Direct atomic insight into the role of dopants in phase-change materials

Min Zhu (), Wenxiong Song, Philipp M. Konze, Tao Li, Baptiste Gault, Xin Chen, Jiabin Shen, Shilong Lv, Zhitang Song (), Matthias Wuttig and Richard Dronskowski
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Min Zhu: Chinese Academy of Sciences
Wenxiong Song: Chinese Academy of Sciences
Philipp M. Konze: RWTH Aachen University
Tao Li: Chinese Academy of Sciences
Baptiste Gault: Max-Planck-Institut für Eisenforschung GmbH
Xin Chen: Chinese Academy of Sciences
Jiabin Shen: Chinese Academy of Sciences
Shilong Lv: Chinese Academy of Sciences
Zhitang Song: Chinese Academy of Sciences
Matthias Wuttig: RWTH Aachen University
Richard Dronskowski: RWTH Aachen University

Nature Communications, 2019, vol. 10, issue 1, 1-10

Abstract: Abstract Doping is indispensable to tailor phase-change materials (PCM) in optical and electronic data storage. Very few experimental studies, however, have provided quantitative information on the distribution of dopants on the atomic-scale. Here, we present atom-resolved images of Ag and In dopants in Sb2Te-based (AIST) PCM using electron microscopy and atom-probe tomography. Combing these with DFT calculations and chemical-bonding analysis, we unambiguously determine the dopants’ role upon recrystallization. Composition profiles corroborate the substitution of Sb by In and Ag, and the segregation of excessive Ag into grain boundaries. While In is bonded covalently to neighboring Te, Ag binds ionically. Moreover, In doping accelerates the crystallization and hence operation while Ag doping limits the random diffusion of In atoms and enhances the thermal stability of the amorphous phase.

Date: 2019
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-11506-0

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