Abstract: The present disclosure, in some embodiments, relates to an integrated chip. The integrated chip includes an image sensor disposed within a substrate. The substrate has sidewalls and a horizontally extending surface defining one or more trenches extending from a first surface of the substrate to within the substrate. One or more isolation structures are arranged within the one or more trenches. A doped region is arranged within the substrate laterally between sidewalls of the one or more isolation structures and the image sensor and vertically between the image sensor and the first surface of the substrate. The doped region has a higher concentration of a first dopant type than an abutting part of the substrate that extends along opposing sides of the image sensor.

Abstract: The present disclosure, in some embodiments, relates to an integrated chip. The integrated chip includes an image sensing element disposed within a semiconductor substrate. One or more isolation structures are arranged within one or more trenches disposed along a first surface of the semiconductor substrate. The one or more isolation structures are separated from opposing sides of the image sensing element by non-zero distances. The one or more trenches are defined by sidewalls and a horizontally extending surface of the semiconductor substrate. A doped region is laterally arranged between the sidewalls of the semiconductor substrate defining the one or more trenches and is vertically arranged between the image sensing element and the first surface of the semiconductor substrate.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present application are directed towards image sensors including composite backside illuminated (CBSI) structures to enhance performance. In some embodiments, a first trench isolation structure extends into a backside of a substrate to a first depth and comprises a pair of first trench isolation segments. A photodetector is in the substrate, between and bordering the first trench isolation segments. A second trench isolation structure is between the first trench isolation segments and extends into the backside of the substrate to a second depth less than the first depth. The second trench isolation structure comprises a pair of second trench isolation segments. An absorption enhancement structure overlies the photodetector, between the second trench isolation segments, and is recessed into the backside of the semiconductor substrate. The absorption enhancement structure and the second trench isolation structure collectively define a CBSI structure.

Abstract: A photovoltaic cell includes a germanium-containing well embedded in a single crystalline silicon substrate and extending to a proximal horizontal surface of the single crystalline silicon substrate, wherein germanium-containing well includes germanium at an atomic percentage greater than 50%. A silicon-containing capping structure is located on a top surface of the germanium-containing well and includes silicon at an atomic percentage greater than 42%. The silicon-containing capping structure prevents oxidation of the germanium-containing well. A photovoltaic junction may be formed within, or across, the trench by implanting dopants of a first conductivity type and dopants of a second conductivity type.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present application are directed towards image sensors including composite backside illuminated (CBSI) structures to enhance performance. In some embodiments, a first trench isolation structure extends into a backside of a substrate to a first depth and comprises a pair of first trench isolation segments. A photodetector is in the substrate, between and bordering the first trench isolation segments. A second trench isolation structure is between the first trench isolation segments and extends into the backside of the substrate to a second depth less than the first depth. The second trench isolation structure comprises a pair of second trench isolation segments. An absorption enhancement structure overlies the photodetector, between the second trench isolation segments, and is recessed into the backside of the semiconductor substrate. The absorption enhancement structure and the second trench isolation structure collectively define a CBSI structure.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a semiconductor device including a semiconductor substrate. A grid structure extends from a first side of the semiconductor substrate to within the semiconductor substrate. An image sensing element is disposed within the semiconductor substrate and is laterally surrounded by the grid structure. A plurality of protrusions are arranged along the first side of the semiconductor substrate. The plurality of protrusions are disposed over the image sensing element and are laterally surrounded by the grid structure. The plurality of protrusions are substantially identical to one another and have a characteristic dimension. An inner surface of the grid structure facing the image sensing element is spaced apart from a point of one of the plurality of protrusions by a predetermined reflective length that is based on the characteristic dimension of the plurality of protrusions.

Abstract: The present disclosure, in some embodiments, relates to an integrated chip. The integrated chip has an image sensor within a substrate. A first dielectric has an upper surface that extends over a first side of the substrate and over one or more trenches within the first side of the substrate. The one or more trenches laterally surround the image sensor. An internal reflection structure arranged over the upper surface of the first dielectric. The internal reflection structure is configured to reflect radiation exiting from the substrate back into the substrate.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present application are directed towards a semiconductor-on-insulator (SOI) DoP image sensor and a method for forming the SOI DoP image sensor. In some embodiments, a semiconductor substrate comprises a floating node and a collector region. A photodetector is in the semiconductor substrate and is defined in part by a collector region. A transfer transistor is over the semiconductor substrate. The collector region and the floating node respectively define source/drain regions of the transfer transistor. A semiconductor mesa is over and spaced from the semiconductor substrate. A readout transistor is on and partially defined by the semiconductor mesa. The semiconductor mesa is between the readout transistor and the semiconductor substrate. A via extends from the floating node to a gate electrode of the readout transistor.

Abstract: The problem of reducing noise in image sensing devices, especially NIR detectors, is solved by providing ground connections for the reflectors. The reflectors may be grounded through vias that couple the reflectors to grounded areas of the substrate. The grounded areas of the substrate may be P+ doped areas formed proximate the surface of the substrate. In particular, the P+ doped areas may be parts of photodiodes. Alternatively, the reflectors may be grounded through a metal interconnect structure formed over the front side of the substrate.

Abstract: The present disclosure, in some embodiments, relates to an integrated chip. The integrated chip includes a dielectric structure disposed over a substrate. A plurality of conductive interconnect layers are disposed within the dielectric structure. The plurality of conductive interconnect layers include alternating layers of interconnect wires and interconnect vias. A metal-insulating-metal (MIM) capacitor is arranged within the dielectric structure. The MIM capacitor has a lower conductive electrode separated from an upper conductive electrode by a capacitor dielectric structure. The MIM capacitor vertically extends past two or more of the plurality of conductive interconnect layers.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a pixel sensor is provided. The pixel sensor includes a first photodetector arranged in a semiconductor substrate. A second photodetector is arranged in the semiconductor substrate, where a first substantially straight line axis intersects a center point of the first photodetector and a center point of the second photodetector. A floating diffusion node is arranged in the semiconductor substrate at a point that is a substantially equal distance from the first photodetector and the second photodetector. A pick-up well contact region is arranged in the semiconductor substrate, where a second substantially straight line axis that is substantially perpendicular to the first substantially straight line axis intersects a center point of the floating diffusion node and a center point of the pick-up well contact region.

Abstract: The present disclosure, in some embodiments, relates to an image sensing integrated chip. The image sensing integrated chip includes a semiconductor substrate having sidewalls defining one or more trenches on opposing sides of a region of the semiconductor substrate. One or more dielectrics are disposed within the one or more trenches. The semiconductor substrate has a plurality of flat surfaces arranged between the one or more trenches. Adjacent ones of the plurality of flat surfaces define a plurality of triangular shaped protrusions and alternative ones of the plurality of flat surfaces are substantially parallel to one another, as viewed along a cross-sectional view.

Abstract: A BSI image sensor includes a substrate including a front side and a back side opposite to the front side, a pixel sensor disposed in the substrate, and a color filter disposed over the pixel sensor. The pixel sensor includes a plurality of first micro structures disposed over the back side of the substrate. The color filter includes a plurality of second micro structures disposed over the back side of the substrate. The first micro structures are arranged symmetrically to a first axial, and the second micro structures are arranged symmetrically to a second axial.

Abstract: The problem of reducing noise in image sensing devices, especially NIR detectors, is solved by providing ground connections for the reflectors. The reflectors may be grounded through vias that couple the reflectors to grounded areas of the substrate. The grounded areas of the substrate may be P+ doped areas formed proximate the surface of the substrate. In particular, the P+ doped areas may be parts of photodiodes. Alternatively, the reflectors may be grounded through a metal interconnect structure formed over the front side of the substrate.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a semiconductor device having a lateral resonance structure to coherently reflect light toward the image sensor. The semiconductor device includes an image sensing element arranged within a substrate. A radiation absorption region is arranged within the substrate and above the image sensor, and contains an array of protrusions having a characteristic dimension and an outer border. A resonant structure containing a plurality of deep trench isolation (DTI) structures is disposed on opposing sides of the image sensing element. The (DTI) structures surround the outer border of the array of protrusions. An inner surface of the DTI structure is laterally spaced apart from the outer border of the array of protrusions by a reflective length based on the characteristic dimension of the array of protrusions, thus affecting coherent reflection of light back toward the image sensor.

Abstract: A method of forming an image sensor includes forming a first image sensor element within a substrate. The first image sensor element and the substrate respectively comprise a first material. A second image sensor element is formed within the substrate. Forming the second image sensor element includes forming an isolation layer over the first image sensor element. Further, a buffer layer is formed over the isolation layer and an active layer is formed over the buffer layer. The active layer comprises a second material different from the first material.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present application are directed towards a semiconductor-on-insulator (SOI) DoP image sensor and a method for forming the SOI DoP image sensor. In some embodiments, a semiconductor substrate comprises a floating node and a collector region. A photodetector is in the semiconductor substrate and is defined in part by a collector region. A transfer transistor is over the semiconductor substrate. The collector region and the floating node respectively define source/drain regions of the transfer transistor. A semiconductor mesa is over and spaced from the semiconductor substrate. A readout transistor is on and partially defined by the semiconductor mesa. The semiconductor mesa is between the readout transistor and the semiconductor substrate. A via extends from the floating node to a gate electrode of the readout transistor.

Abstract: An image sensor is disclosed. The image sensor includes an epitaxial layer, a plurality of plug structures and an interconnect structure. Wherein the plurality of plug structures are formed in the epitaxial layer, and each plug structure has doped sidewalls, the epitaxial layer and the doped sidewalk form a plurality of photodiodes, the plurality of plug structures are used to separate adjacent photodiodes, and the epitaxial layer and the doped sidewalls are coupled to the interconnect structure via the plug structures. An associated method of fabricating the image sensor is also disclosed. The method includes: providing a substrate having a first-type doped epitaxial substrate layer on a second-type doped epitaxial substrate layer; forming a plurality of isolation trenches in the first-type doped epitaxial substrate layer; forming a second-type doped region along sidewalk and bottoms of the plurality of isolation trenches; and filling the plurality of isolation trenches by depositing metal.

Abstract: In some embodiments, the present disclosure relates to a device having a semiconductor substrate including a frontside and a backside. On the frontside of the semiconductor substrate are a first source/drain region and a second source/drain region. A gate electrode is arranged on the frontside of the semiconductor substrate and includes a horizontal portion, a first vertical portion, and a second vertical portion. The horizontal portion is arranged over the frontside of the semiconductor substrate and between the first and second source/drain regions. The first vertical portion extends from the frontside towards the backside of the semiconductor substrate and contacts the horizontal portion of the gate electrode structure. The second vertical portion extends from the frontside towards the backside of the semiconductor substrate, contacts the horizontal portion of the gate electrode structure, and is separated from the first vertical portion by a channel region of the substrate.

Abstract: An image sensor semiconductor device includes a first photodiode disposed in a semiconductor substrate and configured to generate charges in response to radiation, a first transistor disposed adjacent to the first photodiode, a floating diffusion region configured to store the generated charges, a reset transistor configured to reset the floating diffusion region, and a second transistor disposed over the substrate between the first photodiode and the reset transistor. The first transistor and the second transistor are configured to generate a first electric field and a second electric field, respectively, to move the charges generated by the first photodiode to the floating diffusion region.