Programmable microelectronic device, structure, and system and method 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 a method 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.
Claims22
A microelectronic programmable structure comprising:
- an ion conductor comprising oxygen and conductive material;
- an oxidizable electrode proximate the ion conductor;
- and
- an indifferent electrode proximate the ion conductor.
A microelectronic programmable structure comprising:
- an ion conductor comprising a first region having a first resistance and a second region having a second resistance, wherein the first resistance and the second resistance differ;
- an oxidizable electrode proximate the ion conductor;
- and
- an indifferent electrode proximate the ion conductor.
A method of programming a microelectronic device, the method comprising the steps of:
- providing a programmable structure comprising an ion conductor and a conductive material dispersed within the ion conductor, and
- applying a pulse of energy across the ion conductor, the pulse of energy having a voltage greater than the reduction/oxidation potential of the structure, wherein the energy is lower than the amount of energy required to perform a permanent write or erase operation.
A microelectronic programmable structure comprising:
- an ion conductor;
- an oxidizable electrode proximate the ion conductor;
- an indifferent electrode proximate the ion conductor;
- and
- a resistive barrier between the indifferent electrode and the ion conductor.
A method of reading information stored in a programmable device, the method comprising the steps of:
- providing a programmable device with an unknown state;
- applying a voltage across the programmable device;
- producing a temperature compensation signal;
- detecting a current passing through the programmable device;
- and
- comparing the temperature compensation signal to the current to determine the state of the device.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.