Patent ID: 7259062

Claim:
A method of making a magnetic tunnel junction device, comprising: forming a magnetic tunnel junction stack; patterning the magnetic tunnel junction stack; forming a discrete magnetic tunnel junction stack by etching the magnetic tunnel junction stack; forming an electrically non-conductive spacer layer on the discrete magnetic tunnel junction stack; forming a spacer by anisotropically etching the spacer layer; forming a dielectric layer over the discrete magnetic tunnel junction stack and the spacer; planarizing the dielectric layer to form a substantially planar surface; patterning the dielectric layer; forming a self-aligned via by etching the dielectric layer; depositing a first electrically conductive material on the dielectric layer and in the self-aligned via; planarizing the first electrically conductive material to form a via positioned in the self-aligned via; depositing a second electrically conductive material on the dielectric layer and on the via; patterning the second electrically conductive material; and forming a top conductor by etching the second electrically conductive material.