Adiabatic theory of SET and RESET transitions

Abstract

We develop a phenomenological theory of pulse induced phase transformations behind the SET (from high to low resistive state) and RESET (backward) processes in nonvolatile memory. We show that in modern era devices, both evolve in the adiabatic regime with energy deposition time much shorter than that of thermalization. They are however different by the operating modes: voltage source driven for SET and current source driven for RESET. The characteristic temperatures and transition rates are expressed through material and process parameters.