Abstract: An integrated circuit structure includes a plurality of transistors, an interconnect layer, and a memory stack. The interconnect layer includes an interlayer dielectric (ILD) and a conductive structure embedded in the ILD. The conductive structure includes a barrier layer and a conductive filling material surrounded by the barrier layer in a cross-sectional view. The memory stack is over the interconnect layer. The memory stack includes a bottom electrode extending across the conductive structure in the cross-sectional view, a resistance switching layer over the bottom electrode, and a top electrode over the resistance switching layer. In the cross-sectional view, an interface formed by the bottom electrode and the barrier layer has a topmost point higher than a topmost point of an interface formed by the bottom electrode and the conductive filling material.

Abstract: An integrated circuit device includes an interconnect layer, a memory structure, a third conductive feature, and a fourth conductive feature. The interconnect layer includes a first conductive feature and a second conductive feature. The memory structure is over and in contact with the first conductive feature. The memory structure includes at least a resistance switching element over the first conductive feature. The third conductive feature, including a first conductive line, is over and in contact with the second conductive feature. The fourth conductive feature is over and in contact with the memory structure. The fourth conductive feature includes a second conductive line, a top surface of the first conductive line is substantially level with a top surface of the second conductive line, and a bottom surface of the first conductive line is lower than a bottommost portion of a bottom surface of the second conductive line.

Abstract: The present disclosure, in some embodiments, relates to an integrated chip. The integrated chip includes a plurality of interconnects disposed within a dielectric structure over a substrate. A conductor is disposed over at least one of the plurality of interconnects. A protective layer is disposed on the conductor and a mask layer is disposed on the protective layer. One or more passivation layers are disposed on the mask layer. The protective layer, the mask layer, and the one or more passivation layers respectively have one or more sidewalls directly over the conductor.

Abstract: The present disclosure, in some embodiments, relates to an integrated chip. The integrated chip includes a conductive feature disposed over a dielectric structure on a substrate. A first layer is arranged on peripheral regions of the conductive feature. A second layer has a bottommost surface arranged on the first layer. The second layer includes a material that etches at a higher rate than the first layer when exposed to a first etchant and that etches at a lower rate than the first layer when exposed to a second etchant. An additional conductive feature extends through the first layer and the second layer to contact the conductive feature.

Abstract: An integrated circuit device includes an interconnect layer, a memory structure, a third conductive feature, and a fourth conductive feature. The interconnect layer includes a first conductive feature and a second conductive feature. The memory structure is over and in contact with the first conductive feature. The memory structure includes at least a resistance switching element over the first conductive feature. The third conductive feature, including a first conductive line, is over and in contact with the second conductive feature. The fourth conductive feature is over and in contact with the memory structure. The fourth conductive feature includes a second conductive line, a top surface of the first conductive line is substantially level with a top surface of the second conductive line, and a bottom surface of the first conductive line is lower than a bottommost portion of a bottom surface of the second conductive line.

Abstract: A method for fabricating an integrated circuit device is provided. The method includes forming an interconnect layer over a substrate, wherein the interconnect layer has a first interlayer dielectric layer, a first conductive feature in a first portion of the first interlayer dielectric layer, and a second conductive feature in a second portion of the first interlayer dielectric layer; depositing a dielectric layer over the interconnect layer; removing a first portion of the dielectric layer over the first conductive feature and the first portion of the first interlayer dielectric layer, and remaining a second portion of the dielectric layer over the second conductive feature and the second portion of the first interlayer dielectric layer; and forming a memory structure over the first conductive feature.

Abstract: The present disclosure, in some embodiments, relates to an integrated chip. The integrated chip includes a bond pad disposed over a substrate and a passivation structure disposed over the substrate and the bond pad. The passivation structure has one or more sidewalls directly over the bond pad. A protective layer is disposed directly between the passivation structure and the bond pad. The passivation structure extends from directly over the protective layer to laterally past a sidewall of the protective layer that faces a central region of the bond pad.

Abstract: The present disclosure, in some embodiments, relates to an integrated chip. The integrated chip includes a plurality of interconnects disposed within a dielectric structure over a substrate. A conductor is disposed over at least one of the plurality of interconnects. A protective layer is disposed on the conductor and a mask layer is disposed on the protective layer. One or more passivation layers are disposed on the mask layer. The protective layer, the mask layer, and the one or more passivation layers respectively have one or more sidewalls directly over the conductor.

Abstract: A method for fabricating an integrated circuit device is provided. The method includes forming an interconnect layer over a substrate, wherein the interconnect layer has a first interlayer dielectric layer, a first conductive feature in a first portion of the first interlayer dielectric layer, and a second conductive feature in a second portion of the first interlayer dielectric layer; depositing a dielectric layer over the interconnect layer; removing a first portion of the dielectric layer over the first conductive feature and the first portion of the first interlayer dielectric layer, and remaining a second portion of the dielectric layer over the second conductive feature and the second portion of the first interlayer dielectric layer; and forming a memory structure over the first conductive feature.

Abstract: The present disclosure, in some embodiments, relates to an integrated chip. The integrated chip includes a bond pad disposed over a substrate and a passivation structure disposed over the substrate and the bond pad. The passivation structure has one or more sidewalls directly over the bond pad. A protective layer is disposed directly between the passivation structure and the bond pad. The passivation structure extends from directly over the protective layer to laterally past a sidewall of the protective layer that faces a central region of the bond pad.

Abstract: The present disclosure, in some embodiments, relates to a method of forming an integrated chip. The method may be performed by forming a bond pad layer onto a dielectric structure formed over a substrate. The dielectric structure surrounds a plurality of interconnect layers. A protective layer is formed onto the bond pad layer, and the bond pad layer and the protective layer are patterned to define a bond pad covered by the protective layer. One or more upper passivation layers are formed over the protective layer. A dry etching process is performed to form an opening extending through the one or more upper passivation layers to the protective layer. A wet etching process is performed to remove a part of the protective layer and expose an upper surface of the bond pad.

Abstract: The present disclosure, in some embodiments, relates to a method of forming an integrated chip. The method may be performed by forming a bond pad layer onto a dielectric structure formed over a substrate. The dielectric structure surrounds a plurality of interconnect layers. A protective layer is formed onto the bond pad layer, and the bond pad layer and the protective layer are patterned to define a bond pad covered by the protective layer. One or more upper passivation layers are formed over the protective layer. A dry etching process is performed to form an opening extending through the one or more upper passivation layers to the protective layer. A wet etching process is performed to remove a part of the protective layer and expose an upper surface of the bond pad.