New insight into phase change memories

► The switching mechanism was described using the concept of commuton. ► The Ge2Sb2Te2 system was modeled using the cellular automata approach. ► Percolation as a function of phase change in the commutons explains the switching. ► A maximum of 20% defects in the system enhances the rapidity of commutation. ► Above this value an opposite effect appears and at 40% the commutation is suppressed.