TOP-electrode-eliminated organic bi-stable devices and their two switching modes in different atmospheres

Abstract An OBD device fabrication method without top electrode deposition is presented to investigate organic bi-stable mechanisms, showing that the bi-stable phenomenon can appear without penetration of metal atoms into the organic layer. Two switch modes, unipolar switch usually present in organic devices and bipolar switch usually present in both organic and inorganic devices, were found in the same organic device when measured in nitrogen and air atmospheres, respectively. It has been observed that pre-bias of the opposite polarity promotes the switch in air atmosphere. Atomic force microscopy showed protrusions could form at the anode/organic interface. A possible mechanism relating needle-tip formation to atmospheres is proposed, which could unify both organic and inorganic memory behaviors.