IP Library Granted Patent US 10,319,724
Granted Patent B2
US 10,319,724 · App. 16/033,377 · Granted Jun 11, 2019

Memory cells and memory arrays

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 10,319,724
App. No.
16/033,377
Granted
Jun 11, 2019
Kind
B2
Abstract

Some embodiments include a memory cell having a first transistor supported by a semiconductor base, and having second and third transistors above the first transistor and vertically stacked one atop the other. Some embodiments include a memory cell having first, second and third transistors. The third transistor is above the second transistor, and the second and third transistors are above the first transistor. The first transistor has first and second source/drain regions, the second transistor has third and fourth source/drain regions, and the third transistor has fifth and sixth source/drain regions. A read bitline is coupled with the sixth source/drain region. A write bitline is coupled with the first source/drain region. A write wordline includes a gate of the first transistor. A read wordline includes a gate of the third transistor. A capacitor is coupled with the second source/drain region and with a gate of the second transistor.

Claims (21)

1. A memory cell comprising:

first, second and third transistors, with the third transistor being above the second transistor, and with the second and third transistors being above the first transistor; the first transistor having first and second source/drain regions, the second transistor having third and fourth source/drain regions, and the third transistor having fifth and sixth source/drain regions; wherein the memory cell includes a pillar of semiconductor material extending through the second and third transistors, and which includes the third, fourth, fifth and sixth source/drain regions as well as channel regions of the second and third transistors;

a write wordline which includes a gate of the first transistor;

a first bitline under the second transistor and electrically coupled with the first source/drain region;

a second bitline above the third transistor and electrically coupled with the sixth source/drain region;

a capacitor electrically coupled with the second source/drain region and electrically coupled with a gate of the second transistor;

wherein the capacitor is between a channel region of the second transistor and the gate of the second transistor; and

wherein the channel region of the second transistor is longer than a channel region of the third transistor.

2. A memory cell, comprising:

first, second and third transistors, with the third transistor being above the second transistor, and with the second and third transistors being above the first transistor; the first transistor having first and second source/drain regions electrically coupled to one another through a first channel region, the second transistor having third and fourth source/drain regions electrically coupled to one another through a second channel region, the third transistor having fifth and sixth source/drain regions electrically coupled to one another through a third channel region; the fourth and fifth source/drain regions being electrically coupled to one another; the first, second and third transistors ascending upwardly relative to a semiconductor base in an order proceeding from the first transistor to the second transistor to the third transistor; the semiconductor base comprising monocrystalline semiconductor material;

a read bitline above the third transistor and electrically coupled with the sixth source/drain region;

a write bitline adjacent the first transistor and electrically coupled with the first source/drain region;

a write wordline which includes a gate of the first transistor;

a read wordline which includes a gate of the third transistor;

a capacitor electrically coupled with the second source/drain region and electrically coupled with a gate of the second transistor; and

wherein the capacitor is between a channel region of the second transistor and the gate of the second transistor.

3. An apparatus comprising a semiconductor base and a plurality of memory cells, each of the plurality of memory cells comprising:

a first transistor including first and second source/drain regions formed in the semiconductor base, a first channel region therebetween and a first gate controlling the first channel region, the first gate being electrically connected to a first wordline;

a second transistor including third and fourth source/drain regions, a second channel region therebetween and a second gate controlling the second channel region, the third and fourth source/drain regions and the second channel region being vertically disposed with one another between a first bit line and a common plate over the semiconductor base, and the second gate being electrically coupled to the second source/drain region of the first transistor;

wherein each of the plurality of memory cells further comprises a third transistor disposed above the second transistor, the third transistor including fifth and sixth source/drain regions vertically disposed with one another and a third channel region therebetween, the fifth source/drain region electrically coupled with the fourth source/drain region; and

wherein the second channel region is larger than the third channel region in length.

Assignments (2)
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Oct 11, 2019
From: MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
To: MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.
Reel/Frame 050713/0001 →
SUPPLEMENT NO. 9 TO PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Aug 9, 2018
From: MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.
To: MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 047282/0463 →