Abstract: An MRAM device includes a bottom electrode over a substrate, a magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) structure on the bottom electrode, and a top electrode on the MTJ structure. The MRAM device also includes spacers on sidewalls of the top electrode and the MTJ structure, and a first dielectric layer surrounding the spacers. The MRAM device further includes a patterned etch stop layer on the first dielectric layer and the spacers. In addition, the MRAM device includes a second dielectric layer on the patterned etch stop layer, and a top electrode via embedded in the second dielectric layer and in contact with the top electrode and the patterned etch stop layer.

Abstract: A method includes depositing a bottom electrode layer, a resistance switching element layer, and a top electrode layer over a first dielectric layer; etching the top electrode layer and the resistance switching element layer to form a resistance switching element over the bottom electrode layer and a top electrode over the resistance switching element; depositing a metal-containing compound layer over the top electrode, the resistance switching element, and the bottom electrode layer; and etching the metal-containing compound layer and the bottom electrode layer to form a bottom electrode over the first dielectric layer.

Abstract: A memory device includes a bottom electrode, a resistance switching element, a top electrode, a first spacer, and a metal-containing compound layer. The resistance switching element is over the bottom electrode. The top electrode is over the resistance switching element. The first spacer is disposed along a sidewall of the resistance switching element. The metal-containing compound layer is disposed along a sidewall of the first spacer, in which the first spacer is between the metal-containing compound layer and the resistance switching element.

Abstract: In some embodiments, the present disclosure relates to an integrated chip that includes a lower conductive structure arranged over a substrate. An etch stop layer is arranged over the lower conductive structure, and a first interconnect dielectric layer is arranged over the etch stop layer. The integrated chip further includes an interconnect via that extends through the first interconnect dielectric layer and the etch stop layer to directly contact the lower conductive structure. A protective layer surrounds outermost sidewalls of the interconnect via.

Abstract: Semiconductor device and the manufacturing method thereof are disclosed herein. An exemplary method of forming a semiconductor device comprises receiving a structure including a substrate and a first hard mask over the substrate, the first hard mask having at least two separate portions; forming spacers along sidewalls of the at least two portions of the first hard mask with a space between the spacers; forming a second hard mask in the space; forming a first cut in the at least two portions of the first hard mask; forming a second cut in the second hard mask; and depositing a cut hard mask in the first cut and the second cut.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a semiconductor device. The semiconductor device includes a substrate having a first conductive pattern and a conductive mask disposed over the first conductive pattern. The semiconductor device further includes a second conductive pattern disposed over the conductive mask, and electrically connecting with the first conductive pattern through the conductive mask. The conductive mask has a lower etch rate to a predetermined etchant than the second conductive pattern. A method for forming the semiconductor device is also provided.

Abstract: A method of forming an interconnect structure for an integrated circuit device is provided. The method includes forming a wiring layer having a metal line, and forming a patterned disposable material layer over the wiring layer and having an opening aligned with the metal line. The method also includes depositing a first dielectric film in the opening and in contact with the metal line, and removing the patterned disposable material layer to leave the first dielectric film. The method further includes depositing a second dielectric film over the first dielectric film, and etching the second dielectric film to form a trench above the first dielectric film. In addition, the method includes removing a portion of the first dielectric film to form a via hole under the trench, and depositing a conductive material in the trench and the via hole.

Abstract: An interconnect structure includes a first dielectric layer, an etch stop layer, a conductive via, a conductive line, an intermediate conductive layer, a conductive pillar, and a second dielectric layer. The etch stop layer is over the first dielectric layer. The conductive via is in the first dielectric layer and the etch stop layer. The conductive line is over the conductive via. The intermediate conductive layer is over the conductive line. The conductive pillar is over the intermediate conductive layer. The second dielectric layer surrounds the conductive line, the intermediate conductive layer, and the conductive pillar, and a bottom of the second dielectric layer is lower than a top of the conductive line, and a top of the second dielectric layer is higher than the top of the conductive line.

Abstract: A method of fabricating an MRAM device includes forming a bottom electrode over a semiconductor substrate, forming a magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) structure on the bottom electrode, and forming a top electrode on the MTJ structure. The method also includes forming spacers on sidewalls of the top electrode and the MTJ structure, and depositing a first dielectric layer to surround the spacers. The method further includes selectively depositing a patterned etch stop layer on the first dielectric layer and the spacers. In addition, the method includes depositing a second dielectric layer on the patterned etch stop layer and the top electrode, forming a via hole in the second dielectric layer to expose the top electrode, and forming a top electrode via in the via hole.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes a method utilizing an ion beam etch process, instead of a RIE etch process, to form magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) structures. For example, the method includes forming MTJ structure layers on an interconnect layer, where the interconnect layer includes a first area and a second area. The method further includes depositing a mask layer over the MTJ structure layers in the first area and forming masking structures over the MTJ structure layers in the second area. The method also includes etching with an ion beam etch process, the MTJ structure layers between the masking structures to form MTJ structures over vias in the second area of the interconnect layer; and removing, with the ion beam etch process, the mask layer, the top electrode, the MTJ stack, and a portion of the bottom electrode in the first area of the interconnect layer.

Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes a conductive feature disposed over a semiconductor substrate, a via disposed in a first interlayer dielectric (ILD) layer over the conductive feature, and a metal-containing etch-stop layer (ESL) disposed on the via, where the metal-containing ESL includes a first metal and is resistant to etching by a fluorine-containing etchant. The semiconductor structure further includes a conductive line disposed over the metal-containing ESL, where the conductive line includes a second metal different from the first metal and is etchable by the fluorine-containing etchant, and where the via is configured to interconnect the conductive line to the conductive feature. Furthermore, the semiconductor structure includes a second ILD layer disposed over the first ILD layer.

Abstract: Semiconductor device and the manufacturing method thereof are disclosed herein. An exemplary method of forming a semiconductor device comprises receiving a structure including a substrate and a first hard mask over the substrate, the first hard mask having at least two separate portions; forming spacers along sidewalls of the at least two portions of the first hard mask with a space between the spacers; forming a second hard mask in the space; forming a first cut in the at least two portions of the first hard mask; forming a second cut in the second hard mask; and depositing a cut hard mask in the first cut and the second cut.

Abstract: Semiconductor device and the manufacturing method thereof are disclosed herein. An exemplary method of forming a semiconductor device comprises receiving a structure including a substrate and a first hard mask over the substrate, the first hard mask having at least two separate portions; forming spacers along sidewalls of the at least two portions of the first hard mask with a space between the spacers; forming a second hard mask in the space; forming a first cut in the at least two portions of the first hard mask; forming a second cut in the second hard mask; and depositing a cut hard mask in the first cut and the second cut.

Abstract: Semiconductor devices and methods of forming the same are provided. A method according to the present disclosure includes providing a workpiece including a metal feature in a first dielectric layer, an etch stop layer (ESL) over the metal feature, a second dielectric layer over the ESL, a third dielectric layer over the second dielectric layer, a patterned hard mask having a trench. The method further includes forming a via opening through the trench in the patterned hard mask, the second dielectric layer, the third dielectric layer, and the ESL to expose the metal feature, depositing a metal layer in the trench and the via opening to form a metal line and a metal contact via, respectively, and over the workpiece, removing the patterned hard mask between the metal line and the metal contact via, and depositing a fourth dielectric layer between the metal line and the metal contact via.

Abstract: Methods of fabricating MRAM devices are provided. The method includes forming an etch stop layer over a substrate, and depositing a bottom electrode layer on the etch stop layer. The method also includes patterning the bottom electrode layer to form a bottom electrode. The method further includes depositing a magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) layer on the bottom electrode, and depositing a top electrode layer on the MTJ layer. In addition, the method includes patterning the top electrode layer to form a top electrode, and patterning the MTJ layer to form an MTJ structure.

Abstract: A method of fabricating an MRAM device includes forming a bottom electrode over a semiconductor substrate, forming a magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) structure on the bottom electrode, and forming a top electrode on the MTJ structure. The method also includes forming spacers on sidewalls of the top electrode and the MTJ structure, and depositing a first dielectric layer to surround the spacers. The method further includes selectively depositing a patterned etch stop layer on the first dielectric layer and the spacers. In addition, the method includes depositing a second dielectric layer on the patterned etch stop layer and the top electrode, forming a via hole in the second dielectric layer to expose the top electrode, and forming a top electrode via in the via hole.

Abstract: An integrated circuit includes a substrate, a dielectric layer, an etch stop layer, a bottom electrode, a resistance switching element, and a top electrode. The dielectric layer is over the substrate. The etch stop layer is over the dielectric layer, in which the dielectric layer has a first portion directly under the etch stop layer. The bottom electrode penetrates through the etch stop layer and the dielectric layer, in which the dielectric layer has a second portion directly under the bottom electrode, and a top of the first portion of the dielectric layer is lower than a top of the second portion of the dielectric layer. The resistance switching element is over the bottom electrode. The top electrode is over the resistance switching element.

Abstract: An interconnect structure includes a first dielectric layer, an etch stop layer, a conductive via, a conductive line, an intermediate conductive layer, a conductive pillar, and a second dielectric layer. The etch stop layer is over the first dielectric layer. The conductive via is in the first dielectric layer and the etch stop layer. The conductive line is over the conductive via. The intermediate conductive layer is over the conductive line. The conductive pillar is over the intermediate conductive layer. The second dielectric layer surrounds the conductive line, the intermediate conductive layer, and the conductive pillar, and a bottom of the second dielectric layer is lower than a top of the conductive line, and a top of the second dielectric layer is higher than the top of the conductive line.

Abstract: A method of forming an interconnect structure for an integrated circuit device is provided. The method includes forming a wiring layer having a metal line, and forming a patterned disposable material layer over the wiring layer and having an opening aligned with the metal line. The method also includes depositing a first dielectric film in the opening and in contact with the metal line, and removing the patterned disposable material layer to leave the first dielectric film. The method further includes depositing a second dielectric film over the first dielectric film, and etching the second dielectric film to form a trench above the first dielectric film. In addition, the method includes removing a portion of the first dielectric film to form a via hole under the trench, and depositing a conductive material in the trench and the via hole.

Abstract: A method of forming an interconnect structure for an integrated circuit device is provided. The method includes forming a conductive line layer over a semiconductor substrate. The conductive line layer includes a metal line. The method also includes forming a conductive pillar on and in contact with the metal line. The method further includes depositing a dielectric layer over the conductive line layer to cover the conductive pillar, and etching the dielectric layer to form a trench. The conductive pillar is exposed through the trench. In addition, the method includes filling the trench with a conductive material to form a conductive line.