METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PROGRAMMING PHASE CHANGE DEVICES

摘要

Methods and apparatus for programming a phase change device (PCD) to a low resistance state. According to an exemplary method, one or more first programming pulses having a predetermined magnitude and/or duration are applied to a PCD. After each programming pulse is applied, the programmed resistance of the PCD is compared to a target resistance specification. If the programmed resistance is not in accordance with the target resistance specification, one or more second programming pulses having a magnitude and/or duration different than the magnitude and/or duration of the one or more first programming pulses are applied to the PCD. This process is repeated until the programmed resistance of the PCD satisfies the target resistance specification or it is determined that the PCD cannot be programmed to a resistance value that satisfies the target resistance specification.