Abstract: In some embodiments, the present disclosure relates to method of forming an integrated chip. The method includes forming a bottom electrode structure over one or more interconnect layers disposed within one or more stacked inter-level dielectric (ILD) layers over a substrate. The bottom electrode structure has an upper surface having a noble metal. A diffusion barrier film is formed over the bottom electrode structure. A data storage film is formed onto the diffusion barrier film, and a top electrode structure is over the data storage film. The top electrode structure, the data storage film, the diffusion barrier film, and the bottom electrode structure are patterned to define a memory device.

Abstract: A sputtering system includes a vacuum chamber, a power source having a pole coupled to a backing plate for holding a sputtering target within the vacuum chamber, a pedestal for holding a substrate within the vacuum chamber, and a time of flight camera positioned to scan a surface of a target held to the backing plate. The time of flight camera may be used to obtain information relating to the topography of the target while the target is at sub-atmospheric pressure. The target information may be used to manage operation of the sputtering system. Managing operation of the sputtering system may include setting an adjustable parameter of a deposition process or deciding when to replace a sputtering target. Machine learning may be used to apply the time of flight camera data in managing the sputtering system operation.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a diffusion barrier structure, a bottom electrode, a top electrode over the bottom electrode, a switching layer and a capping layer. The bottom electrode is over the diffusion barrier structure. The top electrode is over the bottom electrode. The switching layer is between the bottom electrode and the top electrode, and configured to store data. The capping layer is between the top electrode and the switching layer. A thermal conductivity of the diffusion barrier structure is greater than approximately 20 W/mK.

Abstract: A method includes forming a first trench in a semiconductor substrate. A mask is filled in the first trench and over the semiconductor substrate. After filling the mask in the first trench, the mask is patterned to form an opening in the mask. A second trench is formed in the semiconductor substrate. A depth of the second trench is different from a depth of the first trench. After forming the second trench in the semiconductor substrate, the mask is removed. A dielectric material is filled in both the first and second trenches.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present application are directed towards a metal-insulator-metal (MIM) capacitor. The MIM capacitor comprises a bottom electrode disposed over a semiconductor substrate. A top electrode is disposed over and overlies the bottom electrode. A capacitor insulator structure is disposed between the bottom electrode and the top electrode. The capacitor insulator structure comprises at least three dielectric structures vertically stacked upon each other. A bottom half of the capacitor insulator structure is a mirror image of a top half of the capacitor insulator structure in terms of dielectric materials of the dielectric structures.

Abstract: The present disclosure, in some embodiments, relates to an integrated chip. The integrated chip includes an interconnect structure disposed over a substrate. The interconnect structure includes a plurality of interconnect layers disposed within a dielectric structure. A bond pad structure is disposed over the interconnect structure. The bond pad structure includes a contact layer. A first masking layer including a metal-oxide is disposed over the bond pad structure. The first masking layer has interior sidewalls arranged directly over the bond pad structure to define an opening. A conductive bump is arranged within the opening and on the contact layer.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure are directed towards a method for forming an integrated chip. The method includes forming a lower conductive structure over a substrate. A data storage structure is formed on the lower conductive structure. A bandgap of the data storage structure discretely increases or decreases at least two times from a top surface of the data storage structure in a direction towards the substrate. An upper conductive structure is formed on the data storage structure.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing reflective structure is provided. The method includes the operations as follows. A metallization structure is received. A plurality of conductive pads are formed over the metallization structure. A plurality of dielectric stacks are formed over the conductive pads, respectively, wherein the thicknesses of the dielectric stacks are different. The dielectric stacks are isolated by forming a plurality of trenches over a plurality of intervals between each two adjacent dielectric stacks.

Abstract: A semiconductor includes a gate stack over a substrate. The semiconductor device further includes an interlayer dielectric (ILD) at least partially enclosing the gate stack. The ILD includes a portion doped with a large species material, wherein the portion includes a first sidewall substantially perpendicular to a top-most surface of the ILD, and the portion includes a second sidewall having a positive angle with respect to the first sidewall.

Abstract: The present disclosure, in some embodiments, relates to a method of forming an integrated chip. The method includes forming a plurality of bond pad structures over an interconnect structure on a front-side of a semiconductor body. The plurality of bond pad structures respectively have a titanium contact layer. The interconnect structure and the semiconductor body are patterned to define trenches extending into the semiconductor body. A dielectric fill material is formed within the trenches. The dielectric fill material is etched to expose the titanium contact layer prior to bonding the semiconductor body to a carrier substrate. The semiconductor body is thinned to expose the dielectric fill material along a back-side of the semiconductor body and to form a plurality of integrated chip die. The dielectric fill material is removed to separate the plurality of integrated chip die.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure are directed towards a memory cell including a data storage structure. A top electrode overlies a bottom electrode. The data storage structure is disposed between the top electrode and the bottom electrode. The data storage structure includes a first data storage layer, a second data storage layer, and a third data storage layer. The second data storage layer is disposed between the first and third data storage layers. The second data storage layer has a lower bandgap than the third data storage layer. The first data storage layer has a lower bandgap than the second data storage layer.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present application are directed towards a metal-insulator-metal (MIM) capacitor. The MIM capacitor comprises a bottom electrode disposed over a semiconductor substrate. A top electrode is disposed over and overlies the bottom electrode. A capacitor insulator structure is disposed between the bottom electrode and the top electrode. The capacitor insulator structure comprises at least three dielectric structures vertically stacked upon each other. A bottom half of the capacitor insulator structure is a mirror image of a top half of the capacitor insulator structure in terms of dielectric materials of the dielectric structures.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a gate stack over a substrate. The semiconductor device further includes an interlayer dielectric (ILD) at least partially enclosing the gate stack. The ILD includes a first portion doped with an oxygen-containing material. The ILD further includes a second portion doped with a large species material, wherein the second portion includes a first sidewall substantially perpendicular to a top surface of the substrate, and the second portion includes a second sidewall having a positive angle with respect to the first sidewall.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present application are directed towards a resistive random-access memory (RRAM) cell including a top-electrode barrier layer configured to block the movement of nitrogen or some other suitable non-metal element from a top electrode of the RRAM cell to an active metal layer of the RRAM cell. Blocking the movement of non-metal element may be prevent formation of an undesired switching layer between the active metal layer and the top electrode. The undesired switching layer would increase parasitic resistance of the RRAM cell, such that top-electrode barrier layer may reduce parasitic resistance by preventing formation of the undesired switching layer.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present application are directed towards a method for forming a metal-insulator-metal (MIM) capacitor comprising an enhanced interfacial layer to reduce breakdown failure. In some embodiments, a bottom electrode layer is deposited over a substrate. A native oxide layer is formed on a top surface of the bottom electrode layer and has a first adhesion strength with the top surface. A plasma treatment process is performed to replace the native oxide layer with an interfacial layer. The interfacial layer is conductive and has a second adhesion strength with the top surface of the bottom electrode layer, and the second adhesion strength is greater than the first adhesion strength. An insulator layer is deposited on the interfacial layer. A top electrode layer is deposited on the insulator layer. The top and bottom electrode layers, the insulator layer, and the interfacial layer are patterned to form a MIM capacitor.

Abstract: A semiconductor structure is provided. The semiconductor structure includes metallization structure, a plurality of conductive pads, and a dielectric layer. The plurality of conductive pads is over the metallization structure. The dielectric layer is on the metallization structure and covers the conductive pad. The dielectric layer includes a first dielectric film, a second dielectric film, and a third dielectric film. The first dielectric film is on the conductive pad. The second dielectric film is on the first dielectric film. The third dielectric film is on the second dielectric film. The a refractive index of the first dielectric film is smaller than a refractive index of the second dielectric film, and the refractive index of the second dielectric film is smaller than a refractive index of the third dielectric film.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present application are directed towards a method for forming a metal-insulator-metal (MIM) capacitor comprising an enhanced interfacial layer to reduce breakdown failure. In some embodiments, a bottom electrode layer is deposited over a substrate. A native oxide layer is formed on a top surface of the bottom electrode layer and has a first adhesion strength with the top surface. A plasma treatment process is performed to replace the native oxide layer with an interfacial layer. The interfacial layer is conductive and has a second adhesion strength with the top surface of the bottom electrode layer, and the second adhesion strength is greater than the first adhesion strength. An insulator layer is deposited on the interfacial layer. A top electrode layer is deposited on the insulator layer. The top and bottom electrode layers, the insulator layer, and the interfacial layer are patterned to form a MIM capacitor.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present application are directed towards a resistive random-access memory (RRAM) cell including a top-electrode barrier layer configured to block the movement of nitrogen or some other suitable non-metal element from a top electrode of the RRAM cell to an active metal layer of the RRAM cell. Blocking the movement of non-metal element may be prevent formation of an undesired switching layer between the active metal layer and the top electrode. The undesired switching layer would increase parasitic resistance of the RRAM cell, such that top-electrode barrier layer may reduce parasitic resistance by preventing formation of the undesired switching layer.

Abstract: In some embodiments, the present disclosure relates to a process tool which includes a housing that defines a vacuum chamber. A wafer chuck is in the housing, and a carrier wafer is on the wafer chuck. A structure that is used for deposition processes is arranged at a top of the housing. A camera is integrated on the wafer chuck such that the camera faces a top of the housing. The camera is configured to wirelessly capture images of the structure used for deposition processes within the housing. Outside of the housing is a wireless receiver. The wireless receiver is configured to receive the images from the camera while the vacuum chamber is sealed.

Abstract: A method of making a device includes forming an opening in a dielectric layer to expose a conductive region in a substrate. The method further includes depositing a conformal layer of dopant material along sidewalls of the opening and along a top surface of the dielectric layer. The method further includes diffusing the dopant from the conformal layer of dopant material into the dielectric layer using an anneal process.