A semiconductor device and method of manufacturing the same are provided. The semiconductor device includes a substrate, a first dielectric layer, an etching stop layer, a second dielectric layer, a conductive via, and a data storage structure. The first dielectric layer is disposed on the substrate. The etching stop layer is disposed on the first dielectric layer. The second dielectric layer is disposed on the etching stop layer. The first dielectric layer, the etching stop layer, and the second dielectric layer collectively define an opening. The conductive via is disposed in the opening. The data storage structure is disposed on the conductive via.

An array, such as an MRAM (Magnetic Random Access Memory) array formed of a multiplicity of layered thin film devices, such as MTJ (Magnetic Tunnel Junction) devices, can be simultaneously formed in a multiplicity of horizontal widths in the 60 nm range while all having top electrodes with substantially equal thicknesses and coplanar upper surfaces. This allows such a multiplicity of devices to be electrically connected by a common conductor without the possibility of electrical opens and with a resulting high yield.

The disclosed technology relates generally to semiconductor devices, and more particularly to a layer stack for a magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) device, and a method of forming the same. According to an aspect, a layer stack for a (MTJ) device comprises a seed layer structure, a pinning layer structure arranged above the seed layer structure, and above the pinning layer structure a Fe-comprising reference layer structure and a free layer structure separated by a tunnel barrier layer. The seed layer structure comprises a Ru-comprising layer and a Cr-comprising layer. The Cr-comprising layer forms an upper layer of the seed layer structure.

A Magnetic Tunnel Junction (MTJ) device can include a second Precessional Spin Current (PSC) magnetic layer of Ruthenium (Ru) having a predetermined thickness and a predetermined smoothness. An etching process for smoothing the PSC magnetic layer can be performed in-situ with various deposition processes after a high temperature annealing of the MTJ formation.

A Magnetic Tunnel Junction (MTJ) device can include a second Precessional Spin Current (PSC) magnetic layer of Ruthenium (Ru) having a predetermined thickness and a predetermined smoothness. An etching process for smoothing the PSC magnetic layer can be performed in-situ with various deposition processes after a high temperature annealing of the MTJ formation.

Methods for depositing a dielectric oxide layer atop one or more substrates disposed in or processed through a PVD chamber are provided herein. In some embodiments, such a method includes: sputtering source material from a target assembly onto a first substrate while the source material is at a first erosion state and while providing a first amount of RF power to the target assembly to deposit a dielectric oxide layer onto a first substrate having a desired resistance-area; and subsequently sputtering source material from the target assembly onto a second substrate while the source material is at a second erosion state and while providing a second amount of RF power to the target assembly, wherein the second amount of RF power is lower than the first amount of RF power by a predetermined amount calculated to maintain the desired resistance-area.

A magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) device includes two magnetic tunnel junction elements and a magnetic shielding layer. The two magnetic tunnel junction elements are arranged side by side. The magnetic shielding layer is disposed between the magnetic tunnel junction elements. A method of forming said magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) device includes the following steps. An interlayer including a magnetic shielding layer is formed. The interlayer is etched to form recesses in the interlayer. The magnetic tunnel junction elements fill in the recesses. Or, a method of forming said magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) device includes the following steps. A magnetic tunnel junction layer is formed. The magnetic tunnel junction layer is patterned to form magnetic tunnel junction elements. An interlayer including a magnetic shielding layer is formed between the magnetic tunnel junction elements.

A semiconductor device includes a first magnetic tunneling junction (MTJ) and a second MTJ on a substrate, a first top electrode on the first MTJ and a second top electrode on the second MTJ, a passivation layer between the first MTJ and the second MTJ, and an ultra low-k (ULK) dielectric layer on and directly contacting the passivation layer and around the first MTJ and the second MTJ. Preferably, a top surface of the passivation layer includes a V-shape and a valley point of the V-shape is higher than a bottom surface of the first top electrode.

A magnetic memory device includes a conductive line extending in a first direction, a magnetic line extending in a second direction intersecting the first direction on the conductive line, the magnetic line intersecting the conductive line, and a magnetic pattern disposed between the conductive line and the magnetic line. The magnetic pattern has first sidewalls opposite to each other in the first direction, and second sidewalls opposite to each other in the second direction. The second sidewalls of the magnetic pattern are aligned with sidewalls of the conductive line, respectively.

A memory structured in lines and columns over several superimposed levels, each level comprising an array of memory elements and gate-all-around access transistors, each transistor including a semiconductor nanowire and each gate being insulated from the gates of the other levels, further comprising: conductive portions, each crossing at least two levels and coupled to first ends of the nanowires of one column of the levels; memory stacks, each crossing the levels and coupled to second ends of the nanowires of said column; first conductive lines, each connected to the conductive portions of the same column; word lines each extending in the same level while coupling together the gates of the same line and located in said level.