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Aging mechanisms in amorphous phase-change materials

Author

Listed:
  • Jean Yves Raty

    (Physics of Solids Interfaces and Nanostructures, B5, Université de Liège)

  • Wei Zhang

    (I. Institute of Physics (IA), RWTH Aachen University
    Institute for Theoretical Solid State Physics, RWTH Aachen University)

  • Jennifer Luckas

    (I. Institute of Physics (IA), RWTH Aachen University
    Faculté des Sciences, de la Technologie et de la Communication, University of Luxembourg)

  • Chao Chen

    (I. Institute of Physics (IA), RWTH Aachen University)

  • Riccardo Mazzarello

    (Institute for Theoretical Solid State Physics, RWTH Aachen University
    JARA FIT and JARA HPC, RWTH Aachen University)

  • Christophe Bichara

    (Centre Interdisciplinaire de Nanoscience de Marseille (CINaM), Aix-Marseille University and CNRS)

  • Matthias Wuttig

    (I. Institute of Physics (IA), RWTH Aachen University
    JARA FIT and JARA HPC, RWTH Aachen University)

Abstract

Aging is a ubiquitous phenomenon in glasses. In the case of phase-change materials, it leads to a drift in the electrical resistance, which hinders the development of ultrahigh density storage devices. Here we elucidate the aging process in amorphous GeTe, a prototypical phase-change material, by advanced numerical simulations, photothermal deflection spectroscopy and impedance spectroscopy experiments. We show that aging is accompanied by a progressive change of the local chemical order towards the crystalline one. Yet, the glass evolves towards a covalent amorphous network with increasing Peierls distortion, whose structural and electronic properties drift away from those of the resonantly bonded crystal. This behaviour sets phase-change materials apart from conventional glass-forming systems, which display the same local structure and bonding in both phases.

Suggested Citation

  • Jean Yves Raty & Wei Zhang & Jennifer Luckas & Chao Chen & Riccardo Mazzarello & Christophe Bichara & Matthias Wuttig, 2015. "Aging mechanisms in amorphous phase-change materials," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 6(1), pages 1-8, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:6:y:2015:i:1:d:10.1038_ncomms8467
    DOI: 10.1038/ncomms8467
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    Cited by:

    1. Tomoki Fujita & Yuhan Chen & Yoshio Kono & Seiya Takahashi & Hidetaka Kasai & Davide Campi & Marco Bernasconi & Koji Ohara & Hirokatsu Yumoto & Takahisa Koyama & Hiroshi Yamazaki & Yasunori Senba & Ha, 2023. "Pressure-induced reversal of Peierls-like distortions elicits the polyamorphic transition in GeTe and GeSe," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-10, December.
    2. Simon Wintersteller & Olesya Yarema & Dhananjeya Kumaar & Florian M. Schenk & Olga V. Safonova & Paula M. Abdala & Vanessa Wood & Maksym Yarema, 2024. "Unravelling the amorphous structure and crystallization mechanism of GeTe phase change memory materials," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-12, December.

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