The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.

The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.

Date of Patent:
Jul. 21, 2015

Filed:

Jun. 17, 2014
Applicant:

International Business Machines Corporation, Armonk, NY (US);

Inventors:

Daniel Krebs, Zurich, CH;

Abu Sebastian, Zurich, CH;

Attorney:
Primary Examiner:
Int. Cl.
CPC ...
H01L 45/00 (2006.01); G11C 13/00 (2006.01); G11C 11/56 (2006.01);
U.S. Cl.
CPC ...
H01L 45/1293 (2013.01); G11C 11/5678 (2013.01); G11C 13/0004 (2013.01); G11C 13/004 (2013.01); G11C 13/0069 (2013.01); H01L 45/1233 (2013.01); H01L 45/1253 (2013.01); H01L 45/1683 (2013.01); G11C 2213/15 (2013.01); G11C 2213/18 (2013.01); G11C 2213/52 (2013.01);
Abstract

Phase-change memory cells for storing information in a plurality of programmable cell states. A phase-change component is located between first and second electrodes for applying a read voltage to the phase-change component to read the programmed cell state. The component includes opposed layers of phase-change material extending between the electrodes. A core component extends between the electrodes in contact with respective inner surfaces of the opposed layers. An outer component extends between the electrodes in contact with respective outer surfaces of the opposed layers. At least one of the core and outer component is formed of electrically-conductive material and is arranged to present, to a cell current produced by the read voltage, a lower-resistance current path than the amorphous phase of the phase-change material in any of said cell states. The current path has a length dependent on size of the amorphous phase in the opposed layers.


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