高温预处理对磁性隧道结晶化过程中缺陷与磁性能损伤的抑制

Suppression of defects and magnetic damage in the crystallization process of magnetic tunnel junction by high-temperature pretreatment

  • 摘要: 磁性隧道结(magnetic tunnel junction, MTJ)是磁性随机存储器(magnetoresistive random access memory, MRAM)的核心组成部分。在MTJ制备过程中,通常需要对磁性非晶材料进行退火处理,以促进MgO势垒层沿(001)方向结晶,从而增强其自旋过滤效应和抗击穿能力。炉管退火可同时对大量晶圆进行热处理,显著提高生产效率,因而是集成电路制造中常用的工艺之一。然而,退火过程中频繁的升降温可能导致腔室内颗粒脱落并沉积于晶圆表面,从而引发缺陷,导致短路和低良率等问题。此外,设备维护过程或对带有水汽的晶圆等高温处理可能引入的水汽和氧气等杂质气体会在高温下影响晶粒尺寸,并生成氧化物,进而引发磁性能损伤,造成隧穿磁电阻(RTM)和矫顽力(HC)的降低。在炉管工艺中引入高温预处理步骤,通过加速缺陷颗粒的脱落或增强其与腔壁的吸附,改善腔体污染状况。同时,高温预处理可有效加速水汽等杂质气体的排出,维持腔室内部环境的稳定性,从而保障MRAM产品的性能和良率。

     

    Abstract: Magnetic tunnel junctions (MTJ) represent a key component of magnetoresistive random access memory (MRAM). The magnetic amorphous materials utilized in the fabrication of MTJ necessitate annealing treatment, which facilitates the crystallization of MgO along the (001) direction. This enhances the spin filtering effect and improves the breakdown resistance of the MgO barrier layer. Furnace processing is among the most prevalent techniques in integrated circuit manufacturing, allowing for the simultaneous heat treatment of multiple wafers, thereby substantially increasing production capacity. Nevertheless, repeated temperature fluctuations during the annealing process can lead to the formation of particles within the chamber, which may deposit onto the wafers, resulting in defects, short circuits, and reduced yield. Furthermore, moisture, oxygen, and other impurity gases introduced during equipment maintenance or the heat treatment of wafers containing moisture can influence grain size at high temperatures and generate oxides, causing magnetic damage and reducing tunnel magnetoresistance RTM and coercive force HC. This study proposes a high-temperature pretreatment process within furnace tube technology, which promotes the accelerated detachment of defective particles or their enhanced adsorption to the chamber, thereby mitigating chamber contamination. Additionally, high-temperature pretreatment facilitates the removal of impurity gases such as moisture from the chamber, ensuring a stable internal environment and maintaining the performance and yield of MRAM products.

     

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