Patent ID: 8369149
Filing Date: 2013-02-05
Classification: G11C

Abstract:
1. A method for programming a set of storage elements which is formed on a substrate, and which is in communication with a set of word lines, where the set of storage elements includes one storage element and another storage element in communication with a selected word line of the set of word lines, the method comprising: performing a plurality of program-verify iterations for the selected word line; determining when the one storage element has been programmed sufficiently so that the one storage element reaches a lockout condition, where the one storage element reaches the lockout condition during an associated program-verify iteration of the plurality of program-verify iterations; during a program portion of a first next program-verify iteration which is immediately after the associated program-verify iteration, boosting a channel region, associated with the one storage element to a first lockout level, while a channel region associated with the another storage element is at a level which allows programming to continue; and during a program portion of a second next program-verify iteration which is immediately after the first next program-verify iteration, boosting the channel region associated with the one storage element to a second lockout level, higher than the first lockout level, while the channel region associated with the another storage element is at a level which allows programming to continue, the boosting the channel region associated with the one storage element to the first lockout level and the boosting the channel region associated with the one storage element to the second lockout level comprise controlling a time at which the channel region associated with the one storage element begins floating while a pass voltage is stepped up on unselected word lines of the set of word lines.