Patent ID: 7848135
Filing Date: 2010-12-07
Classification: G11C,H01L,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A piezoelectrically programmed, non-volatile memory cell structure, comprising: a programmable piezo-resistive hysteretic material (PRHM) that is capable of being interconverted between a low resistance state and high resistance state through applied pressure cycling thereto; a piezoelectric material mechanically coupled to the PRHM such that an applied voltage across the piezoelectric material results in one of a tensile or compressive stress applied to the PRHM, depending upon the polarity of the applied voltage; and one or more electrodes in electrical communication with the PRHM, wherein the one or more electrodes are configured to provide a write programming current path through the piezoelectric material and a read current path through the PRHM, wherein: the piezoelectric material is disposed between a first and a second of the electrodes; the PRHM is disposed between the second and a third of the electrodes; the write programming current path includes the first electrode, the piezoelectric material and the second electrode; and the read current path includes the third electrode, the PRHM and the second electrode.