Coherent phonon study of (GeTe)$_{l}$(Sb$_{2}$Te$_{3}$)$_{m}$ interfacial phase change memory materials

TL;DR

This study investigates the atomic dynamics of interfacial phase change memory materials using time-resolved reflectivity, revealing distinct phonon behaviors that suggest different phase transition mechanisms compared to traditional alloys.

Contribution

It provides experimental evidence of coherent phonon behavior in iPCM materials, supporting a unique phase transition model involving minimal atomic rearrangement.

Findings

Coherent phonons observed in iPCM at high temperature

Attenuation of phonons in Ge2Sb2Te5 alloy

Supports a quasi-1D Ge displacement transition in iPCM

Abstract

The time-resolved reflectivity measurements were carried out on the interfacial phase change memory (iPCM) materials ([(GeTe)$_{2}$(Sb$_{2}$Te$_{3}$)$_{4}$]$_{8}$ and [(GeTe)$_{2}$(Sb$_{2}$Te$_{3}$)$_{1}$]$_{20}$) as well as conventional Ge$_{2}$Sb$_{2}$Te$_{5}$ alloy at room temperature and above the RESET-SET phase transition temperature. In the high-temperature phase, coherent phonons were clearly observed in the iPCM samples while drastic attenuation of coherent phonons was induced in the alloy. This difference strongly suggests the atomic rearrangement during the phase transition in iPCMs is much smaller than that in the alloy. These results are consistent with the unique phase transition model in which a quasi-one-dimensional displacement of Ge atoms occurs for iPCMs and a conventional amorphous-crystalline phase transition takes place for the alloy.