# semiconductor memory

> data storage device

**Wikidata**: [Q1143031](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1143031)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Semiconductor_memory)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/semiconductor-memory

Here’s the structured knowledge entry for **semiconductor memory**:

---

## Summary  
Semiconductor memory is a data storage device that uses semiconductor-based integrated circuits to store information. It includes volatile memory types like DRAM and SRAM, which require power to retain data, as well as non-volatile options. These memory chips are foundational to modern computing and electronics.

## Key Facts  
- **Type**: Recording medium and a type of computer memory/storage.  
- **Material**: Made using semiconductors.  
- **Subclasses**: Includes volatile memory (e.g., DRAM, SRAM) and specialized types like PLEDM (invented in 1999).  
- **Part of**: Memory cells and integrated circuits.  
- **Aliases**: Known as *mémoire à semi-conducteurs*, *Speicherchip*, *半導体メモリー*, and others.  
- **GND ID**: 4120419-0 (German National Library identifier).  
- **Freebase ID**: `/m/04s2zw`.  
- **Sitelink Count**: 19 (Wikidata).  

## FAQs  
### Q: What is the difference between DRAM and SRAM?  
A: DRAM stores data in capacitors within an integrated circuit and requires periodic refreshing, while SRAM uses flip-flops for storage and does not need refreshing, making it faster but more expensive.  

### Q: Is semiconductor memory volatile?  
A: Some types, like DRAM and SRAM, are volatile (require power to retain data), while others, like flash memory, are non-volatile.  

### Q: What are common uses of semiconductor memory?  
A: It is widely used in computers, smartphones, and other electronics for temporary (RAM) and permanent (flash) data storage.  

## Why It Matters  
Semiconductor memory revolutionized computing by enabling fast, compact, and scalable data storage. Its development allowed for advancements in personal computing, mobile devices, and high-performance systems. Volatile memory types like DRAM and SRAM are critical for real-time processing, while non-volatile variants (e.g., flash memory) retain data without power, making them ideal for storage media. Semiconductor memory's efficiency and miniaturization have driven the growth of modern technology, from consumer gadgets to enterprise servers.  

## Notable For  
- **Ubiquity**: Found in nearly all electronic devices, from PCs to embedded systems.  
- **Speed**: SRAM is among the fastest memory types due to its flip-flop design.  
- **Specialized Types**: Includes niche variants like PLEDM (introduced in 1999) and ESDRAM.  

## Body  
### Types of Semiconductor Memory  
- **Volatile Memory**: Requires constant power to retain data.  
  - **DRAM**: Stores bits in capacitors; widely used in PCs.  
  - **SRAM**: Uses flip-flops; faster but costlier than DRAM.  
- **Non-Volatile Memory**: Retains data without power (e.g., flash memory).  

### Technical Properties  
- **Material**: Semiconductor-based (e.g., silicon).  
- **Part of**: Integrated circuits and memory cells.  

### Historical Context  
- **PLEDM**: A specialized memory chip introduced in 1999.  

## Schema Markup  
```json
{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "Thing",
  "name": "Semiconductor memory",
  "description": "A data storage device using semiconductor-based integrated circuits.",
  "sameAs": [
    "https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q2510037",
    "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Semiconductor_memory"
  ],
  "additionalType": "Recording medium"
}

## References

1. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
2. Quora
3. National Library of Israel Names and Subjects Authority File
4. [OpenAlex](https://docs.openalex.org/download-snapshot/snapshot-data-format)