In one embodiment, a method for discharging a semiconductor device includes providing a semiconductor substrate, forming a hole blocking dielectric layer over the semiconductor substrate, forming nanoclusters over the hole blocking dielectric layer, forming a charge trapping layer over the nanoclusters, and applying an electric field to the nanoclusters to discharge the semiconductor device. Applying the electric field may occur while applying ultraviolet (UV) light. In one embodiment, the hole blocking dielectric layer comprises forming the hole blocking dielectric layer having a thickness greater than approximately 50 Angstroms.