Semiconductor device and method of controlling the same

A semiconductor device comprising:

• a capacitor element that stores charge to perform as a memory that stores information, the capacitor comprising:
• an insulating layer including metal oxide, the insulating layer having a high dielectric constant;
• a plate electrode contacting with a first surface of the insulating layer, the plate electrode being applied with a ground voltage, the plate electrode being made of a first conductive material including at least one of precious metals and compounds thereof;
• a storage electrode contacting with a second surface of the insulating layer, the storage electrode being made of a second conductive material including at least one of metals and compounds thereof, the metals being different from the precious metals, the second conductive material being lower in work function than the first conductive material;
• and
• a detector that detects whether or not memory information is stored in the capacitor based on a potential of the storage electrode.

A semiconductor device comprising:

• a capacitor element that stores charge to perform as a memory that stores information, the capacitor comprising:
• an insulating layer including metal oxide, the insulating layer having a high dielectric constant;
• a storage electrode contacting with a first surface of the insulating layer, the storage electrode being made of a first conductive material including at least one of precious metals and compounds thereof;
• a plate electrode contacting with a second surface of the insulating layer, the plate electrode being applied with a power voltage, the plate electrode being made of a second conductive material including at least one of metals and compounds thereof, the metals being different from the precious metals, the second conductive material being lower in work function than the first conductive material;
• and
• a detector that detects whether or not memory information is stored in the capacitor based on a potential of the storage electrode.