Abstract: An image sensing device includes a germanium sensor within a semiconductor body and a metalens formed in the back side of the semiconductor body. The metalens is structured to focus infrared light on the germanium sensor and may have a lower profile than an equivalent microlens. Optionally, the metalens is combined with a microlens to achieve a desired focal length. The metalens, or the metalens in combination with a microlens, overcomes a manufacturing process limitation on the focal length of the microlens, which in turn eliminates the need for, or reduces the thickness of, a spacer between the microlens and the germanium sensor. Eliminating the spacer or reducing its thickness improves the angular response of the image sensing device.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present application are directed to a narrow band filter with high transmission and an image sensor comprising the narrow band filter. In some embodiments, the filter comprises a first distributed Bragg reflector (DBR), a second DBR, a defect layer between the first and second DBRs, and a plurality of columnar structures. The columnar structures extend through the defect layer and have a refractive index different than a refractive index of the defect layer. The first and second DBRs define a low transmission band, and the defect layer defines a high transmission band dividing the low transmission band. The columnar structures shift the high transmission band towards lower or higher wavelengths depending upon a refractive index of the columnar structures and a fill factor of the columnar structures.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure are directed towards an image sensor device including a first image sensor element and a second image sensor element disposed within a substrate. An interconnect structure is disposed along a front-side surface of the substrate and comprises a plurality of conductive wires, a plurality of conductive vias, and a first absorption structure. The first image sensor element is configured to generate electrical signals from electromagnetic radiation within a first range of wavelengths. The second image sensor element is configured to generate electrical signals from the electromagnetic radiation within a second range of wavelengths that is different than the first range of wavelengths. The second image sensor element is laterally adjacent to the first image sensor element. Further, the first image sensor element overlies the first absorption structure and is spaced laterally between opposing sidewalls of the first absorption structure.

Abstract: Some embodiments relate to a CMOS image sensor disposed on a substrate. A plurality of pixel regions comprising a plurality of photodiodes, respectively, are configured to receive radiation that enters a back-side of the substrate. A boundary deep trench isolation (BDTI) structure is disposed at boundary regions of the pixel regions, and includes a first set of BDTI segments extending in a first direction and a second set of BDTI segments extending in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction to laterally surround the photodiode. The BDTI structure comprises a first material. A pixel deep trench isolation (PDTI) structure is disposed within the BDTI structure and overlies the photodiode. The PDTI structure comprises a second material that differs from the first material, and includes a first PDTI segment extending in the first direction such that the first PDTI segment is surrounded by the BDTI structure.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an integrated chip including a substrate and a pixel. The pixel includes a photodetector. The photodetector is in the substrate. The integrated chip further includes a first inner trench isolation structure and an outer trench isolation structure that extend into the substrate. The first inner trench isolation structure laterally surrounds the photodetector in a first closed loop. The outer trench isolation structure laterally surrounds the first inner trench isolation structure along a boundary of the pixel in a second closed loop and is laterally separated from the first inner trench isolation structure. Further, the integrated chip includes a scattering structure that is defined, at least in part, by the first inner trench isolation structure and that is configured to increase an angle at which radiation impinges on the outer trench isolation structure.

Abstract: A method for forming an image sensor package is provided. An image sensor chip is formed over a package substrate. A protection layer is formed overlying the image sensor chip. The protection layer has a planar top surface and a bottom surface lining and contacting structures under the protection layer. An opening is formed into the protection layer and spaced around a periphery of the image sensor chip. A light shielding material is filled in the opening to form an on-wafer shield structure having a sidewall directly contact the protection layer.

Abstract: In some embodiments, the present disclosure relates to an integrated chip structure. The integrated chip structure includes at least one device on a front side of a semiconductor substrate. A plurality of grating layers are under the at least one device. The plurality of grating layers include at least a first material having a first refractive index alternating with a second material having a second refractive index. Contacts extend through an interlevel dielectric material, and further extend through the semiconductor substrate, to directly contact at least one of the first material and the second material below the at least one device and below the semiconductor substrate underlying the interlevel dielectric material.

Abstract: A method for forming an image sensor package is provided. An image sensor chip is formed over a package substrate. A protection layer is formed overlying the image sensor chip. The protection layer has a planar top surface and a bottom surface lining and contacting structures under the protection layer. An opening is formed into the protection layer and spaced around a periphery of the image sensor chip. A light shielding material is filled in the opening to form an on-wafer shield structure having a sidewall directly contact the protection layer.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure are directed towards an integrated chip. The integrated chip includes a first pixel region and a second pixel region within a substrate. A first recess region is disposed along a back-side of the substrate within the first pixel region. The back-side of the substrate within the first pixel region is asymmetric about a center of the first pixel region in a cross-sectional view. A second recess region is disposed along the back-side of the substrate and within the second pixel region. The back-side of the substrate within the second pixel region is asymmetric about a center of the second pixel region in the cross-sectional view. The first recess region and the second recess region are substantially symmetric about a vertical line laterally between the first pixel region and the second pixel region.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure are directed towards an imaging device including a first image sensor element and a second image sensor element respectively comprising a pixel unit disposed within a semiconductor substrate. The first image sensor element is adjacent to the second image sensor element. A first micro-lens overlies the first image sensor element and is laterally shifted from a center of the pixel unit of the first image sensor element by a first lens shift amount. A second micro-lens overlies the second image sensor element and is laterally shifted from a center of the pixel unit of the second image sensor element by a second lens shift amount different from the first lens shift amount.

Abstract: In some embodiments, an image sensor is provided. The image sensor includes a photodetector disposed in a semiconductor substrate. A wave guide filter having a substantially planar upper surface is disposed over the photodetector. The wave guide filter includes a light filter disposed in a light filter grid structure. The light filter includes a first material that is translucent and has a first refractive index. The light filter grid structure includes a second material that is translucent and has a second refractive index less than the first refractive index.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure are directed towards an integrated chip. The integrated chip includes a first photodetector disposed in a first pixel region of a semiconductor substrate and a second photodetector disposed in a second pixel region of the semiconductor substrate. The second photodetector is laterally separated from the first photodetector. A first diffuser is disposed along a back-side of the semiconductor substrate and over the first photodetector. A second diffuser is disposed along the back-side of the semiconductor substrate and over the second photodetector. A first midline of the first pixel region and a second midline of the second pixel region are both disposed laterally between the first diffuser and the second diffuser.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure are directed towards an image sensor, and a method for forming the image sensor, in which an inter-pixel trench isolation structure is defined by a low-transmission layer. In some embodiments, the image sensor comprises an array of pixels and the inter-pixel trench isolation structure. The array of pixels is on a substrate, and the pixels of the array comprise individual photodetectors in the substrate. The inter-pixel trench isolation structure is in the substrate. Further, the inter-pixel trench isolation structure extends along boundaries of the pixels, and individually surrounds the photodetectors, to separate the photodetectors from each other. The inter-pixel trench isolation structure is defined by a low-transmission layer with low transmission for incident radiation, such that the inter-pixel trench isolation structure has low transmission for incident radiation.

Abstract: In some embodiments, an image sensor is provided. The image sensor includes a photodetector disposed in a semiconductor substrate. A wave guide filter having a substantially planar upper surface is disposed over the photodetector. The wave guide filter includes a light filter disposed in a light filter grid structure. The light filter includes a first material that is translucent and has a first refractive index. The light filter grid structure includes a second material that is translucent and has a second refractive index less than the first refractive index.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure are directed towards an image sensor, and a method for forming the image sensor, in which an inter-pixel trench isolation structure is defined by a low-transmission layer. In some embodiments, the image sensor comprises an array of pixels and the inter-pixel trench isolation structure. The array of pixels is on a substrate, and the pixels of the array comprise individual photodetectors in the substrate. The inter-pixel trench isolation structure is in the substrate. Further, the inter-pixel trench isolation structure extends along boundaries of the pixels, and individually surrounds the photodetectors, to separate the photodetectors from each other. The inter-pixel trench isolation structure is defined by a low-transmission layer with low transmission for incident radiation, such that the inter-pixel trench isolation structure has low transmission for incident radiation.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure are directed towards an image sensor device including a first image sensor element and a second image sensor element disposed within a substrate. An interconnect structure is disposed along a front-side surface of the substrate and comprises a plurality of conductive wires, a plurality of conductive vias, and a first absorption structure. The first image sensor element is configured to generate electrical signals from electromagnetic radiation within a first range of wavelengths. The second image sensor element is configured to generate electrical signals from the electromagnetic radiation within a second range of wavelengths that is different than the first range of wavelengths. The second image sensor element is laterally adjacent to the first image sensor element. Further, the first image sensor element overlies the first absorption structure and is spaced laterally between opposing sidewalls of the first absorption structure.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes a three-chip complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) image sensor and a method for forming the image sensor. The image sensor a first chip including a plurality of image sensing elements, transfer transistors and diffusion wells corresponding to the plurality of image sensing elements, a ground node shared by the plurality of image sensing elements, and deep trench isolation (DTI) structures extending from the shared ground node and between adjacent image sensing elements of the plurality of image sensing elements. The image sensor further includes a second chip bonded to the first chip and including a source follower, a reset transistor, a row select transistor, and an in-pixel circuit, where the source follower is electrically coupled to the diffusion wells. The image sensor further includes a third chip bonded to the second chip and including an application-specific circuit, where the application-specific circuit is electrically coupled to the in-pixel circuit.

Abstract: A method for forming an image sensor package is provided. An image sensor chip is formed over a package substrate. A protection layer is formed overlying the image sensor chip. The protection layer has a planar top surface and a bottom surface lining and contacting structures under the protection layer. An opening is formed into the protection layer and spaced around a periphery of the image sensor chip. A light shielding material is filled in the opening to form an on-wafer shield structure having a sidewall directly contact the protection layer.

Abstract: In some embodiments, the present disclosure relates to an integrated chip structure. The integrated chip structure includes forming a first image sensor element within a first substrate and a second image sensor element within a second substrate. The first image sensor element is configured to generate electrical signals from electromagnetic radiation within a first range of wavelengths and the second image sensor element is configured to generate electrical signals from electromagnetic radiation within a second range of wavelengths. A plurality of deposition processes are performed to form a band-pass filter over the second substrate. The band-pass filter has a plurality of alternating layers of a first material having a first refractive index and a second material having a second refractive index that is less than the first refractive index. The first substrate is bonded to the band-pass filter.

Abstract: In some embodiments, the present disclosure relates to an integrated chip structure. The integrated chip structure includes an image sensor disposed within a first substrate. A first band-pass filter and a second band-pass filter are disposed on the first substrate. A dielectric structure is disposed on the first substrate. The dielectric structure is laterally between the first band-pass filter and the second band-pass filter and laterally abuts the first band-pass filter and the second band-pass filter.