Patent ID: 7863655

Claim:
A self aligning memory device, the memory device of the type comprising a memory element switchable between electrical property states by the application of energy, the memory device comprising: a substrate; first, second, third and fourth word lines positioned over the substrate and oriented in a first direction, the word lines having tops and sides, at least the sides covered with a dielectric material, the dielectric material defining first and second and third gaps therebetween; terminals of access devices formed within the substrate and aligned with the first, second and third gaps, a first terminal located directly under the second gap and a second terminal formed directly under each of the first and third gaps; first and second source lines positioned within and aligned with the first and third gaps and electrically connected to respective ones of the second terminals; a first electrode within and aligned with the second gap and electrically connected to the first terminal; a memory element within and aligned with the second gap positioned over and electrically connected to the first electrode; a second electrode positioned over and contacting the memory element and oriented in a second direction, the second direction being perpendicular to the first direction; and the first terminal, the first electrode and the memory element being self aligning structures.