IP Library Granted Patent US 12,207,477
Granted Patent B2
US 12,207,477 · App. 17/205,190 · Granted Jan 21, 2025

Same level MRAM stacks having different configurations

Inventors: Yann Mignot (Slingerlands, NY); Oscar van der Straten (Guilderland Center, NY); Dimitri Houssameddine (White Plains, NY)
Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
H10B61/20H10N50/01H10N50/80H10N50/85
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,207,477
App. No.
17/205,190
Granted
Jan 21, 2025
Kind
B2
Abstract

A semiconductor device is provided. The semiconductor device includes a base layer, a first MRAM device formed on the base layer, and a second MRAM device formed on the base layer. The first MRAM device has a different performance characteristic than the second MRAM device.

Claims (36)

1. A semiconductor device comprising:

a base layer selected from the group consisting of a back end of line (BBOL) layer, a middle of line (MOL) layer and a front end of line (FEOL) layer;

a plurality of bottom contacts formed in the base layer,

a first MRAM device that is a cache bit formed on the base layer in contact with one of the plurality of bottom contacts in a first area; and

a plurality of second MRAM devices that are storage bit devices formed on the base layer in contact with one of the plurality of bottom contacts in a second area that surrounds the first area, the plurality of second MRAM devices being formed at a same level as the first MRAM device on the base layer,

wherein the first MRAM device has a smaller critical dimension than the plurality of second MRAM devices,

wherein the first MRAM device has a lower data retention characteristic and a lower switching current than the plurality of second MRAM devices, and

wherein the plurality of second MRAM devices have a lower programming speed and a lower response time than the first MRAM device, and

wherein a height of the first MRAM device is higher than a height of the plurality of second MRAM devices.

2. The semiconductor device of claim 1 ,

wherein the first MRAM device includes a first bottom electrode, a first MRAM stack, and a first top electrode, and

wherein each of the plurality of second MRAM devices include a second bottom electrode, a second MRAM stack, and a second top electrode.

3. The semiconductor device of claim 2 , wherein a thickness of the first bottom electrode is different than a thickness of the second bottom electrode.

4. The semiconductor device of claim 2 , wherein a thickness of the first top electrode is different than a thickness of the second top electrode.

5. The semiconductor device of claim 2 ,

wherein the first MRAM device includes a spacer layer formed on sidewalls of the first bottom electrode, the first MRAM stack, and the first top electrode, and

wherein each of the plurality of second MRAM devices includes a second spacer layer formed on sidewalls of the second bottom electrode, the second MRAM stack, and the second top electrode.

6. The semiconductor device of claim 1 , wherein the first MRAM device and the plurality of second MRAM devices each include a fixed magnetization layer, an insulating barrier layer, and a free magnetization layer.

7. A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device, the method comprising:

forming a base layer selected from the group consisting of a back end of line (BEOL) layer a middle of line (MOL) layer and a front end of line (FEOL) layer;

forming a plurality of bottom contacts in the base layer;

forming a first MRAM device that is a cache bit on the base layer in contact with one of the plurality f bottom contacts in a first area; and

forming a plurality of second MRAM devices that are storage bit devices on the base layer in contact with one of the plurality of bottom contacts in a second area, the second area surrounding the first area, the plurality of second MRAM devices being formed at a same level as the first MRAM device on the base layer,

wherein the first MRAM device has a smaller critical dimension than the plurality of second MRAM devices,

wherein the first MRAM device has a lower data retention characteristic and a lower switching current than the plurality of second MRAM devices, and

wherein the plurality of second MRAM devices have a lower programming speed and a lower response time than the first MRAM device, and

wherein a height of the first MRAM device is higher than a height of the plurality of second MRAM devices.

8. The method of claim 7 ,

wherein forming the first MRAM device includes forming a first bottom electrode, forming a first MRAM stack on the first bottom electrode, and forming a first top electrode on the first MRAM stack, and

wherein forming each of the plurality of second MRAM devices includes forming a second bottom electrode, forming a second MRAM stack on the second bottom electrode, and forming a second top electrode on the second MRAM stack.

9. The method of claim 8 , wherein a thickness of the first bottom electrode is different than a thickness of the second bottom electrode.

10. The method of claim 8 , wherein a thickness of the first top electrode is different than a thickness of the second top electrode.

11. The method of claim 8 ,

wherein the first MRAM device includes a spacer layer formed on sidewalls of the first bottom electrode, the first MRAM stack, and the first top electrode, and

wherein the plurality of second MRAM devices include a second spacer layer formed on sidewalls of the second bottom electrode, the second MRAM stack, and the second top electrode.

12. The method of claim 7 , wherein the first MRAM device and the plurality of second MRAM devices each include a fixed magnetization layer, an insulating barrier layer, and a free magnetization layer.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Mar 18, 2021
From: MIGNOT, YANN; VAN DER STRATEN, OSCAR; HOUSSAMEDDINE, DIMITRI
To: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 055635/0773 →
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20220302207A1 · Sep 22, 2022
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