Patent ID: 8680504

Claim:
A phase-change random access memory (PRAM) arrangement, comprising: a plurality of phase-change random access memory (PRAM) cells, wherein each of the PRAM cells includes: a heater resistor; and a phase change material (PCM) formed over and coupled to the heater resistor; wherein the phase change material (PCM) contacts a portion of a vertical surface of the heater resistor and a portion of a horizontal surface of the heater resistor to form an active region between the heater resistor and the phase change material (PCM); wherein the heater resistor is common to each of the plurality of phase-change random access memory (PRAM) cells, wherein the common heater resistor has a central portion free from direct contact with the plurality of PRAM cells, and a plurality of leg portions extending from the central portion to the plurality of PRAM cells, and a bottom electrode coupled to the central portion by a first via interconnect, wherein the first via interconnect is in direct contact with the central portion and not in direct contact with the plurality of leg portions.