Patent ID: 8207519
Filing Date: 2012-06-26
Classification: H01L

Abstract:
1. A nanoscale switching device, comprising: a first electrode of a nanoscale width; a second electrode of a nanoscale width; an active region disposed between the first and second electrodes, the active region having at least one non-conducting layer comprising an electronically semi-conducting or nominally insulating and a weak ionic conductor switching material capable of carrying a species of dopants and transporting the dopants under an electric field; and a source layer interposed between the first electrode and the second electrode and comprising a highly reactive and highly mobile ionic species that reacts with a component in the weak and ionic conductor switching material to create dopants that are capable of drifting through the non-conducting layer under an electric field, thereby controlling dopant profile by ionic modulation, wherein the highly reactive and highly mobile ionic species is selected from the group consisting of lithium, rubidium, sodium, calcium, potassium, and magnesium ions.