METHOD FOR PATTERNING A MAGNETIC TUNNEL JUNCTION STACK
First Claim
1. A method of patterning a magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) element, comprising:
- providing a stack of layers on a substrate, the stack comprising a tunneling barrier layer interposed between a top ferromagnetic layer and a bottom ferromagnetic layer;
defining outer parts surrounding a middle part for each of the top ferromagnetic layer, the tunneling barrier layer, and the bottom ferromagnetic layer; and
incorporating metal or metalloid elements (Z) together with ion elements (E) into the outer parts of the top ferromagnetic layer, thereby modifying the outer parts of the top ferromagnetic layer to have electrically insulating properties.
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Abstract
The disclosed technology generally relates to methods of fabricating magnetic memory devices, and more particularly to methods of forming a magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) stack. In one aspect, a method of forming the MTJ includes providing an MTJ material stack comprising a ferromagnetic material and forming thereon a protective mask layer to cover an active area of the MTJ material stack. The method additionally includes incorporating a glass-forming element into exposed portions of the ferromagnetic material. The method additionally includes at least partially amorphizing the exposed portions of the ferromagnetic material, wherein at least partially amorphizing transforms the exposed portions of the ferromagnetic material into an electrical insulator.
30 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method of patterning a magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) element, comprising:
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providing a stack of layers on a substrate, the stack comprising a tunneling barrier layer interposed between a top ferromagnetic layer and a bottom ferromagnetic layer; defining outer parts surrounding a middle part for each of the top ferromagnetic layer, the tunneling barrier layer, and the bottom ferromagnetic layer; and incorporating metal or metalloid elements (Z) together with ion elements (E) into the outer parts of the top ferromagnetic layer, thereby modifying the outer parts of the top ferromagnetic layer to have electrically insulating properties. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) element comprising:
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a stack of layers comprising a tunneling barrier layer interposed between a top ferromagnetic layer and a bottom ferromagnetic layer, wherein the top ferromagnetic layer comprises a ferromagnetic portion including a ferromagnetic material and an insulating portion laterally surrounding the ferromagnetic portion, wherein the insulating portion comprises an amorphous glass including a mixture of the ferromagnetic material, an oxidizing element and a glass-forming element including a metal/metalloid element. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15)
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16. A method of forming a magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ), comprising:
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providing an MTJ material stack comprising a ferromagnetic material; forming a protective mask layer to cover an active area of the MTJ material stack; incorporating a glass-forming element into exposed portions of the ferromagnetic material, wherein the glass-forming element comprises a metal or a metalloid element; and at least partially amorphizing the exposed portions of the ferromagnetic material, wherein at least partially amorphizing transforms the exposed portions of the ferromagnetic material into an electrical insulator. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification