Hydrostatic pressure effect on switching phenomena in copper-containing plasma thin films

Abstract
Copper‐containing polymer thin films sandwiched between metal electrodes were prepared by plasma polymerization of metal compounds in a radio‐frequency glow discharge. Current‐voltage (IV) characteristics reveal the switching phenomenon, characterized by an abrupt impedance variation from the off state (about 108–1010 Ω) to the on state (about 10–102 Ω). The IV characteristics exhibit an ohmic behavior in the on state. The pressure dependence of the switching threshold voltage (Vth) in the range of 0.1–80 MPa was investigated. It was assumed that Vth variations were due to the sample compression effect by the pressure. Results are analyzed by using Abeles’ model.