Abstract: An electrical device structure including a magnetic tunnel junction structure having a first tunnel junction dielectric layer positioned between a free magnetization layer and a fixed magnetization layer. A magnetization enhancement stack present on the magnetic tunnel junction structure. The magnetization enhancement stack includes a second tunnel junction layer that is in contact with the free magnetization layer of the magnetic tunnel junction structure, a metal contact layer present on the second tunnel junction layer, and a metal electrode layer present on the metal contact layer. A metallic ring on a sidewall of the magnetic enhancement stack, wherein a base of the metallic ring may be in contact with the free magnetization layer of the magnetic tunnel junction structure.

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 magnetic random access memory (MRAM) device includes a conductor disposed in an insulating material of a lower wiring layer, a magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) structure formed in an upper wiring layer, and a landing pad formed in an intermediary wiring layer between the lower and upper wiring layers, the landing pad extending from a top surface of the conductor to a height above the intermediary wiring layer, wherein the landing pad connects the MJT structure to the conductor.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are directed to a semiconductor wafer test system. A non-limiting example of the test system includes a controller, a sensing system communicatively coupled to the controller, and a stress source communicatively coupled to the controller. The controller is configured to control the stress source to deliver an applied stress to a targeted stress area of a semiconductor wafer. The sensing system is configured to detect the applied stress and provide data of the applied stress to the controller. The controller is further configured to control the stress source based at least in part on the data of the applied stress.

Abstract: Electrostatic discharge (ESD) devices and methods of manufacture are provided. The method includes forming a plurality of fin structures and a mesa structure from semiconductor material. The method further includes forming an epitaxial material with doped regions on the mesa structure and forming gate material over at least the plurality of fin structures. The method further includes planarizing at least the gate material such that the gate material and the epitaxial material are of a same height. The method further includes forming contacts in electrical connection with respective ones of the doped regions of the epitaxial material.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are directed to a semiconductor wafer test system. A non-limiting example of the test system includes a controller, a sensing system communicatively coupled to the controller, and a stress source communicatively coupled to the controller. The controller is configured to control the stress source to deliver an applied stress to a targeted stress area of a semiconductor wafer. The sensing system is configured to detect the applied stress and provide data of the applied stress to the controller. The controller is further configured to control the stress source based at least in part on the data of the applied stress.

Abstract: Techniques for preventing switching of spins in a magnetic tunnel junction by stray magnetic fields using a thin film magnetic shield are provided. In one aspect, a method of forming a magnetic tunnel junction includes: forming a stack on a substrate, having a first magnetic layer, a tunnel barrier, and a second magnetic layer; etching the stack to partially pattern the magnetic tunnel junction in the stack, wherein the etching includes patterning the magnetic tunnel junction through the second magnetic layer, the tunnel barrier, and partway through the first magnetic layer; depositing a first spacer and a magnetic shield film onto the partially patterned magnetic tunnel junction; etching back the magnetic shield film and first spacer; complete etching of the magnetic tunnel junction through the first magnetic layer to form a fully patterned magnetic tunnel junction; and depositing a second spacer onto the fully patterned magnetic tunnel junction.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are directed to a method of forming a memory element pillar. The method includes forming memory element stack layers, forming a conductive cap layer over the memory element stack layers, forming a conductive seal layer over the cap layer, and forming a conductive etch stop layer over the conductive seal layer, wherein the conductive etch stop layer comprises a substantially planar surface. A hardmask is formed over the substantially planar surface of the conductive etch stop layer, wherein the hardmask defines dimensions of the memory element pillar.

Abstract: Multilayered hardmask structures are provided which can prevent degradation of the performance of a magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) structure. The multilayered hardmask structures include at least a halogen barrier hardmask layer and an upper hardmask layer. The halogen barrier hardmask layer can prevent halogen ions that are used to pattern the upper hardmask layer from diffusing into the MTJ structure.

Abstract: A method of forming an active device having self-aligned source/drain contacts and gate contacts, including, forming an active area on a substrate, where the active area includes a device channel; forming two or more gate structures on the device channel; forming a plurality of source/drains on the active area adjacent to the two or more gate structures and device channel; forming a protective layer on the surfaces of the two or more gate structures, plurality of source/drains, and active layer; forming an interlayer dielectric layer on the protective layer; removing a portion of the interlayer dielectric and protective layer to form openings, where each opening exposes a portion of one of the plurality of source/drains; forming a source/drain contact liner in at least one of the plurality of openings; and forming a source/drain contact fill on the source/drain contact liner.

Abstract: FinFET devices and processes to prevent fin or gate collapse (e.g., flopover) in finFET devices are provided. The method includes forming a first set of trenches in a semiconductor material and filling the first set of trenches with insulator material. The method further includes forming a second set of trenches in the semiconductor material, alternating with the first set of trenches that are filled. The second set of trenches form semiconductor structures which have a dimension of fin structures. The method further includes filling the second set of trenches with insulator material. The method further includes recessing the insulator material within the first set of trenches and the second set of trenches to form the fin structures.

Abstract: Replacement metal gate structures with improved chamfered workfunction metal and self-aligned contact and methods of manufacture are provided. The method includes forming a replacement metal gate structure in a dielectric material. The replacement metal gate structure is formed with a lower spacer and an upper spacer above the lower spacer. The upper spacer having material is different than material of the lower spacer. The method further includes forming a self-aligned contact adjacent to the replacement metal gate structure by patterning an opening within the dielectric material and filling the opening with contact material. The upper spacer prevents shorting with the contact material.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a semiconductor device includes forming one or more encapsulation spacers each about respective ones of one more memory pillar elements to have a geometry, including forming each encapsulation spacer to have a footing of at least about twice a critical dimension of its corresponding pillar, and depositing dielectric material on the one or more memory pillar elements and the one or more encapsulation spacers to form an interlayer dielectric free of voids based on the geometry.

Abstract: A first dielectric layer on a substrate is provided. The first dielectric layer has a first level metal line embedded in the dielectric. An opposite gouging feature is in a top surface of the first level metal line. The opposite gouging feature has a protuberant shape relative to the first level metal line. A second dielectric layer is over the first dielectric layer. A compound recess is in the second dielectric layer. A first portion of the recess is for a via connector positioned over the opposite gouging feature.

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: Multilayered hardmask structures are provided which can prevent degradation of the performance of a magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) structure. The multilayered hardmask structures include at least a halogen barrier hardmask layer and an upper hardmask layer. The halogen barrier hardmask layer can prevent halogen ions that are used to pattern the upper hardmask layer from diffusing into the MTJ structure.

Abstract: A vertical transistor includes a first source/drain region and a second source/drain region vertically disposed relative to the first source/drain region and coupled to the first source/drain region by a fin. A gate dielectric is formed on the fin, and a gate conductor is formed on the gate dielectric in a region of the fin. A shaped spacer is configured to cover a lower portion and sides of the second source/drain region to reduce parasitic capacitance between the gate conductor and the second source/drain region.

Abstract: An intermediate semiconductor device structure includes a first area including a memory stack area and a second area including an alignment mark area. The intermediate structure includes a metal interconnect arranged on a substrate in the first area and a first electrode layer arranged on the metal interconnect in the first area, and in the second area. The intermediate structure includes an alignment assisting marker arranged in the second area. The intermediate structure includes a dielectric layer and a second electrode layer arranged on the alignment assisting marker in the second area and on the metal interconnect in the first area. The intermediate structure includes a hard mask layer arranged on the second electrode area. The hard mask layer provides a raised area of topography over the alignment assisting marker. The intermediate structure includes a resist arranged on the hard mask layer in the first area.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a capacitor structure is described. The method for metal insulator metal capacitor in an integrated circuit device includes forming a first dielectric layer on a substrate. The first dielectric layer has a linear trench feature in which the capacitor is disposed. A bottom capacitor plate is formed in a lower portion of the trench. The bottom capacitor plate has an extended top face so that the extended top face extends upwards in a central region of the bottom capacitor plate metal relative to side regions. A high-k dielectric layer is formed over the extended top face of the bottom capacitor plate. A top capacitor plate is formed in a top, remainder portion of the trench on top of the high-k dielectric layer.

Abstract: Multilayered hardmask structures are provided which can prevent degradation of the performance of a magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) structure. The multilayered hardmask structures include at least a halogen barrier hardmask layer and an upper hardmask layer. The halogen barrier hardmask layer can prevent halogen ions that are used to pattern the upper hardmask layer from diffusing into the MTJ structure.