Micron Technology, Inc.
APPARATUS AND METHODS FOR RAPID DATA DESTRUCTION

Abstract:

Apparatus having a string of series-connected memory cells comprising a plurality of principal memory cells and a plurality of dummy memory cells might have a controller configured to cause the apparatus to apply a first programming pulse to a particular dummy memory cell of the plurality of dummy memory cells sufficient to increase a threshold voltage of the particular dummy memory cell to a voltage level sufficient to cause the particular dummy memory cell to remain deactivated during a read operation on the string of series-connected memory cells, and to concurrently apply a second programming pulse to each principal memory cell of the plurality of principal memory cell sufficient to increase threshold voltages of at least a portion of the plurality of principal memory cells.