IBM Unveils World's Smallest SRAM Memory Cell

IBM Microelectronics

IBM announced it has built a critical component for a high-speed computer memory that is about ten times smaller than those currently available.

IBM has demonstrated that the SRAM memory can be made significantly smaller and still operate properly, thereby allowing more to be included on each chip.

IBM researchers optimized the SRAM cell design and circuit layout to improve stability and developed several novel fabrication processes in order to make the new SRAM cell possible. The key element was IBM's utilization of mixed electron-beam and optical lithography to print the aggressive pattern dimensions and densities.