A nonvolatile semiconductor memory component whose contents may be erased, usually through exposure to ultraviolet light. EPROM's are used to store digital data.

This is normally read-only memory that retains its information until it is exposed to ultraviolet light. You can often tell a chip is an EPROM by the small...

Chips which may be programmed by using a PROM programming device. Before programming each bit is set to the same logical state, either 1 or 0. Each bit location may be thought of as a small capacitor capable of storing an electrical charge. The logical state is established by charging, via an electrical current, all bits whose states are to be changed from the default state. EPROMs may be erased and reprogrammed because the electrical charge at the bit locations can be bled off [i.e. reset to the default state] by exposure to ultraviolet light through the small quartz window on top of the IC. After programming, the IC's window must be covered to prevent exposure to UV light until it is desired to reprogram the chip. An EPROM eraser is a device for exposing the IC's circuits to UV light of a specific wavelength for a certain amount of time.