Effect of Non-lattice Oxygen Concentration and Micro-structure on Resistance Switching Characteristics in Nb-doped HfO2 by DC Magnetron Co-Sputtering

In this study, we investigated that the resistance switching characteristics of Nb-doped HfO2 films with increasing Nb doping concentration. The Nb-doped HfO2 based ReRAM devices with a TiN/Nb-doped HfO2/Pt/Ti/SiO2 were fabricated on Si substrates. The Nb-doped HfO2 films were deposited by reactive dc magnetron co-sputtering at $300^{\circ}C$ and oxygen partial ratio of 60% (Ar: 16sccm, O2: 24sccm). Microstructure of Nb-doped HfO2 films and atomic concentration were investigated by XRD, TEM, and XPS, respectively. The Nb-doped HfO2 films showed set/reset resistance switching behavior at various Nb doping concentrations. The process voltage of forming/set is decreased and whereas the initial current level is increased in doped HfO2 films. However, the switching properties of Nb-doped HfO2 were changed above the specific doping concentration of Nb. The change of resistance switching behavior depending on doping concentration was discussed in terms of concentration of non-lattice oxygen and micro-structure of Nb-doped HfO2.