Patent ID: 7742112

Claim:
A memory device for storing information which comprises: a plurality of first electrodes extending in one direction in parallel relation with each other, a plurality of memory cells containing an electroconductive liquid crystal compound having a long linear conjugate structure and exhibiting a smectic phase as a liquid crystal phase, the memory cells being provided on each of the first electrodes discretely at a prescribed spacing in such an arrangement as to form a plurality of straight lines extending in the extending direction of the first electrodes and to form a plurality of straight lines extending in the direction which crosses the extending direction of the first electrodes, a plurality of heaters each provided on each of the memory cells and adapted to heat the memory cells, a plurality of second electrodes extending in one direction in parallel with each other, and crossing the first electrodes, the second electrodes being located at a side portion of the heaters which are arranged in a straight line along the extending direction of the second electrodes and being connected to the heaters, and a plurality of third electrodes extending in the same direction as the second electrodes in parallel relation with each other, and third electrodes being provided on a plurality of the heaters arranged in a straight line along the extending direction of the third electrodes, and being connected to the heaters, the storing information being carried out by making use of the molecular alignment of the liquid crystal compound in its liquid crystal phase formed by selectively heating the memory cells.