Abstract: Described herein are methods that may improve yield of an image sensor. In one embodiment, a method that may improve yield of an image sensor includes generating output values of control logic associated with an array of light sensitive elements. The method further may include determining if the control logic has one or more faulty output values. The method further may include automatically correcting the one or more faulty output values. In another embodiment, a method that may improve yield of an image sensor includes providing light to an array of light sensitive elements. The method further may include generating an image based on the light sensitive elements and associated control logic. The method further may include disconnecting control lines from control logic that has one or more faulty output values based on viewing the image. The method further may include generating another image based on the control logic having no faulty output values.

Abstract: Described herein are methods that may improve yield of an image sensor. In one embodiment, a method that may improve yield of an image sensor includes generating output values of control logic associated with an array of light sensitive elements. The method further may include determining if the control logic has one or more faulty output values. The method further may include automatically correcting the one or more faulty output values.

Abstract: Described herein are methods that may improve yield of an image sensor. In one embodiment, a method that may improve yield of an image sensor includes generating output values of control logic associated with an array of light sensitive elements. The method further may include determining if the control logic has one or more faulty output values. The method further may include automatically correcting the one or more faulty output values. In another embodiment, a method that may improve yield of an image sensor includes providing light to an array of light sensitive elements. The method further may include generating an image based on the light sensitive elements and associated control logic. The method further may include disconnecting control lines from control logic that has one or more faulty output values based on viewing the image. The method further may include generating another image based on the control logic having no faulty output values.

Abstract: Described herein are methods that may improve yield of an image sensor. In one embodiment, a method that may improve yield of an image sensor includes generating output values of control logic associated with an array of light sensitive elements. The method further may include determining if the control logic has one or more faulty output values. The method further may include automatically correcting the one or more faulty output values. In another embodiment, a method that may improve yield of an image sensor includes providing light to an array of light sensitive elements. The method further may include generating an image based on the light sensitive elements and associated control logic. The method further may include disconnecting control lines from control logic that has one or more faulty output values based on viewing the image. The method further may include generating another image based on the control logic having no faulty output values.

Abstract: An apparatus for triggering image acquisition in radiography includes an interconnect, a detector to detect radiation and a switch coupled between the interconnect and the detector to charge the interconnect in response to the radiation while the switch is in an open-circuit state. The apparatus also includes control circuitry coupled to the interconnect to detect the charge on the interconnect and to generate a signal indicating presence of the radiation in response to the charge. A method for triggering image acquisition in radiography includes coupling a switch between an interconnect and a detector, then charging an interconnect with that switch in response to radiation incident upon the switch while the switch is in an open-circuit state. Next, the charge on the interconnect is monitored and a signal is generated indicating the presence of the radiation in response to that charge.

Abstract: An apparatus for triggering image acquisition in radiography includes an interconnect, a detector to detect radiation and a switch coupled between the interconnect and the detector to charge the interconnect in response to the radiation while the switch is in an open-circuit state. The apparatus also includes control circuitry coupled to the interconnect to detect the charge on the interconnect and to generate a signal indicating presence of the radiation in response to the charge. A method for triggering image acquisition in radiography includes coupling a switch between an interconnect and a detector, then charging an interconnect with that switch in response to radiation incident upon the switch while the switch is in an open-circuit state. Next, the charge on the interconnect is monitored and a signal is generated indicating the presence of the radiation in response to that charge.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an image sensor for an x-ray imager includes a photodiode and a readout circuit. A deep well formed below the readout circuit may be configured as a diode to drain away parasitic electrons, which would otherwise induce noise in images. The parasitic electrons may be drained away to a power supply or a measuring circuit for dosimetrie purposes, for example.

Abstract: A sensor array is described comprising a substantially constant resolution portion comprising a first series of first concentric closed rings, each first closed ring comprising a monodimensional array of equally spaced sensor element location sites, each location site including at aleast one sensor element; and a spatially variant portion comprising a second series of second concentric closed rings, the second series being concentric with the first series and each second closed ring comprising a monodimensional array of equally spaced sensor element location sites, each location site having at least one sensor element, the spatially variant portion surrounding or being surrounded by the substantially constant resolution portion, and the density of sensor element location sites continuously increasing or decreasing between the substantially constant resolution portion and the spatially variant portion.

Abstract: A sensor array is described comprising a substantially constant resolution portion comprising a first series of first concentric closed rings, each first closed ring comprising a monodimensional array of equally spaced sensor element location sites, each location site including at aleast one sensor element; and a spatially variant portion comprising a second series of second concentric closed rings, the second series being concentric with the first series and each second closed ring comprising a monodimensional array of equally spaced sensor element location sites, each location site having at least one sensor element, the spatially variant portion surrounding or being surrounded by the substantially constant resolution portion, and the density of sensor element location sites continuously increasing or decreasing between the substantially constant resolution portion and the spatially variant portion.

Abstract: An image sensor device (100) is described comprising a semiconductor substrate (1), a MOS-based pixel structure and a planarization layer (30) on top. The planarization layer (30) is provided to avoid lensing due to the roughness of the pixel structure surface. The planarization layer (30) may be further optimized by adapting its thickness and refractive index to obtain anti-reflective coating properties for some regions in the image sensor device. This allows increasing the quantum efficiency and the spectral response of the image sensor device significantly.

Abstract: The present invention provides an active pixel including a semiconductor layer (5) having dopants of a first conductivity type, wherein said semiconductor layer (5) comprises a first region (1) and a second region (2) both having dopants of a second conductivity type, said first region (1) and said second region (2) being adapted for collecting charge carriers in said semiconductor layer (5) generated by electromagnetic radiation, said first region (1) having an area and a boundary of this area, said semiconductor layer (5) further comprising a third region (3) having dopants of the first conductivity type at a higher doping level than the semiconductor layer (5), the third region (3) forming a barrier for substantially impeding the diffusion of said charge carriers to said second region (2). Over a part of its boundary, the first region (1) is separated from the third region (3) by a zone of the semiconductor layer (5) for creation of a depletion zone (9).

Abstract: A method is disclosed for obtaining a read-out signal of a MOS-based pixel structure having at least a photosensitive element with an output node and a memory element with a first switch therebetween. The method comprises the steps of while acquiring charge carriers on said output node of said photosensitive element, said charge carriers being converted from electromagnetic radiation on the photosensitive element, after a first time period creating a first signal, and after a second time period, creating a second signal, said read-out signal being a combination of at least said first and said second signals.According to the present invention, there is no limitation to the amount of collected charges in none of the integrated periods. The signal collected during the first period is memorized by a switch which shortly opens and closes between the period. The switch is thus in the same state in both period of time. After a second period, there are thus two charge packets, each obtained during a different time.