US Patent 7754603 Multi-functional chalcogenide electronic devices having gain

Multi-functional electronic switching and current control device comprising a chalcogenide material. The devices include a load terminal, a reference terminal and a control terminal. Application of a control signal to the control terminal permits the device to function in one or more of the following modes reversibly: (1) a gain mode in which gain is induced in the current passing between the load and reference terminals; (2) a conductivity modulation mode in which the conductivity of the chalcogenide material between the load and reference terminals is modulated; (3) a current modulation mode in which the current or current density between the load and reference terminals is modulated; and/or (4) a threshold modulation mode in which the voltage required to switch the chalcogenide material between the load and reference terminals from a resistive state to a conductive state is modulated. The devices may be used as interconnection devices or signal providing devices in circuits and networks.