Abstract:
Methods and apparatuses for causing electroluminescence with charge trapping structures are disclosed. Various embodiments relate to methods and apparatuses for causing electroluminescence with charge carriers of one type provided to the charge trapping structure by a forward biased p-n structure or a reverse biased p-n structure.

Description:
REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
   This application is a divisional application of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/086,898, filed 22 Mar. 2005, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/629,820, filed 19 Nov. 2004. 

   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention relates to methods and apparatuses for causing electroluminescence with charge trapping structures. Embodiments of the present invention relate to methods and apparatuses for causing electroluminescence with charge carriers of one type provided to the charge trapping structure from a forward biased p-n structure or from a reverse biased p-n structure. 
   2. Description of Related Art 
   Electroluminescent devices emit photons by exciting material with electric field or current. Conventional silicon-based electroluminescent devices have low efficiency due to the indirect bandgap of silicon. Because of the indirect bandgap, prior to recombination between an electron and a hole, the momentum mismatch must be corrected, leading to the low efficiency. The low efficiency in turn results in low light density. One approach that addresses this momentum mismatch is by diverging the k-space through physical confinement in very small silicon quantum dots. However, the processing for making silicon dots sufficiently small is difficult and expensive. 
   Direct bandgap-based electroluminescent devices materials do not have the momentum mismatch issues associated with conventional silicon-based devices. However, many direct bandgap materials such as GaAs are more difficult to integrate with silicon, which has significant cost advantages and remains the material of choice for many more applications. 
   Conventional trapping material-based electroluminescent devices are relatively easy to integrate with silicon-based technologies such as CMOS. However, there are limitations to the electron and hole energies permitted by conventional trapping material-based electroluminescent devices. Because the transport mechanism for both electrons and holes into the charge trapping material is diffusion from a neighboring material such as a gate or the substrate, the energies of recombining holes and electrons are low due to collisions and phonon scattering, and the recombination events between these holes and electrons result in low energy photons. Also, the electron/hole recombination rate in the trapping material is small, because of the poor diffusion rates of electrons and holes in the trapping material. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   Embodiments of the invention include electroluminescent devices and methods for causing electroluminescence. 
   One embodiment of an electroluminescent device includes a gate providing a gate voltage, a charge trapping structure controlled by the gate voltage in which electrons and holes combine to generate photons, and a body region such as a substrate or well region. The body region includes a contact region, such as a bit line formed in the body region. The body region and the contact region are doped oppositely. For example, the body region is doped p-type and the contact region is doped n-type, or the body region is doped n-type and the contact region is doped p-type. A region having p-type doping has holes as majority carriers and electrons as minority carriers, and a region having n-type doping has electrons as majority carriers and holes as minority carriers. Exemplary doping concentrations are between 10 15  cm −3  and 10 19  cm −3  for the body region, and between 10 19  cm −3  and 10 21  cm −3  for the contact region. If the contact region is doped p-type, the contact region is reverse biased with respect to the body region to provide electrons through at least the body region to the charge trapping structure. If the contact region is doped n-type, the contact region is reverse biased with respect to the body region to provide holes through at least the body region to the charge trapping structure. 
   One method embodiment for causing electroluminescence reverse biases the contact region with respect to the body region to 1) provide electrons from the contact region, through at least the body region, to the charge trapping structure and 2) combine the electrons provided from the contact region and holes in the charge trapping structure, thereby generating photons from the charge trapping structure. Another method embodiment for causing electroluminescence reverse biases the contact region with respect to the body region to 1) provide holes from the contact region, through at least the body region, to the charge trapping structure and 2) combine the holes provided from the contact region and holes in the charge trapping structure, thereby generating photons from the charge trapping structure. 
   In some embodiments, fewer photons are generated from the charge trapping structure by decreasing a magnitude of the reverse biasing, and more photons are generated by increasing the magnitude of reverse biasing. In some embodiments, fewer photons are generated from the charge trapping structure by decreasing a magnitude of an electric field moving charge carriers from the body region to the charge trapping structure, and more photons are generated by increasing the magnitude of the electric field moving charge carriers from the body region to the charge trapping structure. 
   In various embodiments, when charge of one type is provided by the contact region, charge of the opposite is provided from the gate or from the charge trapping structure. When charge of the opposite type is provided from the gate, a higher energy photon can be emitted since the carriers from the gate are accelerated by an electric field and have high carrier energy. When charge of the opposite type is provided from the gate, recombination efficiency is higher due to the higher carrier energy. 
   One embodiment of an electroluminescent device includes a gate providing a gate voltage, a charge trapping structure controlled by the gate voltage in which electrons and holes combine to generate photons, and a substrate region which can be a well region. The substrate region includes a well region formed in the substrate region. The substrate region and the well region are doped oppositely. For example, the substrate region is doped p-type and the well region is doped n-type, or the substrate region is doped n-type and the well region is doped p-type. The substrate region itself can be a well in which a well region is formed of the opposite doping type, in which case substrate region refers to a larger well region, and well region refers to a smaller well region. A region having p-type doping has holes as majority carriers and electrons as minority carriers, and a region having n-type doping has electrons as majority carriers and holes as minority carriers. Exemplary doping concentrations are between 10 10  cm −3  and 10 13  cm −3  for the substrate region, and between 10 15  cm −3  and 10 19  cm −3  for the well region. If the substrate region is doped p-type, the substrate region is forward biased with respect to the well region to provide holes through at least the well region to the charge trapping structure. If the substrate region is doped n-type, the substrate region is forward biased with respect to the well region to provide electrons through at least the substrate region to the charge trapping structure. 
   One method embodiment for causing electroluminescence forward biases the substrate region with respect to the well region to 1) provide electrons from the substrate region, through at least the well region, to the charge trapping structure and 2) combine the electrons provided from the substrate region and holes in the charge trapping structure, thereby generating photons from the charge trapping structure. Another embodiment for causing electroluminescence forward biases the substrate region with respect to the well region to 1) provide holes from the substrate region, through at least the well region, to the charge trapping structure and 2) combine the holes provided from the substrate region and electrons in the charge trapping structure, thereby generating photons from the charge trapping structure. 
   In some embodiments, fewer photons are generated from the charge trapping structure by decreasing a magnitude of the forward biasing, and more photons are generated by increasing the magnitude of forward biasing. In some embodiments, fewer photons are generated from the charge trapping structure by decreasing a magnitude of an electric field moving charge carriers from the substrate region to the charge trapping structure, and more photons are generated by increasing the magnitude of the electric field moving charge carriers from the substrate region to the charge trapping structure. 
   In various embodiments, when charge of one type is provided by the contact region, charge of the opposite is provided from the gate or from the charge trapping structure. When charge of the opposite type is provided from the gate, a higher energy photon can be emitted since the carriers from the gate are accelerated by an electric field and have high carrier energy, When charge of the opposite type is provided from the gate, recombination efficiency is higher due to the higher carrier energy. 
   In various embodiments, the charge trapping structure includes just one charge trapping region, or multiple charge trapping regions separated from each other by dielectric regions. Having just one charge trapping region as the charge trapping structure simplifies the manufacturing process. Having multiple charge trapping regions in the charge trapping structure increases the photon emission efficiency. 
   In various embodiments, one or more isolation dielectrics are somewhere between the gate and the charge trapping structure, no isolation dielectrics are somewhere between the gate and the charge trapping structure, one or more isolation dielectrics are somewhere between the body region or well region and the charge trapping structure, and no isolation dielectrics are somewhere between the body region or well region and the charge trapping structure. Fewer isolation dielectrics simplify the manufacturing process. More isolation dielectrics increase the confinement of carriers in the charge trapping structure, increasing recombination efficiency. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  shows an electroluminescent charge trapping device that receives charge from a contact region in a body region. 
       FIG. 2  shows an electroluminescent charge trapping device that receives charge from a substrate region through a well region. 
       FIG. 3  shows an electroluminescent charge trapping device that receives charge from a contact region in a body region, with isolation dielectric between the charge trapping structure and the body region. 
       FIG. 4  shows an electroluminescent charge trapping device that receives charge from a contact region in a body region, with isolation dielectric between the charge trapping structure and the gate. 
       FIG. 5  shows an electroluminescent charge trapping device that receives charge from a contact region in a body region, with isolation dielectric between the charge trapping structure and the body region, and isolation dielectric between the charge trapping structure and the gate. 
       FIG. 6  shows an electroluminescent charge trapping device that receives charge from a contact region in a body region, with two charge trapping regions separated by isolation dielectric, isolation dielectric between any part of the charge trapping structure and the body region, and isolation dielectric between any part of the charge trapping structure and the gate. 
       FIG. 7  shows an electroluminescent charge trapping device that receives charge from a contact region in a body region, with three charge trapping regions each separated by isolation dielectric, isolation dielectric between any part of the charge trapping structure and the body region, and isolation dielectric between any part of the charge trapping structure and the gate. 
       FIG. 8  shows an electroluminescent charge trapping device that receives charge from a substrate region through a well region, with isolation dielectric between the charge trapping structure and the well region. 
       FIG. 9  shows an electroluminescent charge trapping device that receives charge from a substrate region through a well region, with isolation dielectric between the charge trapping structure and the gate. 
       FIG. 10  shows an electroluminescent charge trapping device that receives charge from a substrate region through a well region, with isolation dielectric between the charge trapping structure and the well region, and isolation dielectric between the charge trapping structure and the gate. 
       FIG. 11  shows an electroluminescent charge trapping device that receives charge from a substrate region through a well region, with two charge trapping regions separated by isolation dielectric, isolation dielectric between any part of the charge trapping structure and the well region, and isolation dielectric between any part of the charge trapping structure and the gate. 
       FIG. 12  shows an electroluminescent charge trapping device that receives charge from a substrate region through a well region, with three charge trapping regions each separated by isolation dielectric, isolation dielectric between any part of the charge trapping structure and the well region, and isolation dielectric between any part of the charge trapping structure and the gate. 
       FIG. 13  shows a structural view of photon generation from a charge trapping structure by combination of a hole from an n+ contact region in a p-type body region and an electron from the charge trapping structure. 
       FIG. 14  shows a bandgap diagram of photon generation from a charge trapping structure by combination of a hole from an n+ contact region in a p-type body region and an electron from the charge trapping structure. 
       FIG. 15  shows a structural view of photon generation from a charge trapping structure by combination of a hole from an n+ contact region in a p-type body region and an electron from a gate. 
       FIG. 16  shows a bandgap diagram of photon generation from a charge trapping structure by combination of a hole from an n+ contact region in a p-type body region and an electron from a gate. 
       FIG. 17  shows a structural view of photon generation from a charge trapping structure by combination of an electron from a p+ contact region in an n-type body region and a hole from the charge trapping structure. 
       FIG. 18  shows a bandgap diagram of photon generation from a charge trapping structure by combination of an electron from a p+ contact region in an n-type body region and a hole from the charge trapping structure. 
       FIG. 19  shows a structural view of photon generation from a charge trapping structure by combination of an electron from a p+ contact region in an n-type body region and a hole from a gate. 
       FIG. 20  shows a bandgap diagram of photon generation from a charge trapping structure by combination of an electron from a p+ contact region in an n-type body region and a hole from a gate. 
       FIG. 21  shows a structural view of photon generation from a charge trapping structure by combination of a hole from a p-type substrate region through an n-type well region and an electron from the charge trapping structure. 
       FIG. 22  shows a bandgap diagram of photon generation from a charge trapping structure by combination of a hole from a p-type substrate region through an n-type well region and an electron from the charge trapping structure. 
       FIG. 23  shows a structural view of photon generation from a charge trapping structure by combination of a hole from a p-type substrate region through an n-type well region and an electron from a gate. 
       FIG. 24  shows a bandgap diagram of photon generation from a charge trapping structure by combination of a hole from a p-type substrate region through an n-type well region and an electron from a gate. 
       FIG. 25  shows a structural view of photon generation from a charge trapping structure by combination of an electron from an n-type substrate region through a p-type well region and a hole from the charge trapping structure. 
       FIG. 26  shows a bandgap diagram of photon generation from a charge trapping structure by combination of an electron from an n-type substrate region through a p-type well region and a hole from the charge trapping structure. 
       FIG. 27  shows a structural view of photon generation from a charge trapping structure by combination of an electron from an n-type substrate region through a p-type well region and a hole from a gate. 
       FIG. 28  shows a bandgap diagram of photon generation from a charge trapping structure by combination of an electron from an n-type substrate region through a p-type well region and a hole from a gate. 
       FIG. 29  is a graph of experimental data comparing background photon intensity versus photon intensity from combination of holes from an n+ contact region in a p-type body region and an electron from a gate 
       FIG. 30  is a graph of light intensity versus p-type body region voltage for a fixed n+ contact region voltage and fixed gate voltage. 
       FIG. 31  is a graph of a set of curves of light intensity versus n+ contact region voltage, for a fixed p-type body region and fixed gate voltage per curve. One effect shown is that an increasing electric field magnitude between the gate and the body region generates more photons from the charge trapping structure, and a decreasing electric field magnitude between the gate and the body region generates fewer photons from the charge trapping structure. 
       FIG. 32  shows an operating condition of an electroluminescent charge trapping device with an n+ contact region in a p-type body region, in which relative to  FIG. 33 , there is an increased magnitude of reverse bias between the contact region and the body region, such that more photons are generated from the charge trapping structure. 
       FIG. 33  shows an operating condition of an electroluminescent charge trapping device with an n+ contact region in a p-type body region, in which relative to  FIG. 32 , there is a decreased magnitude of reverse bias between the contact region and the body region, such that fewer photons are generated from the charge trapping structure. 
       FIG. 34  shows an operating condition of an electroluminescent charge trapping device with a p+ contact region in an n-type body region, in which relative to  FIG. 35 , there is an increased magnitude of reverse bias between the contact region and the body region, such that more photons are generated from the charge trapping structure. 
       FIG. 35  shows an operating condition of an electroluminescent charge trapping device with a p+ contact region in an n-type body region, in which relative to  FIG. 34 , there is a decreased magnitude of reverse bias between the contact region and the body region, such that fewer photons are generated from the charge trapping structure. 
       FIG. 36  shows an operating condition of an electroluminescent charge trapping device with an n-type well region in a p-type substrate region, in which relative to  FIG. 37 , there is an increased magnitude of forward bias between the well region and the substrate region, such that more photons are generated from the charge trapping structure. 
       FIG. 37  shows an operating condition of an electroluminescent charge trapping device with an n-type well region in a p-type substrate region, in which relative to  FIG. 36 , there is a decreased magnitude of forward bias between the well region and the substrate region, such that fewer photons are generated from the charge trapping structure. 
       FIG. 38  shows an operating condition of an electroluminescent charge trapping device with a p-type well region in an n-type substrate region, in which relative to  FIG. 39 , there is an increased magnitude of forward bias between the well region and the substrate region, such that more photons are generated from the charge trapping structure. 
       FIG. 39  shows an operating condition of an electroluminescent charge trapping device with a p-type well region in an n-type substrate region, in which relative to  FIG. 38 , there is a decreased magnitude of forward bias between the well region and the substrate region, such that fewer photons are generated from the charge trapping structure. 
       FIG. 40  shows an integrated circuit with an array of electroluminescent devices, with at least one of the forward and/or reverse bias electroluminescent devices as described. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     FIG. 1  shows an electroluminescent charge trapping device that receives charge from a contact region in a body region. A gate  140  is above a charge trapping structure  130 . The charge trapping structure  130  is above a body region  120 . The body region  120  includes a contact region  110  by the charge trapping structure  130 . Possible charge trapping structure materials include silicon nitride, oxynitride, or other similar high dielectric constant materials, including metal oxides such as Al 2 O 3 , HfO 2 . Exemplary doping concentrations are between 10 15  cm −3  and 10 19  cm −3  for the body region, and between 10 19  cm −3  and 10 21  cm −3  for the contact region. 
     FIG. 2  shows an electroluminescent charge trapping device that receives charge from a substrate region through a well region. A gate  140  is above a charge trapping structure  130 . The charge trapping structure  130  is above a well region  210 . The well region  210  is in a substrate region  220 . Exemplary doping concentrations are between 10 10  cm −3  and 10 13  cm −3  for the substrate region, and between 10 15  cm −3  and 10 19  cm −3  for the well region. 
   By providing at least one of the charge carrier types, holes or electrons, with energy to the charge trapping structure, higher energy photons are emitted. High energy charge carriers are supplied via drifting in an electric field, such as those created as hot carriers or band-to-band hot carriers. 
     FIG. 3  shows an electroluminescent charge trapping device that receives charge from a contact region in a body region, with isolation dielectric between the charge trapping structure and the body region. A gate  140  is above a charge trapping structure  130 . The charge trapping structure  130  is above a body region  120 . The body region  120  includes a contact region  110 . In addition, an isolation dielectric  350  is between the charge trapping structure  130  and the body region  120 . 
     FIG. 4  shows an electroluminescent charge trapping device that receives charge from a contact region in a body region, with isolation dielectric between the charge trapping structure and the gate. The charge trapping structure  130  is above a body region  120 . The body region  120  includes a contact region  110  by the charge trapping structure  130 . In addition, an isolation dielectric  450  is between the charge trapping structure  130  and a gate  140 . 
     FIG. 5  shows an electroluminescent charge trapping device that receives charge from a contact region in a body region, with isolation dielectric between the charge trapping structure and the body region, and isolation dielectric between the charge trapping structure and the gate. The body region  120  includes a contact region  110 . In addition, an isolation dielectric  551  is between the charge trapping structure  130  and the body region  120 . Also, an isolation dielectric  550  is between the charge trapping structure  130  and a gate  140 . 
     FIG. 6  shows an electroluminescent charge trapping device that receives charge from a contact region in a body region, with two charge trapping regions separated by isolation dielectric, isolation dielectric between any part of the charge trapping structure and the body region, and isolation dielectric between any part of the charge trapping structure and the gate. Between a gate  140  and body region  120  including a contact region  110  are the following regions, in order: an isolation dielectric  650 , a charge trapping region  630 , an isolation dielectric  651 , a charge trapping region  631 , and an isolation dielectric  652 . 
     FIG. 7  shows an electroluminescent charge trapping device that receives charge from a contact region in a body region, with three charge trapping regions each separated by isolation dielectric, isolation dielectric between any part of the charge trapping structure and the body region, and isolation dielectric between any part of the charge trapping structure and the gate. Between a gate  140  and body region  120  including a contact region  110  are the following regions, in order: an isolation dielectric  750 , a charge trapping region  730 , an isolation dielectric  751 , a charge trapping region  731 , an isolation dielectric  752 , a charge trapping region  732 , and an isolation dielectric  753 . 
     FIG. 8  shows an electroluminescent charge trapping device that receives charge from a substrate region through a well region, with isolation dielectric between the charge trapping structure and the well region. A gate  140  is above a charge trapping structure  130 . The charge trapping structure  130  is above a well region  210 . The well region  210  is in a substrate region  220 . In addition, an isolation dielectric  350  is between the charge trapping structure  130  and the well region  210 . 
     FIG. 9  shows an electroluminescent charge trapping device that receives charge from a substrate region through a well region, with isolation dielectric between the charge trapping structure and the gate. The charge trapping structure  130  is above a well region  210 . The well region  210  is in a substrate region  220 . In addition, an isolation dielectric  450  is between the charge trapping structure  130  and a gate  140 . 
     FIG. 10  shows an electroluminescent charge trapping device that receives charge from a substrate region through a well region, with isolation dielectric between the charge trapping structure and the well region, and isolation dielectric between the charge trapping structure and the gate. The well region  210  is in a substrate region  220 . In addition, an isolation dielectric  551  is between the charge trapping structure  130  and the well region  210 . Also, an isolation dielectric  550  is between the charge trapping structure  130  and a gate  140 . 
     FIG. 11  shows an electroluminescent charge trapping device that receives charge from a substrate region through a well region, with two charge trapping regions separated by isolation dielectric, isolation dielectric between any part of the charge trapping structure and the well region, and isolation dielectric between any part of the charge trapping structure and the gate. Between a gate  140  and well region  210 , which is in a substrate region  220 , are the following regions, in order: an isolation dielectric  650 , a charge trapping region  630 , an isolation dielectric  651 , a charge trapping region  631 , and an isolation dielectric  652 . 
     FIG. 12  shows an electroluminescent charge trapping device that receives charge from a substrate region through a well region, with three charge trapping regions each separated by isolation dielectric, isolation dielectric between any part of the charge trapping structure and the well region, and isolation dielectric between any part of the charge trapping structure and the gate. Between a gate  140  and well region  210 , which is in a substrate region  220 , are the following regions, in order: an isolation dielectric  750 , a charge trapping region  730 , an isolation dielectric  751 , a charge trapping region  731 , an isolation dielectric  752 , a charge trapping region  732 , and an isolation dielectric  753 . 
     FIG. 13  shows a structural view of photon generation from a charge trapping structure by combination of a hole from an n+ contact region in a p-type body region and an electron from the charge trapping structure. The electroluminescent charge trapping device of  FIG. 5  has an isolation dielectric  550  thickness of 7 nm, a charge trapping structure  130  thickness of 6 nm, and an isolation dielectric  551  thickness of 7 nm. The gate  140  is biased at −5 V, the n+ contact region  110  is biased at 7 V, and the p-type body region  120  is biased at 0 V. A hole  1302  is provided by band-to-band hot hole conduction from the n+ contact region  110 , through the p-type body region  120  and the isolation dielectric  551 , to the charge trapping structure  130 . An electron  1301  is provided from the charge trapping structure  130 . The hole  1302  and the electron  1301  combine in the charge trapping structure  130  to generate a photon  1305 . 
     FIG. 14  shows a bandgap diagram version of  FIG. 13  of photon generation from a charge trapping structure by combination of a hole from an n+ contact region in a p-type body region and an electron from the charge trapping structure. A hole  1402  is provided by band-to-band hot hole conduction from the n+ contact region  110 , through the p-type body region  120  and the isolation dielectric  551 , to the charge trapping structure  130 . An electron  1401  is provided from the charge trapping structure  130 . The hole  1402  and the electron  1401  combine in the charge trapping structure  130  to generate a photon  1405 . 
     FIG. 15  shows a structural view of photon generation from a charge trapping structure by combination of a hole from an n+ contact region in a p-type body region and an electron from a gate. The electroluminescent charge trapping device of  FIG. 5  has an isolation dielectric  550  thickness of 7 nm, a charge trapping structure  130  thickness of 6 nm, and an isolation dielectric  551  thickness of 7 nm. The gate  140  is biased at −14 V, the n+ contact region  110  is biased at 7 V, and the p-type body region  120  is biased at 0 V. A hole  1502  is provided by band-to-band hot hole conduction from the n+ contact region  110 , through the p-type body region  120  and the isolation dielectric  551 , to the charge trapping structure  130 . An electron  1501  is provided from a gate  140 , through the isolation dielectric  550 , to the charge trapping structure  130 . The hole  1502  and the electron  1501  combine in the charge trapping structure  130  to generate a photon  1505 . 
     FIG. 16  shows a bandgap diagram version of  FIG. 15  of photon generation from a charge trapping structure by combination of a hole from an n+ contact region in a p-type body region and an electron from a gate. A hole  1602  is provided by band-to-band hot hole conduction from the n+ contact region  110 , through the p-type body region  120  and the isolation dielectric  551 , to the charge trapping structure  130 . An electron  1601  is provided from a gate  140 , through the isolation dielectric  550 , to the charge trapping structure  130 . The hole  1602  and the electron  1601  combine in the charge trapping structure  130  to generate a photon  1605 . 
     FIG. 17  shows a structural view of photon generation from a charge trapping structure by combination of an electron from a p+ contact region in an n-type body region and a hole from the charge trapping structure. The electroluminescent charge trapping device of  FIG. 5  has an isolation dielectric  550  thickness of 7 nm, a charge trapping structure  130  thickness of 6 nm, and an isolation dielectric  551  thickness of 7 nm. The gate  140  is biased at 5 V, the p+ contact region  110  is biased at −7 V, and the n-type body region  120  is biased at 0 V. An electron  1702  is provided by band-to-band hot electron conduction from the p+ contact region  110 , through the n-type body region  120  and the isolation dielectric  551 , to the charge trapping structure  130 . A hole  1701  is provided from the charge trapping structure  130 . The electron  1702  and the hole  1701  combine in the charge trapping structure  130  to generate a photon  1705 . 
     FIG. 18  shows a bandgap diagram version of  FIG. 17  of photon generation from a charge trapping structure by combination of an electron from a p+ contact region in an n-type body region and a hole from the charge trapping structure. An electron  1802  is provided by band-to-band hot electron conduction from the p+ contact region  110 , through the n-type body region  120  and the isolation dielectric  551 , to the charge trapping structure  130 . A hole  1801  is provided from the charge trapping structure  130 . The electron  1802  and the hole  1801  combine in the charge trapping structure  130  to generate a photon  1805 . 
     FIG. 19  shows a structural view of photon generation from a charge trapping structure by combination of an electron from a p+ contact region in an n-type body region and a hole from a gate. The electroluminescent charge trapping device of  FIG. 5  has an isolation dielectric  550  thickness of 2 nm, a charge trapping structure  130  thickness of 6 nm, and an isolation dielectric  551  thickness of 7 nm. The gate  140  is biased at 14 V, the p+ contact region  110  is biased at −7 V, and the n-type body region  120  is biased at 0 V. An electron  1902  is provided by band-to-band hot electron conduction from the p+ contact region  110 , through the n-type body region  120  and the isolation dielectric  551 , to the charge trapping structure  130 . A hole  1901  is provided from the gate  140 , through the isolation dielectric  550 , to the charge trapping structure  130 . The electron  1902  and the hole  1901  combine in the charge trapping structure  130  to generate a photon  1905 . 
     FIG. 20  shows a bandgap diagram version of  FIG. 19  of photon generation from a charge trapping structure by combination of an electron from a p+ contact region in an n-type body region and a hole from a gate. An electron  2002  is provided by band-to-band hot electron conduction from the p+ contact region  110 , through the n-type body region  120  and the isolation dielectric  551 , to the charge trapping structure  130 . A hole  2001  is provided from the gate  140 , through the isolation dielectric  550 , to the charge trapping structure  130 . The electron  2002  and the hole  2001  combine in the charge trapping structure  130  to generate a photon  2005 . 
     FIG. 21  shows a structural view of photon generation from a charge trapping structure by combination of a hole from a p-type substrate region through an n-type well region and an electron from the charge trapping structure. The electroluminescent charge trapping device of  FIG. 10  has an isolation dielectric  550  thickness of 7 nm, a charge trapping structure  130  thickness of 6 nm, and an isolation dielectric  551  thickness of 7 nm. The gate  140  is biased at −5 V, the n-type well region  210  is biased at 5 V, and the p-type substrate region  220  is biased at 6 V. A hole  2102  is provided by hot hole conduction from the p-type substrate region  220 , through the n-type well region  210  and the isolation dielectric  551 , to the charge trapping structure  130 . An electron  2101  is provided from the charge trapping structure  130 . The hole  2102  and the electron  2101  combine in the charge trapping structure  130  to generate a photon  2105 . 
     FIG. 22  shows a bandgap diagram version of  FIG. 21  of photon generation from a charge trapping structure by combination of a hole from a p-type substrate region through an n-type well region and an electron from the charge trapping structure. A hole  2202  is provided by hot hole conduction from the p-type substrate region  220 , through the n-type well region  210  and the isolation dielectric  551 , to the charge trapping structure  130 . An electron  2201  is provided from the charge trapping structure  130 . The hole  2202  and the electron  2201  combine in the charge trapping structure  130  to generate a photon  2205 . 
     FIG. 23  shows a structural view of photon generation from a charge trapping structure by combination of a hole from a p-type substrate region through an n-type well region and an electron from a gate. The electroluminescent charge trapping device of  FIG. 10  has an isolation dielectric  550  thickness of 7 nm, a charge trapping structure  130  thickness of 6 nm, and an isolation dielectric  551  thickness of 7 nm. The gate  140  is biased at −10 V, the n-type well region  210  is biased at 5 V, and the p-type substrate region  220  is biased at 6 V. A hole  2302  is provided by hot hole conduction from the p-type substrate region  220 , through the n-type well region  210  and the isolation dielectric  551 , to the charge trapping structure  130 . An electron  2301  is provided from the gate  140 , through the isolation dielectric  550 , to the charge trapping structure  130 . The hole  2302  and the electron  2301  combine in the charge trapping structure  130  to generate a photon  2305 . 
     FIG. 24  shows a bandgap diagram version of  FIG. 23  of photon generation from a charge trapping structure by combination of a hole from a p-type substrate region through an n-type well region and an electron from a gate. A hole  2402  is provided by hot hole conduction from the p-type substrate region  220 , through the n-type well region  210  and the isolation dielectric  551 , to the charge trapping structure  130 . An electron  2401  is provided from the gate  140 , through the isolation dielectric  550 , to the charge trapping structure  130 . The hole  2402  and the electron  2401  combine in the charge trapping structure  130  to generate a photon  2405 . 
     FIG. 25  shows a structural view of photon generation from a charge trapping structure by combination of an electron from an n-type substrate region through a p-type well region and a hole from the charge trapping structure. The electroluminescent charge trapping device of  FIG. 10  has an isolation dielectric  550  thickness of 7 nm, a charge trapping structure  130  thickness of 6 n, and an isolation dielectric  551  thickness of 7 nm. The gate  140  is biased at 5 V, the p-type well region  210  is biased at −5 V, and the n-type substrate region  220  is biased at −6 V. An electron  2502  is provided by hot electron conduction from the n-type substrate region  220 , through the p-type well region  210  and the isolation dielectric  551 , to the charge trapping structure  130 . A hole  2501  is provided from the charge trapping structure  130 . The electron  2502  and the hole  2501  combine in the charge trapping structure  130  to generate a photon  2505 . 
     FIG. 26  shows a bandgap diagram version of  FIG. 25  of photon generation from a charge trapping structure by combination of an electron from an n-type substrate region through a p-type well region and a hole from the charge trapping structure. An electron  2602  is provided by hot electron conduction from the n-type substrate region  220 , through the p-type well region  210  and the isolation dielectric  551 , to the charge trapping structure  130 . A hole  2601  is provided from the charge trapping structure  130 . The electron  2602  and the hole  2601  combine in the charge trapping structure  130  to generate a photon  2605 . 
     FIG. 27  shows a structural view of photon generation from a charge trapping structure by combination of an electron from an n-type substrate region through a p-type well region and a hole from a gate. The electroluminescent charge trapping device of  FIG. 10  has an isolation dielectric  550  thickness of 2 nm, a charge trapping structure  130  thickness of 6 nm, and an isolation dielectric  551  thickness of 7 nm. The gate  140  is biased at 10 V, the p-type well region  210  is biased at −5 V, and the n-type substrate region  220  is biased at −6 V. An electron  2702  is provided by hot electron conduction from the n-type substrate region  220 , through the p-type well region  210  and the isolation dielectric  551 , to the charge trapping structure  130 . A hole  2701  is provided from the gate  140 , through the isolation dielectric  550 , to the charge trapping structure  130 . The electron  2702  and the hole  2701  combine in the charge trapping structure  130  to generate a photon  2705 . 
     FIG. 28  shows a bandgap diagram version of  FIG. 27  of photon generation from a charge trapping structure by combination of an electron from an n-type substrate region through a p-type well region and a hole from a gate. An electron  2802  is provided by hot electron conduction from the n-type substrate region  220 , through the p-type well region  210  and the isolation dielectric  551 , to the charge trapping structure  130 . A hole  2801  is provided from the gate  140 , through the isolation dielectric  550 , to the charge trapping structure  130 . The electron  2802  and the hole  2801  combine in the charge trapping structure  130  to generate a photon  2805 . 
     FIG. 29  is a graph of experimental data comparing background photon intensity versus photon intensity from combination of holes from an n+ contact region in a p-type body region and an electron from a gate. Curve  2910  shows the background photon intensity versus photon energy. Curve  2920  shows the photon intensity from combination of holes from an n+ contact region in a p-type body region and an electron from a gate. A bias of −14 V is applied to the gate. A bias of 5 V is applied to the n+ contact region. A bias of 0 V is applied to the p-type body region. 
     FIG. 30  is a graph of light intensity versus p-type body region voltage for a fixed n+ contact region voltage and fixed gate voltage. A bias of −14 V is applied to the gate. A bias of 7 V is applied to the n+ contact region. The bias applied to the p-type body region is varied between −2 V and 7 V. As the magnitude of reverse bias between the p-type body region and the n+ contact region increases, more photons are generated from the charge trapping structure. Similarly, as the magnitude of reverse bias between the p-type body region and the n+ contact region decreases, fewer photons are generated from the charge trapping structure. 
     FIG. 31  is a graph of a set of curves of light intensity versus n+ contact region voltage, for a fixed p-type body region and fixed gate voltage per curve. One effect shown is that an increasing electric field magnitude between the gate and the body region generates more photons from the charge trapping structure, and a decreasing electric field magnitude between the gate and the body region generates fewer photons from the charge trapping structure. The bias applied to the p-type body region is 0 V. Curve  3110  corresponds to applying a bias of −14 V to the gate. Curve  3120  corresponds to applying a bias of −12 V to the gate. Curve  3130  corresponds to applying a bias of −10 V to the gate. The bias applied to the n+ contact region is varied between 0 V and 7 V. 
     FIGS. 32 and 33  show the electroluminescent device of  FIG. 15 .  FIG. 32  shows an operating condition of an electroluminescent charge trapping device with an n+ contact region in a p-type body region, in which relative to  FIG. 33 , there is an increased magnitude of reverse bias between the contact region and the body region, such that more photons are generated from the charge trapping structure.  FIG. 33  shows an operating condition of an electroluminescent charge trapping device with an n+ contact region in a p-type body region, in which relative to  FIG. 32 , there is a decreased magnitude of reverse bias between the contact region and the body region, such that fewer photons are generated from the charge trapping structure. For example, applying a bias of 6 V to the p-type body region  120  reduces the reverse bias between the p-type body region  120  and the n+ contact region  110  such that band-to-band hot hole conduction does not occur. The absence of band-to-band hot hole conduction reduces the supply of holes to the charge trapping structure  120 , and reduces the combination of electrons and holes in the charge trapping structure  120  that causes photon generation. 
     FIGS. 34 and 35  show the electroluminescent device of  FIG. 19 .  FIG. 34  shows an operating condition of an electroluminescent charge trapping device with a p+ contact region in an n-type body region, in which relative to  FIG. 35 , there is an increased magnitude of reverse bias between the contact region and the body region, such that more photons are generated from the charge trapping structure.  FIG. 35  shows an operating condition of an electroluminescent charge trapping device with a p+ contact region in an n-type body region, in which relative to  FIG. 34 , there is a decreased magnitude of reverse bias between the contact region and the body region, such that fewer photons are generated from the charge trapping structure. For example, applying a bias of −6 V to the n-type body region  120  reduces the reverse bias between the n-type body region  120  and the p+ contact region  110  such that band-to-band hot electron conduction does not occur. The absence of band-to-band hot electron conduction reduces the supply of electrons to the charge trapping structure  120 , and reduces the combination of electrons and holes in the charge trapping structure  120  that causes photon generation. 
     FIGS. 36 and 37  show the electroluminescent device of  FIG. 23 .  FIG. 36  shows an operating condition of an electroluminescent charge trapping device with an n-type well region in a p-type substrate region, in which relative to  FIG. 37 , there is an increased magnitude of forward bias between the well region and the substrate region, such that more photons are generated from the charge trapping structure.  FIG. 37  shows an operating condition of an electroluminescent charge trapping device with an n-type well region in a p-type substrate region, in which relative to  FIG. 36 , there is a decreased magnitude of forward bias between the well region and the substrate region, such that fewer photons are generated from the charge trapping structure. For example, applying a bias of 5 V to the p-type substrate region  220  reduces the forward bias between the p-type substrate region  220  and the n-type well region  210  such that hot hole conduction does not occur. The absence of hot hole conduction reduces the supply of holes to the charge trapping structure  120 , and reduces the combination of electrons and holes in the charge trapping structure  120  that causes photon generation. 
     FIGS. 38 and 39  show the electroluminescent device of  FIG. 27 .  FIG. 38  shows an operating condition of an electroluminescent charge trapping device with a p-type well region in an n-type substrate region, in which relative to  FIG. 39 , there is an increased magnitude of forward bias between the well region and the substrate region, such that more photons are generated from the charge trapping structure.  FIG. 39  shows an operating condition of an electroluminescent charge trapping device with a p-type well region in an n-type substrate region, in which relative to  FIG. 38 , there is a decreased magnitude of forward bias between the well region and the substrate region, such that fewer photons are generated from the charge trapping structure. For example, applying a bias of −5 V to the n-type substrate region  220  reduces the forward bias between the n-type substrate region  220  and the p-type well region  210  such that hot electron conduction does not occur. The absence of hot electron conduction reduces the supply of electrons to the charge trapping structure  120 , and reduces the combination of electrons and holes in the charge trapping structure  120  that causes photon generation. 
     FIG. 40  shows an integrated circuit with an array of electroluminescent devices, with at least one of the forward and/or reverse bias electroluminescent devices as described. The integrated circuit includes an electroluminescent cell array  4000  implemented with forward and/or reverse bias electroluminescent devices as described, on a semiconductor substrate. A row decoder  4001  is coupled to a plurality of word lines  4002  arranged along rows in the memory array  4000 . A column decoder  4003  is coupled to a plurality of data lines  4004  arranged along columns in the memory array  4000 . In an embodiment with the reverse biased electroluminescent devices, each of the data lines  4004  is coupled to the contact region of electroluminescent devices in a column associated with that data line. Addresses are supplied on bus  4070  to column decoder  4003  and row decoder  4001 . A bias arrangement state machine  4009  controls the application of bias arrangement supply voltages  4008 . 
   In an embodiment with the forward biased electroluminescent devices, a triple well can be used, to form multiple devices isolated from each other. If multiple devices are formed in the same well, they can be controlled together to emit photons at the same time. 
   While the present invention is disclosed by reference to the preferred embodiments and examples detailed above, it is to be understood that these examples are intended in an illustrative rather than in a limiting sense. It is contemplated that modifications and combinations will readily occur to those skilled in the art, which modifications and combinations will be within the spirit of the invention and the scope of the following claims.