Patents by Inventor Terrence McDaniel

Terrence 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).

  • Publication number: 20140027913
    Abstract: Semiconductor devices have conductive material lining a first opening in an insulative material and in contact with a metal silicide layer at the base of the opening overlying an active area within a silicon material and lining a second opening in the insulative material in direct contact with a polysilicon plug having substantially no metal silicide situated thereon.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2013
    Publication date: January 30, 2014
    Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Terrence McDaniel, Sandra Tagg, Fred Fishburn
  • Patent number: 8580666
    Abstract: Methods for forming memory devices and integrated circuitry, for example, DRAM (dynamic random access memory) circuitry, structures and devices resulting from such methods, and systems that incorporate the devices are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Terrence McDaniel, Sandra Tagg, Fred Fishburn
  • Publication number: 20120025385
    Abstract: Methods for forming memory devices and integrated circuitry, for example, DRAM circuitry, structures and devices resulting from such methods, and systems that incorporate the devices are provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2011
    Publication date: February 2, 2012
    Inventors: Terrence McDaniel, Sandra Tagg, Fred Fishburn
  • Patent number: 8026542
    Abstract: Methods for forming memory devices and integrated circuitry, for example, DRAM circuitry, structures and devices resulting from such methods, and systems that incorporate the devices are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2011
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Terrence McDaniel, Sandra Tagg, Fred Fishburn
  • Publication number: 20110101429
    Abstract: Fin-FET devices and methods of fabrication are disclosed. The Fin-FET devices include dual fins that may be used to provide a trench region between a source region and a drain region. In some embodiments, the dual fins may be formed by forming a trench with fin structures on opposite sides in a protruding region of a substrate. The dual fins may be useful in forming single-gate, double-gate or triple-gate fin-PET devices. Electronic systems including such fin-FET devices are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2011
    Publication date: May 5, 2011
    Applicant: MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventor: Terrence McDaniel
  • Patent number: 7935997
    Abstract: An apparatus having low resistance contacts in both the memory cell array and peripheral logic circuitry areas of a semiconductor device, for example, a DRAM memory device, is disclosed. In a buried bit line connection process flow, the present invention utilizes chemical vapor deposition of titanium to form titanium silicide in contact structures of the peripheral logic circuitry areas and physical vapor deposition to provide a metal mode (metallic) titanium layer in contact with the poly plugs in the memory cell array area of a semiconductor device, for example, a DRAM memory device according to the present invention. In this manner, the present invention avoids the potential drawbacks such as voiding in the poly plugs of the memory cell array due to the present of titanium silicide, which can cause significant reduction of device drain current and in extreme cases cause electrical discontinuity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2011
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Terrence McDaniel
  • Patent number: 7902057
    Abstract: Fin-FET devices and methods of fabrication are disclosed. The Fin-FET devices include dual fins that may be used to provide a trench region between a source region and a drain region. In some embodiments, the dual fins may be formed by forming a trench with fin structures on opposite sides in a protruding region of a substrate. The dual fins may be useful in forming single-gate, double-gate or triple-gate fin-FET devices. Electronic systems including such fin-FET devices are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2011
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Terrence McDaniel
  • Patent number: 7605033
    Abstract: Methods for forming memory devices and integrated circuitry, for example, DRAM circuitry, structures and devices resulting from such methods, and systems that incorporate the devices are provided. In some embodiments, the method includes forming a metallized contact to an active area in a silicon substrate in a peripheral circuitry area and a metallized contact to a polysilicon plug in a memory cell array area by forming a first opening to expose the active area at the peripheral circuitry area, chemical vapor depositing a titanium layer over the dielectric layer and into the first opening to form a titanium silicide layer over the active area in the silicon substrate, removing the titanium layer selective to the titanium silicide layer, forming a second opening in the dielectric layer to expose the polysilicon plug at the memory cell array area, and forming metal contacts within the first and second openings to the active area and the exposed polysilicon plug.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2009
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Terrence McDaniel, Sandra Tagg, Fred Fishburn
  • Publication number: 20090032866
    Abstract: Fin-FET devices and methods of fabrication are disclosed. The Fin-FET devices include dual fins that may be used to provide a trench region between a source region and a drain region. In some embodiments, the dual fins may be formed by forming a trench with fin structures on opposite sides in a protruding region of a substrate. The dual fins may be useful in forming single-gate, double-gate or triple-gate fin-FET devices. Electronic systems including such fin-FET devices are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2007
    Publication date: February 5, 2009
    Applicant: MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventor: Terrence McDaniel
  • Patent number: 7445996
    Abstract: A process and apparatus directed to forming low resistance contacts in both the memory cell array and peripheral logic circuitry areas of a semiconductor device, for example, a DRAM memory device, is disclosed. In a buried bit line connection process flow, the present invention utilizes chemical vapor deposition of titanium to form titanium silicide in contact structures of the peripheral logic circuitry areas and physical vapor deposition to provide a metal mode (metallic) titanium layer in contact with the poly plugs in the memory cell array area of a semiconductor device, for example, a DRAM memory device according to the present invention. In this manner, the present invention avoids the potential drawbacks such as voiding in the poly plugs of the memory cell array due to the present of titanium silicide, which can cause significant reduction of device drain current and in extreme cases cause electrical discontinuity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2008
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Terrence McDaniel
  • Publication number: 20080113501
    Abstract: The invention includes methods of forming semiconductor constructions in which electrically conductive structures are formed between bitlines to electrically connect with storage node contacts. The bitlines can be formed within trenches having faceted top portions. The invention also includes semiconductor structures containing trenches with faceted top portions, and containing bitlines within the trenches.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2008
    Publication date: May 15, 2008
    Inventors: Terrence McDaniel, Scott Southwick, Fred Fishburn
  • Publication number: 20080105913
    Abstract: The invention includes methods of forming semiconductor constructions in which electrically conductive structures are formed between bitlines to electrically connect with storage node contacts. The bitlines can be formed within trenches having faceted top portions. The invention also includes semiconductor structures containing trenches with faceted top portions, and containing bitlines within the trenches.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2008
    Publication date: May 8, 2008
    Inventors: Terrence McDaniel, Scott Southwick, Fred Fishburn
  • Publication number: 20070164350
    Abstract: A method used to form a semiconductor device provides a silicide layer on a plurality of transistor word lines and on a plurality of conductive plugs. In one embodiment, the word lines, one or more sacrificial dielectric layers on the word lines, conductive plugs, and a conductive enhancement layer are formed through the use of a single mask. An in-process semiconductor device which may be formed using one embodiment of the inventive method is also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2006
    Publication date: July 19, 2007
    Inventors: Frederick Fishburn, Terrence McDaniel, Richard Lane
  • Publication number: 20070158749
    Abstract: An apparatus having low resistance contacts in both the memory cell array and peripheral logic circuitry areas of a semiconductor device, for example, a DRAM memory device, is disclosed. In a buried bit line connection process flow, the present invention utilizes chemical vapor deposition of titanium to form titanium silicide in contact structures of the peripheral logic circuitry areas and physical vapor deposition to provide a metal mode (metallic) titanium layer in contact with the poly plugs in the memory cell array area of a semiconductor device, for example, a DRAM memory device according to the present invention. In this manner, the present invention avoids the potential drawbacks such as voiding in the poly plugs of the memory cell array due to the present of titanium silicide, which can cause significant reduction of device drain current and in extreme cases cause electrical discontinuity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2006
    Publication date: July 12, 2007
    Inventor: Terrence McDaniel
  • Publication number: 20070040224
    Abstract: A method for use during fabrication of a semiconductor device comprises the formation of buried digit lines and contacts. During formation, a buried bit line layer may be used as a mask to etch one or more openings in a dielectric layer. A conductive layer is then formed in the one or more openings in the dielectric layer, and is then planarized to form one or more individual contact plugs. Next, the buried bit line layer is etched to recess the buried bit line layer, and a capacitor plate is formed to contact the contact plug.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2005
    Publication date: February 22, 2007
    Inventors: James Green, Terrence McDaniel
  • Publication number: 20070010084
    Abstract: The invention includes methods of forming electrically conductive material between line constructions associated with a peripheral region or a pitch region of a semiconductor substrate. The electrically conductive material can be incorporated into an electrically-grounded shield, and/or can be configured to create a magnetic field bias. Also, the conductive material can have electrically isolated segments that are utilized as electrical jumpers for connecting circuit elements. The invention also includes semiconductor constructions comprising the electrically conductive material between line constructions associated with one or both of the pitch region and the peripheral region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 5, 2005
    Publication date: January 11, 2007
    Inventors: Mark Fischer, Terrence McDaniel
  • Publication number: 20060289918
    Abstract: Methods for forming memory devices and integrated circuitry, for example, DRAM circuitry, structures and devices resulting from such methods, and systems that incorporate the devices are provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2006
    Publication date: December 28, 2006
    Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Terrence McDaniel, Sandra Tagg, Fred Fishburn
  • Publication number: 20060292838
    Abstract: An ion implanting method includes forming a pair of spaced and adjacent features projecting outwardly from a substrate. At least outermost portions of the pair of spaced features are laterally pulled away from one another with a patterned photoresist layer received over the features and which has an opening therein received intermediate the pair of spaced features. While such spaced features are laterally pulled, a species is ion implanted into substrate material which is received lower than the pair of spaced features. After the ion implanting, the patterned photoresist layer is removed from the substrate. Other aspects and implementations are contemplated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2005
    Publication date: December 28, 2006
    Inventors: Randall Culver, Terrence McDaniel, Hongmei Wang, James Dale, Richard Lane, Fred Fishburn
  • Publication number: 20060228880
    Abstract: The invention includes methods of forming semiconductor constructions in which electrically conductive structures are formed between bitlines to electrically connect with storage node contacts. The bitlines can be formed within trenches having faceted top portions. The invention also includes semiconductor structures containing trenches with faceted top portions, and containing bitlines within the trenches.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2005
    Publication date: October 12, 2006
    Inventors: Terrence McDaniel, Scott Southwick, Fred Fishburn
  • Publication number: 20060205146
    Abstract: A process and apparatus directed to forming low resistance contacts in both the memory cell array and peripheral logic circuitry areas of a semiconductor device, for example, a DRAM memory device, is disclosed. In a buried bit line connection process flow, the present invention utilizes chemical vapor deposition of titanium to form titanium silicide in contact structures of the peripheral logic circuitry areas and physical vapor deposition to provide a metal mode (metallic) titanium layer in contact with the poly plugs in the memory cell array area of a semiconductor device, for example, a DRAM memory device according to the present invention. In this manner, the present invention avoids the potential drawbacks such as voiding in the poly plugs of the memory cell array due to the present of titanium silicide, which can cause significant reduction of device drain current and in extreme cases cause electrical discontinuity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2005
    Publication date: September 14, 2006
    Inventor: Terrence McDaniel