3-D Finite Element Simulation of a Phase-change Random Access Memory Cell with a Self-insulated Structure

In this paper, we proposed a phase-change random access memory (PCRAM) cell with a self-insulated structure (SIS), which is expected to have better thermal efficiency than the conventional structures. 3-D finite element simulation is used to study the most power consuming RESET process for both SIS and conventional normal bottom contact (NBC) cells driven by a MOSFET. Instead of programming current, power consumption is investigated to give a more fundamental comparison between the two structures. Thermal proximity effect for both kinds of cells is directly analyzed by simulating a 3×3 device array. The potential slow-quenching issue of SIS is also discussed.