A body-centered-cubic polymorph of the Ge2Sb2Te5 phase change alloy

Abstract

In Ge2Sb2Te5 (GST), the prototype phase-change alloy for data storage, in situ x-ray diffraction experiments reveal a pressure-induced crystalline-amorphous-crystalline transition sequence, all at the same fixed composition and in one experimental cycle. A body-centered-cubic polymorph is discovered at high pressures; the formation of this phase is attributable to its high packing density rendered possible by the switch from covalent to metallic bonding as predicted by ab initio calculations.