Mixed‐Mode Electro‐Optical Operation of Ge₂Sb₂Te₅ Nanoscale Crossbar Devices

The use of phase‐change materials for a range of exciting new optoelectronic applications from artificial retinas to ultrahigh‐resolution displays requires a thorough understanding of how these materials perform under a combination of optical and electrical stimuli. This study reports for the first time the complex link between the electronic and optical properties in real‐world crossbar nanoscale devices constructed by confining a thin layer of Ge 2 Sb 2 Te 5 between transparent indium tin oxide electrodes, forming an optical nanocavity. A novel proof‐of‐concept device that can be operated by a combination of optical and electrical stimuli is presented, leading the way for the development of further applications based on mixed‐mode electro‐optical operation.