NO20062634L - Data storage device - Google Patents

Abstract

In a non-volatile electrical data storage device, a memory unit (10) and a read / write unit (11) are arranged as physically separate units. The memory unit (10) is based on a memory material (4) which can be set to at least two distinct physical states by applying an electric field across the memory material. The read / write unit (10) comprises contact devices (9) arranged in a particular geometric pattern which allows a definition of memory cells in the memory unit (10) in an initial write operation, the memory cells being placed in a geometric pattern corresponding to that of the contact devices (9). . Establishing a physical contact between the memory unit (10) and the read / write unit (11) terminates an electrical circuit and an addressed memory cell so that read / write or delete operations can be effected. The memory material (4) of the memory unit (10) may be a ferroelectric or electret material which can be polarized to two switchable polarization states, or it may be a material having a resistive impedance characteristic such that a memory cell of the material can be set to a specific stable resistance value by applying an electric field.