Abstract: A method of forming integrated circuits includes forming Magnetic Tunnel Junction (MTJ) stack layers, depositing a conductive etch stop layer over the MTJ stack layers, depositing a conductive hard mask over the conductive etch stop layer, and patterning the conductive hard mask to form etching masks. The patterning is stopped by the conductive etch stop layer. The method further includes etching the conducive etch stop layer using the etching masks to define patterns, and etching the MTJ stack layers to form MTJ stacks.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a device includes: a magnetoresistive random access memory (MRAM) array including MRAM cells arranged in rows and columns, where a first column of the columns includes: first bottom electrodes arranged along the first column; first magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) stacks over the first bottom electrodes; a first shared electrode over each of the first MTJ stacks; second bottom electrodes arranged along the first column; second MTJ stacks over the second bottom electrodes; a second shared electrode over each of the second MTJ stacks; and a bit line electrically connected to the first shared electrode and the second shared electrode.

Abstract: An IC structure comprises a substrate, a first material layer, a second material layer, a first via structure, and a memory cell structure. The substrate comprises a memory region and a logic region. The first material layer is disposed on the memory region and the logic region. The second material layer is disposed on the first material layer only at the memory region. The first via structure formed in the first material layer and the second material layer. The memory cell structure is over the first via structure.

Abstract: A method includes forming Magnetic Tunnel Junction (MTJ) stack layers, which includes depositing a bottom electrode layer; depositing a bottom magnetic electrode layer over the bottom electrode layer; depositing a tunnel barrier layer over the bottom magnetic electrode layer; depositing a top magnetic electrode layer over the tunnel barrier layer; and depositing a top electrode layer over the top magnetic electrode layer. The method further includes patterning the MTJ stack layers to form a MTJ; and performing a passivation process on a sidewall of the MTJ to form a protection layer. The passivation process includes reacting sidewall surface portions of the MTJ with a process gas comprising elements selected from the group consisting of oxygen, nitrogen, carbon, and combinations thereof.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a method includes: forming a first inter-metal dielectric (IMD) layer over a semiconductor substrate; forming a bottom electrode layer over the first IMD layer; forming a magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) film stack over the bottom electrode layer; forming a first top electrode layer over the MTJ film stack; forming a protective mask covering a first region of the first top electrode layer, a second region of the first top electrode layer being uncovered by the protective mask; forming a second top electrode layer over the protective mask and the first top electrode layer; and patterning the second top electrode layer, the first top electrode layer, the MTJ film stack, the bottom electrode layer, and the first IMD layer with an ion beam etching (IBE) process to form a MRAM cell, where the protective mask is etched during the IBE process.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a semiconductor structure, including a first metal line over a first region of the substrate, a first magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) and a second MTJ over the first region of the substrate, and a top electrode extending over the first MTJ and the second MTJ, wherein the top electrode includes a protruding portion at a bottom surface of the top electrode.

Abstract: Semiconductor devices and methods of forming semiconductor devices are provided. A method includes forming a first mask layer over a target layer, forming a plurality of spacers over the first mask layer, and forming a second mask layer over the plurality of spacers and patterning the second mask layer to form a first opening, where in a plan view a major axis of the opening extends in a direction that is perpendicular to a major axis of a spacer of the plurality of spacers. The method also includes depositing a sacrificial material in the opening, patterning the sacrificial material, etching the first mask layer using the plurality of spacers and the patterned sacrificial material, etching the target layer using the etched first mask layer to form second openings in the target layer, and filling the second openings in the target layer with a conductive material.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a semiconductor structure, including a substrate, including a first region and a second region adjacent to the first region, a magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) over the first region, a spacer on a sidewall of the MTJ, a hard mask over the MTJ, a first dielectric layer laterally surrounding the spacer and the hard mask, a top electrode over the hard mask, and an etch stop stack laterally surrounding the top electrode.

Abstract: A method includes forming Magnetic Tunnel Junction (MTJ) stack layers, which includes depositing a bottom electrode layer; depositing a bottom magnetic electrode layer over the bottom electrode layer; depositing a tunnel barrier layer over the bottom magnetic electrode layer; depositing a top magnetic electrode layer over the tunnel barrier layer; and depositing a top electrode layer over the top magnetic electrode layer. The method further includes patterning the MTJ stack layers to form a MTJ; and performing a passivation process on a sidewall of the MTJ to form a protection layer. The passivation process includes reacting sidewall surface portions of the MTJ with a process gas comprising elements selected from the group consisting of oxygen, nitrogen, carbon, and combinations thereof.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a method includes: forming a first inter-metal dielectric (IMD) layer over a semiconductor substrate; forming a bottom electrode layer over the first IMD layer; forming a magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) film stack over the bottom electrode layer; forming a first top electrode layer over the MTJ film stack; forming a protective mask covering a first region of the first top electrode layer, a second region of the first top electrode layer being uncovered by the protective mask; forming a second top electrode layer over the protective mask and the first top electrode layer; and patterning the second top electrode layer, the first top electrode layer, the MTJ film stack, the bottom electrode layer, and the first IMD layer with an ion beam etching (IBE) process to form a MRAM cell, where the protective mask is etched during the IBE process.

Abstract: An integrated circuit includes a dielectric layer, a memory device, and a resistor. The memory device includes a bottom electrode via, a bottom electrode, a resistance switching element, and a top electrode. The bottom electrode via is in the dielectric layer. The dielectric layer has a first portion extending along sidewalls of the bottom electrode via, a second portion extending laterally from the first portion, and a third portion. The bottom electrode is over the bottom electrode via. The resistance switching element is over the bottom electrode. The top electrode is over the resistance switching element. The resistor is over the third portion of the dielectric layer. A thickness of the third portion of the dielectric layer is greater than a thickness of the second portion of the dielectric layer.

Abstract: Semiconductor devices and methods of forming semiconductor devices are provided. A method includes forming a first mask layer over a target layer, forming a plurality of spacers over the first mask layer, and forming a second mask layer over the plurality of spacers and patterning the second mask layer to form a first opening, where in a plan view a major axis of the opening extends in a direction that is perpendicular to a major axis of a spacer of the plurality of spacers. The method also includes depositing a sacrificial material in the opening, patterning the sacrificial material, etching the first mask layer using the plurality of spacers and the patterned sacrificial material, etching the target layer using the etched first mask layer to form second openings in the target layer, and filling the second openings in the target layer with a conductive material.

Abstract: In a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device, a magnetic random access memory (MRAM) cell structure is formed. The MRAM cell structure includes a bottom electrode, a magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) stack and a top electrode. A first insulating cover layer is formed over the MRAM cell structure. A second insulating cover layer is formed over the first insulating cover layer. An interlayer dielectric (ILD) layer is formed. A contact opening in the ILD layer is formed, thereby exposing the second insulating cover layer. A part of the second insulating cover layer and a part of the first insulating cover layer are removed, thereby exposing the top electrode. A conductive layer is formed in the opening contacting the top electrode.

Abstract: An integrated circuit is provided. The integrated circuit includes a metallization pattern, a dielectric layer, and plural memory devices. The metallization pattern has plural first conductive features and a second conductive feature. The dielectric layer is over the metallization pattern, in which the dielectric layer has a first portion over the first conductive features and a second portion over the second conductive feature. The memory devices are at least partially in the first portion of the dielectric layer and respectively connected with the first conductive features. The first portion of the dielectric layer has a plurality of side parts respectively surrounding the memory devices and an extending part connecting the side parts to each other, and a thickness of the second portion is greater than a thickness of the extending part of the first portion of the dielectric layer.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a semiconductor structure, including a substrate, including a first region and a second region adjacent to the first region, a magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) over the first region, a spacer on a sidewall of the MTJ, a hard mask over the MTJ, a first dielectric layer laterally surrounding the spacer and the hard mask, a top electrode over the hard mask, and an etch stop stack laterally surrounding the top electrode.

Abstract: A structure and a formation method of a semiconductor device structure are provided. The semiconductor device structure includes a semiconductor substrate and a conductive feature over the semiconductor substrate. The semiconductor device structure also includes a dielectric layer over the conductive feature and the semiconductor substrate and a via hole in the dielectric layer. The via hole has an oval cross section. The semiconductor device structure further includes a trench in the dielectric layer, and the via hole extends from a bottom portion of the trench. The trench has a trench width wider than a hole width of the via hole. In addition, the semiconductor device structure includes one or more conductive materials filling the via hole and the trench and electrically connected to the conductive feature.

Abstract: A memory array device includes an array of memory cells located over a substrate, a memory-level dielectric layer laterally surrounding the array of memory cells, and top-interconnection metal lines laterally extending along a horizontal direction and contacting a respective row of top electrodes within the memory cells. Top electrodes of the memory cells are planarized to provide top surfaces that are coplanar with the top surface of the memory-level dielectric layer. The top-interconnection metal lines do not extend below the horizontal plane including the top surface of the memory-level dielectric layer, and prevent electrical shorts between the top-interconnection metal lines and components of memory cells.

Abstract: A method of forming integrated circuits includes forming Magnetic Tunnel Junction (MTJ) stack layers, depositing a conductive etch stop layer over the MTJ stack layers, depositing a conductive hard mask over the conductive etch stop layer, and patterning the conductive hard mask to form etching masks. The patterning is stopped by the conductive etch stop layer. The method further includes etching the conducive etch stop layer using the etching masks to define patterns, and etching the MTJ stack layers to form MTJ stacks.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a device includes: a magnetoresistive random access memory (MRAM) array including MRAM cells arranged in rows and columns, where a first column of the columns includes: first bottom electrodes arranged along the first column; first magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) stacks over the first bottom electrodes; a first shared electrode over each of the first MTJ stacks; second bottom electrodes arranged along the first column; second MTJ stacks over the second bottom electrodes; a second shared electrode over each of the second MTJ stacks; and a bit line electrically connected to the first shared electrode and the second shared electrode.

Abstract: A magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) memory cell and a metallic etch mask portion are formed over a substrate. At least one dielectric etch stop layer is deposited over the metallic etch mask portion, and a via-level dielectric layer is deposited over the at least one dielectric etch stop layer. A via cavity may be etched through the via-level dielectric layer, and a top surface of the at least one dielectric etch stop layer is physically exposed. The via cavity may be vertically extended by removing portions of the at least one dielectric etch stop layer and the metallic etch mask portion. A contact via structure is formed directly on a top surface of the top electrode in the via cavity to provide a low-resistance contact to the top electrode.