A device for implementing spike-timing-dependent plasticity is provided. The device includes a phase-change element, first and second electrodes disposed respective first and second surfaces of the phase-change element. The phase-change element includes a phase-change material with an inverse resistivity characteristic. The first electrode includes a first heater element, and a first electrical insulating layer which electrically insulates the first resistive heater element from the first electrode and the phase-change element. The second electrode includes a second resistive heater element, and a second electrical insulating layer which electrically insulates the second resistive heater element from the second electrode and the phase-change element.

A phase-change memory cell includes a heater, a memory region made of a phase-change material located above said heater, and an electrically conductive element positioned adjacent to the memory region and the heater at a first side of the heater. The electrically conductive element extends parallel to a first axis and has, parallel to the first axis, a first dimension at the first side that is greater than a second dimension at a second side opposite to the first side.

According to one embodiment, a semiconductor memory device includes: a first and a second wirings; a third wiring disposed between them; a first phase change layer disposed between the first and the third wirings; a first conducting layer disposed on a first wiring side surface of the first phase change layer; a second conducting layer disposed on a third wiring side surface of the first phase change layer; a second phase change layer disposed between the third and the second wirings; a third conducting layer disposed on a third wiring side surface of the second phase change layer; and a fourth conducting layer disposed on a second wiring side surface of the second phase change layer. The first and the fourth conducting layers have coefficients of thermal conductivity larger or smaller than the coefficients of thermal conductivity of the second and the third conducting layers.

A resistive element array circuit includes word lines, bit lines, resistive elements, a selector, a differential amplifier, and a ground terminal. The word lines are coupled to a power supply. The resistive elements are each disposed at an intersection of corresponding one of the word lines and corresponding one of the bit lines. The selector is configured to select one word line and one bit line. The differential amplifier includes a positive input terminal configured to be coupled to the selected one of the bit lines which is selected by the selector, a negative input terminal configured to be coupled to non-selected one of the bit lines which is not selected by the selector and to non-selected one of the word lines which is not selected by the selector, an output terminal being coupled to the negative input terminal. The ground terminal is coupled to the positive input terminal.

A resistance change device of an embodiment includes a first electrode, a second electrode, and a layer disposed between the first electrode and the second electrode and containing a resistance change material. In the resistance change device of the embodiment, the resistance change material contains: a first element including Sb and Te; a second element including at least one element selected from the group consisting of Ge and In; a third element including at least one element selected from the group consisting of Si, N, B, C, Al, and Ti; and a fourth element including at least one element selected from the group consisting of Sc, Y, La, Gd, Zr, and Hf.

A method for forming a nonvolatile PCM logic device may include providing a PCM film component having a first end contact distally opposed from a second end contact, positing a first proximity adjacent to a first surface of the PCM film component, positing a second proximity heater adjacent to a second surface of the PCM film component, wherein the first proximity heater and the second proximity heater are electrically isolated from the PCM film component. The method may further include applying a combination of pulses to one or more of the first proximity heater and the second proximity heater to change a resistance value of the PCM film component corresponding to a logic truth table. Further, the method may include simultaneously applying a first combination of reset pulses to program, or set pulses to initialize, the PCM film component, to the first proximity heater and the second proximity heater.

An approach to form a semiconductor structure with a multiple layer phase change material stack and four electrodes that functions as an integrated switch device. The semiconductor structure includes a sidewall spacer that is on two opposing sides of the multiple layer phase change material stack contacting an edge of each layer of the multiple layer phase change material stack. The semiconductor structure includes a pair of a first type of electrode, where each of the pair of the first type of electrode abuts each of the sidewall spacers on the two opposing sides of the multiple layer phase change material stack. A pair of a second type of electrode, where each of the second type of electrode abuts each of two other opposing sides of the multiple layer phase change material stack and contacts a heater material on outside portions of the multiple layer phase change material stack.

An electronic chip includes memory cells made of a phase-change material and a transistor. First and second vias extend from the transistor through an intermediate insulating layer to a same height. A first metal level including a first interconnection track in contact with the first via is located over the intermediate insulating layer. A heating element for heating the phase-change material is located on the second via, and the phase-change material is located on the heating element. A second metal level including a second interconnection track is located above the phase-change material. A third via extends from the phase-change material to the second interconnection track.

An apparatus comprises a phase-change material, a first electrode at a first end of the phase-change material, a second electrode at a second end of the phase-change material, and a heating element coupled to a least a given portion of the phase-change material between the first end and the second end. The apparatus also comprises a first input terminal coupled to the heating element, a second input terminal coupled to the heating element, and an output terminal coupled to the second electrode.

In an approach for forming a nonvolatile tunable capacitor device, a first electrode layer is formed distally opposed from a second electrode layer, the first electrode layer configured to make a first electrical connection and the second electrode layer configured to make a second electrical connection. A dielectric layer is posited between the first electrode layer and adjacent to the second electrode layer. A phase change material (PCM) layer is posited between the first electrode layer and the second electrode layer adjacent to the dielectric layer. An energizing component is provided to heat the PCM layer to change a phase of the PCM layer. The energizing component may include a heating element or electrical probe in direct contact with the PCM layer, that when energized is configured to apply heat to the PCM layer. The phase of the PCM layer is changeable between an amorphous phase and a crystalline phase.