Objective
The SYNAPSE project initially aimed at the metalorganic chemical vapor phase deposition (MOCVD) and study of chalcogenide single material, (core) and double material (core-shell) nanowires (NWs), for innovative multi-level phase change memories (PCM). If Ge-Sb-Te is the most studied material for PCM applications, In-based materials, like In-Sb-Te or In-Ge-Te alloys, are also promising, since they are featured by low reset current and high crystallization temperature, paving the way for performing data storage devices even in the automotive field. At the same time, a great attention is currently devoted to the chance to downscale PCM cells by employing chalcogenide NWs. In SYNAPSE, Ge-based and In-based single material (SM-NWs) will be first deposited by MOCVD on different substrates and using different bottom-up approaches, the vapor-liquid-solid (VLS) and the selective area growth (SAG). SM-NWs were originally expected to be in-situ MOCVD-coated by other phase change chalcogenides, to obtain core-shell nanowires (CS-NWs), both free-standing and buried in template matrix. Different material combinations (Ge-Sb-Te/In-Sb-Te/In-GeTe) had to be explored in the realization of the CS-NWs, in order to expand the memory level operational features of the obtainable PCM devices.
Due to some delays and the impossibility to ask for an extension, a project redefinition during the second reporting period was necessary, so that the objective of obtaining core-shell nanowires was dropped, along with the optimization of conformal chalcogenide layers. The important goal of exploring NWs of different chalcogenide alloys, including Ge-based and In-based telluride remains, for their application to PCM devices both as single nanocells and in ordered arrays. This will anyway represent an important contribution to the achievement of downsized and low-power consumption non-volatile memory cells.
The NW synthesis will be therefore supported by the development and test of precursors for MOCVD. A detailed study of the NW phase switching behavior (reversible amorphous-crystalline transitions) will be carried out and correlated. Special attention will be devoted to the investigation of electrical and thermal properties of the NWs, their phase formation/crystallization dynamics, size-dependent effects and structural/chemical composition. Experimental work will be supported by theoretical modeling and simulation of both crystallization dynamics and electro-thermal behavior. Another significant change in the project redefinition is represented by the termination of one industrial partner (Micron), whose planned activity is expected to be partly compensated by the remaining partners and by the involvement of an external industrial company of the field, participating to project meeting(s). The SYNAPSE consortium is finally formed by 6 participants (5 academic/research centers and 1 industry) from Italy (2), France (2), Germany (1) and Ireland (1).
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
FP7-NMP-2012-SMALL-6
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Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Coordinator
00185 Roma
Italy
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.