Electro-photo double modulation on the resistive switching behavior and switchable photoelectric effect in BiFeO3 films

We present an electro-photo double modulation on the resistive switching behavior in an Au/BiFeO3/La0.7Sr0.3MnO3/SrTiO3 heterostructure, combining the electro-resistance effect and the photo-resistance effect. The pulse voltages can lead to nonvolatile resistance variations in this heterostructure, and the laser illumination can also modulate the high and low resistance states. Consequently, four stable resistance states are achieved. Furthermore, a switchable photoelectric effect-the direction of the photocurrent can be switched by polarization reversal, is also observed in this heterostructure. The present results should have potential applications to develop multi-state memory devices based on perovskite oxides. (C) 2013 AIP Publishing LLC.