Patent ID: 7825420

Claim:
A magnetic random access memory (MRAM) device, comprising: a magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) stack formed over a lower wiring level; a hardmask formed on said MTJ stack; an upper wiring level formed over said hardmask, said upper wiring level comprising a slot via bitline formed therein, said slot via bitline in contact with said hardmask and in contact with an etch stop layer that partially surrounding sidewalls of said hardmask, wherein said etch stop layer comprises a material that is selectively etched with respect to said hardmask layer; a conductive lateral strap upon which said MTJ stack is formed; a strap via connecting said conductive lateral strap to a first conductor within said lower wiring level; a logic via formed on a second conductor within said lower wiring level in a peripheral portion of the device; and an upper level logic wiring conductor in contact with said logic via.