New Phase Change Material for Future Memory Storage Devices

A research team from A*STAR’s Data Storage Institute (DSI) in Singapore invented a new phase change material that has the potential to change the design of future memory storage devices. Phase change materials are substances which are capable of changing their structure between amorphous and crystalline at high speed. Currently, these materials are being used to make Phase change memory (PCM), the most promising alternative to replace FLASH memory in future.

Conventionally, PCM is worked by changing phase change materials’ structure through applying an electric current. Now, phase change might be effected by means of switching the new phase change materials using magnetic fields. The DSI research team led by Dr Shi Luping created this first phase change magnetic material in the world by introducing iron atoms into Germanium-Antimony-Tellurium alloys (or GeSbTe) containing non-magnetic elements.   

“The addition of magnetic properties to phase change materials opens doors to possible new applications, such as the possibility of integrating phase change memory into spintronic technology [also known as magneto-electronics], and positions it as the next generation of storage technology to look out for,” said Professor Chong Tow Chong, Executive Director of DSI.

Further developments are under way to develop materials that could be switched by application of magnetic fields. Said Dr Shi, “As a next step, we will explore phase change spintronics and its applications. Because of the new degree of freedom of spin we introduced, the possible applications include novel devices with multiple functions, such as memories, sensors and logic devices.”

This significant breakthrough was given special mention in the prestigious NPG (Nature Publishing Group) Asia Materials journal. Working in conjunction with Tokyo Institute of Technology, this journal highlights some of the best materials research in the region. It is published by world-renowned scientific journal publisher, Nature Publishing Group, which also produces the esteemed Nature Photonics journal. In fact, another DSI research team led by Dr Shi Luping has just been featured in the August edition of Nature Photonics for another of their laudable feats, namely, the creation of a needle of longitudinally polarized light in vacuum using binary optics.

About Data Storage Institute
The Data Storage Institute (DSI) is a member of the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR). Established in 1992 as the Magnetics Technology Centre (MTC), it was renamed Data Storage Institute in 1996. The research institute’s vision is to be a vital node in a global community of knowledge generation and innovation, nurturing research talents and capabilities for world-class R&D in next generation storage technologies. DSI is a member of the non-profit Information Storage Industry Consortium (INSIC) of USA. 

About the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR)
A*STAR is Singapore’s lead agency for fostering world-class scientific research and talent for a vibrant knowledge-based Singapore. A*STAR actively nurtures public sector research and development in Biomedical Sciences, Physical Sciences and Engineering, with a particular focus on fields essential to Singapore’s manufacturing industry and new growth industries. It oversees 22 research institutes, consortia and centres, and supports extramural research with the universities, hospital research centres and other local and international partners. At the heart of this knowledge intensive work is human capital. Top local and international scientific talent drive knowledge creation at A*STAR research institutes. The Agency also sends scholars for undergraduate, graduate and post-doctoral training in the best universities, a reflection of the high priority A*STAR places on nurturing the next generation of scientific talent.