Temperature dependence of threshold switching in NbOx thin films

Abstract

The threshold switching characteristics of amorphous NbOx thin films is investigated with particular emphasis on temperature dependence of the switching characteristics. Threshold switching in this material is believed to result from a thermally-induced insulator-metal-transition (IMT) induced along a filamentary path by local Joule heating. Increasing the operating temperature is shown to lead to a reduction in the resistance of the high-resistance state and to a reduction in the threshold switching voltage. These results are discussed in relation to the transport properties of NbOx and the IMT switching model.