Abstract: A phase-change-memory cell is provided which comprises two insulated regions formed in a first phase-change material connected by a region formed in a second phase-change material. The crystallization temperature of the second phase-change material is below the crystallization temperature of the first phase-change material. By locally changing the material properties using a second PCM material, which switches phase at a lower temperature, a localized “hot spot” is obtained.

Abstract: The present invention is related to the realization of a simplified bottom electrode stack for ferroelectric memory cells. More particularly, the invention is related to ferroelectric memory cells wherein the ferroelectric capacitor is positioned directly on top of a contact plug. The bottom electrode stack is prepared by depositing a ferroelectric film atop an Ir or Ru metal electrode layer, then annealing the ferroelectric layer in an oxygen ambient wherein the partial pressure of oxygen is controlled at a level sufficient to oxidize the ferroelectric layer but not at a level sufficient to oxidize the metal electrode layer.

Abstract: The present invention is related to the realization of a simplified bottom electrode stack for ferroelectric memory cells. More particularly, the invention is related to ferroelectric memory cells wherein the ferroelectric capacitor is positioned directly on top of a contact plug.

Abstract: The present invention is related to the realization of a simplified bottom electrode stack for ferroelectric memory cells. More particularly, the invention is related to ferroelectric memory cells wherein the ferroelectric capacitor is positioned directly on top of a contact plug.

Abstract: A wiper blade is proposed, which is used to clean windows, in particular of motor vehicles. The wiper blade is arranged with a rubber elastic wiper strip (24) on the one band surface (22) of a band-like, long-stretched-out, elastic supporting element (12) and can be placed on the to-be-wiped window (14). The other band surface (16) of the supporting element is covered by another component (40) of the wiper blade (10), at least in sections, and this covering part is provided with claw-like projections (54) arranged in the longitudinal direction of the wiper blade, which grip under holding edges (38) of the supporting element. A particularly tension-neutral and easily mountable wiper blade is achieved if the covering part (40), manufactured of an elastic plastic, is provided with an armoring (60) in the area of its projections (54) whose strength is greater than the strength of the plastic used for the covering part.

Abstract: A DC/DC converter (1), comprising inductive electrical energy storage means (L), switching means (S1, S2) and control means (6). The control means (6) are arranged for selectively operating the switching means (S1, S2) for transferring an amount of electrical energy from the energy storage means (L) to an output of the DC/DC converter (1), for providing a desired output voltage (Vout), in accordance with a two-state switching cycle comprising a minimum and a maximum duty cycle (Dmin, Dmax).

Abstract: A ferro-electric capacitor comprising a first electrode comprising at least a layer of a conductive oxide having at least two sub-layers of individual grains, wherein individual grains of a top sub-layer of the two sub-layers are oriented randomly. The capacitor further comprises a second electrode that is isolated from said first electrode. The capacitor further comprises a ferro-electric PZT layer that is sandwiched between said first electrode and said second electrode. A method of making the ferro-electric capacitor is also provided.

Abstract: A DC/DC converter (1; 20), comprising inductive electrical energy storage means (L), switching means (S1-S4) and means (6; 15) wherein said control means (6; 15) are arranged for selectively operating said switching means (S1-S4) for transferring an amount of electrical energy from said energy storage means (L) to an output of said DC/DC converter (1; 20), for providing a desired output voltage (Vout), characterized by digital control means (6; 15) which are configured for operatively controlling said switching means (S1-S4) for transferring electrical energy in accordance with a switching sequence comprising a ramp-up switching cycle and a ramp-down cycle for substantially charging and decharging of the energy storage means (L).

Abstract: A ferro-electric capacitor comprising a first electrode comprising at least a layer of a conductive oxide having at least two sub-layers of individual grains, wherein individual grains of a top sub-layer of the two sub-layers are oriented randomly. The capacitor further comprises a second electrode that is isolated from said first electrode. The capacitor further comprises a ferro-electric PZT layer that is sandwiched between said first electrode and said second electrode. A method of making the ferro-electric capacitor is also provided.

Abstract: The present invention is related to the realization of a simplified bottom electrode stack for ferroelectric memory cells. More particularly, the invention is related to ferroelectric memory cells wherein the ferroelectric capacitor is positioned directly on top of a contact plug.

Abstract: The present invention is related to a method, wherein a PZT layer includes a first PZT sub-layer and a second PZT sub-layer, the Ti-concentration of the first PZT sub-layer being higher than the Ti-concentration of the second PZT sub-layer.

Abstract: A DC/DC converter (1), comprising inductive electrical energy storage means (L), switching means (S1, S2) and control means (6).

Abstract: A DC/DC converter (1; 20), comprising inductive electrical energy storage means (L), switching means (S1-S4) and means (6; 15) wherein said control means (6; 15) are arranged for selectively operating said switching means (S1-S4) for transferring an amount of electrical energy from said energy storage means (L) to an output of said DC/DC converter (1; 20), for providing a desired output voltage (Vout), characterized by digital control means (6; 15) which are configured for operatively controlling said switching means (S1-S4) for transferring electrical energy in accordance with a switching sequence comprising a ramp-up switching cycle and a ramp-down cycle for substantially charging and decharging of the energy storage means (L).

Abstract: An electrical circuit arrangement (19), comprising an output stage (4) having an output terminal (2) for delivering an output current, and at least one feedback circuit (15, 16) operatively connected to the output terminal (2). A current generator circuit (20), arranged for generating a current which is a fraction of the output current, connects by a resistive element (21) to the output terminal (2), thereby providing improved high frequency feedback stability.

Abstract: An electrical circuit arrangement (19), comprising an output stage (4) having an output terminal (2) for delivering an output current, and at least one feedback circuit (15, 16) operatively connected to the output terminal (2). A current generator circuit (20), arranged for generating a current which is a fraction of the output current, connects by a resistive element (21) to the output terminal (2), thereby providing improved high frequency feedback stability.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for the formation of ferro-electric films using a multi coating process based on a sol-gel technique. In particular a method is disclosed to fabricate high-quality thickness scaled PZT films of an alkoxide-type liquid chemical PZT precursor solution, preferably a Pb(ZrxTi1−x)O3 precursor solution, using a sol-gel technique. At least two coated layers are deposited, but the precise number of coated layers depends on the desired thickness of the ferro-electric film. According to the method of the invention, the electrical characteristics of the film as formed are not dependent on the number of coated layers. There are a number of properties, characteristic for the method of the present invention, and resulting in said excellent electrical characteristics. In fact said method can comprise a multi coating process wherein a reduced number of coated layers is used but where intermediate crystallization steps are performed.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for the formation of ferro-electric films using a multi coating process based on a sol-gel technique. In particular a method is disclosed to fabricate high-quality thickness scaled PZT films of an alkoxide-type liquid chemical PZT precursor solution, preferably a Pb(ZrxTi1−x)O3 precursor solution, using a sol-gel technique. At least two coated layers are deposited, but the precise number of coated layers depends on the desired thickness of the ferro-electric film. According to the method of the invention, the electrical characteristics of the film as formed are not dependent on the number of coated layers. There are a number of properties, characteristic for the method of the present invention, and resulting in said excellent electrical characteristics. In fact said method can comprise a multi coating process wherein a reduced number of coated layers is used but where intermediate crystallization steps are performed.