Patent ID: 7906346

Claim:
A method for manufacturing a magnetic memory device including a TMR element, comprising: a step of forming a lower wiring layer; a step of forming an interlayer insulating layer on the lower wiring layer; a step of forming an opening in the interlayer insulating layer so that the lower wiring layer is exposed; a step of forming a barrier metal layer so that the interlayer insulating layer and an inner surface of the opening are covered; a step of forming a metal layer on the barrier metal layer so that the opening is embedded; a polishing step of removing the metal layer on the barrier metal layer through polishing using the barrier metal layer as a stopper so that a wiring layer that comprises the metal layer being embedded in the opening and the barrier metal layer is formed; a step of forming a second metal layer which covers the wiring layer; an element fabricating step of fabricating the TMR element on the second metal layer; a step of forming an insulating layer covering a side surface of the TMR element and an upper surface of the wiring layer, wherein the insulating layer includes a silicon and a nitrogen; a step of patterning the insulating layer with a photolithographic technology; and a step of etching the second metal layer and the barrier metal layer using the patterned insulating layer as a mask.