• Journal of the Microelectronics and Packaging Society
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.77-81
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• 2020

Resistive RAM (ReRAM) is a strong candidate for the next-generation nonvolatile memories which use the resistive switching characteristic of transition metal oxides. The resistive switching behaviors originate from the redistribution of oxygen vacancies inside of the oxide film by applied programming voltage. Therefore, controlling the oxygen vacancy inside transition metal oxide film is most important to obtain and control the resistive switching characteristic. In this study, we introduced an applying electric field into photochemical metal-organic deposition (PMOD) process to control the oxidation state of metal oxide thin film during the photochemical reaction by UV exposure. As a result, the surface oxidation state of FeOx film could be successfully controlled by the electric field-assisted PMOD (EFAPMOD), and the controlled oxidation states were confirmed by x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) I-V characteristic. And the resistive switching characteristics with the oxidation-state of the surface region could be controlled effectively by adjusting an electric field during EFAPMOD process.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Electrical and Electronic Material Engineers
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• v.27 no.8
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• pp.491-496
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• 2014

The resistive switching characteristics of resistive random access memory (ReRAM) based on amorphous $Ge_{0.5}Se_{0.5}$ thin films have been demonstrated by using Ti/Ag nanocrystals/$Ge_{0.5}Se_{0.5}$/Pt structure. Ag nanocrystals (Ag NCs) were spread on the amorphous $Ge_{0.5}Se_{0.5}$ thin film and they played the role of metal ions source. As a result, comparing the conventional Ag/$Ge_{0.5}Se_{0.5}$/Pt structure, this Ti/Ag NCs/$Ge_{0.5}Se_{0.5}$/Pt ReRAM device exhibits the highly uniform bipolar resistive switching (BRS) characteristics, such as the operating voltages, and the resistance values. At the same time, a stable DC endurance(> 100 cycles), and the excellent data retention (> $10^4$ sec) properties were found from the Ti/Ag NCs/$Ge_{0.5}Se_{0.5}$/Pt structured ReRAM device.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Electrical and Electronic Material Engineers
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• v.29 no.7
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• pp.400-403
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• 2016

The resistive memory switching characteristics of resistive random access memory (ReRAM) using the amorphous GeSe thin film have been demonstrated at Al/Ti/GeSe/$n^+$ poly Si structure. This ReRAM indicated bipolar resistive memory switching characteristics. The generation and the recombination of chalcogen cations and anions were suitable to explain the bipolar switching operation. Space charge limited current (SCLC) model and Poole-Frenkel emission is applied to explain the formation of conductive filament in the amorphous GeSe thin film. The results showed characteristics of stable switching and excellent reliability. Through the annealing condition of $400^{\circ}C$, the possibility of low temperature process was established. Very low operation current level (set current: ~ ${\mu}A$, reset current: ~ nA) was showed the possibility of low power consumption. Particularly, $n^+$ poly Si based GeSe ReRAM could be applied directly to thin film transistor (TFT).

• Proceedings of the Korean Vacuum Society Conference
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• 2014.02a
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• pp.368.1-368.1
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• 2014

We proposed amorphous GeSe-based ReRAM device of metal-insulator-metal (M-I-M) structure. The operation characteristics of memory device occured unipolar switching characteristics. By introducing the concepts of valance-alternation-pairs (VAPs) and chalcogen vacancies, the unipolar resistive switching operation had been explained. In addition, the current transport behavior were analyzed with space charge effect of VAPs, Schottky emission in metal/GeSe interface and P-F emission by GeSe bulk trap in mind. The GeSe ReRAM device of M-I-M structure indicated the stable memory switching characteristics. Furthermore, excellent stability, endurance and retention characteristics were also verified.

• Proceedings of the Korean Vacuum Society Conference
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• 2014.02a
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• pp.326-326
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• 2014

It has been known since the mid 1960s that Ag can be photodissolved in chalcogenide glasses to form materials with interesting technological properties. In the 40 years since, this effect has been used in diverse applications such as the fabrication of relief images in optical elements, micro photolithographic schemes, and for direct imaging by photoinduced Ag surface deposition. ReRAM, also known as conductive bridging RAM (CBRAM), is a resistive switching memory based on non-volatile formation and dissolution of a conductive filament in a solid electrolyte. Especially, Ag-doped chalcogenide glasses and thin films have become attractive materials for fundamental research of their structure, properties, and preparation. Ag-doped chalcogenide glasses have been used in the formation of solid electrolyte which is the active medium in ReRAM devices. In this paper, we investigated the nature of thin films formed by the photo-dissolution of Ag into Ge-Se glasses for use in ReRAM devices. These devices rely on ion transport in the film so produced to create electrically programmable resistance states [1-3]. We have demonstrated functionalities of Ag doped chalcogenide glasses based on their capabilities as solid electrolytes. Formation of such amorphous systems by the introduction of Ag+ ions photo-induced diffusion in thin chalcogenide films is considered. The influence of Ag+ ions is regarded in terms of diffusion kinetics and Ag saturation is related to the composition of the hosting material. Saturated Ag+ ions have been used in the formation of conductive filaments at the solid electrolyte which is the active medium in ReRAM devices. Following fabrication, the cell displays a metal-insulator-metal structure. We measured the I-V characteristics of a cell, similar results were obtained with different via sizes, due to the filamentary nature of resistance switching in ReRAM cell. As the voltage is swept from 0 V to a positive top electrode voltage, the device switches from a high resistive to a low resistive, or set. The low conducting, or reset, state can be restored by means of a negative voltage sweep where the switch-off of the device usually occurs.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Electrical and Electronic Material Engineers
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.81-84
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• 2014

The bipolar resistive switching characteristics of resistive random access memory (ReRAM) based on $HfO_2$ thin films have been demonstrated by using Ag/$HfO_2$/Pt structured ReRAM device. MIcrowave irradiation (MWI) treatment at low temperature was employed in device fabrication with $HfO_2$ thin films as a transition layer. Compared to the as-deposited Ag/$HfO_2$/Pt device, highly improved uniformity characteristics of resistance values and operating voltages were obtained from the MWI treatment Ag/$HfO_2$/Pt ReRAM device. In addition, a stable DC endurance (> 100 cycles) and a high data retention (> $10^4$ sec) were achieved.

• Proceedings of the Korean Vacuum Society Conference
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• 2013.08a
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• pp.237.2-237.2
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• 2013

ReRAM cell, also known as conductive bridging RAM (CBRAM), is a resistive switching memory based on non-volatile formation and dissolution of conductive filament in a solid electrolyte [1,2]. Especially, Chalcogenide-based ReRAM have become a promising candidate due to the simple structure, high density and low power operation than other types of ReRAM but the uniformity of switching parameter is undesirable. It is because diffusion of ions from anode to cathode in solid electrolyte layer is random [3]. That is to say, the formation of conductive filament is not go through the same paths in each switching cycle which is one of the major obstacles for performance improvement of ReRAM devices. Therefore, to control of nonuniform conductive filament formation is a key point to achieve a high performance ReRAM. In this paper, we demonstrated the enhanced repeatable bipolar resistive switching memory characteristics by spreading the Ag nanocrystals (Ag NCs) on amorphous GeSe layer compared to the conventional Ag/GeSe/Pt structure without Ag NCs. The Ag NCs and Ag top electrode act as a metal supply source of our devices. Excellent resistive switching memory characteristics were obtained and improvement of voltage distribution was achieved from the Al/Ag NCs/GeSe/Pt structure. At the same time, a stable DC endurance (>100 cycles) and an excellent data retention (>104 sec) properties was found from the Al/Ag NCs/GeSe/ Pt structured ReRAMs.

• Proceedings of the Korean Vacuum Society Conference
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• 2014.02a
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• pp.373-373
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• 2014

Resistive-change random access memory (ReRAM) device is one of the promising candidates owing to its simple structure, high scalability potential and low power operation. Many resistive switching devices using transition metal oxides materials such as NiO, Al2O3, ZnO, HfO2, $TiO_2$, have attracting increased attention in recent years as the next-generation nonvolatile memory. Among various transition metal oxides materials, HfO2 has been adopted as the gate dielectric in advanced Si devices. For this reason, it is advantageous to develop an HfO2-based ReRAM devices to leverage its compatibility with Si. However, the annealing temperature of these high-k thin films for a suitable resistive memory switching is high, so there are several reports for low temperature process including microwave irradiation. In this paper, we demonstrate the bipolar resistive switching characteristics in the microwave irradiation annealing processed Ag/HfO2/Pt ReRAM device. Compared to the as-deposited Ag/HfO2/Pt device, highly improved uniformity of resistance values and operating voltage were obtained from the micro wave annealing processed HfO2 ReRAM device. In addition, a stable DC endurance (>100 cycles) and a high data retention (>104 sec) were achieved.

• Proceedings of the Korean Vacuum Society Conference
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• 2012.08a
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• pp.343-344
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• 2012

It has been known since the mid 1960s that Ag can be photodissolved in chalcogenide glasses to form materials with interesting technological properties. In the 40 years since, this effect has been used in diverse applications such as the fabrication of relief images in optical elements, micro photolithographic schemes, and for direct imaging by photoinduced Ag surface deposition. ReRAM, also known as conductive bridging RAM (CBRAM), is a resistive switching memory based on non-volatile formation and dissolution of a conductive filament in a solid electrolyte. Especially, Ag-doped chalcogenide glasses and thin films have become attractive materials for fundamental research of their structure, properties, and preparation. Ag-doped chalcogenide glasses have been used in the formation of solid electrolyte which is the active medium in ReRAM devices. In this paper, we investigated the nature of thin films formed by the photo-dissolution of Ag into Ge-Se glasses for use in ReRAM devices. These devices rely on ion transport in the film so produced to create electrically programmable resistance states. [1-3] We have demonstrated functionalities of Ag doped chalcogenide glasses based on their capabilities as solid electrolytes. Formation of such amorphous systems by the introduction of Ag+ ions photo-induced diffusion in thin chalcogenide films is considered. The influence of Ag+ ions is regarded in terms of diffusion kinetics and Ag saturation is related to the composition of the hosting material. Saturated Ag+ ions have been used in the formation of conductive filaments at the solid electrolyte which is the active medium in ReRAM devices. Following fabrication, the cell displays a metal-insulator-metal structure. We measured the I-V characteristics of a cell, similar results were obtained with different via sizes, due to the filamentary nature of resistance switching in ReRAM cell. As the voltage is swept from 0 V to a positive top electrode voltage, the device switches from a high resistive to a low resistive, or set. The low conducting, or reset, state can be restored by means of a negative voltage sweep where the switch-off of the device usually occurs.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Electrical and Electronic Material Engineers
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• v.24 no.9
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• pp.710-712
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• 2011

In this study, we fabricate resistive switching random access memory (ReRAM) devices constructed with a Al/$HfO_2$/ITO structure on glass substrates and investigate their memory characteristics. The hafnium oxide thin film used as a resistive switching layer is sputtered at room temperature in a sputtering system with a cooling unit. The Al/$HfO_2$/ITO device exhibits bipolar resistive switching characteristics, and the ratio of the high resistance (HRS) to low resistance states (LRS) is more than 60. In addition, the resistance ratio maintains even after $10^4$ seconds.