Abstract: A method is presented for constructing conductive bridging random access memory (CBRAM) stacks. The method includes forming a plurality of conductive lines within an interlayer dielectric (ILD), forming a CBRAM stack including at least an electrolyte layer, a conductive layer, a metal cap layer, and a top electrode such that a top end of the CBRAM stack has a smaller critical dimension than a bottom end of the CBRAM stack, forming a low-k dielectric layer over the CBRAM stack, and exposing a top surface of the CBRAM stack during a via opening.

Abstract: A method for etching a poly-granular metal-based film includes providing a flow of a background gas in a plasma etching chamber containing a semiconductor structure including the poly-granular metal-based film formed over a substrate with a mask patterned over the poly-granular metal-based film. The method also includes applying a source power to generate a background plasma from the background gas, and providing a flow of a modifying gas while maintaining the flow of the background gas to generate a modifying plasma that produces a surface modification region with a substantially uniform depth in the top surface of the poly-granular metal-based film exposed by the mask. The method further includes stopping the flow of the modifying gas while maintaining the flow of the background gas, and applying a biasing power to the substrate to remove the surface modification region.

Abstract: A memory includes a base oxide provided between a first electrode and a second electrode, and a multivalent oxide provided between the first electrode and the second electrode. The multivalent oxide switches between at least two oxidative states.

Abstract: A semiconductor device including stacked access device and resistive memory includes a stack disposed on a base structure, the stack including an access device stack and a resistive random-access memory (ReRAM) device stack, sidewall spacers disposed along a portion of the stack, a dielectric layer disposed over the stack, the sidewall spacers and the base structure, and an interlevel dielectric disposed on the dielectric layer.

Abstract: Techniques facilitating resistive random-access memory device with step height difference are provided. A resistive random-access memory device can comprise a first electrode located within a trench of a dielectric layer. The resistive random-access memory device can also comprise a metal oxide layer comprising a first section located within the trench of the dielectric layer, and a second section located over the first electrode, and over a barrier metal layer. Further, the resistive random-access memory device can comprise a second electrode located over the metal oxide layer.

Abstract: Devices and/or methods that facilitate forming a resistive memory crossbar array with a multilayer hardmask are provided. In some embodiments, a resistive random access memory (RRAM) can comprise a multilayer hardmask comprising three layers, an interlayer oxide between a first layer of silicon nitride and a second layer of silicon nitride. In other embodiments, an RRAM can comprise a multilayer hardmask comprising two layers, a layer of an oxide on a layer of silicon nitride.

Abstract: A method is presented for facilitating oxygen vacancy generation in a resistive random access memory (RRAM) device. The method includes forming a RRAM stack having a first electrode and at least one sacrificial layer, encapsulating the RRAM stack with a dielectric layer, constructing a via resulting in removal of the at least one sacrificial layer of the RRAM stack, the via extending to a high-k dielectric layer of the RRAM stack, and forming a second electrode in the via such that the second electrode extends laterally into cavities defined by the removal of the at least one sacrificial layer.

Abstract: A method is presented for facilitating oxygen vacancy generation in a resistive random access memory (RRAM) device. The method includes forming a RRAM stack having a first electrode and at least one sacrificial layer, encapsulating the RRAM stack with a dielectric layer, constructing a via resulting in removal of the at least one sacrificial layer of the RRAM stack, the via extending to a high-k dielectric layer of the RRAM stack, and forming a second electrode in the via such that the second electrode extends laterally into cavities defined by the removal of the at least one sacrificial layer.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to integrated circuits and to methods of manufacturing interconnects of integrated circuits. For example, an integrated circuit includes a surface of the integrated circuit and an interconnect formed on the surface and comprising a metal. An average grain size of the metal of the interconnect is greater than or equal to at least half of a line width of the interconnect. In another example, a method for manufacturing an interconnect of an integrated circuit includes depositing a layer of a metal onto a surface of the integrated circuit, annealing the metal, patterning a first hard mask for placement over the metal and forming a line of the interconnect and a first via of the interconnect by performing a timed etch of the metal using the first hard mask.

Abstract: Integrated circuits including at least two electrically conductive interconnect lines and methods of manufacturing generally include a surface of the integrated circuit. At least two electrically conductive interconnect lines are separated by a space of less than 90 nm and are formed on the surface. Each of the at least two interconnect lines includes a metal cap, a copper conductor having an average grain size greater than a line width of the interconnect. A liner layer is provided, wherein the liner layer and the metal cap encapsulate the copper conductor. A dielectric layer overlaying the at least two electrically conductive interconnect lines and extending along sidewalls thereof is provided, wherein the dielectric layer is configured to provide an airgap between the at least two interconnect lines at the spacing.

Abstract: A method is presented for protecting resistive random access memory (RRAM) stacks within a resistive memory crossbar array. The method includes forming conductive lines within an interlayer dielectric (ILD), forming a metal nitride layer over at least one conductive line, forming a bottom electrode, forming a RRAM stack over the metal nitride layer, the RRAM stack including a first top electrode and a second top electrode, undercutting the second top electrode to define recesses, and filling the recesses with inner spacers.

Abstract: A resistive random access memory (RERAM) apparatus and method for forming the apparatus are provided. Oxygen content control in the RERAM is provided. To provide oxygen content control, a via to an electrode of the RERAM is formed utilizing an oxygen-free plasma etch step. In one embodiment, the dielectric within which the via is formed is silicon nitride (SiN). In exemplary embodiments, the plasma chemistry is a hydrofluorocarbon (CxHyFz)-based plasma chemistry or a fluorocarbon (CxFy)-based plasma chemistry. In one embodiment, the resistive layer of the RERAM is a metal oxide. In another embodiment, the oxygen concentrations in the electrode of the RERAM under the via and outside the via are the same after formation of the via.

Abstract: A method is presented for protecting resistive random access memory (RRAM) stacks within a resistive memory crossbar array. The method includes forming conductive lines within an interlayer dielectric (ILD), forming a metal nitride layer over at least one conductive line, forming a bottom electrode, forming a RRAM stack over the metal nitride layer, the RRAM stack including a first top electrode and a second top electrode, undercutting the second top electrode to define recesses, and filling the recesses with inner spacers.

Abstract: Methods for forming magnetic tunnel junctions and structures thereof include cryogenic etching the layers defining the magnetic tunnel junction without lateral diffusion of reactive species.

Abstract: A tapered metal nitride structure having a gentle sloping (i.e., tapered) sidewall is provided that includes an oxygen rich metal nitride portion located between each metal nitride portion of a stack of metal nitride portions. The structure is formed by incorporating/introducing oxygen into an upper portion of a first metal nitride layer to form an oxygen rich metal nitride surface layer. A second nitride is then formed atop the oxygen rich metal nitride surface layer. The steps of oxygen incorporation/addition and nitride layer formation may be repeated any number of times. An etch mask is then provided and thereafter a sputter etch is performed to provide the tapered metal nitride structure. The tapered metal nitride structure may be used as an electrode in a semiconductor device.

Abstract: A process for forming patterned copper lines, a pattern of copper lines, and an electronic device having patterned copper lines and at least one CMOS circuit. The process includes assembling an etch stack, wherein the etch stack includes a resist and a copper substrate. The process also includes lithographically patterning the resist to produce a template, and forming a patterned block copolymer mask layer by directed self-assembly. Additionally, the process includes etching portions of the block copolymer mask layer to produce a patterned block copolymer mask layer, and transferring a pattern formed by the template and the patterned block copolymer mask layer to the copper substrate to form the patterned copper lines.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are directed to a vertical resistive device. A non-limiting example of the vertical resistive device includes a horizontal plate having a conductive electrode region and a filament region. An opening extends through the filament region and is defined by sidewalls of the filament such that the filament region is positioned outside of the opening. A conductive pillar is positioned within the opening and is communicatively coupled to the filament region.

Abstract: A method of forming a semiconductor structure includes forming a first spacer material over two or more mandrels disposed over a magnetoresistive random-access memory (MRAM) stack. The method also includes performing a first sidewall image transfer of the two or more mandrels to form a first set of fins of the first spacer material over the MRAM stack, and performing a second sidewall image transfer to form a plurality of pillars of the first spacer material over the MRAM stack. The pillars of the first spacer material form top electrodes for a plurality of MRAM cells patterned from the MRAM stack.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are directed to a vertical resistive device. A non-limiting example of the vertical resistive device includes a horizontal plate having a conductive electrode region and a filament region. An opening extends through the filament region and is defined by sidewalls of the filament such that the filament region is positioned outside of the opening. A conductive pillar is positioned within the opening and is communicatively coupled to the filament region.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are directed to a fabrication method that includes forming a dielectric region of a wafer, forming a bottom contact embedded within the dielectric region such that a top surface of the bottom contact is exposed, and forming a dummy resistive switching element over the top surface of the bottom electrode. Portions of the dummy resistive switching element are exposed to at least one oxide source. The dummy resistive switching element is replaced with a resistive switching element stack.