Abstract:
A method is described for manufacturing a magnetic sensor module ( 100, 200, 300, 400 ) having magnetic sensor elements ( 130, 330, 430 ) monolithically integrated at a semiconductor chip ( 110 ) which comprises an integrated circuit. The described method comprises (a) providing a composite semiconductor arrangement ( 105 ) comprising (i) the semiconductor chip ( 110 ), (ii) contact elements ( 112 ) for the integrated circuit, which are formed on the semiconductor chip ( 110 ), and (iii) a dielectric layer ( 120 ) formed over the semiconductor chip ( 110 ) and over the contact elements ( 112 ), (b) forming a magnetic sensor layer providing the material for the magnetic sensor elements ( 130, 330, 430 ) monolithically over the dielectric layer ( 120 ), (c) exposing the contact elements ( 112 ) by removing a part of the dielectric layer ( 120 ) which part is located above the contact elements ( 112 ), and (d) forming an electric conductive protection layer ( 140, 240, 340, 440 ) over either the formed magnetic sensor layer or the exposed contact elements ( 112 ) in order to prevent negative interactions between (i) the step of forming the magnetic sensor elements ( 130, 330, 430 ) resulting from the magnetic sensor layer and (ii) the step of exposing the contacting elements ( 112 ). It is further described a magnetic sensor module ( 100, 200, 300, 400 ) which is manufactured by the above described method.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 of European patent application no. 13171756.3, filed on Jun. 12, 2013, the contents of which are incorporated by reference herein. 
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention generally relates to the technical field of magnetic sensor modules comprising magnetic sensor elements which are monolithically integrated at an active semiconductor chip comprising an integrated circuit. In particular, the present invention related to a method for manufacturing such a magnetic sensor module and to a magnetic sensor module which has been manufactured by such a method. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Magnetic sensors are increasingly important in various industries. For instance in the automotive industry various sensors such as parking sensors, angular sensors e.g. in throttle valves, ABS (Anti-lock Braking System) sensors and tire pressure sensors can be found in modern vehicles for improving comfort and safety. Magnetic sensors are particularly important in automotive applications, because magnetic fields penetrate easily through most materials. Unlike for example optical sensors, magnetic sensors are also highly insensitive to dirt. 
     Several different magnetic sensor technologies are currently available, such as sensors based on the Hall Effect and sensors based on the magnetoresistive effect such as anisotropic magnetoresistive (AMR), tunnel magnetoresistive (TMR) and giant magnetoresistive (GMR) sensors. 
     For the next generation of magnetic automotive sensors the structures of corresponding magnetic elements are planned to be monolithically integrated on top of active silicon (i.e. a semiconductor chip having implemented an integrated circuit) in order to reduce packaging costs, to reduce the number of bond pads and to make a matching of magnetic/electrical elements easier/more accurate. This integration requires a new processing route for the magnetic sensor elements on the top metal layer of an integrated circuit e.g. in a CMOS back-end process. 
     In case of a magnetic sensor module relying on the AMR effect the magnetic sensor elements are made from a permalloy material which is a nickel-iron magnetic alloy with about 20% iron content and 80% nickel content. Interconnects are required to connect the magnetic sensor elements consisting of thin permalloy stripes to the underlying integrated circuit. The main challenge for a monolithic integration is to perform the patterning of the permalloy stripes and the interconnect formation, which serve as the electric connection to the underlying active silicon (e.g. an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC)) without damaging each other. Specifically, in case a magnetic sensor element patterning is performed before a formation of the interconnects, the magnetic sensor elements need to be prevented from any damage during the process of exposing of the interconnects. Vice versa, if the interconnect formation is performed before patterning of the magnetic sensor elements, the exposed metal of the interconnects must not be damaged by the permalloy patterning process. 
     Particularly, a microwave resist strip and a sidewall polymer removal step after etching of contact holes for forming the interconnects as well as a sputter etch before deposition of the contacting metal could damage the magnetic sensor elements if they are formed first. This is because the permalloy is exposed during these steps. Vice versa, a patterning of the magnetic sensor elements could damage the interconnect areas if they are formed at least partially before the magnetic sensor elements. Particularly, the exposed metal of the interconnects could be damaged either by an acid if the material of the magnetic sensor elements is etched wet or by an ion bombardment of a dry etch process. 
     There may be a need for providing an effective and reliable manufacturing procedure for a magnetic sensor module having magnetic sensor elements monolithically integrated at or on a semiconductor chip such that the risk of damaging either magnetic sensor elements or interconnects is significantly reduced. 
     OBJECT AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     This need may be met by the subject matter according to the independent claims. Advantageous embodiments of the present invention are described by the dependent claims. 
     According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a method for manufacturing a magnetic sensor module having magnetic sensor elements monolithically integrated at or preferably on a semiconductor chip which comprises an integrated circuit. The provided method comprises (a) providing a composite semiconductor arrangement comprising (i) the semiconductor chip, (ii) contact elements for the integrated circuit, which are formed on the semiconductor chip, and (iii) a dielectric layer formed over the semiconductor chip and over the contact elements, (b) forming a magnetic sensor layer providing the material for the magnetic sensor elements monolithically over the dielectric layer, (c) exposing the contact elements by removing a part of the dielectric layer which part is located above the contact elements, and (d) forming an electric conductive protection layer over either the formed magnetic sensor layer or the exposed contact elements in order to prevent negative interactions between (i) the step of forming the magnetic sensor elements resulting from the magnetic sensor layer and (ii) the step of exposing the contacting elements. 
     The described manufacturing method is based on the idea that by forming the electric conductive protection layer either over the formed magnetic sensor layer or over the exposed contact elements a damage of one of (i) the formed magnetic sensor layer and (ii) the exposed contact elements can be effectively prevented when the other one of the magnetic sensor elements and the contact elements is formed or exposed, respectively. 
     Specifically, after the electric conductive protection layer has been formed over the magnetic sensor layer the contact elements can be exposed without the risk of damaging the magnetic sensor layer. Alternatively, after the electric conductive protection layer has been formed over the exposed contact elements the formation of the magnetic sensor elements cannot lead to a damage of the exposed contact elements. 
     It is noted that it is not necessary that the mentioned steps (a) to (d) are performed in the described order. In particular, it is possible to reverse the order of the mentioned steps (b) and (c) such that step (c) is carried out prior to step (b). 
     The described manufacturing method may provide the advantage that using the electric conductive protection layer does not require any additional mask layer which keeps process complexity and manufacturing costs at a minimum level. 
     The described manufacturing method may further provide the advantage that it works for different types of magnetic sensor concepts. Specifically, the magnetic sensor elements may be anisotropic magnetoresistive (AMR) sensor elements, giant magnetoresistive (GMR) sensor elements, or tunnel magnetoresistive (TMR) sensor elements. 
     The contact elements may be in particular used for electrically connecting the integrated circuit with the magnetic sensor elements. Therefore, the contact elements can also be denominated interconnection elements or short interconnects. 
     The contact elements may be made of any material which is suitable for being used in a semiconductor manufacturing process for interconnecting different electric parts of a composite semiconductor arrangement. Specifically, the contact elements may comprise at least one of the elements gold (Au), copper (Cu) and aluminum (Al). 
     In case of employing the well known AMR effect the magnetic sensor elements may be made of so called permalloy which is a nickel-iron magnetic alloy with about 20% iron content and 80% nickel content. 
     The magnetic sensor module may be a composite semiconductor arrangement which is formed monolithically. This means that a magnetic sensor arrangement of e.g. four magnetic sensor elements which may be interconnected with each other in a Wheatstone bridge is electrically connected with the semiconductor chip respectively with the integrated circuit of the semiconductor chip without an interconnection wiring such as e.g. bond wires. Instead of using a wired interconnection the contact elements of the integrated circuit are connected with the magnetic sensor arrangement by means of appropriately formed and structured electrical conductive layers. 
     The integrated circuit may represent a so called application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC). With an ASIC at least some of the functionalities of control and/or evaluation electronics for the magnetic sensor arrangement can be realized. 
     It should be noted that the term “over” or “above” does not necessarily mean that one element is directly arranged or disposed on another element, but also comprises that additional layers or elements are disposed between the two elements. For example, the meaning of the feature “forming the magnetic sensor elements monolithically over the dielectric layer”, includes that the magnetic sensor element(s) are disposed directly on the dielectric layer and also includes that additional layer(s) are arranged between the magnetic sensor elements and the dielectric layer. 
     Further, it should be noted that in this document the term “over” or “above” are not necessarily used with reference to the force of gravity. Specifically, when the composite semiconductor arrangement is oriented upside down, for example, “above” can mean “below” and “over” can mean “under”. 
     According to an embodiment of the invention the dielectric layer comprises a first dielectric sub-layer formed over the semiconductor chip and a second dielectric sub-layer formed over the first dielectric sub-layer. 
     Using two dielectric sub-layers for forming the dielectric layer may provide the advantage that on the one hand a good overall electric isolation between the magnetic sensor arrangement given by the magnetic sensor elements and the regions of the semiconductor chip which are outside from the contact elements can be realized. On the other hand a reduced mechanical stress between (i) the magnetic sensor elements and (ii) (the body of) the semiconductor chip can be realized. 
     The first dielectric sub-layer and/or the second dielectric sub-layer may be made of an oxide material such as e.g. a silicon oxide material. 
     According to a further embodiment of the invention the method further comprises (e) forming, in the regions above the exposed contact elements, an electric conductive barrier layer over the exposed contact elements and (f) forming, in the regions above the exposed contact elements, a contacting material over the electric conductive barrier layer. This may provide the advantage that an unwanted diffusion of atoms in particular between the contacting material and the contact elements can be avoided. Further, a good and reliable electric connection between the magnetic sensor elements on the one hand and the corresponding contact elements can be realized. 
     According to a further embodiment of the invention the method further comprises (g) forming, over the magnetic sensor elements and the contacting material, a nonmetallic passivation layer. This may provide the advantage that the resulting magnetic sensor module can be effectively protected from external environmental effects such as e.g. dust, dirt and/or humidity. The nonmetallic passivation layer may be realized e.g. by silicon nitride (SiN) or by silicon oxy nitride (SiON). 
     According to a further embodiment of the invention the method further comprises (h) exposing a bond pad which is provided at the surface of the semiconductor chip by removing, in the region above the bond pad, the passivation layer and the dielectric layer. 
     By exposing a least one bond pad being provided at the surface of the semiconductor chip the resulting magnetic sensor module comprising the magnetic sensor arrangement and a corresponding electronic circuitry can be easily contacted with other electronic devices in particular by means of one or more bond wires. 
     According to a further embodiment of the invention the electric conductive protection layer comprises at least one material of the group consisting of TiW, TiWN, Ta, TaN, Ti, TiN, W, WN or NiFe. 
     According to a further embodiment of the invention the step of forming the magnetic sensor layer is accomplished before the step of exposing the contact elements and the electric conductive protection layer is formed over the formed magnetic sensor layer. This may mean that the step of forming the electric conductive protection layer is accomplished after the magnetic sensor layer has been formed and before the contact elements have been exposed. 
     It is noted that in this context also a patterning or a structuring of the magnetic sensor elements from the magnetic sensor layer may be carried out before the step of exposing the contact elements. 
     According to a further embodiment of the invention the method further comprises forming the magnetic sensor elements by structuring the magnetic sensor layer. Further, the electric conductive protection layer is formed over the formed magnetic sensor elements and over the contact elements and the step of exposing the contact elements comprises removing, in the region above the contact elements, both the dielectric layer and the electric conductive protection layer. This may provide the advantage that when exposing the contact elements the before formed magnetic sensor elements will be fully encapsulated by the electric conductive protection layer. Specifically, not only the top surface of the magnetic sensor elements but also the side surface of the magnetic sensor elements will be protected when exposing the contact elements. 
     According to a further embodiment of the invention before exposing the contact elements the electric conductive protection layer is structured by removing the electric conductive protection layer in all regions except the regions above the areas in which the magnetic sensor elements have been formed or will be formed. 
     Thereby, the magnetic sensor layer may have been structured by using an appropriate mask in order to form the magnetic sensor elements before the electric conductive protection layer is structured preferably by using the same mask. 
     According to a further embodiment of the invention the electric conductive protection layer is formed over the formed magnetic sensor layer, which has not yet been structured in order to form the magnetic sensor elements. Further, the structured electric conductive protection layer is used as a hardmask for removing the magnetic sensor layer outside the areas of the magnetic sensor elements. 
     This may provide the advantage that together with structuring the electric conductive protection layer within one common structuring step also the magnetic sensor layer can be structured in the same way in order to form also the magnetic sensor elements. Since the structured electric conductive protection layer is used as a mask which is automatically correctly positioned the described procedure will be very reliable. 
     According to a further embodiment of the invention the step of exposing the contact elements is accomplished before the step of forming the magnetic sensor elements and the electric conductive protection layer is formed over the exposed contact elements. This may mean that the step of forming the electric conductive protection layer is accomplished after the contact elements have been exposed and before the magnetic sensor elements have been formed. 
     According to a further embodiment of the invention the material of the electric conductive protection layer is the same as the material of the magnetic sensor elements. This may provide the advantage that within one common deposition step and a subsequent patterning step the magnetic sensor elements and the electric conductive protection layer can be formed. As a consequence, with the described method a magnetic sensor module having magnetic sensor elements which are monolithically integrated at an active semiconductor chip can be realized in an effective manner. 
     According to a further embodiment of the invention the step of exposing the contact elements is accomplished by removing, in the regions above the contact elements, the dielectric layer. This may provide the advantage that for exposing the contact elements only the dielectric layer over the contact elements has to be removed e.g. by etching the dielectric material. There is no need to remove also material of the electric conductive protection layer respectively material of the magnetic sensor elements which will be deposited after the contact elements have been exposed completely. 
     According to a further embodiment of the invention the step of exposing the contact elements is accomplished by forming, in the regions above the contact elements, vias through the dielectric layer and filling the vias with a conductive material. 
     By filling the formed vias, plugs are formed in order to extend or raise the contact elements up to a level which corresponds to an upper surface of the dielectric layer. As a consequence, for contacting the contact elements located at the upper surface of the semiconductor chip there is no need to expose or to excavate the contact elements by removing all dielectric material being located above the contact elements. 
     The conductive material being used for filling the vias may be e.g. tungsten (W). 
     According to a further aspect of the invention there is provided a magnetic sensor module comprising (a) a semiconductor chip which accommodates an integrated circuit, (b) contact elements for the integrated circuit, which are formed on the semiconductor chip, (c) a dielectric layer formed over the semiconductor chip at least at regions being located outside from regions being located above the contact elements, and (d) magnetic sensor elements which are formed monolithically integrated over the dielectric layer. The magnetic sensor module is manufactured by any one of the exemplary methods as elucidated above. 
     The described magnetic sensor module is based on the idea that it can be effectively and reliably manufactured by carrying out the above described method. Specifically, by forming the electric conductive protection layer either over the formed magnetic sensor elements or over the exposed contact elements a damage of one of (i) the formed magnetic sensor elements and (ii) the exposed contact elements can be effectively prevented when the other one of the magnetic sensor elements and the contact elements is formed or exposed, respectively. 
     It has to be noted that embodiments of the invention have been described with reference to different subject matters. In particular, some embodiments have been described with reference to method type claims whereas another embodiment has been described with reference to apparatus type claims. However, a person skilled in the art will gather from the above and the following description that, unless other notified, in addition to any combination of features belonging to one type of subject matter also any combination between features relating to different subject matters, in particular between features of the method type claims and features of the apparatus type claim is considered as to be disclosed with this application. 
     The aspects defined above and further aspects of the present invention are apparent from the examples of embodiment to be described hereinafter and are explained with reference to the examples of embodiment. The invention will be described in more detail hereinafter with reference to examples of embodiment but to which the invention is not limited. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIGS. 1   a  to  1   g  illustrate in accordance with a first variant of a first embodiment of the invention the manufacturing of a magnetic sensor module, wherein before contact elements for an integrated circuit are exposed magnetic sensor elements are formed by structuring a corresponding layer of a permalloy material. 
         FIGS. 2   a  to  2   g  illustrate the manufacturing of a magnetic sensor module according to a second variant of the first embodiment of the invention. 
         FIGS. 3   a  to  3   f  illustrate in accordance with a first variant of a second embodiment of the invention the manufacturing of a magnetic sensor module, wherein before magnetic sensor elements are formed by structuring a corresponding layer of a permalloy, material contact elements for an integrated circuit are exposed. 
         FIGS. 4   a  to  4   f  illustrate the manufacturing of a magnetic sensor module according to a second variant of the second embodiment of the invention. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
     The illustration in the drawing is schematically. It is noted that in different figures, similar or identical elements or features are provided with the same reference signs or with reference signs, which are different from the corresponding reference signs only within the first digit. In order to avoid unnecessary repetitions elements or features which have already been elucidated with respect to a previously described embodiment are not elucidated again at a later position of the description. 
     In the following detailed description there are described with reference to  FIGS. 1   a  to  1   g  and  FIGS. 2   a  to  2   g  two variants of a first embodiment of the invention. In accordance with both variants of the first embodiment before contact elements for an integrated circuit are exposed magnetic sensor elements are formed by structuring a corresponding layer of a permalloy material. 
     Specifically, in accordance with both variants of the first embodiment an electric conductive protection layer protects the permalloy during the formation of interconnects and serves as an adhesion layer and as a diffusion barrier between the permalloy and a contacting metallization. After patterning of the contacting metallization this electric conductive protection layer is at least partially removed above the active magnetic sensor elements using the contacting metallization as hardmask thereby avoiding any additional mask layer. The removal of the electric conductive protection layer above the active magnetic sensor elements is required because otherwise the active magnetic sensor elements would be short-circuited by the electric conductive protection layer. The electric conductive protection layer remains only below the contacting metallization. The electric conductive protection layer may consist of materials like TiW, TiWN, Ta, TaN, Ti, TiN, W or WN or combinations thereof. 
     If for the electric conductive protection layer and the diffusion barrier the same material is used, no additional manufacturing steps except for the deposition of the electric conductive protection layer are required. In this document the corresponding process flow is called the first variant of the first embodiment and is illustrated with reference to  FIGS. 1   a  to  1   g.    
     According to the second variant of the first embodiment this additional diffusion barrier/electric conductive protection layer is used as a hardmask for dry (or wet) etching of the permalloy which is not removed after permalloy patterning, but after (or during) the patterning of the contacting metallization. The corresponding process flow of this second variant of the first embodiment is illustrated with reference to  FIGS. 2   a  to  2   g.    
       FIG. 1   a  shows a composite semiconductor arrangement  105 , which represents the starting basis for the method for manufacturing a magnetic sensor module according to the first variant of the first embodiment. The composite semiconductor arrangement  105  comprises (i) a semiconductor chip  110  accommodating a prefabricated ASIC (application specific integrated circuit) of the magnetic sensor module, (ii) contact elements  112  for the integrated circuit, which are formed on the semiconductor chip  110 , and (iii) a dielectric layer  120  formed over the semiconductor chip  110  and over the contact elements  112 . The composite semiconductor arrangement  105  further comprises a bond pad  114 , which can be used, as will become apparent from the below description, for electrically contacting the magnetic sensor module with not depicted other electronic devices in particular by means of one or more bond wires. 
     According to the embodiment described here the dielectric layer  120  comprises two sub-layers, a first dielectric sub-layer  122  and a second dielectric sub-layer  124 . 
       FIG. 1   b  shows a next processing state for manufacturing a magnetic sensor module, wherein magnetic sensor elements  130  have been formed over the second dielectric sub-layer  124 . The formation of the magnetic sensor elements  130  may be accomplished in a known and non depicted manner by (a) a deposition of a layer of a permalloy material over the second dielectric sub-layer  124 , (b) a deposition of a photoresist material on top of the deposited permalloy material layer, (c) a structuring of the photoresist material, (d) a dry or wet patterning of the permalloy material, and (e) a stripping of the remaining photoresist material. 
       FIG. 1   c  shows a next processing state, wherein an electric conductive protection layer  140  has been deposited over the magnetic sensor elements  130 , the bond pad  114  and the surrounding regions of the second dielectric sub-layer  124 . The electric conductive protection layer  140  may be made e.g. from the material TiW or any other material mentioned above. 
     In a next processing state shown in  FIG. 1   d , recesses  142  for the contact elements  112  have been formed. The formation of these recesses  142  may be accomplished in a non depicted manner by (a) a deposition of a photoresist material on top of the electric conductive protection layer  140 , (b) a structuring of the deposited photoresist material, (c) an etching of the electric conductive protection layer  140 , (d) an etching of the two dielectric sub-layers  122 ,  124 , and (e) a stripping of the remaining photoresist material and a removal of sidewall polymers. During these steps the electric conductive protection layer  140  prevents that the permalloy material is attacked or damaged. 
       FIG. 1   e  shows a next processing state, wherein over the contact elements  112  and over the electric conductive protection layer  140  being located between two neighboring magnetic sensor elements  130  there has been formed first a metallic diffusion barrier layer  152  and a layer of contacting material  154 . The formation of this structured arrangement may be accomplished in a non depicted manner by (a) a deposition of the diffusion barrier layer  152 , (b) a deposition of the contacting material  154 , (c) a deposition of a photoresist material on top of the contacting material  154 , (d) a structuring of the deposited photoresist material, (e) an etching of the contacting material  154 , (f) a stripping of the remaining photoresist material, (g) an etching of the diffusion barrier layer  152 , and (h) an etching of the electric conductive protection layer  140  over the magnetic sensor elements  130 . Due to the protection of the magnetic sensor elements  130  by means of the electric conductive protection layer  140  e.g. a sputter etch process can be used before step (a). 
     It is mentioned that the steps (g) and (h) can be combined in one single step. Further, for the etching in the steps (g) and (h) the before structured contacting material  154  can be used as a hardmask. 
     In a next processing state shown in  FIG. 1   f , a passivation layer  160  has been deposited. During, before and/or after the deposition of the passivation layer  160  the contact elements  112  may be annealed. The passivation layer  160 , which may be made of e.g. silicon nitride (SiN) or silicon oxy nitride (SiON), can be formed in a known manner by means of e.g. a plasma deposition process (PECVD). 
     As can be seen from  FIG. 1   g , which shows the resulting magnetic sensor module  100 , an opening or a recess  162  over the bond pad  114  has been formed. This opening or recess  162  allows the magnetic sensor module  100  to be electrically connected to other electronic devices e.g. by means of a bond wire. The formation of this opening or recess  162  may be accomplished in a non depicted manner by (a) a deposition of a photoresist material, (b) a structuring of the photoresist material, (c) an etching of the passivation layer  160  and the inter-metal dielectric layer  120 , which according to the embodiment described here includes the first dielectric sub-layer  122  and the second dielectric sub-layer  124 , and (d) a stripping of the photoresist material. 
       FIGS. 2   a  to  2   g  illustrate the manufacturing process of a magnetic sensor module in accordance with the second variant of the first embodiment. 
     As can be seen from  FIGS. 2   a  and  2   b , the corresponding processing states are the same as the processing states shown in  FIGS. 1   a  and  1   b , respectively. For the sake of conciseness these processing states will not be elucidated once again. Instead, reference is made to the description given above. 
       FIG. 2   c  shows a next processing state, wherein an electric conductive protection layer  240  is formed exclusively over the magnetic sensor elements  130 . The formation of this structural arrangement may be accomplished in a non depicted manner by (a) a deposition of the electric conductive protection layer  240  e.g. made from TiW, (b) a deposition of a photoresist material onto the electric conductive protection layer  240 , (c) an appropriate structuring of the photoresist material, (d) an etching of the electric conductive protection layer  240  such that only above the magnetic sensor elements  130  there remain parts of the electric conductive protection layer  240 , and (e) a stripping of the remaining photoresist material. 
     It is mentioned that in order to realize the structural arrangement shown in  FIG. 2   c  it is not necessary to separately etch the magnetic sensor elements  130  and the electric conductive protection layer  240 . Instead, the processing state shown in  FIG. 2   b  can be omitted and the electric conductive protection layer  240  and the AMR permalloy material for the magnetic sensor elements  130  can be etched consecutively or within one single etching step. In this way, the patterned or structured electric conductive protection layer can be used as a hardmask for etching the AMR permalloy material 
     In a next processing state shown in  FIG. 2   d , recesses  226  for the contact elements  112  have been formed. The formation of these recesses  226  may be accomplished in a non depicted manner by (a) a deposition of a photoresist material, (b) a structuring of the deposited photoresist material, (c) an etching of the two dielectric sub-layers  122 ,  124 , and (d) a stripping of the remaining photoresist material and a removal of sidewall polymers e.g. by means of microwave plasma. During these steps the electric conductive protection layer  240  prevents that the AMR permalloy material of the magnetic sensor elements  130  is attacked or damaged. 
       FIG. 2   e  shows a next processing state, wherein over the contact elements  112  and over the second dielectric sub-layer  124  in regions being located between two neighboring magnetic sensor elements  130  there has been formed first a metallic diffusion barrier layer  252  and a layer of contacting material  254 . The formation of this structured arrangement may be accomplished in a non depicted manner by (a) a deposition of the diffusion barrier layer  252 , (b) a deposition of the contacting material  254 , (c) a deposition of a photoresist material on top of the contacting material  254 , (d) a structuring of the deposited photoresist material, (e) an etching of the contacting material  254 , (f) a stripping of the remaining photoresist material, (g) an etching of the diffusion barrier layer  152 , and (h) an etching of the electric conductive protection layer  240  over the magnetic sensor elements  130 . Due to the protection of the magnetic sensor elements  130  by means of the electric conductive protection layer  240  e.g. a sputter etch process can be used before step (a). 
     It is mentioned that the steps (g) and (h) can be combined in one single step. Further, for the etching in the steps (g) and (h) the before structured contacting material  254  can be used as a hardmask. 
     In a next processing state shown in  FIG. 2   f , a passivation layer  260  has been deposited. During, before and/or after the deposition of the passivation layer  260  the permalloy material of the magnetic sensor elements  130  may be annealed. The passivation layer  260 , which may be made of e.g. silicon nitride (SiN) or silicon oxy nitride (SiON), can be formed in a known manner by means of e.g. a plasma deposition process. 
     As can be seen from  FIG. 2   g , which shows the resulting magnetic sensor module  200 , an opening or a recess  262  over the bond pad  114  has been formed. This opening or recess  262  allows the magnetic sensor module  200  to be electrically connected to other electronic devices e.g. by means of a bond wire. The formation of this opening or recess  262  may be accomplished in a non depicted manner by (a) a deposition of a photoresist material, (b) a structuring of the photoresist material, (c) an etching of the passivation layer  260  and of the inter-metal dielectric layer  120 , which according to the embodiment described here includes the first dielectric sub-layer  122  and the second dielectric sub-layer  124 , and (d) a stripping of the photoresist material. 
       FIGS. 3   a  to  3   f  and  FIGS. 4   a  to  4   f  illustrate two variants of a second embodiment of the invention. In accordance with both variants of the second embodiment contact elements for an integrated circuit are exposed before magnetic sensor elements are formed by structuring a corresponding layer of a permalloy material. In this, descriptive speaking, “contact first” integration architecture the deposition of an electric conductive protection layer protects the exposed top metal of the ASIC in the contact holes during patterning of the permalloy. Thereby, the electric conductive protection layer is deposited within the contact holes. Preferably, the permalloy layer for the magnetic sensor elements itself is used as the electric conductive protection layer. This has the advantage that no additional manufacturing steps are required which keeps manufacturing costs at minimum level. 
     In accordance with the first variant of the second embodiment the electric conductive protection layer remains between the top metal of the ASIC and the contacting metallization. 
     In accordance with the second variant of the second embodiment the contacts through the inter-metal dielectric layer have already been formed by means of so called plugs before the deposition of the permalloy material layer. These plugs can be protected in the same way during patterning of the permalloy material layer as the exposed top metal of the contact elements of the ASIC in the contact holes. 
       FIG. 3   a  shows a composite semiconductor arrangement  105 , which represents the starting basis for the method for manufacturing a magnetic sensor module  300  according to the first variant of the second embodiment. This composite semiconductor arrangement  105 , which has already been elucidated with reference to  FIG. 1   a , will for the sake of conciseness not be elucidated once again. Instead, reference is made to the description of  FIG. 1   a.    
     In a next processing state shown in  FIG. 3   b , recesses  326  for the contact elements  112  have been formed. The formation of these recesses  326  may be accomplished in a non depicted manner by (a) a deposition of a photoresist material on top of the second dielectric sub-layer  124 , (b) a structuring of the deposited photoresist material, (c) an etching of the two dielectric sub-layers  122 ,  124 , and (e) a stripping of the remaining photoresist material and a removal of sidewall polymers. 
       FIG. 3   c  shows a next processing state, wherein over the contact elements  112  and over the second dielectric sub-layer  124  in regions corresponding to the magnetic sensor elements  330  there has been formed a permalloy layer, which serves both as the material for the magnetic sensor elements  130  and as an electric conductive protection layer  340 . The formation of this structured arrangement may be accomplished in a non depicted manner by (a) a deposition of the permalloy material, (b) a deposition of a photoresist material on top of the deposited permalloy material, (c) a structuring of the photoresist material in order to remove the permalloy material being located aside of the magnetic sensor elements  330  and the recesses  326 , (d) an appropriate patterning of the permalloy material e.g. by means of a wet or a dry etching process, and (e) a stripping of the remaining photoresist material. It is mentioned that due to the protection of the contact elements  112  by means of the permalloy material  340  there will be no attack or damage of the contact elements  112  during the step (d). 
       FIG. 3   d  shows a next processing state, wherein (i) over the contact elements  112  and (ii) over regions of the second dielectric sub-layer  124 , which regions are located aside from the magnetic sensor elements  330 , there has been formed first a metallic diffusion barrier layer  352  and a layer of contacting material  354 . The formation of this structured arrangement may be accomplished in a non depicted manner by (a) a deposition of the diffusion barrier layer  352 , (b) a deposition of the contacting material  354 , (c) a deposition of a photoresist material on top of the contacting material  354 , (d) an appropriate structuring of the photoresist material, (e) an etching of the contacting material  354 , (f) a stripping of the remaining photoresist material, and (g) an etching of the diffusion barrier layer  352  e.g. by using the structured contacting material  354  as a hard-mask. 
     In a next processing state shown in  FIG. 3   e , a passivation layer  360  has been deposited. During, before and/or after the deposition of the passivation layer  360  the magnetic sensor elements  130  may be annealed. The passivation layer  360  may be formed in a known manner by means of e.g. a plasma deposition process. 
     As can be seen from  FIG. 3   f , which shows the resulting magnetic sensor module  300 , an opening or a recess  362  over the bond pad  114  has been formed. This opening or recess  362  allows the magnetic sensor module  300  to be electrically connected to other electronic devices e.g. by means of a bond wire. The formation of this opening or recess  362  may be accomplished in a non depicted manner by (a) a deposition of a photoresist material, (b) an appropriate structuring of the photoresist material, (c) an etching of the passivation layer  360  and the inter-metal dielectric layer  120 , and (d) a stripping of the remaining photoresist material. 
       FIGS. 4   a  to  4   f  illustrate the manufacturing process of a magnetic sensor module in accordance with the second variant of the second embodiment. 
       FIG. 4   a  shows a composite semiconductor arrangement  105 , which represents the starting basis for the method for manufacturing a magnetic sensor module  400  according to the second variant of the second embodiment. This composite semiconductor arrangement  105  is the same as the one shown in  FIG. 1   a . Therefore, for the sake of conciseness the composite semiconductor arrangement  105  of  FIG. 4   a  will not be elucidated once again. Instead, reference is made to the description of  FIG. 1   a.    
     In a next processing state shown in  FIG. 4   b , contact plugs  412   a  are formed over the upper surface of the contact elements  112 . This causes effectively to raise or extend the contact elements  112  up to a height level corresponding to the upper surface of the second dielectric sub-layer  124 . The plugs may be made in a known manner e.g. be filling corresponding vias with tungsten (W). 
       FIG. 4   c  shows a next processing state, wherein over the plugs  412   a  and over the second dielectric sub-layer  124  in regions corresponding to the magnetic sensor elements  430  there has been formed a permalloy layer, which serves both as the material for the magnetic sensor elements  430  and as an electric conductive protection layer  440  for the plugs  412   a . The formation of this structured arrangement may be accomplished in a non depicted manner by (a) a deposition of the permalloy material, (b) a deposition of a photoresist material on top of the deposited permalloy material, (c) a structuring of the photoresist material in order to remove the permalloy material being located aside of the magnetic sensor elements  430  and aside of the plugs  412   a , (d) an appropriate patterning of the permalloy material e.g. by means of a wet or a dry etching process, and (e) a stripping of the remaining photoresist material. It is mentioned that due to the protection of the plugs  412   a  by means of the permalloy material  440  there will be no attack or damage of the plugs  412   a  during the step (d). 
       FIG. 4   d  shows a next processing state, wherein (i) over the plugs  412   a  and (ii) over regions of the second dielectric sub-layer  124 , which regions are located aside from the magnetic sensor elements  430 , there has been formed first a metallic diffusion barrier layer  452  and a layer of contacting material  454 . The formation of this structured arrangement may be accomplished in a non depicted manner by (a) a deposition of the diffusion barrier layer  452 , (b) a deposition of the contacting material  454 , (c) a deposition of a photoresist material on top of the contacting material  454 , (d) an appropriate structuring of the photoresist material, (e) an etching of the contacting material  454 , (f) a stripping of the remaining photoresist material, and (g) an etching of the diffusion barrier layer  452  e.g. by using the structured contacting material  454  as a hard-mask. 
     In a next processing state shown in  FIG. 4   e , a passivation layer  460  has been deposited. During, before and/or after the deposition of the passivation layer  460  the magnetic sensor elements  430  may be annealed. The passivation layer  460 , which may be made of e.g. silicon nitride (SiN) or silicon oxy nitride (SiON), can be formed in a known manner by means of e.g. a plasma deposition process. 
     As can be seen from  FIG. 4   f , which shows the resulting magnetic sensor module  400 , an opening or a recess  462  over the bond pad  114  has been formed. This opening or recess  462  allows the magnetic sensor module  400  to be electrically connected to other electronic devices e.g. by means of a bond wire. The formation of this opening or recess  462  may be accomplished in a non depicted manner by (a) a deposition of a photoresist material, (b) an appropriate structuring of the photoresist material, (c) an etching of the passivation layer  460  and the inter-metal dielectric layer  120 , and (d) a stripping of the remaining photoresist material. 
     It is mentioned that on top of the structured passivation layer  460  a wafer-coating material which may act as a mechanical stress buffer can be deposited. This wafer-coating material, which must be removed above the bond pad  114 , may be a photo-imide material. Before further processing the magnetic sensor module  400  e.g. by contacting the magnetic sensor module  400  with a bond wire the wafer-coating material may be cured by an appropriate thermal treatment. It is pointed out that such a wafer-coating material can also be applied to the passivation layers  160 ,  260 , and  360 , which are shown in  FIGS. 1   g ,  2   g , and  3   f , respectively. 
     In order to recapitulate the above described embodiments of the present invention one can state: 
     In this document there is described a protection layer either for the material of the magnetic sensor elements or for the contacts elements to an ASIC in order to allow for monolithic integration of the magnetic sensor elements e.g. with a CMOS process. In accordance with variants of a first embodiment of the invention the protection layer is conductive and requires no extra mask layer thereby keeping process complexity and manufacturing cost at minimum level. This protection layer increase the process robustness and yield because it protects the magnetic sensor elements during formation and filling of the recesses which are required for connecting the arrangement comprising preferably four magnetic sensor elements (in particular in a Wheatstone configuration) to the ASIC located below in an active semiconductor chip. The protection layer is removed above the active magnetic sensor elements later in the process directly before a passivation layer is deposited thereby ensuring maximum protection of the crucial (permalloy) material of the magnetic sensor elements. The protection layer remains only in the contact regions. 
     In accordance with variants of a second embodiment of the invention the formation of the recesses is accomplished before the deposition of the crucial (permalloy) material of the magnetic sensor elements. By using a protection layer for the recesses or for e.g. tungsten plugs the corresponding contacts are prevented from any damage during patterning of the magnetic sensor elements thereby increasing process robustness and yield. If the material of the magnetic sensor elements (e.g. permalloy) is also used for protection no additional manufacturing steps are required thus keeping process complexity and manufacturing costs at minimum level. 
     It should be noted that the term “comprising” does not exclude other elements or steps and “a” or “an” does not exclude a plurality. Also elements described in association with different embodiments may be combined. It should also be noted that reference signs in the claims should not be construed as limiting the scope of the claims. 
     REFERENCE NUMERALS 
     
         
           100  magnetic sensor module 
           105  composite semiconductor arrangement 
           110  semiconductor chip 
           112  contact elements 
           114  bond pad 
           120  dielectric layer 
           122  first dielectric sub-layer 
           124  second dielectric sub-layer 
           130  magnetic sensor elements 
           140  electric conductive protection layer 
           142  opening/recess for contact element 
           152  diffusion barrier layer 
           154  contacting material 
           160  passivation layer 
           162  opening/recess for bond pad 
           200  magnetic sensor module 
           226  opening/recess for contact element 
           240  electric conductive protection layer 
           252  barrier layer 
           254  contacting material 
           260  passivation layer 
           262  opening/recess for bond pad 
           300  magnetic sensor module 
           326  opening/recess for contact element 
           330  magnetic sensor elements 
           340  electric conductive protection layer 
           352  barrier layer 
           354  contacting material 
           360  passivation layer 
           362  opening/recess for bond pad 
           400  magnetic sensor module 
           412   a  vias, contact plugs 
           430  magnetic sensor elements 
           440  electric conductive protection layer 
           452  barrier layer 
           454  contacting material 
           460  passivation layer 
           462  opening/recess for bond pad