Patent ID: 7491573

Claim:
A process for preparing a nonvolatile memory device comprising a phase change material as a memory element, the process comprising: obtaining a phase change material comprising a solid solution consisting essentially of antimony as a solvent, and a solute which is a member selected from the group consisting of germanium, arsenic, tellurium, strontium, sulfur, tin and mixtures thereof; and, optionally, a dopant; wherein the solid solution is a mixture that is a solution rater than a compound; embedding the phase change material in a substrate comprising an insulating material; contacting a first side of the phase change material with a first electrode; and contacting a second side of the phase change material with a second electrode; wherein the first and second electrodes are in contact with at least one word line and at least one bit line; and whereby the first and second electrodes co-operate to pass an electrical current through the phase change material; to obtain the nonvolatile memory device; and wherein the crystal structure of the solvent remains unchanged upon addition of the one or more solutes, and the mixture remains in a single homogeneous phase.