Weak erase prior to read

Abstract

Techniques are disclosed for accurately sensing memory cells without having to wait for a voltage that creeps up on word line after a sensing operation to die down. The word line creep up could cause electrons to trap in shallow interface traps of a memory cell, hence impacting its threshold voltage. In one aspect, trapped electrons are removed (e.g., de-trapped) from shallow interface traps of a memory cell using a weak erase operation. Therefore, problems associated with word line voltage creep up are reduced or prevented. Thus, the memory cell can be sensed without waiting, while still providing an accurate result. The weak erase could be part of a sensing operation, but that is not required. For example, the weak erase could be incorporated into the beginning part of a read operation, which provides for a very efficient solution.