Abstract: The present disclosure, in some embodiments, relates to an integrated chip. The integrated chip includes a bottom electrode disposed over a substrate. 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 top electrode has interior surfaces defining a recess within an upper surface of the top electrode. A masking layer contacts a bottom of the recess and extends to over the upper surface of the top electrode. An interconnect extends through the masking layer and to the top electrode. The interconnect is directly over the upper surface of the top electrode.

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 relates to a ferroelectric memory device that includes a bottom electrode, a ferroelectric structure overlying the bottom electrode, and a top electrode overlying the ferroelectric structure where the bottom electrode includes molybdenum.

Abstract: In some embodiments, the present disclosure relates to a method of forming an integrated chip including forming a ferroelectric layer over a bottom electrode layer, forming a top electrode layer over the ferroelectric layer, performing a first removal process to remove peripheral portions of the bottom electrode layer, the ferroelectric layer, and the top electrode layer, and performing a second removal process using a second etch that is selective to the bottom electrode layer and the top electrode layer to remove portions of the bottom electrode layer and the top electrode layer, so that after the second removal process the ferroelectric layer has a surface that protrudes past a surface of the bottom electrode layer and the top electrode layer.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a bottom electrode, a top electrode, a sidewall spacer, and a data storage element. The sidewall spacer is disposed aside the top electrode. The data storage element is located between the bottom electrode and the top electrode, and includes a ferroelectric material. The data storage element has a peripheral region which is disposed beneath the sidewall spacer and which has at least 60% of ferroelectric phase. A method for manufacturing the semiconductor device and a method for transforming a non-ferroelectric phase of a ferroelectric material to a ferroelectric phase are also disclosed.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate, a memory gate, and a data storage element. The semiconductor substrate includes a memory well which has two source/drain regions and a channel region between the source/drain regions. The memory gate is disposed above the channel region. The data storage element includes a ferroelectric material, and is disposed around the memory gate to separate the memory gate from the channel region.

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: Methods for programming memory cells of a resistive memory device include applying a voltage pulse sequence to a memory cell to set a logic state of the memory cell. An initial set sequence of voltage pulses may be applied to the memory cell, followed by a reform voltage pulse having an amplitude greater than the amplitudes of the initial set sequence, and within ±5% of the amplitude of a voltage pulse used in an initial forming process. Additional voltage pulses having amplitudes that are less than the amplitude of the reform voltage pulse may be subsequently applied. By applying a reform voltage pulse in the middle of, or at the end of, a memory set sequence including multiple voltage pulses, a resistive memory device may have a larger memory window and improved data retention relative to resistive memory devices programmed using conventional programming methods.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an integrated chip including a first ferroelectric layer over a substrate. A first electrode layer is over the substrate and on a first side of the first ferroelectric layer. A second electrode layer is over the substrate and on a second side of the first ferroelectric layer, opposite the first side. A first barrier layer is between the first ferroelectric layer and the first electrode layer. A bandgap energy of the first barrier layer is greater than a bandgap energy of the first ferroelectric layer.

Abstract: The present disclosure, in some embodiments, relates to a memory device. The memory device includes a dielectric protection layer having sidewalls defining an opening over a conductive interconnect within an inter-level dielectric (ILD) layer. A bottom electrode structure extends from within the opening to directly over the dielectric protection layer. A variable resistance layer is over the bottom electrode structure and a top electrode is over the variable resistance layer. A top electrode via is disposed on the top electrode and directly over the dielectric protection layer.

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: A semiconductor device includes a bottom electrode, a top electrode, a sidewall spacer, and a data storage element. The sidewall spacer is disposed aside the top electrode. The data storage element is located between the bottom electrode and the top electrode, and includes a ferroelectric material. The data storage element has a peripheral region which is disposed beneath the sidewall spacer and which has at least 60% of ferroelectric phase. A method for manufacturing the semiconductor device and a method for transforming a non-ferroelectric phase of a ferroelectric material to a ferroelectric phase are also disclosed.

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: The present disclosure relates to a method for forming a ferroelectric memory device. The method includes forming a dielectric layer over a semiconductor substrate and forming a first conductive layer over the dielectric layer. The first conductive layer has a first overall electronegativity. A ferroelectric layer is formed on the first conductive layer. The ferroelectric layer has a second overall electronegativity less than or equal to the first overall electronegativity. A second conductive layer is formed on the ferroelectric layer. The second conductive layer has a third overall electronegativity greater than or equal to the second overall electronegativity. The second conductive layer, the ferroelectric layer, and the first conductive layer are etched to form a polarization switching structure. An ILD layer is formed over the polarization switching structure, and a planarization process is performed on the ILD layer. A first conductive via is formed over the polarization switching structure.

Abstract: Methods for programming memory cells of a resistive memory device include applying a voltage pulse sequence to a memory cell to set a logic state of the memory cell. An initial set sequence of voltage pulses may be applied to the memory cell, followed by a reform voltage pulse having an amplitude greater than the amplitudes of the initial set sequence, and within ±5% of the amplitude of a voltage pulse used in an initial forming process. Additional voltage pulses having amplitudes that are less than the amplitude of the reform voltage pulse may be subsequently applied. By applying a reform voltage pulse in the middle of, or at the end of, a memory set sequence including multiple voltage pulses, a resistive memory device may have a larger memory window and improved data retention relative to resistive memory devices programmed using conventional programming methods.

Abstract: An integrated chip includes a memory cell within a BEOL metal interconnect. The memory cell may be an FeRAM memory cell. The memory cell is formed over a plurality of openings in a dielectric structure that includes an inter-level dielectric layer. The openings may be form an array or another two-dimensional pattern. The layers of the memory cell line the openings whereby each of a lower electrode layer, a data storage layer, and an upper electrode descend into the openings. The lower electrode layer may pass through an etch stop layer and contact a lower interconnect. There may be a plurality of top electrode vias. The top electrode vias may be offset from the opening. This memory cell structure provides a large area, which leads to low threshold voltages.

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: Methods for programming memory cells of a resistive memory device include applying a voltage pulse sequence to a memory cell to set a logic state of the memory cell. An initial set sequence of voltage pulses may be applied to the memory cell, followed by a reform voltage pulse having an amplitude greater than the amplitudes of the initial set sequence, and within ±5% of the amplitude of a voltage pulse used in an initial forming process. Additional voltage pulses having amplitudes that are less than the amplitude of the reform voltage pulse may be subsequently applied. By applying a reform voltage pulse in the middle of, or at the end of, a memory set sequence including multiple voltage pulses, a resistive memory device may have a larger memory window and improved data retention relative to resistive memory devices programmed using conventional programming methods.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a semiconductor device is provided. The method includes depositing a ferroelectric layer over the substrate; performing a first ionized physical deposition process to deposit a top electrode layer over the ferroelectric layer; patterning the top electrode layer into a top electrode; and patterning the ferroelectric layer to into a ferroelectric element below the top electrode.

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.