Patent ID: 7016224
Filing Date: 2006-03-21
Classification: G11C

Abstract:
1. A two terminal negative differential resistance (NDR) semiconductor device formed on a silicon-based substrate comprising: a first doped region; and a second doped region; a gate adapted for receiving a gate control signal, said gate including a gate electrode coupled to said first doped region; and a controllable conductance region coupled between said first and second doped regions, said controllable conductance region being configured such that when a first bias potential is applied to said gate electrode and a second bias potential is applied between said first doped region and second doped region, energetic carriers are generated; a dielectric layer located proximate to said gate and forming an interface with said controllable conductance region, said dielectric layer being configured to trap a number of said energetic carriers flowing in said controllable conductance region at or near said interface; wherein said number of energetic carriers that can be trapped in said dielectric layer can be controlled by adjusting said first bias potential and/or said second bias potential so that the two terminal NDR semiconductor device operates as a silicon-based NDR device.