Patent ID: 8318573

Claim:
A method of forming a nonvolatile memory element comprising: forming a conductive electrode layer; forming a first oxide layer on the conductive electrode layer; forming a second oxide layer on the first oxide layer, wherein the second oxide layer comprises a resistive switching metal oxide; and heating the conductive electrode layer, the first oxide layer, and the second oxide layer to an elevated temperature of at least 400° C., wherein the first oxide layer has a first resistivity, wherein the second oxide layer has a second resistivity when the resistive switching metal oxide is in a stable low-resistance state, wherein the second resistivity is less than one half of the first resistivity, wherein the first oxide layer prevents the conductive electrode layer from reacting with the second oxide layer when the conductive electrode layer, the first oxide layer, and the second oxide layer are heated to the elevated temperature, wherein forming the first oxide layer comprises forming an aluminum oxide layer, and wherein forming the second oxide layer comprises forming a titanium oxide layer containing aluminum in an atomic concentration of at least 1%.