Switching element, method of manufacturing the switching element, and memory element array

1. A switching element comprising:

an insulative substrate;

a first electrode and a second electrode provided to the insulative substrate;

an interelectrode gap between the first electrode and the second electrode, comprising a gap of a nanometer order which causes switching phenomenon of resistance by applying a predetermined voltage between the first electrode and the second electrode; and

a sealing member to seal the interelectrode gap such that the gap is retained.

2. The switching element according to claim 1 ,

wherein the sealing member is made of insulative material.

3. The switching element according to claim 1 , wherein the second electrode is disposed above the first electrode.

4. The switching element according to claim 3 ,

wherein the first electrode is provided in contact with an upper surface of the insulative substrate,

the switching element further comprises an insulative body to cover the first electrode,

the insulative body includes a hole to expose a part of an upper surface of the first electrode,

the second electrode is provided in contact with an upper surface of the insulative body,

the interelectrode gap is provided inside the hole, and

the sealing member covers an upper surface of the second electrode and an opening of the hole.

5. A method of manufacturing the switching element according to claim 1 , comprising:

an interelectrode gap forming step to form the first electrode and the second electrode to the insulative substrate, so as to form the interelectrode gap; and

a sealing step, subsequent to the interelectrode gap forming step, to seal the interelectrode gap with the sealing member such that the gap of the interelectrode gap is retained.

6. A memory element array comprising a plurality of the switching elements according to claims 1 arranged in array as memory elements,

wherein the interelectrode gaps of the switching elements are sealed with the sealing member separately and independently to each other.

7. A switching element comprising:

an insulative substrate;

a first electrode provided in contact with an upper surface of the insulative substrate;

an insulative body provided to cover the first electrode, including a hole to expose a part of an upper surface of the first electrode;

a second electrode provided in contact with an upper surface of the insulative body, located above the first electrode;

an interelectrode gap between the first electrode and the second electrode in the hole, comprising a gap of a nanometer order which causes switching phenomenon of resistance by applying a predetermined voltage between the first electrode and the second electrode; and

a sealing member to cover the second electrode and a opening of the hole, so as to seal the interelectrode gap such that the gap is retained, the sealing member being made of insulative material.