Resistance random access memory

In this review, we provide an overview of our work in resistive switching mechanisms on oxide-based resistance random access memory (RRAM) devices. Based on the investigation of physical and chemical mechanisms, we focus on its materials, device structures, and treatment methods so as to provide an in-depth perspective of state-of-the-art oxide-based RRAM. The critical voltage and constant reaction energy properties were found, which can be used to prospectively modulate voltage and operation time to control RRAM device working performance and forecast material composition. The quantized switching phenomena in RRAM devices were demonstrated at ultra-cryogenic temperature (4K), which is attributed to the atomic-level reaction in metallic filament. In the aspect of chemical mechanisms, we use the Coulomb Faraday theorem to investigate the chemical reaction equations of RRAM for the first time. We can clearly observe that the first-order reaction series is the basis for chemical reaction during reset process in the study. Furthermore, the activation energy of chemical reactions can be extracted by changing temperature during the reset process, from which the oxygen ion reaction process can be found in the RRAM device. As for its materials, silicon oxide is compatible to semiconductor fabrication lines. It is especially promising for the silicon oxide-doped metal technology to be introduced into the industry. Based on that, double-ended graphene oxide-doped silicon oxide based via-structure RRAM with filament self-aligning formation, and self-current limiting operation ability is demonstrated. The outstanding device characteristics are attributed to the oxidation and reduction of graphene oxide flakes formed during the sputter process. Besides, we have also adopted a new concept of supercritical CO2 fluid treatment to efficiently reduce the operation current of RRAM devices for portable electronic applications.

/pdf/physical-and-chemical-mechanisms-in-oxide-based-resistance-2mgulzvso3.pdf

Physical and chemical mechanisms in oxide-based resistance random access memory.

In this study of resistance random access memory in a resistive switching film, the breakdown degree was controlled by varying forming current compliance. A SiOx layer was introduced into the ZnO layer of the structure to induce both typical bipolar resistive switching (RS) and complementary resistive switching (CRS). In addition, the SiOx layer-generated vacuum spaces in typical bipolar RS can be verified by electrical characteristics. Changing forming current compliance strikingly modifies the oxygen storage capacity of the inserted SiOx layer. CRS can be achieved, therefore, by tuning the oxygen ion storage behavior made possible by the SiOx layer.

Complementary resistive switching behavior induced by varying forming current compliance in resistance random access memory

We have previously investigated the automatic current compliance property for indium tin oxide (ITO) resistance random access memory (RRAM). Traditionally, for the purpose of protecting RRAM, it is necessary to set equipment current compliance during the set and forming processes of RRAM devices. ITO RRAM devices, however, have an intrinsic capability to limit their current. This letter examines this ITO RRAM current compliance in depth by applying a varied stop-voltage measurement method, where different negative stop voltages were adopted to manipulate oxygen ions. Combined with material analysis and conduction current fitting, a model was established.

Effects of Varied Negative Stop Voltages on Current Self-Compliance in Indium Tin Oxide Resistance Random Access Memory

We investigated the bipolar resistive switching characteristics of the resistive random access memory (RRAM) device with amorphous carbon layer. Applying a forming voltage, the amorphous carbon layer was carbonized to form a conjugation double bond conductive filament. We proposed a hydrogen redox model to clarify the resistive switch mechanism of high/low resistance states (HRS/LRS) in carbon RRAM. The electrical conduction mechanism of LRS is attributed to conductive sp2 carbon filament with conjugation double bonds by dehydrogenation, while the electrical conduction of HRS resulted from the formation of insulating sp3-type carbon filament through hydrogenation process.

/pdf/hydrogen-induced-redox-mechanism-in-amorphous-carbon-2yzvr7yffu.pdf

Hydrogen induced redox mechanism in amorphous carbon resistive random access memory.

We demonstrated that the supercritical CO2 fluid treatment was a new concept to efficiently reduce the operation current of resistance random access memory. The dangling bonds of tin-doped silicon oxide (Sn:SiOx) thin film were passivated by the hydration–dehydration reaction through supercritical CO2 fluid treatment, which was verified by the XPS and FTIR analyses. The current conduction mechanism of low resistance state in post-treated Sn:SiOx thin film was transferred to hopping conduction from Ohmic conduction. Furthermore, the current conduction mechanism of high resistance state in the memory device was transferred to Schottky emission from Frenkel–Poole conduction. The phenomena were attributed to the discontinuous metal filament formed by hydration–dehydration reaction in Sn:SiOx thin film through supercritical fluid treatment. Finally, a reaction model was proposed to explain the mechanism of current reduction in Sn:SiOx thin film with supercritical CO2 fluid treatment.

https://ir.nctu.edu.tw:443/bitstream/11536/23869/1/000330747200025.pdf

Kuo Hsiao Liao

Papers

Improvement mechanism of resistance random access memory with supercritical CO2 fluid treatment