• JSTS:Journal of Semiconductor Technology and Science
• /
• v.11 no.3
• /
• pp.146-152
• /
• 2011

Thermal stability of $Ge_2Sb_2Te_5$ (GST) and $SiO_2$ doped GST (SGST) films for phase change random access memory applications was investigated by observing the change of surface roughness, layer density and composition of both films after isothermal annealing. After both GST and SGST films were annealed at $325^{\circ}C$ for 20 min, root mean square (RMS) surface roughness of GST was increased from 1.9 to 35.9 nm but that of SGST was almost unchanged. Layer density of GST also steeply decreased from 72.48 to 68.98 $g/cm^2$ and composition was largely varied from Ge : Sb : Te = 22.3 : 22.1 : 55.6 to 24.2 : 22.7 : 53.1, while those of SGST were almost unchanged. It was confirmed that the addition of a small amount of $SiO_2$ into GST film restricted the deterioration of physical and chemical properties of GST film, resulting in the better thermal stability after isothermal annealing.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Electrical and Electronic Material Engineers
• /
• v.32 no.5
• /
• pp.376-381
• /
• 2019

In this work, we evaluated the structural, electrical and optical properties of $Ge_8Sb_2Te_{11}$ and Cu-doped $Ge_8Sb_2Te_{11}$ thin films prepared by rf-magnetron reactive sputtering. The 200-nm-thick deposited films were annealed in a range of $100{\sim}400^{\circ}C$ using a furnace in an $N_2$ atmosphere. The amorphous-to-crystalline phase changes of the thin films were investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD), UV-Vis-IR spectrophotometry, a 4-point probe, and a source meter. A one-step phase transformation from amorphous to face-centered-cubic (fcc) and an increase of the crystallization temperature ($T_c$) was observed in the Cu-doped film, which indicates an enhanced thermal stability in the amorphous state. The difference in the optical energy band gap ($E_{op}$) between the amorphous and crystalline phases was relatively large, approximately 0.38~0.41 eV, which is beneficial for reducing the noise in the memory devices. The sheet resistance($R_s$) of the amorphous phase in the Cu-doped film was about 1.5 orders larger than that in undoped film. A large $R_s$ in the amorphous phase will reduce the programming current in the memory device. An increase of threshold voltage ($V_{th}$) was seen in the Cu-doped film, which implied a high thermal efficiency. This suggests that the Cu-doped $Ge_8Sb_2Te_{11}$ thin film is a good candidate for PRAM.

• Proceedings of the KIEE Conference
• /
• 2006.10a
• /
• pp.32-33
• /
• 2006

As next generation nonvolatile memory, chalcogenide-based phase change memory can substitute for a conventional flash memory from its high performance. Also, fast writing speed, low writing voltage, high sensing margin, low power consumption and repetition reliability over $10^{15}$ cycle shows its possibility. At our laboratory, we invented ${Ge_1}{Se_1}{Te_2}$ material to alternate with conventional ${Ge_2}{Sb_2}{Te_5}$ for improve its ability. We respect the ${Ge_1}{Se_1}{Te_2}$ material can be a solution for high power consumption problem and long time at 'set' performance. A conductivity experiment from variable temperature was performed to see reliability of repetition at read and write performance. Compare with conventional ${Ge_2}{Sb_2}{Te_5}$ material, these two materials are used as complex compound to get the finest parameter.

• Korean Journal of Materials Research
• /
• v.27 no.2
• /
• pp.89-93
• /
• 2017

A thin film thermoelectric generator that consisted of 5 p/n pairs was fabricated with $1{\mu}m$-thick n-type $In_3Sb_1Te_2$ and p-type $Ge_2Sb_2Te_5$ deposited via radio frequency magnetron sputtering. First, $1{\mu}m$-thick GST and IST thin films were deposited at $250^{\circ}C$ and room temperature, respectively, via radio-frequency sputtering; these films were annealed from 250 to $450^{\circ}C$ via rapid thermal annealing. The optimal power factor was found at an annealing temperature of $400^{\circ}C$ for 10 min. To demonstrate thermoelectric generation, we measured the output voltage and estimated the maximum power of the n-IST/p-GST generator by imposing a temperature difference between the hot and cold junctions. The maximum output voltage and the estimated maximum power of the $1{\mu}m$-thick n-IST/p-GST TE generators are approximately 17.1 mV and 5.1 nW at ${\Delta}T=12K$, respectively.

• Transactions on Electrical and Electronic Materials
• /
• v.5 no.5
• /
• pp.185-188
• /
• 2004

Phase transitions from the amorphous to crystalline states, and vice versa, of GST(GeSbTe) and AST(AsSbTe) thin films by applying electrical pulses have been studied. These materials can be used as nonvolatile memory devices. The thickness of ternary chalcogenide thin films is approximately 100 nm. Upper and lower electrodes were made of AI. I-V characteristics after impressing the variable pulses to GST and AST films. Tc(crystallization temperature) of AST system is lower than that of the GST system, so that the current pulse width of crystallization process can be decreased.

• Proceedings of the Korean Vacuum Society Conference
• /
• 2010.02a
• /
• pp.156-156
• /
• 2010

A detailed investigation and structure of tested samples are clearly presented. As a reference, $Ge_1Se_1Te_2$/As only sample was also investigated. We used compound of Ge-Se-Te material for phase-change cell. Actually, the performance properties have been improved surprisingly then conventional Ge-Sb-Te. However, crystallization time was as long as ever for amorphization time. We conducted this esperiment in order to solve that problem by doping-As with Ag layer.

• Proceedings of the Korean Institute of Electrical and Electronic Material Engineers Conference
• /
• 2004.11a
• /
• pp.268-271
• /
• 2004

The phase transition from amorphous to crystalline states, and vice versa, of $Ge_2Sb_2Te_5$ films by applying electrical pulses have been studied. This material can be used as nonvolatile memory. The reversible phase transition between the amorphous and crystalline states, which is accompanied by a considerable change in electrical resistivity, is exploited as means to store bits of information. The nonvolatile memory cells are composed of a simple sandwich (metal/chalcogenide/metal). It was formed that the threshold voltage depends on thickness, electrode distance, annealing time and temperature, respectively.

• Proceedings of the Korean Institute of Electrical and Electronic Material Engineers Conference
• /
• 2010.06a
• /
• pp.57-57
• /
• 2010

In this study, nano-sized phase change materials were evaluated using nanoimprint lithography and c-AFM technique. The 200nm in diameter phase change nano-pillar device of GeSbTe, AgInSbTe, InSe, GeTe, GeSb were successfully fabricated using nanoimprint lithography. And the electrical properties of the phase change nano-pillar device were evaluated using c-AFM with pulse generator and voltage source.

• Proceedings of the Korean Institute of Electrical and Electronic Material Engineers Conference
• /
• 2005.11a
• /
• pp.80-81
• /
• 2005

Chalcogenide phase change memory has high performance to be next generation memory, because it is a nonvolatile memory processing high programming speed, low programming voltage, high sensing margin, low consumption and long cycle duration. We have developed a sample of PRAM with thermal protected layer. We have investigated the phase transition behaviors in function of process factor including thermal protect layer. As a result, we have observed that set voltage and duration of protect layer are more improved than no protect layer.

• Proceedings of the Korean Institute of Electrical and Electronic Material Engineers Conference
• /
• 2003.07a
• /
• pp.416-419
• /
• 2003

There is a growing need for a nonvolatile memory technology with faster speed than existing nonvolatile memories. We studied of phase-change according to temperature and voltage in chalcogenide thin film base on $Ge_2Sb_2Te_5$. Searching for Tg(Glass transition temperature) temperature controlled on hotplate with RT quenching. We measure I-V characteristic through out bottom electrode(ITO) and top electrode(Al) between $Ge_2Sb_2Te_5$. And compared with I-V characteristics after impress the variable stress.