HYDROSTATIC-PRESSURE EFFECT ON SWITCHING PHENOMENA IN COPPER-CONTAINING PLASMA THIN-FILMS

Copper-containing polymer thin films sandwiched between metal electrod es were prepared by plasma polymerization of metal compounds in a radi o-frequency glow discharge. Current-voltage (I-V) characteristics reve al the switching phenomenon, characterized by an abrupt impedance vari ation from the off state (about 10(8)-10(10) Omega) to the on state (a bout 10-10(2) Omega). The I-V characteristics exhibit an ohmic behavio r in the on state. The pressure dependence of the switching threshold voltage (V-th) in the range of 0.1-80 MPa was investigated. It was ass umed that V-th variations were due to the sample compression effect by the pressure. Results are analyzed by using Abeles' model.