Off-state and turn-on characteristics of solid electrolyte switch

Abstract

We have investigated off-state and turn-on characteristics of a Ta2O5-based solid-electrolyte switch, the resistance of which changes when the metallic current path is formed in the solid-electrolyte. The turn-on voltages are found to vary widely even when the switches are in an off-state with similar resistance. The variation is induced by the residual metal with different shapes that remains in the solid-electrolyte after a switch is turned off. The residual metal with a sharp point enhances the electrochemical reaction, resulting in the turn-on voltage lowering. We also developed a screening scheme to reduce the variation of the turn-on voltages.