Abstract
The large optical contrast between crystalline and amorphous phases of phase change memory materials is shown to arise from a large increase in the optical matrix elements which occurs when resonant bonding is present. Resonance requires aligned p orbitals, and is lost in the amorphous phases, irrespective of coordination number. Transitions in resonance can be engineered by superlattice structures. KGaA, Weinheim.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 1867-1873 |
| Number of pages | 7 |
| Journal | Physica Status Solidi (B) Basic Research |
| Volume | 249 |
| Issue number | 10 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 1 Oct 2012 |
| Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- Amorphous chalcogenides
- Electronic structure
- Modelling
- Phase change materials
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Materials
- Condensed Matter Physics