Abstract: A memory device includes a magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) pillar between a top electrode and a bottom electrode. An amorphous dielectric hardmask is in contact with a first portion of an uppermost surface of the MTJ pillar. A first portion of a metal layer is disposed on opposite sidewalls of the amorphous dielectric hardmask and in contact with a second portion of the uppermost surface of the MTJ pillar extending outwards from the amorphous dielectric hardmask for providing the top electrode. A dielectric underlayer is in contact with a first portion of a bottommost surface of the MTJ pillar, while a second portion of the metal layer is disposed on opposite sidewalls of the dielectric underlayer. The second portion of the metal layer is in contact with a second portion of the bottommost surface of the MTJ pillar extending outwards from the dielectric underlayer for providing the bottom electrode.

Abstract: A memory device includes a magnetic tunnel junction pillar above a bottom electrode. A sidewall spacer is disposed along sidewalls of the magnetic tunnel junction pillar with an uppermost surface of the sidewall spacer being coplanar with an uppermost surface of the magnetic tunnel junction pillar. A dielectric hardmask composed of an amorphous dielectric material is disposed above a first portion of the uppermost surface of the magnetic tunnel junction pillar, the dielectric hardmask includes a hemispherical shape. A top electrode is located surrounding the dielectric hardmask and above the uppermost surface of the sidewall spacer and a second portion of the uppermost surface of the magnetic tunnel junction pillar extending outwards from the dielectric hardmask.

Abstract: A method of forming a memory device with a laterally-recessed free layer includes forming a bottom electrode above an electrically conductive structure embedded within an interconnect dielectric material. A magnetic tunnel junction stack is formed above the bottom electrode. Forming the magnetic tunnel junction stack includes forming a magnetic reference layer above the bottom electrode, forming a tunnel barrier layer above the magnetic reference layer, and forming a magnetic free layer above the tunnel barrier layer. Opposed lateral portions of the magnetic free layer are recessed, and sidewall spacers are formed on the recessed opposed lateral portions of the magnetic free layer for confining an active region of the memory device formed by the magnetic free layer and the tunnel barrier layer.

Abstract: An integrated circuit (IC) is provided that includes a plurality of physical unclonable function (PUF) structures located in a PUF area. Each PUF structure of the plurality of PUF structures includes at least a PUF top electrically conductive structure containing random sidewall voids and random line openings which can provide an encrypted security code to the IC. The IC further includes a plurality of memory structures located in a memory area that is located laterally adjacent to the PUF area. Each memory structure of the plurality of memory structures includes a memory element sandwiched between a bottom electrically conductive structure and a top electrically conductive structure. The top electrically conductive structures are devoid of sidewall voids and line openings.

Abstract: A spin-orbit torque magnetoresistive random-access memory device formed by fabricating a spin-Hall-effect (SHE) layer above and in electrical contact with a transistor, forming a spin-orbit-torque (SOT) magnetoresistive random access memory (MRAM) cell stack disposed above and in electrical contact with the SHE rail, wherein the SOT-MRAM cell stack comprises a free layer, a tunnel junction layer, a reference layer, and a diode structure, forming a write line disposed in electrical contact with the SHE rail, forming a protective dielectric layer covering a portion of the SOT-MRAM cell stack, and forming a read line disposed above and adjacent to the diode structure.

Abstract: A MRAM Cell including a dielectric cap and a lower section that includes a bottom electrode, a synthetic anti-ferromagnet layer, and a reference layer, where in the sidewalls of each of the bottom electrode, the synthetic anti-ferromagnet layer, and the reference layer are angled relative to the vertical plane perpendicular to a top surface of the dielectric cap. A first dielectric liner located on the sidewalls of each of the lower section. An upper section that includes a tunnel barrier, a free layer, and a top electrode. A second dielectric liner located on a side section of the tunnel barrier, where the second dielectric liner is comprised of a second material, and where the angled side sections of the tunnel barrier are located on top of the second dielectric liner.

Abstract: A memory device, and a method of forming the same, includes a bottom electrode above an electrically conductive structure, the electrically conductive structure is embedded in an interconnect dielectric material. A magnetic tunnel junction stack located above the bottom electrode is formed by a magnetic reference layer above the bottom electrode, a tunnel barrier layer above the magnetic reference layer, and a laterally-recessed magnetic free layer above the tunnel barrier layer. Sidewall spacers surround the laterally-recessed magnetic free layer for confining an active region formed by the laterally-recessed magnetic free and the tunnel barrier layer.

Abstract: A low temperature deposited (400° C. or less) dielectric passivation layer is formed on physically exposed surfaces of a material stack including a multilayered magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) pillar and a top electrode. A laser anneal is then performed to improve the physical and chemical properties of the low temperature deposited dielectric passivation layer, without negatively impacting the multilayered MTJ pillar.

Abstract: Conductive lines, integrated chips, and methods of forming the same include forming a first metal liner in a trench in a substrate. The trench is filled with a second metal. The second metal is overpolished with a chemical mechanical planarization (CMP) process that stops on the first metal liner, such that the second metal is reduced to a level that is below a height of a top surface of the substrate. The trench is filled with a third metal.

Abstract: A magnetic tunnel junction pillar is positioned above a bottom electrode composed of a metal-oxide region in contact with a first portion of the magnetic tunnel junction pillar and a metal region surrounding the metal-oxide region. A sidewall spacer is positioned along sidewalls of the magnetic tunnel junction pillar, and the metal region is in contact with a bottom surface of the sidewall spacer and a second portion of the magnetic tunnel junction pillar.

Abstract: Method and a magnetoresistive random access memory (MRAM) structure is provided. The structure includes an interconnect and a multilayered magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) pillar located on the interconnect and having an outermost sidewall. The MTJ pillar includes an electrode layer electrically connecting the MTJ pillar to the interconnect. The electrode layer includes an insulative material at an outermost portion of the electrode layer and a conductive material at a first inner portion of the electrode layer disposed radially inward from the outermost portion of the electrode layer.

Abstract: Provided are embodiments for method of fabricating a dual damascene crossbar array. The method includes forming a bottom electrode layer on a substrate and forming a first memory device on the bottom electrode layer. The method also includes forming a dual damascene structure on the first memory device, wherein the dual damascene structure includes a top electrode layer and a first via, wherein the first via is formed between the first memory device and the top electrode layer. Also provided are embodiments for the dual damascene crossbar and embodiments for disabling memory devices of the dual damascene crossbar array.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are directed to an integrated circuit (IC) structure that includes a memory element a non-sacrificial hardmask stack over the memory element. The non-sacrificial hardmask stack includes a first hardmask region and a second hardmask region. A compressive stress level of the first hardmask region is greater than a compressive stress level of the second hardmask region.

Abstract: A magneto-resistive random access memory with segmented bottom electrode includes a magnetic tunnel junction pillar above a first portion of a bottom electrode layer, the first portion of the bottom electrode layer includes a metal region. A sidewall spacer is disposed along sidewalls of the magnetic tunnel junction pillar and above a second portion of the bottom electrode layer including a metal-oxide region. The first portion of the bottom electrode layer composed of the metal region and the second portion of the bottom electrode layer composed of the metal-oxide region form the segmented bottom electrode.

Abstract: An interconnect structure and a method of forming the interconnect structure are provided. The interconnect structure includes a metal line layer and a top via layer that each include a plurality of alternating first layers composed of a first metal and second layers composed of a second metal, whereby the second layers are thinner than the first layers.

Abstract: A memory device with modified top electrode contact includes a memory pillar composed of a bottom electrode, a magnetic random-access memory (MRAM) stack above the bottom electrode, and a top electrode above the MRAM stack. A first portion of an encapsulation layer is disposed along opposite sidewalls of the bottom electrode, on opposite sidewalls of the MRAM stack and on opposite sidewalls of a bottom portion of the top electrode, a second portion of the encapsulation layer is located above a second dielectric layer. A metal cap is located above an uppermost surface and opposite sidewalls of a top portion of the top electrode and above an uppermost surface of the first portion of the encapsulation layer. A second conductive interconnect is formed above a top surface of the metal cap wrapping around opposite sidewalls of the first portion of the encapsulation layer and opposite sidewalls of the metal cap.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are directed to a structure comprising a magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) element and an etched bottom electrode (BE) communicatively coupled to the MTJ element. The etched BE includes a substantially non-planar BE sidewall.

Abstract: A method including forming a dual damascene interconnect structure comprising a metal wire above a via, recessing the metal wire to form a trench, depositing a liner along a bottom and a sidewall of the trench, and forming a new metal wire in the trench. The method may also include forming a dual damascene interconnect structure comprising a metal wire above a via, recessing the metal wire to form a trench, depositing a liner along a bottom and a sidewall of the trench, removing the liner along the bottom of the trench, and forming a new metal wire in the trench.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include a method for fabricating a semiconductor device and the resulting structure. A first set of spacers are formed on the sidewalls of a bottom electrode. A reference layer is formed on the spacers and the bottom electrode. A second set of spacers are formed on the sidewalls of the first set of spacers and the reference layer. A tunnel barrier is formed on the reference layer and the second set of spacers. A free layer is formed on the tunnel barrier, where a width of the free layer is greater than a width of the reference layer. A metal hardmask is formed on the free layer. A third set of spacers are formed on the sidewalls of the metal hardmask, the free layer, the tunnel barrier, and the second set of spacers.

Abstract: A memory device includes a bottom electrode having an uppermost surface, a first sidewall, and a second sidewall. The memory device further includes a dielectric layer covering the uppermost surface and the first and second sidewalls of the bottom electrode such that an uppermost surface of the dielectric layer is arranged higher than the uppermost surface of the bottom electrode. The memory device further includes a metal body in direct contact with the uppermost surface of the bottom electrode and extending through the dielectric layer to the uppermost surface of the dielectric layer. The memory device further includes a memory component arranged in direct contact with the metal body and with the uppermost surface of the dielectric layer.