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The generation, detection, and manipulation of pure spin currents have attracted considerable attention in the field of spintronics owing to their rich physical phenomena and potential applications [1-2]. The most convenient method for generating and detecting the pure spin currents is to utilize the spin Hall magnetoresistance (SMR) [3-4]. In this letter, a novel structure consisting of two heavy metals that delivers competing spin currents of opposite spin indices is presented. We studied spin Hall effect in Ta-Pt alloys with various Ta composition for Ta/Pt/Ni80Fe20/ MgO (001) heterostructures by means of SMR. To determine the relative contributions of Pt and Ta, we measured a series of samples of Ta（tTa=0-3nm）/Pt（3nm）/Ni80Fe20/MgO (001) with a constant Pt (3) layer and various thicknesses of the Ta layer. Low resistivity, flat, and highly (111)-textured Pt-Ta alloy films are synthesized. It is found the SMR ratio is enhanced with a Ta capping layer at an optimum composition of x between 0.5nm to 1nm. The spin accumulation enhancement at the Pt/Ni80Fe20 interface after capping with a Ta layer, which functions as a spin sink at small thickness, is responsible for the SMR ratio enhancement, even though Ta and Pt have opposite spin Hall angels. Our results not only demonstrate a viable scheme for multiple spin currents, but also expand a new avenue for switching a perpendicular ferromagnetic layer by competing spin currents.

Materials Challenges for Memory

Enhancement of the spin Hall magnetoresistance in Ta/Pt/Ni80Fe20/MgO(100) heterostructures by competing spin currents

interfacial effect

spin hall angle

spin hall magnetoresistance

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INTERMAG 2021

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The energy cost of storing and moving data is enormous, and is growing at such a rapid pace that within a few years the power demand may overwhelm some developed nations. Non-volatile memory (NVM) and neuromorphic computing are enabling critical advances in this area, but there are many scientific and technological challenges. This conference will cover the materials challenges of different memory technologies, from the fundamental processes and mechanisms, to industry perspectives on materials specifications and manufacturing.

Neuromorphic computing architectures have superior properties over conventional computers in solving a number of problems such as image recognition, combinatorial optimization or prediction. As a concept, neural networks have been proven to be fast and flexible. However, their implementation in conventional digital architecture requires large amount of resources, as subsequent multiplication and addition operations need to be performed for each input of a single neuron. We present a complete architecture for neuromorphic computing including: a magnetic tunel junction (MTJ) based multi-bit cell forming a programmable synaptic weight, an electronic neuron and the artificial neural network itself. We demonstrate a successful operation of such network by presenting simulation results of a representative problem solution.


Neuromorphic computing architecture based on serially connected magnetic tunnel junctions

Doping with La is a promising route to improve endurance of ferroelectric Hf0.5Zr0.5O2 film for non-volatile random access memories [1-2]. However, the beneficial effect of La on the endurance of polycrystalline films may be accompanied by degradation of the retention [3]. Here, we have investigated whether this endurance - retention dilemma also occurs in La-doped epitaxial Hf0.5Zr0.5O2 films.
Epitaxial 1% La-doped Hf0.5Zr0.5O2 films of thickness in the 4.5 - 13 nm range were deposited by pulsed laser deposition on SrTiO3(001) (STO) and STO/Si(001) substrates, buffered with a La2/3Sr1/3MnO3 electrode. The films structure was studied by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and surface topography was studied using atomic force microscopy. Top Pt electrodes were deposited on top of the films to characterize their ferroelectric properties (polarization, leakage, endurance and retention).
Compared to undoped epitaxial Hf0.5Zr0.5O2 films [4-5], large values of polarization are obtained in a wider thickness range, whereas the coercive fields are similar, and the leakage current is substantially reduced. Compared to polycrystalline La-doped films [2-3], wake-up effect of epitaxial La-doped films is limited to a few cycles. Despite fatigue, endurance in epitaxial La-doped films is more than 1010 cycles, and this good property is accompanied by excellent retention of more than 10 years at room temperature. These results demonstrate that the wake-up effect and endurance–retention dilemma are not intrinsic in La-doped Hf0.5Zr0.5O2.

Epitaxial La-Doped Hf0.5Zr0.5O2 Thin Films with Enhanced Ferroelectric Properties

As the promising candidate of artificial synapses, memristor has attracted more and more interest in the future neuromorphic networks. Compared to the traditional Si-based devices, the flexible memristors exhibit light-weight, wearable, and cheap advantages. Inorganic compounds have excellent electrical performance but suffer from weak flex characteristics, and it can’t bear large bent degrees. The organic-inorganic hybrid materials combine flexible properties with outstanding electrical performance, so it is a favorable choice for the flexible memristor materials. Here, some essential synaptic functions are demonstrated in the Al-based hydroquinone (HQ) organic-inorganic hybrid film memristor on ITO-coated flexible PET substrate. Setting different set compliance currents and reset voltages, multi-level resistances are achieved at a steady state with little fluctuation. Through the pulse stimulation, paired-pulse facilitation, short-term to long-term plasticity transition and spike-timing-dependent plasticity (STDP) are successfully emulated. After 10000 times bent test (curvature radius ~4.5 mm), the electrical performance also exhibits stable RHRS/RLRS ratio ~1000, and essential synaptic functions emulation without serious failure resistive switching. The flexible memristor is potential to apply in the wearable electronics and smart artificial skins.


High-performance Flexible Memristor Based on Organic-Inorganic Hybrid Thin Film Derived from Molecular Layer Deposition for Artificial Synapse Device

The discovery of memristor, theorized in 1971 by L. Chua, has led to the development of novel artificial neuromorphic concepts and devices, including ferroelectric-based ones. Ferroelectric Tunnel Junction (FTJ) type memristors based on zirconium-doped hafnium oxide, Hf_0.5 Zr_0.5 O_2 (HZO) have recently displayed synaptic learning capabilities. In addition, HZO processes are already fully compatible with silicon CMOS industry with oxide layers thinner than 10 nm. In the present work, the HZO layer is realized by room temperature magnetron sputtering of a Hf_0.5 Zr_0.5 O_2 ceramic target and subsequently crystallized by rapid thermal annealing. Using different bottom electrode layers (germanium, titanium nitride, platinum) grown on silicon and different substrates (n-doped silicon, n-doped germanium), we studied the effect on the stabilized crystalline phase and microstructure (Fig), band structure alignment and electrical properties of thin HZO films. Furthermore, we explored the effect of ultra-thin buffer layers between the electrodes and the HZO layer, trading on the material, the position and the thickness. We exploited X-ray photoemission spectroscopy to analyze the chemistry and the electronic state of the electrodes/HZO interface. X-ray reflectometry and grazing incidence X-ray diffraction (GIXRD) were used to probe the thickness and structural characteristics of the HZO layer, whose ferroelectricity is associated to the polar orthorhombic phase. We will discuss our results in the framework of structural, chemical and physical properties of the different electrode/ferroelectric interfaces and their effect on the electrical properties of thin HZO-based junctions.

Influence of bottom electrodes on HZO thin film features

Resistive switching (RS) memories have been a crucial component for the requirements of the Internet of Things (IoT) which demands ultra-low power and high-density devices with new computing principles, exploiting low cost green products and technologies. Most of the reported resistive switching devices use conventional methods (PVD and CVD) which are quite expensive due to their up-scale production. Solution-processing methods have been improved, being now a reliable technology that offers many advantages for RS devices such as, high versatility, large area uniformity, transparency, low-cost and a simple fabrication of two-terminal structures. Solution-based metal oxide RS devices are emergent and promising non-volatile memories for future electronics. 
In this work, we review the present status of solution-based metal oxide RS devices is highlighted as well as discuss the solution synthesis parameters which induce a massive influence on the overall performance of these devices.[1] Next, a precise analysis of the most reported transition metal oxide thin films and electrode interface is presented. Then the recent advances on RS devices that will allow the massive production and compatibility with flexible substrates targeting low cost for neuromorphic and memory applications are discussed. Finally, the main challenges in solution-based metal oxide RS devices are discussed and future trends are proposed.

Recent Challenges and the Future of Metal Oxide Resistive Switching Devices

Memristors have been at the forefront of nanoelectronics research for the last decade, offering a valuable component to reconfigurable computing. 
Over this time period a number of publications have studied most of their aspects, generally centering around their static state-dependent programmability. 
In the present work, the behavior of metal-oxide memristors under a noninvasive
AC perturbation in a range of frequencies is studied. Metal-oxide memristors present a variable cut-off frequency when their state is switched. 
Also, they are found to behave as RC low-pass filters and thus can be used as reconfigurable filters. 
The usable reconfigurability window of the devices can be tailored to encompass specific frequency ranges by amending the devices’ capacitance, through engineering of its geometrical characteristics, such as area and thickness. Furthermore, by changing the active material of the device the behavior remains consistent, pointing to a unified behavior across metal-oxide memristors, irrespective of material used. This study provides useful insights for the eventual usage of devices in AC circuits and extends current knowledge by characterising their frequency dependent characteristics.

Frequency Response of Metal-Oxide Memristors

Electronic devices that can simulate the dynamics of neurotransmission in the human body are of great interest for the development of artificial intelligence in modern information technology. In this paper, an artificial nociceptor realized by a single metal-oxide nanobelt device with a unique capacitive-coupled threshold switching behavior is demonstrated. Via thermal admittance spectroscopy and temperature dependent sweeping study, the properties of the nanobelt devices are determined by Schottky emission at low bias and by defect assisted quantum tunneling at high bias subject to a threshold voltage. The low activation energy associated with dynamic electron trapping gives rise to a voltage-dependent volatile threshold switching behavior. This threshold switching behavior allows the emulation of several characteristic features of a nociceptor, a critical type of sensory neuron in the human body, including “threshold”, “relaxation”, “no adaptation”, “allodynia” and “hyperalgesia” behaviors, essential for the realization of electronic sensory receptors that detect noxious stimuli and signal rapid warning to the central nervous system. One-dimensional metal oxide nanobelt devices of this type yield multifunctional nociceptor performance that is fundamental for applications in artificial intelligence systems, representing a key step in the realization of neural integrated devices via a bottom-up approach.

Threshold Switching in Single Metal‐Oxide Nanobelt Devices Emulating an Artificial Nociceptor

One of the most desirable attributes of non-volatile memories and memristors is a fast and non-destructive readout of their resistive state. Prototypical ferroelectric memories use the bulk photovoltaic response associated to the polarization of ferroelectric films to address this requirement by optically sensing binary memory cells. A more advanced type of non-volatile memories are ferroelectric tunnel junctions. They feature resistive state ratios RHigh/RLow of 10^6, with an accessible continuum of resistive states, making them promising candidates for neuromorphic computing applications. However, tunnel junctions have ultrathin ferroelectric barriers in the range 3-6 nm that prevented a measurable photovoltaic response originated in the bulk of the barrier. We present the optical sensing of the resistive state of a ferroelectric tunnel junction using the Schottky barrier formed in the bottom interface to dramatically enhance its optical response. Our FTJ based on the La0.7Sr0.3MnO3/BaTiO3 (LSMO/BTO) interface, one of the best performing and studied material combinations, builds up an optically active Schottky barrier whose properties can be tuned by performing a resistive switch. By integrating a transparent conducting top electrode of ITO, we make the junctions optically accessible to light. UV illumination with 3.3 eV energy, exceeding the BTO bandgap, generates a solid photovoltaic response in the high resistance state originated in the Schottky barrier, with an open circuit voltage Voc of 0.4 V at 20 K. The photovoltaic effect is absent using lower energy red light (1.9 eV). In the RLow state, the Schottky barrier is removed and the photo response disappears, enabling the optical sensing of the resistive state.


Optically Active Schottky Barrier in La0.7Sr0.3MnO3/BaTiO3/ITO Ferroelectric Tunnel Junction Memories

Development of complementary metal–oxide–semiconductor (CMOS) logic is expected to approach its fundamental limit as the scaling down of the CMOS technology is reaching an end. As a route to extend the technology roadmap beyond traditional CMOS logic, novel spin-based logic architectures are being developed to provide nonvolatile data retention, near-zero leakage, and scalability. In particular, architectures based on magnetic domain walls (DWs) take the advantage of the fast motion, high density, non-volatility and flexible design of DWs to process and store information. Such schemes have so far relied on DW manipulation and clocking using an external magnetic field, which hinders their implementation in dense, large-scale chips. Here we demonstrate a method for performing all-electric logic operations and cascading using DW racetracks. Our concept for the magnetic DW logic is based on efficient DW motion induced by spin-orbit torques (SOTs) and recently developed chiral coupling between adjacent magnets where the magnetic anisotropy competes with the interfacial Dzyaloshinskii–Moriya interaction (DMI). Our work provides a viable platform for scalable all-electric magnetic logic, paving the way for memory-in-logic applications.

Current-driven magnetic domain-wall logic

Non-volatile memories include magnetic random access memories (MRAM), reverse transfer magnetoresistive random access memory (STT-MRAM), phase change random access memory (PCRAM), and resistive random access memory (RRAM), the latter being non- volatiles emerging. The RRAMs memories are characterized for having a metal/insulator/metal architecture; however, we proposed an alternative configuration based on metal/oxide-diluted magnetic semiconductors (O-DMS)/metal due to the promising magnetic control performance of resistive switching. This work presents a study of the structural, morphological, magnetic, and electric properties of Cobalt doped ZnO and TiO2 thin films fabricated via DC magnetron sputtering. HR-SEM and AFM micrographs evidencing the formation of small grains in the surface associated with the growth mechanism for the thin films. Electrical and magnetic characterization shows a contribution of lattice-free electrons, produced for oxygen vacancies, and Co ions randomly located into oxide semiconductor matrix, in the SET and RESET states. Comparative study of ZnO and TiO2 semiconductor matrices suggestion the low energy consumption in the process and the expansion of storage capacity, due to both high and low resistive states modified for the magnetic field applied.

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