Patent ID: 11972819
Assignee: SANDISK TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
Field: Computer technology (Electrical engineering)
Classification: CPC G | IPC G

Claim 0:
1. A non-volatile storage apparatus, comprising:
a plurality of word lines;
a plurality of non-volatile memory cells each connected to one of the plurality of word lines; and
a control circuit connected to the word lines and the memory cells, the control circuit is configured to lower word line voltages by:
concurrently lowering a voltage applied to a selected word line and voltages applied to word lines on a first side of the selected word line at a conclusion of a program-verify portion of a program loop of a program operation that comprises multiple program loops, and
subsequent to lowering the voltage applied to the selected word line, successively lowering voltages applied to groups of one or more word lines on a second side of the selected word line at the conclusion of the program-verify portion of the program loop of the program operation beginning with a group of one or more word lines immediately adjacent the selected word line and progressing to other groups of one or more word lines disposed increasingly remote from the selected word line.