Patent ID: 7728320

Claim:
A phase change memory (PCM) device, comprising: a substrate; a plurality of bottom electrodes, formed in the substrate; a first dielectric layer, disposed over the substrate; a plurality of cup-shaped thermal electrodes, disposed in the first dielectric layer, wherein each bottom of the cup-shaped thermal electrodes contacts one of the bottom electrodes; a plurality of second dielectric layers, disposed over the substrate in a first direction, wherein each of the second dielectric layers covers a portion of the area surrounded by each of the cup-shaped thermal electrodes; a plurality of third dielectric layers, disposed over the substrate in a second direction, wherein each of the third dielectric layers covers a portion of the area surrounded by each of the cup-shaped thermal electrodes, and overlays the second dielectric layers; a plurality of top electrodes, disposed over the third dielectric layers so that a plurality of stacked structures including the third dielectric layers and the top electrodes are formed over the substrate; and a plurality of phase change (PC) material spacers, disposed on sidewalls of the stacked structures, wherein the PC material spacers physically and electrically contact the cup-shaped thermal electrodes and the top electrodes.