Scaling Limits of Graphene Nanoelectrodes

Graphene nanogap electrodes have been of recent interest in a variety of fields, ranging from molecular electronics to phase change memories. Several recent reports have highlighted that scaling graphene nanogaps to even smaller sizes is a promising route to more efficient and robust molecular and memory devices. Despite the significant interest, the operating and scaling limits of these electrodes are completely unknown. In this paper, we report on our observations of consistent voltage driven resistance switching in sub-5 nm graphene nanogaps. We find that such electrical switching from an insulating state to a conductive state occurs at very low currents and voltages (0.06 μA and 140 mV), independent of the conditions (room ambient, low temperatures, as well as in vacuum), thus portending potential limits to scaling of functional devices with carbon electrodes. We then associate this phenomenon to the formation and rupture of carbon chains. Using a phase change material in the nanogap as a demonstrator device, fabricated using a self-alignment technique, we show that for gap sizes approaching 1 nm the switching is dominated by such carbon chain formation, creating a fundamental scaling limit for potential devices. These findings have important implications, not only for fundamental science, but also in terms of potential applications.