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Title: H-treatment impact on conductive-filament formation and stability in Ta{sub 2}O{sub 5}-based resistive-switching memory cells

Journal Article · · Journal of Applied Physics
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.4915946· OSTI ID:22399347
;  [1]; ; ;  [2]
  1. Imec, Kapeldreef 75, B-3001 Leuven (Belgium)
  2. Department of Electrical Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305 (United States)

In this article, we evidence the lower formation energy and improved stability of the conductive filament (CF) formed in TiN\Ta{sub 2}O{sub 5}\Ta resistive-switching memory cells treated in NH{sub 3} atmosphere at 400 °C. This annealing treatment results in (i) lower forming voltage, (ii) lower CF resistance, and (iii) longer retention lifetime of the oxygen-vacancy (V{sub o}) chain constituting the CF. Atomistic insights into these processes are provided by ab initio calculations performed for hydrogen (H) species incorporated in non-stoichiometric Ta{sub 2}O{sub 5} supercells: (i) V{sub o} formation energy is reduced by the presence of H, (ii) V{sub o}-chain CF conductivity is increased by V{sub o} + OH complex formation, and (iii) V{sub o}-chain retention is strengthened by the stable V{sub o} + OH complex. As a result, efficient CF formation and excellent state stability are obtained after 15 days at 250 °C.

OSTI ID:
22399347
Journal Information:
Journal of Applied Physics, Vol. 117, Issue 12; Other Information: (c) 2015 AIP Publishing LLC; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 0021-8979
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English