Endurance improvement of resistance switching behaviors in the La 0.7 Ca0.3 MnO3 film based devices with Ag-Al alloy top electrodes

Abstract

The resistance switching characteristics of the La0.7 Ca 0.3 MnO3 -based devices with the top electrodes of Ag, Ag-Al alloys with the atomic ratios of Ag:Al=2:1 (2AgAl) and Ag:Al=1:2 (Ag2Al), and Al have been investigated. The device with 2AgAl top electrode shows excellent endurance, where more than 1000 cycles of reproducible current-voltage hysteresis with stable high and low resistance states have been observed. Based on Auger electron spectroscopy measurement and the detailed investigation of current-voltage curves of these devices, it is suggested that the oxygen affinity of the metal electrode, which is determined by the chemical component of Ag and Al, has an important influence on the interface structure and the resistance switching endurance. The present work provides a possible way for the improvement of the resistance switching endurance by modulating oxygen affinity of the electrode. © 2010 American Institute of Physics.