Polarization‐Enabled Piezoelectric Tellurium–Selenium (Te <i> <sub>x</sub> </i> Se <sub>1–</sub> <i> <sub>x</sub> </i> ) Thin Films for Memory Switching and Artificial Synaptic Functions
ABSTRACT Two‐dimensional materials with piezoelectricity and polarization‐enabled electromechanical responses provide a promising basis for multifunctional electronics, including memory devices and neuromorphic computing. In this work, we explore cryogenic physical vapor deposition (cryogenic PVD)–grown Te x Se 1‐x thin films, a tellurium‐based compound with a tunable bandgap and enhanced non‐centrosymmetry, and examine their polarization‐associated electromechanical characteristics. A 10 nm Te 0.9 Se 0.1 film exhibits a clear switchable electromechanical response with a piezoelectric coefficient d 33 of 33 pm/V, together with stable piezoresponse under ambient conditions. Introducing a Se ratio of 0.1 is found to enhance the polarization behavior and domain response while maintaining the crystalline quality of the Te x Se 1‐x films. Memory devices based on Te 0.9 Se 0.1 show retention beyond 2000 s and remain switchable up to 1000 cycles, with an HRS/LRS ratio exceeding 10 2 under ± 20 V program/erase pulses when read at a drain voltage of 1 V. In addition, synaptic behavior is demonstrated with 92% image recognition accuracy at low energy consumption, suggesting potential for neuromorphic applications. These results highlight the potential of Te x Se 1‐x films as a polarization‐enabled piezoelectric semiconductor system for future low‐power memory and computing applications.
Authors
- Yu‐Lun Chueh (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0155-9987)
- Bing‐Ni Gu
- Yu‐Ren Peng
- Der‐Hsien Lien (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6774-2074)
- M. H. Lee (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2007-2875)
- Yi‐Jen Yu
- Po‐Chien Lai
- Yi‐Cheng Lin (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5130-5280)
- Ruei‐Hong Cyu
- Chia-Hung Lo
- Quynh Thi Le
- Chia‐Chen Chung
- Zhao‐Feng Lou
- Mayur Chaudhary
- Chang‐Hong Shen
- Ying‐Hao Chu
Institutions
- National Sun Yat-sen University (TW)
- National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University (TW)
- National Taiwan University of Science and Technology (TW)
- National Chung Hsing University (TW)
- Korea University (KR)
- National Tsing Hua University (TW)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Advanced Science
- Published
- 2026-05-27
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1002/advs.202524308
- Primary Topic
- 2D Materials and Applications
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00