Mixed-Mode Electro-Optical Operation of Ge2Sb2Te5 Nanoscale Crossbar Devices

The use of phase-change materials for a range of exciting new optoelectronic applications from artificial retinas to ultrahigh-resolution displays requires a thorough understanding of how these materials perform under a combination of optical and electrical stimuli. This study reports for the first time the complex link between the electronic and optical properties in real-world crossbar nanoscale devices constructed by confining a thin layer of Ge2Sb2Te5 between transparent indium tin oxide electrodes, forming an optical nano-cavity. A novel proof-of-concept device that can be operated by a combination of optical and electrical stimuli is presented, leading the way for the development of further applications based on mixed-mode electro-optical operation.