e.g., a perovskite) in contact with an electrode that may comprise one or more layers of material. At least one of those layers of material can be a conductive oxide (e.g., a perovskite such as LaSrCoO3—LSCoO or LaNiO3—LNO) that is in contact with the CMO. The conductive oxide layer can be selected as a seed layer operative to provide a good lattice match with and/or a lower crystallization temperature for the CMO. The conductive oxide layer may also be in contact with a metal layer (e.g., Pt). The memory cell additionally exhibits non-linear IV characteristics, which can be favorable in certain arrays, such as non-volatile two-terminal cross-point memory arrays.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2008
    Publication date: February 19, 2009
    Applicant: UNITY SEMICONDUCTOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Darrel Rinerson, Wayne Kinney, Edmond R. Ward, Steve Kuo-Ren Hsia, Steven W. Longcor, Christophe J. Chevallier, John Sanchez, Philip F. S. Swab
  • Publication number: 20090016094
    Abstract: A memory cell including a memory element and a non-ohmic device (NOD) that are electrically in series with each other is disclosed. The NOD comprises a semiconductor based selection device operative to electrically isolate the memory element from a range of voltages applied across the memory cell that are not read voltages operative read stored data from the memory element or write voltages operative to write data to the memory element. The selection device may comprise a pair of diodes that are electrically in series with each other and disposed in a back-to-back configuration. The memory cell may be fabricated over a substrate (e.g., a silicon wafer) that includes active circuitry. The selection device and the semiconductor materials (e.g., poly-silicon) that form the selection device are fabricated above the substrate and are integrated with other thin film layers of material that form the memory cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2008
    Publication date: January 15, 2009
    Applicant: UNITY SEMICONDUCTOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Darrell Rinerson, Steve Kuo-Ren Hsia, Steven W. Longcor, Wayne Kinney, Edmond B. Ward, Christophe J. Chevallier
  • Publication number: 20080293196
    Abstract: A treated conductive element is provided. A conductive element can be treated by depositing either a reactive metal or a very thin layer of material on the conductive element. The reactive metal (or very thin layer of material) would typically be sandwiched between the conductive element and an electrode. The structure additionally exhibits non-linear IV characteristics, which can be favorable in certain arrays.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2008
    Publication date: November 27, 2008
    Applicant: UNITY SEMICONDUCTOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Darrell Rinerson, Wayne Kinney, Edmond R. Ward, Steve Kuo-Ren Hsia, Steven W. Longcor, Christophe J. Chevallier, John Sanchez, Philip F.S. Swab
  • Patent number: 7439082
    Abstract: A conductive memory stack is provided. The memory stack includes a bottom electrode, a top electrode and a multi-resistive state element that is sandwiched between the electrodes. The bottom electrode can be described as having a top face with a first surface area, the top electrode has a bottom face with a second surface area and the multi-resistive state element has a bottom face with a third surface area and a top face with a fourth surface area. The multi-resistive state element's bottom face is in contact with the bottom electrode's top face and the multi-resistive state element's top face is in contact with the top electrode's bottom face. Furthermore, the fourth surface area is not equal to the second surface area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Inventors: Darrell Rinerson, Steven W. Longcor, Steve Kuo-Ren Hsia
  • Patent number: 7400006
    Abstract: A multi-resistive state element that uses barrier electrodes is provided. If certain materials are used as electrodes, the electrodes can be used for multiple purposes. Oxides and nitrides are especially well suited for acting as a barrier layer, and possibly even an adhesion layer and a sacrificial layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2008
    Inventors: Darrell Rinerson, Steve Kuo-Ren Hsia, Wayne Kinney, Steven W. Longcor
  • Patent number: 7394679
    Abstract: A treated conductive element is provided. A conductive element can be treated by depositing either a reactive metal or a very thin layer of material on the conductive element. The reactive metal (or very thin layer of material) would typically be sandwiched between the conductive element and an electrode. The structure additionally exhibits non-linear IV characteristics, which can be favorable in certain arrays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2008
    Inventors: Darrell Rinerson, Wayne Kinney, Edmond Ward, Steve Kuo-Ren Hsia, Steven W. Longcor, Christophe Chevallier, John E. Sanchez, Jr., Philip Swab
  • Publication number: 20080040440
    Abstract: A message is received in a first form for communicating with a first DBMS wherein the first form comprises an internet message prefix and a data portion, the internet message prefix comprising routing information for a client. The message is modified into a second form wherein the client routing information is integrated into the data portion of the message and wherein the second form of the message is utilized to communicate with a second DBMS. A result message generated by the second DBMS is received wherein the result message comprises a result data portion, the result data portion including the routing information. The result message is modified to the first form wherein the result message comprises the internet message prefix, the internet message prefix comprising the client routing information obtained from the result data portion. In this manner, the result message may be routed to the client.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2007
    Publication date: February 14, 2008
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Dario D'Angelo, Madeline Fay, Steve Kuo, Jack Yuan