Patent ID: 7348205

Claim:
A method of forming a resistance variable device comprising: forming a first conductive electrode on a substrate; forming a metal doped chalcogenide comprising material over the first conductive electrode, the metal doped chalcogenide comprising material comprising a metal and A x B y , where B is selected from the group consisting of S, Se and Te and mixtures thereof, and where A comprises at least one element which is selected from Group 13, Group 14, Group 15, or Group 17 of the periodic table, the metal doped chalcogenide comprising material having an outer surface; exposing the outer surface of the metal doped chalcogenide comprising material to a passivating agent, thereby forming a discontinuous passivation material over the metal doped chalcogenide comprising material; and forming a second conductive electrode over the metal doped chalcogenide comprising material and the discontinuous passivating material.