Magnetic tunneling junction configuration and a method for making the same

Abstract

A method for forming a magnetic tunneling junction (MJT) is provided. In some embodiments, the method may include patterning one or more magnetic layers to form an upper portion of a MTJ. The method may further include patterning one or more additional layers to form a lower portion of the MTJ. In some cases, the lower portion may include a tunneling layer of the MTJ having a width greater than the upper portion. In addition, in some embodiments the method may further include patterning an electrode below the lower portion. In some cases, the electrode may include a lowermost layer with a thickness equal to or less than approximately 100 angstroms. In addition or alternatively, the electrode may have a width greater than the width of the tunneling layer. In yet other embodiments, the method may include forming spacers along the sidewalls of the upper and/or lower portions.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.