Patents by Inventor Zengtao T. Liu

Zengtao T. Liu 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: 12167615
    Abstract: An array of vertically stacked tiers of memory cells includes horizontally oriented access lines within individual tiers of memory cells and horizontally oriented global sense lines elevationally outward of the tiers. Select transistors are elevationally inward of the tiers. Pairs of local first and second vertical lines extends through the tiers. One vertical line within individual of the pairs is in conductive connection with one of the global sense lines and in conductive connection with one of the two source/drain regions of one of the select transistors. The second vertical line within individual of the pairs is in conductive connection with another of the two source/drain regions of the one select transistor. Individual of the memory cells include a crossing one of the local second vertical lines and one of the horizontal access lines and programmable material there-between. Other aspects including methods, are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2024
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Zengtao T. Liu
  • Patent number: 11587615
    Abstract: The apparatuses and methods described herein may operate to measure a voltage difference between a selected access line and a selected sense line associated with a selected cell of a plurality of memory cells of a memory array. The voltage difference may be compared with a reference voltage specified for a memory operation. A selection voltage(s) applied to the selected cell for the memory operation may be adjusted responsive to the comparison, such as to dynamically compensate for parasitic voltage drop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Zengtao T. Liu, Kirk D. Prall
  • Publication number: 20220157888
    Abstract: An array of vertically stacked tiers of memory cells includes a plurality of horizontally oriented access lines within individual tiers of memory cells and a plurality of horizontally oriented global sense lines elevationally outward of the tiers. A plurality of select transistors is elevationally inward of the tiers. A plurality of pairs of local first and second vertical lines extends through the tiers. The local first vertical line within individual of the pairs is in conductive connection with one of the global sense lines and in conductive connection with one of the two source/drain regions of one of the select transistors. The local second vertical line within individual of the pairs is in conductive connection with another of the two source/drain regions of the one select transistor. Individual of the memory cells include a crossing one of the local second vertical lines and one of the horizontal access lines and programmable material there-between.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2022
    Publication date: May 19, 2022
    Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Zengtao T. Liu
  • Patent number: 11276733
    Abstract: An array of vertically stacked tiers of memory cells includes a plurality of horizontally oriented access lines within individual tiers of memory cells and a plurality of horizontally oriented global sense lines elevationally outward of the tiers. A plurality of select transistors is elevationally inward of the tiers. A plurality of pairs of local first and second vertical lines extends through the tiers. The local first vertical line within individual of the pairs is in conductive connection with one of the global sense lines and in conductive connection with one of the two source/drain regions of one of the select transistors. The local second vertical line within individual of the pairs is in conductive connection with another of the two source/drain regions of the one select transistor. Individual of the memory cells include a crossing one of the local second vertical lines and one of the horizontal access lines and programmable material there-between.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2022
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Zengtao T. Liu
  • Publication number: 20210335420
    Abstract: The apparatuses and methods described herein may operate to measure a voltage difference between a selected access line and a selected sense line associated with a selected cell of a plurality of memory cells of a memory array. The voltage difference may be compared with a reference voltage specified for a memory operation. A selection voltage(s) applied to the selected cell for the memory operation may be adjusted responsive to the comparison, such as to dynamically compensate for parasitic voltage drop.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2021
    Publication date: October 28, 2021
    Inventors: Zengtao T. Liu, Kirk D. Prall
  • Patent number: 11004510
    Abstract: The apparatuses and methods described herein may operate to measure a voltage difference between a selected access line and a selected sense line associated with a selected cell of a plurality of memory cells of a memory array. The voltage difference may be compared with a reference voltage specified for a memory operation. A selection voltage(s) applied to the selected cell for the memory operation may be adjusted responsive to the comparison, such as to dynamically compensate for parasitic voltage drop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2021
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Zengtao T. Liu, Kirk D. Prall
  • Patent number: 10859661
    Abstract: Some embodiments include memory arrays. The memory arrays can have global bitlines extending along a first horizontal direction, vertical local bitlines extending perpendicularly from the global bitlines, and wordlines extending along a second horizontal direction which is perpendicular to the first horizontal direction. The global bitlines may be subdivided into a first series at a first elevational level, and a second series at a second elevational level which is different from the first elevational level. The global bitlines of the first series can alternate with the global bitlines of the second series. There can be memory cell material directly between the wordlines and the vertical local bitlines. The memory cell material may form a plurality of memory cells uniquely addressed by wordline/global bitline combinations. Some embodiments include cross-point memory cell units that have areas of about 2F2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Zengtao T. Liu
  • Publication number: 20200381044
    Abstract: The apparatuses and methods described herein may operate to measure a voltage difference between a selected access line and a selected sense line associated with a selected cell of a plurality of memory cells of a memory array. The voltage difference may be compared with a reference voltage specified for a memory operation. A selection voltage(s) applied to the selected cell for the memory operation may be adjusted responsive to the comparison, such as to dynamically compensate for parasitic voltage drop.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2020
    Publication date: December 3, 2020
    Inventors: Zengtao T. Liu, Kirk D. Prall
  • Publication number: 20200341105
    Abstract: Some embodiments include memory arrays. The memory arrays can have global bitlines extending along a first horizontal direction, vertical local bitlines extending perpendicularly from the global bitlines, and wordlines extending along a second horizontal direction which is perpendicular to the first horizontal direction. The global bitlines may be subdivided into a first series at a first elevational level, and a second series at a second elevational level which is different from the first elevational level. The global bitlines of the first series can alternate with the global bitlines of the second series. There can be memory cell material directly between the wordlines and the vertical local bitlines. The memory cell material may form a plurality of memory cells uniquely addressed by wordline/global bitline combinations. Some embodiments include cross-point memory cell units that have areas of about 2F2.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2020
    Publication date: October 29, 2020
    Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Zengtao T. Liu
  • Patent number: 10746835
    Abstract: Some embodiments include memory arrays. The memory arrays can have global bitlines extending along a first horizontal direction, vertical local bitlines extending perpendicularly from the global bitlines, and wordlines extending along a second horizontal direction which is perpendicular to the first horizontal direction. The global bitlines may be subdivided into a first series at a first elevational level, and a second series at a second elevational level which is different from the first elevational level. The global bitlines of the first series can alternate with the global bitlines of the second series. There can be memory cell material directly between the wordlines and the vertical local bitlines. The memory cell material may form a plurality of memory cells uniquely addressed by wordline/global bitline combinations. Some embodiments include cross-point memory cell units that have areas of about 2 F2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Zengtao T. Liu
  • Publication number: 20200249307
    Abstract: Some embodiments include memory arrays. The memory arrays can have global bitlines extending along a first horizontal direction, vertical local bitlines extending perpendicularly from the global bitlines, and wordlines extending along a second horizontal direction which is perpendicular to the first horizontal direction. The global bitlines may be subdivided into a first series at a first elevational level, and a second series at a second elevational level which is different from the first elevational level. The global bitlines of the first series can alternate with the global bitlines of the second series. There can be memory cell material directly between the wordlines and the vertical local bitlines. The memory cell material may form a plurality of memory cells uniquely addressed by wordline/global bitline combinations. Some embodiments include cross-point memory cell units that have areas of about 2F2.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2020
    Publication date: August 6, 2020
    Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Zengtao T. Liu
  • Patent number: 10679696
    Abstract: The apparatuses and methods described herein may operate to measure a voltage difference between a selected access line and a selected sense line associated with a selected cell of a plurality of memory cells of a memory array. The voltage difference may be compared with a reference voltage specified for a memory operation. A selection voltage(s) applied to the selected cell for the memory operation may be adjusted responsive to the comparison, such as to dynamically compensate for parasitic voltage drop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Zengtao T. Liu, Kirk D. Prall
  • Patent number: 10672500
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for non-contact measurement of memory cell threshold voltage, including at one or more intermediate stages of fabrication, are described. One access line may be grounded and coupled with one or more memory cells. Each of the one or more memory cells may be coupled with a corresponding floating access line. A floating access line may be scanned with an electron beam configured to set the floating access line to a particular surface voltage at the scanned bit line, and the threshold voltage of the corresponding memory cell may be determined based on whether setting the scanned bit line to the surface voltage causes a detectable amount current to flow through the corresponding memory cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Amitava Majumdar, Rajesh Kamana, Hongmei Wang, Shawn D. Lyonsmith, Ervin T. Hill, Zengtao T. Liu, Marlon W. Hug
  • Patent number: 10656231
    Abstract: Some embodiments include memory arrays. The memory arrays can have global bitlines extending along a first horizontal direction, vertical local bitlines extending perpendicularly from the global bitlines, and wordlines extending along a second horizontal direction which is perpendicular to the first horizontal direction. The global bitlines may be subdivided into a first series at a first elevational level, and a second series at a second elevational level which is different from the first elevational level. The global bitlines of the first series can alternate with the global bitlines of the second series. There can be memory cell material directly between the wordlines and the vertical local bitlines. The memory cell material may form a plurality of memory cells uniquely addressed by wordline/global bitline combinations. Some embodiments include cross-point memory cell units that have areas of about 2F2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Zengtao T. Liu
  • Patent number: 10650891
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for non-contact electron beam probing techniques, including at one or more intermediate stages of fabrication, are described. One subset of first access lines may be grounded and coupled with one or more memory cells. A second subset of first access lines may be floating and coupled with one or more memory cells. A second access line may correspond to each first access line and may be configured to be coupled with the corresponding first access line, by way of one or more corresponding memory cells, when scanned with an electron beam. A leakage path may be determined by comparing an optical pattern generated in part by determining a brightness of each scanned access line and comparing the generated optical pattern with a second optical pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Amitava Majumdar, Rajesh Kamana, Hongmei Wang, Shawn D. Lyonsmith, Ervin T. Hill, Zengtao T. Liu, Marlon W. Hug
  • Patent number: 10613184
    Abstract: Some embodiments include memory arrays. The memory arrays can have global bitlines extending along a first horizontal direction, vertical local bitlines extending perpendicularly from the global bitlines, and wordlines extending along a second horizontal direction which is perpendicular to the first horizontal direction. The global bitlines may be subdivided into a first series at a first elevational level, and a second series at a second elevational level which is different from the first elevational level. The global bitlines of the first series can alternate with the global bitlines of the second series. There can be memory cell material directly between the wordlines and the vertical local bitlines. The memory cell material may form a plurality of memory cells uniquely addressed by wordline/global bitline combinations. Some embodiments include cross-point memory cell units that have areas of about 2F2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Zengtao T. Liu
  • Patent number: 10559531
    Abstract: A method of forming conductive vias comprises forming a first via opening and a second via opening within a substrate. First conductive material of a first conductivity is formed into the first and second via openings. The first conductive material lines sidewalls and a base of the second via opening to less-than-fill the second via opening. Second conductive material is formed into the second via opening over the first conductive material in the second via opening. The second conductive material is of a second conductivity that is greater than the first conductivity. All conductive material within the first via opening forms a first conductive via defining a first maximum conductance elevationally through the first conductive via and all conductive material within the second via opening forms a second conductive via defining a second maximum conductance elevationally through the second conductive via that is greater than said first maximum conductance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2020
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Zengtao T. Liu
  • Publication number: 20190355418
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for non-contact electron beam probing techniques, including at one or more intermediate stages of fabrication, are described. One subset of first access lines may be grounded and coupled with one or more memory cells. A second subset of first access lines may be floating and coupled with one or more memory cells. A second access line may correspond to each first access line and may be configured to be coupled with the corresponding first access line, by way of one or more corresponding memory cells, when scanned with an electron beam. A leakage path may be determined by comparing an optical pattern generated in part by determining a brightness of each scanned access line and comparing the generated optical pattern with a second optical pattern.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2019
    Publication date: November 21, 2019
    Inventors: Amitava Majumdar, Rajesh Kamana, Hongmei Wang, Shawn D. Lyonsmith, Ervin T. Hill, Zengtao T. Liu, Marlon W. Hug
  • Publication number: 20190341122
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for non-contact measurement of memory cell threshold voltage, including at one or more intermediate stages of fabrication, are described. One access line may be grounded and coupled with one or more memory cells. Each of the one or more memory cells may be coupled with a corresponding floating access line. A floating access line may be scanned with an electron beam configured to set the floating access line to a particular surface voltage at the scanned bit line, and the threshold voltage of the corresponding memory cell may be determined based on whether setting the scanned bit line to the surface voltage causes a detectable amount current to flow through the corresponding memory cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2019
    Publication date: November 7, 2019
    Inventors: Amitava Majumdar, Rajesh Kamana, Hongmei Wang, Shawn D. Lyonsmith, Ervin T. Hill, Zengtao T. Liu, Marlon W. Hug
  • Patent number: 10403359
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for non-contact electron beam probing techniques, including at one or more intermediate stages of fabrication, are described. One subset of first access lines may be grounded and coupled with one or more memory cells. A second subset of first access lines may be floating and coupled with one or more memory cells. A second access line may correspond to each first access line and may be configured to be coupled with the corresponding first access line, by way of one or more corresponding memory cells, when scanned with an electron beam. A leakage path may be determined by comparing an optical pattern generated in part by determining a brightness of each scanned access line and comparing the generated optical pattern with a second optical pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Amitava Majumdar, Rajesh Kamana, Hongmei Wang, Shawn D. Lyonsmith, Ervin T. Hill, Zengtao T. Liu, Marlon W. Hug