A Complementary Resistive Switch-based Crossbar Array Adder

Redox-based resistive switching devices (ReRAM) are an emerging class of non-volatile storage elements suited for nanoscale memory applications. In terms of logic operations, ReRAM devices were suggested to be used as programmable interconnects, large-scale look-up tables or for sequential logic operations. However, without additional selector devices these approaches are not suited for use in large scale nanocrossbar memory arrays, which is the preferred architecture for ReRAM devices due to the minimum area consumption. To overcome this issue for the sequential logic approach, we recently introduced a novel concept, which is suited for passive crossbar arrays using complementary resistive switches (CRSs). CRS cells offer two high resistive storage states, and thus, parasitic sneak currents are efficiently avoided. However, until now the CRS-based logic-in-memory approach was only shown to be able to perform basic Boolean logic operations using a single CRS cell. In this paper, we introduce two multi-bit adder schemes using the CRS-based logic-in-memory approach. We proof the concepts by means of SPICE simulations using a dynamical memristive device model of a ReRAM cell. Finally, we show the advantages of our novel adder concept in terms of step count and number of devices in comparison to a recently published adder approach, which applies the conventional ReRAM-based sequential logic concept introduced by Borghetti et al.Comment: 12 pages, accepted for IEEE Journal on Emerging and Selected Topics in Circuits and Systems (JETCAS), issue on Computing in Emerging Technologie

Insulator-to-metal transition of SrTiO3:Nb single crystal surfaces induced by Ar+ bombardment

In this paper, the effect of Ar+ bombardment of SrTiO3:Nb surface layers is investigated on the macro- and nanoscale using surface-sensitive methods. After bombardment, the stoichiometry and electronic structure are changed distinctly leading to an insulator-to-metal transition related to the change of the Ti "d" electron from d0 to d1 and d2. During bombardment, conducting islands are formed on the surface. The induced metallic state is not stable and can be reversed due to a redox process by external oxidation and even by self-reoxidation upon heating the sample to temperatures of 300{\deg}C.Comment: 4 pages, 4 figure

Electrical current distribution across a metal-insulator-metal structure during bistable switching

Combining scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and electron-beam-induced current (EBIC) imaging with transport measurements, it is shown that the current flowing across a two-terminal oxide-based capacitor-like structure is preferentially confined in areas localized at defects. As the thin-film device switches between two different resistance states, the distribution and intensity of the current paths, appearing as bright spots, change. This implies that switching and memory effects are mainly determined by the conducting properties along such paths. A model based on the storage and release of charge carriers within the insulator seems adequate to explain the observed memory effect.Comment: 8 pages, 7 figures, submitted to J. Appl. Phy

Resistive Switching Assisted by Noise

We extend results by Stotland and Di Ventra on the phenomenon of resistive switching aided by noise. We further the analysis of the mechanism underlying the beneficial role of noise and study the EPIR (Electrical Pulse Induced Resistance) ratio dependence with noise power. In the case of internal noise we find an optimal range where the EPIR ratio is both maximized and independent of the preceding resistive state. However, when external noise is considered no beneficial effect is observed.Comment: To be published in "Theory and Applications of Nonlinear Dynamics: Model and Design of Complex Systems", Proceedings of ICAND 2012 (Springer, 2013

RETURN ON INVESTMENT IN SOCIAL NETWORKS

This review focuses on electrochemical metallization memory cells (ECM), highlighting their advantages as the next generation memories. In a brief introduction, the basic switching mechanism of ECM cells is described and the historical development is sketched. In a second part, the full spectra of materials and material combinations used for memory device prototypes and for dedicated studies are presented. In a third part, the specific thermodynamics and kinetics of nanosized electrochemical cells are described. The overlapping of the space charge layers is found to be most relevant for the cell properties at rest. The major factors determining the functionality of the ECM cells are the electrode reaction and the transport kinetics. Depending on electrode and/or electrolyte material electron transfer, electro-crystallization or slow diffusion under strong electric fields can be rate determining. In the fourth part, the major device characteristics of ECM cells are explained. Emphasis is placed on switching speed, forming and SET/RESET voltage, R(ON) to R(OFF) ratio, endurance and retention, and scaling potentials. In the last part, circuit design aspects of ECM arrays are discussed, including the pros and cons of active and passive arrays. In the case of passive arrays, the fundamental sneak path problem is described and as well as a possible solution by two anti-serial (complementary) interconnected resistive switches per cell. Furthermore, the prospects of ECM with regard to further scalability and the ability for multi-bit data storage are addressed

Dissipation of an Axially Symmetric Turbulent Wake in the Very Far Field

A wake visualization technique has been used to observe the turbulent wake at distances of 106 diameters behind an axially symmetric streamlined body traveling submerged in water. It has been found that a transition occurs in the rate of wake growth between 104 and 105 diameters which is attributed to a reverse transition from turbulent to laminar flow. The wake visualization technique involves dropping a dye-coated body down a taut vertical guide wire into a large water-filled tank. Measurement of the wake growth and dissipation is made from a time series of photographs. The bodies tested were 6 x 1 prolate spheroids of two sizes. Body density was varied to change velocities

Chemically Resolved Electrical Measurements using X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy

A novel approach is proposed, where energy filtered electrons, carrying both chemical identity and electrical information, serve as fine and flexible electrodes in direct electrical measurements. The method, termed 'chemically resolved electrical measurements' (CREM), is simple and general, demonstrated here with a slightly modified X-ray photoelectron spectrometer. Selected sub-surface regions are electrically analyzed and I-V curves of self-assembled monolayers, free of substrate and top contact contributions, are derived with no need for improved metallic substrates. Unique electrical information is available with this method, further supported by powerful in-situ analytical capabilities and improved top contact performance

Oxygen vacancy migration and time-dependent leakage current behavior of Ba0.3Sr0.7TiO3 thin films

The leakage current response of high-permittivity columnar-grown (Ba,Sr)TiO3 thin films has been studied at elevated temperatures under dc load. We observe a thermally activated current prior to the onset of the resistance degradation with an activation energy of E-A=1.1 eV. A point defect model is applied to calculate the migration of electronic and ionic defects under the dc field as well as the current response of the system. We find that the peak in current is not caused by a space-charge-limited transient of oxygen vacancies, but related to a modulation of the electronic conductivity upon oxygen vacancy redistribution. Furthermore, we show that after the redistribution of electronic and ionic defects, no further increase in conductivity takes place in the simulation. (C) 2005 American Institute of Physics

Nonlinear electrical properties of grain boundaries in oxygen ion conductors - Modeling the varistor behavior

We report on numerical simulations of the grain-boundary varistor behavior recently observed in Y2O3-doped CeO2 of high purity. The aim of this study is to disclose the nature of the nonlinear electrical properties of the grain boundaries in oxygen ion conductors. Under small voltages (< 25 mV), the simulation shows a linear current-voltage relation dominated by the grain-boundary resistance. Under intermediate voltages (25-200 mV), the simulation discloses a grain-boundary resistance breakdown and a nonlinear current-voltage relation. The increase of ionic charge carriers in the grain-boundary space-charge layer is the cause for the nonlinear behavior. Calculations are compared to experimental results. (c) 2005 The Electrochemical Society