Analyzing Characteristics for Two-Step SET Operation Scheme for Improving Write Time in Nanoscale Phase-Change Memory (PCM)

Abstract

PCM (phase-change memory) is a memory innovation that has gained prominence as a capacity-class memory for computer systems. It is made up of a tiny functional amount of phase-change material that is located in the middle of two electrodes. In PCM, data is kept by utilizing the difference in electrical resistance between a crystalline phase, which has a high resistance, and its amorphous phase, which has a low resistance. Using electrical pulses, the phase-change material would be shifted from a high to the low conductive region and conversely. However, the device’s material science concerned with PCM has been generally studied, and questions remain regarding their electrical, warm, and fundamental aspects since its publication in the 1960s. One major downside of PCM is its low heat conductivity, which causes delays in the energy charging/discharging procedure and hardware efficiency. As a result of this, one of the primary focuses of PCM studies has been the improvement of PCM’s heat conductivity through the utilization of nanotechnology and nanomaterials. Nanotechnology has been developing ultrasmall nanoparticles to improve traditional PCMs’ thermophysical characteristics. These nanomaterials, such as metal, metal oxide, and carbon, will significantly boost PCM’s thermal properties, including supercooling, viscosity, and heat capacity. An overview of PCM devices is presented in this article, which underlies perusing and composition activities. Consequently, we offered novel PCM devices and materials. Therefore, the total study is qualitative, and no machine learning approach is used. Because of this, we cannot say that the data is quantitative. Our work includes both test representations of the specific features observed in nanoscale PCM devices and material science demonstrations. In the end, we provide a point of view on some remaining open inquiries and possible future exploration directions.