Variable conducting element and method of programming
First Claim
1. A variable conducting element, comprising:
- a ferroelectric transistor having a control terminal and first and second current carrying terminals;
a select transistor having a control terminal coupled for receiving a select signal and first and second current carrying terminals, wherein the first current carrying terminal is coupled for receiving a control signal; and
a capacitor having a first terminal and a second terminal, wherein the first terminal is coupled for receiving a programming signal and the second terminal is commonly coupled to the control terminal of the ferroelectric transistor and to the second current carrying terminal of the select transistor.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A variable conducting element (10) and method for programming a constant current or constant resistance provided at output terminals (24 and 26) of a ferroelectric transistor (12). The ferroelectric transistor (12) has portions of a ferroelectric material (32A) programmed having up-polarization states separated by domain walls (34) from portions of a ferroelectric material (32B) programmed having down-polarization states. The portion of the ferroelectric material (32A) programmed in the up-polarization state forms current conduction channels between a source region (23) and a drain region (25) of the ferroelectric transistor (12). The ferroelectric transistor (12) is programmed through a capacitor (14) to adjust the charge supplied to a control terminal (22) of the ferroelectric transistor (12).
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Citations
11 Claims
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1. A variable conducting element, comprising:
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a ferroelectric transistor having a control terminal and first and second current carrying terminals; a select transistor having a control terminal coupled for receiving a select signal and first and second current carrying terminals, wherein the first current carrying terminal is coupled for receiving a control signal; and a capacitor having a first terminal and a second terminal, wherein the first terminal is coupled for receiving a programming signal and the second terminal is commonly coupled to the control terminal of the ferroelectric transistor and to the second current carrying terminal of the select transistor. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A method of programming a variable conducting element, comprising the steps of:
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establishing a direct current (D.C.) voltage on a terminal of a gate capacitor of a ferroelectric transistor; providing a pulse signal through a capacitor to the gate capacitor of the ferroelectric transistor to cause a change in voltage on the gate capacitor of the ferroelectric transistor; and programming a first portion of a ferroelectric material of the ferroelectric transistor to have an up-polarization state in accordance with the charge transferred to the ferroelectric transistor. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8)
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9. A method of programming a ferroelectric transistor, comprising the steps of:
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transferring a charge through a conduction path of a transistor to a gate terminal of a ferroelectric transistor, wherein the charge is stored on a gate capacitor of the ferroelectric transistor; supplying a signal through a capacitor to the gate capacitor of the ferroelectric transistor, wherein the signal alters the charge stored on the gate capacitor of the ferroelectric transistor; and conducting a current in the ferroelectric transistor based on the charge stored on the gate capacitor of the ferroelectric transistor. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11)
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Specification