Non-volatile memory devices and arrays are described that facilitate the
use of band-gap engineered gate stacks with asymmetric tunnel barriers in
floating gate memory cells in NOR or NAND memory architectures that allow
for direct tunneling programming and erase with electrons and holes,
while maintaining high charge blocking barriers and deep carrier trapping
sites for good charge retention. The direct tunneling program and erase
capability reduces damage to the gate stack and the crystal lattice from
high energy carriers, reducing write fatigue and leakage issues and
enhancing device lifespan. Memory cells of the present invention also
allow multiple bit storage in a single memory cell, and allow for
programming and erase with reduced voltages. A positive voltage erase
process via hole tunneling is also provided.