Patent Publication Number: US-2012032288-A1

Title: Magnetoresistive element and method of manufacturing the same

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority from Japanese Patent Application No. 2010-175605, filed Aug. 4, 2010; the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
     FIELD 
     Embodiments described herein relate generally to a magnetoresistive element and a method of manufacturing the same. 
     BACKGROUND 
     A magnetic random access memory (MRAM) using a ferromagnetic material is currently viewed as a candidate for future nonvolatile memories offing high speed, large capacity, and low power consumption. An MRAM includes a magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) element exploiting the tunneling magnetoresistive (TMR) effect as a memory element, and stores data based on the magnetization state of each MTJ element. 
     In a conventional MRAM in which data is written by the magnetic field of an interconnection current, the holding force increases when the size of the MTJ element decreases. This often increases the current required for writing. Accordingly, it is difficult for the conventional MRAM to simultaneously achieve a small cell size for large capacity and low current. 
     As a write method for solving this problem, a spin-transfer-type MRAM using the spin momentum transfer (SMT) write method has been proposed. In the spin-transfer-type MRAM, data is written by directly supplying a current to an MTJ element. That is, the magnetization direction of a free layer (recording layer) is changed by the direction of this current. Also, an MTJ element including two fixed layers arranged to sandwich a free layer can increase the spin torque. This makes it possible to reduce the critical current density of the MTJ element. 
     A ferromagnetic material is used as the free layer of the MTJ element. More specifically, a ferromagnetic material containing at least one of cobalt (Co) and iron (Fe) as elements is used as the free layer. Co and Fe have high characteristics as ferromagnetic materials and can form a high-performance MTJ element. 
     As an MTJ element patterning method, a dry etching method that uses, as a reaction gas, carbon monoxide (CO) to which a gaseous nitrogen-containing compound such as ammonia (NH 3 ) or an amine is added is available. Since the vapor pressure of this gaseous CO is low, however, the taper angle of the MTJ element decreases (to less than 70°) after the etching. This makes gaseous CO unsuited to processing high-density microdevices in gigabit-order. 
     Accordingly, when processing a fine MTJ element having a diameter of 100 nm or less by plasma etching in order to manufacture a highly integrated memory, a halogen such as chlorine (Cl 2 ) is used as an etching gas. When the side surface of the MTJ element is exposed, however, Co or Fe used as a magnetic material film accelerates corrosion by Cl 2  remaining by adsorption on the side surface, thereby forming a damage layer. This poses problems such as the decrease in signal amount of the MTJ element. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a sectional view showing the structure of an MTJ element in an MRAM according to an embodiment; 
         FIG. 2  is a view schematically showing a manufacturing apparatus for manufacturing the MTJ element in the MRAM according to the embodiment; 
         FIG. 3  is a sectional view showing a manufacturing step of the MTJ element in the MRAM according to the embodiment; 
         FIG. 4  is a sectional view showing a manufacturing step following  FIG. 3  of the MTJ element in the MRAM according to the embodiment; 
         FIG. 5  is a sectional view showing a manufacturing step following  FIG. 4  of the MTJ element in the MRAM according to the embodiment; 
         FIG. 6  is a sectional view showing a manufacturing step following  FIG. 5  of the MTJ element in the MRAM according to the embodiment; 
         FIG. 7  is a sectional view showing a manufacturing step following  FIG. 5  of the MTJ element in the MRAM according to the embodiment; and 
         FIGS. 8A and 8B  are graphs showing the results of VSM measurements of the MTJ element in the MRAM according to the embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     In general, according to one embodiment, a magnetoresistive element comprises a multilayered structure and insulating film. The multilayered structure is formed on a substrate, and includes a fixed layer which has the invariable magnetization direction, a free layer which contains cobalt or iron and has the variable magnetization direction, and a nonmagnetic layer sandwiched between the fixed layer and free layer. The insulating film is formed on the side surface of the free layer, and contains boron and nitrogen. 
     This embodiment will be explained below with reference to the accompanying drawing. In the drawing, the same reference numbers denote the same parts. 
     &lt;Structure&gt; 
     The structure of an MTJ element in an MRAM according to this embodiment will be explained with reference to  FIG. 1 .  FIG. 1  is a sectional view showing the structure of the MTJ element of this embodiment. 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , the MRAM according to this embodiment includes a semiconductor substrate  1 , interlayer film  2 , MTJ element  10 , and interconnection layer  16 . The interlayer film  2  is formed on the semiconductor substrate  1 . An interconnection layer (not shown) is formed in the interlayer film  2 . This interconnection layer is connected to a lower electrode  3  of the MTJ element  10 . The MTJ element  10  is formed on the interlayer film  2 . An interlayer dielectric film  15  is formed around the MTJ element  10 . The interconnection layer  16  is formed on the MTJ element  10 . The interconnection layer  16  is connected to an upper electrode  9  of the MTJ element  10 . The interconnection layer in the interlayer film  2  and the interconnection layer  16  are used to bidirectionally supply a current to the MTJ element  10 . 
     The MTJ element includes a multilayered structure including the lower electrode  3 , a first fixed layer (pinned layer)  4 , a first tunnel barrier layer (nonmagnetic layer)  5 , a free layer (recording layer)  6 , a second tunnel barrier layer (nonmagnetic layer)  7 , a second fixed layer  8 , and the upper electrode  9  sequentially formed on the interlayer film  2 , and an insulating film  14  (referred to as a boron nitride [BN] film  14  hereinafter) containing nitrogen and boron and covering the side surface of the multilayered structure. 
     More specifically, in the multilayered structure of the MTJ element  10 , the first fixed layer  4  is formed below the free layer  6  with the nonmagnetic layer  5  sandwiched between them, and the second fixed layer  8  is formed above the free layer  6  with the nonmagnetic layer  7  sandwiched between them. That is, the MTJ element  10  of this embodiment is an example of a magnetoresistive element having a so-called dual pinned layer structure (double junction structure). Note that the MTJ element  10  of this embodiment is not limited to the double junction structure, and may also have a single junction structure including a free layer, a fixed layer, and a nonmagnetic layer formed between them. The planar shape of the MTJ element  10  of this embodiment is, for example, a circle. However, the planar shape is not limited to a circle, and can also be a square, rectangle, ellipse, or the like. 
     In the first and second fixed layers  4  and  8 , the direction of magnetization (or spin) is fixed (invariable). Also, the magnetization directions in the first and second fixed layers  4  and  8  are set antiparallel (in opposite directions). 
     The magnetization direction in the free layer  6  can be changed (reversed) (is variable). In each of the first fixed layer  4 , second fixed layer  8 , and free layer  6 , the direction of easy magnetization can be perpendicular to or parallel to the film surface. That is, the MTJ element  10  can be formed by using either a perpendicular magnetization film or in-plane magnetization film. 
     Ferromagnetic materials are used as the first fixed layer  4 , the second fixed layer  8  and the free layer  6 . More specifically, a ferromagnetic material containing at least one element selected from, for example, cobalt (Co), iron (Fe), nickel (Ni), iridium (Ir), platinum (Pt), manganese (Mn), and ruthenium (Ru) is used as the first fixed layer  4  and the second fixed layer  8 . A ferromagnetic material containing at least one element selected from, for example, cobalt (Co) and iron (Fe) is used as the free layer  6 . It is also possible to add an element such as boron (B), carbon (C), or silicon (Si) to the ferromagnetic material in order to adjust the saturation magnetization or magnetocrystalline anisotropy. 
     Note that a synthetic antiferromagnetic (SAF) structure may be used as the first and second fixed layers  4  and  8 . The SAF structure is a multilayered structure including a first magnetic layer/nonmagnetic layer/second magnetic layer in which the magnetization directions in the two magnetic layers are antiparallel with the nonmagnetic layer sandwiched between them. Since the SAF structure increases the magnetization fixing force in the first and second fixed layers  4  and  8 , it is possible to improve the resistance and thermal stability against an external magnetic field. 
     A conductor such as Pt, Ir, or Ru is used as the lower electrode  3  and upper electrode  9 . 
     A metal oxide such as magnesium oxide or aluminum oxide is used as the first tunnel barrier layer  5 . A paramagnetic metal such as copper (Cu), gold (Au), or silver (Ag) is used as the second tunnel barrier layer  7 . When using a metal oxide as the first tunnel barrier layer  5 , the TMR effect is usable. When using a paramagnetic metal as the second tunnel barrier layer  7 , the giant magnetoresistive (GMR) effect is usable. The MR ratio of the TMR effect is much higher than that of the GMR effect. Therefore, data is read by mainly using the MR ratio of the TMR effect. 
     Note that the stacking order may be reversed in the multilayered structure forming the MTJ element  10 . In this case, a paramagnetic metal is used as the first tunnel barrier layer  5 , and a metal oxide is used as the second tunnel barrier layer  7 . 
     It is also possible to use a metal oxide as both the first tunnel barrier layer  5  and the second and tunnel barrier layer  7 . In this case, the first tunnel barrier layer  5  and the second tunnel barrier layer  7  are set to have different film thicknesses in order to produce a difference between the MR ratios when reading data. 
     The BN film  14  is formed on the side surface of the multilayered structure of the MTJ element  10  according to this embodiment. The BN film  14  is formed on the entire circumferential surface of the multilayered structure and covers the side surface of the multilayered structure. Note that a BCN film further containing C may be formed instead of the BN film  14 . When the multilayered structure is a circular (columnar) structure having a diameter of about 100 nm, the film thickness of the BN film  14  is, for example, 50 nm or less. 
     The MTJ element  10  of this embodiment is a spin-transfer-type magnetoresistive element. When writing to or reading from the MTJ element  10 , therefore, a current is bidirectionally supplied to the MTJ element  10  in a direction perpendicular to the film surfaces (stacked surfaces). 
     More specifically, data is written to the MTJ element  10  as follows. 
     When supplying electrons from the first fixed layer  4  (i.e., electrons moving from the first fixed layer  4  toward the free layer  6 ), electrons spin-polarized in the same direction as the magnetization direction in the first fixed layer  4  and electrons reflected by the second fixed layer  8  and spin-polarized in the direction opposite to the magnetization direction in the second fixed layer  8  are injected into the free layer  6 . In this state, the magnetization direction in the free layer  6  is matched with that in the first fixed layer  4 . This makes the magnetization directions in the first fixed layer  4  and free layer  6  parallel to each other. In this parallel arrangement, the resistance of the MTJ element  10  is minimum. This state is defined as, for example, binary  0 . 
     In contrast, when supplying electrons from the second fixed layer  8  (i.e., electrons moving from the second fixed layer  8  toward the free layer  6 ), electrons spin-polarized in the same direction as the magnetization direction in the second fixed layer  8  and electrons reflected by the first fixed layer  4  and spin-polarized in the direction opposite to the magnetization direction in the first fixed layer  4  are injected into the free layer  6 . In this state, the magnetization direction in the free layer  6  is made opposite to that in the first fixed layer  4 . This makes the magnetization directions in the first fixed layer  4  and free layer  6  antiparallel to each other. In this antiparallel arrangement, the resistance of the MTJ element  10  is maximum. This state is defined as, for example, binary  1 . 
     Also, data is read as follows. 
     A read current is supplied to the MTJ element  10 . This read current is set to have a magnitude (smaller than that of the write current) such that the magnetization direction in the free layer  6  does not reverse. A semiconductor device capable of a memory operation is obtained by detecting the change in resistance value of the MTJ element  10  in this state. 
     &lt;Manufacturing Apparatus&gt; 
     A manufacturing apparatus for manufacturing the MTJ element in the MRAM according to this embodiment will be explained below with reference to  FIG. 2 .  FIG. 2  is a schematic view of the manufacturing apparatus for manufacturing the MTJ element of this embodiment. 
     As shown in  FIG. 2 , a manufacturing apparatus  20  for manufacturing the MTJ element of this embodiment includes a substrate loading chamber  21 , substrate transport chamber  22 , first plasma processing chamber  23 , hydrogen processing chamber  24 , and second plasma processing chamber  25 . 
     In the manufacturing apparatus  20 , the substrate loading chamber  21 , first plasma processing chamber  23 , hydrogen processing chamber  24 , and second plasma processing chamber  25  are arranged around the substrate transport chamber  22  with a vacuum valve interposed between each chamber and the substrate transport chamber  22 . In the manufacturing apparatus  20 , therefore, a substrate (wafer) is transported in a vacuum between these chambers. Accordingly, the substrate surface is not contaminated with the atmosphere and the like, but kept clean. 
     In the manufacture of the MTJ element, a substrate is first installed in the substrate loading chamber  21 . Then, the substrate is loaded into the substrate transport chamber  22  after the substrate loading chamber  21  is sufficiently exhausted to a predetermined ultimate pressure, so as not to mix any external air in the manufacturing apparatus  20 . After that, in deposition and etching steps, the substrate is transported to the first plasma processing chamber  23  or the second plasma processing chamber  25 . Also, in a chlorine (Cl 2 ) removal step (described later), the substrate is transported to the hydrogen processing chamber  24 . The hydrogen processing chamber  24  can supply hydrogen radicals by plasma excitation by using microwaves. 
     Note that in the above-mentioned vacuum transport system (manufacturing apparatus  20 ), the degree of vacuum is of the order of 10 −9  Torr, values in the range of 0.5×10 −8  to 1×10 −9  Torr being allowable. More specifically, the ultimate degree of vacuum of the substrate transport chamber  22  is of the order of 10 −9  Torr. 
     &lt;Manufacturing Method&gt; 
     A method of manufacturing the MTJ element in the MRAM according to this embodiment will be explained below with reference to  FIGS. 3 ,  4 ,  5 ,  6 , and  7 .  FIGS. 3 ,  4 ,  5 ,  6 , and  7  are sectional views showing the manufacturing steps of the MTJ element of this embodiment. 
     First, as shown in  FIG. 3 , a multilayered structure as the MTJ element  10  is formed on the entire wafer surface. More specifically, after an interlayer film  2  is formed on a semiconductor substrate  1 , a multilayered structure is formed by sequentially stacking a lower electrode  3 , first fixed layer  4 , first tunnel barrier layer  5 , free layer  6 , second tunnel barrier layer  7 , second fixed layer  8 , and upper electrode  9  on the interlayer film  2 . This multilayered structure is formed by, for example, sputtering. 
     Then, a silicon oxide film  11  as a hard mask is formed on the multilayered structure. The silicon oxide film  11  is formed by, for example, CVD. After that, a photoresist (not shown) having a pattern to be processed is formed on the silicon oxide film  11  by photolithography. 
     Subsequently, as shown in  FIG. 4 , the silicon oxide film  11  is patterned by, for example, plasma etching by using the photoresist as a mask. This plasma etching uses a fluorocarbon containing, for example, CF 4 , CHF 3 , C 4 F 8 , or C 4 F 6  as an etching gas. 
     The multilayered structure as the MTJ element  10  is then patterned by, for example, plasma etching by using the silicon oxide film  11  as a hard mask. This exposes the side surface (circumferential surface) of the multilayered structure. This plasma etching is performed in the first plasma processing chamber  23  shown in  FIG. 2 . 
     More specifically, the wafer is transported to the first plasma processing chamber  23 , and Cl 2  is supplied as an etching gas at a flow rate of 200 SCCM. The internal pressure of the first plasma processing chamber  23  is set at 1 Pa. Also, electric power to be applied to an upper coil (not shown) installed in the first plasma processing chamber  23  is set at 1,000 W, and bias power is set at 400 W. A 13.56-MHz radio-frequency (RF) drive for plasma excitation is applied to the upper coil, while a 2-MHz RF drive is applied to an electrode on which the wafer is placed in order to draw ions from the plasma. 
     Note that the etching gas is not limited to Cl 2 , and it is possible to similarly use a halogen compound such as HCl or BCl 3 . Furthermore, an inert gas such as Ar, He, or Xe or a gas containing a slight amount of an oxidizing or nitriding material such as O 2  or N 2  may be added to Cl 2 , HCl, or BCl 3 . It is also possible to add not only an inert gas or a gas containing an oxidizing or nitriding material, but also various other kinds of gases in order to obtain a target processed shape. The internal pressure of the first plasma processing chamber  23  is not limited to 1 Pa, but need only be 0.5 to 3 Pa or, more desirably, 1 to 2 Pa. The upper coil power is not limited to 1,000 W, but need only be 200 to 4,000 W or, more desirably, 500 to 1,500 W. The bias power is not limited to 400 W, but need only be 300 to 600 W or, more desirably, 300 to 400 W. 
     After the wafer on which the multilayered structure as the MTJ element  10  is formed is thus placed on the electrode in the first plasma processing chamber  23 , etching is performed for 2 minutes by plasma excitation, thereby patterning the multilayered structure. 
     In this step, as shown in  FIG. 5 , Cl 2    12  used as an etching gas remains on the entire surface of the patterned multilayered structure. That is, on the side surface of the multilayered structure, Cl 2    12  is adsorbed to Co or Fe used as the first fixed layer  4 , the second fixed layer  8  and the free layer  6 . 
     When moving the wafer between the chambers, for example, the Cl 2    12  adsorbed to the side surface reacts with water (particularly, H ions) in the atmosphere, and generates HCl (hydrogen chloride). Also, the HCl dissolves in water in the atmosphere to form hydrochloric acid, thereby generating H ions and Cl ions. The Cl ions react with Co or Fe used in the first fixed layer  4 , the second fixed layer  8  and the free layer  6 . That is, corrosion continuously advances on the side surface of the multilayered structure due to the pitting corrosion effect of the Cl ions. As shown in  FIG. 6 , this forms a damage layer  13  made of cobalt chloride (CoCl 2 ) or iron chloride (FeCl 2 ) as the corrosion product on the side surface of the multilayered structure. The damage layer  13  is formed to have a film thickness of a few nanometers to a few tens of nanometers. The damage layer  13  poses a serious problem in the operation of the MTJ element. For example, a leakage current is produced between the magnetic layers (between the first fixed layer  4 , second fixed layer  8 , and free layer  6 ), the magnetization characteristic of the free layer  6  deteriorates, or film peels after an interlayer dielectric film  15  is formed. 
     To solve this problem, this embodiment performs the following steps after the multilayered structure is patterned. 
     First, the Cl 2    12  adhering to the side surface of the multilayered structure is removed. This removal of the Cl 2    12  is performed in the hydrogen processing chamber  24  shown in  FIG. 2 . 
     More specifically, the wafer is transported from the first plasma processing chamber  23  to the hydrogen processing chamber  24 . Since the wafer is transported by the vacuum transport system, the Cl 2    12  adhering to the side surface of the multilayered structure is not exposed to the atmosphere. That is, it is possible to prevent the Cl 2    12  from reacting with the water in the atmosphere and changing into hydrochloric acid. 
     After that, hydrogen (H 2 ) is supplied at a flow rate of 500 SCCM to the hydrogen processing chamber  24 . The internal pressure of the hydrogen processing chamber  24  is set at 100 Pa. To perform plasma excitation, a microwave having a frequency of 2.45 GHz is applied at 1,500 W. Also, a plate on which the wafer is placed is heated to 250° C. Consequently, a remote plasma excited by the microwave supplies active hydrogen. This hydrogen plasma (hydrogen radicals) makes it possible to remove and reduce the residual Cl 2    12 . Processing by this remote plasma is performed for  10  minutes. 
     The reaction between the hydrogen plasma and Cl 2    12  occurs as follows. The Cl 2    12  reacts with the supplied hydrogen plasma and changes into HCl. This reaction occurs at a high temperature and low pressure in the hydrogen processing chamber  24 . Therefore, HCl is not exposed to the water in the atmosphere. That is, Cl does not react with the multilayered structure. This makes it possible to directly vaporize the generated HCl, and remove the residual Cl 2    12 . 
     Note that the gas for removing the Cl 2    12  is not limited to H 2 , and it is possible to similarly use an inert gas such as nitrogen (N 2 ) or argon (Ar). 
     Also, the internal pressure of the hydrogen processing chamber  24  is not limited to 100 Pa, but need only be 10 to 200 Pa or, more desirably, 50 to 100, Pa. The microwave is not limited to 1,500 W, but need only be 500 to 3,000 W or, more desirably, 1,000 to 2,000 W. 
     Subsequently, as shown in  FIG. 7 , a BN film  14  is formed on the entire surface of the multilayered structure from which the Cl 2    12  is removed. In this step, the BN film  14  need only be formed on the side surfaces of at least the first fixed layer  4 , the second fixed layer  8  and the free layer  6  of the multilayered structure. This formation of the BN film  14  is performed in the first plasma processing chamber  23  shown in  FIG. 2 . That is, the BN film  14  is formed in the same chamber as that for the plasma etching of the multilayered structure. 
     More specifically, the wafer is transported from the hydrogen processing chamber  24  to the first plasma processing chamber  23 . In this step, the wafer is transported by the vacuum transport system. 
     After that, boron trichloride (BCl 3 ) and N 2  are respectively supplied at a flow rate of  50  SCCM to the first plasma processing chamber  23 . The internal pressure of the first plasma processing chamber  23  is set at 2 Pa. Also, the electric power to be applied to the upper coil is set at 1,000 W, and the bias power is set at 100 W. Thus, gaseous BCl 3  and N 2  are formed into a plasma. 
     In this step, the deposition rate of the BN film  14  is about 60 nm/min on the upper surfaces (of the silicon oxide film  11  and interlayer film  2 ), and about 20 nm/min on the side surface (of the multilayered structure). That is, the BN film  14  having a film thickness of about 50 nm can be deposited on the side surface of the multilayered structure by performing discharge for 2½ minutes. 
     Note that the gas for forming the BN film  14  need only be a mixture of BCl 3  and N 2 , and the flow rate ratio need only be BCl 3 /N 2 =95/5 to 10/90. It is also possible to add a gas such as methane (CH 3 ) or carbon monoxide (CO) to the mixture of BCl 3  and N 2 . In this case, a BCN film is formed instead of the BN film  14 . 
     Furthermore, the internal pressure of the first plasma processing chamber  23  is not limited to 2 Pa, but need only be 0.5 to 200 Pa or, more desirably, 1 to 20 Pa. The upper coil power is not limited to 1,000 W, but need only be 200 to 4,000 W or, more desirably, 500 to 2,000 W. The bias power is not limited to 100 W, but need only be 200 W or less or, more desirably, 5 to 100 W. 
     As the source gas, boron trifluoride (BF 3 ) or diborane (B 2 H 6 ) may also be used instead of BCl 3 . In this case, the conditions such as the flow rate, pressure, upper coil power, and bias power can be the same as those for BCl 3 . 
     Then, a step of removing a slight amount of Cl 2  adhering to the side surface of the BN film  14  may be performed. In this step, the wafer is transported from the first plasma processing chamber  23  to the hydrogen processing chamber  24 , and the Cl 2  is removed in the same manner as in the above-described method of removing the Cl 2    12 . 
     Subsequently, as shown in  FIG. 1 , the BN film  14  and silicon oxide film  11  are removed from the upper surface. After that, an interlayer dielectric film  15  is formed on the interlayer film  2  and around the MTJ element  10 , and an interconnection layer  16  is formed on the MTJ element  10 . 
     &lt;Vibrating Sample Magnetometer (VSM) Measurement&gt; 
       FIG. 8A  shows the relationship between the applied magnetic flux density and magnetization when VSM measurement was performed on samples of the MTJ element shown in  FIG. 8B . Referring to  FIG. 8A , an etched sample is indicated by the unit area of an etched tunnel barrier layer. In the MTJ element, CoFeB was used as a recording layer, and an alloy containing a noble metal such as Pt and a magnetic material such as Ni or Co was used as a reference layer. In addition, MgO was used as a tunnel barrier layer. 
     A solid line A indicates the relationship between the applied magnetic flux density and magnetization of an unetched sample. A one-dot dashed line B indicates the relationship between the magnetic flux density and magnetization of a sample etched with gaseous Cl 2  and washed with pure water. A broken line C indicates the relationship between the magnetic flux density and magnetization of a sample etched with gaseous Cl 2  and processed by the steps of this embodiment. 
     As shown in  FIG. 8A , the magnitude of the saturation magnetization saturates once as the magnetic flux density changes, and then rises (jumps). This jump of the saturation magnetization indicates that the magnetization direction in the recording layer matches that in the reference layer. The magnitude of the jump can be regarded as the magnitude of the magnetism-resistance change ratio when using the MTJ element as a magnetoresistive device. That is, the larger the jump, the better the magnetic characteristic of the MTJ element. In  FIG. 8A , etching damage is estimated by comparing the jump amounts of the unetched and etched samples. 
     The jump amount of the saturation magnetization of the unetched sample is d 0 . This indicates the jump amount of an MTJ element having a favorable magnetic characteristic. 
     In contrast, the jump amount of the saturation magnetization of the sample etched with gaseous Cl 2  and washed with pure water is d 1 . Jump amount d 1  was smaller by about 30% than jump amount d 0  of the saturation magnetization of the unetched sample. This is so because Cl 2  used in the etching remained on the circumferential wall of the recording layer by adsorption and generated Cl ions when dissolved in water, and the Cl ions corroded CoFeB. If no pure water washing is performed, the corrosion continuously progresses, and the jump amount reduces more. 
     In contrast, the jump amount of the saturation magnetization of the sample etched with gaseous Cl 2  and processed by the steps of this embodiment is d 2 . Jump amount d 2  is almost equal to jump amount d 0  of the saturation amount of the unetched sample. That is, the sample processed by the steps of this embodiment presumably had almost no damage caused by the corrosion of the recording layer after the etching. This is probably because most Cl 2  was removed by active hydrogen, and the BN film  14  prevented the invasion of the water in the atmosphere. 
     &lt;Effects&gt; 
     In the above-mentioned embodiment, after the multilayered structure as the MTJ element  10  is etched with gaseous Cl 2 , the BN film  14  is formed on the side surfaces of the first fixed layer  4 , the second fixed layer  8  and the free layer  6  (magnetic material). The BN film  14  prevents the invasion of the water (H ions) in the atmosphere. This makes it possible to prevent the reaction between the Cl 2    12  remaining on the side surface of the magnetic material and Co or Fe forming the magnetic material. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the damage layer  13  from being formed by the corrosion product such as CoCl 2  or FeCl 2  on the side surface of the magnetic material, and suppress the decrease in magnetic characteristic of the MTJ element. 
     The above-mentioned effect may be obtained by forming another insulating film (for example, an SiN film) on the side surface of the magnetic material, instead of the BN film  14 . When using, for example, an SiN film, however, a source gas for forming the SiN film itself contains H ions. Accordingly, the reaction between residual Cl 2  and Co or Fe progresses and corrosion occurs. 
     Furthermore, the tolerance of the SiN film is lower than that of the BN film  14 . Therefore, the source gas of the interlayer dielectric film (for example, an SiO 2  film)  15  to be formed later contains H ions, and the H ions invade through the SiN film and causes corrosion. 
     In contrast, the BN film  14  has a high tolerance and hence can avoid the above problem. In addition, since the BN film  14  is densely formed, it can prevent the invasion of H ions even when the film thickness is small. That is, the MTJ element  10  can be made smaller. 
     Also, in this embodiment, the hydrogen plasma (hydrogen radicals) is supplied after the multilayered structure is etched with gaseous Cl 2  and the BN film  14  is formed. This makes it possible to remove and reduce the Cl 2    12  remaining on the surface. By thus removing and reducing the Cl 2    12  that causes corrosion, therefore, it is possible to further suppress the decrease in magnetic characteristic of the MTJ element. 
     In addition, in this embodiment, the BN film  14  is formed in the same first plasma processing chamber  23  as that for the plasma etching of the multilayered structure. This is so because the formation of the BN film  14  and the plasma etching of the multilayered structure can be performed by using the same gas. That is, the throughput of manufacture can be increased because the etching step and deposition step are successively performed in the same chamber. 
     It is also possible to perform the etching step and deposition step not in the first plasma processing chamber  23  but in the second plasma processing chamber  25  having the same function as that of the first plasma processing chamber  23 . That is, while the etching step is performed on a given wafer in one chamber, the deposition step can be performed on another wafer in the other chamber. This makes it possible to increase the throughput of manufacture. 
     While certain embodiments have been described, these embodiments have been presented by way of example only, and are not intended to limit the scope of the inventions. Indeed, the novel embodiments described herein may be embodied in a variety of other forms; furthermore, various omissions, substitutions and changes in the form of the embodiments described herein may be made without departing from the spirit of the inventions. The accompanying claims and their equivalents are intended to cover such forms or modifications as would fall within the scope and spirit of the inventions.