Patent attributes
Provided is a nonvolatile memory with less element deterioration and good data retaining properties. In a nonvolatile memory formed by the manufacturing steps of a complementary type MISFET without adding thereto another additional step, erasing of data is carried out by applying 9V to an n type well, 9V to a p type semiconductor region, and −9V to another p type semiconductor region and setting the source and drain of data writing and erasing MISFETs and data reading MISFETs at open potential to emit electrons from a gate electrode to a p well by FN tunneling. At this time, by applying a negative voltage to the p well having a capacitive element formed thereover and applying a positive voltage to the p well having the MISFETs formed thereover, a potential difference necessary for data erasing operation can be secured at a voltage low enough not to cause gate breakage.