We live in a world that
is both dependent on materials and limited by materials
everything we see and use is made of materials derived
from the earth-large buildings, supersonic as artificial
coffees cups. Advanced computers, sports equipment ab
biomedical devices such as artificial limbs, joints
and implants. Ever since the beginning of human cilization
mankind has been constantly in search of materials,
which betters suits a particular application.
A principal research challenge has been developing
specific materials that can be used to produce faster
memory devices, which can store more data in less space
and consume less power. Ferroelectric materials in nano
crystalline form as nanodiscs or nanorods are emerging
as a potential contender for useful memory materials.
There is a possibility of using single nanoparticles
to store one data bit. Thus the ferroelectric random
access memories (FeRAM) or (FRAM). The FeRAM or FARM
can overcome the limitations of their receptivity characteristic.
They can retain data until its crystal structure is
changed. Their physical structure can be changed via
short, low voltage heat bursts at the transition temperature.
Hence these can be useful materials as programmable
RAM.
Ferroelectric materials namely Strontium Bismuth Titanate
(SBT) and lead Zirconate titanate (PZT) in bulk form
are in use in memories as the memory storage elements.
The FeRAM or FRAM possess the extra advantage of not
being affected by the radiation in space because of
their very high dielectric permittivity. By combining
ferroelectric memories for space applications can be
attained. These memories have high endurance, fast write
times and low power performance.
While significant efforts are underway at major semiconductor
manufactures worldwide to develop ferroelectric memory
technology at nano level, we at the Physics Department
here are doing our bit. The funding and infrastructure
limitations to develop a good research laboratory in
Bihar though dampening our spirits.
Contributor: Dr. Dolly Sinha, is HOD Physics and
Computers, Magadh Mahila College Patna. Paper Presented
in the Technical session at Sci Tech Fest (A Symposium
on Cotemporary Electronics and computer Technology)
Dec 24-25, Patna.
