Patent ID: 6330184
Filing Date: 2001-12-11
Classification: G11C,H01L

Abstract:
A method of operating a semiconductor device including a first memory cell, the method comprising:providing the semiconductor device, wherein a first memory cell has discontinuous storage elements; andprogramming the first memory cell to a first state, which is one of at least three different states, wherein programming is performed using a first potential and a second potential, wherein a difference between the first and second potentials is no greater than approximately 5 volts; andprogramming further includes:biasing the first current carrying electrode and the control electrode to the first potential; andbiasing the second current carrying electrode and the substrate to the second potential; andwherein the first memory cell includes:a substrate;a first current carrying electrode within the substrate;a second current carrying electrode within the substrate and spaced apart from the first current carrying electrode;a first dielectric layer having a first side and a second side that is opposite the first side, wherein the substrate lies along the first side of the first dielectric layer and the discontinuous storage elements lie along the second side of the first dielectric layer;a second dielectric layer having a first side and a second side that is opposite the first side, wherein the first dielectric layer and the discontinuous storage elements lie along the first side of the second dielectric layer; anda control electrode lies along the second side of the second dielectric layer.