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Direct atomic insight into the role of dopants in phase-change materials

Author

Listed:
  • Min Zhu

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Wenxiong Song

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Philipp M. Konze

    (RWTH Aachen University)

  • Tao Li

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Baptiste Gault

    (Max-Planck-Institut für Eisenforschung GmbH
    Imperial College London)

  • Xin Chen

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Jiabin Shen

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Shilong Lv

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Zhitang Song

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Matthias Wuttig

    (RWTH Aachen University
    Forschungszentrum Jülich)

  • Richard Dronskowski

    (RWTH Aachen University
    RWTH Aachen University
    Shenzhen Polytechnic)

Abstract

Doping is indispensable to tailor phase-change materials (PCM) in optical and electronic data storage. Very few experimental studies, however, have provided quantitative information on the distribution of dopants on the atomic-scale. Here, we present atom-resolved images of Ag and In dopants in Sb2Te-based (AIST) PCM using electron microscopy and atom-probe tomography. Combing these with DFT calculations and chemical-bonding analysis, we unambiguously determine the dopants’ role upon recrystallization. Composition profiles corroborate the substitution of Sb by In and Ag, and the segregation of excessive Ag into grain boundaries. While In is bonded covalently to neighboring Te, Ag binds ionically. Moreover, In doping accelerates the crystallization and hence operation while Ag doping limits the random diffusion of In atoms and enhances the thermal stability of the amorphous phase.

Suggested Citation

  • Min Zhu & Wenxiong Song & Philipp M. Konze & Tao Li & Baptiste Gault & Xin Chen & Jiabin Shen & Shilong Lv & Zhitang Song & Matthias Wuttig & Richard Dronskowski, 2019. "Direct atomic insight into the role of dopants in phase-change materials," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 10(1), pages 1-10, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:10:y:2019:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-019-11506-0
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-11506-0
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