Patent · US Expired

Methods and memory structures using tunnel-junction device as control element

US7130207B2 · kind B2 · utility

2Cited by
30References
18Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJan 12, 2004
Grant dateOct 31, 2006
Priority date
Expiry dateNov 21, 2024

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG11C2213/76
  • WIPO fieldComputer technology
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

A memory structure includes a memory storage element electrically coupled to a control element. The control element comprises a tunnel-junction device. The memory storage element may also comprise a tunnel-junction device. Methods for fusing a tunnel-junction device of a memory storage element without fusing a tunnel-junction device of an associated control element are disclosed. The memory storage element may have an effective cross-sectional area that is greater than an effective cross-sectional area of the control element. A memory structure comprises a memory storage element, a control element comprising a tunnel-junction device electrically coupled to the memory storage element and configured to control the state of the memory storage element, and a reference element. The reference element is configured as a reference to protect the control element when selectively controlling the state of the memory storage element. The reference element may comprise a tunnel-junction device and be used with a current source to fuse a memory storage element without fusing a tunnel-junction device of an associated control element. Methods of making the memory structure and using it in electron…

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.