Abstract: Techniques for preserving the underlying dielectric layer during MRAM device formation are provided. In one aspect, a method of forming an MRAM device includes: depositing a first dielectric cap layer onto a substrate over logic and memory areas of the substrate; depositing a sacrificial metal layer onto the first dielectric cap layer; patterning the sacrificial metal layer, wherein the patterned sacrificial metal layer is present over the first dielectric cap layer in at least the logic area; depositing a second dielectric cap layer onto the first dielectric cap layer; forming an MRAM stack on the second dielectric cap layer; patterning the MRAM stack using ion beam etching into at least one memory cell, wherein the patterned sacrificial metal layer protects the first dielectric cap layer in the logic area; and removing the patterned sacrificial metal layer. An MRAM device is also provided.

Abstract: A memory cell is provided in which a bottom electrode of a magnetoresistive random access memory (MRAM) device is connected to one of the source/drain contact structures of a transistor, and a lower contact structure is connected to another of the source/drain contact structures of the transistor. In the present application, the MRAM device and the lower contact structure are present in the middle-of-the-line ((MOL) not the back-end-of-the-line (BEOL). Moreover, the bottom electrode of the MRAM device, and a lower portion of the lower contact structure are present in a same dielectric material (i.e., a MOL dielectric material).

Abstract: A method of fabricating an MRAM device, the method including forming a magnetoresistive random-access memory (MRAM) stack comprising a first hard mask, forming sidewall spacers adjacent to the MRAM stack, forming a layer of interconnect metal around and above the MRAM stack, recessing the interconnect metal, forming a layer of a second hard mask over the interconnect metal, and patterning and etching the second hard mask and interconnect metal, forming interconnect metal lines.

Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes an interlayer dielectric layer, a first set of back-end-of-line interconnect structures disposed in the interlayer dielectric layer, and a second set of back-end-of-line interconnect structures at least partially disposed in the interlayer dielectric layer. Each of the first set of back-end-of-line interconnect structures has a first width and a first height providing a first aspect ratio. Each of the second set of back-end-of-line interconnect structures has a second width and a second height providing a second aspect ratio different than the first aspect ratio. The second width is greater than the first width, and the second height is different than the first height.

Abstract: One or more processors determine a predicted sorting bin of a semiconductor device, based on measurement and test data performed on the semiconductor device subsequent to a current metallization layer. A current predicted sorting bin and a target sorting bin are determined by a machine learning model for the semiconductor device; the target bin include higher performance semiconductor devices than the predicted sorting bin. The model determines a performance level improvement attainable by adjustments made to process parameters of subsequent metallization layers of the semiconductor device. Adjustments to process parameters are generated, based on measurement and test data of the current metallization layer of semiconductor device, and the adjustment outputs for the process parameters of the subsequent metallization layers of the semiconductor device are made available to the one or more subsequent metallization layer processes by a feed-forward mechanism.

Abstract: Form a metallized layer at a top surface of a semiconductor wafer. The metallized layer includes a bottom contact and a dielectric barrier surrounding the bottom contact. Deposit a memory stack layer onto the metallized layer. The memory stack layer forms a first overspill on a bevel of the wafer. Remove the first overspill from the bevel using a first high-angle ion beam during a cleanup etch.

Abstract: A method of electrical device manufacturing that includes measuring a first plurality of dimensions and electrical performance from back end of the line (BEOL) structures; and comparing the first plurality of dimensions with a second plurality of dimensions from a process assumption model to determine dimension variations by machine vision image processing. The method further includes providing a plurality of scenarios for process modifications by applying machine image learning to the dimension variations and electrical variations in the in line electrical measurements from the process assumption model. The method further includes receiving production dimension measurements and electrical measurements at a manufacturing prediction actuator. The at least one of the dimensions or electrical measurements received match one of the plurality of scenarios the manufacturing prediction actuator using the plurality of scenarios for process modifications effectuates a process change.

Abstract: Form a metallized layer at a top surface of a semiconductor wafer. The metallized layer includes a bottom contact and a dielectric barrier surrounding the bottom contact. Deposit a memory stack layer onto the metallized layer. The memory stack layer forms a first overspill on a bevel of the wafer. Remove the first overspill from the bevel using a first high-angle ion beam during a cleanup etch.

Abstract: A low temperature deposited (400° C. or less) dielectric passivation layer is formed on physically exposed surfaces of a material stack including a multilayered magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) pillar and a top electrode. A laser anneal is then performed to improve the physical and chemical properties of the low temperature deposited dielectric passivation layer, without negatively impacting the multilayered MTJ pillar.

Abstract: A method is presented forming a fully-aligned via (FAV) and airgaps within a semiconductor device. The method includes forming a plurality of copper (Cu) trenches within an insulating layer, forming a plurality of ILD regions over exposed portions of the insulating layer, selectively removing a first section of the ILD regions in an airgap region, and maintaining a second section of the ILD regions in a non-airgap region. The method further includes forming airgaps in the airgap region and forming a via in the non-airgap region contacting a Cu trench of the plurality of Cu trenches.

Abstract: A method is presented for incorporating a resistive random access memory (RRAM) stack within a resistive memory crossbar array. The method includes forming a conductive line within an interlayer dielectric (ILD), constructing a barrier layer over a portion of the conductive line, forming a bottom meshed electrode, depositing a dielectric layer over the bottom meshed electrode, and forming a top meshed electrode over the dielectric layer, where each of the top and bottom meshed electrodes includes a plurality of isolations films.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a porous dielectric layer including a recessed portion, a conductive layer formed in the recessed portion, and a cap layer formed on the porous dielectric layer and on the conductive layer in the recessed portion, an upper surface of the porous dielectric layer being exposed through a gap in the cap layer.

Abstract: One or more processors determine a predicted sorting bin of a semiconductor device, based on measurement and test data performed on the semiconductor device subsequent to a current metallization layer. A current predicted sorting bin and a target soring bin are determined by a machine learning model for the semiconductor device; the target bin include higher performance semiconductor devices than the predicted sorting bin. The model determines a performance level improvement attainable by adjustments made to process parameters of subsequent metallization layers of the semiconductor device. Adjustments to process parameters are generated, based on measurement and test data of the current metallization layer of semiconductor device, and the adjustment outputs for the process parameters of the subsequent metallization layers of the semiconductor device are made available to the one or more subsequent metallization layer processes by a feed-forward mechanism.

Abstract: Back end of line (BEOL) metallization structures and methods generally includes forming a landing pad on an interconnect structure. A multilayer structure including layers of metals and at least one insulating layer are provided on the structure and completely cover the landing pad. The landing pad is a metal-filled via and has a width dimension that is smaller than the multilayer structure, or the multilayer structure and the underlying metal conductor in the interconnect structure. The landing pad metal-filled via can have a width dimension that is sub-lithographic.

Abstract: A semiconductor device and method of formation thereof. The semiconductor device includes a portion of a first material that abuts a portion of a second material and surrounds at least a portion of a semiconductor component. The first material has a first composition and a first index of refraction and is of a same type of material as the second material. The second material has a second composition and a second index of refraction. An opening in the first material exposes a portion of the semiconductor component.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a semiconductor device includes forming a conductive shell layer along a memory stack and a patterned hardmask disposed on the memory stack, and etching the patterned hardmask, the conductive shell layer and the memory stack to form a structure including a central core surrounded by a conductive outer shell disposed on a patterned memory stack.

Abstract: A memory cell is provided in which a bottom electrode of a magnetoresistive random access memory (MRAM) device is connected to one of the source/drain contact structures of a transistor, and a lower contact structure is connected to another of the source/drain contact structures of the transistor. In the present application, the MRAM device and the lower contact structure are present in the middle-of-the-line ((MOL) not the back-end-of-the-line (BEOL). Moreover, the bottom electrode of the MRAM device, and a lower portion of the lower contact structure are present in a same dielectric material (i.e., a MOL dielectric material).

Abstract: A semiconductor device and method for forming the semiconductor device are described. The method includes recessing a device pad to below a top surface of an interconnect layer and depositing a cap in the recess over the device pad. A topography assist layer is formed over each of at least one alignment mark using a selective deposition process that deposits material on conductive material of the at least one alignment mark selective to the metal nitride of the device pad such that a top surface of the topography assist feature is higher than a top surface of the cap. Device layers are deposited conformally over the interconnect layer such that the topography assist layer causes a topographical feature in a top surface of the deposited device layers, the topographical feature being vertically aligned with the topography assist layer. The device pad is aligned according to the topographical feature.

Abstract: A method of forming an interconnect to an electrical device is provided. The structure produced by the method may include a plurality of metal lines in a region of a substrate positioned in an array of metal lines all having parallel lengths; and a plurality of air gaps between the metal lines in a same level as the metal lines, wherein an air gap is present between each set of adjacent metal lines. A plurality of interconnects may be present in electrical communication with said plurality of metal lines, wherein an exclusion zone for said plurality of interconnects is not present in said array of metal lines.

Abstract: According to embodiments of the present invention, a semiconductor wafer includes a substrate and an interlayer dielectric located on the substrate. The interlayer dielectric includes an interconnect. A barrier layer is located in between the interconnect and the interlayer dielectric. A semi-liner layer is located in between the interconnect and the barrier layer. The interlayer dielectric, the interconnect, and barrier layer form a substantially planar surface opposite the substrate. The interconnect has an interconnect height from a base to the substantially planar surface and a semi-liner height of the semi-liner layer is less than the interconnect height such that liner layer does not extend to the planar surface.