Micron Technology, Inc.
Multi-stage erase operation for a memory device

Abstract:

Control logic in a memory device initiates an erase operation on a memory array and causes an erase voltage signal to be applied to a source terminal of a string of memory cells in a data block of the memory array during the erase operation. The control logic further causes a first voltage signal to be applied to a first select line of the data block and a second voltage signal to be applied to a second select line of the data block, wherein the first select line is coupled to a first device in the string of memory cells and the second select line is coupled to a second device in the string of memory cells, and wherein the first voltage signal and the second voltage signal both have a common first voltage offset with respect to the erase voltage signal during a first stage of the erase operation. The control logic further determines an end of the first stage of the erase operation and causes the first voltage signal to decrease to a second voltage offset with respect to the erase voltage signal and causes the second voltage signal to decrease to a third voltage offset with respect to the erase voltage signal during a second stage of the erase operation, wherein the second offset is greater than the third offset.