Abstract: A memory device is presented that utilizes isolated storage elements (200) in a floating gate structure, where tunneling holes (404) are used to program the device and tunneling electrons (504) are used to erase the device. Formation of such a device includes forming a thin tunnel dielectric layer (102) that may be less than 3.5 nanometers. When the control gate electrode (204) of the memory device is negatively biased, the thinner tunnel dielectric (102) allows holes to migrate through the tunnel dielectric to positively charge the isolated storage elements (200). When the device is to be erased, the control gate electrode (204) is positively biased, and rather than forcing the holes back across the tunnel dielectric, electrons present in the channel (402) are pulled through the tunnel dielectric where they recombine with the holes in the floating gate such that the stored positive charge is substantially neutralized.

Abstract: A memory cell (101), its method of formation, and operation are disclosed. In accordance with one embodiment, the memory cell (101) comprises a first and second current carrying electrode (12) a control electrode (19), and doped discontinuous storage elements (17). In accordance with an alternative embodiment, memory cell programming is accomplished by removing or adding an average of approximately at least a first charge (30, 62, 64), which can be electron(s) or hole(s) from each of the doped discontinuous storage elements (17).

Abstract: Programmable cells (22, 24, 26, 28) may have discontinuous storage elements (228, 248, 268, 288) as opposed to a continuous floating gate. Each cell further includes first and second current carry electrodes (222, 226, 242, 246, 262, 266, 282, 286) and a control gate electrode (224, 244, 264, 284). In one embodiment, potentials for programming can be selected to program a programmable cell relatively quickly without the need for relatively high potentials. Alternatively, programming can be achieved by flowing current in one direction and then in the opposite direction. In some embodiments, time-variant signals can used during an operation. Embodiments of the present invention can be used with different types of programmable cells including those used in memory arrays and in field programmable gate arrays.