Abstract: Methods of forming a MTJ dummy fill gradient across near-active-MRAM-cell periphery and far-outside-MRAM logic regions and the resulting device are provided. Embodiments include providing an embedded MRAM layout with near-active-MRAM-cell periphery logic and far-outside-MRAM logic regions; forming a MTJ structure within the layout based on minimum space and distance rules relative to a first metal layer, a second metal layer, and/or both the first and second metal layers; forming a high-density MTJ dummy structure in the near-active-MRAM-cell periphery logic region based on second minimum space and distance rules relative to a first metal layer, a second metal layer, and/or both the first metal layer and the second metal layer; and forming a low-density MTJ dummy structure in the far-outside-MRAM logic region based on third minimum space and distance rules relative to a first metal layer, a second metal layer, and/or both the first metal layer and the second metal layer.

Abstract: Methods of forming a MTJ dummy fill gradient across near-active-MRAM-cell periphery and far-outside-MRAM logic regions and the resulting device are provided. Embodiments include providing an embedded MRAM layout with near-active-MRAM-cell periphery logic and far-outside-MRAM logic regions; forming a MTJ structure within the layout based on minimum space and distance rules relative to a first metal layer, a second metal layer, and/or both the first and second metal layers; forming a high-density MTJ dummy structure in the near-active-MRAM-cell periphery logic region based on second minimum space and distance rules relative to a first metal layer, a second metal layer, and/or both the first metal layer and the second metal layer; and forming a low-density MTJ dummy structure in the far-outside-MRAM logic region based on third minimum space and distance rules relative to a first metal layer, a second metal layer, and/or both the first metal layer and the second metal layer.

Abstract: Methods of forming a MTJ dummy fill gradient across near-active-MRAM-cell periphery and far-outside-MRAM logic regions and the resulting device are provided. Embodiments include providing an embedded MRAM layout with near-active-MRAM-cell periphery logic and far-outside-MRAM logic regions; forming a MTJ structure within the layout based on minimum space and distance rules relative to a first metal layer, a second metal layer, and/or both the first and second metal layers; forming a high-density MTJ dummy structure in the near-active-MRAM-cell periphery logic region based on second minimum space and distance rules relative to a first metal layer, a second metal layer, and/or both the first metal layer and the second metal layer; and forming a low-density MTJ dummy structure in the far-outside-MRAM logic region based on third minimum space and distance rules relative to a first metal layer, a second metal layer, and/or both the first metal layer and the second metal layer.

Abstract: Methods of forming a MTJ dummy fill gradient across near-active-MRAM-cell periphery and far-outside-MRAM logic regions and the resulting device are provided. Embodiments include providing an embedded MRAIVI layout with near-active-MRAM-cell periphery logic and far-outside-MRAM logic regions; forming a MTJ structure within the layout based on minimum space and distance rules relative to a first metal layer, a second metal layer, and/or both the first and second metal layers; forming a high-density MTJ dummy structure in the near-active-MRAM-cell periphery logic region based on second minimum space and distance rules relative to a first metal layer, a second metal layer, and/or both the first metal layer and the second metal layer; and forming a low-density MTJ dummy structure in the far-outside-MRAM logic region based on third minimum space and distance rules relative to a first metal layer, a second metal layer, and/or both the first metal layer and the second metal layer.

Abstract: Integrated circuits and methods for fabricating integrated circuits with non-volatile memory structures are provided. An exemplary integrated circuit includes a semiconductor substrate having a central semiconductor-on-insulator (SOI) region between first and second non-SOI regions. The substrate includes a semiconductor base in the SOI region and the non-SOI regions, an insulator layer overlying the semiconductor base in the SOI region, and an upper semiconductor layer overlying the insulator layer in the SOI region. The integrated circuit further includes a first conductivity type well formed in the base in the first region and in a first portion of the SOI region, and a second conductivity type well formed in the base in the second region and in a second portion of the SOI region lateral of the first conductivity type well. Also, the integrated circuit includes a non-volatile memory device structure overlying the upper semiconductor layer in the SOI region.

Abstract: Integrated circuits and methods of producing such integrated circuits are provided. In an exemplary embodiment, an integrated circuit includes a substrate with an active layer overlying a handle layer. A partial buried insulator overlies the handle layer and underlies the active layer, terminates at a buried insulator termination point, and includes an electrically insulating material. A substrate extension is adjacent to the partial buried insulator, where the substrate extension overlies the handle layer and underlies the active layer, and where the substrate extension directly contacts the partial buried insulator at the buried insulator termination point. The substrate extension includes a semiconductive material. A memory gate overlies the active layer.

Abstract: A device and a method of forming a device are disclosed. The method includes providing a substrate defined with first and second functional regions and first and second non-functional regions. The first non-functional region corresponds to a proximate memory region which is proximate to and surrounds the first functional region and the second non-functional region corresponds to an external logic circuit region which surrounds at least the second functional region. A magnetic memory element is formed in the first functional region and a logic element is formed in the second functional region. A plurality of magnetism controllable dummy structures are formed in the proximate memory region and external logic circuit region. The magnetism controllable dummy structures provide uniform magnetic field to the magnetic memory element and prevents electrical-magnetic interaction between the magnetic memory and logic elements on the same substrate.

Abstract: A device and a method of forming a device are disclosed. The method includes providing a substrate defined with first and second functional regions and first and second non-functional regions. The first non-functional region corresponds to a proximate memory region which is proximate to and surrounds the first functional region and the second non-functional region corresponds to an external logic circuit region which surrounds at least the second functional region. A magnetic memory element is formed in the first functional region and a logic element is formed in the second functional region. A plurality of magnetism controllable dummy structures are formed in the proximate memory region and external logic circuit region. The magnetism controllable dummy structures provide uniform magnetic field to the magnetic memory element and prevents electrical-magnetic interaction between the magnetic memory and logic elements on the same substrate.

Abstract: An integrated circuit having a plurality of active areas separated from each other by a field region and a method for manufacturing the integrated circuit. A first polysilicon finger is formed over the first active area and the field region and a second polysilicon finger is formed over the second active area and the field region. A first dielectric layer is formed over the first active area and the field region and a second dielectric layer is formed over the second active area and the portion of the first dielectric layer over the field region. A first electrical interconnect is formed over and dielectrically isolated from the first polysilicon finger and a second electrical interconnect is formed over and dielectrically isolated from the second active area. The second electrical interconnect is electrically coupled to the second polysilicon finger.

Abstract: An integrated circuit is provided with a semiconductor substrate that is doped with a set concentration of an oxidizable dopant of a type that segregates to the top surface of a suicide when the semiconductor substrate is reacted to form such a silicide. A gate dielectric is on the semiconductor substrate, and a gate is on the gate dielectric. Source/drain junctions are in the semiconductor substrate. A silicide is on the source/drain junctions and dopant is segregated to the top surface of the silicide. The dopant on the top surface of the segregated dopant is oxidized to form an insulating layer of oxidized dopant above the silicide. An interlayer dielectric is above the semiconductor substrate. Contacts and connection points are in the interlayer dielectric to the insulating layer of oxidized dopant above the silicide.

Abstract: A semiconductor component having analog and logic circuit elements manufactured from an SOI substrate and a method for manufacturing the semiconductor component. An SOI substrate has a support wafer coupled to an active wafer through an insulating material. Openings are formed in the active wafer, extend through the insulating material, and expose portions of the support wafer. Epitaxial semiconductor material is grown on the exposed portions of the support wafer. Analog circuitry is manufactured from the epitaxially grown semiconductor material and high performance logic circuitry is manufactured from the active wafer. The processing steps for manufacturing the analog circuitry are decoupled from the steps for manufacturing the high performance logic circuitry. A substrate contact is made from a portion of the epitaxially grown semiconductor material that is electrically isolated from the portion in which the analog circuitry is manufactured.

Abstract: Planarized STI with minimized topography is formed by selectively etching back the dielectric trench fill with respect to the polish stop film prior to removing the polish stop film. Embodiments include etching back a silicon oxide trench filled to a depth of about 200 ? to about 1,500 ?, and then stripping a silicon nitride polish stop layer leaving a substantially planarized surface, thereby improving the accuracy of subsequent gate electrode patterning and reducing stringers.

Abstract: Patterning of a gate line is terminated prior to etching completely through the conductive layer from which it is patterned. Surfaces of the conductive layer are then reacted in a reactive atmosphere, and the reacted surfaces are removed, creating a narrow gate line. The protection provided by the remaining portion of the conductive layer during reaction protects the lower corners of the patterned feature from undercutting growth of reacted material. Alternatively, a gate line is patterned from a multi-layered conductive structure that includes a lower conductive layer and an upper conductive layer that exhibits higher reactivity in a reactive atmosphere than the lower layer. The upper layer is patterned and then the structure is reacted in the reactive atmosphere. Reacted portions of the upper layer are then removed and the lower layer is patterned in a self-aligned manner to complete the formation of a gate line and gate insulator.

Abstract: A hardmask stack is comprised of alternating layers of doped amorphous carbon and undoped amorphous carbon. The undoped amorphous carbon layers serve as buffer layers that constrain the effects of compressive stress within the doped amorphous carbon layers to prevent delamination. The stack is provided with a top capping layer. The layer beneath the capping layer is preferably undoped amorphous carbon to reduce photoresist poisoning. An alternative hardmask stack is comprised of alternating layers of capping material and amorphous carbon. The amorphous carbon layers may be doped or undoped. The capping material layers serve as buffer layers that constrain the effects of compressive stress within the amorphous carbon layers to prevent delamination. The top layer of the stack is formed of a capping material. The layer beneath the top layer is preferably undoped amorphous carbon to reduce photoresist poisoning.

Abstract: A silicon oxide stress relief portion is provided between an amorphous carbon hardmask and a polysilicon layer to be etched to form a gate line. The stress relief portion relieves stress between the hardmask and the polysilicon, thereby reducing the risk of delamination of the hardmask prior to patterning of the polysilicon. The stress relief portion may be trimmed prior to patterning and used as an etch mask for patterning the polysilicon. The amorphous carbon hardmasked may be trimmed prior to patterning the stress relief portion to achieve a further reduction in gate line width.

Abstract: An amorphous carbon layer is implanted with one or more dopants that enhance the etch resistivity of the amorphous carbon to etchants such as chlorine and HBr that are typically used to etch polysilicon. Such a layer may be pattern to form a handmask for etching polysilicon that provides improved pattern transfer accuracy compared to conventional undoped amorphous carbon.

Abstract: A hardmask stack is comprised of alternating layers of doped amorphous carbon and undoped amorphous carbon. The undoped amorphous carbon layers serve as buffer layers that constrain the effects of compressive stress within the doped amorphous carbon layers to prevent delamination. The stack is provided with a top capping layer. The layer beneath the capping layer is preferably undoped amorphous carbon to reduce photoresist poisoning. An alternative hardmask stack is comprised of alternating layers of capping material and amorphous carbon. The amorphous carbon layers may be doped or undoped. The capping material layers serve as buffer layers that constrain the effects of compressive stress within the amorphous carbon layers to prevent delamination. The top layer of the stack is formed of a capping material. The layer beneath the top layer is preferably undoped amorphous carbon to reduce photoresist poisoning.