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.

A resistive memory device includes an ultrathin barrier layer disposed between the bottom electrode and the bottom electric contact to the memory device. The ultrathin barrier layer may reduce the overall step height of the resistive memory elements by 15% or more, including up to about 20% or more. The use of an ultrathin barrier layer may additionally improve the uniformity of the thickness of the dielectric etch stop layer that partially underlies and extends between the memory elements by at least about 15%. The use of an ultrathin barrier layer may result in improved manufacturability and provide reduced costs and higher yields for resistive memory devices, and may facilitate integration of resistive memory devices in advanced technology nodes.

A method for fabricating an integrated circuit is provided. The method includes depositing a dielectric layer over a conductive feature; etching an opening in the dielectric layer to expose the conductive feature, such that the dielectric layer has a tapered sidewall surrounding the opening; depositing a bottom electrode layer into the opening in the dielectric layer; depositing a resistance switch layer over the bottom electrode layer; patterning the resistance switch layer and the bottom electrode layer respectively into a resistance switch element and a bottom electrode, in which a sidewall of the bottom electrode is landing on the tapered sidewall of the dielectric layer.

A memory device is provided. The memory device includes a memory stack on a first dielectric layer, and a sidewall spacer on the memory stack. The memory device further includes a conductive cap on the sidewall spacer and the memory stack and an upper metal line on the conductive cap and the sidewall spacer, wherein the upper metal line wraps around the conductive cap, sidewall spacer, and memory stack.

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 resistive random access memory cell includes a first electrode layer, an oxygen reservoir layer, a variable resistance layer, and a second electrode. The first electrode layer is located on a dielectric layer, and includes a body part extending in a first direction and multiple extension parts connected to a sidewall of the body part and extending in a second direction. The second direction is perpendicular to the first direction. The oxygen reservoir layer covers the first electrode layer. The variable resistance layer is located between the first electrode layer and the oxygen reservoir layer. The second electrode is located above a top surface of the oxygen reservoir layer and around an upper sidewall of the oxygen reservoir layer.

Various embodiments of the present disclosure are directed towards a method for forming a memory cell. In some embodiments, a memory film is deposited over a substrate and comprises a bottom electrode layer, a top electrode layer, and a data storage film between the top and bottom electrode layers. A hard mask film is deposited over the memory film and comprises a conductive hard mask layer. The top electrode layer and the hard mask film are patterned to respectively form a top electrode and a hard mask over the top electrode. A trimming process is performed to decrease a sidewall angle between a sidewall of the hard mask and a bottom surface of the hard mask. An etch is performed into the data storage film with the hard mask in place after the trimming process to form a data storage structure underlying the top electrode.

Phase change memory devices and methods of forming the same include forming a fin structure from a first material. A phase change memory cell is formed around the fin structure, using a phase change material that includes two solid state phases at an operational temperature.

A resistive random access memory includes a first dielectric layer, a bottom electrode on the first dielectric layer, a variable-resistance layer on the bottom electrode and having a U-shaped cross-sectional profile, a top electrode on the variable-resistance layer and filling a recess in the variable-resistance layer, a second dielectric layer on the first dielectric layer and around the variable-resistance layer and the bottom electrode, and a spacer on the bottom electrode and inserting between the variable-resistance layer and the second dielectric layer.

A method of fabricating a three-dimensional semiconductor memory device includes forming a cell stack layer covering key and cell regions of a substrate and including a variable resistance layer and a switching layer, forming key mask patterns on the cell stack layer of the key region and cell mask patterns on the cell stack layer of the cell region, and simultaneously forming a plurality of key patterns on the key region and a plurality of memory cells on the cell region by etching the cell stack layer using the key and cell mask patterns as an etching mask. Each memory cell includes a variable resistance pattern and a switching pattern formed by etching the variable resistance layer and the switching layer. Each key pattern includes a dummy variable resistance pattern and a dummy switching pattern formed by etching the variable resistance layer and the switching layer.