Nanoionic redox-based resistive switches - challenges and prospects

In terms of information theory, a ReRAM cell operates on the configuration of ions as the state variable. Such a cell is generally built by a MIM structure, composed of an ion or mixed ion-electron conducting (i. e. resistive) material I sandwiched between two (typically different) electron conductors M as electrodes. The materials I are oxides, higher chalcogenides, or other ionic solids. Often, an initial electroforming cycle is required before these MIM cells can be electrically switched between at least two different resistance states.