A Simulation Model of Resistive Switching in Electrochemical Metallization Memory Cells (ECM)

The storage principal of the Electrochemical Metallization Memory Cell is based on change of cell resistance induced by electro-chemical driven growth and rupture of a cupric or silver filament in an insulating matrix. This kind of switching was found in several materials as AgGeSe, CuGeS, silicon oxide or tungsten oxide [1].During write operation copper or silver is oxidized at the corresponding electrode and copper or silver ions are driven out of the copper or silver anode into the insulating matrix due to the applied field, whereas the insulating matrix serves as solid electrolyte. The silver or copper ions migrate towards the cathode. At the cathode electrochemical reduction occurs, and deposition of metallic copper or silver takes place. Fast diffusion paths in the solid electrolyte matrix or preferred nucleation sites (seeds) at the boundary lead to filamentary growth. This growing cupric or silver dendrite finally reaches the anode and switches the device to a low resistance state.Based on this switching mechanism a FEM simulation model was set up. To simplify the model space charges due to silver or copper migration are neglected. It is further assumed, that the conductivity in the solid electrolyte is only ionic. Hence, it is sufficient to solve the well-known Laplace equation to address the electric properties as well as ion migration. A “Level Set” method is used to track the boundary of the growing filament. The velocity of this boundary is proportional to the ionic current density calculated by Laplace equation. Based on this model simulations are applied to cell structures with multiple fast diffusion paths and seeds. Simulation results show that just one filament reaches the anode.In a second step, Butler-Vollmer boundary conditions are introduced. This nonlinearity leads to an exponential dependence between switching time and switching voltage. As switching voltage increases, switching time decreases.A simulation model capable of simulating ECM memory cells is presented. The model enables to simulate the behaviour of different cell geometries or different materials as solid electrolyte. Furthermore it gives deeper insight into the switching mechanism.This work was supported by the European project EMMA “Emerging Materials for Mass storage Architectures” (FP6-033751).