Combining pulse-probe measurements as well as local transport measurements in an electron microscope system by a simultaneous monitoring of the structural changes, we show that the nonvolatile electric pulse induced resistance change in Ca-doped praseodymium manganite is related to a polaron order-disorder transition, modified by electronic band bending in the vicinity of an interface to a metallic electrode. A pronounced resistance change requires a critical distance between the two electrode and/or oxide interfaces to form an insulating incommensurate polaron-ordered phase during the initialization of the device. Based on these observations, a qualitative model for the electronic structure of the metal-oxide interface is developed.

• Received 13 March 2008

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.77.132409