Abstract: Integrated circuits and methods of producing the same are provided. In an exemplary embodiment, an integrated circuit includes a capacitor, where the capacitor includes a first capacitor plate and a second capacitor plate. The first capacitor plate includes a first memory cell, and the second capacitor plate includes a second memory cell. The capacitor is utilized as a functional capacitor in the integrated circuit.

Abstract: A seal ring structure is disclosed for integrated circuit (IC) packaging. The seal ring includes an inner moisture barrier ring and an outer crack stop ring. Line structures of both the inner and outer rings include chamfered corners. The chamfers of a chamfered corner are devoid of acute angles. No metal line structure for the inner ring is provided at the pad level. The seal ring as described improves the reliability and strength of the structure and hence the seal ring can sustain high stress at the corners of the die during dicing.

Abstract: Emerging memory chips and methods for forming an emerging memory chip are presented. For example, magnetic random access memory (MRAM) chip magnetic shielding at the device-level is disclosed. The MRAM chip includes a magnetic shield structure that is substantially surrounding a magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) bit or device of a MTJ array. The magnetic shield may be configured in the form of a cylindrical shield structure or magnetic shield spacer that substantially surrounds the MTJ bit or device. The magnetic shield structure in the form of cylindrical shield structure or magnetic shield spacer may include top and/or bottom plate shield. The magnetic shield structure in various forms and configurations protect the MTJ stack from external or local magnetic fields. This magnetic shielding structure is applicable for both in-plane and perpendicular MRAM chips.

Abstract: Integrated circuits and methods of producing the same are provided. In an exemplary embodiment, a method for producing an integrated circuit includes forming a memory cell with a memory cell upper surface. A capping layer is formed overlying the memory cell, and a portion of the capping layer is removed to expose the memory cell upper surface. A memory cell etch stop is formed overlying the memory cell upper surface after the portion of the capping layer is removed to expose the memory cell upper surface. The memory cell etch stop is removed from overlying the memory cell upper surface, and an interconnect is formed in electrical communication with the memory cell.

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 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: Integrated circuits and methods for fabricating integrated circuits with magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) structures are provided. An exemplary method for fabricating an integrated circuit includes forming an MTJ structure including a top electrode layer. The MTJ structure has a first sidewall and a second sidewall separated from the first sidewall by a first width. The method includes forming a conductive etch stop on the top electrode layer. The conductive etch stop has a second width greater than the first width. The method also includes depositing dielectric material over the conductive etch stop and the MTJ structure. The method further includes etching the dielectric material to form a trench exposing the conductive etch stop. Also, the method includes forming a conductive via in the trench over and in electrical communication with the conductive etch stop.

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: High density resistive memory structures, integrate circuits with high density resistive memory structures, and methods for fabricating high density resistive memory structures are provided. In an embodiment, a high density resistive memory structure includes a semiconductor substrate and a plurality of first electrodes in a first plane in and/or over the semiconductor substrate. Further, the high density resistive memory structure includes a plurality of second electrodes in a second plane in and/or over the semiconductor substrate. The second plane is parallel to the first plane, and each second electrode in the plurality of second electrodes crosses over or under each first electrode in the plurality of first electrodes at a series of cross points. Each second electrode in the plurality of second electrodes is non-linear and the series of cross points formed by each respective second electrode is non-linear.

Abstract: A method for fabricating an integrated circuit includes forming a first opening in an upper dielectric layer, the first opening having a first width, forming a second opening in a lower dielectric layer, the lower dielectric layer being below the upper dielectric layer, the second opening having a second width that is narrower than the first width, the second opening being substantially centered underneath the first opening so as to form a stepped via structure, conformally depositing an aluminum material layer in the stepped via structure and over the upper dielectric layer, and forming a passivation layer over the aluminum material layer.

Abstract: Methods of fabricating a dome-shaped MTJ TE and the resulting devices are provided. Embodiments include forming a MRAM stack having a laterally separated MTJ structures and the MRAM and a logic stack each having a SiN layer; forming first trenches through the MRAM stack to a portion of the SiN layer above an MTJ structure; forming second trenches through the SiN layer fully landing on an upper portion of the MTJ structures and removing the SiN layer of the logic stack; forming a TaN layer over the MRAM and logic stack; removing portions of the TaN layer on opposite sides of the MTJ structures and therebetween; forming an oxide layer over the MRAM and logic stacks; and forming vias through the oxide layer of the MRAM stack down the TaN layer above MTJ structures and a via through the logic stack.

Abstract: An integrated circuit includes a copper hillock-detecting structure. The copper hillock-detecting structure includes a copper metallization layer and an intermediate plate structure spaced apart from adjacent to the copper metallization layer. The intermediate plate structure includes a conducting material plate. The intermediate plate structure further includes a plurality of conductive vias that are electrically and physically connected with the conducting material plate. The copper hillock-detecting structure further includes a sensing plate adjacent to the intermediate plate and electrically and physically connected with the plurality of vias such that the vias are disposed between the intermediate plate and the sensing plate.

Abstract: Magnetic random access memory (MRAM) packages with magnetic shield protections and methods of forming thereof are presented. Package contact traces are formed on the first major surface of the package substrate and package balls are formed on the second major surface of the package substrate. A die having active and inactive surfaces is provided on the first major surface of the package substrate. The die includes a magnetic storage element, such as an array of magnetic tunnel junctions (MTJs), formed in the die, die microbumps formed on the active surface. The package includes a top magnetic shield layer formed on the inactive surface of the die. The package may also include a first bottom magnetic shield in the form of magnetic shield traces disposed below the package contact traces. The package may further include a second bottom magnetic shield in the form of magnetic permeable underfill dielectric material.

Abstract: Devices and methods of forming a device are disclosed. The method includes providing a substrate defined with at least first and second regions and providing a plurality of interlevel dielectric (ILD) levels having tight pitch over the first and second regions of the substrate. An ILD level of which a two-terminal element disposed thereon corresponds to a first ILD level and its metal level corresponds to Mx, an immediate ILD level overlying the metal level Mx corresponds to a second ILD level includes via level Vx and metal level Mx+1 and the next overlying ILD level corresponds to a third ILD level includes via level Vx+1 and metal level Mx+2. The method includes forming a two-terminal device element is formed in between metal level Mx and via level Vx+1 in the first region.

Abstract: A semiconductor device with a temporary discharge path. During back-end-of-line (BEOL), the temporary discharge path discharges a plasma charge collected in a device well, such as a floating p-type well. After processing, the temporary discharge path is rendered non-function, enabling the device to function properly.

Abstract: Embodiments of a method for forming a device using test structures are presented. The method includes providing a wafer with a device layer. The device layer includes a main device region and a perimeter region. The device layer is patterned with active and test patterns. Test patterns include dummy patterns disposed in a test device area. The wafer is processed to form at least one test device disposed in the perimeter region and one or more active devices disposed in the main device region. The test device determines a design window of the one or more active devices. Additional processing is performed to complete forming the device.

Abstract: Emerging memory chips and methods for forming an emerging memory chip are presented. For example, magnetoresistive random access memory (MRAM) chip magnetic shielding and vertical stacking capabilities processed at the wafer-level are disclosed. The method includes providing a magnetic shield in the through silicon vias and/or through silicon trenches surrounding or adjacent to magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) array within the MRAM region and also at the front side and back side of the chip. Magnetic shield in the through silicon trenches connects front side and back side magnetic shield. Magnetic shield in the through silicon vias provides vertical stacking, magnetic shielding and electrical connection of the MRAM chips to form 3D IC packages. This magnetic shielding method is applicable for both in-plane and perpendicular MRAM chips. The MTJ array is formed in the MRAM 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: A semiconductor chip includes an active area including a plurality of integrated circuit structures, a seal ring enclosing the active area, a corner area of the semiconductor chip that is outside of the seal ring, and an electronic test structure disposed within the corner area. Semiconductor wafers including the above-noted semiconductor chips, as well as methods for fabricating semiconductor wafers including the above-noted semiconductor chips, are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for fabricating an integrated circuit includes forming a first opening in an upper dielectric layer, the first opening having a first width, forming a second opening in a lower dielectric layer, the lower dielectric layer being below the upper dielectric layer, the second opening having a second width that is narrower than the first width, the second opening being substantially centered underneath the first opening so as to form a stepped via structure, conformally depositing an aluminum material layer in the stepped via structure and over the upper dielectric layer, and forming a passivation layer over the aluminum material layer.

Abstract: A device and a method of forming a device are disclosed. The method includes providing a substrate defined with first and second functional regions and first and second non-functional regions. The first non-functional region corresponds to a proximate memory region which is proximate to and surrounds the first functional region and the second non-functional region corresponds to an external logic circuit region which surrounds at least the second functional region. A magnetic memory element is formed in the first functional region and a logic element is formed in the second functional region. A plurality of magnetism controllable dummy structures are formed in the proximate memory region and external logic circuit region. The magnetism controllable dummy structures provide uniform magnetic field to the magnetic memory element and prevents electrical-magnetic interaction between the magnetic memory and logic elements on the same substrate.