Patent ID: 6864106
Filing Date: 2005-03-08
Classification: G01R,G11C

Abstract:
1. A method for detecting tunnel oxide encroachment on a memory device comprising: applying a baseline voltage burst to a gate of said memory device; generating a baseline performance distribution graph of bit line current as a function of gate voltage for said memory device; applying a channel program voltage burst to said gate of said memory device; generating a channel program performance distribution graph of bit line current as a function of gate voltage for said memory device; applying a channel erase voltage burst to said gate of said memory device; generating a channel erase performance distribution graph of bit line current as a function of gate voltage for said memory device; and comparing said channel program performance distribution graph and said channel erase performance distribution graph with respect to said baseline performance distribution graph, wherein an asymmetric distribution of said channel program performance distribution graph and said channel erase performance distribution graph with respect to said baseline performance distribution indicates tunnel oxide encroachment.