Modeling Emerging Non-volatile Memories: Current Trends and Challenges

An important task of micro-and nanoelectronics is establishing a new universal memory type in a near future. Unlike DRAM and flash memories a new universal memory should not require electric charge storing, but alternative principles of information storage. For successful application a new universal memory has to be non-volatile and must also exhibit low operating voltages, low power consumption, high operation speed, long retention time, high endurance, and a simple structure. Several alternative principles of information storage are available. We focus on two memory technologies based on the resistance change principle, RRAM and the spin transfer torque (STT) RAM, which are the most promising candidates for future universal memory. We present a brief overview of the current state-of-the-art of these technologies and outline future trends and challenges from the perspective of modeling and simulation of the switching process. (C) 2011 Published by Elsevier B.V. Selection and/or peer-review under responsibility of Garry Lee