Modeling of the Temperature Profiles and Thermoelectric Effects in Phase Change Memory Cells
Phase change memory (PCM) is an important element in the development and realization of new forms of brain-like computing. In this article, a three-dimensional finite element method simulation is carried out to study the temperature profiles within PCM cells for a better understanding of switching o...
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| Format: | Article |
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MDPI AG
2018-07-01
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| Series: | Applied Sciences |
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| Online Access: | http://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/8/8/1238 |
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| author | Changcheng Ma Jing He Jingjing Lu Jie Zhu Zuoqi Hu |
| author_facet | Changcheng Ma Jing He Jingjing Lu Jie Zhu Zuoqi Hu |
| author_sort | Changcheng Ma |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Phase change memory (PCM) is an important element in the development and realization of new forms of brain-like computing. In this article, a three-dimensional finite element method simulation is carried out to study the temperature profiles within PCM cells for a better understanding of switching operations. On the basis of a finite difference method, the simulation consists of phase transition kinetics, electrical, thermal, percolation effect, as well as thermoelectric effects, using temperature-dependent material parameters. The Thomson effect within the phase-change material and the Peltier effect at the electrode contact are respectively considered for a detailed analysis of the impact on the temperature profiles and the programming current for switching processes. The simulation results show that switching operations are primarily implemented by the melting and quenching of the phase-change material close to the contact between the bottom electrode and phase change material, and its final phase distribution is determined by the cooling rate. With positive current polarity, thermoelectric effects improve heating efficiency and then reduce the programming current. Because of the different occurrence region, the Peltier effect significantly changes the temperature profile, which is more influential in switching operations. Additionally, the contribution of thermoelectric effects decreases with the cell size scaling because of the weakening of the Peltier effect. This paper aims at providing a more precise description of the thermoelectric phenomena taking place in switching operations for future PCM design. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-12T02:11:44Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-c58ceeb020464d15816a5e9c1879ffe2 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2076-3417 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-12T02:11:44Z |
| publishDate | 2018-07-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Applied Sciences |
| spelling | doaj.art-c58ceeb020464d15816a5e9c1879ffe22022-12-22T03:52:22ZengMDPI AGApplied Sciences2076-34172018-07-0188123810.3390/app8081238app8081238Modeling of the Temperature Profiles and Thermoelectric Effects in Phase Change Memory CellsChangcheng Ma0Jing He1Jingjing Lu2Jie Zhu3Zuoqi Hu4School of Optical and Electronic Information, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430070, ChinaSchool of Optical and Electronic Information, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430070, ChinaSchool of Optical and Electronic Information, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430070, ChinaSchool of Optical and Electronic Information, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430070, ChinaSchool of Optical and Electronic Information, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430070, ChinaPhase change memory (PCM) is an important element in the development and realization of new forms of brain-like computing. In this article, a three-dimensional finite element method simulation is carried out to study the temperature profiles within PCM cells for a better understanding of switching operations. On the basis of a finite difference method, the simulation consists of phase transition kinetics, electrical, thermal, percolation effect, as well as thermoelectric effects, using temperature-dependent material parameters. The Thomson effect within the phase-change material and the Peltier effect at the electrode contact are respectively considered for a detailed analysis of the impact on the temperature profiles and the programming current for switching processes. The simulation results show that switching operations are primarily implemented by the melting and quenching of the phase-change material close to the contact between the bottom electrode and phase change material, and its final phase distribution is determined by the cooling rate. With positive current polarity, thermoelectric effects improve heating efficiency and then reduce the programming current. Because of the different occurrence region, the Peltier effect significantly changes the temperature profile, which is more influential in switching operations. Additionally, the contribution of thermoelectric effects decreases with the cell size scaling because of the weakening of the Peltier effect. This paper aims at providing a more precise description of the thermoelectric phenomena taking place in switching operations for future PCM design.http://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/8/8/1238phase change memoryfinite element modelingtemperature profilesthermoelectric effectscooling rates |
| spellingShingle | Changcheng Ma Jing He Jingjing Lu Jie Zhu Zuoqi Hu Modeling of the Temperature Profiles and Thermoelectric Effects in Phase Change Memory Cells Applied Sciences phase change memory finite element modeling temperature profiles thermoelectric effects cooling rates |
| title | Modeling of the Temperature Profiles and Thermoelectric Effects in Phase Change Memory Cells |
| title_full | Modeling of the Temperature Profiles and Thermoelectric Effects in Phase Change Memory Cells |
| title_fullStr | Modeling of the Temperature Profiles and Thermoelectric Effects in Phase Change Memory Cells |
| title_full_unstemmed | Modeling of the Temperature Profiles and Thermoelectric Effects in Phase Change Memory Cells |
| title_short | Modeling of the Temperature Profiles and Thermoelectric Effects in Phase Change Memory Cells |
| title_sort | modeling of the temperature profiles and thermoelectric effects in phase change memory cells |
| topic | phase change memory finite element modeling temperature profiles thermoelectric effects cooling rates |
| url | http://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/8/8/1238 |
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