Characteristics of Semiconducting Glass Switching/Memory Diodes

Semiconducting glass diodes can exhibit at least three conducting states: a high-resistance, or “off” state; a low-resistance, or “on” state; and a negative resistance state. When appropriately pulsed they can also display a memory function. The laboratory operation of simple diodes and the methods of inducing transitions among the various states are described. In addition, the possible role of phase changes in the mechanism of device operation is discussed, and new evidence in support of a filamentary conduction hypothesis is presented.