Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes an Nth metal layer, a diffusion barrier layer over the Nth metal layer, a first deposition of bottom electrode material over the diffusion barrier layer, a second deposition of bottom electrode material over the first deposition of bottom electrode material, a magnetic tunneling junction (MTJ) layer over the second deposition of bottom electrode material, a top electrode over the MTJ layer; and an (N+1)th metal layer over the top electrode; wherein the diffusion barrier layer and the first deposition of bottom electrode material are laterally in contact with a dielectric layer, the first deposition of bottom electrode material spacing the diffusion barrier layer and the second deposition of bottom electrode material apart, and N is an integer greater than or equal to 1. An associated electrode structure and method are also disclosed.

Abstract: A memory device, a memory integrated circuit and a manufacturing method of the memory device are provided. The memory device includes a composite bottom electrode, a top electrode and a resistance variable layer disposed between the composite bottom electrode and the top electrode. The composite bottom electrode includes a first bottom electrode and a second bottom electrode disposed over the first bottom electrode. A sidewall of the second bottom electrode is laterally recessed from sidewalls of the first bottom electrode layer and the resistance variable layer.

Abstract: Some embodiments relate to a method for forming a memory device. The method includes forming a lower dielectric layer over a conductive wire. A stack of memory layers is formed within the lower dielectric layer and over the conductive wire. The stack of memory layers comprises a top electrode, a bottom electrode, and a data storage layer between the top electrode and the bottom electrode. A removal process is performed on the stack of memory layers to define a programmable metallization cell that comprises the top electrode, the bottom electrode, and the data storage layer. The programmable metallization cell comprises a central region and a peripheral region that extends upwardly from the central region. A top surface of the programmable metallization cell and a top surface of the lower dielectric layer are coplanar.

Abstract: A memory device, a memory integrated circuit and a manufacturing method of the memory device are provided. The memory device includes a composite bottom electrode, a top electrode and a resistance variable layer disposed between the composite bottom electrode and the top electrode. The composite bottom electrode includes a first bottom electrode and a second bottom electrode disposed over the first bottom electrode. A sidewall of the second bottom electrode is laterally recessed from sidewalls of the first bottom electrode layer and the resistance variable layer.

Abstract: A method for fabricating an integrated circuit device is provided. The method includes forming an interconnect layer over a substrate, wherein the interconnect layer has a first interlayer dielectric layer, a first conductive feature in a first portion of the first interlayer dielectric layer, and a second conductive feature in a second portion of the first interlayer dielectric layer; depositing a dielectric layer over the interconnect layer; removing a first portion of the dielectric layer over the first conductive feature and the first portion of the first interlayer dielectric layer, and remaining a second portion of the dielectric layer over the second conductive feature and the second portion of the first interlayer dielectric layer; and forming a memory structure over the first conductive feature.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a semiconductor structure, including an Nth metal layer, a bottom electrode over the Nth metal layer, a magnetic tunneling junction (MTJ) over the bottom electrode, a top electrode over the MTJ, and an (N+M)th metal layer over the Nth metal layer. N and M are positive integers. The (N+M)th metal layer surrounds a portion of a sidewall of the top electrode. A manufacturing method of forming the semiconductor structure is also provided.

Abstract: Some embodiments relate to a memory device. The memory device includes a top electrode overlying a bottom electrode. A data storage layer overlies the bottom electrode. The bottom electrode cups an underside of the data storage layer. The top electrode overlies the data storage layer. A top surface of the bottom electrode is aligned with a top surface of the top electrode.

Abstract: A memory device includes a bottom electrode, a magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) structure, an inner spacer, and an outer spacer. The MTJ structure is over the bottom electrode. The bottom electrode has a top surface extending past opposite sidewalls of the MTJ structure. The inner spacer contacts the top surface of the bottom electrode and one of the opposite sidewalls of the MTJ structure. The outer spacer contacts an outer sidewall of the inner spacer. The outer spacer protrudes from a top surface of the inner spacer by a step height.

Abstract: A memory device, a memory integrated circuit and a manufacturing method of the memory device are provided. The memory device includes a composite bottom electrode, a top electrode and a resistance variable layer disposed between the composite bottom electrode and the top electrode. The composite bottom electrode includes a first bottom electrode and a second bottom electrode disposed over the first bottom electrode. A sidewall of the second bottom electrode is laterally recessed from sidewalls of the first bottom electrode layer and the resistance variable layer.

Abstract: An integrated circuit device includes a substrate and a magnetic tunneling junction (MTJ). The MTJ includes at least a pinned layer, a barrier layer, and a free layer. The MTJ is formed over a surface of the substrate. Of the pinned layer, the barrier layer, and the free layer, the free layer is formed first and is closest to the surface. This enables a spacer to be formed over a perimeter region of the free layer prior to etching the free layer. Any damage to the free layer that results from etching or other free layer edge-defining process is kept at a distance from the tunneling junction by the spacer.

Abstract: A device includes a first conductive via plug, a first electrode, a storage element, a second electrode, a spacer, a barrier structure, a first dielectric layer. The first electrode is over the first conductive via plug. The storage element is over the first electrode. The second electrode is over the storage element. The spacer has a bottom portion extending along a top surface of the first electrode and a standing portion extending from the bottom portion and along a sidewall of the second electrode. The barrier structure extends from the bottom portion of the spacer and along a sidewall of the standing portion of the spacer. The first dielectric layer is substantially conformally over the spacer and the barrier structure.

Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes an Nth metal layer, a diffusion barrier layer over the Nth metal layer, a first deposition of bottom electrode material over the diffusion barrier layer, a second deposition of bottom electrode material over the first deposition of bottom electrode material, a magnetic tunneling junction (MTJ) layer over the second deposition of bottom electrode material, a top electrode over the MTJ layer; and an (N+1)th metal layer over the top electrode; wherein the diffusion barrier layer and the first deposition of bottom electrode material are laterally in contact with a dielectric layer, the first deposition of bottom electrode material spacing the diffusion barrier layer and the second deposition of bottom electrode material apart, and N is an integer greater than or equal to 1. An associated electrode structure and method are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a semiconductor structure, including an Nth metal layer, a bottom electrode over the Nth metal layer, a magnetic tunneling junction (MTJ) over the bottom electrode, a top electrode over the MTJ, and an (N+M)th metal layer over the Nth metal layer. N and M are positive integers. The (N+M)th metal layer surrounds a portion of a sidewall of the top electrode. A manufacturing method of forming the semiconductor structure is also provided.

Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes an Nth metal layer, a diffusion barrier layer over the Nth metal layer, a first deposition of bottom electrode material over the diffusion barrier layer, a second deposition of bottom electrode material over the first deposition of bottom electrode material, a magnetic tunneling junction (MTJ) layer over the second deposition of bottom electrode material, a top electrode over the MTJ layer; and an (N+1)th metal layer over the top electrode; wherein the diffusion barrier layer and the first deposition of bottom electrode material are laterally in contact with a dielectric layer, the first deposition of bottom electrode material spacing the diffusion barrier layer and the second deposition of bottom electrode material apart, and N is an integer greater than or equal to 1. An associated electrode structure and method are also disclosed.

Abstract: A semiconductor structure and a method for forming the same are provided. The method for manufacturing a semiconductor structure includes forming a bottom electrode layer over a substrate and forming a dielectric layer over the bottom electrode layer. The method for manufacturing a semiconductor structure further includes forming a top electrode layer over the dielectric layer and patterning the bottom electrode layer, the dielectric layer, and the top electrode layer to form a dielectric structure between a bottom electrode and a top electrode. The method for manufacturing a semiconductor structure further includes etching the bottom electrode from a sidewall of the bottom electrode to partially expose a bottom surface of the dielectric structure.

Abstract: A manufacture includes a first electrode having an upper surface and a side surface, a resistance variable film over the first electrode, and a second electrode over the resistance variable film. The resistance variable film extends along the upper surface and the side surface of the first electrode. The second electrode has a side surface. A portion of the side surface of the first electrode and a portion of the side surface of the second electrode sandwich a portion of the resistance variable film.

Abstract: A semiconductor memory structure includes a memory cell, an encapsulation layer over a sidewall of the memory cell, and a nucleation layer between the sidewall of the memory cell and the encapsulation layer. The memory cell includes a top electrode, a bottom electrode and a data-storage element sandwiched between the bottom electrode and the top electrode. The nucleation layer includes metal oxide.

Abstract: A memory structure includes a first dielectric layer, having a first top surface, over a conductive structure. A first opening in the first dielectric layer exposes an area of the conductive structure, and has an interior sidewall. A first electrode structure, having a first portion and a second portion, is over the exposed area of the conductive structure. The second portion extends upwardly along the interior sidewall. A resistance variable layer is disposed over the first electrode. A second electrode structure, having a third portion and a fourth portion, is over the resistance variable layer. The third portion has a second top surface below the first top surface of the first dielectric layer. The fourth portion extends upwardly along the resistance variable layer. A second opening is defined by the second electrode structure. At least a part of a second dielectric layer is disposed in the second opening.

Abstract: An integrated circuit device includes a substrate and a magnetic tunneling junction (MTJ). The MTJ includes at least a pinned layer, a barrier layer, and a free layer. The MTJ is formed over a surface of the substrate. Of the pinned layer, the barrier layer, and the free layer, the free layer is formed first and is closest to the surface. This enables a spacer to be formed over a perimeter region of the free layer prior to etching the free layer. Any damage to the free layer that results from etching or other free layer edge-defining process is kept at a distance from the tunneling junction by the spacer.

Abstract: An integrated circuit device includes a substrate and a magnetic tunneling junction (MTJ). The MTJ includes at least a pinned layer, a barrier layer, and a free layer. The MTJ is formed over a surface of the substrate. Of the pinned layer, the barrier layer, and the free layer, the free layer is formed first and is closest to the surface. This enables a spacer to be formed over a perimeter region of the free layer prior to etching the free layer. Any damage to the free layer that results from etching or other free layer edge-defining process is kept at a distance from the tunneling junction by the spacer.