Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a solid-state imaging device that can achieve a high sensitivity, finer pixels for increasing the number of pixels, a high-speed operation, and high image quality, and a method for manufacturing the same. There are provided a plurality of photoelectric conversion portions arranged in a matrix on a substrate, a vertical transfer channel arranged between vertical columns of the photoelectric conversion portions, a plurality of vertical transfer electrodes for transferring a charge of the photoelectric conversion portions to the vertical transfer channel, a light-shielding film that is laminated on the vertical transfer electrodes via a first insulating film and has a plurality of window portions, each defining a light-receiving portion of each of the photoelectric conversion portions, and a shunt wiring that is arranged in a region overlapping the vertical transfer channel and is insulated from the light-shielding film by a second insulating film.

Abstract: A first gate electrode and a second gate electrode are formed on a semiconductor substrate, and then a resist pattern is formed so as to selectively leave open a portion including an overlap between the first and second gate electrodes. Next, the overlap between the gate electrodes is removed through isotropic etching. Etching is carried out at this time by an amount within a range of 140% to 200% of the film thickness of the second gate electrode. Next, a normal inter-layer insulating film and light-shielding film are formed. It is possible to eliminate the overlap between the gate electrodes adjacent to an opening of the light-shielding film, suppress the height of the light-shielding film at that portion, reduce shading for the light condensed by a lens and thereby improve the light condensing efficiency of the lens.

Abstract: The present invention aims to provide a solid-state apparatus and a manufacturing method thereof, the solid-state apparatus having both high transfer efficiency in a horizontal transfer CCD and efficient breakdown voltage in a vertical transfer CCD and including a semiconductor substrate 110, first layer poly-silicon electrodes 120 and second layer poly-silicon electrodes 130 which form two layered overlap poly-silicon electrodes, an embedded channel region 140 which is formed in a surface unit of the semiconductor substrate 110 and becomes a transfer path for signal charge, and a photodiode region where photodiodes are aligned two-dimensionally, the photodiodes converting light into signal charge and accumulating the signal charge, wherein an inter-electrode distance c in the horizontal transfer CCD is shorter than an inter-electrode distance a in the vertical transfer CCD.

Abstract: A solid state imaging device includes: a plurality of photoelectric conversion portions formed in a substrate in a matrix arrangement to convert light incident on light receiving portions into electricity; a plurality of vertical transfer registers for reading charges out of the photoelectric conversion portions and transferring the charges in the column direction; and a plurality of shunt interconnections formed above the vertical transfer electrodes in one-to-one correspondence with the columns of the photoelectric conversion portions to supply drive pulses to the corresponding vertical transfer electrodes. Each of the vertical transfer registers includes a vertical transfer channel formed in the substrate in one-to-one correspondence with a column of the photoelectric conversion portions and a plurality of vertical transfer electrodes formed above the vertical transfer channel.

Abstract: The solid-state imaging device of the present invention includes: a floating diffusion capacity unit which is formed on a semiconductor substrate, and is operable to hold signal charges derived from incident light; an amplifier which is operable to convert the signal charges held in the floating diffusion capacity unit into a voltage; the first wire which connects the floating diffusion capacity unit to an input of the amplifier; and a second wire which is made of the same material as the first wire, formed in the same layer as the first wire, arranged around the first wire at least along long sides of the first wire, and electrically insulated from the first wire.

Abstract: A plurality of light receiving elements are arranged in a matrix with uniform space therebetween in a light receiving region defined on a semiconductor substrate. A plurality of read-out electrodes are formed on the semiconductor substrate in an arrangement corresponding to the light receiving elements to read charges generated by the light receiving elements, a light shield film having openings positioned above the light receiving elements is formed to cover the read-out electrodes, first optical waveguides are formed in the openings above the light receiving elements and second optical waveguides are formed on the light shield film. The second optical waveguides are in the form of dots, stripes or a grid when viewed in plan.

Abstract: The solid-state imaging device of the present invention includes: a plurality of photodetectors that are arranged in a two-dimensional matrix; a plurality of vertical transfer portions that transfer, in a vertical direction, signal electric charges which are read out from the respective photodetectors; a horizontal transfer portion that receives the signal electric charges transferred by the vertical transfer portions, and transfers the signal electric charges in a horizontal direction; a barrier region that is adjacent to the horizontal transfer portion, and allows an excess electric charge in the horizontal transfer portion to pass through; and a drain region that is adjacent to the barrier region and drains the excess electric charge which has passed through the barrier region; and bus lines that are disposed in parallel with the drain region, and apply control voltages to electrodes of the horizontal transfer portion.

Abstract: A thin film magnetic head has coil layer formed in a space surrounded by a lower core layer, a protruding layer and a back gap layer. The top of these layers are planarized to a continuous flat surface. A lower magnetic pole layer, a gap layer, an upper magnetic pole layer and an upper core layer are formed on the flat surface and are precisely formed in a predetermined shape. The track width Tw can also be set to a predetermined dimension by the width of the upper magnetic pole layer at a surface facing the recording medium. Also, the magnetic path can be shortened to improve magnetic properties.

Abstract: A solid-state imaging device includes a semiconductor substrate including: a plurality of light-receptive portions that are arranged one-dimensionally or two-dimensionally; a vertical transfer portion that transfers signal electric charge read out from the light-receptive portions in a vertical direction; a horizontal transfer portion that transfers the signal electric charge transferred by the vertical transfer portion in a horizontal direction; a barrier region adjacent to the horizontal transfer portion, the barrier region letting only surplus electric charge of the horizontal transfer portion pass therethough; a drain region adjacent to the barrier region, into which the surplus electric charge passing through the barrier region is discharged; and an insulation film adjacent to the drain region. A portion of the drain region is located beneath the insulation film.

Abstract: A first gate electrode and a second gate electrode are formed on a semiconductor substrate, and then a resist pattern is formed so as to selectively leave open a portion including an overlap between the first and second gate electrodes. Next, the overlap between the gate electrodes is removed through isotropic etching. Etching is carried out at this time by an amount within a range of 140% to 200% of the film thickness of the second gate electrode. Next, a normal inter-layer insulating film and light-shielding film are formed. It is possible to eliminate the overlap between the gate electrodes adjacent to an opening of the light-shielding film, suppress the height of the light-shielding film at that portion, reduce shading for the light condensed by a lens and thereby improve the light condensing efficiency of the lens.

Abstract: There is provided a charge detecting device that can convert an accumulated charge to a voltage at a low voltage and a high efficiency, and has a large dynamic range of an output voltage and satisfactory linearity of a conversion efficiency. The charge detecting device includes a charge accumulating portion including a low concentration N-type (N?) layer 108 formed in a P-type well 101 and a high concentration N-type (N+) layer formed between the N? layer and a principal surface. The N+ layer is connected to an input terminal of an amplifying transistor of an output circuit, and after a reverse bias is applied to the N+ layer during discharging of the accumulated charge, the entire N? layer is depleted at least until a saturated charge is accumulated.

Abstract: The solid-state imaging device according to the present invention comprises: a plurality of light-sensitive elements 1 arranged in a matrix form at regular spacings in a photoreceiving region provided on a semiconductor substrate; a plurality of detecting electrodes provided on the semiconductor substrate corresponding to the plurality of the light-sensitive elements for detecting an electrical charge generated by each light-sensitive element; a light-shielding film 58 coating the plurality of detecting electrodes and having an aperture 65 over each light-sensitive element; and a plurality of reflecting walls 62, which are formed in a grid pattern over the light-shielding film so as to partition the apertures individually over the respective light-sensitive elements, for reflecting a portion of light entering the semiconductor substrate from above onto the aperture on each light-sensitive element.

Abstract: The solid-state imaging device according to the present invention comprises: a plurality of light-sensitive elements 1 arranged in a matrix form at regular spacings in a photoreceiving region provided on a semiconductor substrate; a plurality of detecting electrodes provided on the semiconductor substrate corresponding to the plurality of the light-sensitive elements for detecting an electrical charge generated by each light-sensitive element; a light-shielding film 58 coating the plurality of detecting electrodes and having an aperture 65 over each light-sensitive element; and a plurality of reflecting walls 62, which are formed in a grid pattern over the light-shielding film so as to partition the apertures individually over the respective light-sensitive elements, for reflecting a portion of light entering the semiconductor substrate from above onto the aperture on each light-sensitive element.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a solid-state imaging device that can be slimmed down and have an improved picture quality without sacrificing its sensitivity and the manufacturing method of the solid-state imaging device. The solid-state imaging device includes an imaging unit where unit cells are arranged in a two-dimensional array. Each of these unit cells has a photodiode and a first microlens and a second microlens which are formed above the photodiode. The maximum curvatures of the convex parts become greater from the center part to the periphery of the imaging unit.

Abstract: A solid-state imaging device production method is provided. A light-receiving section 12 is formed on a semiconductor substrate 1. A first insulating film 6 is formed on a light-receiving section 12 and the semiconductor substrate 1. A metal film for wiring is formed on the first insulating film 6. A protection film 8 is formed on the metal film. A resist film is formed on a predetermined region of the protection film. A portion of the protection film 8 and a portion of the metal film is removed by using the resist film to form a wire 7 whose upper face is covered by the protection film 8. A hydrogen-containing second insulating film 10 is formed on the wire 7 and the first insulating film 6. A heating process is performed for the second insulating film 10. An anisotropic etching process is performed for the entire surface of the second insulating film 10 to remove the second insulating film 10.

Abstract: The present invention aims to provide a solid-state imaging device that enables miniaturization of camera while maintaining the level of electrostatic damage resistance in the solid-state imaging device, and includes: an imaging unit 100 that transfers signal charge generated by performing photoelectric conversion on incident light, converts the signal charge into an electric signal, and outputs the electric signal as an image signal; and a peripheral circuit portion 110 which includes: a signal electrode pad 111; a power supply electrode pad 112; and a protection circuit 113 that has diodes 320 and 330 placed in opposition, and that discharges static electricity entering from the exterior, to the power supply electrode pad 112.

Abstract: A thin film magnetic head has coil layer formed in a space surrounded by a lower core layer, a protruding layer and a back gap layer. The top of these layers are planarized to a continuous flat surface. A lower magnetic pole layer, a gap layer, an upper magnetic pole layer and an upper core layer are formed on the flat surface and are precisely formed in a predetermined shape. The track width Tw can also be set to a predetermined dimension by the width of the upper magnetic pole layer at a surface facing the recording medium. Also, the magnetic path can be shortened to improve magnetic properties.

Abstract: A thin film magnetic head has coil layer formed in a space surrounded by a lower core layer, a protruding layer and a back gap layer. The top of these layers are planarized to a continuous flat surface. A lower magnetic pole layer, a gap layer, an upper magnetic pole layer and an upper core layer are formed on the flat surface and are precisely formed in a predetermined shape. The track width Tw can also be set to a predetermined dimension by the width of the upper magnetic pole layer at a surface facing the recording medium. Also, the magnetic path can be shortened to improve magnetic properties.

Abstract: In a solid-state imaging device of the present invention, light-sensitive elements 54, each of which includes a light receiving section capable of receiving light, are arranged in a matrix form at regular spacings in a photoreceiving region provided on a semiconductor substrate 51. A plurality of detecting electrodes 53 are provided on the semiconductor substrate 51 corresponding to the light-sensitive elements 54 for detecting an electrical charge generated by each light-sensitive element 54. A plurality of interconnections 57 coat the detecting electrodes 53, and apply a voltage thereto. A plurality of reflecting walls 62 are formed in a grid pattern over the interconnection 57 so as to partition the light-sensitive elements 54 individually for reflecting a portion of light entering the semiconductor substrate 51 from above onto the light receiving section of each light-sensitive element 54. The plurality of reflecting walls 62 are electrically insulated from the interconnections 57.

Abstract: The solid-state imaging device according to the present invention comprises: a plurality of light-sensitive elements 1 arranged in a matrix form at regular spacings in a photoreceiving region provided on a semiconductor substrate; a plurality of detecting electrodes provided on the semiconductor substrate corresponding to the plurality of the light-sensitive elements for detecting an electrical charge generated by each light-sensitive element; a light-shielding film 58 coating the plurality of detecting electrodes and having an aperture 65 over each light-sensitive element; and a plurality of reflecting walls 62, which are formed in a grid pattern over the light-shielding film so as to partition the apertures individually over the respective light-sensitive elements, for reflecting a portion of light entering the semiconductor substrate from above onto the aperture on each light-sensitive element.