Non-electrical Input Responsive (e.g., Light Responsive Imager, Input Programmed By Size Of Storage Sites For Use As A Read-only Memory, Etc.) Patents (Class 257/225)
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Patent number: 11916101Abstract: A capacitive device including a metallic layer; a network of nanotube or nanowire bundles that extend from a face of the metallic layer; a capacitive stack covering the metallic layer and the nanotube bundles in a conforming manner, the stack including an upper conducting layer and an insulating layer, the device including a capacitive zone and a lower contact zone, the capacitive zone being a zone wherein the upper conducting layer encapsulates the nanotube bundles and the insulating layer, while the lower contact zone is a zone wherein the capacitive stack leaves the free ends exposed, and the insulating layer encapsulates the upper conducting layer.Type: GrantFiled: February 9, 2021Date of Patent: February 27, 2024Assignee: COMMISSARIAT A L'ENERGIE ATOMIQUE ET AUX ENERGIES ALTERNATIVESInventors: Thierry Claret, Delphine Ferreira
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Patent number: 11862659Abstract: A backside incident-type imaging element includes a semiconductor substrate having a front surface and a back surface on an opposite side from the front surface, a ground potential being applied to the semiconductor substrate, and a semiconductor layer formed on the front surface, in which the semiconductor layer has a first element part that includes a light receiving portion generating a signal charge according to incident light from a side of the back surface and outputs a signal voltage corresponding to the signal charge, and a second element part that includes an analog-digital converter converting the signal voltage output from the first element part into a digital signal.Type: GrantFiled: July 3, 2020Date of Patent: January 2, 2024Assignee: HAMAMATSU PHOTONICS K.K.Inventors: Masaharu Muramatsu, Shin-ichiro Takagi, Yasuhito Yoneta
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Patent number: 11799047Abstract: A substrate, a first n-type contact layer, a buffer layer, a multiplication layer, an electric field control layer, an absorption layer, and a p-type contact layer are provided. An electrically conductive layer is formed in a central portion of the buffer layer. The substrate is made of a semiconductor having thermal conductivity higher than that of InP, such as SiC, and the first n-type contact layer is made of the same semiconductor as that of the substrate but having n-type conductivity. An n electrode is formed over the first n-type contact layer via a second n-type contact layer.Type: GrantFiled: March 13, 2020Date of Patent: October 24, 2023Assignee: Nippon Telegraph and Telephone CorporationInventors: Yuki Yamada, Fumito Nakajima, Hideaki Matsuzaki, Masahiro Nada
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Patent number: 11742373Abstract: A semiconductor device in which a first chip and a second chip are stacked including a first wiring line and a second wiring line by which the first chip and the second chip are electrically connected. The first wiring line and the second wiring line each include a bonding portion for bonding one of a plurality of conductive patterns placed in the first chip and one of a plurality of conductive patterns placed in the second chip. The number of bonding portions included in the first wiring line is larger than the number of bonding portions included in the second wiring line.Type: GrantFiled: February 12, 2021Date of Patent: August 29, 2023Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Tatsuya Ryoki, Hirofumi Totsuka, Masahiro Kobayashi, Hideaki Ishino, Hiroaki Kobayashi
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Patent number: 11696470Abstract: A display apparatus includes a substrate including a display area and a peripheral area outside the display area, a pixel circuit disposed on the substrate in the display area, where the pixel circuit includes a driving thin film transistor and a switching thin film transistor, and a display element connected to the pixel circuit. The driving thin film transistor includes a driving semiconductor layer having a single layer structure, the switching thin film transistor includes a switching semiconductor layer in which a first layer, a second layer, and a third layer, which are oxide semiconductors, are sequentially stacked one on another, and a conductivity of the second layer of the switching semiconductor layer is greater than respective conductivities of the first layer and the third layer of the switching semiconductor layer.Type: GrantFiled: May 3, 2021Date of Patent: July 4, 2023Assignee: SAMSUNG DISPLAY CO., LTD.Inventors: Yeonkeon Moon, Taesang Kim, Joonseok Park, Sangwoo Sohn, Soyoung Koo
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Patent number: 11676978Abstract: A solid state imaging device including a semiconductor layer comprising a plurality of photodiodes, a first antireflection film located over a first surface of the semiconductor layer, a second antireflection film located over the first antireflection film, a light shielding layer having side surfaces which are adjacent to at least one of first and the second antireflection film.Type: GrantFiled: January 12, 2022Date of Patent: June 13, 2023Assignee: SONY GROUP CORPORATIONInventors: Susumu Hiyama, Kazufumi Watanabe
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Patent number: 11632514Abstract: First and second readout circuits, each having a respective floating diffusion node, are coupled to a photodetection element within a pixel of an integrated-circuit image sensor. Following an exposure interval in which photocharge is accumulated within the photodetection element, a first portion of the accumulated photocharge is transferred from the photodetection element to the first floating diffusion node to enable generation of a first output signal within the first readout circuit, and a second portion of the accumulated photocharge is transferred from the photodetection element to the second floating diffusion node to enable generation of a second output signal within the second readout circuit. A digital pixel value is generated based on the first and second output signals.Type: GrantFiled: April 8, 2022Date of Patent: April 18, 2023Assignee: Gigajot Technology, Inc.Inventors: Jiaju Ma, Saleh Masoodian
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Patent number: 11581360Abstract: A pixel includes a workpiece having a protrusion and a bulk, wherein the protrusion extends from an upper surface of the bulk. The pixel further includes a protrusion doping region in the protrusion. The pixel further includes a photosensitive device comprising a plurality of first regions, wherein each of the plurality of first regions is in the bulk and the protrusion.Type: GrantFiled: October 27, 2020Date of Patent: February 14, 2023Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.Inventor: Bo-Tsung Tsai
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Patent number: 11532663Abstract: The disclosure relates to a demodulator including a pinned photodiode, at least one storage node, at least one transfer gate connected between the storage node and the pinned photodiode. The pinned photodiode includes a p-doped epitaxial semiconductor layer, a n-doped semiconductor region formed within the epitaxial semiconductor layer and creating therewith a lower junction and at least one lateral junction substantially perpendicular to the lower junction, a p+ pinning layer formed on top of said semiconductor region. The demodulator further includes a generating unit configured to generate minority and majority carriers at said lateral junction and to form a lateral photodiode.Type: GrantFiled: August 11, 2017Date of Patent: December 20, 2022Assignee: Sony Depthsensing Solutions SA/NVInventor: Ward Van Der Tempel
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Patent number: 11527563Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes a photodetector, which includes a substrate semiconductor layer having a doping of a first conductivity type, a second-conductivity-type photodiode layer that forms a p-n junction with the substrate semiconductor layer, a floating diffusion region that is laterally spaced from the second-conductivity-type photodiode layer, and a transfer gate electrode including a lower transfer gate electrode portion that is formed within the substrate semiconductor layer and located between the second-conductivity-type photodiode layer and the floating diffusion region. The transfer gate electrode may laterally surround the p-n junction, and may provide enhanced electron transmission efficiency from the p-n junction to the floating diffusion region. An array of photodetectors may be used to provide an image sensor.Type: GrantFiled: April 20, 2020Date of Patent: December 13, 2022Inventors: Feng-Chien Hsieh, Yun-Wei Cheng, Wei-Li Hu, Kuo-Cheng Lee, Hsin-Chi Chen
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Patent number: 11437421Abstract: A photoelectric conversion device includes a first semiconductor substrate including a photoelectric conversion unit for generating a signal charge in accordance with an incident light, and a second semiconductor substrate including a signal processing unit for processing an electrical signal on the basis of the signal charge generated in the photoelectric conversion unit. The signal processing unit is situated in an orthogonal projection area from the photoelectric conversion unit to the second semiconductor substrate. A multilayer film including a plurality of insulator layers is provided between the first semiconductor substrate and the second semiconductor substrate. The thickness of the second semiconductor substrate is smaller than 500 micrometers. The thickness of the second semiconductor substrate is greater than the distance from the second semiconductor substrate and a light-receiving surface of the first semiconductor substrate.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 2019Date of Patent: September 6, 2022Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Mineo Shimotsusa, Takeshi Ichikawa, Yasuhiro Sekine
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Patent number: 11387264Abstract: A substrate includes a photoelectric converting unit in a pixel unit and a reflection ratio adjusting layer provided on the substrate in an incident direction of incident light with respect to the substrate for adjusting reflection of the incident light on the substrate. The reflection ratio adjusting layer includes a first layer formed on the substrate and a second layer formed on the first layer, the first layer has an uneven structure provided on the substrate, and a recess portion on the uneven structure is filled with a material having a lower refractive index than that of the substrate forming the second layer, and a thickness of the first layer is optimized for a wavelength of light to be received. The present technology may be applied to an imaging device.Type: GrantFiled: November 7, 2017Date of Patent: July 12, 2022Assignee: Sony Semiconductor Solutions CorporationInventor: Koichi Takeuchi
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Patent number: 11387196Abstract: The present exemplary embodiments provide a security circuit which senses a micro probe attack by changing both ends of a wire of a shield to be a high impedance state to change a connection state of the wire and analyzing a test signal reflected by the connected wire path, or senses a focused ion beam attack by changing both ends of a wire of a shield to be a high impedance state to change a connection state of the wire and analyzing a test signal which passes through a selected wire for every group, or blocks a physical approach by changing an accessible signal path to be a high impedance state when an external attack is detected by the detection circuit.Type: GrantFiled: May 18, 2020Date of Patent: July 12, 2022Assignee: INDUSTRY-ACADEMIC COOPERATION FOUNDATION, YONSEI UNIVERSITYInventors: Sungho Kang, Young Woo Lee
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Patent number: 11355544Abstract: The present disclosure describes a method for the formation of mirror micro-structures on radiation-sensing regions of image sensor devices. The method includes forming an opening within a front side surface of a substrate; forming a conformal implant layer on bottom and sidewall surfaces of the opening; growing a first epitaxial layer on the bottom and the sidewall surfaces of the opening; depositing a second epitaxial layer on the first epitaxial layer to fill the opening, where the second epitaxial layer forms a radiation-sensing region. The method further includes depositing a stack on exposed surfaces of the second epitaxial layer, where the stack includes alternating pairs of a high-refractive index material layer and a low-refractive index material layer.Type: GrantFiled: March 26, 2020Date of Patent: June 7, 2022Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.Inventors: Shih-Yu Liao, Tsai-Hao Hung, Ying-Hsun Chen
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Patent number: 11353603Abstract: A method of making an apparatus suitable for detecting X-ray is disclosed. In an example, the method includes: obtaining a semiconductor substrate with a first electrical contact on a first surface and a second electrical contact on a second surface opposite the first surface, the second electrical contact comprising a plurality of discrete portions; forming a plurality of trenches extending into at least 70% of a thickness of the semiconductor substrate, wherein the plurality of trenches encircle each of the discrete portions.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2020Date of Patent: June 7, 2022Assignee: SHENZHEN XPECTVISION TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.Inventors: Peiyan Cao, Yurun Liu
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Patent number: 11315969Abstract: The present application provides a buried tri-gate fin vertical gate structure. Which includes a transfer transistor on an epitaxial layer; a photodiode in the epitaxial layer at one side of the transfer transistor. A reset transistor on the epi-layer includes N+ regions at both sides of its gate, one of the N+ regions forms a floating diffusion node. The bottom of the fin vertical gate protrudes into the epitaxial layer with a number of vertical portions. Thus, increased surface areas enhance charge motion at the bottom, combining large-area transfer at an upper layer by the vertical gate and quick transfer at the bottom by the FINFET, thereby improving photo response.Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 2020Date of Patent: April 26, 2022Assignee: SHANGHAI HUALI INTEGRATED CIRCUIT CORPORATIONInventors: Zhi Tian, Juanjuan Li, Hua Shao, Haoyu Chen
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Patent number: 11271151Abstract: A method is presented for reducing a reset current for a phase change memory (PCM). The method includes forming a bottom electrode, constructing a PCM cell structure including a plurality of phase change memory layers and a plurality of heat transfer layers, wherein the plurality of phase change memory layers are assembled in an alternating configuration with respect to the plurality of heat transfer layers, and forming a top electrode over the PCM cell structure. The plurality of phase change memory layers are arranged perpendicular to the top and bottom electrodes. Additionally, airgaps are defined adjacent the PCM cell structure.Type: GrantFiled: June 12, 2019Date of Patent: March 8, 2022Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATIONInventors: Injo Ok, Balasubramanian Pranatharthiharan, Kevin W. Brew, Wei Wang
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Patent number: 11245015Abstract: The present disclosure relates to the field of display technologies, and discloses a Thin Film Transistor, a method for preparing the same, an array substrate, a display panel and an apparatus. The TFT includes: a base substrate; an active layer; a source electrode; and a drain electrode; where the active layer, the source electrode, and the drain electrode are sequentially laminated on the base substrate; and a projection of the source electrode on the base substrate covers a projection of part of edges of the active layer on the base substrate.Type: GrantFiled: July 24, 2020Date of Patent: February 8, 2022Assignees: Hefei Xinsheng Optoelectronics Technology Co., Ltd., BOE Technology Group Co., Ltd.Inventors: Chuan Chen, Pengyu Chen, Tao Ma, Chengshao Yang
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Patent number: 11212474Abstract: The present disclosure provides a bidirectional TDI line image sensor. The bidirectional TDI line image sensor according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises: a pixel unit, which has N line sensors having M CCDs arranged in a line and being arranged in a scan direction, moves, in the scan direction, charges accumulated in the respective columns of the line sensors, and accumulates the same; and an output unit for parallelly receiving as inputs the charges accumulated in the pixel unit from the respective columns, performing analog-to-digital conversion on and storing the charges, and then sequentially outputting same.Type: GrantFiled: May 14, 2015Date of Patent: December 28, 2021Assignee: VIEWORKS Co., LTD.Inventors: Jung Hyun Nam, Kyoung Ryoul Seo
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Patent number: 11107961Abstract: The ultraviolet light-emitting device includes a base, a nitride semiconductor ultraviolet light-emitting element flip-chip mounted on the base, and a lens for sealing a nitride semiconductor ultraviolet light-emitting element to focus or diffuse light emitted from the nitride semiconductor ultraviolet light-emitting device. The lens is composed of an amorphous fluororesin in which a structural unit of a polymer or copolymer has a fluorine-containing aliphatic cyclic structure and a terminal functional group is a perfluoroalkyl group, and a density of the amorphous fluororesin is higher than 2.11 g/cm3.Type: GrantFiled: November 2, 2017Date of Patent: August 31, 2021Assignees: SOKO KAGAKU CO., LTD., AGC INC.Inventors: Akira Hirano, Yosuke Nagasawa, Masamichi Ippommatsu, Ko Aosaki, Yuki Suehara, Yoshihiko Sakane
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Patent number: 11089270Abstract: A solid-state imaging device includes pixels arranged in matrix form, each including a photoelectric converter and first transfer electrodes, and control lines connected to mutually-corresponding ones of the first transfer electrodes in pixels arranged in a specific row. The pixels include first pixels that receive visible light and second pixels that receive infrared light. Each of floating diffusion layer-including pixels, which are some of the plurality of pixels, further includes a floating diffusion layer and a readout circuit. Each floating diffusion layer-lacking pixel shares the floating diffusion layer with one of the first pixels arranged in a column direction. At least some of the control lines are further connected to the first transfer electrodes of pixels arranged adjacent in the column direction to respective ones of the pixels arranged in the specific row and that share at least one of the floating diffusion layers.Type: GrantFiled: March 9, 2020Date of Patent: August 10, 2021Assignee: NUVOTON TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION JAPANInventors: Junichi Matsuo, Sei Suzuki
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Patent number: 11081508Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a solid state imaging element and an electronic device that make it possible to improve sensitivity to light on a long wavelength side. A solid state imaging element according to a first aspect of the present disclosure has a solid state imaging element in which a large number of pixels are arranged vertically and horizontally, the solid state imaging element includes a periodic concave-convex pattern on a light receiving surface and an opposite surface to the light receiving surface of a light absorbing layer as a light detecting element. The present disclosure can be applied to, for example, a CMOS and the like installed in a sensor that needs a high sensitivity to light belonging to a region on the long wavelength side, such as light in the infrared region.Type: GrantFiled: February 21, 2020Date of Patent: August 3, 2021Assignee: SONY CORPORATIONInventor: Sozo Yokogawa
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Patent number: 10971544Abstract: Methods for forming a magneto-resistive memory device and a capacitor in an interconnect structure are disclosed herein. An exemplary method includes forming a first level interconnect metal layer and a second level interconnect metal layer of an interconnect structure. The method further includes simultaneously forming a first plurality of layers in a first region of the interconnect structure and a second plurality of layers in a second region of the interconnect structure, wherein the first plurality of layers and the second plurality of layers are disposed between the first level interconnect metal layer and the second level interconnect metal layer. The first plurality of layers is configured as a magneto-resistive memory device. The second plurality of layers is configured as the capacitor. The magneto-resistive memory device and the capacitor are each coupled to the first level interconnect metal layer and the second level interconnect metal layer.Type: GrantFiled: July 25, 2018Date of Patent: April 6, 2021Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTDInventors: Chung-Cheng Chou, Ya-Chen Kao, Tien-Wei Chiang
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Patent number: 10902786Abstract: The display device includes a pixel circuit including a driving transistor, an N-type transistor on a first path coupled from a data line to a gate electrode of the driving transistor, and a P-type transistor on the first path, a first scan driver to supply a first scan signal to the N-type transistor, and a second scan driver to supply a second scan signal to the P-type transistor, wherein a width of a high level section of the first scan signal is wider than that of a low level section of the second scan signal, and the low level section of the second scan signal overlaps with the high level section of the first scan signal.Type: GrantFiled: September 4, 2018Date of Patent: January 26, 2021Assignee: Samsung Display Co., Ltd.Inventors: Jong Won Park, Seung Kyu Lee, Hyun Woong Kim
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Patent number: 10848702Abstract: A solid-state imaging device according to an embodiment includes: plural pixels, plural readout circuits, a control circuit, and a driving circuit. The plural pixels have light receiving elements. The plural readout circuits are connected to each of the plural pixels, and read out the charges accumulated by the light receiving elements. The control circuit gives a readout instruction to a readout pixel serving as a readout target out of the plural pixels. The driving circuit gives a driving instruction for driving a first constant current source provided in the readout circuit of the readout pixel and a second constant current source provided in a readout circuit of a corresponding pixel associated with the readout pixel out of the plural pixels.Type: GrantFiled: February 15, 2019Date of Patent: November 24, 2020Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Toshiba Electronic Devices & Storage CorporationInventor: Yutaka Okada
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Patent number: 10830913Abstract: An apparatus suitable for detecting X-ray is disclosed. In one example, the apparatus comprises an X-ray absorption layer comprising a pixel and a second pixel, and a layer of material or vacuum extending across a thickness of the X-ray absorption layer and encircling the pixel, wherein the layer of material is configured to prevent a charge carrier in the pixel from moving through the layer of material. In another example, the apparatus comprises an X-ray absorption layer comprising a plurality of columns of a semiconductor configured to absorb X-ray, and a layer of material or vacuum extending across a thickness of the X-ray absorption layer and encircling each of the columns, wherein the layer of material is configured to prevent transfer of a charge carrier between two of the columns.Type: GrantFiled: October 14, 2015Date of Patent: November 10, 2020Assignee: SHENZHEN XPECTVISION TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.Inventors: Peiyan Cao, Yurun Liu
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Patent number: 10818708Abstract: A photoelectric conversion unit includes first, second, and third semiconductor regions having first, second, and first conductivity types, respectively. A fourth semiconductor region between the first and third semiconductor regions at the same depth as the second semiconductor region. A charge holding portion includes a fifth semiconductor region of the first conductivity type. A transfer transistor has a region between the first and fifth semiconductor regions as a channel portion. A pixel isolation portion includes a sixth semiconductor region of the second conductivity type between the third semiconductor regions of adjacent pixels. A relationship V6>V5>V4 is satisfied, where a potential of the fourth semiconductor region to charges is V4, a potential of a region having the highest potential to charges in the channel portion with the transfer transistor being in an off-state is V5, and a potential of the sixth semiconductor region to charges is V6.Type: GrantFiled: July 9, 2019Date of Patent: October 27, 2020Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Ginjiro Toyoguchi
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Patent number: 10764527Abstract: A dual-column-parallel image CCD sensor utilizes a dual-column-parallel readout circuit including two pairs of cross-connected transfer gates to alternately transfer pixel data (charges) from a pair of adjacent pixel columns to a shared output circuit at high speed with low noise. Charges transferred along the two adjacent pixel columns at a line clock rate are alternately passed by the transfer gates to a summing gate that is operated at twice the line clock rate to pass the image charges to the shared output circuit. A symmetrical Y-shaped diffusion is utilized in one embodiment to merge the image charges from the two pixel columns. A method of driving the dual-column-parallel CCD sensor with line clock synchronization is also described. A method of inspecting a sample using the dual-column-parallel CCD sensor is also described.Type: GrantFiled: April 29, 2019Date of Patent: September 1, 2020Assignee: KLA-Tencor CorporationInventors: Yung-Ho Alex Chuang, Jingjing Zhang, Sharon Zamek, John Fielden, Devis Contarato, David L. Brown
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Patent number: 10741602Abstract: An image sensor including at least one pixel for collecting charge in its photodiode is provided. The image sensor comprises: a substrate having a first surface on a front side and a second surface on a back side, a photodetector formed in the silicon substrate and having a light-receiving surface on the second surface, and a first layer with positive charges disposed on the second surface, the first layer being configured to form an electron accumulation region at the light-receiving surface of the photodetector for suppressing a dark current at a back side interface of the image sensor. A method for fabricating an image sensor including a first layer with positive charges is also provided.Type: GrantFiled: December 6, 2017Date of Patent: August 11, 2020Assignee: Cista System Corp.Inventors: Hirofumi Komori, Jingyi Bai
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Patent number: 10741592Abstract: Image sensors may include an array of pixels each having nested sub-pixels. Nested sub-pixels may include an inner photosensitive region and an outer photosensitive region. Inner photosensitive regions of pixels in an array may be provided with a respective local vertical transfer gate structure formed in a trench that laterally surrounds the inner photosensitive region. A trench structure may be formed in a grid-like pattern having gaps in which the nested sub-pixels are formed. The trench structure may be coupled to outer photosensitive regions of each of the pixels in the array. The trench structure may be a global vertical transfer gate structure. The vertical transfer gate structures provided to the pixels may allow for accumulated charges to be transferred to respective charge storage nodes associated with the photosensitive regions in any given pixel. Image sensors formed in this way may be used in rolling shutter or global shutter configurations.Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 2018Date of Patent: August 11, 2020Assignee: SEMICONDUCTOR COMPONENTS INDUSTRIES, LLCInventor: Manuel H. Innocent
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Patent number: 10644060Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a semiconductor image sensor with improved quantum efficiency. The semiconductor image sensor can include a semiconductor layer having a first surface and a second surface opposite of the first surface. An interconnect structure is disposed on the first surface of the semiconductor layer, and radiation-sensing regions are formed in the semiconductor layer. The radiation-sensing regions are configured to sense radiation that enters the semiconductor layer from the second surface and groove structures are formed on the second surface of the semiconductor layer.Type: GrantFiled: January 29, 2018Date of Patent: May 5, 2020Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.Inventors: Yun-Wei Cheng, Chun-Hao Chou, Kuo-Cheng Lee, Hsun-Ying Huang, Shih-Hsun Hsu
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Patent number: 10600840Abstract: An imaging device includes a semiconductor substrate and a pixel. The semiconductor substrate includes first and second surfaces that oppose each other, a first region containing an impurity of a first conductivity type, a second region that contains an impurity of a second conductivity type and that is closer to the first surface than the first region is, a third region that contains an impurity of the first conductivity type and that is closer to the first surface than the second region is, and a fourth region that provides connection between the first and third regions and that contains an impurity of the first conductivity type. The pixel includes a photoelectric converter, and a first diffusion region that is electrically connected to the photoelectric converter, that is located in the third region, that is exposed at the first surface, and that overlaps the entire first diffusion region in plan view.Type: GrantFiled: September 11, 2019Date of Patent: March 24, 2020Assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.Inventor: Morikazu Tsuno
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Patent number: 10593714Abstract: An imaging device includes: a pixel that includes a semiconductor substrate including a first diffusion region containing a first impurity of a first conductivity type, and a second diffusion region containing a second impurity of the first conductivity type, a concentration of the first impurity in the first diffusion region being less than a concentration of the second impurity in the second diffusion region, an area of the first diffusion region being less than an area of the second diffusion region in a plan view, a photoelectric converter configured to convert light into charges, and a first transistor including a source and a drain, the first diffusion region functioning as one of the source and the drain, the second diffusion region functioning as the other of the source and the drain, the first diffusion region being configured to store at least a part of the charges.Type: GrantFiled: July 12, 2018Date of Patent: March 17, 2020Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.Inventors: Yoshihiro Sato, Junji Hirase, Yoshinori Takami
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Patent number: 10566368Abstract: A pixel structure of an image sensor is provided and includes following units. A crystalline layer of a first doping type is formed on a substrate. A photodiode region is formed in the crystalline layer. A gate of a source follower transistor is formed on a top surface of the crystalline layer. A reset gate is formed on the top surface of the crystalline layer. A doped region of a second doping type is formed in the crystalline layer and formed between the reset gate and the gate of the source follower. The first doping type is different from the second doping type, and the photodiode region is connected to the doped region under the top surface of the crystalline layer as an anti-blooming path.Type: GrantFiled: August 13, 2018Date of Patent: February 18, 2020Assignee: Himax Imaging LimitedInventors: Yang Wu, Fei-Xia Yu, Yu Hin Desmond Cheung
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Patent number: 10559611Abstract: An image sensor includes a control circuit and pixels. Each pixel includes: a photosensitive area, a substantially rectangular storage area adjacent to the photosensitive area, and a read area. First and second insulated vertical electrodes electrically connected to each other are positioned opposite each other and delimit the storage area. The first electrode extends between the storage area and the photosensitive area. The second electrode includes a bent extension opposite a first end of the first electrode, with the storage area emerging onto the photosensitive area on the side of the first end. The control circuit operates to apply a first voltage to the first and second electrodes to perform a charge transfer, and a second voltage to block charge transfer.Type: GrantFiled: July 10, 2018Date of Patent: February 11, 2020Assignee: STMicroelectronics (Crolles 2) SASInventors: Francois Roy, Philippe Are
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Patent number: 10560652Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a solid-state image sensor, driving method, and electronic apparatus, capable of achieving reduction in pixel size and sensitivity improvement. The solid-state image sensor includes a PD configured to convert light into electric charge by photoelectric conversion and to store the electric charge, a first transfer transistor configured to read out the electric charge stored in the photoelectric conversion unit, a multiplication region configured to store temporarily and multiply the electric charge read out through the read-out unit, and a second transfer transistor configured to transfer the electric charge stored in the multiplication region to a conversion unit configured to convert the electric charge into a pixel signal. Then, an intense electric field is generated in the multiplication region to multiply electric charge by the avalanche effect in transferring the electric charge from the multiplication region to an FD portion through the second transfer transistor.Type: GrantFiled: April 7, 2017Date of Patent: February 11, 2020Assignee: Sony CorporationInventor: Takuya Sano
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Patent number: 10551411Abstract: A test system for testing semiconductor chips including a docking plate, a test card, chip sockets, a stiffener, and test electronics. Each test card has a uniform card configuration that may be used with any of several different handlers. Each test card includes conductive pads electrically coupled to and longitudinally offset from a socket interface along a length of the test card. The stiffener includes a test interface including conductive pins for electrically interfacing the conductive pads of the test card. The test card is supported by the stiffener so that it remains undeformed as each chip is plunged into a test socket. The test interface includes a basin that is covered by the test card to form a thermal isolation cavity for thermal separation from the test electronics. A uniform radio frequency interface is provided between each test card and a corresponding test interface.Type: GrantFiled: February 9, 2018Date of Patent: February 4, 2020Assignee: Silicon Laboratories Inc.Inventors: Scott E. Caudle, Wenshui Zhang, Raymond A. Booher
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Patent number: 10547016Abstract: A photoelectric conversion apparatus according to an embodiment includes a semiconductor substrate, a first electrode layer disposed on the semiconductor substrate, a second electrode layer disposed between the first electrode layer and the semiconductor substrate, an accumulation layer disposed between the first electrode layer and the second electrode layer and configured to accumulate signal electric charges generated by photoelectric conversion, an insulating layer disposed between the accumulation layer and the second electrode layer, a blocking layer disposed between the accumulation layer and the insulating layer and configured to prevent the signal electric charges in the accumulation layer from reaching the insulating layer, and a circuit unit disposed in the semiconductor substrate and connected to the second electrode layer to receive a signal based on the signal electric charges.Type: GrantFiled: December 26, 2016Date of Patent: January 28, 2020Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Kazuaki Tashiro
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Patent number: 10522591Abstract: The present disclosure provides one embodiment of a semiconductor structure that includes a first metal layer formed on a semiconductor substrate, wherein the first metal layer includes a first metal feature in a first region and a second metal feature in a second region; a second metal layer disposed on the first metal layer, wherein the second metal layer includes a third metal feature in the first region and a fourth metal feature in a second region; a magneto-resistive memory device sandwiched between the first metal feature and the third metal feature; and a capacitor sandwiched between the second metal feature and the fourth metal feature.Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 2013Date of Patent: December 31, 2019Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.Inventors: Chung-Cheng Chou, Ya-Chen Kao, Tien-Wei Chiang
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Patent number: 10497735Abstract: The invention relates to an image sensor and method for reducing image defects. A photoconversion area is formed in a semiconductor layer. An insulating layer formed over the semiconductor layer contains a metal element. A lens over the insulting layer is positioned opposite the photoconversion area to focus light on it. A layer of light-absorbing material is deposited on the side of the metal element facing the lens to prevent reflection of parasitic light rays within the image device.Type: GrantFiled: March 20, 2018Date of Patent: December 3, 2019Assignee: STMICROELECTRONICS (CROLLES 2) SASInventors: Axel Crocherie, Etienne Mortini, Jean Luc Huguenin
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Patent number: 10488438Abstract: An electrical-test apparatus is provided, which includes a MEMS array. In an example, the MEMS array comprises a plurality of tester interconnect structures cantilevered from first terminals on a first side of a substrate. The tester interconnect structures may have a first diameter. In an example, the MEMS array comprises a plurality of through-substrate vias that extend through the substrate, the vias having a second diameter larger than the first diameter. In an example, individual ones of the vias electrically couple individual ones of the tester interconnect structures to corresponding ones of second terminals on a second side of the substrate.Type: GrantFiled: January 5, 2018Date of Patent: November 26, 2019Assignee: Intel CorporationInventors: Pooya Tadayon, Mark Bohr, Joe Walczyk
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Patent number: 10455178Abstract: An optical sensor device, which may be a time-of-flight sensor, comprises a pixel array having a plurality of pixels. Moreover, the optical sensor device comprises a read-out node configured to provide photo-generated charge carriers from a first pixel and a second pixel for read-out and a first transfer gate configured to enable a read-out of the first pixel using the read-out node and a second transfer gate to disable a read-out of the second pixel during read-out of the first pixel.Type: GrantFiled: March 29, 2017Date of Patent: October 22, 2019Assignee: Infineon Technologies AGInventor: Henning Feick
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Patent number: 10446600Abstract: An imaging system serving as an image generation device is provided with: a random color filter array that has a plurality of concave lenses and a plurality of color filters having different transmission characteristics; a photodiode that receives light that has passed through the random color filter array; an AD converter that converts the light received by the photodiode into digital data; and a color image generation circuit that generates an image using the digital data and modulation information of the random color filter array, in which the plurality of concave lenses are located between the plurality of color filters and the photodiode, or the plurality of color filters are located between the plurality of concave lenses and the photodiode.Type: GrantFiled: March 8, 2018Date of Patent: October 15, 2019Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.Inventors: Satoshi Sato, Hisashi Watanabe, Takeo Azuma, Kunio Nobori, Nobuhiko Wakai, Takamasa Ando
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Patent number: 10396223Abstract: A method for making a CMOS image sensor may include forming a superlattice on a semiconductor substrate having a first conductivity type, with the superlattice including a plurality of stacked groups of layers. Each group of layers may include a plurality of stacked base semiconductor monolayers defining a base semiconductor portion, and a non-semiconductor monolayer(s) constrained within a crystal lattice of adjacent base semiconductor portions. The method may further include forming a plurality of laterally adjacent photodiodes on the superlattice. Each photodiode may include a semiconductor layer on the superlattice and having a first conductivity type dopant and with a lower dopant concentration than the semiconductor substrate, a retrograde well extending downward into the semiconductor layer and having a second conductivity type, a first well around a periphery of the retrograde well having the first conductivity type, and a second well within the retrograde well having the first conductivity type.Type: GrantFiled: December 15, 2017Date of Patent: August 27, 2019Assignee: ATOMERA INCORPORATEDInventors: Yi-Ann Chen, Abid Husain, Hideki Takeuchi
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Patent number: 10361232Abstract: Backside illuminated photosensitive devices and associated methods are provided. In one aspect, for example, a backside-illuminated photosensitive imager device can include a semiconductor substrate having multiple doped regions forming a least one junction, a textured region coupled to the semiconductor substrate and positioned to interact with electromagnetic radiation, and a passivation region positioned between the textured region and the at least one junction. The passivation region is positioned to isolate the at least one junction from the textured region, and the semiconductor substrate and the textured region are positioned such that incoming electromagnetic radiation passes through the semiconductor substrate before contacting the textured region. Additionally, the device includes an electrical transfer element coupled to the semiconductor substrate to transfer an electrical signal from the at least one junction.Type: GrantFiled: June 5, 2017Date of Patent: July 23, 2019Assignee: SiOnyx, LLCInventors: Homayoon Haddad, Jeffrey McKee, Jutao Jiang, Chintamani Palsule, Leonard Forbes
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Patent number: 10347684Abstract: An image sensor includes a substrate including a photoelectric conversion part therein, and a fixed charge layer provided above the substrate. The fixed charge layer includes a first metal oxide and a second metal oxide, which are different from each other. The first metal oxide includes a first metal, and the second metal oxide includes a second metal different from the first metal. Concentration of the first metal in the fixed charge layer progressively increases from an upper portion of the fixed charge layer to a lower portion of the fixed charge layer.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2017Date of Patent: July 9, 2019Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.Inventors: Honglae Park, Jaeho Kim, Hyoshin Ahn, Inkook Jang
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Patent number: 10326920Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a solid-state imaging device, a method for manufacturing the same, and an electronic apparatus capable of improving sensitivity while suppressing degradation of color mixture. The solid-state imaging device includes an anti-reflection portion having a moth-eye structure provided on a boundary surface on a light-receiving surface side of a photoelectric conversion region of each pixel arranged two-dimensionally, and an inter-pixel light-blocking portion provided below the boundary surface of the anti-reflection portion to block incident light. In addition, the photoelectric conversion region is a semiconductor region, and the inter-pixel light-blocking portion has a trench structure obtained by digging the semiconductor region in a depth direction at a pixel boundary. The techniques according to the present disclosure can be applied to, for example, a solid-state imaging device of a rear surface irradiation type.Type: GrantFiled: July 19, 2018Date of Patent: June 18, 2019Assignee: Sony CorporationInventors: Yoshiaki Masuda, Yuki Miyanami, Hideshi Abe, Tomoyuki Hirano, Masanari Yamaguchi, Yoshiki Ebiko, Kazufumi Watanabe, Tomoharu Ogita
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Patent number: 10304881Abstract: A CMOS image sensor may include a semiconductor substrate having a first conductivity type, and a superlattice on the semiconductor substrate including a plurality of stacked groups of layers. Each group of layers may include a plurality of stacked base semiconductor monolayers defining a base semiconductor portion, and a non-semiconductor monolayer(s) constrained within a crystal lattice of adjacent base semiconductor portions. The image sensor may further include a plurality of laterally adjacent photodiodes on the superlattice. Each photodiode may include a semiconductor layer on the superlattice and having a first conductivity type dopant and with a lower dopant concentration than the semiconductor substrate, a retrograde well extending downward into the semiconductor layer from a surface thereof and having a second conductivity type, a first well around a periphery of the retrograde well having the first conductivity type, and a second well within the retrograde well having the first conductivity type.Type: GrantFiled: December 15, 2017Date of Patent: May 28, 2019Assignee: ATOMERA INCORPORATEDInventors: Yi-Ann Chen, Abid Husain, Hideki Takeuchi
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Patent number: 10192911Abstract: Imaging apparatus includes a photosensitive medium and a bias electrode, which is at least partially transparent, overlying the photosensitive medium. An array of pixel circuits is formed on a semiconductor substrate. Each pixel circuit includes a pixel electrode coupled to collect the charge carriers from the photosensitive medium; a readout circuit configured to output a signal indicative of a quantity of the charge carriers collected by the pixel electrode; a skimming gate coupled between the pixel electrode and the readout circuit; and a shutter gate coupled in parallel with the skimming gate between a node in the pixel circuit and a sink site. The shutter gate and the skimming gate are opened sequentially in each of a sequence of image frames so as to apply a global shutter to the array and then to read out the collected charge carriers via the skimming gate to the readout circuit.Type: GrantFiled: March 29, 2018Date of Patent: January 29, 2019Assignee: APPLE INC.Inventors: Gennadiy A. Agranov, QingFei Chen, Oray O. Cellek, Xiangli Li
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Patent number: 10141360Abstract: An imaging system includes a pixel array of pixel cells with each one of the pixel cells including a photodiode disposed in a semiconductor material, a global shutter gate transistor, disposed in the semiconductor material and coupled to the photodiode, a storage transistor disposed in the semiconductor material, an optical isolation structure disposed in the semiconductor material to isolate a sidewall of the storage transistor from stray light and stray charge. The optical isolation structure also includes a deep trench isolation structure that is filled with tungsten and a P+ passivation formed over an interior sidewall of the deep trench optical isolation structure. Each one of the pixel cells also include control circuitry coupled to the pixel array to control operation of the pixel array and readout circuitry coupled to the pixel array to readout image data from the plurality of pixels.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 2016Date of Patent: November 27, 2018Assignee: OmniVision Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Kevin Ka Kei Leung, Dajiang Yang