Abstract: An active pixel sensor. The active pixel sensor includes a substrate, an interconnect structure adjacent to the substrate, and at least one photo sensor adjacent to the interconnect structure. Each photo sensor includes an individual pixel electrode. An I-layer is formed over all of the pixel electrodes. A transparent electrode is formed over the I-layer. An inner surface of the transparent electrode is electrically connected to the I-layer and the interconnect structure.

Abstract: A dual-inlaid damascene contact having a polished surface for directly communicating an electrically conductive layer to a semiconductor layer. A dielectric layer is formed on the electrically conductive layer. A dual-inlaid cavity is formed by etching a via cavity and a contact cavity into the dielectric layer. A damascene contact is formed by depositing tungsten into the dual-inlaid cavity. Chemical-mechanical polishing is used to planarize and smooth a surface of the damascene contact until the surface is coplanar with the dielectric layer. A semiconductor layer is then deposited on the damascene contact. The semiconductor layer can be the node of an amorphous silicon P-I-N photodiode. Electrical interconnection between the node of the photodiode and the electrically conductive layer is accomplished without using an intermediate electrode, and the smooth damascene contact improves surface adhesion, reduces contact resistance, and provides a discrete connection to the semiconductor layer.

Abstract: An image sensor. The image sensor array includes a substrate. An interconnect structure is formed adjacent to the substrate. A plurality of image sensors are formed adjacent to the interconnect structure. Each image sensor includes a pixel electrode, and a separate I-layer section formed adjacent to the pixel electrode. The image sensor array further includes an insulating material between each image sensor. A transparent electrode is formed over the image sensors. An inner surface of the transparent electrode is electrically connected to an outer surface of the image sensors and the interconnect.

Abstract: An interconnect system is provided. The interconnect system includes a silicon substrate and a first dielectric layer formed upon the silicon substrate. The interconnect system also includes a first level of at least two electrically conductive lines formed upon the first dielectric layer. The interconnect system further includes a region of low dielectric constant material formed between the at least two electrically conductive lines. The interconnect system also includes a first hard mask formed upon the polymer region.