Abstract: Some embodiments relate to a method for manufacturing a memory device. The method includes forming a first masking layer disposed over a dielectric layer, the first masking layer exhibiting sidewalls defining an opening disposed above a magnetoresistive random-access memory (MRAM) cell located in an embedded memory region. A first etch is performed to form a first via opening within the dielectric layer above the MRAM cell. A top electrode via layer formed over the MRAM cell and the dielectric layer. A first planarization process performed on the top electrode via layer to remove part of the top electrode via layer and define a top electrode via having a substantially flat top surface.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a semiconductor structure having a memory region. The semiconductor structure includes an Nth metal layer in a memory region and a periphery region, the periphery region spanning a wider area than the memory region, a plurality of magnetic tunneling junctions (MTJs) over the Nth metal layer, the plurality of MTJs having at least one of mixed pitches and mixed sizes, a top electrode via over each of the plurality of MTJs; and an (N+M)th metal layer over the plurality of MTJs. A method for manufacturing the semiconductor structure is also disclosed.

Abstract: Some embodiments relate to an integrated circuit including a magnetoresistive random-access memory (MRAM) cell. The integrated circuit includes a semiconductor substrate and an interconnect structure disposed over the semiconductor substrate. The interconnect structure includes metal layers that are stacked over one another with dielectric layers disposed between. The metal layers include a lower metal layer and an upper metal layer disposed over the lower metal layer. A bottom electrode is disposed over and in electrical contact with the lower metal layer. A magnetic tunneling junction (MTJ) is disposed over an upper surface of bottom electrode. A top electrode is disposed over an upper surface of the MTJ. A sidewall spacer surrounds an outer periphery of the top electrode. Less than an entirety of a top electrode surface is in direct electrical contact with a metal via connected to the upper metal layer.

Abstract: The present disclosure, in some embodiments, relates to an integrated chip. The integrated chip includes a magnetoresistive random access memory (MRAM) device surrounded by a dielectric structure disposed over a substrate. The MRAM device includes a magnetic tunnel junction disposed between a bottom electrode and a top electrode. A bottom electrode via couples the bottom electrode to a lower interconnect wire. A top electrode via couples the top electrode to an upper interconnect wire. A bottom surface of the top electrode via has a first width that is smaller than a second width of a bottom surface of the bottom electrode via.

Abstract: Some embodiments relate to a method for manufacturing a magnetoresistive random-access memory (MRAM) cell. The method includes forming a spacer layer surrounding at least a magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) layer and a top electrode of the MRAM cell; etching the spacer layer to expose a top surface of the top electrode and a top surface of a spacer formed by the spacer layer; forming an upper etch stop layer over the top electrode top surface and the spacer top surface; and forming an upper metal layer in contact with the top electrode top surface of the MRAM cell. A width of the upper etch stop layer is greater than a width of a bottom surface of the upper metal layer.

Abstract: Some embodiments relate to an integrated circuit including a magnetoresistive random-access memory (MRAM) cell. The integrated circuit includes a lower metal layer and an upper metal layer disposed over the lower metal layer. A bottom electrode is disposed over and in electrical contact with the lower metal layer. A magnetic tunneling junction (MTJ) is disposed over an upper surface of bottom electrode. A top electrode is disposed over an upper surface of the MTJ and is in contact with the upper metal layer. A sidewall spacer surrounds an outer periphery of the top electrode. An etch stop layer is disposed on top of an outer periphery of the spacer top surface and surrounding an outer periphery of the bottom surface of the upper metal layer. The etch stop layer overhangs the outer periphery of the spacer top surface.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method for manufacturing the semiconductor structure. The method includes forming an Nth metal layer, forming a plurality of magnetic tunneling junctions (MTJs) over the Nth metal layer, the plurality of MTJs having at least one of mixed pitches and mixed sizes, forming a top electrode via concaving upward over each of the plurality of MTJs, and forming an (N+M)th metal layer over the plurality of MTJs. A semiconductor structure manufactured according to present disclosure is also provided.

Abstract: Some embodiments relate to an integrated circuit including a magnetoresistive random-access memory (MRAM) cell. The integrated circuit includes a lower metal layer and an upper metal layer disposed over the lower metal layer. A bottom electrode is disposed over and in electrical contact with the lower metal layer. A magnetic tunneling junction (MTJ) is disposed over an upper surface of bottom electrode. A top electrode is disposed over an upper surface of the MTJ and is in contact with the upper metal layer. A sidewall spacer surrounds an outer periphery of the top electrode. An etch stop layer is disposed on top of an outer periphery of the spacer top surface and surrounding an outer periphery of the bottom surface of the upper metal layer. The etch stop layer overhangs the outer periphery of the spacer top surface.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method for manufacturing the semiconductor structure. The method includes forming an Nth metal layer, forming a plurality of magnetic tunneling junctions (MTJs) over the Nth metal layer, the plurality of MTJs having at least one of mixed pitches and mixed sizes, forming a top electrode via concaving upward over each of the plurality of MTJs, and forming an (N+M)th metal layer over the plurality of MTJs. A semiconductor structure manufactured according to present disclosure is also provided.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a semiconductor structure is disclosed. The method includes: providing a substrate; forming an MRAM structure over the substrate; forming a first dielectric layer over the MRAM structure; forming a stop layer over the first dielectric layer; forming a second dielectric layer over the stop layer; and removing the second dielectric layer, the stop layer and at least a portion of the first dielectric layer through a planarization operation without exposing a top electrode of the MRAM structure. Associated methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a semiconductor structure is disclosed. The method includes: providing a substrate; forming an MRAM structure over the substrate; forming a first dielectric layer over the MRAM structure; forming a stop layer over the first dielectric layer; forming a second dielectric layer over the stop layer; and removing the second dielectric layer, the stop layer and at least a portion of the first dielectric layer through a planarization operation without exposing a top electrode of the MRAM structure. Associated methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a semiconductor structure is disclosed. The method includes: providing a substrate; forming an MRAM structure over the substrate; forming a first dielectric layer over the MRAM structure; forming a stop layer over the first dielectric layer; forming a second dielectric layer over the stop layer; and removing the second dielectric layer, the stop layer and at least a portion of the first dielectric layer through a planarization operation without exposing a top electrode of the MRAM structure. Associated methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a semiconductor structure is disclosed. The method includes: providing a substrate; forming an MRAM structure over the substrate; forming a first dielectric layer over the MRAM structure; forming a stop layer over the first dielectric layer; forming a second dielectric layer over the stop layer; and removing the second dielectric layer, the stop layer and at least a portion of the first dielectric layer through a planarization operation without exposing a top electrode of the MRAM structure. Associated methods are also disclosed.