Resistive Random Access Memory (RRAM): an Overview of Materials, Switching Mechanism, Performance, Multilevel Cell (mlc) Storage, Modeling, and Applications

• Published in: Nanoscale research letters Vol. 15; no. 1; p. 90
• Main Authors: Zahoor, Furqan, Azni Zulkifli, Tun Zainal, Khanday, Farooq Ahmad
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York Springer US 22-04-2020; Springer Nature B.V; SpringerOpen
• Subjects: Chemistry and Materials Science; Density; Emerging memory; Endurance; Low cost; Material properties; Materials Science; Molecular Medicine; Multilevel cell (MLC); Nano Review; Nanochemistry; Nanoscale Science and Technology; Nanotechnology; Nanotechnology and Microengineering; Non-volatile storage; Operating temperature; Oxygen vacancies; Random access memory; Resistance switching; Resistive random access memory (RRAM); Security; Storage; Switching; Resistance switching; Non-volatile storage; Oxygen vacancies; Emerging memory; Multilevel cell (MLC); Resistive random access memory (RRAM)
• ISSN: 1931-7573; 1556-276X; 1556-276X
• DOI: 10.1186/s11671-020-03299-9

In this manuscript, recent progress in the area of resistive random access memory (RRAM) technology which is considered one of the most standout emerging memory technologies owing to its high speed, low cost, enhanced storage density, potential applications in various fields, and excellent scalability is comprehensively reviewed. First, a brief overview of the field of emerging memory technologies is provided. The material properties, resistance switching mechanism, and electrical characteristics of RRAM are discussed. Also, various issues such as endurance, retention, uniformity, and the effect of operating temperature and random telegraph noise (RTN) are elaborated. A discussion on multilevel cell (MLC) storage capability of RRAM, which is attractive for achieving increased storage density and low cost is presented. Different operation schemes to achieve reliable MLC operation along with their physical mechanisms have been provided. In addition, an elaborate description of switching methodologies and current voltage relationships for various popular RRAM models is covered in this work. The prospective applications of RRAM to various fields such as security, neuromorphic computing, and non-volatile logic systems are addressed briefly. The present review article concludes with the discussion on the challenges and future prospects of the RRAM.