Phase-Change Nanoswitch: Joule-Heating Set/Reset

This simulator models the mechanism behind a chalcogenide phase-change nanoswitch — the kind of nanoscale electrical switch built from materials like Ge₂Sb₂Te₅, distinct from MEMS electrostatic relays, memristor filaments or plain transistors. Firing a voltage pulse Joule-heats a nanoscale cell whose temperature evolves under a thermal-RC model; depending on how hot it gets and how fast it cools, the cell's structural order parameter follows either Arrhenius crystallization kinetics (SET, low resistance) or a rapid melt-quench into the amorphous state (RESET, high resistance). Adjust pulse voltage, pulse width, cell diameter and ambient temperature, then watch the 3D lattice of atoms reorder between disordered and crystalline arrangements while resistance, crystalline fraction, peak temperature and switching energy update live.