Bipolar resistive switching in memristors based on Ge/Si(001) epitaxial layers

The Ag/Ge/Si(001) stacks with threading dislocations in Ge layer demonstrating the I-V curves typical for the bipolar resistive switching were investigated. Cross-sectional transmission electron microscopy and electron beam induced current measurement confirmed the resistive switching mechanism to be the formation of conductive filaments consisting of the Ag atoms across the entire Ge layer via the electric-field driven transport of Ag+ ions along the threading dislocations.