Patents by Inventor Thomas A. Figura

Thomas A. Figura 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: 20220375942
    Abstract: A microelectronic device comprises memory cell structures extending from a base material. At least one memory cell structure of the memory cell structures comprises a central portion in contact with a digit line, extending from the base material and comprising opposing arcuate surfaces, an end portion in contact with a storage node contact on a side of the central portion, and an additional end portion in contact with an additional storage node contact on an opposite side of the central portion. Related microelectronic devices, electronic systems, and methods are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2021
    Publication date: November 24, 2022
    Inventors: Stephen D. Snyder, Thomas A. Figura, Siva Naga Sandeep Chalamalasetty, Ping Chieh Chiang, Scott L. Light, Yashvi Singh, Yan Li, Song Guo
  • Patent number: 11387369
    Abstract: An example apparatus includes forming a working surface of a substrate material. The example apparatus includes trench formed between two semiconductor structures on the working surface of the substrate material. The example apparatus further includes access lines formed on neighboring sidewalls of the semiconductor structures opposing a channel region separating a first source/drain region and a second source/drain region. The example apparatus further includes a time-control formed inhibitor material formed over a portion of the sidewalls of the semiconductor structures. The example apparatus further includes a dielectric material formed over the semiconductor structures to enclose a non-solid space between the access lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Shen Hu, Hung-Wei Liu, Xiao Li, Zhiqiang Xie, Corey Staller, Jeffery B. Hull, Anish A. Khandekar, Thomas A. Figura
  • Patent number: 11114443
    Abstract: Systems, apparatuses, and methods related to semiconductor structure formation are described. An example method may include patterning a working surface of a semiconductor wafer. The method may further include performing a vapor etch on a first dielectric material at the working surface to recess the first dielectric material to a first intended depth of an opening relative to the working surface and to expose a second dielectric material on a sidewall of the opening. The method may further include performing a wet etch on the second dielectric material to recess the second dielectric material to the intended depth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Vivek Yadav, Fatma Arzum Simsek-Ege, Sanjeev Sapra, Thomas A. Figura, Kangle Li
  • Publication number: 20210193843
    Abstract: An example apparatus includes forming a working surface of a substrate material. The example apparatus includes trench formed between two semiconductor structures on the working surface of the substrate material. The example apparatus further includes access lines formed on neighboring sidewalls of the semiconductor structures opposing a channel region separating a first source/drain region and a second source/drain region. The example apparatus further includes a time-control formed inhibitor material formed over a portion of the sidewalls of the semiconductor structures. The example apparatus further includes a dielectric material formed over the semiconductor structures to enclose a non-solid space between the access lines.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2019
    Publication date: June 24, 2021
    Inventors: Shen Hu, Hung-Wei Liu, Xiao Li, Zhiqiang Xie, Corey Staller, Jeffery B. Hull, Anish A. Khandekar, Thomas A. Figura
  • Publication number: 20210066307
    Abstract: Systems, apparatuses, and methods related to semiconductor structure formation are described. An example method may include patterning a working surface of a semiconductor wafer. The method may further include performing a vapor etch on a first dielectric material at the working surface to recess the first dielectric material to a first intended depth of an opening relative to the working surface and to expose a second dielectric material on a sidewall of the opening. The method may further include performing a wet etch on the second dielectric material to recess the second dielectric material to the intended depth.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2019
    Publication date: March 4, 2021
    Inventors: Vivek Yadav, Fatma Arzum Simsek-Ege, Sanjeev Sapra, Thomas A. Figura, Kangle Li
  • Patent number: 9076888
    Abstract: Methods and structures are provided for full silicidation of recessed silicon. Silicon is provided within a trench. A mixture of metals is provided over the silicon in which one of the metals diffuses more readily in silicon than silicon does in the metal, and another of the metals diffuses less readily in silicon than silicon does in the metal. An exemplary mixture includes 80% nickel and 20% cobalt. The silicon within the trench is allowed to fully silicide without void formation, despite a relatively high aspect ratio for the trench. Among other devices, recessed access devices (RADs) can be formed by the method for memory arrays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2015
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Hasan Nejad, Thomas A. Figura, Gordon A. Haller, Ravi Iyer, John Mark Meldrim, Justin Harnish
  • Patent number: 8692305
    Abstract: Semiconductor device structures include an at least partially formed container capacitor having a generally cylindrical first conductive member with at least one inner sidewall surface, a lattice material at least partially laterally surrounding an upper end portion of the first conductive member, an anchor material, and at least one aperture extending through the lattice material between the at least partially formed container capacitor and an adjacent at least partially formed container capacitor. Other structures include an at least partially formed container capacitor, a lattice material, and an anchor material disposed over a surface of the lattice material and at least a portion of an end surface of the first conductive member and forming a chemical barrier over at least a portion of an interface between the lattice material and the upper end portion of the first conductive member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Brett Busch, Kevin R. Shea, Thomas A. Figura
  • Publication number: 20120043596
    Abstract: Semiconductor device structures include an at least partially formed container capacitor having a generally cylindrical first conductive member with at least one inner sidewall surface, a lattice material at least partially laterally surrounding an upper end portion of the first conductive member, an anchor material, and at least one aperture extending through the lattice material between the at least partially formed container capacitor and an adjacent at least partially formed container capacitor. Other structures include an at least partially formed container capacitor, a lattice material, and an anchor material disposed over a surface of the lattice material and at least a portion of an end surface of the first conductive member and forming a chemical barrier over at least a portion of an interface between the lattice material and the upper end portion of the first conductive member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2011
    Publication date: February 23, 2012
    Applicant: MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Brett Busch, Kevin R. Shea, Thomas A. Figura
  • Patent number: 8058126
    Abstract: Methods of forming semiconductor devices that include one or more container capacitors include anchoring an end of a conductive member to a surrounding lattice material using an anchor material, which may be a dielectric. The anchor material may extend over at least a portion of an end surface of the conductive member, at least a portion of the lattice material, and an interface between the conductive member and the lattice material. In some embodiments, the anchor material may be formed without significantly covering an inner sidewall surface of the conductive member. Furthermore, in some embodiments, a barrier material may be provided over at least a portion of the anchor material and over at least a portion of an inner sidewall surface of the conductive member. Novel semiconductor devices and structures are fabricated using such methods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Brett Busch, Kevin R. Shea, Thomas A. Figura
  • Publication number: 20110183507
    Abstract: Methods are provided for simultaneously processing transistors in two different regions of an integrated circuit. Planar transistors are provided in a logic region while recessed access devices (RADs) are provided in an array region for a memory device. During gate stack patterning in the periphery, word lines are recessed within the trenches for the array RADs. Side wall spacer formation in the periphery simultaneously provides an insulating cap layer burying the word lines within the trenches of the array.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2011
    Publication date: July 28, 2011
    Applicant: Micron Technology Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas A. Figura, Gordon A. Haller
  • Patent number: 7977236
    Abstract: Methods and structures are provided for full silicidation of recessed silicon. Silicon is provided within a trench. A mixture of metals is provided over the silicon in which one of the metals diffuses more readily in silicon than silicon does in the metal, and another of the metals diffuses less readily in silicon than silicon does in the metal. An exemplary mixture includes 80% nickel and 20% cobalt. The silicon within the trench is allowed to fully silicide without void formation, despite a relatively high aspect ratio for the trench. Among other devices, recessed access devices (RADs) can be formed by the method for memory arrays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Hasan Nejad, Thomas A. Figura, Gordon A. Haller, Ravi Iyer, John Mark Meldrim, Justin Harnish
  • Patent number: 7939409
    Abstract: Methods are provided for simultaneously processing transistors in two different regions of an integrated circuit. Planar transistors are provided in a logic region while recessed access devices (RADs) are provided in an array region for a memory device. During gate stack patterning in the periphery, word lines are recessed within the trenches for the array RADs. Side wall spacer formation in the periphery simultaneously provides an insulating cap layer burying the word lines within the trenches of the array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2011
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas A. Figura, Gordon A. Haller
  • Publication number: 20100193853
    Abstract: Methods of forming semiconductor devices that include one or more container capacitors include anchoring an end of a conductive member to a surrounding lattice material using an anchor material, which may be a dielectric. The anchor material may extend over at least a portion of an end surface of the conductive member, at least a portion of the lattice material, and an interface between the conductive member and the lattice material. In some embodiments, the anchor material may be formed without significantly covering an inner sidewall surface of the conductive member. Furthermore, in some embodiments, a barrier material may be provided over at least a portion of the anchor material and over at least a portion of an inner sidewall surface of the conductive member. Novel semiconductor devices and structures are fabricated using such methods.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2009
    Publication date: August 5, 2010
    Applicant: MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Brett Busch, Kevin R. Shea, Thomas A. Figura
  • Patent number: 7709343
    Abstract: A method used to form a semiconductor device having a capacitor comprises placing a semiconductor wafer assembly into a chamber of a plasma source, the wafer assembly comprising a layer of insulation having at least one contact therein and a surface, and further comprising a conductive layer over the surface and in the contact. Next, in the chamber, a layer of etch resistant material is formed within the contact over the conductive layer, the etch resistant material not forming over the surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas A. Figura, Kevin G. Donohoe, Thomas Dunbar
  • Patent number: 7683413
    Abstract: A method for forming a double sided container capacitor comprises forming a first capacitor top plate layer within a recess in a dielectric layer, then forming a first cell dielectric on the first top plate layer. Next, first and second bottom plate layers are formed on the first cell dielectric layer, and a second cell dielectric layer is formed on the second bottom plate layers. Finally, a second top plate layer is formed on the second cell dielectric layer, and the first and second top plate layers are electrically connected using a conductive plug or conductive spacer. An inventive structure formed using the inventive method is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2010
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas M. Graettinger, Marsela Pontoh, Thomas A. Figura
  • Publication number: 20090239366
    Abstract: Methods and structures are provided for full silicidation of recessed silicon. Silicon is provided within a trench. A mixture of metals is provided over the silicon in which one of the metals diffuses more readily in silicon than silicon does in the metal, and another of the metals diffuses less readily in silicon than silicon does in the metal. An exemplary mixture includes 80% nickel and 20% cobalt. The silicon within the trench is allowed to fully silicide without void formation, despite a relatively high aspect ratio for the trench. Among other devices, recessed access devices (RADs) can be formed by the method for memory arrays.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2009
    Publication date: September 24, 2009
    Inventors: Hasan Nejad, Thomas A. Figura, Gordon A. Haller, Ravi Iyer, John Mark Meldrim, Justin Harnish
  • Patent number: 7557032
    Abstract: Methods and structures are provided for full silicidation of recessed silicon. Silicon is provided within a trench. A mixture of metals is provided over the silicon in which one of the metals diffuses more readily in silicon than silicon does in the metal, and another of the metals diffuses less readily in silicon than silicon does in the metal. An exemplary mixture includes 80% nickel and 20% cobalt. The silicon within the trench is allowed to fully silicide without void formation, despite a relatively high aspect ratio for the trench. Among other devices, recessed access devices (RADs) can be formed by the method for memory arrays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2009
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Hasan Nejad, Thomas A. Figura, Gordon A. Haller, Ravi Iyer, John Mark Meldrim, Justin Harnish
  • Publication number: 20090017634
    Abstract: A method used to form a semiconductor device having a capacitor comprises placing a semiconductor wafer assembly into a chamber of a plasma source, the wafer assembly comprising a layer of insulation having at least one contact therein and a surface, and further comprising a conductive layer over the surface and in the contact. Next, in the chamber, a layer of etch resistant material is formed within the contact over the conductive layer, the etch resistant material not forming over the surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2008
    Publication date: January 15, 2009
    Inventors: Thomas A. Figura, Kevin G. Donohoe, Thomas Dunbar
  • Publication number: 20080299753
    Abstract: Methods are provided for simultaneously processing transistors in two different regions of an integrated circuit. Planar transistors are provided in a logic region while recessed access devices (RADs) are provided in an array region for a memory device. During gate stack patterning in the periphery, word lines are recessed within the trenches for the array RADs. Side wall spacer formation in the periphery simultaneously provides an insulating cap layer burying the word lines within the trenches of the array.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2008
    Publication date: December 4, 2008
    Inventors: Thomas A. Figura, Gordon A. Haller
  • Patent number: 7429535
    Abstract: A method used to form a semiconductor device having a capacitor comprises placing a semiconductor wafer assembly into a chamber of a plasma source, the wafer assembly comprising a layer of insulation having at least one contact therein and a surface, and further comprising a conductive layer over the surface and in the contact. Next, in the chamber, a layer of etch resistant material is formed within the contact over the conductive layer, the etch resistant material not forming over the surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2008
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas A. Figura, Kevin G. Donohoe, Thomas Dunbar