Patent · US Expired

Virtual ground single transistor memory cell, memory array incorporating same, and method of operation thereof

US6873004B1 · kind B1 · utility

75Cited by
6References
14Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateFeb 4, 2003
Grant dateMar 29, 2005
Priority date
Expiry dateJul 3, 2023

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG11C16/0491
  • WIPO fieldComputer technology
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

An asymmetrical virtual ground single transistor floating gate memory cell has a floating gate that overlies a channel region in a p-well, the channel region lying between a heavily doped n+ drain region and a lightly doped n− source region. A heavily doped p+ region known as a “halo” is disposed in the channel adjacent the heavily doped n+ drain. The floating gate is spaced away from the channel region by a generally thin tunnel oxide. A lightly doped source with a graded source/channel junction reduces source side CHE generation. In one variation, a thicker oxide between the source and the floating gate reduces CHE injection from the source side. A heavily doped drain with a halo implant in the channel adjacent the drain enhances drain side CHE generation.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.