Sp2 clustering-induced improvement of resistive switching uniformity in Cu/amorphous carbon/Pt electrochemical metallization memory†
Abstract
We studied the influence of sp2 clustering on resistive switching uniformity in Cu/amorphous carbon/Pt electrochemical metallization memory. Herein, a simple method was utilized to adjust the degree of sp2 clustering by changing compliance currents (CCs). The small sp2 clusters within the a-C layer were found to condense into larger clusters with increasing CCs because of the CC-dependent Joule heating effect. Raman spectra experimentally verified the increase of sp2 cluster diameter with increasing CCs. Importantly, a switching uniformity improvement can be obtained by increasing the degree of sp2 clustering. The enhanced local electric field around sp2 clusters can account for the reduction of the Cu conductive filament randomness and corresponding improvement of memory performance.