Regensburg 2013 – scientific programme

Parts | Days | Selection | Search | Updates | Downloads | Help

HL: Fachverband Halbleiterphysik

HL 90: Poster Session: Quantum information systems; Optical properties; Ultrafast phenomena

HL 90.12: Poster

Thursday, March 14, 2013, 16:00–20:00, Poster A

Ultrafast Dynamics of the Phase Transition in GST Phase Change Materials — •Lutz Waldecker¹, Simon Wall², and Ralph Ernstorfer¹ — ¹Fritz-Haber-Institut der MPG, Berlin, Germany — ²ICFO - Institut de Ciències Fotòniques, Castelldefels (Barcelona), Spain

The fast and reversible optically induced switching between amorphous and crystalline states of Ge_xSb_yTe_z (GST) and similar compounds has found numerous applications in modern data storage technology. However, the microscopic mechanism of the switching process is still subject to debate. By applying two different pump-probe techniques, we investigate the ultrafast optical as well as structural properties of GST as the phase transition occurs. Combining femtosecond transient reflectivity spectroscopy and time-resolved electron diffraction allows for investigating the correlation between structure and function in phase change materials as well as for addressing the question whether the phase transition is thermally or non-thermally driven.