Towards ultimate scaling limits of phase-change memory

F. Xiong, E. Yalon, A. Behnam, C. M. Neumann, K. L. Grosse, S. Deshmukh, E. Pop

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

Abstract

Data storage based on a reversible material phase transition (e.g. amorphous to crystalline) has been studied for nearly five decades. Yet, it was only during the past five years that some phase-change memory technologies (e.g. GeSbTe) have been approaching the physical scaling limits of the smallest possible memory cell. Here we review recent results from our group and others, which have achieved sub-10 nm scale PCM with switching energy approaching single femtojoules per bit. Fundamental limits could be as low as single attojoules per cubic nanometer of the memory material, although approaching such limits in practice appears strongly limited by electrical and thermal parasitics, i.e. contacts and interfaces.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publication2016 IEEE International Electron Devices Meeting, IEDM 2016
Pages4.1.1-4.1.4
ISBN (Electronic)9781509039012
DOIs
StatePublished - 31 Jan 2017
Externally publishedYes
Event62nd IEEE International Electron Devices Meeting, IEDM 2016 - San Francisco, United States
Duration: 3 Dec 20167 Dec 2016

Publication series

NameTechnical Digest - International Electron Devices Meeting, IEDM
Volume0

Conference

Conference62nd IEEE International Electron Devices Meeting, IEDM 2016
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CitySan Francisco
Period3/12/167/12/16

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Materials
  • Condensed Matter Physics
  • Materials Chemistry
  • Electrical and Electronic Engineering

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