Patent Document

GOVERNMENT INTEREST 
       [0001]    The embodiments herein may be manufactured, used, and/or licensed by or for the United States Government without the payment of royalties thereon. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Technical Field 
         [0003]    The embodiments herein generally relate to magnetic nano-ring devices, and more particularly, to improved methods of fabricating magnetic nano-ring devices. 
         [0004]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0005]    Random access memory (RAM) is a ubiquitous component of modern digital architectures. RAM can be stand alone devices or can be integrated or embedded within devices that use the RAM such as microprocessors, microcontrollers, application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), system-on-chip (SoC), and other like devices as will be appreciated. RAM can be volatile or non-volatile. Volatile RAM loses its stored information whenever power is removed. Non-volatile RAM can maintain its memory contents even when power is removed from the memory. Although non-volatile RAM has advantages in the ability to maintain its contents without having power applied, conventional non-volatile RAM has slower read/write times than volatile RAM. 
         [0006]    Magnetoresistive Random Access Memory (MRAM) is a non-volatile memory technology that has response (read/write) times comparable to volatile memory. In contrast to conventional RAM technologies, which store data as electric charges or current flows, MRAM uses magnetic elements. MRAM is based on the integration of silicon complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) with magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) technology and is a major emerging technology that is highly competitive with existing semiconductor memories such as static random access memory (SRAM), dynamic random access memory (DRAM), and flash. Similarly, spin-transfer torque (STT) magnetization switching has received considerable interest due to its potential application for spintronic devices, such as STT-RAM, on a gigabit scale. 
         [0007]    Both MRAM and STT-RAM have a MTJ element based on tunneling magneto-resistance (TMR) junctions wherein a stack of layers has a configuration in which two ferromagnetic layers are separated by a thin non-magnetic oxide layer. The MTJ element is typically formed between a bottom electrode such as a first conductive line and a top electrode, which is a second conductive line. A MTJ stack of layers may have configuration in which a seed layer, an anti-ferromagnetic (AFM) pinning layer, a ferromagnetic “pinned” layer, a thin tunnel barrier layer, a ferromagnetic “free” layer, and a capping layer are sequentially formed on a bottom electrode. The AFM layer holds the magnetic moment of the pinned layer in a fixed direction. The pinned layer has a magnetic moment that is fixed in the “y” direction, for example, by exchange coupling with the adjacent AFM layer that is also magnetized in the “y” direction. The free layer has a magnetic moment that is either parallel or anti-parallel to the magnetic moment in the pinned layer. The tunnel barrier layer is thin enough that a current through it can be established by quantum mechanical tunneling of conduction electrons. The direction of the magnetic moment of the free layer may change in response to external magnetic fields or to high-density spin polarized currents and it is the relative orientation of the magnetic moments between the free and pinned layers that determine the resistance of the tunneling junction. When a sense current is passed from the top electrode to the bottom electrode in a direction perpendicular to the MEI layers, a lower resistance is detected when the magnetization directions of the free and pinned layers are in a parallel state (“1” memory state) and a higher resistance is noted when they are in an anti-parallel state or “0” memory state. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    In view of the foregoing, an embodiment herein provides a method of fabricating nano-ring devices, the method comprising providing a substrate; forming at least one nano-pillar on the substrate; depositing a plurality of electrodes on the substrate; depositing an anti-ferromagnetic layer on a first electrode of the plurality of electrodes; depositing a first ferromagnetic layer on the anti-ferromagnetic layer; depositing a tunnel barrier layer on the first ferromagnetic layer; depositing a second ferromagnetic layer on the tunnel barrier layer; planarizing the nano-pillars and the second ferromagnetic layer to form a co-planar nano-pillar and second ferromagnetic layer; depositing a second electrode on the co-planar nano-pillar and second ferromagnetic layer; and forming a nano-structure ring in a substantially cylindrical configuration. 
         [0009]    Such a method may further comprise depositing a cap on top of each nano-pillar. In addition, such a method may further comprise depositing sidewall spacers around each nano-pillar. Moreover, the tunnel barrier layer may contact the substrate. Furthermore, depositing a tunnel barrier layer on the first ferromagnetic layer may comprise atomic layer deposition. Additionally, at least one of depositing an anti-ferromagnetic layer, depositing a first ferromagnetic layer, and depositing a second ferromagnetic layer vertically to minimize the deposition on a sidewall surface of the nano-pillar. 
         [0010]    An embodiment herein also provides a method of fabricating nano-ring devices, the method comprising forming a stack comprising providing a substrate; forming at least one nano-pillar on the substrate; depositing a cap atop each nano-pillar; depositing a first electrode on the substrate; depositing an anti-ferromagnetic layer on the first electrode by depositing anti-ferromagnetic layer atoms vertically; depositing a first ferromagnetic layer on the anti-ferromagnetic layer by depositing first ferromagnetic layer atoms vertically; removing the cap; depositing a tunnel barrier layer on the first ferromagnetic layer comprising atomic layer deposition; depositing a second ferromagnetic layer on the tunnel barrier layer by depositing second ferromagnetic layer atoms vertically; planarizing the nano-pillars and the second ferromagnetic layer to form a co-planar nano-pillar and second ferromagnetic layer; depositing a second electrode on the co-planar nano-pillar and second ferromagnetic layer; and forming a nano-structure ring by removing excess material from the stack. 
         [0011]    In such a method, the tunnel barrier layer may fill a space formed between the nano-pillar and the first electrode, the anti-ferromagnetic layer, and the first ferromagnetic layer. Such a method may further comprise depositing sidewall spacers around each nano-pillar. In addition, such a method may further comprise etching materials outside an edge of the sidewall spacers down to the first electrode; removing the sidewall spacers to create a space around the nano-pillar; and filling the space around the nano-pillar with silicon dioxide. Additionally, such a method may further comprise etching a sidewall of the nano-pillar. 
         [0012]    In addition, an embodiment herein provides a magnetic nano-ring device comprising a substrate; a first electrode over the substrate; a plurality of nano-pillars affixed to the substrate, wherein each nano-pillar comprises a top surface and a sidewall surface; an anti-ferromagnetic layer covering exposed areas of the substrate and the top surface of each nano-pillar in the plurality of nano-pillars; a first ferromagnetic layer covering the anti-ferromagnetic layer; a tunnel barrier layer covering the first ferromagnetic layer and the sidewall surface of each nano-pillar in the plurality of nano-pillars; a second ferromagnetic layer covering the exposed areas of the tunnel barrier layer on the substrate and the top surface of each nano-pillar in the plurality of nano-pillars; and a second electrode over the second ferromagnetic layer. 
         [0013]    In such a device, the nano-pillars may comprise insulating nano-pillars. Furthermore, the tunnel barrier layer may contact the substrate. In addition, the sidewall surface of the nano-pillar may comprise approximately a vertical sidewall surface. Moreover, the tunnel barrier layer covering the sidewall surface may prevent the second ferromagnetic layer from electrically shorting the first ferromagnetic layer. Additionally, the anti-ferromagnetic layer, the first ferromagnetic layer, and the second ferromagnetic layer may be positioned to expose the sidewall surface of each nano-pillar in the plurality of nano-pillars. Furthermore, the tunnel barrier layer may be deposited on the first ferromagnetic layer by atomic layer deposition. Alternatively, the tunnel barrier layer may be deposited on the first ferromagnetic layer by depositing the tunnel barrier layer at an angle while rotating the substrate. Moreover, the tunnel barrier layer covering the sidewall surface may prevent the second ferromagnetic layer from electrically shorting the first ferromagnetic layer. Additionally, the tunnel barrier layer may contact the substrate. 
         [0014]    These and other aspects of the embodiments herein will be better appreciated and understood when considered in conjunction with the following description and the accompanying drawings. It should be understood, however, that the following descriptions, while indicating preferred embodiments and numerous specific details thereof, are given by way of illustration and not of limitation. Many changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the embodiments herein without departing from the spirit thereof, and the embodiments herein include all such modifications. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0015]    The embodiments herein will be better understood from the following detailed description with reference to the drawings, in which: 
           [0016]      FIG. 1A  illustrates a schematic diagram of a planar device with a clockwise magnetization direction according to an embodiment herein; 
           [0017]      FIG. 1B  illustrates a schematic diagram of a planar device with a counter-clockwise magnetization direction according to an embodiment herein; 
           [0018]      FIG. 2A  illustrates a schematic diagram of a substrate, with two nano-pillars, according to an embodiment herein; 
           [0019]      FIG. 2B  illustrates a schematic diagram of a substrate. with two nano-pillars and two caps according to an embodiment herein 
           [0020]      FIG. 3A  illustrates a schematic diagram of a first processing step of a nano-ring device according to a first embodiment herein; 
           [0021]      FIG. 3B  illustrates a schematic diagram of a second processing step of a nano-ring device according to a first embodiment herein; 
           [0022]      FIG. 3C  illustrates a schematic diagram of a third processing step of a nano-ring device according to a first embodiment herein; 
           [0023]      FIG. 3D  illustrates a schematic diagram of a fourth processing step of a nano-ring device according to a first embodiment herein; 
           [0024]      FIG. 4A  illustrates a schematic diagram of a first processing step of a nano-ring device according to a second embodiment herein; 
           [0025]      FIG. 4B  illustrates a schematic diagram of a second processing step of a nano-ring device according to a second embodiment herein; 
           [0026]      FIG. 4C  illustrates a schematic diagram of a third processing step of a nano-ring device according to a second embodiment herein; 
           [0027]      FIG. 5A  illustrates a schematic diagram of a first processing step of a nano-ring device according to a third embodiment herein; 
           [0028]      FIG. 5B  illustrates a schematic diagram of a second processing step of a nano-ring device according to a third embodiment herein; 
           [0029]      FIG. 5C  illustrates a schematic diagram of a third processing step of a nano-ring device according to a third embodiment herein; 
           [0030]      FIG. 5D  illustrates a schematic diagram of a fourth processing step of a nano-ring device according to a third embodiment herein; 
           [0031]      FIG. 5E  illustrates a schematic diagram of a fifth processing step of a nano-ring device according to a third embodiment herein; 
           [0032]      FIG. 6A  illustrates a schematic diagram of a first processing step of a nano-ring device according to a fourth embodiment herein; 
           [0033]      FIG. 6B  illustrates a schematic diagram of a second processing step of a nano-ring device according to a fourth embodiment herein; 
           [0034]      FIG. 6C  illustrates a schematic diagram of a third processing step of a nano-ring device according to a fourth embodiment herein; 
           [0035]      FIG. 6D  illustrates a schematic diagram of a fourth processing step of a nano-ring device according to a fourth embodiment herein; and 
           [0036]      FIG. 7  illustrates a cross-sectional top view of a nano-ring device according to an embodiment herein. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0037]    The embodiments herein and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained more fully with reference to the non-limiting embodiments that are illustrated in the accompanying drawings and detailed in the following description. Descriptions of well-known components and processing techniques are omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments herein. The examples used herein are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the embodiments herein may be practiced and to further enable those of skill in the art to practice the embodiments herein. Accordingly, the examples should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments herein. 
         [0038]    The embodiments herein provide devices and processes of fabricating ring-shaped devices; i.e., circular devices with a concentric hole. For example, the embodiments herein use nano-pillars as templates and a process that deposits some material to cover the sidewalls of the nano-pillars. Embodiments herein benefit from the structure and processes described below, for example, by protecting the devices from shorting between layers of the device. Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to  FIGS. 1A through 7 , where similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the figures, there are shown preferred embodiments. 
         [0039]    As described above, there is considerable interest in magnetic storage devices that include giant magnetic resistance devices and magnetic tunnel junctions especially in the form of rings. Conventional systems, however, have been unable to reliably fabricate planar devices in the form of nano-rings. For example, conventionally fabricated planar devices (e.g., planar nano-rings), which may include ferromagnetic layers, have a risk of creating short circuits between the different ferromagnetic layers that comprise the planar device. The embodiments described herein offer several improvements over conventional devices—for example, the embodiments herein minimize the risk of creating shorts between ferromagnetic layers and does not fabricate the individual devices in a serial fashion thus reducing the fabrication time. 
         [0040]      FIGS. 1A and 113  illustrate schematic diagrams of planar device  1  in a closed ring geometry. While not shown, planar device  1  has active ferromagnetic films (or layers, as described below) and forms a closed ring. The geometry shown in  FIGS. 1A and 1B  can have advantages over conventional devices in that planar device  1  may offer a small geometry (as described below) and thereby occupies less valuable area and does not have the domain walls (e.g., separating magnetic domains) experienced by larger geometries. Further, less energy is required to change the magnetization because there is no shape anisotropy. As shown in  FIGS. 1A and 1B , planar device  1  has two possible magnetization geometries (e.g., clockwise geometry  5  and counterclockwise geometry  10 ). 
         [0041]    The embodiments shown in  FIGS. 2A through 6  illustrate various steps used to fabricate planar device  1 .  FIG. 2A , with reference to  FIG. 1 , illustrates a substrate  20  and a plurality of nano-pillars  25  affixed thereto. Nano-pillars  25  further include a diameter  30  and each nano-pillar  25  is separated by spacing  35 . While not shown in the embodiment of  FIG. 2A , each nano-pillar  25  has roughly the same diameter  30  to create a uniform array of nano-pillars  25  of spacing  35 . For example, in one embodiment herein, each nano-pillar  25  has a diameter  30  approximately equal to 30 nanometers and spacing  35  (i.e., the space between individual nano-pillars  25 ) is approximately equal to 50 nanometers. In addition, the embodiment shown in  FIG. 2A  also includes nano-pillars  25  with nearly vertical sidewalls  27 . While not shown, nano-pillars  25  of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 2A  are insulating pillars (e.g., oxide nano-pillars). 
         [0042]    In addition, while not shown in the embodiment of  FIG. 2A , spacer pillars may also be deposited on the edge of substrate  20  (e.g., on the edge of a wafer, where the wafer includes substrate  20 ). In such embodiment, these spacer pillars prevent subsequent masks from touching nano-pillars  25 . Furthermore, although not shown, the embodiment of  FIG. 2A  uses photolithographic techniques to mask, standard deposition techniques to deposit material, and etching and lift off techniques to remove excess material from substrate  20 . 
         [0043]    An alternative embodiment is shown in  FIG. 2B  where each of the nano-pillars  25  may also include a cap  26 . In the embodiment shown, caps  26  are used to minimize the possibility of shorting between the ferromagnetic layers (as described in further detail below). 
         [0044]    The following is an example how the structure in  FIG. 2B  can be fabricated. A layer of silicon dioxide, which becomes the nano-pillars  25  followed by a layer of silicon, which becomes the cap  26 , is deposited or grown on substrate  20 . Electron beam lithography can be used define the diameter of the nano-pillars  25  and silicon caps  26 . Reactive ion etching can be used to remove the unwanted silicon and leave the silicon caps  26 . Suitable etching with hydrofluoric (HF) acid can be used to remove the unwanted silicon dioxide and create the pillars. Controlling the conditions of the HF step allows undercutting the silicon caps  26  as shown in  FIG. 2B . 
         [0045]      FIGS. 3A through 7B , with reference to  FIGS. 2A and 2B , illustrate various embodiments herein. According to  FIGS. 3A through 3D , a first embodiment is illustrated. In the first embodiment, a lithography plus vertical deposition process is provided. Here, the process is shown to continue after the configuration of  FIG. 2A . A sequential layering is applied to substrate  20  and nano-pillars  25  including a conducting, metallic layer that constitutes a first electrode  40 , followed by an anti-ferromagnetic pinning layer  45 , and then a first ferromagnetic layer  50 . 
         [0046]    Next, as shown in  FIG. 3B , a tunnel barrier layer  55 , and a second ferromagnetic layer  60  are deposited. The tunnel barrier layer  55  may be deposited using either atomic layer deposition (to cover all exposed surfaces) or the tunnel barrier layer  55  may be deposited at an angle while rotating substrate  20  (e.g., rotating a wafer that includes substrate  20 ). Possible tunnel barrier materials include crystalline magnesium oxide (MgO). In so doing, in the embodiment of  FIG. 3B , the tunnel barrier layer  55  covers the sidewalls  27  of nano-pillars  25 . Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that other embodiments may include alternative and/or additional materials in tunnel barrier layer  55  and may include alternative and/or additional deposition techniques to cover sidewalls  27  of nano-pillars  25 . The thickness of the tunnel barrier layer  55  is controlled and kept sufficiently thin (i.e., approximately 1 nanometer) to optimize the electron tunneling. 
         [0047]    While not explicitly, shown, the deposition in the embodiments of  FIGS. 3A and 3B  is made with the atoms of the corresponding deposited material (e.g., layers  40 ,  45 ,  50 ,  60 ) coming down normal to the surface of the substrate  20  thereby minimizing the deposition of material on sidewalls  27  of nano-pillars  25 . The tunnel barrier layer  55  deposition should be made so the sidewalls  27  of the nano-pillars  25  are covered. Consequently, the embodiments of  FIGS. 3A and 33  minimize deposited metallic material on sidewalls  27 . 
         [0048]    Next, as shown in  FIG. 3C , a planarization step occurs down to the second ferromagnetic layer  60  on the portion of the stacked layers on top of substrate  20  with the nano-pillars  25  being planarized as well so that the top of layer  60  is co-planar with the top of nano-pillars  25 . Thereafter, a conducting, metallic layer that constitutes a second electrode  65  is deposited. Finally, as shown in  FIG. 3D , the nano-ring structures  75 , having diameter d o , are formed by performing a photolithographic technique and etching to remove the excess material down to the first electrode  40 . 
         [0049]    According to  FIGS. 4A through 4C , a second embodiment is illustrated. In the second embodiment, a lithography plus cap process is provided. Here, the process is shown to continue after the alternative configuration of  FIG. 2B . A sequential layering is applied to substrate  20  and caps  26  including the first electrode  40 , followed by the anti-ferromagnetic pinning layer  45 , and then the first ferromagnetic layer  50 . 
         [0050]    In this embodiment, the first electrode  40 , anti-ferromagnetic pinning layer  45 , and first ferromagnetic layer  50  are deposited with the atoms coming down vertically to minimize the number of the atoms being deposited under the cap  26  near the sidewalls  27  of the nano-pillars  25 . Then, the caps  26  and overlying material are removed by etching. Next, the tunnel barrier layer  55  is deposited. The material of the tunnel barrier layer  55  fills the space between the three-layer stack of the first electrode  40 , anti-ferromagnetic pinning layer  45 , and first ferromagnetic layer  50  and the sidewalls  27  of the nano-pillars  25 . Thereafter, the second ferromagnetic layer  60  is deposited on the tunnel barrier layer  55 . These steps minimize the likelihood of shorting between the two ferromagnetic layers  50 ,  60 . After a planarization step that removes the nano-pillar  25  down to the level of the top of the second ferromagnetic layer  60 , the second electrode  65  is deposited with the resulting structure shown in  FIG. 4B . Finally, as shown in  FIG. 4C , the nano-ring structures  75 , having diameter d o , are formed by performing a photolithographic technique and etching to remove the excess material down to the first electrode  40 . 
         [0051]    According to  FIGS. 5A through 5E , a third embodiment is illustrated. In the third embodiment, a sidewall spacer plus vertical deposition process is provided. Here, the process is shown to continue after the configuration of  FIG. 2A . A sequential layering is applied to substrate  20  and nano-pillars  25  including a first electrode  40 , followed by an anti-ferromagnetic pinning layer  45 , a first ferromagnetic layer  50 , a tunnel barrier layer  55 , and a second ferromagnetic layer  60  as illustrated in  FIG. 5A . The metallic layers are deposited vertically to minimize covering the sidewalls  27  of the nano-pillars  25  and minimize creating shorting. 
         [0052]    One can then cover the sidewalls  27  of the nano-pillars  25  with a sidewall spacer  63  and then perform an etching process as shown in  FIG. 5B  that removes material down to the top of the first electrode  40 . Now the space that has been etched is filled with SiO 2    80  as shown in  FIG. 5C . Upon completion of this step, the surface is planarized by mechanical polishing down to the top of the second ferromagnetic layer  60 . At this point lithography is performed and the second electrode  65  is deposited as shown in  FIG. 5D . The nano-ring structures  75 , having diameter d o , are defined by the thickness of the sidewall spacer  63 . The last step shown in  FIG. 5E  is to remove the SiO 2    80  by etching down to the first electrode  40 . 
         [0053]    According to  FIGS. 6A through 6D , a fourth embodiment is illustrated. In the fourth embodiment, a sidewall spacer plus cap process is provided. Here, the process is shown to continue after the configuration of  FIG. 4A  with a sequential layering having been applied to substrate  20  and caps  26  including the first electrode  40 , followed by the anti-ferromagnetic pinning layer  45 , and then the first ferromagnetic layer  50 . 
         [0054]    Then, the caps  26  and overlying material are removed. Next, the tunnel barrier layer  55  is deposited along the sidewalls  27  of the nano-pillars  25  all the way down to the substrate  20 . Thereafter, the second ferromagnetic layer  60  is deposited on the tunnel barrier layer  55 . These steps minimize the likelihood of shorting between the two ferromagnetic layers  50 ,  60 . The resulting structure is shown in  FIG. 6A . After this, as illustrated in  FIG. 6B , sidewall spacer material  63  is deposited to define the thickness of the ensuing nano-rings. Next, the stack of films  40 ,  45 ,  50 ,  55 , and  60  are etched. Then, the space is again filled with silicon dioxide  80 . After a planarization step in which the planarization is performed to the top of the second ferromagnetic layer  60 , the second electrode  65  is deposited with the resulting structure shown in  FIG. 6C  with the nano-ring structures  75  having diameter d o . The last step shown in  FIG. 6D  is to remove the SiO 2    80  by etching down to the first electrode  40 . 
         [0055]    A fifth embodiment, not specifically shown, is to start with the configuration shown in  FIG. 3A . Next, one can etch the sidewalls  27  of the nano-pillars  25  after depositing the first ferromagnetic layer  50  to create a space that will be filled when the tunnel barrier layer  55  is deposited. This prevents shorting. From the above, one can easily see other variations of this embodiment. 
         [0056]      FIG. 7 , with reference to  FIGS. 1A through 6D , illustrates cross-sectional top view of the substrate  20  with nano-ring structure  75 , nano-pillar  25 , first electrode  40 , and second electrode  65 . It is noted that, in an alternative embodiment, the first electrode  40  may be deposited and structurally defined prior to the creation of nano-pillars  25 . 
         [0057]    The foregoing description of the specific embodiments will so fully reveal the general nature of the embodiments herein that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Therefore, while the embodiments herein have been described in terms of preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

Technology Category: g