Programmable element, and memory device or logic circuit

摘要

A multi-terminal programmable element. The programmable element includes a source electrode and a drain electrode on a base. The programmable element includes reference voltage contact that is not in contact with the source or drain electrode. The base includes a transition-metal oxide with oxygen vacancies for drifting under an applied electric field. Further, materials of the source electrode and the base are selected such that an interface of a source and/or drain electrode material and the transition metal oxide base material forms an energy barrier for electron injection from the electrode into the base material. The energy barrier has a height that depends on an oxygen vacancy concentration of the base material. Four non-volatile states are programmable into the programmable element.