A method of fabricating an access device in a crosspoint memory array structure during BEOL processing includes: forming at least a first doped semiconductor layer on an upper surface of a first conductive layer, the first doped semiconductor layer being in electrical connection with the first conductive layer; exposing at least a portion of the first doped semiconductor layer to a directed energy source to cause localized annealing in the first doped semiconductor layer to activate a dopant of a first conductivity type in the first doped semiconductor layer, thereby converting at least a portion of the first doped semiconductor layer into a polycrystalline layer; forming a second conductive layer over a least a portion of the first doped semiconductor layer; and etching the first doped semiconductor layer and the first and second conductive layers to form an access device that is self-aligned with the first and second conductive layers.