Abstract: The present invention features a method for forming micro lens arrays on light-sensitive or light-emitting semiconductor structures. A unique oxygen plasma etch “descum” step is performed prior to the lens reflow hardbake. In addition, a photo-sensitive planarization layer place immediately atop a color filter layer results in fewer process steps. The micro lens array thus formed has a minimal number of merged or collapsed lenses and residue on bond pad areas is significantly reduced.

Abstract: A process for reworking a non-reflowed, defective microlens element shape, of an image sensor device, without damage to an underlying spacer layer, or to underlying color filter elements, has been developed. The non-reflowed, microlens element shape, if defective and needing rework, is first subjected to a high energy exposure, converting the non-reflowed, microlens element shape to a acid type, microlens shape, then removed using a base type developer solution. Prior to formation of a reworked microlens element shape a baking cycle is employed to freeze, or render inactive, any organic residue still remaining on the surface of the spacer layer, after the base type developer removal procedure. Formation of the reworked, microlens element shape, followed by an anneal cycle, results in the desired rounded, microlens element, on the underlying spacer layer.

Abstract: Within a method for forming a color filter image array optoelectronic microelectronic fabrication, and the color filter image array optoelectronic microelectronic fabrication formed employing the method, there is provided a substrate having formed therein a series of photo active regions. There is also formed over the substrate at least one color filter layer having formed therein a color filter region having a concave upper surface. There is also formed upon the at least one color filter layer and planarizing the at least one color filter region having the concave upper surface, a planarizing layer. The planarizing layer provides for enhanced resolution of the color filter image array optoelectronic microelectronic fabrication.

Abstract: Within a method for forming an image array optoelectronic microelectronic fabrication there is first provided a substrate. There is then formed at least in part over the substrate a bidirectional array of image array optoelectronic microelectronic pixel elements comprising a plurality of series of patterned color filter layers corresponding with a plurality of colors. Within the method, at least one series of patterned color filter layers within the plurality of series of patterned color filter layers corresponding with at least one color within the plurality of colors is formed employing a photolithographic method which employs a plurality of separate photoexposure steps for forming a plurality of separate sub-series of patterned color filter layers within the series of patterned color filter layers corresponding with the at least one color within the plurality of colors.

Abstract: A method for making long focal length micro-lens for color filters in CMOS image sensor applications and device made by the method are described. In the method, a layer of micro-lens material is first spin coated on top of a color filter, patterned by a photolithographic method into at least four discrete regions, and preferably at least nine discrete regions for each micro-lens with a pre-set spacing therein between. The discrete regions allow a smaller volume of micro-lens material to be used for forming the micro-lens in a subsequent reflow process. The micro-lens formed by the present invention novel method has a focal length of at least 7 &mgr;m, and preferably at least 10 &mgr;m such that a 0.35 &mgr;m technology CMOS image sensor utilizing two or three layers of metal conductors can be formed by the present invention method.

Abstract: Within both a method for fabricating an optoelectronic microelectronic fabrication and the optoelectronic microelectronic fabrication fabricated in accord with the method for fabricating the optoelectronic microelectronic fabrication there is first provided a substrate having formed therein a minimum of one photoactive region which is sensitive to infrared radiation. There is also formed over the substrate and in registration with the minimum of one optically active region a minimum of one microlens layer. Similarly, there is also formed interposed between the substrate and the minimum of one microlens layer an infrared filter layer, wherein the infrared filter is not formed contacting the substrate. The method provides that the optoelectronic microelectronic fabrication is fabricated with enhanced optical sensitivity.

Abstract: Formation of integrated color filters for gain-ratio balanced semiconductor array imagers using a spectrophotometric feedback control loop to adjust layer thickness during the deposition process is disclosed. The fabrication sequence of G/R/B conventionally used in Prior Art has been changed to B/R/G or B/G/R to enable the process to adapt to yielding specified color gain-ratio values without the need for integrated circuit redesign. A high efficiency color filter process is demonstrated wherein the additional neutral-density attenuator layers and/or spacer layers required in Prior Art fabrication methods are eliminated. The disclosed process is shown to enable high-precision thickness control of the color filter layers. Blue coating lift-off problems and the steric effect associated with successive depositions of color layers having step-height variations are eliminated.

Abstract: A method for forming an image array optoelectronic microelectronic fabrication, and the image array optoelectronic microelectronic fabrication formed employing the method. There is first provided a substrate having a photoactive region formed therein. There is then formed over the substrate a patterned microlens layer which functions to focus electromagnetic radiation with respect to the photoactive region of the substrate. The patterned microlens layer is formed of a first material having a first index of refraction. Finally, there is then formed conformally upon the patterned microlens layer an encapsulant layer, where the encapsulant layer is formed of a second material having a second index of refraction no greater than, and preferably less than, the first index of refraction of the first material. The method of the present invention contemplates an image array optoelectronic microelectronic fabrication formed employing the method of the present invention.