The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.

The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.

Date of Patent:
Feb. 03, 2015

Filed:

Mar. 15, 2013
Applicant:

Micron Technology, Inc., Boise, ID (US);

Inventors:

Fatma Arzum Simsek-Ege, Boise, ID (US);

Aaron R. Wilson, Boise, ID (US);

Assignee:

Micron Technology, Inc., Boise, ID (US);

Attorney:
Primary Examiner:
Int. Cl.
CPC ...
H01L 21/302 (2006.01); H01L 27/115 (2006.01); H01L 21/308 (2006.01); H01L 21/3065 (2006.01); H01L 21/033 (2006.01);
U.S. Cl.
CPC ...
H01L 27/11578 (2013.01); H01L 21/3083 (2013.01); H01L 21/3065 (2013.01); H01L 21/0334 (2013.01);
Abstract

Some embodiments include methods of forming vertically-stacked memory cells. An opening is formed to extend partially through a stack of alternating electrically insulative levels and electrically conductive levels. A liner is formed along sidewalls of the opening, and then the stack is etched to extend the opening. The liner is at least partially consumed during the etch and forms passivation material. Three zones occur during the etch, with one of the zones being an upper zone of the opening protected by the liner, another of the zones being an intermediate zone of the opening protected by passivation material but not the liner, and another of the zones being a lower zone of the opening which is not protected by either passivation material or the liner. Cavities are formed to extend into the electrically conductive levels along sidewalls of the opening. Charge blocking dielectric and charge-storage structures are formed within the cavities.


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