Patent ID: 7348591
Filing Date: 2008-03-25
Classification: B82Y,G11C,H01H,H01L,Y10S

Abstract:
1. A switch element comprising: a substrate; a plurality of carbon nanotubes provided upright on the substrate; magnetic particles arranged at tip ends of the carbon nanotubes respectively; and a plurality of conductive layers respectively formed between base ends of the carbon nanotubes and the substrate, wherein at least one of the conductive layers is insulated from the other conductive layers; wherein a switching operation is performed in such a manner that the carbon nanotubes or the magnetic particles are brought into contact with each other according to an electrical potential between the conductive layers, and the carbon nanotubes are separated from each other when an electrical current flows through the carbon nanotubes with the carbon nanotubes or the magnetic particles brought into contact with each other.