Graphene Memory Device

ABSTRACT: The Department of Defense requires a reliable non-volatile radiation hardened memory for Space and Airborne platform applications. MGRAM, a form of graphene and magnetic memory, promises to satisfy these requirements and to provide a solution path to achieving low cost, high reliability solid state drives for personal computers and systems. MGRAM is based upon a nano scaled bar magnet which is oriented normal to the plane and state bit is defined by the orientation of the magnetic charge. The charge state can be set to a 0-1-2 by directly addressing the bit. Memory state sense is performed by a non-destructive means of sensing the field using a graphene Hall device located at one end of the magnetic bit. Magnetic storage has been proven in space applications, and offers distinct advantages in temperature, longevity, and density. Being a true non-volatile memory MGRAM does not require a refresh or maintenance cycle. MGRAM is able to hold state value during read cycles, increasing overall speed and reducing power. This effort will result in a design for manufacturing process of the memory cell elements, fabrication of test cells, and electrical characterization of completed modules which promise to scale beyond the 16nm technology node. BENEFIT: Initial applications of this technology will be in satellites and space vehicles. Following space applications will be critical systems in commercial aircraft and other life safety systems. Entrance into the personal computing space is targeted as a true solid state drive solution, providing the integrity required for long term data storage with the speed and performance of random access memory.