Patent ID: 7498064

Claim:
A method of forming a phase changeable memory element, comprising: forming a heating electrode on a substrate; forming an insulating layer on the substrate including therein a contact hole that exposes at least a portion of the heating electrode; depositing a phase changeable material film on the substrate including in the contact hole, the phase changeable material film being configured to transition between a crystalline state and an amorphous state having a higher resistance than the crystalline state responsive to heat applied thereto; forming a permeable capping film on the deposited phase changeable material film outside the contact hole; and performing laser thermal treatment by impinging a laser beam through the permeable capping film and onto the deposited phase changeable material film for a duration sufficient to reduce a viscosity of the phase changeable material film such that a portion of the phase changeable material film outside the contact hole migrates into the contact hole.