Abstract: An exemplary magnetoresistive random-access memory (MRAM) cell is configured to store more than one bit. The MRAM cell includes a first magnetic tunneling junction (MTJ) and a second MTJ connected in parallel. The first MTJ has a first diameter, the second MTJ has a second diameter, and the second diameter is less than the first diameter. The MRAM cell further includes a transistor connected to the first MTJ and the second MTJ, a bit line connected to the first MTJ and the second MTJ, a word line connected to the transistor, and a source line connected to the transistor. A method of writing to the MRAM cell can include supplying one or more write voltages to the MRAM cell (e.g., having different levels) depending on an initial memory state and a desired memory state of the MRAM cell.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a memory device includes: forming a memory unit that includes a bottom electrode, an MTJ element disposed on the bottom electrode, and a top electrode disposed on the MTJ element; forming an etch stop layer over the memory unit, wherein the etch stop layer is disposed along a top surface and a side surface of the memory unit, and is made of a silicon compound; forming an etching end detection layer on the etch stop layer, wherein the etching end detection layer is made of a nitride; forming a dielectric layer on the etching end detection layer; and removing a horizontal portion of each of the dielectric layer, the etching end detection layer and the etch stop layer, so as to expose the top surface of the memory unit.

Abstract: Some embodiments relate to an integrated chip having a memory cell over a substrate. The memory cell includes a first electrode. An electrode contact is on an upper surface of the first electrode. A width of an upper surface of the electrode contact is greater than a width of the upper surface of the first electrode and a thickness of the electrode contact. A first conductive interconnect structure contacts the upper surface of the electrode contact. A width of the first conductive interconnect structure is greater than the width of the upper surface of the electrode contact. A second conductive interconnect structure overlies the first conductive interconnect structure. Thicknesses of the first and second conductive interconnect structures are greater than the thickness of the electrode contact.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an integrated chip. The integrated chip includes a lower interconnect arranged within an inter-level dielectric (ILD) structure. An insulating structure is disposed over the ILD structure and a lower electrode is disposed between sidewalls of the insulating structure and over the lower interconnect. The lower electrode includes a material that has a planar upper surface and that continuously extends from below a topmost surface of the insulating structure to over the topmost surface of the insulating structure. A magnetic tunnel junction is over the planar upper surface of the material of the lower electrode. The magnetic tunnel junction has a pinned magnetic layer vertically separated from a free magnetic layer by a dielectric barrier layer. An upper electrode is over the magnetic tunnel junction and an upper interconnect contacts the upper electrode.

Abstract: Some embodiments relate to a semiconductor structure having a magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) on a substrate and a top electrode on the MTJ. A first segment of a top surface of the top electrode adjacent to a first sidewall of the top electrode is different from a second segment of the top surface of the top electrode adjacent to a second sidewall of the top electrode. A sidewall spacer comprises a first spacer on the first sidewall of the top electrode and a second spacer on the second sidewall of the top electrode. A first surface of the first spacer comprises a first curve and a second surface of the second spacer comprises a second curve. A dielectric layer is around the MTJ and top electrode.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an integrated chip. The integrated chip includes a bottom electrode disposed over a substrate. The bottom electrode has a first thickness along an outermost edge and a second thickness between the outermost edge and a lateral center of the bottom electrode. The first thickness is larger than the second thickness. A data storage structure is over the bottom electrode and a top electrode is over the data storage structure.

Abstract: An exemplary magnetoresistive random-access memory (MRAM) cell is configured to store more than one bit. The MRAM cell includes a first magnetic tunneling junction (MTJ) and a second MTJ connected in parallel. The first MTJ has a first diameter, the second MTJ has a second diameter, and the second diameter is less than the first diameter. The MRAM cell further includes a transistor connected to the first MTJ and the second MTJ, a bit line connected to the first MTJ and the second MTJ, a word line connected to the transistor, and a source line connected to the transistor. A method of writing to the MRAM cell can include supplying one or more write voltages to the MRAM cell (e.g., having different levels) depending on an initial memory state and a desired memory state of the MRAM cell.

Abstract: Improved methods of patterning magnetic tunnel junctions (MTJs) for magnetoresistive random-access memory (MRAM) and semiconductor devices formed by the same are disclosed. In an embodiment, a method includes depositing a bottom electrode layer over a semiconductor substrate; depositing an MTJ film stack over the bottom electrode layer; depositing a top electrode layer over the MTJ film stack; patterning the top electrode layer; performing a first etch process to pattern the MTJ film stack; performing a first trim process on the MTJ film stack; after performing the first trim process, depositing a first spacer layer over the MTJ film stack; and after depositing the first spacer layer, performing a second etch process to pattern the first spacer layer, the MTJ film stack, and the bottom electrode layer to form an MRAM cell.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure are directed towards an integrated chip including a memory cell over a substrate and comprising a first electrode over a data storage structure. A first spacer layer is on opposing sidewalls of the memory cell. A second spacer layer is around the first spacer layer. The second spacer layer extends along a top surface of the first spacer layer and abuts the first electrode. The second spacer layer has a top surface aligned with or below a top surface of the first electrode. A conductive interconnect overlies the memory cell and contacts the top surface of the second spacer layer and the first electrode.

Abstract: A semiconductor device and methods of fabrication thereof including a substrate, a doped well formed in the substrate, a transistor formed on the substrate, a dielectric material located over the doped well and the transistor and including interconnect structures extending through the dielectric material, the interconnect structures including a first set of interconnect structures electrically coupled to an active region of the transistor and a second set of interconnect structures electrically coupled to the doped well, an active memory cell electrically coupled to the active region of the transistor via the first set of interconnect structures; and a dummy memory cell electrically coupled to the doped well via the second set of conductive interconnect structures. The dummy memory cell and the second set of conductive interconnect structures may provide a low resistance pathway for plasma charge to flow to the doped well, thereby minimizing plasma induced damage to the transistor.

Abstract: Improved methods of patterning magnetic tunnel junctions (MTJs) for magnetoresistive random-access memory (MRAM) and semiconductor devices formed by the same are disclosed. In an embodiment, a method includes depositing a bottom electrode layer over a semiconductor substrate; depositing an MTJ film stack over the bottom electrode layer; depositing a top electrode layer over the MTJ film stack; patterning the top electrode layer; performing a first etch process to pattern the MTJ film stack; performing a first trim process on the MTJ film stack; after performing the first trim process, depositing a first spacer layer over the MTJ film stack; and after depositing the first spacer layer, performing a second etch process to pattern the first spacer layer, the MTJ film stack, and the bottom electrode layer to form an MRAM cell.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an integrated chip in some embodiments. The integrated chip includes an inter-level dielectric (ILD) laterally surrounding a memory device. One or more sidewall spacers are arranged along opposing sides of the memory device. The one or more sidewall spacers have a bottom surface over a bottom of the memory device. An etch stop layer is disposed on the one or more sidewall spacers and along the opposing sides of the memory device. An upper interconnect is arranged directly over the memory device, a top surface of the one or more sidewall spacers, and an upper surface of the etch stop layer. The upper surface of the etch stop layer is vertically below a top of the memory device.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an integrated chip in some embodiments. The integrated chip includes a memory device having a switching layer arranged between a lower electrode and an upper electrode. An inter-level dielectric (ILD) laterally surrounds the memory device. An upper interconnect is arranged directly over and along one or more sides of the memory device. A bottom of the upper interconnect is vertically below a bottom of the upper electrode.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a magneto-resistive random access memory (MRAM) cell having an extended upper electrode, and a method of formation the same. In some embodiments, the MRAM cell has a magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) arranged over a conductive lower electrode. Two protection layers sequentially surround a sidewall of the MTJ. The two protection layers have etch selectivity over one another.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure are directed towards an integrated chip including a memory cell overlying a substrate and comprising a top electrode. A sidewall spacer structure is disposed along sidewalls of the memory cell. The sidewall spacer structure comprises a first spacer layer on the memory cell, a second spacer layer around the first spacer layer, and a third spacer layer around the second spacer layer. The second spacer layer comprises a lateral segment adjacent to a vertical segment. The lateral segment abuts the top electrode and has a top surface aligned with or disposed below a top surface of the top electrode. A first conductive structure overlies the memory cell and contacts the lateral segment and the top electrode.

Abstract: Some embodiments relate to an integrated chip having a memory cell overlying a substrate and comprising a top electrode. A top electrode via overlies the top electrode. A width of an upper surface of the top electrode via is greater than a width of an upper surface of the top electrode. A conductive via overlies the top electrode via. A width of an upper surface of the conductive via is greater than the width of the upper surface of the top electrode via.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a magneto-resistive random access memory (MRAM) cell having an extended upper electrode, and a method of formation. In some embodiments, the MRAM cell has a magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) arranged over a conductive lower electrode. A conductive upper electrode is arranged over the magnetic tunnel junction. Below the conductive lower electrode is a first conductive via structure in a first dielectric layer. Below the conductive via structure is a discrete conductive jumper structure in a second dielectric layer. A dielectric body of a third dielectric material that is different from the first dielectric material and the second dielectric material extends vertical from the first dielectric layer at least partially into the second dielectric layer.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure are directed towards an integrated chip. The integrated chip includes a first electrode over a semiconductor substrate. A data storage element is on the first electrode. A second electrode is over the data storage element. A first spacer layer is on a sidewall of the second electrode. A conductive structure is over the second electrode. The conductive structure includes a first segment adjacent to the sidewall of the second electrode. The first segment extends from an upper surface of the first spacer layer to a first sidewall of the first spacer layer.

Abstract: An MRAM memory cell includes a substrate and a transistor. The transistor includes: first and second source regions; a drain region between the first and second source regions; a first channel region between the drain region and the first source region; a second channel region between the drain region and the second source region; a first gate structure over the first channel region; and a second gate structure over the second channel region. A magnetic tunnel junction is overlying the transistor. The drain region is coupled to the magnetic tunnel junction. A first metal layer is overlying the transistor, and a second metal layer is overlying the first metal layer. The second and first metal layers couple a common source line signal to the first and second source regions of the MRAM memory cell and to those of a neighboring MRAM memory cell.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method for manufacturing a semiconductor structure. The method includes: forming a carbon-based layer in a memory region and a logic region, forming a bottom electrode via in the carbon-based layer, forming a magnetic tunneling junction (MTJ) multilayer over the bottom electrode via, and patterning the MTJ multilayer to form a MTJ cell by an ion beam etch. The carbon-based layer laterally surrounding a middle portion of the bottom electrode via without surrounding the MTJ cell.