High-density nanoparticle phase change memory

Denisyuk, A., MacDonald, K. and Zheludev, N.I. (2008) High-density nanoparticle phase change memory. QEP-18, Edinburgh, UK. 25 - 28 Aug 2008.

Record type: Conference or Workshop Item (Paper)

Abstract

We report here on gallium nanoparticle phase change memory functionality, demonstrating that data can be written to individual bits within an array of nanoparticles by a focused electron beam and read-out via measurements of cathodoluminescent (CL) emission, thus providing a new conceptual basis for the implementation of high-density phase change data storage.
The marked change in the optical properties of gallium nanoparticles with their solid (state ‘0’) to liquid (‘1’) phase transition, and the substantial overcooling displayed by the liquid provide a basis for bistable memory functionality.
Experiments were performed on a film of 80 nm diameter gallium nanoparticles grown on the core area of a cleaved optical fibre tip inside the chamber of a scanning electron microscope. Significant changes in visible cathodoluminescent emission intensity are observed in selected regions of the particle film where phase switching is induced by single pulse, low fluence (200 fJ/nm²) electron beam excitation.

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