Programmable structure, an array including the structure, and methods of forming the same
AssigneeAxon Technologies Corporation
InventorMichael N. Kozicki
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A microelectronic programmable structure suitable for storing information, and array including the structure and methods of forming and programming the structure are disclosed. The programmable structure generally includes an ion conductor and a plurality of electrodes. Electrical properties of the structure may be altered by applying energy to the structure, and thus information may be stored using the structure.
Claims27
A microelectronic programmable structure comprising:
- an ion conductor comprising an electrolyte and conductive material;
- an oxidizable electrode proximate the ion conductor;
- an indifferent electrode proximate the ion conductor;
- and
- a layer of conducting material formed proximate the ion conductor, the layer of conducting material configured to facilitate growth of an electrodeposit comprising the conductive material.
A method of programming a microelectronic structure, the method comprising the steps of:
- providing a programmable structure comprising a first electrode, a second electrode, and an ion conductor coupled to the first and second electrodes;
- and
- applying a bias across the first and second electrode to form a conductive region near the more negative of the first and second electrode, such that the conductive region does not form a short between the first and second electrodes.
A method of programming an array of memory structures, the method comprising the steps of:
- providing an array comprising rows of structures and columns of structures;
- selecting a structure by selecting one row and one column of the array;
- applying a bias less than or about Vt to the selected column;
- and
- applying a bias less than or about Vt to the selected row, where Vt is the effective threshold voltage of the structure.
An array of rows and columns of programmable structures comprising:
- a programmable structure comprising a first electrode, a second electrode, and an ion conductor;
- and
- a Zener diode electrically coupled to the programmable structure.
An array of rows and columns of programmable structures comprising:
- a plurality of programmable structures, each structure comprising a first electrode, a second electrode, and an ion conductor, wherein
- each structure alters a capacitance upon application of a bias across the first and second electrodes.
A microelectronic programmable structure comprising:
- an ion conductor comprising an electrolyte and conductive material;
- an oxidizable electrode proximate the ion conductor;
- an indifferent electrode proximate the ion conductor;
- and
- a sense electrode for determining a state of the programmable structure.
A microelectronic programmable structure comprising:
- an ion conductor comprising an electrolyte and conductive material;
- an oxidizable electrode proximate the ion conductor;
- and
- an indifferent electrode proximate the ion conductor;
- wherein the ion conductor comprises a material selected from group consisting of GeO2, As2O3, Ag2O, Cu(1,2)O, SiO2, GexS1-x, AsxS1-x, GexSe1-x, AsxSe1-x, GexTe1-x, AsxTe1-x, and WOx.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.