Patents by Inventor Terrence B. McDaniel

Terrence B. McDaniel 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: 12646538
    Abstract: Some embodiments include an integrated assembly having first and second source/drain regions laterally offset from one another. Metal silicide is adjacent to lateral surfaces of the source/drain regions. Metal is adjacent to the metal silicide. Container-shaped first and second capacitor electrodes are coupled to the source/drain regions through the metal silicide and the metal. Capacitor dielectric material lines interior surfaces of the container-shaped first and second capacitor electrodes, A shared capacitor electrode extends vertically between the first and second capacitor electrodes, and extends into the lined first and second capacitor electrodes. Some embodiments include methods of forming integrated assemblies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2024
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2026
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Che-Chi Lee, Terrence B. McDaniel, Kehao Zhang, Albert P. Chan, Clement Jacob, Luca Fumagalli, Vinay Nair
  • Publication number: 20260150271
    Abstract: A method of forming a microelectronic device comprises forming a first microelectronic device structure comprising a first semiconductor structure, a first isolation material over the first semiconductor structure, and first conductive routing structures over the first semiconductor structure and surrounded by the first isolation material. A second microelectronic device structure comprising a second semiconductor structure and a second isolation material over the second semiconductor structure is formed. The second isolation material is bonded to the first isolation material to attach the second microelectronic device structure to the first microelectronic device structure. Memory cells comprising portions of the second semiconductor structure are formed after attaching the second microelectronic device structure to the first microelectronic device structure. Control logic devices including transistors comprising portions of the first semiconductor structure are formed after forming the memory cells.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2026
    Publication date: May 28, 2026
    Inventors: Fatma Arzum Simsek-Ege, Kunal R. Parekh, Terrence B. McDaniel, Beau D. Barry
  • Patent number: 12604755
    Abstract: This document discloses techniques, apparatuses, and systems for semiconductor device interconnects formed through volumetric expansion. A semiconductor assembly is described that includes two semiconductor dies. The first semiconductor die and the second semiconductor die are bonded at a dielectric layer of the first semiconductor die and a dielectric layer of the second semiconductor die to create one or more interconnect openings. The first semiconductor die includes a reservoir of conductive material located adjacent to the one or more interconnect openings and having a width greater than a width of the one or more interconnect openings. The reservoir of conductive material is heated to volumetrically expand the reservoir of conductive material through the one or more interconnect openings to form one or more interconnects electrically coupling the first semiconductor die and the second semiconductor die. In this way, a connected semiconductor device may be assembled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2026
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Kyle K. Kirby, Terrence B. McDaniel, Wei Zhou
  • Patent number: 12582001
    Abstract: Methods of making a semiconductor device assembly are provided. The methods can comprise providing a first semiconductor device having a first dielectric material at a first surface, providing a carrier wafer having a second dielectric material at a second surface, and forming a dielectric-dielectric bond between the first dielectric material and the second dielectric material. At least one of the first surface and the second surface includes a cavity configured to entrap a gas during the formation of the bond. The method can further include stacking one or more second semiconductor devices over the first semiconductor device to form the semiconductor device assembly, and removing the semiconductor device assembly from the carrier wafer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2026
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Wei Zhou, Bret K. Street, Terrence B. McDaniel, Amy R. Griffin, Kyle K. Kirby, Thiagarajan Raman
  • Patent number: 12568869
    Abstract: This document discloses techniques, apparatuses, and systems for semiconductor device circuitry formed from remote reservoirs. A semiconductor assembly includes a first semiconductor die with a layer of dielectric material having an opening. The first semiconductor die further includes a reservoir of conductive material having a first portion located adjacent to the opening, a second portion remote from the opening, and a third portion coupling the first portion and the second portion. A second semiconductor die includes a layer of dielectric material and a contact pad corresponding to the opening. The reservoir of conductive material is heated to volumetrically expand the second portion into the third portion, the third portion into the first portion, and the first portion through the opening to form an interconnect electrically coupling the first semiconductor die and the second semiconductor die at the contact pad. In this way, a connected semiconductor device may be assembled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2023
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2026
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Kyle K. Kirby, Terrence B. McDaniel
  • Patent number: 12532461
    Abstract: A method of forming a microelectronic device comprises forming a first microelectronic device structure comprising a first semiconductor structure, a first isolation material over the first semiconductor structure, and first conductive routing structures over the first semiconductor structure and surrounded by the first isolation material. A second microelectronic device structure comprising a second semiconductor structure and a second isolation material over the second semiconductor structure is formed. The second isolation material is bonded to the first isolation material to attach the second microelectronic device structure to the first microelectronic device structure. Memory cells comprising portions of the second semiconductor structure are formed after attaching the second microelectronic device structure to the first microelectronic device structure. Control logic devices including transistors comprising portions of the first semiconductor structure are formed after forming the memory cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2023
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2026
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Fatma Arzum Simsek-Ege, Kunal R. Parekh, Terrence B. McDaniel, Beau D. Barry
  • Publication number: 20250391711
    Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods for making semiconductor device assemblies, and more particularly for the heterogenous integration of semiconductor structures, are provided herein. A semiconductor device assembly can include a first semiconductor device bonded to a second semiconductor device. The first semiconductor device can include a first dielectric material having first airgaps and a second dielectric material disposed above the first dielectric material and having second airgaps. The first semiconductor device can also include a first metallization layer embedded in the first dielectric material, a second metallization layer disposed between the first dielectric material and the second dielectric material, a third metallization layer at least partially embedded in the second dielectric material, and one or more first vias extending through the first dielectric material between the first metallization layer and the second metallization layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2025
    Publication date: December 25, 2025
    Inventors: Bharat Bhushan, Terrence B. McDaniel, Kyle K. Kirby, Akshay N. Singh, Kunal R. Parekh
  • Publication number: 20250336854
    Abstract: A semiconductor device assembly including a first semiconductor die having a first dielectric region and a first bond pad that are disposed on a first side of the first semiconductor die, and a second semiconductor die having a second dielectric region and a second bond pad that are disposed on a second side of the second semiconductor die, wherein a hybrid bonding interface between the first side of the first semiconductor die and the second side of the second semiconductor die includes a conductive region between the first bond pad and the second bond pad, and wherein the conductive region and at least one of the first and the second bond pads include a same conductive material element, and the conductive region has an electrical resistivity lower than the at least one of the first and the second bond pads.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2025
    Publication date: October 30, 2025
    Inventors: Terrence B. McDaniel, Vinay Nair, Yi Fang Lee, Eiichi Nakano
  • Publication number: 20250336772
    Abstract: Semiconductor devices with nano-vias, such as nano-through-silicon vias landing on middle-of-line (MOL) or back-end-of-line (BEOL) layers, are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a semiconductor die includes a first side, a bond pad at the first side, a landing pad within an intermediate layer of the semiconductor die, and a via extending from the bond pad to the landing pad. The via can have an aspect ratio of height to width of 6:1 or less. The intermediate layer can be positioned between the first side and a second side of the semiconductor die opposite the first side. In some embodiments, the intermediate layer is a MOL layer. In other embodiments, the intermediate layer is a BEOL layer. The semiconductor die can be a memory die, a logic die, a central processing unit (CPU) die, a graphics processing unit (GPU) die, a tensor processing unit (TPU) die, or another type of die.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2025
    Publication date: October 30, 2025
    Inventors: Bharat Bhushan, Terrence B. McDaniel, Wei Zhou, Akshay N. Singh, Kunal R. Parekh
  • Publication number: 20250323125
    Abstract: Methods, apparatuses, and systems related to a memory device having on its backside one or more integrally-formed structures is described. A memory device may have on a backside of a semiconductor substrate an integral electrical connector that includes (1) a pad portion configured to connect to an external component and (2) a through-silicon via (TSV) portion that at least partially extends through the semiconductor substrate. The pad portion and the TSV portion may be connected through an integral joint. The TSV portion can have a narrowing shape with its cross-sectional width decreasing for portions farther away from the pad portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2025
    Publication date: October 16, 2025
    Inventors: Bharat Bhushan, Jonathan A. Bennett, Kunal R. Parekh, Akshay N. Singh, Terrence B. McDaniel
  • Publication number: 20250275249
    Abstract: An array of vertical transistors comprises spaced pillars of individual vertical transistors that individually comprise an upper source/drain region, a lower source/drain region, and a channel region vertically there-between. The upper source/drain region comprises a conductor oxide material in individual of the pillars. The channel region comprises an oxide semiconductor material in the individual pillars. The lower source/drain region comprises a first conductive oxide material in the individual pillars atop and directly against a second conductive oxide material in the individual pillars. Horizontally-elongated and spaced conductor lines individually interconnect a respective multiple of the vertical transistors in a column direction. The conductor lines individually comprise the second conductive oxide material atop and directly against metal material. The first conductive oxide material, the second conductive oxide material, and the metal material comprise different compositions relative one another.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2025
    Publication date: August 28, 2025
    Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Yi Fang Lee, Jaydip Guha, Lars P. Heineck, Kamal M. Karda, Si-Woo Lee, Terrence B. McDaniel, Scott E. Sills, Kevin J. Torek, Sheng-Wei Yang
  • Patent number: 12336288
    Abstract: An array of vertical transistors comprises spaced pillars of individual vertical transistors that individually comprise an upper source/drain region, a lower source/drain region, and a channel region vertically there-between. The upper source/drain region comprises a conductor oxide material in individual of the pillars. The channel region comprises an oxide semiconductor material in the individual pillars. The lower source/drain region comprises a first conductive oxide material in the individual pillars atop and directly against a second conductive oxide material in the individual pillars. Horizontally-elongated and spaced conductor lines individually interconnect a respective multiple of the vertical transistors in a column direction. The conductor lines individually comprise the second conductive oxide material atop and directly against metal material. The first conductive oxide material, the second conductive oxide material, and the metal material comprise different compositions relative one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2025
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Yi Fang Lee, Jaydip Guha, Lars P. Heineck, Kamal M. Karda, Si-Woo Lee, Terrence B. McDaniel, Scott E. Sills, Kevin J. Torek, Sheng-Wei Yang
  • Publication number: 20240379596
    Abstract: A semiconductor device is provided. The semiconductor device includes a substrate having a front side and a back side opposite the front side. A through via extends entirely through the substrate. The through via includes a protruding portion that extends beyond the back side of the substrate. A layer of silicon carbon nitride is disposed at the back side of the substrate and along sidewalls of the protruding portion of the through via. A layer of oxide is disposed at the back side of the substrate and at least partially surrounding the protruding portion of the through via. A conductive pad is disposed at a coupling surface of the through via and at least partially extending through the layer of oxide. As a result, a reliable and cost-efficient semiconductor device can be assembled.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2024
    Publication date: November 14, 2024
    Inventors: Bharat Bhushan, Terrence B. McDaniel, Kunal R. Parekh, Bret K. Street, Akshay N. Singh
  • Publication number: 20240292603
    Abstract: Systems, methods and apparatus are provided for damascene digit lines. For instance, a damascene digit line can be formed by forming a plurality of dummy digit lines on a semiconductor substrate that are separated by a first set of vertical trenches, depositing a sacrificial insulating material in the first set of vertical trenches, forming, and depositing an insulating fill material in, a second set of vertical trenches, forming, and depositing a nitride material in, nitride material deposition spaces; removing at least a portion of the semiconductor substrate to form plurality of cell contact deposition spaces, forming cell contacts in the cell contact deposition spaces, removing the dummy digit lines to form a plurality of vertical openings, removing nitride material to form expanded vertical opening, depositing a digit line insulating material in the expanded vertical openings to form digit line deposition spaces, and forming digit lines.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2023
    Publication date: August 29, 2024
    Inventors: Russell A. Benson, Terrence B. McDaniel, Vinay Nair
  • Patent number: 12069848
    Abstract: Methods, apparatuses, and systems related to a sense line and cell contact for a semiconductor structure are described. An example apparatus includes a first source/drain region and a second source/drain region, where the first source/drain region and the second source/drain region are separated by a channel, a gate opposing the channel, a sense line material coupled to the first source/drain region by a cell contact, where the cell contact is made from a combination of a first polysilicon material and a second polysilicon material, and a storage node coupled to the second source/drain region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2024
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Kuo-Chen Wang, Terrence B. McDaniel, Russell A. Benson, Vinay Nair
  • Publication number: 20240153541
    Abstract: Some embodiments include an integrated assembly having first and second source/drain regions laterally offset from one another. Metal silicide is adjacent to lateral surfaces of the source/drain regions. Metal is adjacent to the metal silicide. Container-shaped first and second capacitor electrodes are coupled to the source/drain regions through the metal silicide and the metal. Capacitor dielectric material lines interior surfaces of the container-shaped first and second capacitor electrodes, A shared capacitor electrode extends vertically between the first and second capacitor electrodes, and extends into the lined first and second capacitor electrodes. Some embodiments include methods of forming integrated assemblies.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2024
    Publication date: May 9, 2024
    Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Che-Chi Lee, Terrence B. McDaniel, Kehao Zhang, Albert P. Chan, Clement Jacob, Luca Fumagalli, Vinay Nair
  • Publication number: 20240079369
    Abstract: This document discloses techniques, apparatuses, and systems for connecting semiconductor dies through traces. A semiconductor assembly is described that includes two semiconductor dies. The first semiconductor die includes a first dielectric layer at which first circuitry is disposed. The second semiconductor die includes a second dielectric layer at which second circuitry is disposed. One or more traces extend from a side surface of the first dielectric layer and at a side surface of the second dielectric layer to electrically couple the first circuitry and the second circuitry. In doing so, rigid connective structures may not be needed to couple the first semiconductor die and the second semiconductor die.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2022
    Publication date: March 7, 2024
    Inventors: Terrence B. McDaniel, Bret K. Street, Wei Zhou, Kyle K. Kirby, Amy R. Griffin, Thiagarajan Raman, Jaekyu Song
  • Publication number: 20240071968
    Abstract: This document discloses techniques, apparatuses, and systems for semiconductor device interconnects formed through volumetric expansion. A semiconductor assembly is described that includes two semiconductor dies. The first semiconductor die and the second semiconductor die are bonded at a dielectric layer of the first semiconductor die and a dielectric layer of the second semiconductor die to create one or more interconnect openings. The first semiconductor die includes a reservoir of conductive material located adjacent to the one or more interconnect openings and having a width greater than a width of the one or more interconnect openings. The reservoir of conductive material is heated to volumetrically expand the reservoir of conductive material through the one or more interconnect openings to form one or more interconnects electrically coupling the first semiconductor die and the second semiconductor die. In this way, a connected semiconductor device may be assembled.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2023
    Publication date: February 29, 2024
    Inventors: Kyle K. Kirby, Terrence B. McDaniel, Wei Zhou
  • Publication number: 20240071823
    Abstract: A semiconductor assembly is described that includes a semiconductor die having first circuitry. The semiconductor die further includes second circuitry with a reservoir of conductive material and an interlayer dielectric having one or more openings between the first circuitry and the reservoir of conductive material. The reservoir of conductive material is heated effective to cause the reservoir of conductive material to volumetrically expand through the one or more openings to create one or more vias that electrically couples the first circuitry and the reservoir of conductive material. In doing so, a connected semiconductor device may be assembled.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2023
    Publication date: February 29, 2024
    Inventors: Kyle K. Kirby, Terrence B. McDaniel
  • Publication number: 20240071989
    Abstract: This document discloses techniques, apparatuses, and systems for semiconductor device circuitry formed from remote reservoirs. A semiconductor assembly includes a first semiconductor die with a layer of dielectric material having an opening. The first semiconductor die further includes a reservoir of conductive material having a first portion located adjacent to the opening, a second portion remote from the opening, and a third portion coupling the first portion and the second portion. A second semiconductor die includes a layer of dielectric material and a contact pad corresponding to the opening. The reservoir of conductive material is heated to volumetrically expand the second portion into the third portion, the third portion into the first portion, and the first portion through the opening to form an interconnect electrically coupling the first semiconductor die and the second semiconductor die at the contact pad. In this way, a connected semiconductor device may be assembled.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2023
    Publication date: February 29, 2024
    Inventors: Kyle K. Kirby, Terrence B. McDaniel