Localized switching mechanism in resistive switching of atomic-layer-deposited TiO2 thin films

The resistance switching mechanism of TiO2 films under voltage sweep mode was investigated. From the observed soft set of Pt/TiO2/Pt sample and from the polarity-dependant switching behavior of Ir(O)/TiO2/Pt sample, local rupture and recovery of conducting filaments near the anode interface wer identified as the switching mechanism. This is consistent with the authors' recent observation [K. Kim , Electrchem. Solid-State Lett. 9, G343 (2006)] of the resistance switching property of Al2O3/TiO2 multilayers, where switching was controlled by the layer close to the anode. It appears that most parts of the filaments are preserved during switching and only a small portion of the film near the anode contributes to switching. (c) 2007 American Institute of Physics.