High density data storage devices with polarity-dependent memory switching media

• US 20070008865A1
• Filed: 07/08/2005
• Published: 01/11/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 07/08/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Nanochip, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Nanochip, Inc.
• Inventors: Fan, Zhaohui, Adams, Donald, Anoikin, Yevgeny
• Application Number:
  US11/177,642
• Publication Number:
  US 20070008865A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 369/126
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 9/04 using record carriers having variable electric resistance; Record carriers therefor
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 9/149 characterised by the memorising material or structure

Abstract

Systems in accordance with the present invention can include a tip contactable with a media, the media including a substrate, a conductive under-layer disposed over the substrate, and a polarity dependent memory switching media disposed over the under-layer. In an embodiment, the polarity dependent memory switching media is continuous and the media either grounded or electrically connected with a voltage source such that when the tip is placed in contact with the media and a forward voltage is applied to the tip, causing the polarity dependent memory switching media to form an Ag dendritic structure bridging the tip and the under-layer. The bridging causes a reduction in resistance corresponding to a “1” or a “0.” In an alternative embodiment, an insulating material can be disposed over the substrate such that a plurality of cells is formed, at least one of the cells including the polarity dependent memory switching media. The media is either grounded or electrically connected with a voltage source such that when the tip is placed in contact with the at least one cell and a forward voltage is applied to the tip, the polarity dependent memory switching media within the at least one cell forms an Ag dendritic structure bridging the tip and the under-layer. The bridging causes a reduction in resistance corresponding to a “1” or a “0.”

Claims

1. A system for forming indicia, the system comprising:

a media including an underlayer and a polarity dependent memory layer disposed over the underlayer;

a tip electrically connectable with the media;

wherein when a voltage potential is applied between the media and the tip, a conductive structure forms in a portion of the polarity dependent memory layer between the tip and the underlayer, thereby electrically bridging the underlayer and the tip.

2. The system of claim 1, further comprising an overlayer disposed over the polarity dependent memory layer.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the polarity dependent memory layer includes an ion source layer and a solid electrolyte layer.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the portion of the polarity dependent memory layer including the conductive structure is an indicium.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the indicium has a resistivity within one of two resistivity states.

8. The system of claim 6, wherein the width of the conductive structure varies with voltage potential.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein:

the indicium has a resistivity within one of a plurality of resistivity states; and

the resistivity of the indicium varies with the width of the conductive structure.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the indicium has a resistivity within one of four resistivity states.

11. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

a tip platform; and

a cantilever operably associated with the tip platform;

wherein the tip is connected with the cantilever.

12. The system of claim 11, further comprising:

a media platform;

wherein the media is operably associated with the media platform; and

wherein one or both of the tip platform and the media platform can move relative to the other of the tip platform and the media platform.

4. The system of claim 4, wherein:

the ion source layer is silver; and

the solid electrolyte layer is one of AgGeSe, AgGeS, Ag₂Se and AgWO₃.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein:

the ion source layer is copper; and

the solid electrolyte layer is one of Cu₂S and CuWO₃.

13. A system for forming indicia, the system comprising:

a media including an underlayer and a polarity dependent memory layer disposed over the underlayer;

a tip platform;

a cantilever extending from the tip platform;

a tip extending from the cantilever, the tip being electrically connectable with the media;

wherein when a voltage potential is applied between the media and the tip, a conductive structure forms in a portion of the polarity dependent memory layer between the tip and the underlayer, thereby electrically bridging the underlayer and the tip.

14. The system of claim 13, further comprising an overlayer disposed over the polarity dependent memory layer.

15. The system of claim 13, wherein the polarity dependent memory layer includes an ion source layer and a solid electrolyte layer.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein:

the ion source layer is silver; and

the solid electrolyte layer is one of AgGeSe, AgGeS, Ag₂Se and AgWO₃.

17. The system of claim 15, wherein:

the ion source layer is copper; and

the solid electrolyte layer is one of Cu₂S and CuWO₃.

18. The system of claim 13, wherein the portion of the polarity dependent memory layer including the conductive structure is an indicium.

19. The system of claim 18, wherein the indicium has a resistivity within one of two resistivity states.

20. The system of claim 18, wherein the width of the conductive structure varies with voltage potential.

21. The system of claim 20, wherein:

the indicium has a resistivity within one of a plurality of resistivity states; and

the resistivity of the indicium varies with the width of the conductive structure.

22. The system of claim 21, wherein the indicium has a resistivity within one of four resistivity states.

23. The system of claim 13, further comprising:

a media platform;

wherein the media is operably associated with the media platform; and

wherein one or both of the tip platform and the media platform can move relative to the other of the tip platform and the media platform.