A novel sublithographic tunnel diode based 5V-only flash memory

A novel tunnel diode has been developed for high-density 5-V-only flash memories. The memory tunnel diode is remote from the channel, self-aligned, sublithographic, and scalable. This remote tunnel diode provides several advantages over a conventional tunnel diode: higher junction breakdown voltage, reduced substrate current during erase, reduced tunnel oxide area, reduced cell area, and competitive cell endurance. A 256-kb 5-V-only flash memory incorporating this tunnel diode is shown to have excellent operation and reliability characteristics.<
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