Impact of program/erase stress induced hole current on data retention degradation for MONOS memories

We investigate the mechanism for the data retention degradation caused by program/erase (P/E) cycling in MONOS memories, using the carrier separation measurement to identify the carrier type of Stress-Induced Leakage Current (SILC). It is thereby found that SILC is composed mainly of holes for the MONOS with less Si-rich SiN layer (hole SILC). A clear correlation is also discovered between hole SILC and interface states generated during P/E cycle. We also discuss the mechanism of the degradation by hole SILC of the data retention characteristics of MONOS devices.