Patent ID: 6806096
Filing Date: 2004-10-19
Classification: H01L

Abstract:
A method of fabricating a magnetic memory device, comprising:providing a workpiece having a plurality of first conductive lines formed thereon, a bottom electrode material being disposed over and abutting at least one first conductive line, a magnetic stack material being disposed over and abutting the bottom electrode material, a conductive hard mask being disposed over and abutting the magnetic stack material, wherein the conductive hard mask and the magnetic stack material have been patterned with a pattern for at least one magnetic memory cell; depositing an insulting hard mask over the patterned conductive hard mask, patterned magnetic stack material, and exposed portion of the bottom electrode material; patterning the insulating hard mask with a pattern for a bottom electrode for the at least one magnetic memory cell; patterning the bottom electrode material with the insulating hard mask; removing the insulating hard mask from at least a top surface of the conductive hard mask; depositing a buffer insulating layer over this insulating hard mask; depositing an etch stop material over the buffer insulating layer; depositing a first insulating layer over the etch stop material; patterning the first insulating layer with a pattern for a plurality of second conductive lines, stopping on the etch stop material, the second conductive lines running in a different direction from the first conductive lines, wherein the pattern for at least one of the second conductive lines is disposed over and abuts the conductive hard mask; and removing the etch stop material from a top surface of at least the conductive hard mask, leaving at least a portion of the buffer insulating layer over the top surface of the conductive hard mask.