Patent ID: 6618284
Filing Date: 2003-09-09
Classification: G11C

Abstract:
A semiconductor memory comprising:a ferroelectric capacitor formed on a semiconductor substrate and including a ferroelectric film, a first electrode formed on said ferroelectric film and a second electrode formed under said ferroelectric film; data writing means for causing a first state in which said ferroelectric film has polarization in a direction from said first electrode to said second electrode or in a direction from said second electrode to said first electrode and has a saturated polarization value or causing a second state in which said ferroelectric film has polarization in the same direction as in said first state and has a zero polarization value, whereby writing a data corresponding to said first state or said second state in said ferroelectric capacitor; and data reading means for reading a data stored in said ferroelectric capacitor by detecting whether said ferroelectric capacitor is in said first state or in said second state, wherein said data writing means causes said first state or said second state in said ferroelectric capacitor by applying a voltage between a first signal line connected to said first electrode and a second signal line connected to said second electrode.