Patent ID: 8178405

Claim:
A method for making a memory cell device, comprising: providing a substrate having an intermetal dielectric at a surface, forming a first electrode layer over the intermetal dielectric, forming an electrically insulative layer over the first electrode layer, forming a stop layer over the electrically insulative layer, and patterning the first electrode layer, the electrically insulative layer, and the stop layer to form bottom electrode islands; depositing a fill material over the intermetal dielectric and the islands; removing the fill material to the stop layer, the remaining fill material comprising a separation layer; removing the stop layer, forming a hole defined by a wall of the separation layer and an exposed surface of the electrically insulative layer; depositing an electrically conductive material to form an electrically conductive film over the wall of the separation layer and the exposed surface of the electrically insulative layer; depositing an electrically insulative liner material over the electrically conductive film; performing an anisotropic etch to remove the insulative liner material and the conductive film from a top surface of the separation layer and to form an opening through the insulative liner material and through the conductive film, wherein the remaining electrically conductive film having a cup-shape, and having a rim and a bottom, and the opening extends through the bottom of the remaining electrically conductive film; depositing a phase change memory material into the opening; forming an oxide cap over the phase change memory material; and forming a top electrode over the oxide cap and surface of the separation layer.