Patent ID: 7550756

Claim:
A semiconductor memory having a memory element, the memory element comprising: an insulating film having an upper surface; a first electrode selectively formed in the insulating film and having an upper surface that is substantially coplanar with the upper surface of the insulating film; a phase-change layer disposed on the first electrode and having an upper surface, a terminating edge, and a side surface crossing the upper surface at the terminating edge, the terminating edge and the side surface defining a periphery of the phase-change layer, the side surface of the phase-change layer further crossing the upper surface of the insulating film; a second electrode disposed on the phase-change layer, the second electrode having an elongated portion which extends beyond the terminating edge of the phase-change layer over the insulating film in contact with the side surface of the phase-change layer and with the upper surface of the insulating film; a wiring layer; and a first contact plug disposed on the elongated portion of the second electrode to form an electrical path between the second electrode and the wiring layer.