Patent ID: 7659162

Claim:
A method of manufacturing a phase change memory device, comprising: forming at least one active device on a substrate; forming a bottom electrode electrically connected to the at least one active device; forming a phase change material layer and a top electrode on the bottom electrode, the phase change material layer being between the top and bottom electrodes; forming a capping layer on an upper surface of the top electrode and on side surfaces of the top electrode and the phase change material layer; removing a portion of the capping layer overlapping the upper surface of the top electrode to define capping layer sidewall portions, the capping layer sidewall portions being on side surfaces of the top electrode and the phase change material layer; forming an interlayer insulation film on the capping layer sidewall portions and on the top electrode; removing a portion of the interlayer insulation film from the top electrode to form a contact hole through the interlayer insulation film, the contact hole exposing the upper surface of the top electrode; and forming a contact plug in the contact hole.