Method and structures pertaining to improved ferroelectric random-access memory (FeRAM)

[0001] This Application is a Continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 18/336,093, filed on Jun. 16, 2023, which is a Continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 17/376,531, filed on Jul. 15, 2021 (now U.S. Pat. No. 11,723,213, issued on Aug. 8, 2023), which is a Continuation-in-Part of U.S. application Ser. No. 16/452,965, filed on Jun. 26, 2019 (now U.S. Pat. No. 11,195,840, issued on Dec. 7, 2021), which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/738,604, filed on Sep. 28, 2018. The contents of the above-referenced Patent Applications are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

[0002] Many modern day electronic devices include non-volatile memory. Non-volatile memory is electronic memory that is able to store data in the absence of power. A promising candidate for the next generation of non-volatile memory is ferroelectric random-access memory (FeRAM). FeRAM has a relatively simple structure and is compatible with complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) logic fabrication processes.

[0010] The present disclosure provides many different embodiments, or examples, for implementing different features of this disclosure. Specific examples of components and arrangements are described below to simplify the present disclosure. These are, of course, merely examples and are not intended to be limiting. For example, the formation of a first feature over or on a second feature in the description that follows may include embodiments in which the first and second features are formed in direct contact, and may also include embodiments in which additional features may be formed between the first and second features, such that the first and second features may not be in direct contact. In addition, the present disclosure may repeat reference numerals and/or letters in the various examples. This repetition is for the purpose of simplicity and clarity and does not in itself dictate a relationship between the various embodiments and/or configurations discussed.

[0011] Further, spatially relative terms, such as “beneath,” “below,” “lower,” “above,” “upper” and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe one element or feature's relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. The spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. The apparatus may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein may likewise be interpreted accordingly.

[0012] A one-transistor one-capacitor (1T1C) memory cell is a type of memory comprising a capacitor and a transistor. The capacitor stores varying levels of charge which correspond to an individual bit of data stored in the capacitor, and the transistor facilitates access to the capacitor for read and write operations. The relatively simple structure of the 1T1C memory cell allows high memory density, which leads to high memory capacity and a low cost per bit. 1T1C memory cells are typically used with dynamic random-access memory (DRAM). However, DRAM is reaching performance limits, is volatile, has high power consumption, and depends upon complex refresh circuitry. Volatile memory is electronic memory that is unable to store data in the absence of power. A promising alternative to DRAM is ferroelectric random-access memory (FeRAM). In contrast with DRAM, FeRAM has lower power consumption, the potential for better performance, does not depend upon complex refresh circuitry, and is non-volatile.

[0013] FeRAM memory cells include a transistor and a ferroelectric capacitor structure, which includes a ferroelectric structure sandwiched between a top electrode and a bottom electrode. The FeRAM memory cell is configured to store a bit of data, depending on how atoms are aligned relative to one another in the ferroelectric capacitor structure. For example, a first state of the FeRAM memory cell in which atoms in the ferroelectric structure are polarized in an “up” direction may represent a binary value of “1”, whereas a second state of the FeRAM memory cell in which atoms in the ferroelectric structure are polarized in a “down” direction may represent a binary value of “0”, or vice versa.

[0014] As appreciated in some aspects of the present disclosure, however, during manufacture of some FeRAM cells, an etching process can cause reliability concerns. In particular, during manufacture, a bottom electrode layer is formed, a ferroelectric layer is formed over the bottom electrode layer, and a top electrode layer is formed over the ferroelectric layer; and a mask is formed over the top electrode layer. Then, with the mask in place, an etch is carried out to etch through the top electrode layer, ferroelectric layer, and bottom electrode layer to form the top electrode, ferroelectric structure, and bottom electrode. As the inventors have appreciated, this etch can cause atoms which are removed from these layers as the etch progresses to inadvertently redeposit as conductive residue on the sidewalls of the ferroelectric structure. This conductive residue can ultimately short the bottom electrode to the top electrode, leading to failure and/or inoperability of the FeRAM device.

[0015] Thus, the present disclosure uses a dielectric sidewall spacer structure disposed along outer sidewalls of the top electrode. This dielectric sidewall spacer structure acts as an electrical barrier to prevent conductive residue which arises during manufacture of the device from shorting the bottom electrode to the top electrode. Thus, this dielectric sidewall spacer and corresponding manufacturing process help improve yield for FeRAM devices.

[0016] With reference to FIG. 1A, a cross-sectional view 100 of some embodiments of an IC comprising a ferroelectric capacitor structure 102 is provided. In some embodiments, the ferroelectric capacitor structure 102 includes a ferroelectric structure 112 disposed between a bottom electrode structure 104 and a top electrode 114. With this structure, the ferroelectric capacitor structure 102 is configured to store a bit of data. For example, a first state of the ferroelectric capacitor structure 102 in which atoms in the ferroelectric structure 112 are polarized in an “up” direction may represent a binary value of “1”, whereas a second state of the ferroelectric capacitor structure 102 in which atoms in the ferroelectric structure 112 are polarized in an “down” direction may represent a binary value of “0”, or vice versa.

[0017] The bottom electrode structure 104 overlies and is electrically coupled to a bottom electrode wire 106be. The bottom electrode wire 106be may be or comprise, for example, aluminum copper, copper, aluminum, some other suitable conductive material(s), or any combination of the foregoing. As used herein, a term with a suffix of “(s)” may, for example, be singular or plural. In some embodiments, the bottom electrode structure 104 has a T-shaped profile or some other suitable profile. In some embodiments, the bottom electrode structure 104 is homogeneous (e.g., where the entire body of the bottom electrode structure 104 is a single material). In other embodiments, the bottom electrode structure 104 is heterogeneous (e.g., where the body of the bottom electrode structure 104 includes multiple layers and/or materials). The bottom electrode structure 104 may be or comprise, for example, titanium nitride, tantalum nitride, titanium, tantalum, platinum, iridium, ruthenium, tungsten, silver, copper, nickel, some other suitable conductive material(s), or any combination of the foregoing. The bottom electrode structure 104 comprises a bottom electrode 108 and a bottom electrode via 110. For example, the bottom electrode 108 and the bottom electrode via 110 may be individual regions of the bottom electrode structure 104.

[0018] The bottom electrode 108 is electrically coupled to the bottom electrode wire 106be by the bottom electrode via 110 extending from the bottom electrode 108 to the bottom electrode wire 106be. In some embodiments, the ferroelectric structure includes an upper ferroelectric portion 112A having the first width, a lower ferroelectric portion 112B having the second width, and a ledge 119 corresponding to a height where the upper ferroelectric portion 112A meets the lower ferroelectric portion 112B. Thus, FIG. 1A illustrates an example where the bottom electrode 108 and ferroelectric structure 112 each have a first width, w1, and the top electrode has a second width, w2, wherein w2 is greater than w1. In some embodiments, the first width is approximately 10 nm, and the second width is approximately 12 nm. In various embodiments, the first width ranges from approximately 50% to approximately 95% of the second width. Further, in some cases, the width of the bottom electrode 108 is uniform or substantially uniform, and/or the width of the bottom electrode via 110 is uniform or substantially uniform. In some embodiments, the bottom electrode 108 and the bottom electrode via 110 are or comprise the same material(s). In other embodiments, the bottom electrode 108 and the bottom electrode via 110 are different materials. In some embodiments, the bottom electrode 108 and the bottom electrode via 110 are integrated together and/or are continuous with each other. In other embodiments, the bottom electrode 108 and the bottom electrode via 110 are independent and/or distinct from each other.

[0019] The ferroelectric structure 112 overlies the bottom electrode structure 104. The ferroelectric structure 112 may be or comprise, for example, strontium bismuth tantalite (e.g., SBT), lead zirconate titanate (e.g., PZT), hafnium zirconium oxide (e.g., HZO), doped hafnium oxide (e.g., Si:HfO2), some other suitable ferroelectric material(s), or any combination of the foregoing. The doped hafnium oxide may, for example, be doped with zirconium, silicon, yttrium, aluminum, gadolinium, lanthanum, strontium, some other suitable element(s), or any combination of the foregoing. The ferroelectric structure 112 is configured to store a bit of data. For example, in a first state atoms in the ferroelectric structure 112 are polarized in an “up” direction may represent a binary value of “1”, whereas in a second state atoms in the ferroelectric structure 112 are polarized in an “down” direction may represent a binary value of “0”, or vice versa.

[0020] A top electrode 114 overlies the ferroelectric structure 112. The top electrode 114 may be or comprise, for example, titanium nitride, tantalum nitride, titanium, tantalum, platinum, iridium, ruthenium, tungsten, silver, copper, nickel, some other suitable conductive material(s), or any combination of the foregoing. The top electrode has a first width w₁, as measured between its outermost sidewalls, and the ferroelectric structure has a second width w₂, as measured between its outermost sidewalls. The second width is greater than the first width, such that the ferroelectric structure includes ledge 119 that reflects a difference between the first width and the second width.

[0021] In some embodiments, a hard mask 116 overlies the top electrode 114. The hard mask 116 may, for example, serve as a mask during formation of the top electrode 114, the ferroelectric structure 112, and the bottom electrode 108. Further, the hard mask 116 may, for example, be or comprise silicon nitride, silicon oxynitride, some other suitable dielectric(s), or any combination of the foregoing.

[0022] A dielectric sidewall spacer structure 118 is on outer sidewalls of the ferroelectric structure 112, and may extend partially into an upper surface of the ferroelectric structure 112. A bottom surface of the dielectric sidewall spacer structure rests on the ledge 119 and is spaced apart from an upper surface of the bottom electrode 108. When viewed in cross-section, the dielectric sidewall spacer structure 118 comprises a pair of spacer segments and the spacer segments are respectively on opposite outer sides of the ferroelectric structure 112. The spacer segments have curved upper sidewalls. In FIG. 1A's cross-section it can be seen that the spacer segments have inner sidewalls that are vertical and outer sidewalls that are rounded and/or tapered. The dielectric sidewall spacer structure 118 may have a height, h_s, ranging from approximately 50 angstroms to approximately 500 angstroms, and may have a bottom surface on ledge 119, which can correspond to bottom surface of 114 or which can be below bottom surface of 114 and within the ferroelectric structure 112. Each spacer segment of the dielectric sidewall spacer structure 118 may have a width, w_s, ranging from approximately 50 angstroms to approximately 500 angstroms, and the ratio of the width, w_s, to width, w₁, (w_s:w₁) can range from 1:20 to 2:1 in some embodiments, though other values are within the scope of this disclosure for this example and other examples in the present application. As can be seen from the top view of FIG. 1B, when viewed from above, in some embodiments the dielectric sidewall spacer structure 118 can be a continuous spacer that laterally surrounds an outer sidewall of the top electrode 114. The dielectric sidewall spacer structure 118 may, for example, be or comprise silicon nitride, silicon oxide, some other suitable dielectric(s), or any combination of the foregoing. In some embodiments, the dielectric sidewall spacer structure 118 and the hard mask 116 are or comprise the same material(s).

[0023] As shown in FIG. 1A, in some embodiments, a conductive residue 117 may be formed on outer sidewalls of the dielectric sidewall spacer structure 118 and may be in direct physical and electrical contact with the bottom electrode 108. The conductive residue 117 is spaced apart from and isolated from outer sidewalls of the top electrode 114 by the dielectric sidewall spacer structure 118, such that the dielectric sidewall spacer structure 118 prevents the conductive residue 117, if any, from shorting the top electrode 114 to the bottom electrode structure 104. Thus, the conductive residue 117 includes chemical species contained in the ferroelectric layer and/or the bottom electrode layer, which were re-deposited the along outermost sidewalls of the dielectric sidewall spacer structure during manufacturing. The conductive residue 117 may be a continuous layer in some cases, but may be “patchy” or discontinuous over the underlying surfaces in other cases. For example, in some cases the conductive residue 117 can be a fully formed sheet with an even or uneven thickness that covers the top surface of mask 116, upper and sidewall surfaces of dielectric sidewall spacer structure 118, outer sidewalls of ferroelectric structure 112, and outer sidewalls of bottom electrode 108. In other embodiments, the conductive residue 117 can be patchy in that the conductive residue 117 covers some but not all portions of the top surface of mask 116, upper and sidewall surfaces of dielectric sidewall spacer structure 118, outer sidewalls of ferroelectric structure 112, and outer sidewalls of bottom electrode 108; for example, covering more than 1% but less than 100% of those underlying surfaces, though other values are within the scope of this disclosure for this example and other examples in the present application.

[0024] In some embodiments, a first dielectric liner 128 and/or a second dielectric liner 130 laterally surround the dielectric sidewall spacer structure 118, the ferroelectric structure 112, and the bottom electrode 108. The first dielectric liner 128 may, for example, serve as an etch stop during formation of adjoining vias and/or may, for example, be or comprise silicon carbide, some other suitable dielectric(s), or any combination of the foregoing. The second dielectric liner 130 may be or comprise, for example, TEOS silicon dioxide, some other suitable dielectric(s), or any combination of the foregoing.

[0025] A top electrode wire 106te and a top electrode via 120te overlie the top electrode 114. The top electrode via 120te extends from the top electrode wire 106te to the top electrode 114 to electrically couple the top electrode wire 106te to the top electrode 114. In some embodiments, the top electrode wire 106te and the top electrode via 120te are the same material. In other embodiments, the top electrode wire 106te and the top electrode via 120te are different materials. In some embodiments, the top electrode wire 106te and the top electrode via 120te are integrated together and/or are continuous with each. In other embodiments, the top electrode wire 106te and the top electrode via 120te are independent and/or distinct from each other.

[0026] The bottom and top electrode wires 106be, 106te, the top electrode via 120te, and the ferroelectric capacitor structure 102 are surrounded by a dielectric structure. The dielectric structure comprises a lower interconnect dielectric layer 122, a via dielectric layer 124 overlying the lower interconnect dielectric layer 122, and an upper interconnect dielectric layer 126 overlying the via dielectric layer 124. The dielectric structure may be or comprise, for example, tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS) silicon dioxide, some other suitable silicon dioxide, silicon oxynitride, a low κ dielectric, silicon carbide, silicon nitride, some other suitable dielectric(s), or any combination of the foregoing. As used herein, a low κ dielectric may be, for example, a dielectric with a dielectric constant κ less than about 3.9, 3, 2, or 1. In some embodiments, the lower and upper interconnect dielectric layers 122, 126 are or comprise silicon oxide, a low κ dielectric, some other suitable dielectric(s), or any combination of the foregoing, and/or the via dielectric layer 124 is or comprises silicon carbide, silicon nitride, silicon oxynitride, some other suitable dielectric(s), or any combination of the foregoing.

[0027] FIGS. 1C-1D illustrate some additional embodiments of ferroelectric capacitors that are contemplated as falling within the scope of this disclosure. In these embodiments, reference numerals of some features may be the same as corresponding features in other embodiments, such as in FIGS. 1A-1B for example, such that the materials and/or functionality of those features may be the same in some embodiments but may also differ. Thus, a feature in FIG. 1C and/or 1D that has the same reference numeral as a corresponding feature in FIG. 1A and/or 1B may comprise the same functionality and/or materials as described in FIG. 1A and/or 1B (and vice versa) in some cases. The same is true of other embodiments in this disclosure.

[0028] In FIG. 1C, sidewall spacers 118 extend continuously from an upper surface of hard mask 116 to a top surface of the via dielectric layer 124. Also, the bottom electrode via 110 may include a barrier layer 109 comprising tantalum or titanium for example that lines sidewalls and a lower surface of the bottom electrode via 110. In some embodiments, the barrier layer 109 can have an upper surface that is level with an upper surface of the via dielectric layer 124. It will be appreciated that although not explicitly illustrated in FIG. 1A, this barrier layer 109 could also be present in FIG. 1A.

[0029] In FIG. 1D, the top electrode 114, ferroelectric structure 112, bottom electrode 104, and barrier layer 109 (if present) can each exhibit a generally U-shaped cross-section and are concentric with regards to one another. Thus, the top electrode 114, ferroelectric structure 112, bottom electrode 104, and barrier layer 109 are electrically coupled between the bottom electrode wire 106be and the top electrode via 120te. In this arrangement, the top electrode 114, ferroelectric structure 112, bottom electrode 104, and barrier layer 109 extend through the via dielectric layer 124 and a liner layer 119, wherein the liner layer 119 can comprise TEOS for example.

[0030] With reference to FIG. 2A, a cross-sectional view 200 of some embodiments of an IC is provided. The IC includes a memory region 402 including one or more ferroelectric capacitor structure, and a peripheral region 404 including one or more logic devices. It will be appreciated that the cross-sectional view of FIG. 2A is illustrated to include the ferroelectric capacitor structure 102 of FIG. 1A, the ferroelectric capacitor structures of FIGS. 1C-1D as well as other ferroelectric capacitor structures could also be included in FIG. 2A.

[0031] Within the memory region 402, the ferroelectric capacitor structure 102 of FIG. 1A defines a first memory capacitor structure 102a and a second memory capacitor structure 102b. The first memory capacitor structure 102a overlies and is electrically coupled to an access transistor 304 by an interconnect structure 306. Thus, this is an example configuration of a ferroelectric random access memory (FeRAM) device. The access transistor 304 overlies a semiconductor substrate 308 and may be, for example, a metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistor (MOSFET), bipolar junction transistor (BJT), fin field-effect transistor (FinFET), some other suitable insulated-gate field-effect transistor (IGFET), or some other suitable transistor. The semiconductor substrate 308 may be or comprise, for example, a bulk monocrystalline silicon substrate, a silicon-on-insulator (SOI) substrate, or some other suitable semiconductor substrate.

[0032] The access transistor 304 comprises a pair of memory source/drain regions 310, a selectively-conductive memory channel 312, a memory gate dielectric layer 314, and a memory gate electrode 316. The memory source/drain regions 310 and the selectively-conductive memory channel 312 are disposed within the semiconductor substrate 308, and the selectively-conductive memory channel 312 extends laterally from one of the memory source/drain regions 310 to another one of the memory source/drain regions 310. The memory gate dielectric layer 314 and the memory gate electrode 316 are stacked over the semiconductor substrate 308 and are sandwiched between the memory source/drain regions 310. The memory gate dielectric layer 314 may be or comprise, for example, silicon oxide, a high-k dielectric layer, some other suitable dielectric(s), or any combination of the foregoing. The memory gate electrode 316 may be or comprise, for example, doped polysilicon, metal, some other suitable conductive material(s), or any combination of the foregoing.

[0033] In some embodiments, an isolation structure 318 extends into the top surface of the semiconductor substrate 308 to provide electrical isolation between the access transistor 304 and other semiconductor devices in the semiconductor substrate 308. In some embodiments, the isolation structure 318 laterally surround an active area of the access transistor 304. The isolation structure 318 may be or comprise, for example, a shallow trench isolation (STI) structure, a deep trench isolation (DTI) structure, some other suitable isolation structure(s), or any combination of the foregoing.

[0034] The interconnect structure 306 overlies the access transistor 304 and the semiconductor substrate 308. The interconnect structure 306 comprises a dielectric structure, and further comprises a plurality of wires 106 and a plurality of vias 120. For case of illustration, only some of the wires 106 and vias 120 are labeled while others are not labeled. The dielectric structure comprises the lower interconnect dielectric layer 122, the via dielectric layer 124 overlying the lower interconnect dielectric layer 122, and the upper interconnect dielectric layer 126 overlying the via dielectric layer 124. In some embodiments, the dielectric structure further comprises a first dielectric liner 128 and/or a second dielectric liner 130. The first and/or second dielectric liners 128, 130 further separate the ferroelectric structure 112 and the via dielectric layer 124 from the upper interconnect dielectric layer 126. The first dielectric liner 128 may, for example, serve as an etch stop during formation of adjoining vias and/or may, for example, be or comprise silicon carbide, some other suitable dielectric(s), or any combination of the foregoing. The second dielectric liner 130 may be or comprise, for example, TEOS silicon dioxide, some other suitable dielectric(s), or any combination of the foregoing.

[0035] The plurality of wires 106 comprise the bottom and top electrode wires 106be, 106te, and the plurality of vias 120 comprise the top electrode via 120te. The wires 106 and the vias 120 are alternatingly stacked in the dielectric structure to define conductive paths, one of which electrically couples the bottom electrode wire 106be to one of the memory source/drain regions 310. Further, the wires 106 and the vias 120 are respectively grouped into wire levels and via levels. A wire level is a set of wires with a common height above the semiconductor substrate 308, and a via level is a set of vias with a common height above the semiconductor substrate 308. The top electrode wire 106te is in the wire level immediately above the wire level accommodating the bottom electrode wire 106be. In some embodiments, as illustrated, the bottom electrode wire 106be is in the wire level 4 which may also be referred to as metal4 (M4) in some contexts. However, the bottom electrode wire 106be may be in any other wire level/metal layer in other embodiments. For example, the bottom electrode wire 106be may be in wire level 1 in other embodiments.

[0036] The first memory capacitor structure 102a, the access transistor 304, and the electrical interconnections between the first memory capacitor structure 102a and the access transistor 304 define a first 1T1C FeRAM memory cell. Note that the electrical interconnections between the first memory capacitor structure 102a and the access transistor 304 are defined by the wires 106 and the vias 120. In some embodiments, the first 1T1C FeRAM memory cell is one of many 1T1C FeRAM memory cells arranged in rows and columns to define a memory array. In some of such embodiments, the plurality of wires 106 comprise a source line wire 106sl defining a source line of the memory array, the memory gate electrode 316 defines a word line of the memory array, the top electrode wire 106te defines a bit line of the memory array, or any combination of the foregoing. The bottom electrode wire 106be and the source line wire 106sl may, for example, respectively be electrically coupled to the memory source/drain regions 310.

[0037] In the peripheral region 404 of the IC, the metals layers of the interconnect structure are spaced at the same spacings or heights as in the memory region 402. The peripheral region 404 includes a logic transistor 408 comprising a pair of logic source/drain regions 410, a selectively-conductive logic channel 412, a logic gate dielectric layer 414, and a logic gate electrode 416. The logic source/drain regions 410 and the selectively-conductive logic channel 412 are disposed within the semiconductor substrate 308, and the selectively-conductive logic channel 412 extends laterally from one of the logic source/drain regions 410 to another one of the logic source/drain regions 410. The logic gate dielectric layer 414 and the logic gate electrode 416 are stacked over the semiconductor substrate 308 and are sandwiched between the logic source/drain regions 410. The logic gate dielectric layer 414 may be or comprise, for example, silicon oxide, a high-k dielectric layer, some other suitable dielectric(s), or any combination of the foregoing. The logic gate electrode 416 may be or comprise, for example, doped polysilicon, metal, some other suitable conductive material(s), or any combination of the foregoing.

[0038] FIGS. 2B-2G show various other embodiments of various locations where the ferroelectric capacitors can be arranged within the interconnect structure. As can be appreciated from these embodiments, the ferroelectric capacitors 102a, 102b can be arranged at any point in or over the interconnect structure. In FIGS. 2B-2G, the interconnect structure 306 includes a bottommost metal layer (e.g., M1) and a top pad layer (e.g., an aluminum bond pad, copper post, and/or solder bump). A number of inter-metal layers and a number of upper metal layer are disposed between the bottommost metal layer and the top pad layer. Generally, the inter-metal layers, which include inter-metal wiring layers and inter-metal vias, have smaller feature sizes and are more closely spaced, while the top metal layers, which include top metal wiring layers and top metal vias, have larger feature sizes and are spaced further apart. For example, in some cases the inter-metal layers can include a M1 wiring layer, a M1 via layer, a M2 wiring layer, a M2 via layer, a M3 wiring layer, a M3 via layer, a M4 wiring layer, and an M4 via layer stacked over one another. These wiring layers can each have an inter-metal width (e.g., greater than 50 nm) and an inter-metal thickness (e.g., 500 angstroms-1500 angstroms, and 900 angstroms in some embodiments), and can be spaced apart by a minimum inter-metal lateral spacing (e.g., greater than 50 nm). The top metal layers can include a top metal TM1 wiring layer, a top metal TM1 via layer, a top metal TM2 wiring layer, a top metal TM2 via layer, and a top metal TM3 wiring layer. These top metal wiring layers can each have a top-metal width (e.g., greater than 0.1 micrometers) and a top-metal thickness (e.g., 1500 angstroms-10,000 angstroms, and 1900 angstroms in some embodiments), and can be spaced apart by a top-metal lateral spacing (e.g., greater than 0.1 micrometers). A dielectric passivation material surrounds the top pad layer, but leaves an upper surface of the top pad layer exposed for electrical bonding.

[0039] For example, FIGS. 2B-2C illustrate some embodiments where ferroelectric capacitors are arranged between the top surface of the substrate and a lower surface of the bottommost metal (e.g., M1) layer. This approach allows application of a high temperature anneal, for example of greater than 400° C., to the ferroelectric capacitors at various points during manufacture for ferroelectric phase optimization. In FIG. 2B, a bottom electrode 104 is disposed over a lower contact portion, a ferroelectric structure 112 is disposed over the bottom electrode 104, a top electrode 114 is disposed over the ferroelectric structure, and an upper contact portion couples the top electrode 114 to the bottommost metal layer. In some cases, the lower contact portion and upper contact portion can comprise the same metal, such as tungsten, nickel, aluminum, and/or copper, but in other cases the lower contact portion and upper contact portion can comprise different metals. For instance, in some of these other cases the lower contact portion can comprise tungsten, nickel, and/or aluminum, and the upper contact portion can comprise copper.

[0040] FIGS. 2D-2E illustrate some embodiments where ferroelectric capacitors are arranged within the inter-metal layers (i.e., between the bottommost metal layer and the uppermost inter-metal layer). For example, in the examples of FIGS. 2D-2E the ferroelectric capacitors are disposed between inter-metal layer M2 and inter-metal layer M3. This embodiment may provide some advantages in that the ferroelectric capacitors tend to experience less thermal stress throughout the manufacturing process compared to the embodiments of FIGS. 2B-2C, and therefore the end devices may be more reliable because they fall within a lower thermal budget.

[0041] FIGS. 2F-2G illustrate some embodiments where ferroelectric capacitors are arranged between the uppermost inter-metal layer and the bottom upper metal layer. This embodiment may provide some advantages in that the ferroelectric capacitors tend to experience less thermal stress throughout the manufacturing process compared to the embodiments of FIGS. 2B-2C, and therefore the end devices may be more reliable because they fall within a lower thermal budget. However, putting the ferroelectric capacitors higher in the interconnect structure 306 may also add a small amount of additional resistance compared to embodiments there the ferroelectric capacitors are lower in the interconnect structure, and thus, there are tradeoffs involved and the various approaches may better suited for a variety of situations depending on what design considerations are most important.

[0042] FIGS. 2H-2I illustrate some embodiments where ferroelectric capacitors are arranged above the uppermost metal layer and below the pad layer structure. Again, putting the ferroelectric capacitors higher in the interconnect structure 306 may also add a small amount of additional resistance and may also subject them to additional stress during bonding (compared to embodiments where the ferroelectric capacitors are lower in the interconnect structure), and thus, there are tradeoffs involved and the various approaches may better suited for a variety of situations depending on what design considerations are most important.

[0043] With reference to FIGS. 3-13, a series of cross-sectional views 300-1300 illustrate some embodiments of a method for forming an IC comprising a ferroelectric capacitor structure, where the ferroelectric capacitor structure is part of a 1T1C memory cell. The method may, for example, be employed to form the IC in any one of FIGS. 1A-ID and/or FIGS. 2A-2G. While the cross-sectional views 300-1300 shown in FIGS. 3-13 are described with reference to the method, it will be appreciated that the structures shown in FIGS. 3-13 are not limited to the method and may stand alone without the method.

[0044] As illustrated by the cross-sectional view 300 of FIG. 3, the IC includes a memory region 402 corresponding to one or more ferroelectric capacitor structures, and a peripheral region 404 corresponding to one or more logic devices. Note that for drawing compactness, a lower portion of the IC (e.g., shown in FIG. 2A) is omitted in FIGS. 3-13. A planarization is performed into the top surface of the lower interconnect dielectric layer 122 and top surfaces respectively of wires (e.g., 106be in FIGS. 1A-1B) along the top surface of the lower interconnect dielectric layer 122, such that the top surface of the lower interconnect dielectric layer 122 is even or about even with the top surfaces respectively of the wires along the top surface of the lower interconnect dielectric layer 122. The planarization may, for example, be performed by CMP, some other suitable planarization process(es), or any combination of the foregoing.

[0045] As illustrated by the cross-sectional view 400 of FIG. 4, a via dielectric layer 124 is formed covering the lower interconnect dielectric layer 122. The via dielectric layer 124 may be or comprise, for comprise, silicon carbide, silicon nitride, some other suitable dielectric(s), or any combination of the foregoing. The via dielectric layer 124 may, for example, be formed by chemical vapor deposition (CVD), physical vapor deposition (PVD), suitable other suitable deposition process(es), or any combination of the foregoing.

[0046] As illustrated by the cross-sectional view 500 of FIG. 5, the via dielectric layer 124 is patterned to form a plurality of memory openings 502. The memory openings 502 respectively overlie and expose the bottom electrode wires 106be. In some embodiments, the patterning is performed by an etching process, some other suitable patterning process(es), or any combination of the foregoing. In some embodiments, the etching process comprises forming a mask 506 on the via dielectric layer 124, performing an etch into the via dielectric layer 124 with the mask 506 in place, and removing the mask 506 after the etch. The mask 506 may, for example, be or comprise photoresist, silicon nitride, some other suitable mask material(s), or any combination of the foregoing.

[0047] As illustrated by the cross-sectional view 600 of FIG. 6, a conductive liner layer 602 is formed covering the via dielectric layer 124 and lining the memory openings 502 (see FIG. 5). Further, a lower conductive body layer 604 is formed covering the conductive liner layer 602 and filling the memory openings 502. The conductive liner layer 602 and lower conductive body layer 604 wholly or partially define bottom electrode vias 110 in the memory openings 502. Further, the conductive liner layer 602 is configured to block material from the lower conductive body layer 604 from moving away from the lower conductive body layer 604 to surrounding structure. The conductive liner layer 602 may be or comprise, for example, titanium nitride, titanium, tantalum nitride, tantalum, some other suitable conductive barrier material(s) for the lower conductive body layer 604, or any combination of the foregoing. The lower conductive body layer 604 may be or comprise, for example, titanium nitride, tantalum nitride, platinum, iridium, ruthenium, tungsten, silver, copper, nickel, some other suitable conductive material(s), or any combination of the foregoing. The conductive liner layer 602 and the lower conductive body layer 604 may, for example, be formed by CVD, PVD, electroless plating, electroplating, sputtering, some other suitable deposition process(es), or any combination of the foregoing.

[0048] As illustrated by the cross-sectional view 700 of FIG. 7, a planarization is performed into top surfaces respectively of the conductive liner layer 602 (see FIG. 6) and the lower conductive body layer 604 (see FIG. 6) until a top surface of the via dielectric layer 124 is reached. The planarization may, for example, be performed by CMP, some other suitable planarization process(es), or any combination of the foregoing.

[0049] As illustrated by the cross-sectional view 800 of FIG. 8, an upper conductive body layer 802, a ferroelectric layer 804, a top electrode layer 806, and a hard mask layer 808 are formed on the via dielectric layer 124 and the lower conductive body layer 604. The upper conductive body layer 802 may be or comprise, for example, titanium nitride, tantalum nitride, platinum, iridium, ruthenium, tungsten, silver, copper, nickel, some other suitable conductive material(s), or any combination of the foregoing. Often, the upper conductive body layer 802 is the same material as the lower conductive body layer 604, but these could be different materials in alternative embodiments. The ferroelectric layer 804 may be or comprise, for example, strontium bismuth tantalite, lead zirconate titanate, hafnium zirconium oxide, doped hafnium oxide, some other suitable ferroelectric material(s), or any combination of the foregoing. The top electrode layer 806 may be or comprise, for example, titanium nitride, tantalum nitride, platinum, iridium, ruthenium, tungsten, silver, copper, nickel, some other suitable conductive material(s), or any combination of the foregoing. The hard mask layer 808 may be or comprise, for example, silicon nitride, silicon oxynitride, silicon oxide, some other suitable dielectric(s), or any combination of the foregoing.

[0050] A process for forming the stack may, for example, comprise depositing the upper conductive body layer 802, subsequently depositing the ferroelectric layer 804, subsequently depositing the top electrode layer 806, and subsequently depositing the hard mask layer 808. The upper conductive body layer 802, the ferroelectric layer 804, the top electrode layer 806, and the hard mask layer 808 may, for example, be deposited by CVD, PVD, ALD, electroless plating, electroplating, some other suitable deposition process(es), or any combination of the foregoing.

[0051] As illustrated by the cross-sectional view 900 of FIG. 9, the top electrode layer 806 (see FIG. 8), and the hard mask layer 808 (see FIG. 8) are patterned to form top electrodes 114 and hard masks 116. This etch may extend into the upper surface of the ferroelectric layer 804, for example ranging from 5% to approximately 30% into the depth of the ferroelectric layer 804 in some embodiments, to establish a ledge (see e.g., ledge 119 in FIG. 1A).

[0052] The patterning may, for example, be performed by an etching process, some other suitable patterning process(es), or any combination of the foregoing. The etching process may, for example, comprises: forming a mask 902 on the hard mask layer 116; performing an etch into the top electrode layer and the hard mask layer with the mask in 902 place; thereby forming top electrodes 114 and hard mask 116. The mask 902 can be removed after the etch. The mask 902 may, for example, be or comprise photoresist, a hardmask and/or some other suitable mask material(s), or any combination of the foregoing.

[0053] As illustrated by the cross-sectional view 1000 of FIG. 10, a dielectric spacer layer 1002, such as silicon nitride or silicon oxynitride, is formed over an upper surface of the ferroelectric structure 112 along sidewalls of top electrodes 114, and along sidewalls and over upper surfaces of hard masks 116. The dielectric spacer layer 1002 is thus a continuous dielectric layer over the structure of FIG. 9, and is generally conformal.

[0054] As illustrated by the cross-sectional view 1100 of FIG. 11, the dielectric spacer layer (see e.g., 1002 in FIG. 10) is etched back using a first etch, such as a dry etch or plasma etch with a strong vertical component, typically without an additional mask being formed after the dielectric spacer layer has been formed. Thus, this etch removes lateral portions of the dielectric spacer layer (see e.g., 1002 in FIG. 10), thereby leaving the dielectric sidewall spacer structure 118 in place after the etch. A second etch is then performed with the dielectric sidewall spacer structure 118 in place to remove exposed portions of the ferroelectric layer (see e.g., 804 in FIG. 8) and the upper conductive body layer (see e.g., 802 in FIG. 8). This etch may cause conductive residue 117, which comprises chemical species that are etched/removed from the ferroelectric layer 804 and/or the upper conductive body 802, to form on outer sidewalls of the bottom electrode, outer sidewalls of the ferroelectric layer, and/or outer sidewalls of dielectric sidewall spacer structure 118, as well as on upper surface of the dielectric sidewall spacer structure 118 and upper surface of the hard mask 116. But for the dielectric sidewall spacer structure 118, this conductive residue could short the top electrode and bottom electrode to one another, resulting in inoperability of the device. In some cases, rather than being a continuous layer, the conductive residue 117 can be “spotty” or “patchy”, covering some portions of the exposed structure but not covering other portions of the exposed structure. Further, the conductive residue 117 may be thicker toward the top of the dielectric spacer structure 118 and thinner toward the bottom electrode, due to the manner in which the etch and re-deposition of the conductive residue proceed from top of the structure to bottom of the structure, though other structures are within the scope of this disclosure for this example and other examples in the present application.

[0055] As illustrated by the cross-sectional view 1200 of FIG. 12, a first dielectric liner 128, and a second dielectric liner 130 are formed covering the via dielectric layer 124 and the memory structures. The first dielectric liner 128 may, for example, be or comprise silicon carbide, and the second dielectric liner 130 may comprise TEOS silicon dioxide in some embodiments. An upper interconnect dielectric layer 126 is then formed to cover the first dielectric liner 128 and second dielectric liner 130, and may be or comprise, for example, silicon oxide, a low K dielectric, some other suitable dielectric(s), or any combination of the foregoing.

[0056] As illustrated by the cross-sectional view 1300 of FIG. 13, a planarization is performed into a top surface of the upper interconnect dielectric layer 126 to flatten the top surface. The planarization may, for example, be performed by CMP, some other suitable planarization process(es), or any combination of the foregoing. Then, openings are formed in the upper interconnect dielectric layer 126, and vias (e.g., 120te and 120) and metal wires (e.g., 106te, 1304) are formed in the openings. The vias and metal wires may be formed, for example, through a damascene process or a dual damascene process. The vias and metal wires may be or comprise, for example, copper, aluminum, nickel, titanium, tantalum, titanium nitride, tantalum nitride, platinum, iridium, ruthenium, tungsten, silver, some other suitable conductive material(s), or any combination of the foregoing. In the peripheral region 404 of the IC, the metals layers of the interconnect structure can be spaced at the same spacings or heights as in the memory region 402, which simplifies integration of the memory region 402 and peripheral region 404. For example, metal layers 1302, 1304 in the peripheral region 404, can have the same vertical spacing as 106be and 106te in the memory region 402.

[0057] FIG. 14 illustrates a method in flowchart format 1400 in accordance with some embodiments.

[0058] At act 1402, a bottom electrode layer is formed, and a ferroelectric layer is formed over the bottom electrode layer. A top electrode layer is formed over the ferroelectric layer. In some embodiments, this act can be consistent with all or portions of FIGS. 3-8, for example.

[0059] At act 1404, a mask is formed over the top electrode layer. In some embodiments, this act can be consistent with all or portions of FIG. 9, for example.

[0060] At act 1406, with the mask in place, an etch is performed to remove a portion of the top electrode layer to leave a top electrode structure in place. The etch is stopped at a height corresponding to a surface of the ferroelectric layer. In some embodiments, this act can be consistent with all or portions of FIG. 9, for example.

[0061] At act 1408, a conformal dielectric layer is formed along over the surface of the ferroelectric layer, along sidewalls of the top electrode structure, and over an upper surface of the top electrode structure. In some embodiments, this act can be consistent with all or portions of FIG. 10, for example.

[0062] At act 1410, the conformal dielectric layer is etched back to form a dielectric sidewall spacer structure on the surface of the ferroelectric layer and along sidewalls of the top electrode structure and along sidewalls of the mask. In some embodiments, this act can be consistent with all or portions of FIG. 11, for example.

[0063] At 1412, with the mask and the dielectric sidewall spacer structure in place, a portion of the ferroelectric layer and a portion of the bottom electrode layer are removed. In some embodiments, this act can be consistent with all or portions of FIG. 11, for example.

[0064] At 1414, a first liner is formed along outermost sidewalls of the dielectric sidewall spacer structure and over an upper surface of the hardmask. In some embodiments, this act can be consistent with all or portions of FIG. 12, for example.

[0065] At 1416, a second liner is formed along outermost sidewalls of the first liner and over an upper surface of the first liner. In some embodiments, this act can be consistent with all or portions of FIG. 12, for example.

[0066] At 1418, a via is formed though the first liner and through the second liner to make electrical contact with the top electrode. In some embodiments, this act can be consistent with all or portions of FIG. 13, for example.

[0067] Thus, some embodiments relate to a memory device. The memory device includes a bottom electrode structure and a top electrode overlying the bottom electrode structure. The top electrode has a first width. A ferroelectric structure separates the bottom electrode structure from the top electrode, and the ferroelectric structure has a second width that is greater than the first width such that the ferroelectric structure includes a ledge that reflects a difference between the first width and the second width. A dielectric sidewall spacer structure is disposed on the ledge, and covers outermost sidewalls of the top electrode.

[0068] Other embodiments relate to method. In this method, a bottom electrode layer is formed, a ferroelectric layer is formed over the bottom electrode layer, and a top electrode layer if formed over the ferroelectric layer. A mask is formed over the top electrode layer. With the mask in place, an etch is performed to remove a portion of the top electrode layer to leave a top electrode structure in place. The etch stops at a height corresponding to a surface of the ferroelectric layer. A conformal dielectric layer is formed over the surface of the ferroelectric layer, along sidewalls of the top electrode structure, and over an upper surface of the top electrode structure. The conformal dielectric layer is etched back to form a dielectric sidewall spacer structure on the surface of the ferroelectric layer and along sidewalls of the top electrode structure. With the mask and the dielectric sidewall spacer structure in place, a portion of the ferroelectric layer and a portion of the bottom electrode layer are removed.

[0069] Further, other embodiments relate to a memory device including a bottom electrode structure, and a top electrode overlying the bottom electrode structure. The top electrode has a first width as measured between outermost sidewalls of the top electrode. A ferroelectric structure separates the bottom electrode structure from the top electrode. The ferroelectric structure includes an upper ferroelectric portion having the first width, and a lower ferroelectric portion having a second width greater than the first width such that a ledge corresponds to a height where the upper ferroelectric portion meets the lower ferroelectric portion. A dielectric sidewall spacer structure is disposed on the ledge and covers outermost sidewalls of the top electrode.

[0070] The foregoing outlines features of several embodiments so that those skilled in the art may better understand the aspects of the present disclosure. Those skilled in the art should appreciate that they may readily use the present disclosure as a basis for designing or modifying other processes and structures for carrying out the same purposes and/or achieving the same advantages of the embodiments introduced herein. Those skilled in the art should also realize that such equivalent constructions do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure, and that they may make various changes, substitutions, and alterations herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.