Patent ID: 7829876

Claim:
A memory device, comprising: a first electrode element, having a first, generally planar surface; an insulator stack formed on the first electrode element, including first, second and third insulating members, all generally planar in form and having a central cavity formed therein and extending therethrough, wherein the second insulator member comprises a portion recessed from the cavity; the central cavity opening onto a first portion of the first, generally planar surface; a phase change element extending into the cavity to make direct physical contact with the first electrode element only at the first, generally planar surface of the first electrode element; the phase change element also making contact with the first and third insulating members; the phase change element, the recessed portion of the second insulating member and the surfaces of the first and third insulating members define a thermal isolation void fully surrounding a section of the phase change element; a second electrode element having a second, generally planar surface in contact with the phase change element; and the second generally planar surface being opposite to the first generally planar surface with all of the second electrode element positioned over the first electrode element.