Switchable Macroscopic Quantum State Devices and Methods for Their Operation
AssigneeJozef Stefan Institute
InventorsIgor Vaskivskyi, Dragan D. Mihailovic, Ian A. Mihailovic
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Abstract
Discloses is an electronic device and a method for its operation. The device has first and second electrodes and an active material. The active material has selectable and stable first and second macroscopic quantum states, such as charge density wave ordered states, having respectively first and second values of electrical resistivity ρ1 and ρ2 at the same temperature. ρ1 is at least 2 times ρ2. The method includes the step of switching between the first and second macroscopic quantum states by injection of current via the electrodes.
Claims19
A method for operating an electronic device, the device having first and second electrodes and an active material, the active material having selectable and stable first and second macroscopic quantum states having respectively first and second values of electrical resistivity ρ1 and ρ2 at the same temperature, wherein p1 is at least 2 times ρ2, the method including the step of switching between the first and second macroscopic quantum states by injection of current via the electrodes.
An electronic device comprising first and second electrodes and an active material, the active material having selectable and stable first and second macroscopic quantum states having respectively first and second values of electrical resistivity ρ1 and ρ2 at the same temperature, wherein ρ1 is at least 2 times ρ2, the device being capable of being switched between the first and second macroscopic quantum states by injection of current via the electrodes.
A data storage module comprising an array of devices, each device of said array being an electronic device having first and second electrodes and an active material, the active material having selectable and stable first and second macroscopic quantum states having respectively first and second values of electrical resistivity ρ1 and ρ2 at the same temperature, wherein ρ1 is at least 2 times ρ2, the device being capable of being switched between the first and second macroscopic quantum states by injection of current via the electrodes.
A method of operating an electronic device to store information, the electronic device comprising first and second electrodes and an active material, the active material having selectable and stable first and second macroscopic quantum states having respectively first and second values of electrical resistivity ρ1 and ρ2 at the same temperature, wherein ρ1 is at least 2 times ρ2, the device being capable of being switched between the first and second macroscopic quantum states by injection of current via the electrodes, the method including the steps:
- a writing (W) step of current injection via the electrodes to switch the active material between the first and second macroscopic quantum states;
- an optional reading (R) step of determining the macroscopic quantum state of the active material based on the electrical resistance of the active material;
- and
- an optional erasing (E) step to return the active material to the second or first macroscopic quantum state.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.