Abstract: One example includes a method for making a switch. The method includes forming an insulating layer over a substrate. The method also includes forming a resistive heating material over the insulating layer. The method also includes depositing a thermally conductive electrically insulating barrier layer over the heating material. The method also includes forming a phase-change material (PCM) component over the barrier layer spaced apart and proximal to the resistive heating material. The method also includes forming a quench layer proximal to at least one of the resistive heating material and the PCM component. The method further includes forming conductive lines from ends of the PCM component and control lines from ends of the resistive heating material.

Abstract: One embodiment of the invention includes a phase-change material switch. The switch includes a first terminal that receives an input signal and a second terminal. The switch includes an actuation portion that receives a control signal in one of a first state to emit a first heat profile and a second state to emit a second heat profile. The switch further includes a switch portion comprising a phase-change material arranged as a plurality of longitudinal strips that each interconnect the first terminal and the second terminal and that are each in proximity with the actuation portion. The phase-change material can be selectable between a conducting state in response to the first heat profile to conduct an input signal from the first terminal to the second terminal and a blocking state in response to the second heat profile to block the input signal from the first terminal to the second terminal.

Abstract: One embodiment of the invention includes a reconfigurable circuit comprising a phase-change material switch. The phase-change material switch includes an actuation portion configured to receive a control signal having one of a first state and a second state and to emit a first heat profile in response to the first state of the control signal and a second heat profile in response to the second state of the control signal. The phase-change material switch also includes a switch portion comprising a phase-change material in proximity with the actuation portion. The switch portion can be selectable between a conducting state in response to the first heat profile to conduct an input signal from an input to an output of the phase-change material switch and a blocking state in response to the second heat profile to substantially block the input signal from the input to the output.

Abstract: One example includes a method for making a switch. The method includes forming an insulating layer over a substrate. The method also includes forming a resistive heating material over the insulating layer. The method also includes depositing a thermally conductive electrically insulating barrier layer over the heating material. The method also includes forming a phase-change material (PCM) component over the barrier layer spaced apart and proximal to the resistive heating material. The method also includes forming a quench layer proximal to at least one of the resistive heating material and the PCM component. The method further includes forming conductive lines from ends of the PCM component and control lines from ends of the resistive heating material.

Abstract: One embodiment of the invention includes a phase-change material switch. The switch includes a first terminal that receives an input signal and a second terminal. The switch includes an actuation portion that receives a control signal in one of a first state to emit a first heat profile and a second state to emit a second heat profile. The switch further includes a switch portion comprising a phase-change material arranged as a plurality of longitudinal strips that each interconnect the first terminal and the second terminal and that are each in proximity with the actuation portion. The phase-change material can be selectable between a conducting state in response to the first heat profile to conduct an input signal from the first terminal to the second terminal and a blocking state in response to the second heat profile to block the input signal from the first terminal to the second terminal.

Abstract: A phase change material (PCM) switch is disclosed that includes a resistive heater element, and a PCM element proximate the resistive heater element. A thermally conductive electrical insulating barrier layer positioned between the PCM heating element and the resistive heating element, and conductive lines extend from ends of the PCM element and control lines extend from ends of the resistive heater element.

Abstract: One embodiment of the invention includes a reconfigurable circuit comprising a phase-change material switch. The phase-change material switch includes an actuation portion configured to receive a control signal having one of a first state and a second state and to emit a first heat profile in response to the first state of the control signal and a second heat profile in response to the second state of the control signal. The phase-change material switch also includes a switch portion comprising a phase-change material in proximity with the actuation portion. The switch portion can be selectable between a conducting state in response to the first heat profile to conduct an input signal from an input to an output of the phase-change material switch and a blocking state in response to the second heat profile to substantially block the input signal from the input to the output.

Abstract: A phase change material (PCM) switch is disclosed that includes a resistive heater element, and a PCM element proximate the resistive heater element.