Memory switching in bismuth-vanadate glasses

Abstract

The electrical V-I characteristics of thin blown films of V₂O₅-Bi₂O₃ glasses with 95-70 mol % V₂O₅ were studied in the temperature range 200-400 K. It was observed that at lower fields, the bulk resistance controlled the current. At higher fields, all the glass compositions showed memory switching characteristics. The decrease in the threshold voltage and increase in the threshold current with the increase of V₂O₅ content in the glasses and also with increasing temperature were observed. The switching action was associated with a phase transition from a disordered glassy state to an ordered devitrified state due to self-heating. The ideal thermal model was shown to be applicable to the present glasses.