Abstract: In a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device, a cell structure is formed. The cell structure includes a bottom electrode, a magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) stack disposed on the bottom electrode and a hard mask layer disposed on the MTJ stack. A first insulating cover layer is formed over sidewall of the MTJ stack. A second insulating cover layer is formed over the first insulating cover layer and the hard mask layer. A first interlayer dielectric (ILD) layer is formed. The hard mask layer is exposed by etching the first ILD layer and the second insulating cover layer. A second ILD layer is formed. A contact opening is formed in the second ILD layer by patterning the second ILD layer and removing the hard mask layer. A conductive layer is formed in the contact opening so that the conductive layer contacts the MTJ stack.

Abstract: Semiconductor structures and methods of forming the same are provided. An exemplary semiconductor structure includes a substrate, a dielectric layer over the substrate, memory cells disposed in the dielectric layer, and a metal line above the memory cells. Each of the memory cells includes, from bottom to top, a bottom electrode, a memory material layer stack, and a top electrode. A bottom surface of the metal line has a continuously flat portion that directly interfaces each of the top electrodes of the memory cells.

Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes a metal gate structure including a gate dielectric layer and a gate electrode, a conductive layer disposed on the gate electrode, and a gate contact disposed on the conductive layer. The conductive layer extends from a position below a top surface of the metal gate structure to a position above the top surface of the metal gate structure. The gate electrode includes at least a first metal, and the conductive layer includes at least the first metal and a second metal different from the first metal. Laterally the conductive layer is fully between opposing sidewalls of the metal gate structure.

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: In a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device, a cell structure is formed. The cell structure includes a bottom electrode, a magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) stack disposed on the bottom electrode and a hard mask layer disposed on the MTJ stack. A first insulating cover layer is formed over sidewall of the MTJ stack. A second insulating cover layer is formed over the first insulating cover layer and the hard mask layer. A first interlayer dielectric (ILD) layer is formed. The hard mask layer is exposed by etching the first ILD layer and the second insulating cover layer. A second ILD layer is formed. A contact opening is formed in the second ILD layer by patterning the second ILD layer and removing the hard mask layer. A conductive layer is formed in the contact opening so that the conductive layer contacts the MTJ stack.

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.

Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes a metal gate structure having a gate dielectric layer and a gate electrode. A topmost surface of the gate dielectric layer is above a topmost surface of the gate electrode. The semiconductor structure further includes a conductive layer disposed on the gate electrode of the metal gate structure, the conductive layer having a bottom portion disposed laterally between sidewalls of the gate dielectric layer and a top portion disposed above the topmost surface of the gate dielectric layer. The semiconductor structure further includes a contact feature in direct contact with the top portion of the conductive layer.

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.

Abstract: Semiconductor structure and methods of forming the same are provided. An exemplary method includes receiving a workpiece including a magnetic tunneling junction (MTJ) and a conductive capping layer disposed on the MTJ, depositing a first dielectric layer over the workpiece, performing a first planarization process to the first dielectric layer, and after the performing of the first planarization process, patterning the first dielectric layer to form an opening exposing a top surface of the conductive capping layer, selectively removing the conductive capping layer. The method also includes depositing an electrode layer to fill the opening and performing a second planarization process to the workpiece such that a top surface of the electrode layer and a top surface of the first dielectric layer are coplanar.

Abstract: A method for forming a semiconductor device includes forming a metal gate stack having a gate dielectric layer and a gate electrode disposed over the gate dielectric layer. The gate electrode includes a first metal layer and a second metal layer. The method further includes performing a plasma treatment to a top surface of the metal gate stack and forming a conductive layer over the treated top surface of the metal gate stack. A top portion of the conductive layer is formed above a top surface of the gate dielectric layer, and a bottom portion of the conductive layer penetrates into the first and the second metal layers of the gate electrode at different distances.

Abstract: Semiconductor structure and methods of forming the same are provided. An exemplary method includes receiving a workpiece including a magnetic tunneling junction (MTJ) and a conductive capping layer disposed on the MTJ, depositing a first dielectric layer over the workpiece, performing a first planarization process to the first dielectric layer, and after the performing of the first planarization process, patterning the first dielectric layer to form an opening exposing a top surface of the conductive capping layer, selectively removing the conductive capping layer. The method also includes depositing an electrode layer to fill the opening and performing a second planarization process to the workpiece such that a top surface of the electrode layer and a top surface of the first dielectric layer are coplanar.

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: 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: 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 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: 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: The present disclosure relates integrated chip structure. The integrated chip structure includes a memory array having a plurality of memory devices arranged in a plurality of rows and a plurality of columns. A word-line is coupled to a first set of the plurality of memory devices disposed within a first row of the plurality of rows. A bit-line is coupled to a second set of the plurality of memory devices disposed within a first column of the plurality of columns. A local interconnect extends in parallel to the bit-line and is coupled to the bit-line and two or more of the second set of the plurality of memory devices. The local interconnect is coupled to the bit-line by a plurality of interconnect vias that are between the local interconnect and the bit-line.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a transistor. The transistor includes a gate electrode, a channel layer, a gate dielectric layer, a first source/drain region and a second source/drain region and a first spacer. The channel layer is disposed on the gate electrode. The gate dielectric layer is located between the channel layer and the gate electrode. The first source/drain region and the second source/drain region are disposed on the channel layer at opposite sides of the gate electrode, and at least one of the first and second source/drain regions includes a first portion and a second portion between the first portion and the gate electrode. The first spacer is disposed on the channel layer. The first spacer is disposed on a first sidewall of the second portion of the at least one of the first and second source/drain regions, and the first portion is disposed on the first spacer.

Abstract: A method for forming a semiconductor device includes forming a metal gate stack having a gate dielectric layer and a gate electrode disposed over the gate dielectric layer. The gate electrode includes a first metal layer and a second metal layer. The method further includes performing a plasma treatment to a top surface of the metal gate stack and forming a conductive layer over the treated top surface of the metal gate stack. A top portion of the conductive layer is formed above a top surface of the gate dielectric layer, and a bottom portion of the conductive layer penetrates into the first and the second metal layers of the gate electrode at different distances.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a transistor. The transistor includes a gate electrode, a channel layer, a gate dielectric layer, a first source/drain region and a second source/drain region and a dielectric pattern. The channel layer is disposed on the gate electrode. The gate dielectric layer is located between the channel layer and the gate electrode. The first source/drain region and the second source/drain region are disposed on the channel layer at opposite sides of the gate electrode. The dielectric pattern is disposed on the channel layer. The first source/drain region covers a first sidewall and a first surface of the dielectric pattern, and a second sidewall opposite to the first sidewall of the dielectric pattern is protruded from a sidewall of the first source/drain region.