Abstract: Imaging apparatus (1300, 1400, 1500) includes a semiconductor substrate (1302), which includes at least first and second sensing areas (1306, 1308, 1502, 1514) with a predefined separation between the sensing areas. First and second arrays of pixel circuits (1312) are formed respectively on the first and second sensing areas and define respective first and second matrices of pixels. First and second photosensitive films (1314, 1316, 1402) are disposed respectively over the first and second arrays of pixel circuits, and are configured to output photocharge to the pixel circuits in response to radiation incident on the apparatus in different, respective first and second spectral bands.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: Programmable impedance elements structures, devices and methods are disclosed. Methods can include: forming a first electrode layer within an electrode opening that extends through a cap layer; planarizing to expose a top of the cap layer; cleaning the exposed top surface of the cap layer to remove residual species from previous process steps. Additional methods can include forming at least a base ion conductor layer having an active metal formed therein that may ion conduct within the ion conductor layer; and forming an inhibitor material that mitigates agglomeration of the active metal within the base ion conductor layer as compared to the active metal alone. Programmable impedance elements and/or devices can have switching material and electrodes parallel to both bottoms and sides of a cell opening formed in a cell dielectric. Other embodiments can include an ion conductor layer having an alloy of an active metal, or two ion conductor layers in contact with an active electrode.

Abstract: A capacitive device includes a substrate, a well structure buried in the substrate, a first stacked layer that includes a first dielectric layer and a first conductive layer, a cap dielectric layer, and a first electrode. The well has a predetermined doping type. The well includes a first shoulder portion having an upper surface, a second shoulder portion having an upper surface, and a first trench between the first and second shoulder portions. The first trench has sidewalls and a bottom surface. The first dielectric layer is lined along at least a portion of the upper surfaces of the first and second shoulder portions, the sidewalls of the first trench, and the bottom surface of the first trench. The first conductive layer is lined along the first dielectric layer. The cap dielectric layer is over the well, the first dielectric layer, and the first conductive layer.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a semiconductor device includes a first semiconductor layer of a first conductivity type or an intrinsic type. The device further includes a second semiconductor layer of the first conductivity type or the intrinsic type disposed above the first semiconductor layer. The device further includes a third semiconductor layer of a second conductivity type including a first upper portion in contact with the first semiconductor layer, a second upper portion located at a lower position than the first upper portion, a first side portion located between the first upper portion and the second upper portion, and a second side portion located at a lower position than the first side portion.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are various methods of forming a layer of silicon on a layer of silicon/germanium. In one example, a method disclosed herein includes forming a silicon/germanium material on a semiconducting substrate, after forming the silicon/germanium material, performing a heating process to raise a temperature of the substrate to a desired silicon formation temperature while flowing a silicon-containing precursor and a chlorine-containing precursor into the deposition chamber during the heating process, and, after the temperature of the substrate reaches the desired silicon formation temperature, forming a layer of silicon on the silicon/germanium material.

Abstract: High electron mobility transistors and/or methods of fabricating high electron mobility transistors that include a first Group III-nitride layer having vertically grown regions, laterally grown regions and a coalescence region are provided. A Group III-nitride channel layer is provided on the first Group III-nitride layer and a Group III-nitride barrier layer is provided on the Group III-nitride channel layer. A drain contact, a source contact and a gate contact are provided on the barrier layer. The gate contact is disposed on a portion of the barrier layer on a laterally grown region of the first Group III-nitride layer and at least a portion of one of the source contact and/or the drain contact is disposed on a portion of the barrier layer on a vertically grown region of the first Group III-nitride layer.

Abstract: A structural alternative to retro doping to reduce transistor leakage is provided by providing a liner in a trench, undercutting a conduction channel region in an active semiconductor layer, etching a side, corner and/or bottom of the conduction channel where the undercut exposes semiconductor material in the active layer and replacing the removed portion of the conduction channel with insulator. This shaping of the conduction channel increases the distance to adjacent circuit elements which, if charged, could otherwise induce a voltage and cause a change in back-channel threshold in regions of the conduction channel and narrows and reduces cross-sectional area of the channel where the conduction in the channel is not well-controlled; both of which effects significantly reduce leakage of the transistor.

Abstract: An image sensor pixel includes a photosensitive element, a floating diffusion (“FD”) region, and a transfer device. The photosensitive element is disposed in a substrate layer for accumulating an image charge in response to light. The FD region is disposed in the substrate layer to receive the image charge from the photosensitive element. The transfer device is disposed between the photosensitive element and the FD region to selectively transfer the image charge from the photosensitive element to the FD region. The transfer device includes a gate, a buried channel dopant region and a surface channel region. The gate is disposed between the photosensitive element and the FD region. The buried channel dopant region is disposed adjacent to the FD region and underneath the gate. The surface channel region is disposed between the buried channel dopant region and the photosensitive element and disposed underneath the gate.

Abstract: A gate-first processing scheme for forming a nanomesh field effect transistor is provided. An alternating stack of two different semiconductor materials is patterned to include two pad regions and nanowire regions. A semiconductor material is laterally etched selective to another semiconductor material to form a nanomesh including suspended semiconductor nanowires. A stack of a gate dielectric, a gate electrode, and a gate cap dielectric is formed over the nanomesh. A dielectric spacer is formed around the gate electrode. An isotropic etch is employed to remove dielectric materials that are formed in lateral recesses of the patterned alternating stack. A selective epitaxy process can be employed to form a source region and a drain region.

Abstract: The invention provides a graphene device structure and a method for manufacturing the same, the device structure comprising a graphene layer; a gate region in contact with the graphene layer; semiconductor doped regions formed in the two opposite sides of the gate region and in contact with the graphene layer, wherein the semiconductor doped regions are isolated from the gate region; a contact formed on the gate region and contacts formed on the semiconductor doped regions. The on-off ratio of the graphene device is increased through the semiconductor doped regions without increasing the band gap of the graphene material, i.e., without affecting the mobility of the material or the speed of the device, thereby increasing the applicability of the graphene material in CMOS devices.

Abstract: Memory devices based on tungsten-oxide memory regions are described, along with methods for manufacturing and methods for programming such devices. The tungsten-oxide memory region can be formed by oxidation of tungsten material using a non-critical mask, or even no mask at all in some embodiments. A memory device described herein includes a bottom electrode and a memory element on the bottom electrode. The memory element comprises at least one tungsten-oxygen compound and is programmable to at least two resistance states. A top electrode comprising a barrier material is on the memory element, the barrier material preventing movement of metal-ions from the top electrode into the memory element.

Abstract: In a solid state imaging device with an electron multiplying function, in a section normal to an electron transfer direction of a multiplication register EM, an insulating layer 2 is thicker at both side portions than in a central region. A pair of overflow drains 1N is formed at a boundary between a central region and both side portions of an N-type semiconductor region 1C. Each overflow drain 1N extends along the electron transfer direction of the multiplication register EM. Overflow gate electrodes G extend from the thin portion to the thick portion of the insulating layer 2. The overflow gate electrodes G are disposed between both ends of each transfer electrode 8 in a longitudinal direction and the insulating layer 2, and they also function as shield electrodes for each electrode 8 (8A and 8B).

Abstract: In forming a thin film transistor, an oxide semiconductor layer is used and a cluster containing a titanium compound whose electrical conductance is higher than that of the oxide semiconductor layer is formed between the oxide semiconductor layer and a gate insulating layer.

Abstract: In a thin film transistor including an oxide semiconductor, an oxide cluster having higher electrical conductance than the oxide semiconductor layer is formed between the oxide semiconductor layer and a gate insulating layer, whereby field effect mobility of the thin film transistor can be increased and increase of off current can be suppressed.

Abstract: A method includes providing a substrate having a first surface, forming an isolation structure disposed partly in the substrate and having an second surface higher than the first surface by a step height, removing a portion of the isolation structure to form a recess therein having a bottom surface spaced from the first surface by less than the step height, forming a gate structure, and forming a contact engaging the gate structure over the recess. A different aspect involves an apparatus that includes a substrate having a first surface, an isolation structure disposed partly in the substrate and having a second surface higher than the first surface by a step height, a recess extending downwardly from the second surface, the recess having a bottom surface spaced from the first surface by less than the step height, a gate structure, and a contact engaging the gate structure over the recess.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a photoelectric conversion device, wherein improvement of charge transfer properties when charge is output from a charge storage region and suppression of dark current generation during charge storage are compatible with each other. This object is achieved by forming a depletion voltage of a charge storage region in the range from zero to one half of a power source voltage (V), forming a gate voltage of a transfer MOS transistor during a charge transfer period in the range from one half of the power source voltage to the power source voltage (V) and forming a gate voltage of the transfer MOS transistor during a charge storage period in the range from minus one half of the power source voltage to zero (V).

Abstract: A method for fabricating a semiconductor device includes the steps of forming a SiC film, forming trenches at a surface of the SiC film, heat-treating the SiC film with silicon supplied to the surface of the SiC film, and obtaining a plurality of macrosteps to constitute channels, at the surface of the SiC film by the step of heat-treating. Taking the length of one cycle of the trenches as L and the height of the trenches as h, a relation L=h(cot ?+cot ?) (where ? and ? are variables that satisfy the relations 0.5??, ??45) holds between the length L and the height h. Consequently, the semiconductor device can be improved in property.

Abstract: Various structures and methods for improving the performance of trench-shielded power semiconductor devices and the like are described. An exemplary device comprises a semiconductor region having a surface, a first area of the semiconductor region, a well region of a first conductivity type disposed in the semiconductor region and around the first area, and a plurality of trenches extending in a semiconductor region. Each trench haves a first end disposed in a first portion of the well region, a second end disposed in a second portion of the well region, and a middle portion between the first and second ends and disposed in the first area. Each trench further having opposing sidewalls lined with a dielectric layer, and a conductive electrode disposed on at least a portion of the dielectric layer.

Abstract: A solid-state image pickup element comprises a first-conductive type planar semiconductor layer formed on a second-conductive type planar semiconductor layer, a hole portion formed in the first-conductive type planar semiconductor layer to define a hole therein, and a first-conductive type high-concentration impurity region formed in a bottom wall of the hole portion. The solid-state image pickup element also includes a first-conductive type high-concentration impurity-doped element isolation region, a second-conductive type photoelectric conversion region, a transfer electrode formed on the sidewall of the hole portion through a gate dielectric film, a second-conductive type CCD channel region, and a read channel formed in a region of the first-conductive type planar semiconductor layer sandwiched between the second-conductive type photoelectric conversion region and the second-conductive type CCD channel region.

Abstract: A non-volatile memory device includes a semiconductor substrate having a first section including a substantially planar first top surface, a second section including a substantially planar second top surface, and a sidewall extending between the first and second top surfaces. The second top surface of the substrate is closer to a bottom surface of the substrate than is the first top surface. A charge storage pattern extends on the first and second top surfaces of the substrate and along the sidewall therebetween. A source region in the first section of the substrate extends from the first top surface into the second section of the substrate and has a stepped portion defined by the sidewall and the second top surface. Related fabrication methods and methods of operation are also discussed.

Abstract: Disclosed are embodiments of a field effect transistor (FET) having decreased drive current temperature sensitivity. Specifically, any temperature-dependent carrier mobility change in the FET channel region is simultaneously counteracted by an opposite strain-dependent carrier mobility change to ensure that drive current remains approximately constant or at least within a predetermined range in response to temperature variations. This opposite strain-dependent carrier mobility change is provided by a straining structure that is configured to impart a temperature-dependent amount of a pre-selected strain type on the channel region. Also disclosed are embodiments of an associated method of forming the field effect transistor.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a photoelectric conversion device, wherein improvement of charge transfer properties when charge is output from a charge storage region and suppression of dark current generation during charge storage are compatible with each other. This object is achieved by forming a depletion voltage of a charge storage region in the range from zero to one half of a power source voltage (V), forming a gate voltage of a transfer MOS transistor during a charge transfer period in the range from one half of the power source voltage to the power source voltage (V) and forming a gate voltage of the transfer MOS transistor during a charge storage period in the range from minus one half of the power source voltage to zero (V).

Abstract: It is intended to provide a solid-state image pickup element capable of reducing an area of a read channel to increase a light-receiving area. The solid-state image pickup element comprises a p-type planar semiconductor, a hole formed in the p-type planar semiconductor, a p+-type region formed in a bottom of the hole, a p+-type isolation region formed in a part of a sidewall of the hole and connected to the p+-type region, an n-type photoelectric conversion region formed beneath the p+-type region, a transfer electrode formed on the entire sidewall of the hole through a gate dielectric film, a CCD channel region formed in a top of the p-type planar semiconductor, and a read channel formed in a region of the p-type planar semiconductor between the n-type photoelectric conversion region and the CCD channel region.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a MOS transistor having a thinned channel region is described. The channel region is etched following removal of a dummy gate. The source and drain regions have relatively low resistance with the process.

Abstract: A DNA sensor including a p-channel field-effect transistor having as a gate an electrolyte solution and having as a channel a diamond surface which contains a mixture of at least a hydrogen-terminated surface and a surface terminated by an amino group or a molecule with an amino group as an amino termination; a probe DNA constituted of a single-stranded DNA with known nucleotide sequence which is directly immobilized by a linker to the amino termination of the diamond surface; and a target DNA constituted of an unknown single-stranded DNA which is dropped on said diamond surface, wherein the hybridization of the target and probe is ascertained by detecting a shift of the threshold voltage of said p-channel field effect transistor toward positive direction which is due to increase in hole density of the p-channel resulting from doubling the negative electric charge of the phosphate groups upon hybridization.

Abstract: An insulated gate bipolar transistor has a p-type emitter layer; an n-type buffer layer provided on the p-type emitter layer; an n-type base layer provided on the n-type buffer layer and having a higher resistivity than the n-type buffer layer; a p-type base layer provided in part of an upper surface of the n-type base layer; an n-type source layer provided in part of an upper surface of the p-type base layer; a trench extending through the n-type source layer and the p-type base layer to the n-type base layer; a gate electrode provided in the trench; and a gate insulating film provided between the gate electrode and an inner surface of the trench. The p-type emitter layer has a thickness of 5 to 50 ?m and a dopant concentration of 2×1016 to 1×1018 cm?3.

Abstract: High electron mobility transistors are provided that include a non-uniform aluminum concentration AlGaN based cap layer having a high aluminum concentration adjacent a surface of the cap layer that is remote from the barrier layer on which the cap layer is provided. High electron mobility transistors are provided that include a cap layer having a doped region adjacent a surface of the cap layer that is remote from the barrier layer on which the cap layer is provided. Graphitic BN passivation structures for wide bandgap semiconductor devices are provided. SiC passivation structures for Group III-nitride semiconductor devices are provided. Oxygen anneals of passivation structures are also provided. Ohmic contacts without a recess are also provided.

Abstract: A solid-state image pickup apparatus includes one or a plurality of photoelectric converting sections for photoelectric converting incident light into a signal charge on a semiconductor substrate, and a vertical charge-transferring section for charge-transferring the signal charge photoelectric converted at the photoelectric converting section, in which the vertical charge-transferring section is located under the photoelectric converting section on the side of the semiconductor substrate.

Abstract: CMOS image sensor having high sensitivity and low crosstalk, particularly at far-red to infrared wavelengths, and a method for fabricating a CMOS image sensor. A CMOS image sensor has a substrate, an epitaxial layer above the substrate, and a plurality of pixels extending into the epitaxial layer for receiving light. The image sensor also includes at least one of a horizontal barrier layer between the substrate and the epitaxial layer for preventing carriers generated in the substrate from moving to the epitaxial layer, and a plurality of lateral barrier layers between adjacent ones of the plurality of pixels for preventing lateral diffusion of electrons in the epitaxial layer.

Abstract: The invention is directed to an improvement of reliability in a chip-size package type semiconductor device and a manufacturing method thereof. A semiconductor substrate formed with a pad electrode is prepared, and a first protection layer formed of epoxy resin is formed on a front surface of the semiconductor substrate. Then, a via hole is formed from a back surface of the semiconductor substrate to the pad electrode. A wiring layer is then formed from the via hole of the semiconductor substrate, being electrically connected with the pad electrode through the via hole. Then, a second protection layer and a conductive terminal are formed, and the semiconductor substrate is separated into individual semiconductor dies by dicing.

Abstract: A solid-state imaging device can improve a detection sensitivity of a signal detecting means by decreasing a parasitic capacity of a horizontal signal line. In a solid-state imaging device in which a plurality of pixels are arranged in a matrix fashion, a pixel signal is flowed through a horizontal switch (39) to a horizontal signal line (40) as a signal charge, and a signal is outputted by a signal detecting means connected to the end off the horizontal signal line (40), an insulating gate-type field-effect transistor comprising the horizontal switch (39) includes channels extended at least in two directions between its source electrode connected to the horizontal signal line (40) and other drain electrode.

Abstract: A metal oxide semiconductor (MOS) transistor having a recessed gate electrode and a fabrication method thereof are provided. The MOS transistor includes a semiconductor substrate and an isolation layer formed in a predetermined region of the semiconductor substrate to define an active region. A channel trench region is disposed within the active region to cross the active region. A gate insulating layer is disposed to cover sidewalls and a bottom of the channel trench region. The MOS transistor has a gate pattern that fills the channel trench region and crosses above the active region. A portion of the sidewall of the gate pattern is recessed at an upper corner of the channel trench region and has a width smaller than the width of the top of the gate pattern and smaller than the width of the channel trench region.

Abstract: A programmable structure and device and methods of forming and using the structure and device are disclosed. The structure includes a soluble electrode, an ion conductor, and an inert electrode. Upon application of a sufficient voltage, a conductive region forms within or on the ion conductor and between the electrodes. The presence or absence of the conductive region can be used to store information in memory devices.

Abstract: Transistors and/or methods of fabricating transistors that include a source contact, drain contact and gate contact are provided. In some embodiments, a channel region is provided between the source and drain contacts and at least a portion of the channel regions includes a hybrid layer comprising semiconductor material. In particular embodiments of the present invention, the transistor is a current aperture transistor. The channel region may include pendeo-epitaxial layers or epitaxial laterally overgrown layers. Transistors and methods of fabricating current aperture transistors that include a trench that extends through the channel and barrier layers and includes semiconductor material therein are also provided.

Abstract: A thin-film transistor (TFT) with body contacts is disclosed. It is used in polysilicon TFT LCD's. A body contact region for separating the gate electrode, a source region, and a drain region is made in the TFT. Through the dopants in the body contact region and different impurities in the source region and the drain region, a body-trigger bias is imposed on the body of the TFT. This method reduces the threshold voltage of the TFT driving circuit, thereby increasing the driving current.

Abstract: A circuit configuration is used for off-load switching. The circuit configuration can be used as a component in a switch mode power supply, a clocked supply, a voltage regulator, and a lamp switch, wherein the circuit configuration is embodied as an IGBT, especially a field stop IGBT or alternately and additionally as a PT IGBT. A method for using the circuit configuration include three operating modes: in a first operating mode, power for a load is modulated by pulse modulation; in a second operating mode, the power is modulated by changing a switching-on time; and, in a third operating mode, both are implemented.

Abstract: A thin film transistor of the present invention is provided with (i) a plurality of divided channel regions formed under a gate electrode, and (ii) divided source regions and divided drain regions between which each of the divided channel regions is sandwiched, the divided source regions being connected with one another, and the divided drain regions being connected with one another. Here, the divided channel regions are so arranged that a spacing between the divided channel regions is smaller than a channel divided width which is a width of one divided channel region, the channel divided width is not more than 50 ?m, and the spacing is not less than 3 ?m. With this arrangement, it is possible to provide a thin film transistor capable of obtaining reliability with reducing the variation in threshold voltage by reducing the self-heating at the channel regions, as well as capable of reducing the increase of a layout area.

Abstract: A solid-state imaging device can improve a detection sensitivity of a signal detecting means by decreasing a parasitic capacity of a horizontal signal line. In a solid-state imaging device in which a plurality of pixels are arranged in a matrix fashion, a pixel signal is flowed through a horizontal switch (39) to a horizontal signal line (40) as a signal charge, and a signal is outputted by a signal detecting means connected to the end off the horizontal signal line (40), an insulating gate-type field-effect transistor comprising the horizontal switch (39) includes channels extended at least in two directions between its source electrode connected to the horizontal signal line (40) and other drain electrode.

Abstract: A thin film passive element includes at least one of a capacitance element having a plurality of conductive layers and a dielectric material layer and an inductance element formed of a patterned conductive layer is stacked on a circuit element-forming region of a semiconductor substrate provided with a plurality of connection pads and is connected to the circuit element of the circuit element-forming region.

Abstract: Multiple damascene layers in integrated circuits can form several advantageous designs or components that may lower cost or increase performance of certain designs. In embodiments for power bus signals, multiple damascene layers may be used to form traces with increased power capacity and lower cost. In other embodiments, multiple damascene layers may be used to form components such as capacitors and inductors with increased performance.

Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes a substrate comprising a first relaxed semiconductor material with a first lattice constant. A semiconductor device layer overlies the substrate, wherein the semiconductor device layer includes a second relaxed semiconductor material with a second lattice constant different from the first lattice constant. In addition, a dielectric layer is interposed between the substrate and the semiconductor device layer, wherein the dielectric layer includes a programmed transition zone disposed within the dielectric layer for transitioning between the first lattice constant and the second lattice constant. The programmed transition zone includes a plurality of layers, adjoining ones of the plurality of layers having different lattice constants with one of the adjoining ones having a first thickness exceeding a first critical thickness required to form defects and another of the adjoining ones having a second thickness not exceeding a second critical thickness.

Abstract: In a metal oxide semiconductor (MOS) field effect transistor configuration, a source, a drain and a gate are embedded between a semiconductor pillar that extends away from a semiconductor body and forms a body region. A filling insulator surrounds the semiconductor pillar and is situated on the semiconductor body for insulating the MOSFET.

Abstract: A MOSFET having a recessed channel and a method of fabricating the same. The critical dimension (CD) of a recessed trench defining the recessed channel in a semiconductor substrate is greater than the CD of the gate electrode disposed on the semiconductor substrate. As a result, the misalignment margin for a photolithographic process used to form the gate electrodes can be increased, and both overlap capacitance and gate induced drain leakage (GIDL) can be reduced.

Abstract: A local oscillation FET has a source connecting pad, a drain connecting pad and a gate connecting pad. The source connecting pad occupies one corner of a substrate, and the drain and gate connecting pads are placed at the neighboring corners so that the three connecting pads form an L shape on the substrate. As a modification to this configuration, another source connecting pad is placed at the remaining corner of the substrate so that the drain and gate connecting pads are shielded from each other by the two source connecting pads. These device configurations contribute to size reduction of the local oscillation FET.

Abstract: A new method is provided for the creation of a 1T RAM cell. Standard processing is applied to create STI trenches in the surface of a substrate, N2 implantations are performed into the sidewalls of the STI trenches. A layer of lining oxide is created, the implanted N2 interacts with the lining oxide to form SiON over exposed surfaces of the STI trenches. STI oxide is deposited and polished, filling the STI trenches there-with. Crown patterning is performed to define capacitor areas, the crown patterning stops on a layer of etch stop material and the created SION and partially removes STI oxide from the STI trenches. Layers of etch stop material, exposed SiON and pad oxide are removed, exposing the surface of the silicon substrate, the etched layers of STI oxide are not affected by this removal. A layer of SAC oxide is grown, n-well and p-well implantations are performed into the surface of the substrate.

Abstract: A charge coupled device has a hydrogen diffusion path to diffuse hydrogen to a silicon surface. The hydrogen diffusion path extends through a top silicon oxide layer that itself extends through a first aperture in a top silicon nitride layer. The first aperture overlays a conductor formed of polycrystalline silicon at a location that transversely overlays a channel stop. The hydrogen diffusion path extends through the conductor and through an extension of the conductor that itself extends through a second aperture in a lower silicon nitride layer. The lower silicon nitride layer being one part of a gate dielectric film. The gate dielectric film also includes a lower silicon oxide layer disposed between the lower silicon nitride layer and the silicon surface. The hydrogen diffusion path extends through the lower silicon oxide layer to reach the silicon surface.

Abstract: The invention is regarding to solid-state imaging device.

Abstract: In production of a solid-state image pickup device including a semiconductor substrate, a photoelectric converter element group including a plurality of photoelectric converter elements formed in one column in one surface of the semiconductor substrate, a charge transfer path to transfer signal charge accumulated in the photoelectric converter elements, and readout gates to read signal charge from photoelectric converter elements to feed the charge to the charge transfer path, an ON or ONO film electrically insulates each transfer electrode constituting the charge transfer path from the semiconductor substrate and an oxide insulating film insulates a readout gate electrode constituting the readout gate from the semiconductor substrate to thereby improve electric characteristics of the solid-state image pickup device.

Abstract: A photoelectric converter with improved charge transfer efficiency from a light receiving portion. The photoelectric converter includes a light receiving portion having an output end and a gate portion having a first side and a second side that both define a readout gate width for the light receiving portion, where the first side of the gate portion confronts the output end of the light receiving portion. The photoelectric converter also includes a charge transfer portion formed to confront the second side of the gate portion, where the readout gate width of said gate portion is wider at the first side confronting said light receiving portion than at the second side confronting said charge transfer portion.