The ferroelectric layer has a polarity representing a bit of data. During a program operation, a program voltage is applied across the ferroelectric layer from the control gate electrode to the semiconductor channel to set the polarity to a programmed state. During an erase operation, an erase voltage is applied across the ferroelectric layer from the control gate electrode to the semiconductor channel to set the polarity to an erased state. By employing the ferroelectric layer for data storage, as opposed to a silicon nitride layer, there is no dependence on carrier tunneling. As such, program and erase voltages may be reduced and program and erase speeds may be increased. For example, program and erase voltages may be reduced to less than about 5 volts and/or program and erase speeds may be reduced to less than about 100 nanoseconds. Other suitable values are, however, amenable. By reducing the program and erase voltages and by increasing the program and erase speeds, power consumption may be reduced.
With reference to