SPIN-TRANSFER TORQUE MEMORY (STTM) DEVICES HAVING MAGNETIC CONTACTS

    公开(公告)号:US20170092846A1

    公开(公告)日:2017-03-30

    申请号:US15126682

    申请日:2014-07-07

    申请人: INTEL CORPORATION

    IPC分类号: H01L43/08 H01L43/12 G11C11/16

    摘要: Techniques are disclosed for forming integrated circuit structures including a magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ), such as spin-transfer torque memory (STTM) devices, having magnetic contacts. The techniques include incorporating an additional magnetic layer (e.g., a layer that is similar or identical to that of the magnetic contact layer) such that the additional magnetic layer is coupled antiferromagnetically (or in a substantially antiparallel manner). The additional magnetic layer can help balance the magnetic field of the magnetic contact layer to limit parasitic fringing fields that would otherwise be caused by the magnetic contact layer. The additional magnetic layer may be antiferromagnetically coupled to the magnetic contact layer by, for example, including a nonmagnetic spacer layer between the two magnetic layers, thereby creating a synthetic antiferromagnet (SAF). The techniques can benefit, for example, magnetic contacts having magnetic directions that are substantially in-line or substantially in-plane with the layers of the MTJ stack.

    TECHNIQUES FOR FORMING SPIN-TRANSFER TORQUE MEMORY HAVING A DOT-CONTACTED FREE MAGNETIC LAYER
    2.
    发明申请
    TECHNIQUES FOR FORMING SPIN-TRANSFER TORQUE MEMORY HAVING A DOT-CONTACTED FREE MAGNETIC LAYER 审中-公开
    形成具有无接触自由磁层的转子转矩记忆体的技术

    公开(公告)号:US20160359101A1

    公开(公告)日:2016-12-08

    申请号:US15117605

    申请日:2014-03-28

    申请人: INTEL CORPORATION

    IPC分类号: H01L43/08 H01L43/12

    摘要: Techniques are disclosed for fabricating a self-aligned spin-transfer torque memory (STTM) device with a dot-contacted free magnetic layer. In some embodiments, the disclosed STTM device includes a first dielectric spacer covering sidewalls of an electrically conductive hardmask layer that is patterned to provide an electronic contact for the STTM's free magnetic layer. The hardmask contact can be narrower than the free magnetic layer. The first dielectric spacer can be utilized in patterning the STTM's fixed magnetic layer. In some embodiments, the STTM further includes an optional second dielectric spacer covering sidewalls of its free magnetic layer. The second dielectric spacer can be utilized in patterning the STTM's fixed magnetic layer and may serve, at least in part, to protect the sidewalls of the free magnetic layer from redepositing of etch byproducts during such patterning, thereby preventing electrical shorting between the fixed magnetic layer and the free magnetic layer.

    摘要翻译: 公开了用于制造具有点接触自由磁性层的自对准自旋转移转矩存储器(STTM)装置的技术。 在一些实施例中,所公开的STTM装置包括覆盖导电硬掩模层的侧壁的第一介电间隔物,其被图案化以提供用于STTM自由磁性层的电子接触。 硬掩模接触可以比自由磁性层更窄。 第一介电间隔物可用于图案化STTM的固定磁性层。 在一些实施例中,STTM还包括覆盖其自由磁性层的侧壁的任选的第二电介质间隔物。 第二电介质间隔物可以用于图案化STTM的固定磁性层,并且可以至少部分地用于保护自由磁性层的侧壁在这种图案化期间重新沉积蚀刻副产物,从而防止固定磁性层 和自由磁性层。

    SPIN-TRANSFER TORQUE MEMORY (STTM) DEVICES HAVING MAGNETIC CONTACTS

    公开(公告)号:US20190109281A1

    公开(公告)日:2019-04-11

    申请号:US16214306

    申请日:2018-12-10

    申请人: INTEL CORPORATION

    摘要: Techniques are disclosed for forming integrated circuit structures including a magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ), such as spin-transfer torque memory (STTM) devices, having magnetic contacts. The techniques include incorporating an additional magnetic layer (e.g., a layer that is similar or identical to that of the magnetic contact layer) such that the additional magnetic layer is coupled antiferromagnetically (or in a substantially antiparallel manner). The additional magnetic layer can help balance the magnetic field of the magnetic contact layer to limit parasitic fringing fields that would otherwise be caused by the magnetic contact layer. The additional magnetic layer may be antiferromagnetically coupled to the magnetic contact layer by, for example, including a nonmagnetic spacer layer between the two magnetic layers, thereby creating a synthetic antiferromagnet (SAF). The techniques can benefit, for example, magnetic contacts having magnetic directions that are substantially in-line or substantially in-plane with the layers of the MTJ stack.

    TECHNIQUES FOR FORMING NON-PLANAR RESISTIVE MEMORY CELLS
    4.
    发明申请
    TECHNIQUES FOR FORMING NON-PLANAR RESISTIVE MEMORY CELLS 审中-公开
    形成非平面电阻记忆细胞的技术

    公开(公告)号:US20160359108A1

    公开(公告)日:2016-12-08

    申请号:US15117594

    申请日:2014-03-25

    申请人: INTEL CORPORATION

    IPC分类号: H01L45/00 H01L27/24

    摘要: Techniques are disclosed for forming non-planar resistive memory cells, such as non-planar resistive random-access memory (ReRAM or RRAM) cells. The techniques can be used to reduce forming voltage requirements and/or resistances involved (such as the resistance during the low-resistance state) relative to planar resistive memory cells for a given memory cell space. The non-planar resistive memory cell includes a first electrode, a second electrode, and a switching layer disposed between the first and second electrodes. The second electrode may be substantially between opposing portions of the switching layer, and the first electrode may be substantially adjacent to at least two sides of the switching layer, after the non-planar resistive memory cell is formed. In some cases, an oxygen exchange layer (OEL) may be disposed between the switching layer and one of the first and second electrodes to, for example, increase flexibility in incorporating materials in the cell.

    摘要翻译: 公开了用于形成诸如非平面电阻随机存取存储器(ReRAM或RRAM)单元的非平面电阻存储器单元的技术。 该技术可以用于相对于给定存储器单元空间的平面电阻存储器单元来减少所形成的电压要求和/或电阻(例如在低电阻状态期间的电阻)。 非平面电阻式存储单元包括第一电极,第二电极和设置在第一和第二电极之间的开关层。 在形成非平面电阻式存储单元之后,第二电极可以基本上位于开关层的相对部分之间,并且第一电极可以基本上与开关层的至少两侧相邻。 在一些情况下,氧交换层(OEL)可以设置在开关层与第一和第二电极中的一个之间,以例如增加在电池中引入材料的灵活性。

    PERPENDICULAR STTM FREE LAYER INCLUDING PROTECTIVE CAP

    公开(公告)号:US20190198567A1

    公开(公告)日:2019-06-27

    申请号:US16328533

    申请日:2016-09-29

    申请人: Intel Corporation

    摘要: A perpendicular spin transfer torque memory (pSTTM) device incorporates a magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) device having a free magnetic stack and a fixed magnetic stack separated by a dielectric tunneling layer. The free magnetic stack includes an uppermost magnetic layer that is at least partially covered by a cap layer. The cap layer is at least partially covered by a protective layer containing at least one of: ruthenium (Ru); cobalt/iron/boron (CoFeB); molybdenum (Mo); cobalt (Co); tungsten (W); or platinum (Pt). The protective layer is at least partially covered by a cap metal layer which may form a portion of MTJ electrode. The protective layer minimizes the occurrence of physical and/or chemical attack of the cap layer by the materials used in the cap metal layer, beneficially improving the interface anisotropy of the

    TECHNIQUES FOR FORMING SPIN-TRANSFER TORQUE MEMORY (STTM) ELEMENTS HAVING ANNULAR CONTACTS
    6.
    发明申请
    TECHNIQUES FOR FORMING SPIN-TRANSFER TORQUE MEMORY (STTM) ELEMENTS HAVING ANNULAR CONTACTS 有权
    形成旋转转矩记忆(STTM)的技术具有环形接触的元件

    公开(公告)号:US20160351238A1

    公开(公告)日:2016-12-01

    申请号:US15116457

    申请日:2014-03-26

    申请人: INTEL CORPORATION

    摘要: Techniques are disclosed for forming a spin-transfer torque memory (STTM) element having an annular contact to reduce critical current requirements. The techniques reduce critical current requirements for a given magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ), because the annular contact reduces contact size and increases local current density, thereby reducing the current needed to switch the direction of the free magnetic layer of the MTJ. In some cases, the annular contact surrounds at least a portion of an insulator layer that prevents the passage of current. In such cases, current flows through the annular contact and around the insulator layer to increase the local current density before flowing through the free magnetic layer. The insulator layer may comprise a dielectric material, and in some cases, is a tunnel material, such as magnesium oxide (MgO). In some cases, a critical current reduction of at least 10% is achieved for a given MTJ.

    摘要翻译: 公开了用于形成具有环形接触的自旋转移力矩存储器(STTM)元件以减少临界电流要求的技术。 该技术降低给定磁性隧道结(MTJ)的临界电流要求,因为环形接触可以减小接触尺寸并增加局部电流密度,从而减少切换MTJ自由磁性层方向所需的电流。 在一些情况下,环形触点围绕防止电流通过的绝缘体层的至少一部分。 在这种情况下,电流流过环形触点并且在绝缘体层周围流动,以在流过自由磁性层之前增加局部电流密度。 绝缘体层可以包括介电材料,并且在一些情况下,是隧道材料,例如氧化镁(MgO)。 在某些情况下,对于给定的MTJ,实现至少10%的临界电流降低。

    PERPENDICULAR STTM MULTI-LAYER INSERT FREE LAYER

    公开(公告)号:US20210296040A1

    公开(公告)日:2021-09-23

    申请号:US16329309

    申请日:2016-09-30

    申请人: INTEL CORPORATION

    摘要: A perpendicular spin transfer torque memory (pSTTM) device incorporates a magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) device having a free magnetic stack that includes a plurality of magnetic layers interleaved with a plurality of non-magnetic insert layers. The layers are arranged such that the topmost and bottommost layers are magnetic layers. The stacked design decreases the damping of the MTJ free magnetic stack, beneficially reducing the write current required to write to the pSTTM device. The stacked design further increases the interface anisotropy, thereby beneficially improving the stability of the pSTTM device. The non-magnetic interface layer may include tantalum, molybdenum, tungsten, hafnium, or iridium, or a binary alloy containing at least two of tantalum, molybdenum, tungsten hafnium, or iridium.

    BALANCING ENERGY BARRIER BETWEEN STATES IN PERPENDICULAR MAGNETIC TUNNEL JUNCTIONS
    9.
    发明申请
    BALANCING ENERGY BARRIER BETWEEN STATES IN PERPENDICULAR MAGNETIC TUNNEL JUNCTIONS 审中-公开
    平衡磁性隧道结状态之间的平衡能量障碍

    公开(公告)号:US20160126452A1

    公开(公告)日:2016-05-05

    申请号:US14992601

    申请日:2016-01-11

    申请人: INTEL CORPORATION

    IPC分类号: H01L43/02 H01L43/12

    摘要: Techniques are disclosed for enhancing performance of a perpendicular magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) by implementing an additional ferromagnetic layer therein. The additional ferromagnetic layer can be implemented, for example, in or otherwise proximate either the fixed ferromagnetic layer or the free ferromagnetic layer of the perpendicular MTJ. In some embodiments, the additional ferromagnetic layer is implemented with a non-magnetic spacer, wherein the thickness of the additional ferromagnetic layer and/or spacer can be adjusted to sufficiently balance the energy barrier between parallel and anti-parallel states of the perpendicular MTJ. In some embodiments, the additional ferromagnetic layer is configured such that its magnetization is opposite that of the fixed ferromagnetic layer.

    摘要翻译: 公开了通过在其中实现附加铁磁层来增强垂直磁隧道结(MTJ)的性能的技术。 附加铁磁层可以例如在垂直MTJ的固定铁磁层或自由铁磁层中或以其它方式实现。 在一些实施例中,附加铁磁层用非磁性间隔件实现,其中可以调整附加铁磁层和/或间隔物的厚度以使垂直MTJ的平行和反平行状态之间的能量势垒充分平衡。 在一些实施例中,附加铁磁层被配置为使得其磁化强度与固定铁磁层的磁化强度相反。