Abstract: Some embodiments relate to a method for forming an integrated chip. The method includes forming a bottom electrode over a substrate. A data storage layer is formed on the bottom electrode. A diffusion barrier layer is formed over the data storage layer. The diffusion barrier layer has a first diffusion activation temperature. A top electrode is formed over the diffusion barrier layer. The top electrode has a second diffusion activation temperature less than the first diffusion activation temperature.

Abstract: In some embodiments, the present disclosure relates to a method of forming an integrated chip. The method includes forming a lower electrode layer over a substrate, and an un-patterned amorphous initiation layer over the lower electrode layer. An intermediate ferroelectric material layer is formed have a substantially uniform amorphous phase on the un-patterned amorphous initiation layer. An anneal process is performed to change the intermediate ferroelectric material layer to a ferroelectric material layer having a substantially uniform orthorhombic crystalline phase. An upper electrode layer is formed over the ferroelectric material layer. One or more patterning processes are performed on the upper electrode layer, the ferroelectric material layer, the un-patterned amorphous initiation layer, and the lower electrode layer to form a ferroelectric memory device. An upper ILD layer is formed over the ferroelectric memory device, and an upper interconnect is formed to contact the ferroelectric memory device.

Abstract: In some embodiments, the present disclosure relates to an integrated chip. The integrated chip includes a bottom electrode disposed over one or more interconnects and a diffusion barrier layer on the bottom electrode. The diffusion barrier layer has an inner upper surface that is arranged laterally between and vertically below an outer upper surface of the diffusion barrier film. The outer upper surface wraps around the inner upper surface in a top-view of the diffusion barrier layer. A data storage structure is separated from the bottom electrode by the diffusion barrier layer. A top electrode is arranged over the data storage structure.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure are directed towards an image sensor. The image sensor includes and image sensor element disposed within a substrate. The substrate comprises a first material. The image sensor element includes an active layer comprising a second material different from the first material. A buffer layer is disposed between the active layer and the substrate. The buffer layer extends along outer sidewalls and a bottom surface of the active layer. A capping structure overlies the active layer. Outer sidewalls of the active layer are spaced laterally between outer sidewalls of the capping structure such that the capping structure continuously extends over outer edges of the active layer.

Abstract: The present disclosure, in some embodiments, relates to a method of forming a memory device. The method includes forming a data storage layer on a bottom electrode layer over a substrate, forming a first top electrode layer over the data storage layer, and forming a second top electrode layer over the first top electrode layer. The first top electrode layer has a smaller corrosion potential than the second top electrode layer. A first patterning process is performed on the first top electrode layer and the second top electrode layer to define a multi-layer top electrode. A second patterning process is performed on the data storage layer and the bottom electrode layer to define a data storage structure and a bottom electrode.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure are directed towards a memory device. The memory device has a first transistor having a first source/drain and a second source/drain, where the first source/drain and the second source/drain are disposed in a semiconductor substrate. A dielectric structure is disposed over the semiconductor substrate. A first memory cell is disposed in the dielectric structure and over the semiconductor substrate, where the first memory cell has a first electrode and a second electrode, where the first electrode of the first memory cell is electrically coupled to the first source/drain of the first transistor. A second memory cell is disposed in the dielectric structure and over the semiconductor substrate, where the second memory cell has a first electrode and a second electrode, where the first electrode of the second memory cell is electrically coupled to the second source/drain of the first transistor.

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: 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: Various embodiments of the present disclosure are directed towards a method for forming an integrated chip. The method includes forming a bottom electrode over a substrate. A data storage structure is formed on the bottom electrode. The data storage structure comprises a first dopant with a first atomic percent and a second dopant with a second atomic percent. The first atomic percent is different from the second atomic percent. A top electrode is formed on the data storage structure.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure are directed towards a method for forming an integrated chip, the method includes forming a bottom electrode over a substrate. A first switching layer is formed on the bottom electrode. The first switching layer comprises a dielectric material doped with a first dopant. A second switching layer is formed over the first switching layer. An atomic percentage of the first dopant in the second switching layer is less than an atomic percentage of the first dopant in the first switching layer. A top electrode is formed over the second switching layer.

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 of depositing a layer on a semiconductor workpiece is disclosed. The method includes placing the semiconductor workpiece on a wafer chuck in a processing chamber, introducing a first precursor into the processing chamber, introducing a second precursor into the processing chamber, and while the second precursor is in the processing chamber, applying radiation to the semiconductor workpiece, whereby a surface of the semiconductor workpiece is heated. The method also includes, while the second precursor is in the processing chamber, applying a voltage bias to the wafer chuck.

Abstract: In some embodiments, the present disclosure relates to an integrated chip that includes one or more interconnect dielectric layers arranged over a substrate. A bottom electrode is disposed over a conductive structure and extends through the one or more interconnect dielectric layers. A top electrode is disposed over the bottom electrode. A ferroelectric layer is disposed between and contacts the bottom electrode and the top electrode. The ferroelectric layer includes a first lower horizontal portion, a first upper horizontal portion arranged above the first lower horizontal portion, and a first sidewall portion and coupling the first lower horizontal portion to the first upper horizontal portion.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a memory device. The memory device includes an access device arranged on or within a substrate and coupled to a word-line and a source line. A plurality of lower interconnects are disposed within a lower dielectric structure over the substrate. A first electrode is coupled to the plurality of lower interconnects. The plurality of lower interconnects couple the access device to the first electrode. A second electrode is over the first electrode. One or more upper interconnects are disposed within an upper dielectric structure laterally surrounding the second electrode. The one or more upper interconnects couple the second electrode to a bit-line. A data storage structure is disposed between the first electrode and the second electrode. The data storage structure includes one or more metals having non-zero concentrations that change as a distance from the substrate varies.

Abstract: In some embodiments, the present disclosure relates to a memory device including a semiconductor substrate, a first electrode disposed over the semiconductor substrate, a ferroelectric layer disposed between the first electrode and the semiconductor substrate, and a first stressor layer separating the first electrode from the ferroelectric layer. The first stressor layer has a coefficient of thermal expansion greater than that of the ferroelectric layer.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a bottom electrode, a top electrode, a switching layer and a diffusion harrier layer. 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 diffusion barrier layer is between the bottom electrode and the switching layer to obstruct diffusion of ions between the switching layer and the bottom electrode.

Abstract: Ferroelectric stacks are disclosed herein that can improve retention performance of ferroelectric memory devices. An exemplary ferroelectric stack has a ferroelectric switching layer (FSL) stack disposed between a first electrode and a second electrode. The ferroelectric stack includes a barrier layer disposed between a first FSL and a second FSL, where a first crystalline condition of the barrier layer is different than a second crystalline condition of the first FSL and/or the second FSL. In some embodiments, the first crystalline condition is an amorphous phase, and the second crystalline condition is an orthorhombic phase. In some embodiments, the first FSL and/or the second FSL include a first metal oxide, and the barrier layer includes a second metal oxide. The ferroelectric stack can be a ferroelectric capacitor, a portion of a transistor, and/or connected to a transistor in a ferroelectric memory device to provide data storage in a non-volatile manner.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure are directed towards a memory cell including a data storage structure disposed between a top electrode and a bottom electrode. The data storage structure includes a lower switching layer overlying the bottom electrode, and an upper switching layer overlying the lower switching layer. The lower switching layer comprises a dielectric material doped with a first dopant.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure are directed towards a memory device including a data storage structure overlying a substrate. A bottom electrode overlies the substrate and a top electrode overlies the bottom electrode. The data storage structure is disposed between the bottom electrode and the top electrode. The data storage structure comprises a dielectric material doped with a first dopant and a second dopant, where the first dopant is different from the second dopant.