Various embodiments of the present application are directed towards an integrated circuit comprising a resistive random-access memory (RRAM) cell with recessed bottom electrode sidewalls to mitigate the effect of sidewall plasma damage. In some embodiments, the RRAM cell includes a lower electrode, a data storage element, and an upper electrode. The lower electrode includes a pair of recessed bottom electrode sidewalls respectively on opposite sides of the lower electrode. The data storage element overlies the lower electrode and includes a pair of storage sidewalls. The storage sidewalls are respectively on the opposite sides of the lower electrode, and the recessed bottom electrode sidewalls are laterally spaced from and laterally between the storage sidewalls. The upper electrode overlies the data storage element.

A three-dimensional semiconductor device includes multiple semiconductor device layers on a substrate, wherein each layer includes a first stacked structure, a first gate dielectric layer, a first semiconductor layer, a first channel layer, a first source region, a first drain region, and a first resistive random access memory cell. The first stacked structure on the substrate includes a first insulating layer and a first gate conductor layer. The first gate dielectric layer surrounds a sidewall of the first stacked structure. The first semiconductor layer surrounds a sidewall of the first gate dielectric layer. The first channel layer is in the first semiconductor layer. The first source region and the first drain region are on both sides of the first channel layer in the first semiconductor layer. The first resistive random access memory cell is on a first sidewall of the first semiconductor layer and connected to the first drain region.

Embodiments of the present invention are directed to forming a planar Resistive Random Access Memory (RRAM) device with a shared top electrode. In a non-limiting embodiment of the invention, a first trench having a first width and a second trench having a second width less than the first width are formed in a dielectric layer. A bottom liner is formed on sidewalls of the first trench. The bottom liner pinches off the second trench. A top liner is formed on sidewalls of the bottom liner in the first trench. The top liner is formed such that a portion of the bottom liner at a bottommost region of the first trench remains exposed. The exposed portion of the bottom liner is removed, and a memory cell material is formed in the first trench.

A variable resistance memory device includes first conductive lines extending in a first direction, second conductive lines extending in a second direction and crossing the first conductive lines in a plan view, and cell structures respectively provided at crossing points of the first conductive lines and the second conductive lines in the plan view. Each of the cell structures includes a switching pattern, a variable resistance pattern, and a first electrode provided between the switching pattern and the first conductive line, the first electrode including carbon. Each of the first conductive lines includes an upper pattern including a metal nitride in an upper portion thereof. The upper pattern is in contact with a bottom surface of the first electrode.

A method is presented for enabling heat dissipation in resistive random access memory (RRAM) devices. The method includes forming a first thermal conducting layer over a bottom electrode, depositing a metal oxide liner over the first thermal conducting layer, forming a second thermal conducting layer over the metal oxide liner, recessing the second thermal conducting layer to expose the first thermal conducting layer, and forming a top electrode in direct contact with the first and second thermal conducting layers.

A semiconductor device including stacked structures. The stacked structures include at least two chalcogenide materials or alternating dielectric materials and conductive materials. A liner including alucone is formed on sidewalls of the stacked structures. Methods of forming the semiconductor device are also disclosed.

A method is presented for enabling heat dissipation in resistive random access memory (RRAM) devices. The method includes forming a first thermal conducting layer over a bottom electrode, depositing a metal oxide liner over the first thermal conducting layer, forming a second thermal conducting layer over the metal oxide liner, recessing the second thermal conducting layer to expose the first thermal conducting layer, and forming a top electrode in direct contact with the first and second thermal conducting layers.

A memory device may be provided including one or more bottom electrodes, one or more mask elements, one or more top electrodes and a switching layer. The bottom electrode(s) may include a first bottom electrode, the mask element(s) may include a first mask element and the top electrode(s) may include a first top electrode. The first mask element may be arranged over a first part of the first bottom electrode. The first top electrode may be arranged over and in contact with the first mask element. The switching layer may be arranged to extend over a second part of the first bottom electrode, and along a first side surface of the first mask element and further along a first side surface of the first top electrode. The first side surfaces of the first mask element and the first top electrode may face a same direction.

A non-volatile memory device and a semiconductor structure including a vertical resistive memory cell and a fabrication method therefor. The semiconductor structure including a target metal contact; a horizontal dielectric layer; and at least one vertically oriented memory cell, each vertically oriented memory cell including a vertical memory resistive element having top and bottom electrical contacts, and including a vertically-oriented seam including conductive material and extending vertically from, and electrically connected to, the bottom electrical contact, the vertically-oriented seam and the bottom electrical contact entirely located in the horizontal dielectric layer; and one of the top and bottom electrical contacts being electrically connected to the target metal contact. The target electrical contact can be electrically connected to a memory cell selector device.

A phase-change memory device with reduced heater size includes a first conductive structure within a first dielectric layer. A heater element is located within a second dielectric layer disposed above the first conductive structure. The heater element includes a third dielectric layer defining a perimeter, a top portion of a heater material layer partially overlapping the perimeter of the third dielectric layer, and a bottom portion of the heater material layer overlapping the perimeter of the third dielectric layer. The bottom portion of the heater material layer is in contact with the first conductive structure. A phase-change material is located above the heater element with a bottom surface of the phase-change material being in contact with the top portion of the heater material layer. The phase-change memory device further includes a second conductive structure located above the phase-change material.