Patent ID: 6544801
Filing Date: 2003-04-08
Classification: B82Y,H01L

Abstract:
A method of fabricating an MTJ cell comprising the steps of:forming a stack of layers of material including a first metal electrode, a first layer of magnetic material in electrical communication with the first metal electrode, an insulator layer of material, a second layer of magnetic material, and a second metal electrode in electrical communication with the second layer of magnetic material; the step of forming the stack of layers of material including the steps of: positioning the insulator layer of material on the first layer of magnetic material, the insulator layer of material having a greater attraction for a third material than the first layer of magnetic material and the insulator layer of material forming insulator layer material with the third material; positioning the second layer of magnetic material on the insulator layer of material, the insulator layer of material having a greater attraction for the third material than the second layer of magnetic material; and introducing the third material to one of the first layer of magnetic material and the second layer of magnetic material during the steps of positioning the insulator layer of material on the first layer of magnetic material, and positioning the second layer of magnetic material on the insulator layer of material; positioning at least one diffusion barrier layer in accordance with at least one of: between the first metal electrode and the first layer of magnetic material; and between the second metal electrode and the second layer of magnetic material during the step of forming the stack of layers wherein the diffusion barrier layer includes a metallization layer and wherein the diffusion barrier layer is formed by exposing the metallization layer to ions or radicals; and heating the stack of layers to redistribute the third material from the one of the first layer of magnetic material and the second layer of magnetic material to the insulator layer of material.