Abstract: Some embodiments relate to a ferroelectric random access memory (FeRAM) device. The FeRAM device includes a bottom electrode structure and a top electrode overlying the ferroelectric structure. The top electrode has a first width as measured between outermost sidewalls of the top electrode. A ferroelectric structure separates the bottom electrode structure from the top electrode. The ferroelectric structure has a second width as measured between outermost sidewalls of the ferroelectric structure. The second width is greater than the first width such that the ferroelectric structure includes a ledge that reflects a difference between the first width and the second width. A dielectric sidewall spacer structure is disposed on the ledge and covers the outermost sidewalls of the top electrode.

Abstract: The present disclosure, in some embodiments, relates to a method of forming an integrated chip. The method may be performed by forming a memory device over a substrate and forming an inter-level dielectric (ILD) layer over the memory device. The ILD layer is selectively etched to define a first cavity that exposes a top of the memory device and to define a second cavity that is laterally separated from the first cavity by the ILD layer. The second cavity is defined by a smooth sidewall of the ILD layer that extends between upper and lower surfaces of the ILD layer. A conductive material is formed within the first cavity and the second cavity.

Abstract: An RRAM cell stack is formed over an opening in a dielectric layer. The dielectric layer is sufficiently thick and the opening is sufficiently deep that an RRAM cell can be formed by a planarization process. The resulting RRAM cells may have a U-shaped profile. The RRAM cell area includes contributions from a bottom portion in which the RRAM cell layers are stacked parallel to the substrate and a side portion in which RRAM cell layers are stacked roughly perpendicular to the substrate. The combined side and bottom portions of the curved RRAM cell provide an increased area in comparison to a planar cell stack. The increased area lowers forming and set voltages for the RRAM cell.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes an inter-metal dielectric layer, a first conductive line, and a first ferroelectric random access memory (FRAM) structure. The first conductive line is embedded in the inter-metal dielectric layer and extends along a first direction. The first FRAM structure is over inter-metal dielectric layer and includes a bottom electrode layer, a ferroelectric layer, and a top electrode layer. The bottom electrode layer is over the first conductive line and has an U-shaped when viewed in a cross section taken along a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction. The ferroelectric layer is conformally formed on the bottom electrode. The top electrode layer is over the ferroelectric layer.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present application are directed towards a resistive random-access memory (RRAM) cell comprising a barrier layer to constrain the movement of metal cations during operation of the RRAM cell. In some embodiments, the RRAM cell further comprises a bottom electrode, a top electrode, a switching layer, and an active metal layer. The switching layer, the barrier layer, and the active metal layer are stacked between the bottom and top electrodes, and the barrier layer is between the switching and active metal layers. The barrier layer is conductive and between has a lattice constant less than that of the active metal layer.

Abstract: A method for forming an integrated circuit (IC) and an IC are disclosed. The method for forming the IC includes: forming an isolation structure separating a memory semiconductor region from a logic semiconductor region; forming a memory cell structure on the memory semiconductor region; forming a memory capping layer covering the memory cell structure and the logic semiconductor region; performing a first etch into the memory capping layer to remove the memory capping layer from the logic semiconductor region, and to define a slanted, logic-facing sidewall on the isolation structure; forming a logic device structure on the logic semiconductor region; and performing a second etch into the memory capping layer to remove the memory capping layer from the memory semiconductor, while leaving a dummy segment of the memory capping layer that defines the logic-facing sidewall.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method of forming a memory structure. The method includes depositing a ferroelectric random access memory (FeRAM) stack over a substrate. The FeRAM stack has a ferroelectric layer and one or more conductive layers over the ferroelectric layer. The FeRAM stack is patterned to define an FeRAM device stack. A sidewall spacer is formed along a first side of the FeRAM device stack, and a select gate is formed along a side of the sidewall spacer that faces away from the FeRAM device stack. A source region is formed within the substrate and along a second side of the FeRAM device stack, and a drain region is formed within the substrate. The drain region is separated from the FeRAM device stack by the select gate.

Abstract: A method of forming a memory device includes: forming a polish stop layer over a metallization layer in an inter-metal dielectric layer; performing an etching process to form an opening in the polish stop layer, in which a sidewall of the opening extends at an acute angle relative to a top surface of the polish stop layer; forming an electrode material in the opening and over the polish stop layer; planarizing the electrode material until a top surface of the polish stop layer is exposed so as to form a bottom electrode surrounded by the polish stop layer; and forming a stack of a resistance switching layer and a top electrode over the bottom electrode.

Abstract: A memory device includes a metal structure, a first dielectric layer, a bottom electrode, a second dielectric layer, a resistance switching layer, and a top electrode. The first dielectric layer surrounds the metal structure. The bottom electrode is in contact with a top surface of the metal structure. The second dielectric layer surrounds the bottom electrode, in which a top surface of the bottom electrode is higher than a top surface of the second dielectric layer. The resistance switching layer is over the bottom electrode. The top electrode is over the resistance switching layer.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a memory circuit and a logic circuit. The memory circuit includes a word line, a bit line, a common line and a memory transistor having a gate coupled to the word line, a drain coupled to the bit line and a source coupled to the common line. The logic circuit includes a field effect transistor (FET) having a gate, a drain and a source. The memory transistor has a gate electrode layer formed on a gate dielectric layer, and the gate dielectric layer includes a first insulating layer and a first ferroelectric (FE) material layer. The FET has a gate electrode layer formed on a gate dielectric layer, and the gate dielectric layer includes a second insulating layer and a second FE material layer.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure are directed towards a ferroelectric memory device. The ferroelectric memory device includes a pair of source/drain regions disposed in a semiconductor substrate. A gate dielectric is disposed over the semiconductor substrate and between the source/drain regions. A first conductive structure is disposed on the gate dielectric. A ferroelectric structure is disposed on the first conductive structure. A second conductive structure is disposed on the ferroelectric structure, where both the first conductive structure and the second conductive structure have an overall electronegativity that is greater than or equal to an overall electronegativity of the ferroelectric structure.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a lower intermetal dielectric (IMD) layer, a middle conductive line, and a ferroelectric random access memory (FRAM) structure. The middle conductive line is embedded in the lower IMD layer. The FRAM structure is over the lower IMD layer and the middle conductive line. The FRAM structure includes a bottom electrode, a ferroelectric layer, and a top electrode. The bottom electrode is over the middle conductive line and in contact with the lower IMD layer. The ferroelectric layer is over the bottom electrode. The top electrode is over the ferroelectric layer.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present application are directed towards a resistive random-access memory (RRAM) cell comprising a barrier layer to constrain the movement of metal cations during operation of the RRAM cell. In some embodiments, the RRAM cell further comprises a bottom electrode, a top electrode, a switching layer, and an active metal layer. The switching layer, the barrier layer, and the active metal layer are stacked between the bottom and top electrodes, and the barrier layer is between the switching and active metal layers. The barrier layer is conductive and has a lattice constant less than that of the active metal layer.

Abstract: In some embodiments, the present disclosure relates to a memory structure. The memory structure has a source region and a drain region disposed within a substrate. A select gate disposed over the substrate between the source region and the drain region. A ferroelectric random access memory (FeRAM) device is disposed over the substrate between the select gate and the source region. The FeRAM device includes a ferroelectric material arranged between the substrate and a conductive electrode.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a structure includes one or more first transistors in a first region of a device, the one or more first transistors supporting a memory access function of the device. The structure includes one or more ferroelectric random access memory (FeRAM) capacitors in a first inter-metal dielectric (IMD) layer over the one or more first transistors in the first region. The structure also includes one or more metal-ferroelectric insulator-metal (MFM) decoupling capacitors in the first IMD layer in a second region of the device. The MFM capacitors may include two or more capacitors coupled in series to act as a voltage divider.

Abstract: The present disclosure, in some embodiments, relates to an integrated chip. The integrated chip includes a plurality of lower interconnect layers disposed within a lower dielectric structure over a substrate. A lower insulating structure is over the lower dielectric structure and has sidewalls extending through the lower insulating structure. A bottom electrode is arranged along the sidewalls and an upper surface of the lower insulating structure. The upper surface of the lower insulating structure extends past outermost sidewalls of the bottom electrode. A data storage structure is disposed on the bottom electrode and is configured to store a data state. A top electrode is disposed on the data storage structure. The bottom electrode has interior sidewalls coupled to a horizontally extending surface to define a recess within an upper surface of the bottom electrode. The horizontally extending surface is below the upper surface of the lower insulating structure.

Abstract: An RRAM cell stack is formed over an opening in a dielectric layer. The dielectric layer is sufficiently thick and the opening is sufficiently deep that an RRAM cell can be formed by a planarization process. The resulting RRAM cells may have a U-shaped profile. The RRAM cell area includes contributions from a bottom portion in which the RRAM cell layers are stacked parallel to the substrate and a side portion in which RRAM cell layers are stacked roughly perpendicular to the substrate. The combined side and bottom portions of the curved RRAM cell provide an increased area in comparison to a planar cell stack. The increased area lowers forming and set voltages for the RRAM cell.

Abstract: The present disclosure, in some embodiments, relates to an integrated circuit. The integrated circuit has a first inter-level dielectric (ILD) layer over a substrate. A lower electrode is over the first ILD layer, a data storage structure is over the lower electrode, and an upper electrode is over the data storage structure. An upper interconnect wire directly contacts an entirety of an upper surface of the upper electrode. A conductive via directly contacts an upper surface of the upper interconnect wire. The conductive via has an outermost sidewall that is directly over the upper surface of the upper interconnect wire.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure are directed towards a ferroelectric memory device. The ferroelectric memory device includes a pair of source/drain regions disposed in a semiconductor substrate. A gate dielectric is disposed over the semiconductor substrate and between the source/drain regions. A first conductive structure is disposed on the gate dielectric. A ferroelectric structure is disposed on the first conductive structure. A second conductive structure is disposed on the ferroelectric structure, where both the first conductive structure and the second conductive structure have an overall electronegativity that is greater than or equal to an overall electronegativity of the ferroelectric structure.

Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes a memory region. A memory structure is disposed on the memory region. The memory structure includes a first electrode, a resistance variable layer, protection spacers and a second electrode. The first electrode has a top surface and a first outer sidewall surface on the memory region. The resistance variable layer has a first portion and a second portion. The first portion is disposed over the top surface of the first electrode and the second portion extends upwardly from the first portion. The protection spacers are disposed over a portion of the top surface of the first electrode and surround the second portion of the resistance variable layer. The protection spacers are configurable to protect at least one conductive path in the resistance variable layer. The protection spacers have a second outer sidewall surface substantially aligned with the first outer sidewall surface of the first electrode.