Improving HfO 2-Based Resistive Switching Devices by Inserting a TaO x Thin Film via Engineered In Situ Oxidation

Tao Wang, Stefano Brivio, Elena Cianci, Claudia Wiemer, Michele Perego, Sabina Spiga, Mario Lanza

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

11 Scopus citations

Abstract

Resistive switching (RS) devices with binary and analogue operation are expected to play a key role in the hardware implementation of artificial neural networks. However, state of the art RS devices based on binary oxides (e.g., HfO2) still do not exhibit enough competitive performance. In particular, variability and yield still need to be improved to fit industrial requirements. In this study, we fabricate RS devices based on a TaOx/HfO2 bilayer stack, using a novel methodology that consists of the in situ oxidation of a Ta film inside the atomic layer deposition (ALD) chamber in which the HfO2 film is deposited. By means of X-ray reflectivity (XRR) and time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (ToF-SIMS), we realized that the TaOx film shows a substoichiometric structure, and that the TaOx/HfO2 bilayer stack holds a well-layered structure. An exhaustive electrical characterization of the TaOx/HfO2-based RS devices shows improved switching performance compared to the single-layer HfO2 counterparts. The main advantages are higher forming yield, self-compliant switching, lower switching variability, enhanced reliability, and better synaptic plasticity.
Original languageEnglish (US)
JournalACS Applied Materials & Interfaces
DOIs
StatePublished - May 18 2022

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Materials Science

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Improving HfO 2-Based Resistive Switching Devices by Inserting a TaO x Thin Film via Engineered In Situ Oxidation'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this