Field-induced evolution of metallic nano-tips in indium tin oxide-tris-(8-hydroxyquinoline) aluminum-aluminum device

The effect of electric field and temperature on bistable characteristics of indium tin oxide/tris-(8-hydroxyquinoline) aluminum (Alq3)/aluminum (Al) device has been investigated. The switching time, during which the device turns from a high resistive (OFF) state to a low resistive (ON) state, increases with decreasing field and temperature. The observed phenomena are accounted for by a phenomenological model that metallic nano-tips may evolve under the influence of the electric field and temperature.