Non-Volatile Resistance Switching Using Silicon Nanogap Junction

We have investigated the resistance switching effect of a silicon nanogap structure when pulse bias voltages are applied. Silicon nanogap junctions were prepared by applying large-bias voltages across a Si wire and their electrical properties were measured in a vacuum chamber. The measured current–voltage characteristics exhibited a clear negative differential resistance effect and repeated on-off cycles with a large on-off ratio of over 103. The results suggest that resistance switching effects can be generated in a nanogap junction that is composed of a covalently bonded material such as silicon.

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