Patents by Inventor Shintarou Hirata

Shintarou Hirata has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 12200949
    Abstract: A first solid-state imaging element according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a bottom-electrode; a top-electrode opposed to the bottom-electrode; a photoelectric conversion layer provided between the bottom-electrode and the top-electrode and including a first organic semiconductor material; and—an upper inter-layer provided between the top-electrode and the photoelectric conversion layer, and including a second organic semiconductor material having a halogen atom in a molecule at a concentration in a range from 0 volume % or more to less than 0.05 volume %.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2023
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2025
    Assignees: Sony Group Corporation, Sony Semiconductor Solutions Corporation
    Inventors: Yohei Hirose, Iwao Yagi, Shintarou Hirata, Hideaki Mogi, Masashi Bando, Osamu Enoki
  • Publication number: 20250008751
    Abstract: An image pickup element includes a photoelectric conversion section including a first electrode, a photoelectric conversion layer including an organic material, and a second electrode stacked on one another. Between the first electrode and the photoelectric conversion layer, an oxide semiconductor layer and an oxide film are formed from the first electrode side.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2024
    Publication date: January 2, 2025
    Applicant: SONY SEMICONDUCTOR SOLUTIONS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masahiro JOEI, Kenichi MURATA, Shintarou HIRATA, Toshihiko HAYASHI
  • Patent number: 12178058
    Abstract: To provide a photoelectric conversion element that can improve image quality. Provided is a photoelectric conversion element including at least a first electrode, a work function control layer, a photoelectric conversion layer, an oxide semiconductor layer, and a second electrode in this order, and further including a third electrode, in which the third electrode is provided apart from the second electrode and is provided facing the photoelectric conversion layer via an insulating layer, and the work function control layer contains a larger amount of oxygen than an amount of oxygen satisfying a stoichiometric composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2023
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2024
    Assignees: SONY SEMICONDUCTOR SOLUTIONS CORPORATION, SONY GROUP CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shintarou Hirata, Masahiro Joei, Kenichi Murata, Masashi Bando, Yosuke Saito, Ryosuke Suzuki
  • Patent number: 12156412
    Abstract: An image pickup element includes a photoelectric conversion section including a first electrode, a photoelectric conversion layer including an organic material, and a second electrode stacked on one another. Between the first electrode and the photoelectric conversion layer, an oxide semiconductor layer and an oxide film are formed from the first electrode side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2023
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2024
    Assignee: Sony Semiconductor Solutions Corporation
    Inventors: Masahiro Joei, Kenichi Murata, Shintarou Hirata, Toshihiko Hayashi
  • Publication number: 20240387602
    Abstract: An imaging device is provided. The imaging device may include a substrate having a first photoelectric conversion unit and a second photoelectric conversion unit at a light-incident side of the substrate. The second photoelectric conversion unit may include a photoelectric conversion layer, a first electrode, a second electrode above the photoelectric conversion layer, a third electrode, and an insulating material between the third electrode and the photoelectric conversion layer, wherein a portion of the insulating material is between the first electrode and the third electrode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2024
    Publication date: November 21, 2024
    Applicant: SONY GROUP CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hideaki TOGASHI, Fumihiko KOGA, Tetsuji YAMAGUCHI, Shintarou HIRATA, Taiichiro WATANABE, Yoshihiro ANDO, Toyotaka KATAOKA, Satoshi KEINO, Yukio KANEDA
  • Patent number: 12125858
    Abstract: A solid-state imaging device capable of achieving higher image quality is provided. Provided is a solid-state imaging device including a semiconductor substrate, a first photoelectric conversion unit that is provided above the semiconductor substrate and that converts light into charge, and a second photoelectric conversion unit that is provided above the first photoelectric conversion unit and that converts light into charge. Each of the first photoelectric conversion unit and the second photoelectric conversion unit includes at least a first electrode, a second electrode, and a photoelectric conversion film disposed between the first electrode and the second electrode. The first electrode of the second photoelectric conversion unit and a charge accumulation unit formed in the semiconductor substrate are electrically connected to each other via a conductive portion penetrating at least the first photoelectric conversion unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2024
    Assignee: SONY SEMICONDUCTOR SOLUTIONS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yukio Kaneda, Hideaki Togashi, Fumihiko Koga, Masahiro Joei, Kenichi Murata, Shintarou Hirata, Nobuhiro Kawai
  • Publication number: 20240313013
    Abstract: A solid-state imaging element with pixel transistors and wires capable of efficiently outputting and transferring a pixel signal from a stacked photoelectric conversion film while suppressing an increase in manufacturing cost, and a manufacturing method thereof are provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2024
    Publication date: September 19, 2024
    Applicant: SONY GROUP CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masahiro JOEI, Kenichi MURATA, Fumihiko KOGA, Iwao YAGI, Shintarou HIRATA, Hideaki TOGASHI, Yosuke SAITO
  • Publication number: 20240260285
    Abstract: There is provided a solid-state image sensor, a solid-state imaging device, an electronic apparatus, and a method of manufacturing a solid-state image sensor capable of improving characteristics. There is provided a solid-state image sensor including a stacked structure that includes a semiconductor substrate, a first photoelectric converter provided above the semiconductor substrate and converting light into charges, and a second photoelectric converter provided above the first photoelectric converter and converting light into charges, where the first photoelectric converter and the second photoelectric converter include a photoelectric conversion stacked structure in which a common electrode a photoelectric conversion film, and a readout electrode are stacked so that the first photoelectric converter and the second photoelectric converter are in a line-symmetrical relationship with each other with a vertical plane perpendicular to a stacking direction of the stacked structure as an axis of symmetry.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2024
    Publication date: August 1, 2024
    Applicants: SONY GROUP CORPORATION, SONY SEMICONDUCTOR SOLUTIONS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hideaki TOGASHI, Iwao YAGI, Masahiro JOEI, Fumihiko KOGA, Kenichi MURATA, Shintarou HIRATA, Yosuke SAITO, Akira FURUKAWA
  • Patent number: 12027542
    Abstract: A solid-state imaging element with pixel transistors and wires capable of efficiently outputting and transferring a pixel signal from a stacked photoelectric conversion film while suppressing an increase in manufacturing cost, and a manufacturing method thereof are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2024
    Assignee: SONY GROUP CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masahiro Joei, Kenichi Murata, Fumihiko Koga, Iwao Yagi, Shintarou Hirata, Hideaki Togashi, Yosuke Saito
  • Patent number: 12027565
    Abstract: An imaging device is provided. The imaging device may include a substrate having a first photoelectric conversion unit and a second photoelectric conversion unit at a light-incident side of the substrate. The second photoelectric conversion unit may include a photoelectric conversion layer, a first electrode, a second electrode above the photoelectric conversion layer, a third electrode, and an insulating material between the third electrode and the photoelectric conversion layer, wherein a portion of the insulating material is between the first electrode and the third electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2024
    Assignee: SONY GROUP CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hideaki Togashi, Fumihiko Koga, Tetsuji Yamaguchi, Shintarou Hirata, Taiichiro Watanabe, Yoshihiro Ando, Toyotaka Kataoka, Satoshi Keino, Yukio Kaneda
  • Patent number: 11991889
    Abstract: There is provided a solid-state image pickup device that includes a functional region provided with an organic film, and a guard ring surrounding the functional region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2024
    Assignee: Sony Semiconductor Solutions Corporation
    Inventors: Keisuke Hatano, Tetsuji Yamaguchi, Shintarou Hirata
  • Publication number: 20240164122
    Abstract: To provide a photoelectric conversion element that can improve image quality. Provided is a photoelectric conversion element including at least a first electrode, a work function control layer, a photoelectric conversion layer, an oxide semiconductor layer, and a second electrode in this order, and further including a third electrode, in which the third electrode is provided apart from the second electrode and is provided facing the photoelectric conversion layer via an insulating layer, and the work function control layer contains a larger amount of oxygen than an amount of oxygen satisfying a stoichiometric composition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2023
    Publication date: May 16, 2024
    Inventors: SHINTAROU HIRATA, MASAHIRO JOEI, KENICHI MURATA, MASASHI BANDO, YOSUKE SAITO, RYOSUKE SUZUKI
  • Publication number: 20240145517
    Abstract: Provided is a solid-state image capturing element including a semiconductor substrate and first and second photoelectric conversion parts configured to convert light into electric charge. The first and the second photoelectric conversion parts each have a laminated structure including an upper electrode, a lower electrode, a photoelectric conversion film sandwiched between the upper electrode and the lower electrode, and an accumulation electrode facing the upper electrode through the photoelectric conversion film and an insulating film.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2023
    Publication date: May 2, 2024
    Applicants: SONY GROUP CORPORATION, SONY SEMICONDUCTOR SOLUTIONS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kenichi MURATA, Masahiro JOEI, Fumihiko KOGA, Iwao YAGI, Shintarou HIRATA, Hideaki TOGASHI, Yosuke SAITO, Shingo TAKAHASHI
  • Patent number: 11974444
    Abstract: There is provided a solid-state image sensor, a solid-state imaging device, an electronic apparatus, and a method of manufacturing a solid-state image sensor capable of improving characteristics. There is provided a solid-state image sensor including a stacked structure that includes a semiconductor substrate, a first photoelectric converter provided above the semiconductor substrate and converting light into charges, and a second photoelectric converter provided above the first photoelectric converter and converting light into charges, where the first photoelectric converter and the second photoelectric converter include a photoelectric conversion stacked structure in which a common electrode, a photoelectric conversion film, and a readout electrode are stacked so that the first photoelectric converter and the second photoelectric converter are in a line-symmetrical relationship with each other with a vertical plane perpendicular to a stacking direction of the stacked structure as an axis of symmetry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignees: SONY CORPORATION, SONY SEMICONDUCTOR SOLUTIONS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hideaki Togashi, Iwao Yagi, Masahiro Joei, Fumihiko Koga, Kenichi Murata, Shintarou Hirata, Yosuke Saito, Akira Furukawa
  • Patent number: 11910624
    Abstract: A solid-state imaging element including: a photoelectric conversion layer, a first electrode and a second electrode opposed to each other with the photoelectric conversion layer interposed therebetween, a semiconductor layer provided between the first electrode and the photoelectric conversion layer, an accumulation electrode opposed to the photoelectric conversion layer with the semiconductor layer interposed therebetween, an insulating film provided between the accumulation electrode and the semiconductor layer, and a barrier layer provided between the semiconductor layer and the photoelectric conversion layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: Sony Semiconductor Solutions Corporation
    Inventors: Shintarou Hirata, Hideaki Togashi, Yukio Kaneda
  • Publication number: 20240055465
    Abstract: A highly functional photoelectric conversion element is provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2021
    Publication date: February 15, 2024
    Inventors: Kenichi MURATA, Masahiro JOEI, Shintarou HIRATA, Shingo TAKAHASHI, Yoshiyuki OHBA, Takashi KOJIMA, Tomiyuki YUKAWA, Yoshifumi ZAIZEN, Tomohiro SUGIYAMA, Masaki OKAMOTO, Takuya MASUNAGA, Yuki KAWAHARA
  • Patent number: 11888012
    Abstract: Provided is a solid-state image capturing element including a semiconductor substrate and first and second photoelectric conversion parts configured to convert light into electric charge. The first and the second photoelectric conversion parts each have a laminated structure including an upper electrode, a lower electrode, a photoelectric conversion film sandwiched between the upper electrode and the lower electrode, and an accumulation electrode facing the upper electrode through the photoelectric conversion film and an insulating film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignees: SONY CORPORATION, SONY SEMICONDUCTOR SOLUTIONS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kenichi Murata, Masahiro Joei, Fumihiko Koga, Iwao Yagi, Shintarou Hirata, Hideaki Togashi, Yosuke Saito, Shingo Takahashi
  • Publication number: 20240030251
    Abstract: A solid-state imaging element (1) according to the present disclosure includes a pixel array section (3), an isolation region (10), and a light shielding section. In the pixel array section (3), a plurality of light receiving pixels (2) each including a photoelectric conversion layer (17) made of an organic material and a charge storage layer (23) that stores a charge generated in the photoelectric conversion layer (17) is disposed side by side. The isolation region (10) is provided between the light receiving pixels (2) adjacent to each other in the pixel array section (3). The light shielding section suppresses incidence of light on the charge storage layer (23a) located in the isolation region (10).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2021
    Publication date: January 25, 2024
    Inventors: SHINTAROU HIRATA, TOSHIHIKO HAYASHI
  • Publication number: 20240006426
    Abstract: A highly functional photoelectric conversion element is provided. The photoelectric conversion element includes: a first photoelectric converter that detects light in a first wavelength range and photoelectrically converts the light; a second photoelectric converter that detects light in a second wavelength range and photoelectrically converts the light to obtain distance information of a subject; and an optical filter that is disposed between the first photoelectric converter and the second photoelectric converter, and allows the light in the second wavelength range to pass therethrough more easily than the light in the first wavelength range. The first photoelectric converter includes a stacked structure and an electric charge accumulation electrode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2023
    Publication date: January 4, 2024
    Applicant: SONY SEMICONDUCTOR SOLUTIONS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hideaki TOGASHI, Tetsuji YAMAGUCHI, Nobuhiro KAWAI, Koji SEKIGUCHI, Masahiro JOEI, Kenichi MURATA, Shintarou HIRATA, Yuta HASEGAWA, Yoshito NAGASHIMA
  • Patent number: 11817466
    Abstract: A highly functional photoelectric conversion element is provided. The photoelectric conversion element includes: a first photoelectric converter that detects light in a first wavelength range and photoelectrically converts the light; a second photoelectric converter that detects light in a second wavelength range and photoelectrically converts the light to obtain distance information of a subject; and an optical filter that is disposed between the first photoelectric converter and the second photoelectric converter, and allows the light in the second wavelength range to pass therethrough more easily than the light in the first wavelength range. The first photoelectric converter includes a stacked structure and an electric charge accumulation electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: Sony Semiconductor Solutions Corporation
    Inventors: Hideaki Togashi, Tetsuji Yamaguchi, Nobuhiro Kawai, Koji Sekiguchi, Masahiro Joei, Kenichi Murata, Shintarou Hirata, Yuta Hasegawa, Yoshito Nagashima