Multilevel conductance switching in polymer films

Abstract

Multilevel conductance switching in poly[2-methoxy-5-(2′-ethyl-hexyloxy)-1,4-phenylene vinylene] (MEH-PPV) films is demonstrated. A thin-film structure, ITO-coated glass/MEH-PPV/Al, has shown the ability to store a continuum of conductance states. These states are nonvolatile and can be switched reproducibly by applying appropriate programing biases above a certain threshold voltage. The electrical conductivity of the highest and lowest states can differ by five orders of magnitude. Furthermore, these devices exhibit good cyclic switching characteristics and retention times of several weeks.