Abstract
The data retention characteristics of a Flash memory cell with a self-aligned double poly-Si stacked structure have been drastically improved by applying a bi-polarity write and erase technology which uses uniform Fowler-Nordheim tunneling over the whole channel area both during write and erase. It is clarified experimentally that the detrapping of electrons from the gate oxide to the substrate results in an extended retention time. A bi-polarity write and erase technology also guarantees a wide cell threshold voltage window even after 10 6 write/erase cycles. This technology results in a highly reliable EEPROM with an extended data retention time.