HP makes a nanoelectronic memory chip
Today, at 175 Anniversary conference of the Royal Institute of Technology of Sweden, Stanley Williams, Hewlett-Packard Quantum Science Research Labs director, reported that HP made a significant breakthrough in molecular electronics.
He said that they achieved the maximum density for this time and can even show a 64-bit nonvolatile memory with molecules as memory cells. This chip goes in one micron space. Besides, he said that HP succeeded in combining storage and control elements in a single molecular device. Besides, HP claims it has a nanolithography production technology, enabling to copy chipsets like pages from artwork.
On the making of a chip: first, they made a press form of eight 40-nm parallel lines, then they pressed it to the polymer layers on the semiconductor plate to create space for platinum conductors. The blank was covered with a monomolecular layer, changing by external electric field application. Then they applied conductors, perpendicular to existing.
Each of 64 intersections had about 1000 molecules, making a storage cell. "1" is written by a current impulse, changing cell resistance. Reading is performed by measuring resistance at voltage, lower than "1" writing level.
Logical controls were implemented later, consisting of molecular keys in conductor intersections, being demultiplexers.
HP Labs workgroup received four patents for this chip and now prepares publications for scientific magazines.
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