B3 Fundamentals of ion transport processes in resistive switching oxides

In Project B3 (2019-2023) we examine ion transport directly in oxide thin films and device structures by using stable isotopes and analysis with time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (ToF-SIMS). Experimental diffusion studies will be combined with atomistic simulations (such as classical molecular dynamics (MD) and kinetic Monte Carlo (KMC) simulations) to obtain a broad and deep understanding of ion transport in these oxides.

Resistive switching in complex oxides: direct investigations of ion transport (2015-2019)

Ion transport in three oxide systems (SrTiO3, Ta2O5 and HfO2) will be characterised by a combination of experimental and computational approaches. Experimentally, anion and cation diffusion will be studied in thin-film systems by means of stable isotopes and analysis with Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry (SIMS). Atomistic simulations (both lattice statics and molecular dynamics) will be used to aid the interpretation of experimental results. The main aims of the project are to correlate ion transport and switching kinetics and to provide transport data for continuum models of memristive devices.

Resistive switching in SrTiO3: Direct investigations of the role of oxygen diffusion (2011-2015)

In this project we aim to provide direct evidence that oxygen transport is responsible for resistive switching in SrTiO3 and to confirm that edge dislocations provide the necessary filamentary transport paths. On this basis we aim to achieve a detailed understanding of the correlation between oxygen transport and switching kinetics. As model systems we investigate the periodic arrays of edge dislocations that constitute low-angle tilt grain boundaries. The 18O/16O isotope exchange experiments are complemented by electrical transport experiments and nanoscale structural and chemical characterization.

Principal investigators:

Priv.-Doz. Dr. R. De Souza
Institut für Physikalische Chemie
RWTH Aachen University
Phone: +49 (0)241 80 94739
E-mail: desouza@pc.rwth-aachen.de

(since 2015)
Dr.-Ing. S. Hoffmann-Eifert
Peter Grünberg Institut (PGI-7)
Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH
Phone: +49 (0)2461 61 6505
E-mail: su.hoffmann@fz-juelich.de

(2011 – 2015)
Prof. Dr. rer. nat. R. Dittmann
Peter Grünberg Institut (PGI-7)
Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH
Phone: +49 (0)2461 61 4760
E-mail: r.dittmann@fz-juelich.de