Abstract: 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.

Abstract: An electronic device (100), the electronic device (100) comprises a substrate (101), a first electrode (102) formed at least partially on the substrate (101), a second electrode (103) formed at least partially on the substrate (101), a convertible structure (104) connected between the first electrode (102) and the second electrode (103), and a spacer element (105) connected between the first electrode (102) and the second electrode (103) and adapted for spacing the convertible structure (104) with regard to a surface of the substrate (101).

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: An electronic device (100) comprises a substrate (101), a first electrode (102) formed at least partially on the substrate (101), a second electrode (103) formed at least partially on the substrate (101), a convertible structure (104) connected between the first electrode (102) and the second electrode (103), and a spacer element (105) connected between the first electrode (102) and the second electrode (103) and adapted for spacing the convertible structure (104) with regard to a surface of the substrate (101)

Abstract: In accordance with various embodiments of the invention, a rental method and apparatus is described that provides the ability to effect a rental transaction and provide a user with access to the selected rental item. In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, a user accesses descriptions of available rental items via a DPS. The user then selects a desired rental item and effects a rental transaction agreement via the DPS. Upon completion of the rental transaction agreement, the user is automatically provided access to the selected rental item. In accordance with one embodiment of the invention the selected rental item is proximate to the DPS (e.g., within a same commercial location) and the selected rental item is provided to the user promptly (e.g., within several minutes).

Abstract: The manufacture of a vertical power transistor trench-gate semiconductor device in which the source regions (13) are self-aligned to the trench-gate structures (20,17,11) including the steps of forming a mask (61) on a surface (10a) of a semiconductor body (10), using the mask (61) to form the trench-gate structures (20,17,11), then using the mask (61) to form U-shaped section layers (62A, 62B) of insulating material whose base portion (62B) provides a gate insulating layer on the gate material (11), then removing the mask (61) and forming spacers (64) against well-defined steps provided by the upright portions (62A) of the U-shaped section layers, then using the spacers (64) to form the source regions (13).

Abstract: The manufacture of a vertical power transistor trench-gate semiconductor device in which the source regions (13) are self-aligned to the trench-gate structures (20,17,11) including the steps of forming a mask (61) on a surface (10a) of a semiconductor body (10), using the mask (61) to form the trench-gate structures (20,17,11), then using the mask (61) to form U-shaped section layers (62A, 62B) of insulating material whose base portion (62B) provides a gate insulating layer on the gate material (11), then removing the mask (61) and forming spacers (64) against well-defined steps provided by the upright portions (62A) of the U-shaped section layers, then using the spacers (64) to form the source regions (13).