Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a resistive random access memory (RRAM) device. The RRAM device has a bottom electrode arranged over a bottom electrode via. A variable resistive dielectric layer is arranged over the bottom electrode. The variable resistive dielectric layer extends to within a recess in an upper surface of the bottom electrode. A top electrode is disposed over the variable resistive dielectric layer. A top electrode via extends outward from an upper surface of the top electrode at a position centered along a first axis that is laterally offset from a second axis centered upon the recess within the upper surface of the bottom electrode. The top electrode via has a smaller total width than the top electrode.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method of forming an integrated circuit. In some embodiments, the method may be performed by forming a lower interconnect structure within a first inter-level dielectric (ILD) layer over an upper surface of a substrate, and forming a resistive random access memory (RRAM) device over the lower interconnect structure. A second ILD layer is formed over the RRAM device. The second ILD layer is patterned to remove a part of the second ILD layer that defines a cavity. The cavity vertically extends from an upper surface of the second ILD layer to an upper surface of the RRAM device and laterally extends past opposing sidewalls of the RRAM device. An upper interconnect wire is formed within the cavity.

Abstract: In some embodiments, the present disclosure relates to a method of operating an RRAM cell having a PMOS access transistor. The method may be performed by turning on a PMOS transistor having a drain terminal coupled to a lower electrode of an RRAM device. A first voltage is provided to a source terminal of the PMOS transistor, and a second voltage is provided to a bulk terminal of the PMOS transistor. The second voltage is larger than the first voltage. A third voltage is provided to an upper electrode of the RRAM device. The third voltage is larger than the first voltage.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an integrated circuit having an interconnect wire contacting an upper electrode of the RRAM (resistive random access memory) device, and a method of formation. In some embodiments, the integrated circuit comprises an RRAM device having a dielectric data storage layer disposed between a lower electrode and an upper electrode. An interconnect wire contacts an upper surface of the upper electrode, and an interconnect via is arranged onto the interconnect wire. The interconnect via is set back from one or more outermost sidewalls of the interconnect wire. The interconnect wire has a relatively large size that provides for a good electrical connection between the interconnect wire and the upper electrode, thereby increasing a process window of the RRAM device.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes an inter-metal dielectric layer, a memory cell, a transistor and a dielectric layer. The memory cell includes a metal-insulator-metal (MIM) structure over a top surface of the inter-metal dielectric layer. The transistor underlies the inter-metal dielectric layer. The dielectric layer extends over the transistor and along the top surface of the inter-metal dielectric layer. The dielectric layer is separated from the MIM structure.

Abstract: A memory cell and method including a first electrode formed through a first opening in a first dielectric layer, a resistive layer formed on the first electrode, a spacing layer formed on the resistive layer, a second electrode formed on the resistive layer, and a second dielectric layer formed on the second electrode, the second dielectric layer including a second opening. The first dielectric layer formed on a substrate including a first metal layer. The first electrode and the resistive layer collectively include a first lip region that extends a first distance beyond the first opening. The second electrode and the second dielectric layer collectively include a second lip region that extends a second distance beyond the first opening. The spacing layer extends from the second distance to the first distance. The second electrode is coupled to a second metal layer using a via that extends through the second opening.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes an inter-metal dielectric layer, a memory cell, a transistor and a dielectric layer. The memory cell includes a metal-insulator-metal (MIM) structure over a top surface of the inter-metal dielectric layer. The transistor underlies the inter-metal dielectric layer. The dielectric layer extends over the transistor and along the top surface of the inter-metal dielectric layer. The dielectric layer is separated from the MIM structure.

Abstract: A resistive random access memory (RRAM) structure includes a resistive memory element formed on a semiconductor substrate and designed for data storage. The resistive element includes a resistive material layer. The resistive element further includes first and second electrodes interposed by the resistive material layer. The resistive element further includes a field effect transistor (FET) formed on the semiconductor substrate and coupled with the resistive memory element, wherein the FET includes asymmetric source and drain, the drain having a higher doping concentration than the source. The resistive memory element is coupled with the drain.

Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes a resistance variable memory structure. The semiconductor structure also includes a dielectric layer. The resistance variable memory structure is over the dielectric layer. The resistance variable memory structure includes a first electrode disposed over the dielectric layer. The first electrode has a sidewall surface. A resistance variable layer has a first portion which is disposed over the sidewall surface of the first electrode and a second portion which extends from the first portion away from the first electrode. A second electrode is over the resistance variable layer.

Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes a memory region. A memory structure is disposed on the memory region. The memory structure includes a first electrode, a resistance variable layer, a protection material and a second electrode. The first electrode has a top surface on the memory region. The resistance variable layer has at least a first portion and a second portion. The first portion is disposed over the top surface of the first electrode and the second portion extends upwardly from the first portion. The protection material surrounds the second portion of the resistance variable layer. The protection material is configurable to protect at least one conductive path in the resistance variable layer. The second electrode is disposed over the resistance variable layer.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an integrated circuit configured to mitigate damage to MIM decoupling capacitors. In some embodiments, the integrated chip has a lower interconnect layer vertically separated from a substrate by a first inter-level dielectric (ILD) layer. A conductive contact extends from a transistor device within the substrate to an uppermost surface of the first ILD layer. A plurality of MIM (metal-insulator-metal) structures are arranged over the lower interconnect layer. An upper interconnect layer is over the plurality of MIM structures. One or both of the lower interconnect layer and the upper interconnect layer are comprised within a conductive path that electrically couples the plurality of MIM structures in a series connection.

Abstract: In some embodiments, the present disclosure relates to a resistive random access memory (RRAM) memory circuit. The memory circuit has a word-line decoder operably coupled to a first RRAM device and a second RRAM device by a word-line. A bit-line decoder is coupled to the first RRAM device by a first bit-line and to the second RRAM device by a second bit-line. A bias element is configured to apply a first non-zero bias voltage to the second bit-line concurrent to the bit-line decoder applying a non-zero voltage to the first bit-line.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a resistive random access memory (RRAM) cells and methods of making the same. The RRAM cell includes a transistor and an RRAM structure. The RRAM structure includes a bottom electrode having a via portion and a top portion, a resistive material layer on the bottom electrode having a width that is same as a width of the top portion of the bottom electrode; a capping layer over the bottom electrode; a spacer surrounding the capping layer; and, a top electrode on the capping layer having a smaller width than the resistive material layer. The RRAM cell further includes a conductive material connecting the top electrode of the RRAM structure to a metal layer.

Abstract: A method of forming a magnetoresistive random access memory (MRAM) device including a perpendicular MTJ (magnetic tunnel junction) is provided. The method includes forming a magnetic tunneling junction (MTJ) over a bottom electrode layer. A top electrode layer is formed over an upper surface of the MTJ, and a hard mask is formed over an upper surface of the top electrode layer. A first etch is performed through the top electrode layer, through regions of the MTJ unmasked by the hard mask, to form a top electrode and an etched MTJ. Sidewall spacers are formed extending from an upper surface of the hard mask or the top electrode, along sidewalls of the top electrode and the etched MTJ, to a point below or about even with an upper surface of the bottom electrode. A resulting MRAM device structure is also provided.

Abstract: A memory cell and method including a first electrode formed through a first opening in a first dielectric layer, a resistive layer formed on the first electrode, a spacing layer formed on the resistive layer, a second electrode formed on the resistive layer, and a second dielectric layer formed on the second electrode, the second dielectric layer including a second opening. The first dielectric layer formed on a substrate including a first metal layer. The first electrode and the resistive layer collectively include a first lip region that extends a first distance beyond the first opening. The second electrode and the second dielectric layer collectively include a second lip region that extends a second distance beyond the first opening. The spacing layer extends from the second distance to the first distance. The second electrode is coupled to a second metal layer using a via that extends through the second opening.

Abstract: The present disclosure, in some embodiments, relates to a resistive random access memory (RRAM) cell. The RRAM cell has a bottom electrode disposed over a lower interconnect layer and a data storage layer having a first thickness over the bottom electrode. A capping layer is disposed over the data storage layer. The capping layer has a second thickness that is in a range of between approximately 2 and approximately 3 times thicker than the first thickness. A top electrode is disposed over the capping layer and an upper interconnect layer is disposed over the top electrode.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an integrated circuit configured to mitigate damage to MIM decoupling capacitors. In some embodiments, the integrated chip has a lower metal interconnect layer arranged over a substrate. A plurality of MIM (metal-insulator-metal) structures are arranged over the lower metal interconnect layer, and a plurality of memory cells are arranged over the lower metal interconnect layer at a location laterally offset from the plurality of MIM structures. An upper metal interconnect layer is arranged over the plurality of MIM structures and the plurality of memory cells. One or both of the lower metal interconnect layer and the upper metal interconnect layer are comprised within a conductive path that electrically couples the plurality of MIM structures in a series connection. The plurality of MIM structures and the plurality of memory cells comprise multi-layer structures having a substantially same shape.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an integrated circuit, which includes a semiconductor substrate and an interconnect structure disposed over the semiconductor substrate. The interconnect structure includes a lower metal layer, an intermediate metal layer disposed over the lower metal layer, and an upper metal layer disposed over the intermediate metal layer. An upper surface of the lower metal layer and a lower surface of the intermediate metal layer are spaced vertically apart by a first distance. A resistive random access memory (RRAM) cell is arranged between the lower metal layer and the upper metal layer. The RRAM cell includes a bottom electrode and a top electrode which are separated by a data storage layer having a variable resistance. The data storage layer vertically spans a second distance that is greater than the first distance.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method and apparatus for performing a read operation of an RRAM cell, which applies a non-zero bias voltage to unselected bit-lines and select-lines to increase a read current window without damaging corresponding access transistors. In some embodiments, the method may be performed by activating a word-line coupled to a row of RRAM cells comprising a selected RRAM device by applying a first read voltage to the word-line. A second read voltage is applied to a bit-line coupled to a first electrode of the selected RRAM device. One or more non-zero bias voltages are applied to bit-lines and select-lines coupled to RRAM cells, within the row of RRAM cells, having unselected RRAM devices.

Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes a resistance variable memory structure. The semiconductor structure also includes a dielectric layer. The resistance variable memory structure is over the dielectric layer. The resistance variable memory structure includes a first electrode disposed over the dielectric layer. The first electrode has a sidewall surface. A resistance variable layer has a first portion which is disposed over the sidewall surface of the first electrode and a second portion which extends from the first portion away from the first electrode. A second electrode is over the resistance variable layer.