Patents by Inventor Steve Radigan
Steve Radigan 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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Patent number: 9853090Abstract: Three-dimensional (3D) non-volatile memory arrays having a vertically-oriented thin film transistor (TFT) select device and methods of fabricating such a memory are described. The vertically-oriented TFT may be used as a vertical bit line selection device to couple a global bit line to a vertical bit line. A select device pillar includes a body and upper and lower source/drain regions. At least one gate is separated horizontally from the select device pillar by a gate dielectric. The gates overlie the global bit lines with one or more insulating layers therebetween to provide adequate isolation between the gates and the global bit lines. Processes for fabricating the vertical TFT select devices utilize a gate dielectric and optional dielectric bases to provide isolation between the gates and bit lines.Type: GrantFiled: December 15, 2016Date of Patent: December 26, 2017Assignee: SanDisk Technologies LLCInventors: Michael Konevecki, Steve Radigan, Vance Dunton, Natalie Nguyen, Luke Zhang
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Publication number: 20170098685Abstract: Three-dimensional (3D) non-volatile memory arrays having a vertically-oriented thin film transistor (TFT) select device and methods of fabricating such a memory are described. The vertically-oriented TFT may be used as a vertical bit line selection device to couple a global bit line to a vertical bit line. A select device pillar includes a body and upper and lower source/drain regions. At least one gate is separated horizontally from the select device pillar by a gate dielectric. The gates overlie the global bit lines with one or more insulating layers therebetween to provide adequate isolation between the gates and the global bit lines. Processes for fabricating the vertical TFT select devices utilize a gate dielectric and optional dielectric bases to provide isolation between the gates and bit lines.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 15, 2016Publication date: April 6, 2017Applicant: SanDisk Technologies LLCInventors: Michael Konevecki, Steve Radigan, Vance Dunton, Natalie Nguyen, Luke Zhang
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Patent number: 9558949Abstract: Three-dimensional (3D) non-volatile memory arrays having a vertically-oriented thin film transistor (TFT) select device and methods of fabricating such a memory are described. The vertically-oriented TFT may be used as a vertical bit line selection device to couple a global bit line to a vertical bit line. A select device pillar includes a body and upper and lower source/drain regions. At least one gate is separated horizontally from the select device pillar by a gate dielectric. The gates overlie the global bit lines with one or more insulating layers therebetween to provide adequate isolation between the gates and the global bit lines. Processes for fabricating the vertical TFT select devices utilize a gate dielectric and optional dielectric bases to provide isolation between the gates and bit lines.Type: GrantFiled: November 11, 2015Date of Patent: January 31, 2017Assignee: SanDisk Technologies LLCInventors: Michael Konevecki, Steve Radigan, Vance Dunton, Natalie Nguyen, Luke Zhang
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Publication number: 20160300885Abstract: A three-dimensional (3D) non-volatile memory array is provided having multiple word line layers stacked vertically with interleaving insulating layers over a vertically-oriented thin film transistor (TFT). The vertically-oriented TFT is used as a bit line selection device to couple a global bit line to a vertical bit line formed in a trench between portions of the word line and insulating layer stack. The word line layers are recessed horizontally to form recesses relative to the vertical bit line trench. The horizontal recesses provide spatial separation between memory cell areas and surfaces exposed during process steps. A memory material is formed conformally within the recesses, followed by a thin protective film. The film protects the memory material during etching to expose the vertical TFT for contact to the vertical bit line. Methods of fabricating arrays including recessed memory cell areas are provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 8, 2015Publication date: October 13, 2016Applicant: SanDisk 3D LLCInventors: Michael Konevecki, Vance Dunton, Steve Radigan
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Patent number: 9450023Abstract: A three-dimensional (3D) non-volatile memory array is provided having multiple word line layers stacked vertically with interleaving insulating layers over a vertically-oriented thin film transistor (TFT). The vertically-oriented TFT is used as a bit line selection device to couple a global bit line to a vertical bit line formed in a trench between portions of the word line and insulating layer stack. The word line layers are recessed horizontally to form recesses relative to the vertical bit line trench. The horizontal recesses provide spatial separation between memory cell areas and surfaces exposed during process steps. A memory material is formed conformally within the recesses, followed by a thin protective film. The film protects the memory material during etching to expose the vertical TFT for contact to the vertical bit line. Methods of fabricating arrays including recessed memory cell areas are provided.Type: GrantFiled: April 8, 2015Date of Patent: September 20, 2016Assignee: SanDisk Technologies LLCInventors: Michael Konevecki, Vance Dunton, Steve Radigan
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Publication number: 20160064222Abstract: Three-dimensional (3D) non-volatile memory arrays having a vertically-oriented thin film transistor (TFT) select device and methods of fabricating such a memory are described. The vertically-oriented TFT may be used as a vertical bit line selection device to couple a global bit line to a vertical bit line. A select device pillar includes a body and upper and lower source/drain regions. At least one gate is separated horizontally from the select device pillar by a gate dielectric. The gates overlie the global bit lines with one or more insulating layers therebetween to provide adequate isolation between the gates and the global bit lines. Processes for fabricating the vertical TFT select devices utilize a gate dielectric and optional dielectric bases to provide isolation between the gates and bit lines.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 11, 2015Publication date: March 3, 2016Applicant: SANDISK 3D LLCInventors: Michael Konevecki, Steve Radigan, Vance Dunton, Natalie Nguyen, Luke Zhang
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Patent number: 9202694Abstract: Three-dimensional (3D) non-volatile memory arrays having a vertically-oriented thin film transistor (TFT) select device and methods of fabricating such a memory are described. The vertically-oriented TFT may be used as a vertical bit line selection device to couple a global bit line to a vertical bit line. A select device pillar includes a body and upper and lower source/drain regions. At least one gate is separated horizontally from the select device pillar by a gate dielectric. The gates overlie the global bit lines with one or more insulating layers therebetween to provide adequate isolation between the gates and the global bit lines. Processes for fabricating the vertical TFT select devices utilize a gate dielectric and optional dielectric bases to provide isolation between the gates and bit lines.Type: GrantFiled: March 4, 2014Date of Patent: December 1, 2015Assignee: SanDisk 3D LLCInventors: Michael Konevecki, Steve Radigan, Vance Dunton, Natalie Nguyen, Luke Zhang
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Publication number: 20140248763Abstract: Three-dimensional (3D) non-volatile memory arrays having a vertically-oriented thin film transistor (TFT) select device and methods of fabricating such a memory are described. The vertically-oriented TFT may be used as a vertical bit line selection device to couple a global bit line to a vertical bit line. A select device pillar includes a body and upper and lower source/drain regions. At least one gate is separated horizontally from the select device pillar by a gate dielectric. The gates overlie the global bit lines with one or more insulating layers therebetween to provide adequate isolation between the gates and the global bit lines. Processes for fabricating the vertical TFT select devices utilize a gate dielectric and optional dielectric bases to provide isolation between the gates and bit lines.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 4, 2014Publication date: September 4, 2014Applicant: SanDisk 3D LLCInventors: Michael Konevecki, Steve Radigan, Vance Dunton, Natalie Nguyen, Luke Zhang