Fabrication and investigation of ferroelectric memristors with various synaptic plasticities

In the post-Moore era, neuromorphic computing has been mainly focused on breaking the von Neumann bottlenecks. Memristors have been proposed as a key part of neuromorphic computing architectures, and can be used to emulate the synaptic plasticities of the human brain. Ferroelectric memristors represent a breakthrough for memristive devices on account of their reliable nonvolatile storage, low write/read latency and tunable conductive states. However, among the reported ferroelectric memristors, the mechanisms of resistive switching are still under debate. In addition, there needs to be more research on emulation of the brain synapses using ferroelectric memristors. Herein, Cu/PbZr_0.52Ti_0.48O₃ (PZT)/Pt ferroelectric memristors have been fabricated. The devices are able to realize the transformation from threshold switching behavior to resistive switching behavior. The synaptic plasticities, including excitatory post-synaptic current, paired-pulse facilitation, paired-pulse depression and spike time-dependent plasticity, have been mimicked by the PZT devices. Furthermore, the mechanisms of PZT devices have been investigated by first-principles calculations based on the interface barrier and conductive filament models. This work may contribute to the application of ferroelectric memristors in neuromorphic computing systems.     

新型Ti3C2 MXene的化学制备及基于MXene忆阻器特性与机理

阻变器件是一种微电子器件,具有阻值可在两个甚至两个以上的阻态之间重复变化的特点。忆阻器作为新型的阻变器件,具有可连续变化的丰富阻态。近年来因其具备简单的二端结构、高集成度以及低工作电压等特性,在新型非易失性存储以及构建神经形态系统等方面被广泛研究。但其在实现应用的过程中仍存在着稳定性较差等问题。近期一些工作证明了二维材料如氧化石墨烯在优化忆阻器性能方面具备良好的应用潜力。MXene是一种具备类似石墨烯结构的新型二维过渡金属碳/氮化物,因其具备二维层状结构显现出特殊的力学以及电学特性,有望应用于忆阻器中以提高器件的电学性能。在本文中,我们通过化学湿法刻蚀制备了Ti₃C₂粉末,通过旋涂工艺在忆阻器结构中引入Ti₃C₂薄膜。Ti₃C₂ MXene与SiO₂同时作为忆阻器阻变层,制备了Cu/Ti₃C₂/SiO₂/W结构的忆阻器,并且对其相关电学特性进行了探究。在该器件上,通过实验测得忆阻器典型的开关特性曲线并在双向直流电压下针对高、低阻态的可重复性、稳定性进行了实验。结果表明该器件能够在100个扫描循环过程中保持稳定的高、低阻态达到10⁴ s以上。同时,该器件状态能够受脉冲电压调节,实现突触间典型的双脉冲易化行为。实验结果表明基于Ti₃C₂ MXene的忆阻器将有望应用于构建新兴存储设备以及人工神经形态系统。