Chalcogenide nanoionic-based radio frequency switch
AssigneeThe United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
InventorsJames Nessel, Richard Lee
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Abstract
A nonvolatile nanoionic switch is disclosed. A thin layer of chalcogenide glass engages a substrate and a metal selected from the group of silver and copper photo-dissolved in the chalcogenide glass. A first oxidizable electrode and a second inert electrode engage the chalcogenide glass and are spaced apart from each other forming a gap therebetween. A direct current voltage source is applied with positive polarity applied to the oxidizable electrode and negative polarity applied to the inert electrode which electrodeposits silver or copper across the gap closing the switch. Reversing the polarity of the switch dissolves the electrodeposited metal and returns it to the oxidizable electrode. A capacitor arrangement may be formed with the same structure and process.
Claims11
A nanoionic switch, comprising:
- a substrate;
- a solid electrolyte ternary, said solid electrolyte ternary includes a chalcogenide glass engaging said substrate;
- said chalcogenide glass includes a metal selected from the group consisting of silver and copper photo-dissolved in said chalcogenide glass;
- a first oxidizable electrode and a second inert electrode, said first oxidizable electrode and said second inert electrode residing atop and engaging said chalcogenide glass and being spaced apart from each other forming a gap therebetween;
- a voltage source applied to said first and second electrodes,
- wherein said voltage source is a direct current voltage source interconnecting a direct current bias across said oxidizable and inert electrodes of said switch, said direct current bias oriented across said switch by applying positive bias to said oxidizable electrode and applying relative negative bias to said inert electrode;
- wherein a second voltage source is applied to said first and second electrodes an said second voltage source is an alternating current voltage source;
- wherein said first and second electrodes each include a wide portion, a tapered portion and a narrow portion sized a function of the frequency of the alternating current signal and said wide portions are approximately 1 mm wide, said tapered angles are 22.5°, and said narrow portions are 10 μm wide.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.