Patent ID: 7960712
Filing Date: 2011-06-14
Classification: H01L

Abstract:
1. A switching element comprising: an ion conduction part that contains an ion conductor in which metal ions can move; a first electrode that contacts said ion conduction part; a second electrode that contacts said ion conduction part, that is formed such that said ion conduction part is interposed between said second electrode and said first electrode, and that supplies said metal ions to said ion conductor or that accepts said metal ions from said ion conductor to cause precipitation of metal that corresponds to said metal ions; and an introduction path of a prescribed width and composed of said metal for electrically connecting said first electrode and said second electrode, said introduction path being provided on said ion conduction part, and being formed prior to an application of voltage to said first electrode relative to said second electrode; wherein the electrical characteristics of said switching element are switched by an electrochemical reaction between said introduction path and said second electrode that results from an application of voltage to said first electrode relative to said second electrode, wherein the introduction path is surrounded by the ion conduction part.