Non-volatile memory cell comprising a dielectric layer and a phase change material in series

摘要

The invention provides for a nonvolatile memory cell comprising a dielectric material in series with a phase change material, such as a chalcogenide. Phase change is achieved in chalcogenide memories by thermal means. Concentrating thermal energy in a relatively small volume assists this phase change. By applying high voltage across a dielectric layer, dielectric breakdown occurs, forming a low-resistance rupture region traversing the dielectric layer. This rupture region can serve to concentrate thermal energy in a phase-change memory cell. In a preferred embodiment, such a cell can be used in a monolithic three dimensional memory array.