Polarity reversal in bipolar resistive switching in Pr0.7Ca0.3MnO3 noble metal sandwich structures

The electrically induced persistent resistance change in perovskite Pr0.7Ca0.3MnO3 films sandwiched by metallic electrodes is analyzed with respect to noble electrode materials (Pt, Au, and Ag) and geometric arrangement by electrical transport measurements. Comparing switching behavior in symmetric and asymmetric electrode interfaces gives evidence for identifying the active, single interface in the switching process. The interaction of two opposing interfaces can lead to an observed switching polarity inversion in different current density regimes in the otherwise well defined bipolar behavior. The different noble metals exhibit a quite similar switching behavior, but a lower interfacial resistance seems to favor switching. (C) 2011 American Institute of Physics. [doi:10.1063/1.3610429]