Journal Article

FZJ-2019-06519

http://join2-wiki.gsi.de/foswiki/pub/Main/Artwork/join2_logo100x88.png Direct atomic insight into the role of dopants in phase-change materials

Zhu, M. ; Song, W. ; Konze, P. M. ; Li, T. ; Gault, B. ; Chen, X. ; Shen, J. ; Lv, S. ; Song, Z. (Corresponding author) ; Wuttig, M.FZJ* ; Dronskowski, R.

2019
Nature Publishing Group UK [London]

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Please use a persistent id in citations: http://hdl.handle.net/2128/23655  doi:10.1038/s41467-019-11506-0

Abstract: Doping is indispensable to tailor phase-change materials (PCM) in optical and electronic data storage. Very few experimental studies, however, have provided quantitative information on the distribution of dopants on the atomic-scale. Here, we present atom-resolved images of Ag and In dopants in Sb2Te-based (AIST) PCM using electron microscopy and atom-probe tomography. Combing these with DFT calculations and chemical-bonding analysis, we unambiguously determine the dopants’ role upon recrystallization. Composition profiles corroborate the substitution of Sb by In and Ag, and the segregation of excessive Ag into grain boundaries. While In is bonded covalently to neighboring Te, Ag binds ionically. Moreover, In doping accelerates the crystallization and hence operation while Ag doping limits the random diffusion of In atoms and enhances the thermal stability of the amorphous phase.

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Contributing Institute(s):

1. JARA Institut Green IT (PGI-10)
2. JARA - HPC (JARA-HPC)

Research Program(s):

1. 521 - Controlling Electron Charge-Based Phenomena (POF3-521) (POF3-521)
2. Quantum chemistry of functional chalcogenide for phase-change memories and other applications (jara0033_20171101) (jara0033_20171101)

Appears in the scientific report 2019

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