Scientific Achievement
We are the first to image the conduction channel formed in a memristor using an X-ray microscope with both structural and chemical contrast. Our in situ multimodal imaging method allows us to directly see how local electric fields create field-induced defect structures in a model device.
Significance and Impact
Memristors in neuromorphic computers emulate biological synapses, but intrinsic randomness can lead to poor numerical accuracy. By in situ imaging channel formation, we showed that the oxygen vacancy concentration and pathway can be controlled by geometrical means. Our work was highlighted in G. Pacchioni, Nature Review Materials 7, 594 (2022).
Research Details
- Fabricated model memristors from single crystal WO3 films
- Imaged the structure and chemical composition before and after channel formation with the X-ray microscope at Sector 2 of the APS.
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