Abstract: A semiconductor device having a substrate with at least one photo-detecting region and at least one bond pad is provided. A first passivation layer is deposited over the substrate and over step portions at the edges of the bond pad and a trench having sidewalls and a bottom surface is formed in the substrate. A light shielding layer is deposited over the first passivation layer and covering the trench sidewalls. The light shielding layer has end portions at the photo-detecting region, at step portions at the edges of the bond pad and at the bottom surface of the trench. A second passivation layer is deposited over the light shielding layer. A third passivation layer is deposited over the end portions of the light shielding layer at the photo-detecting region and at the step portions at edges of the bond pad.

Abstract: Emerging memory chips and methods for forming an emerging memory chip are presented. For example, magnetic random access memory (MRAM) chip magnetic shielding and methods of forming a magnetic shield processed at the wafer-level are disclosed. The method includes providing a magnetic shield at the front side of the chip, back side of the chip, and also in the deep trenches surrounding or adjacent to magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) array within the prime die region. Magnetic shield in the deep trenches connects front side and back side magnetic shield. This magnetic shielding method is applicable for both in-plane and perpendicular MRAM chips. The MTJ array is formed in the prime die region and in between adjacent inter layer dielectric (ILD) levels of the upper ILD layer in the back end of line (BEOL) of the MRAM chip.

Abstract: Methods of forming planar RRAM and vertical RRAM with tip electrodes and the resulting devices are provided. Embodiments include forming a first metal oxide layer on a first dielectric layer; forming and patterning a mask layer over the first metal oxide layer; etching the first metal oxide through the mask layer to form openings for a first and second metal electrodes; removing the mask layer; forming the first and second metal electrodes in the openings; and forming a second metal oxide layer over the first and second metal electrodes, wherein the first and second metal electrodes are v-shaped in top view with tips of the first and second metal electrodes facing each other and a portion of the second metal oxide layer being formed between the tips of the first and second electrodes.

Abstract: Method of forming embedded MRAM in interconnects using a metal hard mask process and the resulting device are provided. Embodiments include forming a first interlayer dielectric (ILD) layer including a first metal (Mx) level; forming a capping layer over the first ILD layer; forming magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) structures formed in a second ILD over the first capping layer; forming a second metal (Mx+1) level in the second ILD layer; forming a second capping layer over the second ILD layer; and forming a third metal (Mx+2) level in a third ILD layer over the second capping layer.

Abstract: Magnetic random access memory (MRAM) fan-out wafer level packages with package level and chip level magnetic shielding and methods of forming these magnetic shields processed at the wafer-level are disclosed. The method includes providing a MRAM wafer prepared with a plurality of MRAM dies. The MRAM wafer is processed to form a magnetic shield layer over the front side of the MRAM wafer, and the wafer is separated into a plurality of individual dies. An individual MRAM die includes front, back and lateral surfaces and the magnetic shield layer is disposed over the front surface of the MRAM die. Magnetic shield structures are provided over the individual MRAM dies. The magnetic shield structure encapsulates and surrounds back and lateral surfaces of the MRAM die. An encapsulation layer is formed to cover the individual MRAM dies which are provided with magnetic shield structures.

Abstract: Methods of forming a pillar contact extension within a memory device using a self-aligned planarization process rather than direct ILD CMP and the resulting devices are provided. Embodiments include forming a photoresist layer over a low-K layer formed over an ILD having a first metal layer in a memory region and in a logic region and pillar-shaped conductors formed atop of the first metal layer only in the memory region; forming a trench through the photoresist layer over each pillar-shaped conductor; extending the trench through the low-K layer to an upper surface of each pillar-shaped conductor; forming a second metal layer over the low-K layer, filling the trench entirely; and planarizing the second metal layer until the second metal layer is removed from over the logic region, a pillar contact extension formed atop of each pillar-shaped conductor.

Abstract: Device and methods of forming a device are disclosed. The method includes providing a substrate and a first upper dielectric layer over first, second and third regions of the substrate. The first upper dielectric layer includes a first upper interconnect level with a plurality of metal lines in the first and second regions. A MRAM cell which includes a MTJ element sandwiched between top and bottom electrodes is formed in the second region. The bottom electrode is in direct contact with the metal line in the first upper interconnect level of the second region. A dielectric layer which includes a second upper interconnect level with a dual damascene interconnect in the first region and a damascene interconnect in the second region is provided over the first upper dielectric layer. The dual damascene interconnect in the first region is coupled to the metal line in the first region and the damascene interconnect in the second region is coupled to the MTJ element.

Abstract: Devices and methods of forming a device. A two-terminal device element includes a device stack coupled between first and second terminals. The first terminal contacts a metal line in an underlying interconnect level, and the second terminal is formed over the device layer. An encapsulation liner covers exposed side surfaces of the device stack of the two-terminal device element. A dual damascene interconnect is coupled to the two-terminal device element.

Abstract: Method of forming embedded MRAM in interconnects using a metal hard mask process and the resulting device are provided. Embodiments include forming a first interlayer dielectric (ILD) layer including a first metal (Mx) level; forming a capping layer over the first ILD layer; forming magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) structures formed in a second ILD over the first capping layer; forming a second metal (Mx+1) level in the second ILD layer; forming a second capping layer over the second ILD layer; and forming a third metal (Mx+2) level in a third ILD layer over the second capping layer.

Abstract: Devices and methods of forming a device are disclosed. The method includes providing a substrate and a first upper dielectric layer over first and second regions of the substrate. The first upper dielectric layer includes a first upper interconnect level with a plurality of metal lines in the regions. A two-terminal device element which includes a device layer coupled in between first and second terminals is formed over the first upper dielectric layer in the second region. The first terminal contacts the metal line in the first upper interconnect level of the second region and the second terminal is formed on the device layer. An encapsulation liner covers at least exposed side surfaces of the device layer of the two-terminal device element. A dielectric layer which includes a second upper interconnect level with dual damascene interconnects is provided in the regions.

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: Devices and methods for forming a device are disclosed. A substrate is provided. The substrate has first and second major surfaces. A capacitor is disposed in the substrate. The capacitor includes a first electrode, a second electrode and an insulator separating the first and second electrodes. The second electrode encloses the first electrode and the insulator.

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: Shielded semiconductor devices and methods for fabricating shielded semiconductor devices are provided. An exemplary magnetically shielded semiconductor device includes a substrate having a top surface and a bottom surface. An electromagnetic-field-susceptible semiconductor component is located on and/or in the substrate. The magnetically shielded semiconductor device includes a top magnetic shield located over the top surface of the substrate. Further, the magnetically shielded semiconductor device includes a bottom magnetic shield located under the bottom surface of the substrate. Also, the magnetically shielded semiconductor device includes a sidewall magnetic shield located between the top magnetic shield and the bottom magnetic shield.

Abstract: Methods of forming planar RRAM and vertical RRAM with tip electrodes and the resulting devices are provided. Embodiments include forming a first metal oxide layer on a first dielectric layer; forming and patterning a mask layer over the first metal oxide layer; etching the first metal oxide through the mask layer to form openings for a first and second metal electrodes; removing the mask layer; forming the first and second metal electrodes in the openings; and forming a second metal oxide layer over the first and second metal electrodes, wherein the first and second metal electrodes are v-shaped in top view with tips of the first and second metal electrodes facing each other and a portion of the second metal oxide layer being formed between the tips of the first and second electrodes.

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 method for forming a MRAM device free of seal ring peeling defect, and the resulting device, are provided. Embodiments include forming magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) over a metallization layer in a seal ring region of an MRAM device; forming a metal filled via connecting the MTJ and the metallization layer; forming a tunnel junction via over the MTJ; and forming a top electrode over the tunnel junction via.

Abstract: Integrated circuits and methods of producing the same are provided. In an exemplary embodiment, an integrated circuit includes a substrate having a buried insulator layer and an active layer overlying the buried insulator layer. A transistor overlies the buried insulator layer, and a memory cell underlies the buried insulator layer. As such, the memory cell and the transistor are on opposite sides of the buried insulator layer.

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: Methods of forming a pillar contact extension within a memory device using a self-aligned planarization process rather than direct ILD CMP and the resulting devices are provided. Embodiments include forming a photoresist layer over a low-K layer formed over an ILD having a first metal layer in a memory region and in a logic region and pillar-shaped conductors formed atop of the first metal layer only in the memory region; forming a trench through the photoresist layer over each pillar-shaped conductor; extending the trench through the low-K layer to an upper surface of each pillar-shaped conductor; forming a second metal layer over the low-K layer, filling the trench entirely; and planarizing the second metal layer until the second metal layer is removed from over the logic region, a pillar contact extension formed atop of each pillar-shaped conductor.