Samsung speeds up development of a new breed of memory that combines RAM and SSD properties
The core concept behind SOM is using unique chalcogenide materials that perform double duty as both the memory cell and the selector device.
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Forward-looking: Samsung is working to accelerate the development of a promising new memory technology called Selector-Only Memory. The latest tech combines the non-volatility of flash storage and DRAM's lightning-fast read/write speeds, making it a potential game-changer. Furthermore, manufacturers can stack the chips for higher densities.
The core concept behind SOM is using unique chalcogenide materials that perform double duty as both the memory cell and the selector device. In traditional phase-change or resistive RAM, you need a separate component, like a transistor, to act as the selector to activate each cell. Conversely, the chalcogenide material in SOM switches between conductive and resistive states to store data.
Of course, not just any chalcogenide composition will do the trick. The materials must have optimal properties for memory performance and selector functionality. To find the right candidate, Samsung used advanced computer modeling to predict the potential of various material combinations. The company estimates that over 4,000 potential chalcogenide mixtures could work for SOM. Unfortunately, sorting through all those possibilities with physical experiments would be a nightmare in terms of cost and time.
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