High thermal stability and low thermal conductivity in Ga30Sb70/Sb80Te20 nanocomposite multilayer films

The reliability characteristics and thermal conductivity of Ga30Sb70/Sb80Te20 nanocomposite multilayer films were investigated by isothermal resistance and transient thermoreflectance (TTR) measurements, respectively. The crystallization temperature and activation energy for the crystallization can be modulated by varying the layer thickness of Ga30Sb70. A data retention time of ten years of the amorphous state [Ga30Sb70 (3 nm)/Sb80Te20 (5 nm)]13, [Ga30Sb70 (5 nm)/Sb80Te20 (5 nm)]10, and [Ga30Sb70 (10 nm)/Sb80Te20 (5 nm)]7 was estimated when ambient temperature is 137, 163, and 178 °C, respectively. Ga30Sb70/Sb80Te20 nanocomposite multilayer films were found to have lower thermal conductivity in both the amorphous and crystalline state compared to Ge2Sb2Te5 film, which will promise lower programming power in the phase-change random access memory.

► The crystallization temperature and activation energy can be modulated. ► The data retention of Ga30Sb70/Sb80Te20 multilayer films was higher than Ge2Sb2Te5. ► The thermal conductivity of the multilayer films was lower than monolayer films.