THERMAL ANNEAL USING WORD-LINE HEATING ELEMENT
First Claim
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1. A method of operation within an integrated-circuit memory device having charge-storing memory cells, the method comprising:
- detecting an event during operation of the integrated-circuit memory device; and
in response to detecting the event, enabling electric current to flow through a word line coupled to the charge-storing memory cells for a limited interval to heat the charge-storing memory cells to an annealing temperature range above 250°
C., the limited interval ranging from an interval shorter than required to erase contents of the charge-storing memory cells to an interval not substantially longer than required to erase contents of the charge-storing memory cells.
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Abstract
In response to detecting an event during operation of an integrated-circuit memory device containing charge-storing memory cells, an electric current is enabled to flow through a word line coupled to the charge-storing memory cells for a brief interval to heat the charge-storing memory cells to an annealing temperature range.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method of operation within an integrated-circuit memory device having charge-storing memory cells, the method comprising:
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detecting an event during operation of the integrated-circuit memory device; and in response to detecting the event, enabling electric current to flow through a word line coupled to the charge-storing memory cells for a limited interval to heat the charge-storing memory cells to an annealing temperature range above 250°
C., the limited interval ranging from an interval shorter than required to erase contents of the charge-storing memory cells to an interval not substantially longer than required to erase contents of the charge-storing memory cells. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method of operation within an integrated-circuit memory device, the method comprising:
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receiving a sequence of erase commands, each erase command instructing an erase operation with respect to charge-storing memory cells within the integrated-circuit memory device; and in response to each of the erase commands; performing an erase operation with respect to the charge-storing memory cells, and performing a thermal anneal operation with respect to the charge-storing memory cells. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14)
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15. An integrated-circuit memory device comprising:
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charge-storing memory cells; a word line coupled to the charge-storing memory cells; control circuitry to output one or more control signals in response to detecting an event during operation of the integrated-circuit memory device; and annealing circuitry to enable electric current to flow through the word line for a limited interval to heat the charge-storing memory cells to an annealing temperature range above 250°
C., the limited interval ranging from an interval shorter than required to erase contents of the charge-storing memory cells to an interval not substantially longer than required to erase contents of the charge-storing memory cells. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17)
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18. An integrated-circuit memory device comprising:
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charge-storing memory cells; control circuitry to receive a sequence of erase commands, each erase command instructing an erase operation with respect to the charge-storing memory cells; and circuitry to perform, in response to each of the erase commands, an erase operation with respect to the charge-storing memory cells and a thermal anneal operation with respect to the charge-storing memory cells. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
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Specification