Application of Bond Constraint Theory to the Switchable Optical Memory Material Ge2Sb2Te5

D. A. Baker, M. A. Paesler, G. Lucovsky, S. C. Agarwal, and P. C. Taylor
Phys. Rev. Lett. 96, 255501 – Published 28 June 2006

Abstract

A new extended x-ray-absorption fine structure spectroscopy study of local bonding identifies for the first time significant concentrations of Ge-Ge bonds in amorphous Ge2Sb2Te5. The study provides a new understanding of the local molecular structure of this phase-change material. Application of bond constraint theory indicates that the amorphous phase is an ideal network structure in which the average number of constraints per atom equals the network dimensionality. Analysis within this framework imparts new and significant insights concerning the nature of the reversible optically driven amorphous-crystalline phase transition of Ge2Sb2Te5.

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  • Received 24 March 2006

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.96.255501

©2006 American Physical Society

Authors & Affiliations

D. A. Baker1, M. A. Paesler1, G. Lucovsky1, S. C. Agarwal1,*, and P. C. Taylor2

  • 1Physics Department, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina 27695-8202, USA
  • 2Physics Department, Colorado School of Mines, Golden, Colorado 80401-1887, USA

  • *Currently at Department of Physics, Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur 208 016, India.

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Vol. 96, Iss. 25 — 30 June 2006

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