Phase change of Ge2Sb2Te5 under terahertz laser illumination
Source abstract
Abstract
Ge2Sb2Te5 (GST) is the typical phase change material (PCM) that can reversibly transform between the amorphous (a) and crystalline (c) states. Because the optical properties are phase-dependent, GST has been widely used in various photonic applications, such as optical switches and non-volatile memories. Currently, the photonic applications of the GST PCM have been demonstrated by employing lasers in visible and infrared wavelengths. Extending the photonic applications into other wavelengths is much demanded. Here, we investigate the phase change of the GST material illuminated by using a terahertz quantum cascade laser emitting around 2.5 THz. A finite-element simulation is employed to study the temperature and transmission changes induced by terahertz irradiation. It reveals that the phase change can be achieved and the transmission is reduced by 30% when the GST material is irradiated by the 2.5 THz laser light. Furthermore, a z-scan technique experimentally presents the phase change behaviors of GST illuminated by the terahertz light, which is visually proved by transmission electron microscopy. Our work paves a way for the applications of GST materials in the terahertz optical components, e.g., modulators and switches.
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Research context
OpenAlex topics: Phase-change materials and chalcogenides · Chalcogenide Semiconductor Thin Films · Optical and Acousto-Optic Technologies
SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.
Affiliations
Key Laboratory of Terahertz Solid State Technology, Shanghai Institute of Microsystem and Information Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences 1 , Shanghai 200050, China
Center of Materials Science and Optoelectronics Engineering, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences 2 , Beijing 100049, China
State Key Laboratory of Precision Spectroscopy, East China Normal University 3 , Shanghai 200062, China
State Key Laboratory of Functional Materials for Informatics, Shanghai Institute of Microsystem and Information Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences 4 , Shanghai 200050, China
Funding
National Natural Science Foundation of China · From 0 to 1 Innovation Program of the Chinese Academy of Sciences · National Key Scientific Instrument and Equipment Development Projects of the Chinese Academy of Sciences · Major National Development Project of Scientific Instrument and Equipment · National Science Fund for Excellent Young Scholars · Shanghai Outstanding Academic Leaders Plan · Shanghai Youth Top Talent Support Program
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