US Patent 11289651 Memory device having via landing protection

A memory cell with a hard mask and a sidewall spacer of different material is provided. The memory cell comprises a bottom electrode disposed over a substrate. A switching dielectric is disposed over the bottom electrode and having a variable resistance. A top electrode is disposed over the switching dielectric. A hard mask disposed over the top electrode. A sidewall spacer extends upwardly along sidewalls of the switching dielectric, the top electrode, and the hard mask. The hard mask and the sidewall spacer have different etch selectivity. A method for manufacturing the memory cell is also provided.