A method is presented for reducing a reset current for a phase change memory (PCM). The method includes forming a bottom electrode, constructing a PCM cell structure including a plurality of phase change memory layers and a plurality of heat transfer layers, wherein the plurality of phase change memory layers are assembled in an alternating configuration with respect to the plurality of heat transfer layers, and forming a top electrode over the PCM cell structure. The plurality of phase change memory layers are arranged perpendicular to the top and bottom electrodes. Additionally, airgaps are defined adjacent the PCM cell structure.

Methods, systems, and devices for a low resistance crosspoint architecture are described. A manufacturing system may deposit a thermal barrier material, followed by a first layer of a first conductive material, on a layered assembly including a patterned layer of electrode materials and a patterned layer of a memory material. The manufacturing system may etch a first area of the layered assembly to form a gap in the first layer of the first conductive material, the thermal barrier material, the patterned layer of the memory material, and the patterned layer of electrode materials. The manufacturing system may deposit a second conductive material to form a conductive via in the gap, where the conductive via extends to a height within the layered assembly that is above the thermal barrier material.

A method is presented for reducing a reset current for a phase change memory (PCM). The method includes forming a bottom electrode, constructing a PCM cell structure including a plurality of phase change memory layers and a plurality of heat transfer layers, wherein the plurality of phase change memory layers are assembled in an alternating configuration with respect to the plurality of heat transfer layers, and forming a top electrode over the PCM cell structure. The plurality of phase change memory layers are arranged perpendicular to the top and bottom electrodes. Additionally, airgaps are defined adjacent the PCM cell structure.

Methods, systems, and devices related to a memory device with a thermal barrier are described. The thermal barrier (e.g., a low density thermal barrier) may be positioned between an access line (e.g., a digit line or a word line) and a cell component. The thermal barrier may be formed on the surface of a barrier material by applying a plasma treatment to the barrier material. The thermal barrier may have a lower density than the barrier material and may be configured to thermally insulate the cell component from thermal energy generated in the memory device, among other benefits.

A memory device includes a conductive wire, a first 2-D material layer, a phase change element, and a top electrode. The first 2-D material layer is over the conductive wire. The phase change element extends along a surface of the first 2-D material layer distal to the conductive layer. The top electrode is over the phase change element.

A phase change memory device is provided. The phase change memory device includes a phase change memory material within an electrically insulating wall, a first heater terminal in the electrically insulating wall, and two read terminals in the electrically insulating wall.

An electronic device including a semiconductor memory is provided. The semiconductor memory includes a plurality of first lines extending in a first direction; a plurality of second lines over the first lines, the second lines extending in a second direction crossing the first direction; a plurality of memory cells disposed at intersection regions of the first lines and the second lines between the first lines and the second lines in a third direction perpendicular to the first and second directions; and a heat sink positioned between two memory cells adjacent to each other in a diagonal direction with respect to the first and second directions.

Methods, systems, and devices for a low resistance crosspoint architecture are described. A manufacturing system may deposit a thermal barrier material, followed by a first layer of a first conductive material, on a layered assembly including a patterned layer of electrode materials and a patterned layer of a memory material. The manufacturing system may etch a first area of the layered assembly to form a gap in the first layer of the first conductive material, the thermal barrier material, the patterned layer of the memory material, and the patterned layer of electrode materials. The manufacturing system may deposit a second conductive material to form a conductive via in the gap, where the conductive via extends to a height within the layered assembly that is above the thermal barrier material.

A radio frequency (RF) switch includes a heating element and a thermally resistive material adjacent to sides of the heating element. A thermally conductive and electrically insulating material is situated on top of the heating element. A phase-change material (PCM) is situated over the thermally conductive and electrically insulating material. The PCM has an active segment overlying the thermally conductive and electrically insulating material, and passive segments underlying input/output contacts of the RF switch. The RF switch may include a bulk substrate heat spreader, a silicon-on-insulator (SOI) handle wafer heat spreader, or an SOI top semiconductor heat spreader under the heating element.

Some embodiments relate to a method for manufacturing a memory device. The method includes forming a bottom electrode over a substrate. A heat dispersion layer is formed over the bottom electrode. A dielectric layer is formed over the heat dispersion layer. A top electrode is formed over the dielectric layer. The heat dispersion layer comprises a first dielectric material.