Abstract: A conductive memory stack is provided. The memory stack includes a bottom electrode, a top electrode and a multi-resistive state element that is sandwiched between the electrodes. The bottom electrode can be described as having a top face with a first surface area, the top electrode has a bottom face with a second surface area and the multi-resistive state element has a bottom face with a third surface area and a top face with a fourth surface area. The multi-resistive state element's bottom face is in contact with the bottom electrode's top face and the multi-resistive state element's top face is in contact with the top electrode's bottom face. Furthermore, the fourth surface area is not equal to the second surface area.

Abstract: A programming circuit is provided. As a conductive memory cell is programmed, its resistance changes. The provided programming circuit monitors the changing resistance while programming the memory cell. The programming circuit can be used to only program the memory cell for as long as programming is actually needed. Additionally, the programming circuit can be used to only program the memory cell when it has a value that needs to be changed.