Methods for providing a sub .15 micron magnetic memory structure
First Claim
1. A method for providing a magnetic element comprising:
- providing at least one magnetic element layer;
providing a hard mask structure for masking a portion of the at least one magnetic element layer, the hard mask being formed from at least one hard mask material, the at least one hard mask material being etchable for definition of the hard mask structure, the hard mask structure acting as a mask during definition of a width of the magnetic element, the hard mask structure being a diamond-like carbon structure;
defining the width of the magnetic element by removing a portion of the at least one magnetic element layer using the hard mask structure as a mask.
2 Assignments
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method for providing a magnetic element is disclosed. The method includes providing at least one magnetic element layer and providing a hard mask structure for masking a portion of the at least one magnetic element layer. The hard mask structure is made from hard mask material(s) that are etchable for defining the hard mask structure. The hard mask structure also acts as a mask during definition of a width of the magnetic element. The method also includes defining the width of the magnetic element by removing a portion of the at least one magnetic element layer using the hard mask structure as a mask. The hard mask structure preferably acts as a polishing stop for a planarization step, such as a chemical mechanical polish, polishing resistant structures might be provided to improve planarization of a magnetic memory incorporating the magnetic element.
266 Citations
13 Claims
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1. A method for providing a magnetic element comprising:
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providing at least one magnetic element layer;
providing a hard mask structure for masking a portion of the at least one magnetic element layer, the hard mask being formed from at least one hard mask material, the at least one hard mask material being etchable for definition of the hard mask structure, the hard mask structure acting as a mask during definition of a width of the magnetic element, the hard mask structure being a diamond-like carbon structure;
defining the width of the magnetic element by removing a portion of the at least one magnetic element layer using the hard mask structure as a mask. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A method for providing a magnetic element comprising:
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providing at least one magnetic element layer;
providing a hard mask structure for masking a portion of the at least one magnetic element layer, the hard mask being formed from at least one hard mask material, the at least one hard mask material being etchable for definition of the hard mask structure, the hard mask structure acting as a mask during definition of a width of the magnetic element;
defining the width of the magnetic element by removing a portion of the at least one magnetic element layer using the hard mask structure as a mask; and
wherein the hard mask structure providing step further includes;
providing a hard mask layer on the capping layer, the capping layer residing on a layer of the at least one magnetic element layer, the capping layer being resistant to an etch that defines the hard mask structure;
providing a photoresist structure on the hard mask layer, the photoresist structure having a width;
anisotropically etching the hard mask layer using the photoresist structure as a mask, the hard mask layer having a first width after being anisotropically etched;
trimming the hard mask layer to have a second width that is less than the first width; and
removing the photoresist structure after the hard mask layer has been trimmed.
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9. A method for providing a magnetic element comprising:
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providing at least one magnetic element layer;
providing a hard mask structure for masking a portion of the at least one magnetic element layer, the hard mask being formed from at least one hard mask material, the at least one hard mask material being etchable for definition of the hard mask structure, the hard mask structure acting as a mask during definition of a width of the magnetic element;
defining the width of the magnetic element by removing a portion of the at least one magnetic element layer using the hard mask structure as a mask; and
providing a plurality of polishing resistant structures, the plurality of polishing resistant structures having a recessed region therebetween. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12)
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13. A method for providing a magnetic element comprising the steps of:
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providing at least one magnetic element layer;
providing a hard mask structure for masking a portion of the at least one magnetic element layer, the hard mask being formed from at least one hard mask material, the at least one hard mask material being etchable for definition of the hard mask structure, the hard mask structure acting as a mask during definition of a width of the magnetic element;
defining the width of the magnetic element by removing a portion of the at least one magnetic element layer using the hard mask structure as a mask;
wherein at least one magnetic layer providing step further includes;
providing a dual spin tunnel/valve structure;
providing a capping layer on the dual spin tunnel/valve structure.
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Specification