Abstract: A method for contacting an electrically conductive layer overlying a magnetoelectronics element includes forming a memory element layer overlying a dielectric region. A first electrically conductive layer is deposited overlying the memory element layer. A first dielectric layer is deposited overlying the first electrically conductive layer and is patterned and etched to form a first masking layer. Using the first masking layer, the first electrically conductive layer is etched. A second dielectric layer is deposited overlying the first masking layer and the dielectric region. A portion of the second dielectric layer is removed to expose the first masking layer. The second dielectric layer and the first masking layer are subjected to an etching chemistry such that the first masking layer is etched at a faster rate than the second dielectric layer. The etching exposes the first electrically conductive layer.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a cladding region for use in MRAM devices includes the formation of a conductive bit line proximate to a magnetoresistive memory device. The conductive bit line is immersed in a first bath containing dissolved ions of a first conductive material for a time sufficient to displacement plate a first barrier layer on the conductive line. The first barrier layer is then immersed in an electroless plating bath to form a flux concentrating layer on the first barrier layer. The flux concentrating layer is immersed in a second bath containing dissolved ions of a second conductive material for a time sufficient to displacement plate a second barrier layer on the flux concentrating layer.

Abstract: Structures for electrical communication with an overlying electrode for a semiconductor element and methods for fabricating such structures are provided. The structure for electrical communication with an overlying electrode comprises a first electrode having a lateral dimension, a semiconductor element overlying the first electrode, and a second electrode overlying the semiconductor element. The second electrode has a lateral dimension that is less than the lateral dimension of the first electrode. A conductive hardmask overlies the second electrode and is in electrical communication with the second electrode. The conductive hardmask has a lateral dimension that is substantially equal to the lateral dimension of the first electrode. A conductive contact element is in electrical communication with the conductive hardmask.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a cladding region for use in MRAM devices includes the formation of a conductive bit line proximate to a magnetoresistive memory device. The conductive bit line is immersed in a first bath containing dissolved ions of a first conductive material for a time sufficient to displacement plate a first barrier layer on the conductive line. The first barrier layer is then immersed in an electroless plating bath to form a flux concentrating layer on the first barrier layer. The flux concentrating layer is immersed in a second bath containing dissolved ions of a second conductive material for a time sufficient to displacement plate a second barrier layer on the flux concentrating layer.

Abstract: Shielded electronic integrated circuit apparatus (5) includes a substrate (10), with an eletronic integrated circuit (15) formed thereon, and a dielectric region (12) positioned on the electronic integrated circuit. The dielectric region and the substrate are substantially surrounded by lower and upper magnetic material regions (26, 30), deposited using electrochemical deposition, and magnetic material layers on each side (32, 34). Each of the lower and upper magnetic material regions preferably include a glue layer (36, 40), a seed layer (28, 24), and an electrochemically deposited magnetic material layer (26, 30). Generally, the electrochemically deposited magnetic material layer can be conveniently deposited by electroplating.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a cladding region for use in MRAM devices includes the formation of a conductive bit line proximate to a magnetoresistive memory device. The conductive bit line is immersed in a first bath containing dissolved ions of a first conductive material for a time sufficient to displacement plate a first barrier layer on the conductive line. The first barrier layer is then immersed in an electroless plating bath to form a flux concentrating layer on the first barrier layer. The flux concentrating layer is immersed in a second bath containing dissolved ions of a second conductive material for a time sufficient to displacement plate a second barrier layer on the flux concentrating layer.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a cladded conductor (42) for use in a magnetoelectronics device is provided. The method includes providing a substrate (10) and forming a conductive barrier layer (12) overlying the substrate (10). A dielectric layer (16) is formed overlying the conductive barrier layer (12) and a conducting line (20) is formed within a portion of the dielectric layer (16). The dielectric layer (16) is removed and a flux concentrator (30) is formed overlying the conducting line (20).

Abstract: A method for fabricating a magnetic memory element structure comprises providing a dielectric layer having a conducting via. A first magnetic layer is formed overlying the dielectric layer and is in electrical communication with the conducting via. A non-magnetic layer and a second magnetic layer are formed overlying the first magnetic layer. A first conductive layer is deposited overlying the second magnetic layer and is patterned. A portion of the second magnetic layer is exposed and is transformed to form an inactive portion and an active portion. The active portion comprises a portion of a memory element and the inactive portion comprises an insulator. A sidewall spacer is formed about at least one sidewall of the first conductive layer and a masking tab is formed that overlies a portion of the memory element and extends to overlie at least a portion of the conducting via.

Abstract: A method for contacting an electrically conductive layer overlying a magnetoelectronics element includes forming a memory element layer overlying a dielectric region. A first electrically conductive layer is deposited overlying the memory element layer. A first dielectric layer is deposited overlying the first electrically conductive layer and is patterned and etched to form a first masking layer. Using the first masking layer, the first electrically conductive layer is etched. A second dielectric layer is deposited overlying the first masking layer and the dielectric region. A portion of the second dielectric layer is removed to expose the first masking layer. The second dielectric layer and the first masking layer are subjected to an etching chemistry such that the first masking layer is etched at a faster rate than the second dielectric layer. The etching exposes the first electrically conductive layer.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided for the electroless deposition of NiFe on a work piece. A deposition solution for use in electroless deposition of NiFe on a work piece is formed from a nickel ion source, a ferrous iron source, a complexing agent, a reducing agent, and a pH adjusting agent. The deposition solution is substantially free from alkali metal ions. A method for fabricating a flux concentrating system for use in a magnetoelectronics device begins by providing a work piece and forming an insulating material layer overlying the work piece. A trench is formed in an insulating layer and a barrier layer is deposited within the trench. A NiFe cladding layer is deposited overlying the barrier layer. After depositing the NiFe cladding layer, the insulating material layer proximate to the trench has a concentration of alkali metal ions less than about 1×1011 atoms/cm2.

Abstract: A method for contacting an electrically conductive layer overlying a magnetoelectronics element includes forming a memory element layer overlying a dielectric region. A first electrically conductive layer is deposited overlying the memory element layer. A first dielectric layer is deposited overlying the first electrically conductive layer and is patterned and etched to form a first masking layer. Using the first masking layer, the first electrically conductive layer is etched. A second dielectric layer is deposited overlying the first masking layer and the dielectric region. A portion of the second dielectric layer is removed to expose the first masking layer. The second dielectric layer and the first masking layer are subjected to an etching chemistry such that the first masking layer is etched at a faster rate than the second dielectric layer. The etching exposes the first electrically conductive layer.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a magnetoresistive random access memory device comprising the steps of providing a substrate, forming a conductive layer positioned on the substrate, forming a magnetoresistive random access memory device positioned on conductive layer, forming a metal cap on the magnetoresistive random access memory device, and electroless plating a bump metal layer on the metal cap. The bump metal layer acts as a self-aligned via for a bit line subsequently formed thereon.

Abstract: A method for contacting an electrically conductive layer overlying a magnetoelectronics element includes forming a memory element layer overlying a dielectric region. A first electrically conductive layer is deposited overlying the memory element layer. A first dielectric layer is deposited overlying the first electrically conductive layer and is patterned and etched to form a first masking layer. Using the first masking layer, the first electrically conductive layer is etched. A second dielectric layer is deposited overlying the first masking layer and the dielectric region. A portion of the second dielectric layer is removed to expose the first masking layer. The second dielectric layer and the first masking layer are subjected to an etching chemistry such that the first masking layer is etched at a faster rate than the second dielectric layer. The etching exposes the first electrically conductive layer.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a magnetic memory element structure comprises providing a dielectric layer having a conducting via. A first magnetic layer is formed overlying the dielectric layer and is in electrical communication with the conducting via. A non-magnetic layer and a second magnetic layer are formed overlying the first magnetic layer. A first conductive layer is deposited overlying the second magnetic layer and is patterned. A portion of the second magnetic layer is exposed and is transformed to form an inactive portion and an active portion. The active portion comprises a portion of a memory element and the inactive portion comprises an insulator. A sidewall spacer is formed about at least one sidewall of the first conductive layer and a masking tab is formed that overlies a portion of the memory element and extends to overlie at least a portion of the conducting via.

Abstract: A shielded electronic integrated circuit apparatus (5) comprising a substrate (10) with an electronic integrated circuit (15) formed thereon, a dielectric region (12) positioned on the substrate and the electronic integrated circuit wherein the dielectric region and the substrate are substantially surrounded by a magnetic material region (26, 30) deposited using electrochemical deposition and wherein the electronic integrated circuit is shielded from electromagnetic radiation.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a magnetoresistive random access memory device comprising the steps of providing a substrate, forming a conductive layer positioned on the substrate, forming a magnetoresistive random access memory device positioned on conductive layer, forming a metal cap on the magnetoresistive random access memory device, and electroless plating a bump metal layer on the metal cap. The bump metal layer acts as a self-aligned via for a bit line subsequently formed thereon.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a cladding region for use in MRAM devices includes the formation of a conductive bit line proximate to a magnetoresistive memory device. The conductive bit line is immersed in a first bath containing dissolved ions of a first conductive material for a time sufficient to displacement plate a first barrier layer on the conductive line. The first barrier layer is then immersed in an electroless plating bath to form a flux concentrating layer on the first barrier layer. The flux concentrating layer is immersed in a second bath containing dissolved ions of a second conductive material for a time sufficient to displacement plate a second barrier layer on the flux concentrating layer.