Characteristics of SONOS-Type Flash Memory With In Situ Embedded Silicon Nanocrystals

Abstract

In this paper, silicon-oxide-nitride-oxide-semiconductor (SONOS) devices with embedded silicon nanocrystals (Si-NCs) in silicon nitride using in situ method with multilevel and 2-b/cell operation have been successfully demonstrated. The proposed in situ Si-NC deposition method exhibits the advantages of low cost, simplicity, and compatibility with modern IC processes. SONOS memories with embedded Si-NCs exhibit a significantly improved performance with a large memory window (> 5.5 V), low operating voltage (P/E voltage: V(g) = 6 V, V(d) = 7 V and V(g) = -7 V, V(d) = 10 V, respectively), greater tolerable gate and drain disturbance (V(t) shift < 0.2 V), negligible second-bit effect, high P/E speed (after programming time = 10 mu s with a 2-V shift of V(t) under V(g) = V(d) = 6 V operation), good retention time (> 10(8) s for 13% charge loss), and excellent endurance performance (after 10(4) P/E cycles with a memory window of 3 V).