Patent ID: 9276201
Filing Date: 2016-03-01
CPC Classification: G11C,H01L

Claim Text:
1. A method of forming a hybrid oxide capping layer in a magnetic device, comprising: (a) providing a substrate; (b) depositing a first metal or first alloy layer on the substrate and performing a first oxidation step that at least partially oxidizes the first metal or first alloy layer to form an interface oxide layer; (c) depositing a second metal or second alloy layer on the interface oxide layer and performing a second oxidation step that at least partially oxidizes the second metal or second alloy layer to form a first transition metal oxide layer, the second metal or second alloy has an absolute value of free energy of oxide formation that is less than that of the first metal or first alloy; (d) depositing a third metal or third alloy layer on the first transition metal oxide layer and performing a third oxidation step that at least partially oxidizes the third metal or third alloy layer to form a second transition metal oxide layer, the third metal or third alloy has an absolute value of free energy of oxide formation that is less than that of the first metal or first alloy; and (e) performing an anneal process that increases an oxidation state of the interface oxide layer to form a hybrid oxide capping layer (HOCL) comprised of a lower interface oxide layer, a first transition metal oxide layer, and a second transition metal oxide layer.