Abstract: Structures for a non-volatile memory element and methods of forming a structure for a non-volatile memory element. A switching layer is positioned over a first electrode, and a dielectric layer is positioned over the switching layer. The dielectric layer includes an opening extending to the switching layer. A second electrode includes a portion in the opening in the dielectric layer. The portion of the second electrode is in contact with a first portion of the switching layer. The switching layer further includes a second portion positioned between the dielectric layer and the first electrode.

Abstract: Integrated circuits with embedded memory structures, and methods for fabricating integrated circuits are provided. An exemplary method for fabricating an integrated circuit includes forming from a first metallization layer a first lower conductive interconnect in a first region of a dielectric layer and a second lower conductive interconnect in a second region of the dielectric layer. The method includes forming a memory structure in the first region. Further, the method includes depositing an interlayer dielectric over the first region and over the second region. Also, the method includes forming from a second metallization layer a first upper conductive interconnect over the interlayer dielectric, wherein the first upper conductive interconnect is coupled to the memory structure.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to memory devices and methods of forming the same. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to resistive random-access (ReRAM) memory devices incorporating reference cells for achieving high sensing yield. The present disclosure provides a memory device including a main cell structure having a dimension, and a reference cell structure electrically coupled to the main cell structure. The reference cell structure has a dimension that is different from the dimension of the main cell structure, in which the main cell structure and the reference cell structure include a switching element arranged between a pair of conductors.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to memory devices and methods of forming the same. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to resistive random-access (ReRAM) memory devices incorporating reference cells for achieving high sensing yield. The present disclosure provides a memory device including a main cell structure having a dimension, and a reference cell structure electrically coupled to the main cell structure. The reference cell structure has a dimension that is different from the dimension of the main cell structure, in which the main cell structure and the reference cell structure include a switching element arranged between a pair of conductors.

Abstract: One illustrative method disclosed herein includes, among other things, selectively forming a sacrificial material on an upper surface of a top electrode of a memory cell, forming at least one layer of insulating material around the sacrificial material and removing the sacrificial material so as to form an opening in the at least one layer of insulating material, wherein the opening exposes the upper surface of the top electrode. The method also includes forming an internal sidewall spacer within the opening in the at least one layer of insulating material and forming a conductive contact structure that is conductively coupled to the upper surface of the top electrode, wherein a portion of the conductive contact structure is surrounded by the internal sidewall spacer.

Abstract: A memory device may be provided, including a base layer, an insulating layer, a first electrode, a switching element, a capping element and a second electrode. The insulating layer may be arranged over the base layer and may include a recess having opposing side walls. The first electrode may be arranged at least partially within the recess of the insulating layer and along the opposing side walls of the recess of the insulating layer. The switching element may be arranged at least partially within the recess of the insulating layer and along the first electrode. The capping element and the second electrode may be arranged at least partially within the recess of the insulating layer. The capping element may be arranged between the second electrode and the switching element, and a part of the second electrode may extend across the capping element to contact the switching element.

Abstract: A method of forming a uniform self-aligned low-k layer with a large process window for inserting a memory array with pillar/convex topography and the resulting device are provided. Embodiments include forming a substrate with a first region and a second region; forming a first low-K layer over the substrate; forming an oxide layer over the first low-K layer; forming a spacer over the oxide layer; etching the spacer to expose the oxide layer in the first region; removing the oxide layer and a portion of the first low-K layer in the first region and a portion of the oxide layer and a portion of the spacer in the second region; removing the spacer in the second region; cleaning the first low-K layer and the oxide layer, a triangular-like shaped portion of the oxide layer remaining; and forming a second low-K layer over the substrate.

Abstract: Methodologies and an apparatus for enabling magnetic shielding of stand alone MRAM are provided. Embodiments include placing MRAM dies and logic dies on a first surface of a mold frame; forming a top magnetic shield over top and side surfaces of the MRAM dies; forming a mold cover over the MRAM dies, FinFET dies and mold frame; removing the mold frame to expose a bottom surface of the MRAM dies and FinFET dies; and forming a bottom magnetic shield over the bottom surface of the MRAM dies.

Abstract: A semiconductor device is provided that includes a dielectric layer, a bond pad, a passivation layer and a planar barrier. The bond pad is positioned in the dielectric layer. The passivation layer is positioned over the dielectric layer and has an opening over the bond pad. The planar barrier is positioned on the bond pad.

Abstract: A memory device may include a first conductor and a second conductor; a switching layer arranged between the first conductor and the second conductor, and one or more magnetic layers. The switching layer may be configured to have a switchable resistance in response to a change in voltage between the first conductor and the second conductor. The one or more magnetic layers may be arranged such that the one or more magnetic layers provide a magnetic field through the switching layer.

Abstract: One illustrative method disclosed herein includes forming at least one first layer of insulating material above an upper surface of a top electrode of a memory cell, forming a patterned etch stop layer above the at least one first layer of insulating material, wherein the patterned etch stop layer has an opening that is positioned vertically above at least a portion of the upper surface of the top electrode and forming at least one second layer of insulating material above an upper surface of the etch stop layer. The method also includes forming a conductive contact opening that extends through the etch stop layer to expose at least a portion of the upper surface of the top electrode and forming a conductive contact structure in the conductive contact opening, wherein the conductive contact structure is conductively coupled to the upper surface of the top electrode.

Abstract: Structures for an optoelectronic memory and related fabrication methods. A metal oxide layer is located on an interlayer dielectric layer. A layer composed of a donor/acceptor dye is positioned on a portion of the first layer.

Abstract: The disclosed subject matter relates to a structure and method to improve bond pad reliability of semiconductor devices. According to an aspect of the present disclosure, a bond pad structure is provided that includes a dielectric layer and at least one bond pad in the dielectric layer, wherein the bond pad has a top surface. A passivation layer has an opening over the bond pad, wherein the opening has sidewalls. A low-k barrier layer is covering the sidewalls of the opening and the top surface of the bond pad. Protective structures are formed over the sidewalls of the opening.

Abstract: One illustrative method disclosed herein includes, among other things, selectively forming a sacrificial material on an upper surface of a top electrode of a memory cell, forming at least one layer of insulating material around the sacrificial material and removing the sacrificial material so as to form an opening in the at least one layer of insulating material, wherein the opening exposes the upper surface of the top electrode. The method also includes forming an internal sidewall spacer within the opening in the at least one layer of insulating material and forming a conductive contact structure that is conductively coupled to the upper surface of the top electrode, wherein a portion of the conductive contact structure is surrounded by the internal sidewall spacer.

Abstract: The disclosed subject matter relates to a structure and method to improve bond pad reliability of semiconductor devices. According to an aspect of the present disclosure, a bond pad structure is provided that includes a dielectric layer and at least one bond pad in the dielectric layer, wherein the bond pad has a top surface. A passivation layer has an opening over the bond pad, wherein the opening has sidewalls. A low-k barrier layer is covering the sidewalls of the opening and the top surface of the bond pad. Protective structures are formed over the sidewalls of the opening.

Abstract: A memory device may include a substrate having conductivity regions and a channel region. A first voltage line may be arranged over the channel region. Second, third, and fourth voltage lines may each be electrically coupled to a conductivity region. Resistive units may be arranged between the third voltage line and the conductivity region electrically coupled to the third voltage line, and between the fourth voltage line and the conductivity region electrically coupled to the fourth voltage line. A resistance adjusting element may have at least a portion arranged between one of the resistive units and one of the conductivity regions. An amount of the resistance adjusting element between the first resistive unit and the conductivity region electrically coupled to the third voltage line may be different from that between the second resistive unit and the conductivity region electrically coupled to the fourth voltage line.

Abstract: A device and methods for forming the device is provided. The device includes a substrate and circuit elements thereon. The device further includes a metallization layer over the substrate. The metallization layer includes interconnects interconnecting the circuit elements. A test pad is disposed over an uppermost interconnect in the metallization layer. The test pad is coupled to one or more circuit elements via the interconnects. The test pad is configured for testing the one or more circuit elements. A crack stop protection seal surrounding the test pad is provided. The crack stop protection seal confines damage caused by probing at the test pad from propagating to an area beyond the crack stop protection seal.

Abstract: Device and method for forming a device are presented. A substrate having circuit component and a back-end-of-line (BEOL) dielectric layer with interconnects is provided. A pad dielectric layer is formed over the BEOL dielectric layer. The pad dielectric layer includes a pad via opening which exposes a surface of one of the interconnects in the BEOL dielectric layer. A pad interconnect is formed on the pad dielectric layer and the pad interconnect is coupled to one of the interconnect in the BEOL dielectric by a pad via contact in the pad via opening. The pad interconnect comprises a pad interconnect pattern which is devoid of 90° angles and any angled structures contained in the pad interconnect pattern less than 90°. A passivation layer is formed on the substrate. The passivation layer lines the pad interconnect and covers an exposed surface of the pad dielectric layer.

Abstract: A device including a capping layer over a portion of a top electrode, and method of production thereof. Embodiments include an MRAM cell in a first region and a logic area in a second region of a substrate, wherein the MRAM cell includes a MTJ pillar between a top electrode and a bottom electrode; and a capping layer over a portion of the top electrode.

Abstract: Integrated circuits with integrated memory devices and high capacitors, and methods for fabricating such integrated circuits are provided. An exemplary method for fabricating an integrated circuit includes forming, from a lower conductive layer, a lower memory interconnect and a lower capacitor interconnects over a substrate. The method further includes forming a conductive memory via coupled to the lower memory interconnect and a conductive capacitor vias coupled to the lower capacitor interconnect. Also, the method includes forming a memory structure over the memory via and forming a capacitor dielectric layer over the memory structure and over the capacitor via. Further, the method includes forming, from an upper conductive layer, an upper memory interconnect coupled to the memory structure and an upper capacitor interconnects over the capacitor dielectric layer over the capacitor via. The capacitor via, capacitor dielectric layer, and upper capacitor interconnects form the high capacitor.