Field induced nucleation in the presence of a metal electrode

Abstract

We consider the effect of metal electrodes on the polarizability and nucleation of metal phases responsible for the operations of the emerging solid state memory. Our analysis is based on the image charge approach. We find results for point dipoles in static and oscillatory fields as well as an erect cylindrical nucleus near metal surfaces in resistive switching memories. We predict a large increase in polarizability and nucleation rate due to the metal electrode effects.