Electrical bistability and memory applications of poly(p-phenylenevinylene) films

Devices based on oriented and unoriented poly(p-phenylenevinylene) films showed presence of electrical bistability. Depending on the voltage sweep direction, current through the device at any voltage had two values. Switching between a low- and a high-conducting state occurred when a suitable voltage pulse was applied. Impedance spectroscopy identified a change in bulk resistance of the device during the transition between the two states. Role of orientation of the polymer film on switching and electrical bistability has been studied. The bistability in these devices had an associated non-volatile memory. We have demonstrated read-only and random access memory applications in such devices using current–voltage and impedance characteristics.