Patent ID: 9082695
Filing Date: 2015-07-14
Classification: H01L

Abstract:
1. A method of making a magnetic memory device comprising the steps of: forming a plurality of MTJ stack pillars with exposed sidewalls in a substrate, each of said MTJ stack pillars comprising a bottom electrode and a top electrode with an MTJ memory element interposed therebetween, and a hard mask overlying said top electrode; encapsulating said MTJ stack pillars by conformally depositing a first dielectric material over said substrate and said MTJ stack pillars including said exposed sidewalls thereof; forming an insulating matrix surrounding said MTJ stack pillars covered with said first dielectric material by depositing a second dielectric material into gaps between said MTJ stack pillars and etching away portions of said second dielectric material above said MTJ stack pillars, said insulating matrix having an upper surface recessed from portions of said first dielectric material formed on top of said MTJ stack pillars; forming conformal sidewall protection sleeves over said MTJ stack pillars and exposing upper surfaces of said hard masks by etching away said portions of said first dielectric material selectively to said insulating matrix; removing said hard masks and exposing said top electrodes by etching said hard masks selectively to said insulating matrix and said conformal sidewall protection sleeves; forming a dielectric interlayer on top of said MTJ stack pillars and said insulating matrix; etching said dielectric interlayer to form a trench with at least two of said top electrodes and said upper surface of said insulating matrix exposed on bottom of said trench; and forming a metal wire by filling said trench with a conductive material, said metal wire being directly coupled to at least two of said top electrodes of respective MTJ stack pillars.