Patent ID: 7488967
Filing Date: 2009-02-10
Classification: H01L

Abstract:
1. A phase change memory cell comprising: a wafer; an insulator on said wafer; a first contact in said insulator; a second contact above said first contact on said insulator; a phase change material within said insulator and comprising a main body adjacent to said first contact and a channel adjacent to said second contact and separated from said first contact by said main body; and sidewall spacers within said insulator adjacent to said channel, wherein said sidewall spacers have curved edges and delimit said channel such that said channel is tapered from said second contact to said main body and such that said channel comprises a narrow portion immediately adjacent to said main body and confining resistance switching of said phase change material to said channel above said main body, wherein a width measurement of said narrow portion is narrow relative to a width measurement of said main body.