Spin transfer torque magnetic random access memory (STT-MRAM) is a competitive, future memory technology that has gained immense interest in recent years due to its small cell size, voltage and process compatibility with CMOS and nano-second read/write speeds. It exhibits high density (3-4x of SRAM), non-volatility and process scalability and hence is widely being considered as a viable alternative for SRAM in last-level caches. As the design and fabrication process matures for the STT-MRAM, there is a need to study the various fault models that can affect this novel memory technology. This work presents a comprehensive analysis of fault models in STT-MRAM under both parametric variations as well as resistive defects (opens and shorts). Sensitivity of read, write and retention to process parameter variations such as lithographic and material variations are studied. In addition, defects (both intra-cell and inter-cell) and the corresponding fault models have been studied and data patterns which excite these faults are explored.

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acase@tulane.edu / Geomorphic features such as fluvial channels and shorelines can act as tape recorders of accumulated tectonic deformation. Because these features can survive in a landscape for up to105 years, the deformation represents tectonic activity over timescales longer than earthquake cycles but shorter than geological timescales. Deformed landscape features can be used to understand the impact of changing tectonic rates on landscape evolution (given information on the tectonic processes involved). Conversely, we can take advantage of how a landscape is expected to evolve and utilize those deviations to explore details of tectonic processes that do not manifest over short timescales (i.e. single earthquakes). Fault slip rate is expected to increase within the overlapping region of two en echelon normal faults, but how increasing slip rate affects the landscape is poorly understood (as discussed in Chapter 1). Additionally, details of this tectonic process that occur over geomorphic timescales are not clearly understood. Chapter 2 of this dissertation explores the impact of fault slip rate increase on fluvial channels during normal fault interaction and linkage. Results of this work show that the landscape responds by increasing channel slope and decreasing channel width before fault segments link. Channel width only shows sustained decreases when a threshold channel slope of about 0.05 is exceeded. In Chapter 3 vertically deformed lacustrine shorelines are mapped along linked faults through the former overlap zones. These results show that despite the presence of linking structures between faults, portions of the former overlapping tips remain active post-linkage for 104 years. Chapter 4 investigates the effect of fault length, spacing, and overlap on the area of relay ramps that drains parallel to fault strike. Twenty-seven sites are examined and results show that for fault lengths below 15 km most of the relay ramp area drains parallel to fault strike, whereas fault lengths >15 km no particular drainage geometry is favored. Data on the overlap/spacing ratio are biased to <2 for faults above ~15 km length. This bias is an inherent characteristic because faults that define low overlap/spacing ratio relays do not link rapidly and are, therefore, preserved within the landscape along large mature fault systems. The results of this dissertation show that, while faults are mechanically interacting, relay ramps are dynamic features that have significant impacts on landscape evolution. Following complete linkage between segments, the relays do not behave as passive structures and can actively deform over significant (>104 years) timescales. Finally, the structural geometry of relay ramps impacts long-term morphodynamics and channel network topology, which directly influences basin sedimentary architecture in extensional basins. / 1 / Michael C. Hopkins

Thesis (M. Phil.)--University of Hong Kong, 2006. / Title proper from title frame. Also available in printed format.

Twelve earthquakes off the Oregon and Northern California coasts were used in this research to study whether faulting associated with these quakes was of the San Andreas type as observed in California. The first motions of the incident P and S waves recorded at various seismic stations in the Pacific Northwest were used to obtain a fault plane solution for these earthquakes. Nine earthquakes exhibited faulting which could be consistent with San Andreas type of motion, where one of these motions was based on first P and S data, six others were consistent with either northwesterly right-lateral or northeasterly left-lateral motions, and two were recorded at so few stations that faulting could not be defined through a fault plane solution. One earthquake was located in the region of the Gorda Escarpment west of Cape Mendocino, California, and displacements appear to be associated with that zone, one earthquake had Garlock-type displacements as defined through P and S motions, and one earthquake was not associated with any of the above types of faults. / Graduation date: 1964

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