Molecular memory device
AssigneeAdvanced Micro Devices, Inc.
InventorsVladimir Bulovic, Aaron Mandell, Andrew Perlman
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A novel memory cell is provided with an active region including a molecular system and ionic complexes distributed in the molecular system. A pair of write electrodes are arranged for writing information to the memory cell. The active region is responsive to an electric field applied between the pair of write electrodes for switching between an on state and an off state. The active region has a high impedance in the off state and a low impedance in the on state. A pair of read electrodes is used to detect whether the active region is in the on state or in the off state to read the information from the memory cell. Read electrodes may be made of different materials having different work functions to reduce leakage current.
Claims45
A memory cell comprising:
- an active region including a molecular system and ionic complexes,
- at least one write electrode for applying an electric field to the active region to write information to the active region, and
- at least one read electrode for reading the information from the active region.
A memory cell comprising:
- first and second write electrodes for writing information to the memory cell,
- an active region including a molecular system, and responsive to an electric field applied between the first and second write electrodes for switching between an on state and an off state, wherein the active region further comprises ionic complexes distributed in the molecular system;
- and
- first and second read electrodes for detecting whether the active region is in the on state or in the off state to read the information from the memory cell.
A method of storing information using a storage device having an active region including a molecular system and ionic complexes distributed in the molecular system, the method comprising:
- applying an electric field of a first polarity between a first pair of electrodes surrounding the active region, to write information into the storage device, and
- detecting electrical conductivity of the active region using a second pair of electrodes surrounding the active region, to read the information from the storage device.
A memory device including a memory cell array composed of multiple memory cells arranged in row and column directions, each memory cell comprising:
- an active region including a molecular system and ionic complexes distributed in the molecular system,
- first and second write electrodes for applying an electric field to the active region, to write information to the memory cell, and
- first and second read electrodes for detecting electrical conductivity of the active region, to read the information from the memory cell.
A memory device including a memory cell array composed of multiple memory cells arranged in row and column directions, each memory cell comprising:
- an active region including a molecular system that comprises ionic complexes, and
- first and second barrier elements arranged in contact with the active region to reduce leakage current.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.