Patent ID: 8305810

Claim:
A method for operating a memory system, comprising: applying a first word line potential to a number of unselected memory cells in a string of memory cells; applying a second word line potential to a selected memory cell in the string; applying a first source select line potential to a first source select gate in the string; applying a second source select line potential to a second source select gate in the string during a program operation; applying a drain select line potential to a first drain select gate in the string during the program operation; and applying a drain select line potential to a second drain select gate to bring a threshold voltage of the second drain select gate to an elevated threshold voltage when a memory cell in the string adjacent to the second drain select gate is to be programmed during the program operation; wherein, when programming a memory cell in the string other than a first and a last memory cell in the string, the method includes applying a potential to the second drain select gate which is substantially equal to a supply potential (Vcc) of the memory system.