RECTIFIER AND PROCESS FOR PRODUCING THE RECTIFIER

摘要

This invention provides a rectifier comprising a titanium oxide layer interposed between first and second electrodes formed of a transition metal having an electronegativity larger than Ti. In the titanium oxide layer, only the interface on a side, which faces any one of the electrodes, has a fixed ratio composition, and the average composition of the whole layer is represented by TiOx, wherein x satisfies a relationship of 1.6 = x < 2. The rectifying characteristics are reversed by applying a reversing electric signal exceeding a critical reversing electric power between the first and second electrodes in an opposite direction. There is also provided a process for producing a rectifier, comprising the step of depositing a first electrode formed of a transition metal having an electronegativity larger than Ti on a substrate, the step of depositing a layer of titanium oxide (TiOx) on the first electrode, provided that x satisfies a relationship of 1.6 = x x) layer to the oxygen atmosphere, and the step of depositing a second electrode formed of a transition metal having an electronegativity larger than Ti on the surface of the titanium oxide (TiOx) layer exposed to the oxygen atmosphere.