Patent ID: 9214224
Filing Date: 2015-12-15
Classification: G11C

Abstract:
1. A memory element comprising: a nonvolatile switch to be set to a first resistance state by applying a voltage higher than a positive threshold voltage and to a second resistance state by applying another voltage more negative than a negative threshold voltage; and a volatile switch in series with the nonvolatile switch, the volatile switch to be set to a third low resistance state by applying a current higher than a threshold current and to a fourth high resistance state by applying a current lower than the threshold current, in which the volatile switch has a volatile switch threshold voltage which is a voltage across the volatile switch when the threshold current is flowing through the volatile switch, wherein the volatile switch threshold voltage is less than, but greater than one third of, a maximum threshold voltage, which is a largest value of an absolute magnitude of the negative threshold voltage and the positive threshold voltage.