Electron beam modification of vanadium dioxide oscillators

TL;DR

This study explores electron-beam modification of VO2 oscillators, demonstrating reversible parameter changes, increased oscillation frequency, and potential applications in neural networks for pattern recognition.

Contribution

It introduces a method for controlled, reversible modification of VO2 switches using electron-beam irradiation, enabling preset parameter formation.

Findings

EBM reduces switching voltages and resistance by up to 50%.

Oscillation frequency increases by 30% with specific electron doses.

Modification is reversible when exposed to air at 150 Pa.

Abstract

The paper presents the results of a study of electron-beam modification (EBM) of VO2-switch I-V curve threshold parameters and the self-oscillation frequency of a circuit containing such a switching device. EBM in vacuum is reversible and the parameters are restored when exposed to air at pressure of 150 Pa. At EBM with a dose of 3 C/cm2, the voltages of switching-on (Vth) and off (Vh), as well as the OFF-state resistance Roff, decrease down to 50% of the initial values, and the oscillation frequency increases by 30% at a dose of 0.7 C/cm2. Features of physics of EBM of an oscillator are outlined considering the contribution of the metal and semiconductor phases of the switching channel. Con-trolled modification allows EBM forming of switches with preset parameters. Also, it might be used in artifi-cial oscillatory neural networks for pattern recognition based on frequency shift keying.