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Phase change materials: From material science to novel storage devices

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Abstract

In recent years, non-volatile solid state memories have in many applications replaced magnetic hard disk drives. While the most popular and successful non-volatile memory is the “FLASH” random access memory, several contenders have entered the stage that might be viable alternatives in the near future. One of the most promising storage concepts is based on phase change materials which are already successfully employed in rewritable optical data storage. In this paper we will review the present understanding of phase change materials as well as open questions.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. I. Physikalisches Institut IA, RWTH Aachen University, 52056, Aachen, Germany

    M. Wuttig & C. Steimer

Authors
  1. M. Wuttig
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  2. C. Steimer
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Correspondence to M. Wuttig.

Additional information

PACS

61.10.-i; 71.15.-m; 78.20.-e; 61.43.Bn; 61.43.Dq; 61.50.Ah; 64.60.Qb

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Wuttig, M., Steimer, C. Phase change materials: From material science to novel storage devices. Appl. Phys. A 87, 411–417 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00339-007-3931-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00339-007-3931-y

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