Abstract: An integrated circuit and method for manufacturing an integrated circuit are described. In one embodiment, the integrated circuit includes a memory cell that includes a resistivity changing memory element. The resistivity changing memory element is electrically coupled to a select transistor that includes a FinFET including a source, a drain, and a fin structure formed above a surface of a substrate between the source and the drain. The fin structure includes a channel area extending in a direction substantially parallel to the surface of the substrate, and a dielectric layer formed around at least a portion of the channel area such that an effective channel width of the select transistor depends at least in part on a height of the fin structure.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing an integrated circuit and an integrated circuit are described. In one embodiment, the method for manufacturing the integrated circuit includes determining a layout for numerous memory elements based on memory-specific parameters, and determining a layout for a front-end-of-line (FEOL) component of the integrated circuit based on electrical parameters. Once these two layouts are determined, the layouts are combined to produce a layout for a memory cell on the integrated circuit.

Abstract: An integrated circuit and method for manufacturing an integrated circuit are described. In one embodiment, the integrated circuit includes a memory cell that includes a resistivity changing memory element. The resistivity changing memory element is electrically coupled to a select transistor that includes a FinFET including a source, a drain, and a fin structure formed above a surface of a substrate between the source and the drain. The fin structure includes a channel area extending in a direction substantially parallel to the surface of the substrate, and a dielectric layer formed around at least a portion of the channel area such that an effective channel width of the select transistor depends at least in part on a height of the fin structure.

Abstract: A buried ground contact that connects the ground electrodes of transistors in adjacent memory cells that are separated by an isolation region is described. In some embodiments, the buried ground contact passes beneath the isolation region that separates cells to electrically connect the drain regions of transistors in adjacent cells. The buried ground may be connected to a metal ground line through via connections at intervals, outside of the active cell area. Use of this buried ground contact eliminates the need for individual ground connections to each cell, leading to a substantial reduction in cell size, and a consequent increase in cell density. The buried ground contacts of the invention can be used with a variety of devices, including MRAM and PCRAM devices.

Abstract: A transistor cell and method of making a transistor cell is disclosed. In one embodiment a transistor cell, includes first metal line spacers and the first gate spacers that vertically at least partially overlap, wherein second metal line spacers and second gate spacers vertically at least partially overlap. A contact region is defined above a second source/drain region and/or a third source/drain region by a respective adjacent first metal line spacer and second metal line spacer and by a respective adjacent first gate spacer and second gate spacer. A contact via vertically extends from the contact region at least to the layer of the first metal line.

Abstract: A cell design and methods for reducing the cell size of cells in high-current devices, such as MRAM, by increasing the effective width of a transistor in the cell to be greater than the actual width of the active area of the cell are described. This permits the cell size to be decreased without decreasing the current that is driven by the transistor. According to the invention, this is achieved by increasing the length of gate portions of one or more transistors within the active area of a cell to increase the effective transistor width. In one embodiment, two transistors, electrically connected in parallel, are used per cell. The two transistors double the effective transistor width within the cell relative to a single transistor design. Such cell designs can be used with a variety of devices, including various types of MRAM and PCRAM.