Patent ID: 8092698
Filing Date: 2012-01-10
Classification: B82Y,C23F,H01F,H01L

Abstract:
1. A method of forming a magnetic memory device, comprising: forming a bottom magnetic layer, a tunnel barrier layer and a top magnetic layer on a substrate; forming a mask pattern on a predetermined area of the top magnetic layer; using an etchant solution comprising deionized water and organic acid to etch in a direction from the top magnetic layer toward a top surface of the tunnel barrier layer to form a top magnetic pattern, wherein the organic acid comprises a carboxyl radical and a hydroxyl radical; removing the mask pattern after forming the top magnetic pattern; forming a capping insulation layer on an entire surface of the substrate; and patterning the capping insulation layer, the tunnel barrier layer, and the bottom magnetic layer to form a bottom magnetic pattern, a tunnel barrier pattern, and a capping insulation pattern, wherein the capping insulation pattern covers a top surface and sidewalls of the top magnetic pattern, and wherein plane areas of (a) the bottom magnetic pattern and (b) the tunnel barrier pattern are greater relative to a plane area of the top magnetic pattern.