We perform experiments and device simulations to investigate the origin of current-voltage (I-V) linearity of TaO x-based resistive switching memory (RRAM) devices for their possible application as electronic synapses. By using electrical characterization and simulations, we link the electrical characteristics (linear or nonlinear I-V) to the microscopic properties of the conductive filament (CF). Our findings indicate that the shape and the thermal properties of the CF region are crucial to achieve linear I-V characteristics. These results allow optimizing the I-V curve linearity of TaO x-based RRAM devices, explaining the wide range of linear I-V characteristics experimentally observed on RRAM device obtained. When weight sum operation using SPICE simulations is performed, the read current is improved under the condition of linear I-V characteristics due to current loss minimization. INDEX TERMS I-V linearity, neuromorphic system, resistive switching memory (RRAM), TaO x .
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