Patent ID: 7626191

Claim:
A lateral phase change memory with spacer electrodes, comprising: a first insulating dielectric layer; a first non-phase change material layer formed on the first insulating dielectric layer and having defined therein a first channel which passes through the first non-phase change material layer and which has side walls; a plurality of second non-phase change material layers formed respectively on the side walls of the first channel of the first non-phase change material layer and in electrical contact with the first non-phase change material layer, the plurality of second non-phase change material layers being disposed so that they do not contact one another, and each of the plurality of second non-phase change material layer having a resistivity which is higher than that of the first non-phase change material layer; a phase change material layer formed between the plurality of second non-phase change material layers and in electrical contact therewith, wherein the phase change material layer, the plurality of second non-phase change material layers, and the first non-phase change material layer are respectively in contact with the first insulating dielectric layer; a second insulating dielectric layer formed on the first non-phase change material layer, the plurality of second non-phase change material layers, and the phase change material layer, the second insulating dielectric layer having defined therein a second channel which passes through the second insulating dielectric layer and which is spaced apart from the first channel; and an electric plug formed in the second channel of the second insulating dielectric layer and in contact with the first non-phase change material layer.