Categorization of resistive switching of metal-Pr0.7Ca0.3MnO3-metal devices.

Authors :: Liao, Z. L.
Wang, Z. Z.
Meng, Y.
Liu, Z. Y.
Gao, P.
Gang, J. L.
Zhao, H. W.
Liang, X. J.
Bai, X. D.
Chen, D. M.
Source :: Applied Physics Letters; 6/22/2009, Vol. 94 Issue 25, p253503, 3p, 1 Diagram, 3 Graphs
Publication Year :: 2009
Abstract: Resistive switching (RS) characteristics of a Pr<subscript>0.7</subscript>Ca<subscript>0.3</subscript>MnO<subscript>3</subscript> (PCMO) film sandwiched between a Pt bottom electrode and top electrodes (TE) made of various metals are found to belong to two categories. Devices with TE made of Al, Ti, and Ta exhibit a large I-V hysteresis loop and bipolar RS, but those with TE made of Pt, Ag, Au, and Cu do not. Transmission electron microscopy reveals that a thin metal-oxide layer formed at the interface between the former group of TE and PCMO, but not for the latter group of TE. Analysis shows that the categorization depends on the Gibbs free energy of oxidation of the TEs with respect to that of PCMO. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]