journal article·2025-10Open access

Middle Interlayer Engineered Ferroelectric NAND Flash Overcoming Reliability and Stability Bottlenecks for Next‐Generation High‐Density Storage Systems

Giuk Kim, Sangho Lee, Hyojun Choi, Yangjin Jung, Woongjin Kim, Sanghyun Park, Kwangyou Seo, Kwangsoo Kim, Wanki Kim, Daewon Ha, Mincheol Shin, Jinho Ahn, Sanghun Jeon

Advanced Science· Volume 12· Issue 40

Abstract

Abstract Multilevel storage and low‐voltage operation position ferroelectric transistors as promising candidates for next‐generation nonvolatile memory. Among them, gate‐injection‐type ferroelectric transistors offer improved vertical scalability and power efficiency for three‐dimensional (3D) NAND flash. However, their intricate interplay between polarization switching and charge trapping complicates systematic understanding of degradation mechanisms, limiting strategies to improve reliability and stability. Here, gate stack engineering incorporating middle interlayers within HfZrO x matrix is presented to modulate polarization dynamics, strengthening the coupling of dual mechanisms and overcoming long‐standing reliability and stability bottlenecks in ferroelectric NAND operation. This approach achieves a memory window up to 11 V, an operating voltage below 18 V, triple‐level‐cell retention beyond 10 years, disturbance immunity, and 54% reduced threshold voltage variability. A 20% reduction in program voltage compared to conventional NAND enables aggressive vertical scaling, leading to 25% higher bit‐density. Furthermore, analytical modeling provides insights into gate stack optimization. These findings establish ferroelectric NAND as a scalable, energy‐efficient solution for next‐generation storage.
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Research context

OpenAlex topics: Ferroelectric and Negative Capacitance Devices · Semiconductor materials and devices · Advanced Data Storage Technologies

SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.

Affiliations

Department of Electrical engineering Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) Daejeon 34141 South Korea

Semiconductor R&D Center Samsung Electronics Hwaseong‐si 18367 South Korea

Department of Material Science Engineering Hanyang University Seoul 04763 South Korea

Funding

Ministry of Science and ICT, South Korea

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