Title: Metallic nanoparticles for application in electronic non-volatile memories

Authors: Dimitris Tsoukalas

Addresses: Department of Applied Physics, National Technical University of Athens, 9 Iroon Polytechniou, 15780 Athens, Greece

Abstract: Nanoparticle memories have appeared during last years as a possible solution to overcome the scaling issue of electronic nonvolatile memories. Ultimately, we are looking for nanoparticle memories to significantly decrease the voltage needed to write/erase the memory without compromising its retention characteristics. As an alternative to semiconductor nanoparticles which have been intensively investigated, metallic nanoparticles have been recently also used since they have the potential for more versatile engineering of energy barriers. This would allow improved data retention for memory devices operating at low voltages. Processing approaches for metallic nanoparticle fabrication are addressed and corresponding memory devices performance is discussed. The work presented in this paper is a review of results obtained during the last four years within the Nanodevice Research group at NTUA in collaboration with IMEL/NCSR Demokritos and University of Durham.

Keywords: metal nanoparticles; non-volatile memories; MOS devices; nanotechnology; Greece; data retention; memory devices; low voltage.

DOI: 10.1504/IJNT.2009.021706

International Journal of Nanotechnology, 2009 Vol.6 No.1/2, pp.35 - 45

Published online: 30 Nov 2008 *

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