Memory array using mechanical switch, method for controlling the same, display apparatus using mechanical switch, and method for controlling the same

• US 7,486,539 B2
• Filed: 11/03/2006
• Issued: 02/03/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 11/29/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology
• Original Assignee: Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology
• Inventors: Jang, Weon Wi, Kwon, O-Deuk, Yoon, Jun-Bo, Lee, Jeong Oen
• Primary Examiner(s): LE, VU ANH
• Application Number:
  US11/556,451
• Publication Number:
  US 20070121362A1
• Time in Patent Office: 823 Days
• Field of Search: 365/149, 365/145, 365/108, 365/117, 359/290, 359/291
• US Class Current: 365/149
• CPC Class Codes: B82Y 10/00 Nanotechnology for information processing, storage or transmission, e.g. quantum computing or single electron logic
• CPC Class Codes: G11C 13/025 using fullerenes, e.g. C60, or nanotubes, e.g. carbon or silicon nanotubes
• CPC Class Codes: G11C 23/00 Digital stores characterised by movement of mechanical parts to effect storage, e.g. using balls; Storage elements therefor

Abstract

Provided are a memory array using a mechanical switch, a method for controlling the same, a display apparatus using a mechanical switch, and a method for controlling the same. The memory array comprises a plurality of word lines, a plurality of bit lines intersecting each other with the plurality of word lines, and a plurality of the mechanical switches. The mechanical switch comprises a gate electrode, a drain electrode, and a source electrode.

Claims

1. A memory array using a mechanical switch, the memory array comprising:

a plurality of word lines;

a plurality of bit lines intersecting each other with the plurality of word lines; and

a plurality of the mechanical switches,

the mechanical switch disposed at an intersection of the plurality of word lines and the plurality of bit lines, and comprising;

a gate electrode connecting with each of the word lines;

a drain electrode spaced apart from the gate electrode and connecting to a capacitor; and

a source electrode,

the source electrode comprising;

an anchor part spaced apart from the gate electrode and connecting to each of the bit lines;

a mobile part extending from the anchor part and spaced apart from the gate electrode; and

a dimple extending from the mobile part and formed in a protrusion shape.

2. The memory array of claim 1, wherein, in each of the mechanical switches, the dimple of the source electrode electrically contacts with the drain electrode by a difference between a voltage applied to the gate electrode and a voltage applied to the source electrode, and the voltage applied to the source electrode is transferred to the drain electrode.

3. The memory array of claim 1, wherein the capacitor comprises a first electrode, a second electrode, and a dielectric layer formed between the first electrode and the second electrode.

4. The memory array of claim 3, wherein the first electrode is a conductive electrode formed on a conductive semiconductor substrate or a nonconductive semiconductor substrate.

5. The memory array of claim 3, wherein the dielectric layer is formed of silicon oxide or silicon nitride.

6. The memory array of claim 3, wherein the second electrode is formed of conductive material comprising any one of copper, carbon nano tube, and polysilicon.

7. The memory array of claim 1, wherein the gate electrode, the source electrode, and the drain electrode of each of the mechanical switches is formed of conductive material comprising any one of copper, carbon nano tube, and polysilicon.

8. The memory array of claim 1, wherein the plurality of word lines and the plurality of bit lines are formed of conductive material comprising any one of copper, carbon nano tube, and polysilicon.

9. A method for controlling a memory array using a mechanical switch, in which the memory array comprises:

a plurality of word lines;

a plurality of bit lines intersecting each other with the plurality of word lines; and

a plurality of the mechanical switches, and the mechanical switch disposed at an intersection of the plurality of word lines and the plurality of bit lines comprises;

a gate electrode connecting with each of the word lines;

a drain electrode spaced apart from the gate electrode and connecting to a capacitor; and

a source electrode, and the source electrode comprises;

an anchor part spaced apart from the gate electrode and connecting to each of the bit lines;

a mobile part extending from the anchor part and spaced apart from the gate electrode; and

a dimple extending from the mobile part and formed in a protrusion shape, the method comprising steps of;

applying a voltage greater than a sum of a maximal voltage (V_B/L,max) of the bit line and a pull-in voltage or a voltage smaller than a difference between a minimal voltage (V_B/L,min) of the bit line and the pull-in voltage, to the word line selected from the plurality of word lines; and

applying a voltage smaller than a sum of the minimal voltage (V_B/L,min) of the bit line and the pull-in voltage and greater than a difference between the maximal voltage (V_B/L,max) of the bit line and the pull-in voltage, to the word lines unselected from the plurality of word lines.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the pull-in voltage is greater than a difference between the maximal voltage (V_B/L,max) of the bit line and the minimal voltage (V_B/L,min) of the bit line.