  Electrically tunable optical devices present diverse functionalities for
manipulating electromagnetic waves by leveraging elements capable of reversibly
switching between different optical states. This adaptability in adjusting
their responses to electromagnetic waves after fabrication is crucial for
developing more efficient and compact optical systems for a broad range of
applications including sensing, imaging, telecommunications, and data storage.
Chalcogenide-based phase change materials (PCMs) have shown great promise due
to their stable, non-volatile phase transition between amorphous and
crystalline states. Nonetheless, optimizing the switching parameters of PCM
devices and maintaining their stable operation over thousands of cycles with
minimal variation can be challenging. In this paper, we report on the critical
role of PCM pattern as well as electrical pulse form in achieving reliable and
stable switching, extending the operational lifetime of the device beyond
13,000 switching events. To achieve this, we have developed a computer-aided
algorithm that monitors optical changes in the device and adjusts the applied
voltage in accordance with the phase transformation process, thereby
significantly enhancing the lifetime of these reconfigurable devices. Our
findings reveal that patterned PCM structures show significantly higher
endurance compared to blanket PCM thin films.
