Patent ID: 7968861

Claim:
A phase-change memory element, comprising: a first conductive layer having a resistance, and a contiguous portion; a second conductive layer having a resistance; an insulating layer disposed between the first and second conductive layers; a phase change layer having a resistance, and coupled to each of the first and second conductive layers, bridging the insulating layer and electrically coupling the first and second conductive layers; a contiguous portion of the phase change layer disposed on the first conductive layer; and a dielectric disposed on the phase change layer, wherein the resistance of the phase change layer is greater than both the resistance of the first conductive layer and the second conductive layer, wherein the contiguous portion of the first conductive layer, the contiguous portion of the phase change layer and the dielectric are disposed on a first level of a mesa step, and wherein the first and second conductive layers, the phase change layer, and the insulating layer are disposed on a first level of the mesa step.