Patent attributes
The present disclosure relates to a resistive random access memory (RRAM) cell having a bottom electrode that provides for low leakage currents within the RRAM cell without using insulating sidewall spacers, and an associated method of formation. In some embodiments, the RRAM cell has a bottom electrode disposed over a lower metal interconnect layer surrounded by a lower inter-level dielectric (ILD) layer. A bottom dielectric layer is disposed over the lower metal interconnect layer and/or the lower ILD layer. A dielectric data storage layer having a variable resistance is located above the bottom dielectric layer and the bottom electrode, and a top electrode is disposed over the dielectric data storage layer. Placement of the dielectric data storage layer onto the bottom dielectric layer increases a leakage path distance between the bottom and top electrodes, and thereby provides for low leakage current for the RRAM cell.
