US Patent 8415226 Phase change memory cells and fabrication thereof

A phase change memory cell, e.g. a line-cell (2), and fabrication thereof, the cell comprising: two electrodes (6, 8); phase change memory material (10) and a dielectric barrier (12). The dielectric barrier (12) is arranged to provide electron tunnelling, e.g. Fowler-Nordheim tunnelling, to the phase change memory material (10). A contact (15) made of phase change memory material may also be provided. The dielectric barrier (12) is substantially uniform e.g. of substantially uniform thickness, e.g. ≧5 nm.