Abstract: Some embodiments relate to a memory device. The memory device includes a top electrode overlying a bottom electrode. A data storage layer overlies the bottom electrode. The bottom electrode cups an underside of the data storage layer. The top electrode overlies the data storage layer. A top surface of the bottom electrode is aligned with a top surface of the top electrode.

Abstract: Some embodiments relate to a memory device. The memory device includes a first electrode overlying a substrate. A data storage layer overlies the first electrode. A second electrode overlies the data storage layer. A conductive bridge is selectively formable within the data storage layer to couple the first electrode to the second electrode. An active metal layer is disposed between the data storage layer and the second electrode. A buffer layer is disposed between the active metal layer and the second electrode. The buffer layer has a lower reactivity to oxygen than the active metal layer.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure are directed towards a method for forming an integrated chip. The method includes forming a memory cell stack over a substrate. The memory cell stack includes a top electrode. A sidewall spacer structure is formed around the memory cell stack. The sidewall spacer structure includes a first sidewall spacer layer, a second sidewall spacer layer, and a protective sidewall spacer layer sandwiched between the first and second sidewall spacer layers. A dielectric structure is formed over the sidewall spacer structure. A first etch process is performed on the dielectric structure and the second sidewall spacer layer to define an opening above the top electrode. The second sidewall spacer layer and the dielectric structure are etched at a higher rate than the protective sidewall spacer layer during the first etch process. A top electrode via is formed within the opening.

Abstract: The present disclosure, in some embodiments, relates to an integrated chip. The integrated chip includes a lower interconnect disposed within a dielectric structure over a substrate. A memory device includes a data storage structure disposed between a bottom electrode and a top electrode. The bottom electrode is electrically coupled to the lower interconnect. A sidewall spacer includes an interior sidewall that continuously extends from along an outermost sidewall of the top electrode to below an outermost sidewall of the bottom electrode. The sidewall spacer further includes an outermost sidewall that extends from a bottom surface of the sidewall spacer to above a top of the bottom electrode.

Abstract: A memory cell with hard mask insulator and its manufacturing methods are provided. In some embodiments, a memory cell stack is formed over a substrate having a bottom electrode layer, a resistance switching dielectric layer over the bottom electrode layer, and a top electrode layer over the resistance switching dielectric layer. A first insulating layer is formed over the top electrode layer. A first metal hard masking layer is formed over the first insulating layer. Then, a series of etch is performed to pattern the first metal hard masking layer, the first insulating layer, the top electrode layer and the resistance switching dielectric layer to form a first metal hard mask, a hard mask insulator, a top electrode, and a resistance switching dielectric.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a semiconductor structure, including an Nth metal layer, a bottom electrode over the Nth metal layer, a magnetic tunneling junction (MTJ) over the bottom electrode, a top electrode over the MTJ, and an (N+M)th metal layer over the Nth metal layer. N and M are positive integers. The (N+M)th metal layer surrounds a portion of a sidewall of the top electrode. A manufacturing method of forming the semiconductor structure is also provided.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure are directed towards an integrated chip including a magnetoresistive random access memory (MRAM) cell over a substrate. A dielectric structure overlies the substrate. The MRAM cell is disposed within the dielectric structure. The MRAM cell includes a magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) sandwiched between a bottom electrode and a top electrode. A conductive wire overlies the top electrode. A sidewall spacer structure continuously extends along a sidewall of the MTJ and the top electrode. The sidewall spacer structure includes a first sidewall spacer layer, a second sidewall spacer layer, and a protective sidewall spacer layer sandwiched between the first and second sidewall spacer layers. The first and second sidewall spacer layers comprise a first material and the protective sidewall spacer layer comprises a second material different than the first material.

Abstract: The present disclosure, in some embodiments, relates to an integrated chip. The integrated chip includes a plurality of lower interconnect layers disposed within a dielectric structure over a substrate. The integrated chip further includes a memory device having a data storage structure disposed between a bottom electrode and a top electrode. The bottom electrode is electrically coupled to the plurality of lower interconnect layers. A sidewall spacer continuously extends from an outermost sidewall of the data storage structure to below an outermost sidewall of the bottom electrode.

Abstract: A memory device including an array of memory cells overlying a substrate and located in a memory array region. Each of the memory cells includes a vertical stack containing a bottom electrode, a memory element, a top electrode, and dielectric sidewall spacers located on sidewalls of each vertical stack. The bottom electrode comprises a flat-top portion that extends horizontally beyond an outer periphery of the dielectric sidewall spacers. The device also includes a discrete etch stop dielectric layer over each of the memory cells that includes a horizontally-extending portion that extends over the flat-top portion of the bottom electrode. The device also includes metallic cell contact structures that contact a respective subset of the top electrodes and a respective subset of vertically-protruding portions of the discrete etch stop dielectric layer.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method of forming an integrated chip. The method includes forming a memory device over a substrate and forming an etch stop layer over the memory device. An inter-level dielectric (ILD) layer is formed over the etch stop layer and laterally surrounding the memory device. One or more patterning process are performed to define a first trench extending from a top of the ILD layer to expose an upper surface of the etch stop layer. A removal process is performed to remove an exposed part of the etch stop layer. A conductive material is formed within the interconnect trench after performing the removal process.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure are directed towards an integrated chip including a magnetoresistive random access memory (MRAM) cell over a substrate. A dielectric structure overlies the substrate. The MRAM cell is disposed within the dielectric structure. The MRAM cell includes a magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) sandwiched between a bottom electrode and a top electrode. A conductive wire overlies the top electrode. A sidewall spacer structure continuously extends along a sidewall of the MTJ and the top electrode. The sidewall spacer structure includes a first sidewall spacer layer, a second sidewall spacer layer, and a protective sidewall spacer layer sandwiched between the first and second sidewall spacer layers. The first and second sidewall spacer layers comprise a first material and the protective sidewall spacer layer comprises a second material different than the first material.

Abstract: The present disclosure, in some embodiments, relates to an integrated chip. The integrated chip includes a plurality of lower interconnect layers disposed within a dielectric structure over a substrate. The integrated chip further includes a memory device having a data storage structure disposed between a bottom electrode and a top electrode. The bottom electrode is electrically coupled to the plurality of lower interconnect layers. A sidewall spacer continuously extends from an outermost sidewall of the data storage structure to below an outermost sidewall of the bottom electrode.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device includes forming a source/drain region in a substrate. An interlevel dielectric layer is formed on the substrate. A conducting plug is formed in the interlevel dielectric layer. The conducting plug is electrically coupled to the source/drain region. A crown oxide is formed on the interlevel dielectric layer. A deep trench is formed in the crown oxide to expose a top wall and a sidewall of the conducting plug. A spacer is formed on the sidewall of the conducting plug. A metal-insulator-metal film is formed in the deep trench.

Abstract: Some embodiments relate to a memory device. The memory device includes a top electrode overlying a bottom electrode. A data storage layer overlies the bottom electrode. The bottom electrode cups an underside of the data storage layer. The top electrode overlies the data storage layer. A top surface of the bottom electrode is aligned with a top surface of the top electrode.

Abstract: Semiconductor structures are provided. The semiconductor structure includes a substrate and a first gate electrode formed over the substrate. The semiconductor structure further includes a dielectric layer formed on a sidewall of the first gate electrode and a second gate electrode formed over the substrate and separated from the first gate electrode by the dielectric layer. The semiconductor structure further includes a contact formed over the second gate electrode. In addition, the contact has a first extending portion and a second extending portion extending along opposite sidewalls of the second gate electrode.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a semiconductor structure, including an Nth metal layer, a bottom electrode over the Nth metal layer, a magnetic tunneling junction (MTJ) over the bottom electrode, a top electrode over the MTJ, and an (N+M)th metal layer over the Nth metal layer. N and M are positive integers. The (N+M)th metal layer surrounds a portion of a sidewall of the top electrode. A manufacturing method of forming the semiconductor structure is also provided.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a semiconductor structure, including an Nth metal layer, a bottom electrode over the Nth metal layer, a magnetic tunneling junction (MTJ) over the bottom electrode, a top electrode over the MTJ, and an (N+M)th metal layer over the Nth metal layer. N and M are positive integers. The (N+M)th metal layer surrounds a portion of a sidewall of the top electrode. A manufacturing method of forming the semiconductor structure is also provided.

Abstract: Semiconductor structures are provided. The semiconductor structure includes a substrate and a first gate electrode formed over the substrate. The semiconductor structure further includes a dielectric layer formed on a sidewall of the first gate electrode and a second gate electrode formed over the substrate and separated from the first gate electrode by the dielectric layer. The semiconductor structure further includes a contact formed over the second gate electrode. In addition, the contact has a first extending portion and a second extending portion extending along opposite sidewalls of the second gate electrode.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a semiconductor structure, including an Nth metal layer, a bottom electrode over the Nth metal layer, a magnetic tunneling junction (MTJ) over the bottom electrode, a top electrode over the MTJ, and an (N+M)th metal layer over the Nth metal layer. N and M are positive integers. The (N+M)th metal layer surrounds a portion of a sidewall of the top electrode. A manufacturing method of forming the semiconductor structure is also provided.

Abstract: Methods for forming semiconductor structures are provided. The method for forming the semiconductor structure includes forming a control gate over a substrate and forming a dielectric layer covering the control gate. The method further includes forming a conductive layer having a first portion and a second portion over the dielectric layer. In addition, the first portion of the conductive layer is separated from the control gate by the dielectric layer. The method further includes forming an oxide layer on a top surface of the first portion of the conductive layer and removing the second portion of the conductive layer to form a memory gate.