Information storage using nanoscale electrodeposition of metal in solid electrolytes

Programmable metallization cell (PMC) memory is based on the electrochemical control of nanoscale quantities of metal in thin films of solid electrolyte. It shows great promise as an ultrascalable solid state non-volatile memory as it requires low programming voltage and current, and has the ability for, the storage cells to be physically sized at minimum lithographically defined dimensions. Scalability issues will be discussed in the context of recent findings relating to the nanostructure of the electrolyte and results obtained from small-geometry devices based on Ag-Ge-Se nano-phase separated material. (C) 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.