Electron beam accessed read-write-erase random access memory
OwnerAlton O. Christensen, Sr.inventor
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Abstract
An electron beam storage device is disclosed. A beam impinges on a target. The target stores data and it can be read as needed. The target is made of multiple layers, from the top, a first layer of thin conductive metal, and a semiconductor joined to it to define a Schottky diode. The beam liberates ionized pairs in the semiconductor. This is joined to an adjacent layer of dielectric and there is another layer of dielectric. The charge in the semiconductor causes tunneling across the first dielectric into the second where it is held. A bottom layer of metal serves as a gate and terminal for bias voltages. The beam is directed to selected X-Y locations to store data, and read in the same manner.
Claims27
An electron beam storage apparatus comprising:
- (a) an electron beam source which forms an electron beam directed toward a target;
- (b) a target which is formed of a semiconductor into which the electron beam is directed forming ionized charged pairs therein, and further incorporating a dielectric adjacent to said semiconductor which dielectric stores charges therein from said adjacent semiconductor;
- and
- (c) an accelerating voltage source connected to spaced terminals for applying an accelerating voltage for imparting energy to electrons of the electron beam sufficient to penetrate into said semiconductor, but which energy level is not sufficient to penetrate through said semiconductor to said dielectric layer.
For use with an electron beam accessed storage device, a solid state memory therefore which is formed of generally coplanar and coterminous layers which layers are respectively a conductor, a semiconductor, a first dielectric, a second dielectric, a conductor and an electron beam source positioned to direct an electron beam at the first named conductor layer which beam impinges on said solid state memory by passing through said first named conductor layer.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.