Multi-level phase-change memory with ultralow power consumption and resistance drift

By controlling the amorphous-to-crystalline relative volume, chalcogenide phase-change memory materials can provide multi-level data storage (MLS), which offers great potential for high-density storage-class memory and neuro-inspired computing. However, this type of MLS system suffers from high power consumption and a severe time-dependent resistance increase ("drift") in the amorphous phase, which limits the number of attainable storage levels. Here, we report a new type of MLS system in yttrium-doped antimony telluride, utilizing reversible multi-level phase transitions between three states, i.e., amorphous, metastable cubic and stable hexagonal crystalline phases, with ultralow power consumption (0.6-4.3 pJ) and ultralow resistance drift for the lower two states (power-law exponent < 0.007). The metastable cubic phase is stabilized by yttrium, while the evident reversible cubic-to-hexagonal transition is attributed to the sequential and directional migration of Sb atoms. Finally, the decreased heat dissipation of the material and the increase in crystallinity contribute to the overall high performance. This study opens a new way to achieve advanced multi-level phase-change memory without the need for complicated manufacturing procedures or iterative programming operations.