Electrical transport and switching in phase change materials [Elektronische Ressource] / vorgelegt von Daniel Krebs

Electrical Transport and Switchingin Phase Change MaterialsVon der Fakultät für Mathematik, Informatik undNaturwissenschaften der Rheinisch-Westfälischen TechnischenHochschule Aachen zur Erlangung des akademischen Grades einesDoktors der Naturwissenschaften genehmigte Dissertationvorgelegt vonDiplom-PhysikerDanielKrebsaus LahnsteinBerichter: Universitätsprofessor Dr. Matthias WuttigDr. Simone RaouxTag der mündlichen Prüfung: 8. März 2010Diese Dissertation ist auf den Internetseitender Hochschulbibliothek online verfügbar.tomyfamilyAbstractPhase change materials, typically composed out of Ge, Sb and Te alloys, are materials thatcan switch very fast between two stable states, the amorphous and the crystalline phase. Theoptical contrast of the two stable phases led to the application in optical data storage such ascompact disks (CD), digital versatile disks (DVD) and Bluray™ disk. Due to the pronouncedcontrast in resistivity between the amorphous and the crystalline phase, phase change ma-terials can also be used in electrical data storage devices. Since the two phases are stable atmoderate temperatures, phase change memory is non-volatile, i.e. it does not need a powersupply to sustain the information. Additionally, phase change memory is faster than thewell-established Flash memory and exhibits a better cyclability and scalability.