Compact RRAM structure with contact-less unit cell

1. A method for forming a memory device comprising:

providing a substrate prepared with an isolation region, wherein the isolation region is processed to form a top surface which is coplanar with a top substrate surface, wherein the isolation region defines an active region of the substrate;

forming a first diffusion region within the active region, wherein the first diffusion region includes a depth shallower than a depth of the isolation region;

forming a storage layer over the first diffusion region;

forming a top electrode layer directly on the storage layer;

patterning at least the storage layer and the top electrode layer to form one or more individual storage units of the memory device; and

forming single layer isolation structures to isolate each of the individual storage units, wherein the single layer isolation structures include a coplanar top surface with a top surface of the one or more individual storage units, wherein the single layer isolation structures are disposed directly on and in contact with portions of the top substrate surface which are adjacent to the one or more individual storage units.

2. The method of claim 1 comprising performing a shallow implant to form a doped region in the substrate prior to forming the storage layer, wherein the doped region is disposed within the active region and directly over the first diffusion region.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein the first diffusion region includes first polarity type dopants and the doped region includes second polarity type dopants opposite to the first polarity type.

4. The method of claim 2 comprising forming amorphized silicon regions within the doped region prior to forming single layer isolation structures.

5. The method of claim 4 wherein prior to forming single layer isolation structures, the amorphized silicon regions of the doped region are removed to define second diffusion regions, wherein each of the second diffusion regions are separately coupled to each of the individual storage units and forms a diode device with the first diffusion region.

6. The method of claim 1 comprising forming first and second semiconductor layers over the top electrode layer prior to patterning at least the storage layer and the top electrode layer, wherein the first semiconductor layer includes first polarity type dopants and the second semiconductor layer includes second polarity type dopants opposite to the first polarity type.

7. The method of claim 6 wherein the first semiconductor layer contacts a top surface of the top electrode layer and a bottom surface of the second semiconductor layer.

8. The method of claim 6 wherein:

patterning at least the storage layer and the top electrode layer includes patterning the first and second semiconductor layers to form one or more diode devices; and

each of the diode devices is separately coupled to the storage layer of each of the one or more individual storage units.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein forming the storage layer comprises performing a deposition process to form a variable resistance layer directly on the top substrate surface.

10. A method for forming a memory device comprising:

providing a substrate prepared with an isolation region, wherein the isolation region defines an active region of the substrate;

forming a first diffusion region in the substrate within the active region, wherein the first diffusion region includes a depth shallower than a depth of the isolation region;

forming a storage layer over the first diffusion region, wherein the storage layer includes a variable resistance layer;

forming a bit line electrode layer directly on the storage layer;

patterning at least the storage layer and the bit line electrode layer to form one or more individual storage units of the memory device; and

forming single layer isolation structures to isolate each of the individual storage units, wherein the isolation structures are disposed directly on and in contact with portions of the substrate surface exposed between the one or more individual storage units.

11. The method of claim 10 comprising forming a doped region within the active region, wherein portions of the doped region are removed to define second diffusion regions prior to forming the storage layer, the second diffusion regions are disposed directly over and in contact with the first diffusion region.

12. The method of claim 11 wherein the first diffusion region includes first polarity type dopants and the second diffusion regions include second polarity type dopants opposite to the first polarity type.

13. The method of claim 11 wherein each of the second diffusion regions are separately coupled to each of the individual storage units and forms a diode device with the first diffusion region.

14. The method of claim 11 wherein defining the second diffusion regions exposes portions of the first diffusion region, wherein the single layer isolation structures contact the exposed portions of the first diffusion region and a sidewall of each of the second diffusion regions.

15. The method of claim 10 comprising forming first and second semiconductor layers over the bit line electrode layer prior to patterning at least the storage layer and the bit line electrode layer, wherein the first semiconductor layer contacts a top surface of the bit line electrode layer and a bottom surface of the second semiconductor layer.

16. The method of claim 15 wherein the first semiconductor layer includes first polarity type dopants and the second semiconductor layer includes second polarity type dopants opposite to first polarity type.

17. The method of claim 15 wherein patterning at least the storage layer and the bit line electrode layer includes patterning the first and second semiconductor layers to form one or more diode devices, wherein each of the diode devices is separately coupled to the storage layer of each of the individual storage units.

18. A method for forming a memory cell comprising:

providing a substrate prepared with an isolation region, wherein the isolation region is processed to form a top surface which is coplanar with a top substrate surface, wherein the isolation region defines an active region of the substrate;

forming a first polarity type doped region in the substrate within the active region, wherein the first polarity type doped region includes a depth shallower than a depth of the isolation region;

forming a storage layer directly on and in contact with the top substrate surface;

forming a bit line electrode layer directly on the storage layer and patterning at least the storage layer and the bit line electrode layer to form one or more individual storage units of the memory device, wherein each of the one or more individual storage units comprises a diode device electrically coupled to the storage layer, wherein the one or more individual storage units completely overlaps the first polarity type doped region a diode device electrically coupled to the storage layer; and

forming single layer isolation structures to isolate each of the individual storage units.

19. The method of claim 18 wherein forming the diode device of each of the one or more individual storage units comprises:

forming a second polarity type doped region in the substrate within the active region, wherein the second polarity type doped region is positioned directly over the first polarity type doped region, wherein the first polarity type is an opposite polarity type to the second polarity type; or

forming first and second semiconductor layers over the bit line electrode layer, wherein the first semiconductor layer includes first polarity type dopants and the second semiconductor layer includes second polarity type dopants opposite to the first polarity type.

20. The method of claim 18 wherein the single layer isolation structures are disposed directly on and in contact with portions of the top substrate surface which are adjacent to the one or more individual storage units.