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Why phase-change Materials work: An EXAFS Investigation of Ge-Sb-Te Alloys

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 February 2011

Michael Paesler
Affiliation:
[email protected], North Carolina State University, Physics, 2700 Stinson Dr., Box 8202, Raleigh, North Carolina, 27695, United States, 919-513-2184
S.C. Agarwal
Affiliation:
[email protected], North Carolina State University, Physics, Raleigh, North Carolina, 27695, United States
G. Lucovsky
Affiliation:
[email protected], North Carolina State University, Physics, Raleigh, North Carolina, 27695, United States
M.A. Paesler
Affiliation:
[email protected], North Carolina State University, Physics, Raleigh, North Carolina, 27695, United States
P.C. Taylor
Affiliation:
[email protected], University of Utah, Physics, Salt Lake City, Utah, 84112-0830, United States
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Abstract

Studies of amorphous (a-) semiconductors have been driven by technological advances as well as fundamental theories. Observation of electrical switching, for example, fueled early interest in a-chalcogenides. More recently a-chalcogenide switching has been applied quite successfully to DVD technology where the quest for the discovery of better-suited materials continues. Thus, switching provides researchers today with an active arena of technological as well as fundamental study. On the theoretical front, bond constraint theory and rigidity theory provide a powerful framework for understanding the structure and properties of a-materials. Applications of these theories to switching in a-chalcogenides holds the promise of finding the best composition suited for switching applications. Extended X-ray Absorption Fine Structure (EXAFS) spectroscopy is an ideally suited technique to investigate the switching properties of these materials. Results of previous EXAFS experiments will be presented and viewed through the lens of bond constraint theory and rigidity theory.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 2006

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