The influence of network rigidity on the electrical switching behaviour of Ge–Te–Si glasses suitable for phase change memory applications

Anbarasu, M and Asokan, S (2007) The influence of network rigidity on the electrical switching behaviour of Ge–Te–Si glasses suitable for phase change memory applications. In: Journal of Physics D: Applied Physics, 40 (23). pp. 7515-7518.

PDF The_influence_of_network_rigidity_on_the_electrical_switching_behaviour_of_Ge–Te–Si_glasses_suitable_for_phase_change_memory_applications.pdf Restricted to Registered users only Download (670kB) | Request a copy

Abstract

$Ge_{15}Te_{85-x}Si_x (2 \leq x \leq 12)$ glasses of a wide range of compositions have been found to exhibit electrical switching at threshold voltages in the range 100–600V, for a sample thickness of 0.3 mm. The samples become latched to the ON state (memory behaviour) at higher ON state currents (>1 mA).However, the switching is found to be reversible (threshold behaviour) if the ON state current is limited to lower values ( \leq 0.7 mA). While $Ge_{15}Te_{85-x}Si_x$ glasses with x \leq 5 exhibit a normal electrical switching, an unstable behaviour is seen in the I–V characteristics of $Ge_{15}Te_{85-x}Si_x$ glasses with x > 5 during the transition to the ON state. Further, a sparking in the electrode region and the splashing of the active material is observed in $Ge_{15}Te_{85-x}Si_x$ glasses with x > 5. It is also interesting to note that the switching voltage $(V_T)$ and initial resistance (R) of $Ge_{15}Te_{85-x}Si_x$ glasses increase with addition of Si, exhibiting a change in slope at a composition x = 5 ( \langle r \rangle = 2.4). The observed electrical switching behaviour of $Ge_{15}Te_{85-x}Si_x$ glasses has been understood on the basis that the composition x = 5 is the rigidity percolation threshold of the $Ge_{15}Te_{85-x}Si_x$ system. It is also proposed that the $Ge_{15}Te_{85-x}Si_x$ glasses with x < 5 are likely to be more suitable for phase change memory applications.

Item Type:	Journal Article
Publication:	Journal of Physics D: Applied Physics
Publisher:	Institute of Physics
Additional Information:	Copyright of this article belongs to Institute of Physics and IOP.
Department/Centre:	Division of Physical & Mathematical Sciences > Instrumentation Appiled Physics
Date Deposited:	13 Feb 2008
Last Modified:	19 Sep 2010 04:42
URI:	http://eprints.iisc.ac.in/id/eprint/13015

Actions (login required)

View Item