Self-compliance-improved resistive switching using Ir/TaOx/W cross-point memory

Resistive switching properties of a self-compliance resistive random access memory device in cross-point architecture with a simple stack structure of Ir/TaOx/W have been investigated. A transmission electron microscope and atomic force microscope were used to observe the film properties and morphology of the stack. The device has shown excellent switching cycle uniformity with a small operation of ±2.5 V and a resistance ratio of >100. The device requires neither any frorming-process nor current compliance limit for repeatable operation in contrast to conventional resistive random access memory devices. The effect of bottom electrode morphology and surface roughness is also studied. The improvement is due to the enhanced electric field at the nanotips in the bottom electrode and the defective TaOx switching layer which enable controlled filament formation/rupture. The device area dependence of the low resistance state indicates multifilament formation. The device has shown a robust alternating current endurance of >105 cycles and a data retention of >104 s.