Patents by Inventor Yongjun Jeff Hu
Yongjun Jeff Hu 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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Publication number: 20220068959Abstract: A method used in forming a memory array comprising strings of memory cells comprises forming an upper stack directly above a lower stack. The lower stack comprises vertically-alternating lower-first-tiers and lower-second-tiers. The upper stack comprises vertically-alternating upper-first-tiers and upper-second-tiers. Lower channel openings extend through the lower-first-tiers and the lowers-second-tiers. The lower channel openings have sacrificial material therein. An upper of the lower-first-tiers or a lower of the upper-first-tiers comprises non-stoichiometric silicon nitride comprising (a) or (b), where (a): a nitrogen-to-silicon atomic ratio greater than 1.33 and less than 1.5; and (b): a nitrogen-to-silicon atomic ratio greater than or equal to 1.0 and less than 1.33. A higher of the upper-first-tiers that is above said lower upper-first-tier comprises silicon nitride not having either the (a) or the (b).Type: ApplicationFiled: October 12, 2020Publication date: March 3, 2022Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.Inventors: Daniel Billingsley, Jordan D. Greenlee, John D. Hopkins, Yongjun Jeff Hu, Swapnil Lengade
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Publication number: 20220068945Abstract: A method used in forming a memory array comprising strings of memory cells comprises forming an upper stack directly above a lower stack. The lower stack comprises vertically-alternating lower-first-tiers and lower-second-tiers. The upper stack comprises vertically-alternating upper-first-tiers and upper-second-tiers. Lower channel openings extend through the lower-first-tiers and the lower-second-tiers. The lower channel openings have sacrificial material therein. An upper of the lower-second-tiers or a lower of the upper-second-tiers comprises non-stoichiometric silicon dioxide that has a silicon-to-oxygen atomic ratio greater than 0.5. A higher of the upper-second-tiers that is above said lower upper-second-tier comprises silicon dioxide that has a silicon-to-oxygen atomic ratio less than or equal to 0.5. Upper channel openings are etched through the upper-first-tiers and the upper-second-tiers to stop on said upper lower-second-tier or said lower upper-second-tier.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 12, 2020Publication date: March 3, 2022Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.Inventors: Daniel Billingsley, Jordan D. Greenlee, John D. Hopkins, Yongjun Jeff Hu, Swapnil Lengade
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Publication number: 20220020763Abstract: A memory array comprising strings of memory cells comprises an upper stack above a lower stack. The lower stack comprises vertically-alternating lower conductive tiers and lower insulative tiers. The upper stack comprises vertically-alternating upper conductive tiers and upper insulative tiers. An intervening tier is vertically between the upper and lower stacks. The intervening tier is at least predominantly polysilicon and of different composition from compositions of the upper conductive tier and the upper insulative tier immediately-above the intervening tier and of different composition from compositions of the lower conductive tier and the lower insulative tier immediately-below the intervening tier. Channel-material strings of memory cells extend through the upper stack, the intervening tier, and the lower stack. Other structures and methods are disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 14, 2020Publication date: January 20, 2022Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.Inventors: Daniel Billingsley, Jordan D. Greenlee, John D. Hopkins, Yongjun Jeff Hu
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Publication number: 20210358940Abstract: Some embodiments include an integrated assembly having a first structure containing semiconductor material, and having a second structure contacting the first structure. The first structure has a composition along an interface with the second structure. The composition includes additive to a concentration within a range of from about 1018 atoms/cm3 to about 1021 atoms/cm3. The additive includes one or more of carbon, oxygen, nitrogen and sulfur. Some embodiments include methods of forming integrated assemblies.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 13, 2020Publication date: November 18, 2021Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.Inventors: Yiping Wang, Andrew Li, Haoyu Li, Matthew J. King, Wei Yeeng Ng, Yongjun Jeff Hu
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Patent number: 11107823Abstract: Some embodiments include an integrated structure having semiconductor material within a region between two parallel surfaces. The semiconductor material has grain boundaries parallel to the parallel surfaces. At least one circuit component utilizes a region of the semiconductor material in a gated device. The semiconductor material has little if any metal therein so that the gated device has Ion/Ioff characteristics similar to if the semiconductor material had no metal therein. Some embodiments include a method in which semiconductor material is provided between a pair of parallel surfaces, and in which the parallel surfaces and semiconductor material extend between a first end and a second end. Metal is formed adjacent the first end, and gettering material is formed adjacent the second end. Thermal processing induces crystallization of the semiconductor material and drives the metal along the semiconductor material and into the gettering material. The gettering material is then removed.Type: GrantFiled: November 14, 2019Date of Patent: August 31, 2021Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.Inventors: Yongjun Jeff Hu, Allen McTeer
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Publication number: 20210257526Abstract: A composition and method for formation of ohmic contacts on a semiconductor structure are provided. The composition includes a TiAlxNy material at least partially contiguous with the semiconductor structure. The TiAlxNy material can be TiAl3. The composition can include an aluminum material, the aluminum material being contiguous to at least part of the TiAlxNy material, such that the TiAlxNy material is between the aluminum material and the semiconductor structure. The method includes annealing the composition to form an ohmic contact on the semiconductor structure.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 6, 2021Publication date: August 19, 2021Inventors: Yongjun Jeff Hu, John Mark Meldrim, Shanming Mou, Everett Allen McTeer
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Publication number: 20210233801Abstract: A method used in forming a memory array comprising strings of memory cells comprises forming a stack comprising vertically-alternating first tiers and second tiers. Horizontally-elongated trenches are formed into the stack to form laterally-spaced memory-block regions. Bridge material is formed across the trenches laterally-between and longitudinally-along immediately-laterally-adjacent of the memory-block regions. The bridge material comprises longitudinally-alternating first and second regions. The first regions of the bridge material are ion implanted differently than the second regions of the bridge material to change relative etch rate of one of the first or second regions relative to the other in an etching process.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 13, 2021Publication date: July 29, 2021Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.Inventors: Daniel Billingsley, Jordan D. Greenlee, Yongjun Jeff Hu
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Publication number: 20210210623Abstract: Some embodiments include methods of forming charge storage transistor gates and standard FET gates in which common processing is utilized for fabrication of at least some portions of the different types of gates. FET and charge storage transistor gate stacks may be formed. The gate stacks may each include a gate material, an insulative material, and a sacrificial material. The sacrificial material is removed from the FET and charge storage transistor gate stacks. The insulative material of the FET gate stacks is etched through. A conductive material is formed over the FET gate stacks and over the charge storage transistor gate stacks. The conductive material physically contacts the gate material of the FET gate stacks, and is separated from the gate material of the charge storage transistor gate stacks by the insulative material remaining in the charge storage transistor gate stacks. Some embodiments include gate structures.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 19, 2021Publication date: July 8, 2021Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.Inventor: Yongjun Jeff Hu
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Publication number: 20210202243Abstract: In a variety of processes for forming electronic devices that use spin-on dielectric materials, properties of the spin-on dielectric materials can be enhanced by curing these materials using plasma doping. For example, hardness and Young's modulus can be increased for the cured material. Other properties may be enhanced. The plasma doping to cure the spin-on dielectric materials uses a mechanism that is a combination of plasma ion implant and high energy radiation associated with the species ionized. In addition, physical properties of the spin-on dielectric materials can be modified along a length of the spin-on dielectric materials by selection of an implant energy and dopant dose for the particular dopant used, corresponding to a selection variation with respect to length.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 13, 2020Publication date: July 1, 2021Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.Inventors: Santanu Sarkar, Jay Steven Brown, Shu Qin, Yongjun Jeff Hu, Farrell Martin Good
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Publication number: 20210183651Abstract: Described are methods for forming a multilayer conductive structure for semiconductor devices. A seed layer is formed comprising a metal and an additional constituent that in combination with the metal inhibits nucleation of a fill layer of the metal formed over the seed layer. Tungsten may be doped or alloyed with silicon to form the seed layer, with a tungsten fill being formed over the seed layer.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 23, 2020Publication date: June 17, 2021Inventors: David Ross Economy, Brian Beatty, John Mark Meldrim, Yongjun Jeff Hu, Jordan D. Greenlee
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Patent number: 11011408Abstract: A method used in forming a memory array comprising strings of memory cells comprises forming a stack comprising vertically-alternating first tiers and second tiers. Horizontally-elongated trenches are formed into the stack to form laterally-spaced memory-block regions. Bridge material is formed across the trenches laterally-between and longitudinally-along immediately-laterally-adjacent of the memory-block regions. The bridge material comprises longitudinally-alternating first and second regions. The first regions of the bridge material are ion implanted differently than the second regions of the bridge material to change relative etch rate of one of the first or second regions relative to the other in an etching process.Type: GrantFiled: October 11, 2019Date of Patent: May 18, 2021Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.Inventors: Daniel Billingsley, Jordan D. Greenlee, Yongjun Jeff Hu
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Patent number: 10998481Abstract: A composition and method for formation of ohmic contacts on a semiconductor structure are provided. The composition includes a TiAlxNy material at least partially contiguous with the semiconductor structure. The TiAlxNy material can be TiAl3. The composition can include an aluminum material, the aluminum material being contiguous to at least part of the TiAlxNy material, such that the TiAlxNy material is between the aluminum material and the semiconductor structure. The method includes annealing the composition to form an ohmic contact on the semiconductor structure.Type: GrantFiled: October 3, 2019Date of Patent: May 4, 2021Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.Inventors: Yongjun Jeff Hu, John Mark Meldrim, Shanming Mou, Everett Allen McTeer
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Patent number: 10991882Abstract: A resistive memory element comprises a first electrode, an active material over the first electrode, a buffer material over the active material and comprising longitudinally extending, columnar grains of crystalline material, an ion reservoir material over the buffer material, and a second electrode over the ion reservoir material. A memory cell, a memory device, an electronic system, and a method of forming a resistive memory element are also described.Type: GrantFiled: August 27, 2019Date of Patent: April 27, 2021Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.Inventors: Christopher W. Petz, Yongjun Jeff Hu, Scott E. Sills, D. V. Nirmal Ramaswamy
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Publication number: 20210111064Abstract: A method used in forming a memory array comprising strings of memory cells comprises forming a stack comprising vertically-alternating first tiers and second tiers. Horizontally-elongated trenches are formed into the stack to form laterally-spaced memory-block regions. Bridge material is formed across the trenches laterally-between and longitudinally-along immediately-laterally-adjacent of the memory-block regions. The bridge material comprises longitudinally-alternating first and second regions. The first regions of the bridge material are ion implanted differently than the second regions of the bridge material to change relative etch rate of one of the first or second regions relative to the other in an etching process.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 11, 2019Publication date: April 15, 2021Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.Inventors: Daniel Billingsley, Jordan D. Greenlee, Yongjun Jeff Hu
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Patent number: 10971607Abstract: Some embodiments include methods of forming charge storage transistor gates and standard FET gates in which common processing is utilized for fabrication of at least some portions of the different types of gates. FET and charge storage transistor gate stacks may be formed. The gate stacks may each include a gate material, an insulative material, and a sacrificial material. The sacrificial material is removed from the FET and charge storage transistor gate stacks. The insulative material of the FET gate stacks is etched through. A conductive material is formed over the FET gate stacks and over the charge storage transistor gate stacks. The conductive material physically contacts the gate material of the FET gate stacks, and is separated from the gate material of the charge storage transistor gate stacks by the insulative material remaining in the charge storage transistor gate stacks. Some embodiments include gate structures.Type: GrantFiled: August 22, 2019Date of Patent: April 6, 2021Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.Inventor: Yongjun Jeff Hu
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Patent number: 10923657Abstract: A memory cell comprising a threshold switching material over a first electrode on a substrate. The memory cell includes a second electrode over the threshold switching material and at least one dielectric material between the threshold switching material and at least one of the first electrode and the second electrode. A memory material overlies the second electrode. The dielectric material may directly contact the threshold switching material and each of the first electrode and the second electrode. Memory cells including only one dielectric material between the threshold switching material and an electrode are disclosed. A memory device including the memory cells and methods of forming the memory cells are also described.Type: GrantFiled: July 24, 2019Date of Patent: February 16, 2021Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.Inventors: Tsz W. Chan, Durai Vishak Nirmal Ramaswamy, Qian Tao, Yongjun Jeff Hu, Everett A. McTeer
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Patent number: 10916564Abstract: Some embodiments include an assembly which has channel material pillars, and which has memory cells along the channel material pillars. A conductive structure is under the channel material pillars. The conductive structure has doped semiconductor material in direct contact with bottom regions of the channel material pillars. One or more of magnesium, scandium, yttrium and lanthanide elements is along the bottom regions of the channel material pillars. Some embodiments include methods of forming assemblies. A structure is formed, and a mass is formed against an upper surface of the structure. Plugs are formed within openings in the mass. The plugs comprise a second material over a first material. The first material includes one or more of magnesium, scandium, yttrium and lanthanide elements. Openings are formed to terminate on the first material, and are then extended through the first material. Channel material pillars are formed within the openings.Type: GrantFiled: May 4, 2020Date of Patent: February 9, 2021Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.Inventors: David Ross Economy, John Mark Meldrim, Haoyu Li, Yongjun Jeff Hu, Christopher W. Petz, Daniel Billingsley, Everett A. McTeer
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Patent number: 10847367Abstract: Described are methods for forming a multilayer conductive structure for semiconductor devices. A seed layer is formed comprising a metal and an additional constituent that in combination with the metal inhibits nucleation of a fill layer of the metal formed over the seed layer. Tungsten may be doped or alloyed with silicon to form the seed layer, with a tungsten fill being formed over the seed layer.Type: GrantFiled: December 28, 2018Date of Patent: November 24, 2020Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.Inventors: David R. Economy, Brian Beatty, John Mark Meldrim, Yongjun Jeff Hu, Jordan D. Greenlee
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Publication number: 20200266210Abstract: Some embodiments include an assembly which has channel material pillars, and which has memory cells along the channel material pillars. A conductive structure is under the channel material pillars. The conductive structure has doped semiconductor material in direct contact with bottom regions of the channel material pillars. One or more of magnesium, scandium, yttrium and lanthanide elements is along the bottom regions of the channel material pillars. Some embodiments include methods of forming assemblies. A structure is formed, and a mass is formed against an upper surface of the structure. Plugs are formed within openings in the mass. The plugs comprise a second material over a first material. The first material includes one or more of magnesium, scandium, yttrium and lanthanide elements. Openings are formed to terminate on the first material, and are then extended through the first material. Channel material pillars are formed within the openings.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 4, 2020Publication date: August 20, 2020Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.Inventors: David Ross Economy, John Mark Meldrim, Haoyu Li, Yongjun Jeff Hu, Christopher W. Petz, Daniel Billingsley, Everett A. McTeer
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Patent number: 10731273Abstract: Various embodiments include methods and apparatuses comprising methods for formation of and apparatuses including a source material for electronic devices. One such apparatus includes a vertical string of memory cells comprising a plurality of alternating levels of conductor and dielectric material, a semiconductor material extending through the plurality of alternating levels of conductor material and dielectric material, and a source material coupled to the semiconductor material. The source material includes a titanium nitride layer and a source polysilicon layer in direct contact with the titanium nitride layer. Other methods and apparatuses are disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: June 10, 2019Date of Patent: August 4, 2020Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.Inventors: John Mark Meldrim, Yushi Hu, Yongjun Jeff Hu, Everett Allen McTeer