Abstract: MTJ material stacks, pSTTM devices employing such stacks, and computing platforms employing such pSTTM devices. In some embodiments, perpendicular MTJ material stacks include one or more electrode interface material layers disposed between a an electrode metal, such as TiN, and a seed layer of an antiferromagnetic layer or synthetic antiferromagnetic (SAF) stack. The electrode interface material layers may include either or both of a Ta material layer or CoFeB material layer. In some Ta embodiments, a Ru material layer may be deposited on a TiN electrode surface, followed by the Ta material layer. In some CoFeB embodiments, a CoFeB material layer may be deposited directly on a TiN electrode surface, or a Ta material layer may be deposited on the TiN electrode surface, followed by the CoFeB material layer.

Abstract: An embodiment includes an apparatus comprising: first and second electrodes on a substrate; a perpendicular magnetic tunnel junction (pMTJ), between the first and second electrodes, comprising a dielectric layer between a fixed layer and a free layer; and an additional dielectric layer directly contacting first and second metal layers; wherein (a) the first metal layer includes an active metal and the second metal includes an inert metal, and (b) the second metal layer directly contacts the free layer. Other embodiments are described herein.

Abstract: A perpendicular spin transfer torque memory (pSTTM) device incorporates a magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) device having a free magnetic stack and a fixed magnetic stack separated by a dielectric tunneling layer. The free magnetic stack includes an uppermost magnetic layer that is at least partially covered by a cap layer. The cap layer is at least partially covered by a protective layer containing at least one of: ruthenium (Ru); cobalt/iron/boron (CoFeB); molybdenum (Mo); cobalt (Co); tungsten (W); or platinum (Pt). The protective layer is at least partially covered by a cap metal layer which may form a portion of MTJ electrode.

Abstract: MTJ material stacks, pSTTM devices employing such stacks, and computing platforms employing such pSTTM devices. In some embodiments, perpendicular MTJ material stacks include a multi-layered filter stack disposed between a fixed magnetic layer and an antiferromagnetic layer or synthetic antiferromagnetic (SAF) stack. In some embodiments, non-magnetic layers of the filter stack include at least one of Ta, Mo, Nb, W, or Hf. These transition metals may be in pure form or alloyed with other constituents.

Abstract: Material layer stack structures to provide a magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) having improved perpendicular magnetic anisotropy (PMA) characteristics. In an embodiment, a free magnetic layer of the material layer stack is disposed between a tunnel barrier layer and a cap layer of magnesium oxide (Mg). The free magnetic layer includes a Cobalt-Iron-Boron (CoFeB) body substantially comprised of a combination of Cobalt atoms, Iron atoms and Boron atoms. A first Boron mass fraction of the CoFeB body is equal to or more than 25% (e.g., equal to or more than 27%) in a first region which adjoins an interface of the free magnetic layer with the tunnel barrier layer. In another embodiment, the first Boron mass fraction is more than a second Boron mass fraction in a second region of the CoFeB body which adjoins an interface of the free magnetic layer with the cap layer.

Abstract: A monocrystalline metal-oxide stack including a ferroelectric (FE) tunneling layer and a buffer layer is epitaxially grown on a growth substrate. A first polycrystalline metal electrode layer is deposited over the tunneling layer. A bonding material layer is further deposited over the electrode layer. The bonding material layer is then bonded to a material layer on a front or back side of a host substrate that further comprises a transistor cell. Once bonded, the growth substrate may be removed from the metal-oxide stack to complete a transfer of the metal-oxide stack from the growth substrate to the host substrate. A second polycrystalline metal electrode layer is then deposited over the exposed buffer layer, placing both electrodes in close proximity to the FE tunneling layer.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for forming integrated circuit structures including a magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ), such as spin-transfer torque memory (STTM) devices, having magnetic contacts. The techniques include incorporating an additional magnetic layer (e.g., a layer that is similar or identical to that of the magnetic contact layer) such that the additional magnetic layer is coupled antiferromagnetically (or in a substantially antiparallel manner). The additional magnetic layer can help balance the magnetic field of the magnetic contact layer to limit parasitic fringing fields that would otherwise be caused by the magnetic contact layer. The additional magnetic layer may be antiferromagnetically coupled to the magnetic contact layer by, for example, including a nonmagnetic spacer layer between the two magnetic layers, thereby creating a synthetic antiferromagnet (SAF).

Abstract: A nonplanar semiconductor device having a semiconductor body formed on an insulating layer of a substrate. The semiconductor body has a top surface opposite a bottom surface formed on the insulating layer and a pair of laterally opposite sidewalls wherein the distance between the laterally opposite sidewalls at the top surface is greater than at the bottom surface. A gate dielectric layer is formed on the top surface of the semiconductor body and on the sidewalls of the semiconductor body. A gate electrode is formed on the gate dielectric layer on the top surface and sidewalls of the semiconductor body. A pair of source/drain regions are formed in the semiconductor body on opposite sides of the gate electrode.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for carrying out ferromagnetic resonance (FMR) testing on whole wafers populated with one or more buried magnetic layers. The techniques can be used to verify or troubleshoot processes for forming the buried magnetic layers, without requiring the wafer to be broken. The techniques can also be used to distinguish one magnetic layer from others in the same stack, based on a unique frequency response of that layer. One example methodology includes moving a wafer proximate to a waveguide (within 500 microns, but without shorting), energizing a DC magnetic field near the target measurement point, applying an RF input signal through the waveguide, collecting resonance spectra of the frequency response of the waveguide, and decomposing the resonance spectra into magnetic properties of the target layer. One or both of the DC magnetic field and RF input signal can be swept to generate a robust set of resonance spectra.

Abstract: An apparatus including an array of memory cells arranged in a grid defined by word lines and bit lines in a generally orthogonal orientation relative to one another, a memory cell including a resistive memory component and an access transistor, wherein the access transistor includes a diffusion region disposed at an acute angle relative to an associated word line. A method including etching a substrate to form a plurality of fins each including a body having a length dimension including a plurality of first junction regions and a plurality of second junction regions that are generally parallel to one another and offset by angled channel regions displacing in the length dimension an end of a first junction region from the beginning of a second junction region; removing the spacer material; and introducing a gate electrode on the channel region of each of the plurality of fins.

Abstract: Approaches for strain engineering of perpendicular magnetic tunnel junctions (pMTJs), and the resulting structures, are described. In an example, a memory structure includes a perpendicular magnetic tunnel junction (pMTJ) element disposed above a substrate. A lateral strain-inducing material layer is disposed on the pMTJ element. An inter-layer dielectric (ILD) layer is disposed laterally adjacent to both the pMTJ element and the lateral strain-inducing material layer. The ILD layer has an uppermost surface co-planar or substantially co-planar with an uppermost surface of the lateral strain-inducing material layer.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are electrical contacts for magnetoresistive random access memory (MRAM) devices and related memory structures, devices, and methods. For example, and electrical contact for an MRAM device may include: a tantalum region; a barrier region formed of a first material; and a passivation region formed of a second material and disposed between the tantalum region and the barrier region, wherein the second material includes tantalum nitride and is different from the first material.

Abstract: Approaches for an interconnect cladding process for integrating magnetic random access memory (MRAM) devices, and the resulting structures, are described. In an example, a memory structure includes an interconnect disposed in a trench of dielectric layer above a substrates, the interconnect including a diffusion barrier layer disposed at a bottom of and along sidewalls of the trench to an uppermost surface of the dielectric layer, a conductive fill layer disposed on the diffusion barrier layer and recessed below the uppermost surface of the dielectric layer and an uppermost surface of the diffusion barrier layer, and a conductive capping layer disposed on the conductive fill layer and between sidewall portions of the diffusion barrier layer. A memory element is disposed on the conductive capping layer of the interconnect.

Abstract: Approaches and structures for unipolar current switching in perpendicular magnetic tunnel junction (pMTJ) devices through reduced bi-polar coercivity are described. In an example, a memory array includes a plurality of bitlines and a plurality of select lines. The memory array also includes a plurality of memory elements located among and coupled to the plurality of bitlines and the plurality of select lines. Each of the plurality of memory elements includes a unipolar switching magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) device and a select device.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for forming integrated circuit structures including a magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ), such as spin-transfer torque memory (STTM) devices, having magnetic contacts. The techniques include incorporating an additional magnetic layer (e.g., a layer that is similar or identical to that of the magnetic contact layer) such that the additional magnetic layer is coupled antiferromagnetically (or in a substantially antiparallel manner). The additional magnetic layer can help balance the magnetic field of the magnetic contact layer to limit parasitic fringing fields that would otherwise be caused by the magnetic contact layer. The additional magnetic layer may be antiferromagnetically coupled to the magnetic contact layer by, for example, including a nonmagnetic spacer layer between the two magnetic layers, thereby creating a synthetic antiferromagnet (SAF).

Abstract: Memory cells with improved tunneling magnetoresistance ratio (TMR) are disclosed. In some embodiments such devices may include a magnetoresistive tunnel junction (MTJ) element coupled in series with a tunneling magnetoresistance enhancement element (TMRE). The MTJ element and TMRE may each be configured to transition between high and low resistance states, e.g., in response to a voltage. In some embodiments, the MTJ and TMRE are configure such that when a read voltage is applied to the cell while the MTJ is in its low resistance state the TMRE is driven to is low resistance state, and when such voltage is applied while the MTJ is in its high resistance state, the TMRE remains in its high resistance state. Devices and systems including such memory cells are also disclosed.

Abstract: An embodiment includes an apparatus comprising: first and second electrodes on a substrate; a perpendicular magnetic tunnel junction (pMTJ), between the first and second electrodes, comprising a dielectric layer between a fixed layer and a free layer; and an additional dielectric layer directly contacting first and second metal layers; wherein (a) the first metal layer includes an active metal and the second metal includes an inert metal, and (b) the second metal layer directly contacts the free layer. Other embodiments are described herein.

Abstract: An embodiment includes an apparatus comprising: a substrate; and a perpendicular magnetic tunnel junction (pMTJ) comprising a fixed layer and first and second free layers; wherein (a) the first free layer includes Cobalt (Co), Iron (Fe), and Boron (B), and (b) the second free layer is epitaxial and includes Manganese (Mn) and Gallium (Ga). Other embodiments are described herein.

Abstract: MTJ material stacks with a laterally strained free magnetic layer, STTM devices employing such stacks, and computing platforms employing such STTM devices. In some embodiments, perpendicular pMTJ material stacks included free magnetic layers that are compressively strained laterally by a surrounding material, which increases coercive field strength for a more stable device. In some embodiments, a pMTJ material stack is encased in a compressive-stressed material. In some further embodiments, a pMTJ material stack is encased first in a dielectric shell, permitting a conductive material to be deposited over the shell as the compressive-stressed, strain-inducing material layer.

Abstract: Oxide-based three-terminal resistive switching logic devices and methods of fabricating oxide-based three-terminal resistive switching logic devices are described. In a first example, a three-terminal resistive switching logic device includes an active region disposed above a substrate. The active region includes an active oxide material region disposed directly between a metal source region and a metal drain region. The device also includes a gate electrode disposed above the active oxide material region. In a second example, a three-terminal resistive switching logic device includes an active region disposed above a substrate. The active region includes a first active oxide material region spaced apart from a second oxide material region. The device also includes metal input regions disposed on either side of the first and second active oxide material regions. A metal output region is disposed between the first and second active oxide material regions.