Photoresistors Accessed By Fets, Or Photodetectors Separate From Fet Chip Patents (Class 257/293)
  • Patent number: 7772626
    Abstract: An image sensor and fabricating method thereof are disclosed by which damage to a protective layer can be prevented in a manner of reducing thermal stress of an uppermost metal line in performing thermal treatment for enhancing the dark characteristic. Such damage can be prevented by forming a poly layer pattern in an insulating interlayer on at least one side of the uppermost layer metal line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Assignee: Dongbu HiTek Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Sung-Moo Kim
  • Patent number: 7768045
    Abstract: A CMOS image device comprises a pixel array region including a photo diode region, a floating diffusion region, and at least one MOS transistor having a gate and a junction region, a CMOS logic region disposed around the pixel array region, the CMOS logic region including a plurality of nMOS transistors and pMOS transistors, and contact studs formed on the floating diffusion region and the junction region in the pixel array region, the contact studs comprising impurity-doped polysilicon layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2010
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Young-Hoon Park
  • Patent number: 7768048
    Abstract: An infrared sensor IC and an infrared sensor, which are extremely small and are not easily affected by electromagnetic noise and thermal fluctuation, and a manufacturing method thereof are provided. A compound semiconductor that has a small device resistance and a large electron mobility is used for a sensor (2), and then, the compound semiconductor sensor (2) and an integrated circuit (3), which processes an electrical signal output by the compound semiconductor sensor (2) and performs an operation, are arranged in a single package using hybrid formation. In this manner, an infrared sensor IC that can be operated at room temperature can be provided by a microminiature and simple package that is not conventionally produced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2010
    Assignee: Asahi Kasei EMD Corporation
    Inventors: Koichiro Ueno, Naohiro Kuze, Yoshitaka Moriyasu, Kazuhiro Nagase
  • Patent number: 7763919
    Abstract: A CMOS image sensor capable of improving characteristics of the image sensor by preventing damage to a photodiode region and a method for manufacturing the same are provided. The CMOS image sensor includes: a semiconductor substrate on which a device isolation region and an active region are defined; a photodiode region formed at the active region; a conductive plug formed on the photodiode region for connecting the photodiode region to a metal wiring; and a transistor formed enclosing the conductive plug.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2010
    Assignee: Dongbu Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chang Hun Han
  • Patent number: 7759756
    Abstract: A dual-pixel full color complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) imager is provided, along with an associated fabrication process. Two stand-alone pixels are used for three-color detection. The first pixel is a single photodiode, and the second pixel has two photodiodes built in a stacked structure. The two photodiode stack includes an n doped substrate, a bottom photodiode, and a top photodiode. The bottom photodiode has a bottom p doped layer overlying the substrate and a bottom n doped layer cathode overlying the bottom p doped layer. The top photodiode has a top p doped layer overlying the bottom n doped layer and a top n doped layer cathode overlying the top p doped layer. The single photodiode includes the n doped substrate, a p doped layer overlying the substrate, and an n doped layer cathode overlying the p doped layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2010
    Assignee: Sharp Laboratories of America, Inc.
    Inventors: Jong-Jan Lee, Sakae Wada, Sheng Teng Hsu
  • Patent number: 7745857
    Abstract: The object of the invention is to provide a semiconductor device that can form photodiodes that do not short circuit, without damage that causes leakage, despite formation of the opening part, and its manufacturing method. The second semiconductor layer (12, 16) of the second conductivity type is formed on the main surface of the first semiconductor layer (10, 11) of the first conductivity type. Element-separating regions (13, 14, 15, 17) formed at least on the second semiconductor layer separate the device into the regions of plural photodiodes (PD1-PD4). Conductive layer 18 is formed on the second semiconductor layer 16 in a pattern that is divided for each of the photodiodes and is connected to the second semiconductor layer 16 along the outer periphery with respect to all of the plural photodiodes. Insulation layer (19, 21) is formed on the entire surface to cover conductive layer 18.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Yohichi Okumura, Hiroyuki Tomomatsu
  • Patent number: 7714401
    Abstract: A solid state imaging device comprises: a photoelectric converting portion provided on a semiconductor substrate; a charge transfer path, formed in an adjacent position to the photoelectric converting portion, that receives a signal charge generated in the photoelectric converting portion and transfers the signal charge in a predetermined direction; and a gate electrode that transfers the signal charge from the photoelectric converting portion to the charge transfer path, wherein the gate electrode comprises polysilicon having a different conductive type from that of a semiconductor region forming a charge storing portion of the charge transfer path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: Fujifilm Corporation
    Inventors: Masanori Nagase, Jiro Matsuda, Tsuneo Sasamoto, Toshiaki Hayakawa
  • Patent number: 7714369
    Abstract: A semiconductor chip that has a photodiode formed on it, a semiconductor device including the semiconductor chip, and manufacturing methods thereof. A second semiconductor region 11 is formed in light-receiving region R of first semiconductor region 10. First bumps 12 are formed outside light-receiving region R. Second bump 13 is formed in a ring-shape around light-receiving region R between region R and first bumps 12. Semiconductor chip T is assembled on assembly substrate S, and resin layer 30 is formed between chip T and substrate S in the region outside of said light-receiving region R.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Yoichi Okumura, Ryoichi Kojima
  • Publication number: 20100102368
    Abstract: A solid state imaging device with an easy structure in which have the high sensitivity which reaches the wide wavelength region from visible light to near infrared light wavelength region, and dark current is reduced, and a fabrication method for the same, are provided. A solid state imaging device and a fabrication method for the same, the solid state imaging device comprising: a circuit unit (30) formed on a substrate; and a photoelectric conversion unit (28) including a lower electrode layer (25) placed on the circuit unit (30), a compound semiconductor thin film (24) of chalcopyrite structure which is placed on the lower electrode layer (25) and functions as an optical absorption layer, and an optical transparent electrode layer (26) placed on the compound semiconductor thin film (24), wherein the lower electrode layer (25), the compound semiconductor thin film (24), and the optical transparent electrode layer (26) are laminated one after another on the circuit unit (30).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2008
    Publication date: April 29, 2010
    Inventors: Osamu Matsushima, Masaki Takaoka, Kenichi Miyazaki, Shogo Ishizuka, Keiichiro Sakurai, Shigeru Niki
  • Patent number: 7701028
    Abstract: The pixel for use in an image sensor comprises a low-doped semiconductor substrate (A). On the substrate (A), an arrangement of a plurality of floating areas e.g., floating gates (FG2-FG6), is provided. Neighboring floating gates are electrically isolated from each other yet capacitively coupled to each other. By applying a voltage (V2-V1) to two contact areas (FG1, FG7), a lateral steplike electric field is generated. Photogenerated charge carriers move along the electric-field lines to the point of highest potential energy, where a floating diffusion (D) accumulate the photocharges. The charges accumulated in the various pixels are sequentially read out with a suitable circuit known from image-sensor literature, such as a source follower or a charge amplifier with row and column select mechanisms. The pixel of offers at the same time a large sensing area, a high photocharge-detection sensitivity and a high response speed without any static current consumption.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: MESA Imaging AG
    Inventors: Rolf Kaufmann, Michael Lehmann, Peter Seitz
  • Patent number: 7692226
    Abstract: A CMOS image sensor includes a photodiode, and a plurality of transistors for transferring charges accumulated at the photodiode to one column line, wherein at least one transistor among the plurality of transistors has a source region wider than a drain region, for increasing a driving current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Inventor: Won-Ho Lee
  • Patent number: 7687837
    Abstract: An image sensor includes a substrate having an active pixel sensor region defined therein, a plurality of first conductivity type photodiodes formed in the active pixel sensor region and a first conductivity-type first deep well formed in the active pixel sensor region in a location which does not include the plurality of the first conductivity-type photodiodes. Moreover, the first deep well is electrically connected to a positive voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2010
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Young-Hoon Park, Jae-Ho Song, Won-Je Park, Jin-Hyeong Park, Jeong-Hoon Bae, Jung-Ho Park
  • Patent number: 7687815
    Abstract: The invention provides a side-view LED having an LED window opened to a side to emit light sideward. A pair of lead frames each act as a terminal. An LED chip is attached to a portion of the lead frame and electrically connected thereto. A package body houses the lead frames and has a concave formed around the LED chip. Also, a high reflective metal layer is formed integrally on a wall of the concave. A transparent encapsulant is filled in the concave to encapsulate the LED chip, while forming the LED window. In addition, an insulating layer is formed on a predetermined area of the lead frames so that the lead frames are insulated from the high reflective metal layer. The side-view LED of the invention enhances light efficiency and heat release efficiency with an improved side-wall reflection structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2010
    Assignee: Samsung Electro-Mechanics, Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hong Min Kim
  • Patent number: 7683374
    Abstract: A method of fabricating a photodetector device includes preparing a silicon substrate, forming a patterned mesa on the silicon substrate, and forming a patterned conductive layer over the patterned mesa.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2010
    Assignee: Industrial Technology Research Institute
    Inventors: Cha-Hsin Lin, Lurng-Shehng Lee, Ching-Chiun Wang
  • Patent number: 7679112
    Abstract: Color image sensors include pixels having varying color characteristics. One of the pixels is a cyan-type pixel, which includes primary and secondary photodetectors therein. The primary photodetector extends adjacent a portion of a surface of a semiconductor substrate that is configured to receive visible light incident thereon. The secondary photodetector is buried in the semiconductor substrate. The secondary photodetector is configured to receive visible light that has passed through the primary photodetector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2010
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tetsuo Asaba
  • Patent number: 7663167
    Abstract: A pixel with a photosensor and a transfer transistor having a split transfer gate. A first section of the transfer gate is connectable to a first voltage source while a second section of the transfer gate is connectable to a second voltage source. Thus, during a charge integration period of a photosensor, the two sections of the transfer gate may be oppositely biased to decrease dark current while controlling blooming of electrons within and out of the pixel cell. During charge transfer the two gate sections may be commonly connected to a positive voltage sufficient to transfer charge from the photosensor to a floating diffusion region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2010
    Assignee: Aptina Imaging Corp.
    Inventor: John Ladd
  • Patent number: 7659564
    Abstract: A pixel sensor cell having a semiconductor substrate having a surface; a photosensitive element formed in a substrate having a non-laterally disposed charge collection region entirely isolated from a physical boundary including the substrate surface. The photosensitive element comprises a trench having sidewalls formed in the substrate of a first conductivity type material; a first doped layer of a second conductivity type material formed adjacent to at least one of the sidewalls; and a second doped layer of the first conductivity type material formed between the first doped layer and the at least one trench sidewall and formed at a surface of the substrate, the second doped layer isolating the first doped layer from the at least one trench sidewall and the substrate surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2010
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: James W. Adkisson, John J. Ellis-Monaghan, Mark D. Jaffe, Dale J. Pearson, Dennis L. Rogers
  • Patent number: 7649220
    Abstract: A photodetector and method for making the same is disclosed. The photodetector includes a substrate having first, second, and third photodiodes and first and second pigment filter layers. The first, second, and third photodiodes generate first, second, and third photodiode output signals, respectively, each photodiode output signal being indicative of a light intensity incident on that photodiode and a dark current that is independent of the light intensity. The first and second pigment filter layers overlie the first and second photodiodes while a layer having both the first and second pigment filter layers overlie the third photodiode. An output circuit combines the first and third photodiode output signals to provide a first corrected output signal and combines the second and third photodiode output signals to provide a second corrected output signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2010
    Assignee: Avago Technologies ECBU IP (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: Farn Hin Chen, Gim Eng Chew, Boon Keat Tan
  • Patent number: 7642581
    Abstract: A solid-state image sensing device has a pixel that includes a photodiode that generates an electrical charge according to an amount of incoming light, a floating diffusion portion, a charge transfer transistor that transfers the electrical charge to the floating diffusion portion from the photoelectric conversion portion, a reading circuit that outputs an signal on the basis of said electrical charge held in said floating diffusion portion, and a light-shielding member disposed so as to cover a side wall of a gate electrode of the charge transfer transistor on the photoelectric conversion portion side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2010
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Shunsuke Inoue
  • Patent number: 7638825
    Abstract: A pixel cell comprises a photo-conversion device for generating charge and a gate controlled charge storage region for storing photo-generated charge under control of a control gate. The charge storage region can be a single CCD stage having a buried channel to obtain efficient charge transfer and low charge loss. The charge storage region is adjacent to a gate of a transistor. The transistor gate is adjacent to the photo-conversion device and, in conjunction with the control gate, transfers photo-generated charge from the photo-conversion device to the charge storage region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Assignee: Aptina Imaging Corporation
    Inventor: Sungkwon C. Hong
  • Patent number: 7635880
    Abstract: An improved CMOS sensor integrated circuit is disclosed, along with methods of making the circuit and computer readable descriptions of the circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2009
    Assignee: ESS Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Zeynep Toros, Richard Mann, Selim Bencuya
  • Patent number: 7629661
    Abstract: In accordance with the invention, a photonic device comprises a semiconductor substrate including at least one circuit component comprising a metal silicide layer and an overlying layer including at least one photoresponsive component. The metal silicide layer is disposed between the circuit component and the photoresponsive component to prevent entry into the circuit component of light that penetrates the photoresponsive component. The silicide layer advantageously reflects the light back into the photoresponsive element. In addition, the overlying layer can include one or more reflective layers to reduce entry of oblique light into the photoresponsive component. In an advantageous embodiment, the substrate comprises single-crystal silicon including one or more insulated gate field effect transistors (IGFETs), and/or capacitors, and the photoresponsive element comprises germanium and/or germanium alloy epitaxially grown from seeds on the silicon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2009
    Assignee: Noble Peak Vision Corp.
    Inventors: Conor S. Rafferty, Clifford King
  • Patent number: 7608874
    Abstract: An array of fully isolated multi-junction complimentary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) filterless color imager cells is provided, together with an associated fabrication method. The method provides a bulk silicon (Si) substrate. A plurality of color imager cells are formed, either in the Si substrate, or in a single epitaxial Si layer formed over the substrate. Each color imager cell includes a photodiode set with a first, second, and third photodiode formed as a stacked multi-junction structure. A U-shaped (in cross-section) well liner, fully isolates the photodiode set from adjacent photodiode sets in the array. For example, each photodiode is formed from a p doped Si layer physically interfaced to a first wall. A well bottom physically interfaces to the first wall, and the p doped Si layer of the third, bottom-most, photodiode is part of the well bottom. Then, the photodiode sets may be formed from an n/p/n/p/n/p or n/p/p?/p/p?/p layered structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2009
    Assignee: Sharp Laboratories of America, Inc.
    Inventors: Jong-Jan Lee, Douglas J. Tweet, Sheng Teng Hsu
  • Patent number: 7608473
    Abstract: An image sensor and a manufacturing method thereof are provided. The image sensor includes a plurality of sensors, an inter-layer dielectric layer formed over the sensors, a first inter-metal dielectric layer formed over the inter-layer dielectric layer, and a plurality of first via walls formed in the first inter-metal dielectric layer, wherein each of the first via walls is formed around each of the sensors. In addition, the image sensor further includes a second inter-metal dielectric layer formed over the first inter-metal dielectric layer and a plurality of second via walls formed in the second inter-metal dielectric layer, wherein each of the second via walls is formed around each of the sensors. Therefore, the light leakage between different pixels and the problem of crosstalk are solved, and the spatial resolution and the photo sensitivity of the image sensor are enhanced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2009
    Assignee: United Microelectronics Corp.
    Inventor: Anchor Chen
  • Patent number: 7608871
    Abstract: A solid image pick-up element comprises: a photoelectric converting portion; a charge transmitting portion comprising a charge transmitting electrode that transmits a charge generated by the photoelectric converting portion; and a peripheral circuit portion connected to the charge transmitting portion, wherein a surface level of a field oxide film provided at the peripheral circuit portion and the charge transmitting portion to surround an effective image pick-up region of the photoelectric converting portion is to a degree the same as a surface level of the photoelectric converting portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2009
    Assignee: Fujifilm Corporation
    Inventors: Tsutomu Aita, Hideki Kooriyama, Maki Saito
  • Patent number: 7605440
    Abstract: A pixel having a well-isolated charge storage region or floating diffusion region may be obtained by providing a separate P-well around the storage region or floating diffusion region. In one embodiment, a separate P-well entirely encases the storage region and is in contact with the storage region. This P-well provides an electrical barrier for preventing electrons that are generated elsewhere in the pixel from contaminating the storage region. In another embodiment, a first separate P-well encases and is in contact with the storage region and a second separate P-well encases and is in contact with the floating diffusion region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2009
    Assignee: Aptina Imaging Corporation
    Inventor: Parker Altice
  • Patent number: 7605416
    Abstract: A gate wire including a gate line and a gate electrode is formed on a substrate and a gate insulating layer is formed on the substrate. A semiconductor pattern and an etching assistant pattern are formed on the gate insulating layer and a source/drain conductor pattern and an etching assistant layer are formed on the semiconductor pattern and the etching assistant pattern. A data wire including a data line and source and drain electrodes separated from each other is formed by removing the etching assistant layer and partly removing the source/drain conductor pattern. A pixel electrode connected to the drain electrodes is formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2009
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Mun-Pyo Hong, Nam-Seok Roh, Hee-Hwan Choe, Keun-Kyu Song
  • Patent number: 7598552
    Abstract: In an image sensor in which a vertical length from a photoelectric conversion element to an uppermost micro-lens is minimal, and a method of manufacturing the same, the image sensor includes a substrate, a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements, and first to n-level (where n is an integer greater than or equal to 2) metal wires. In the substrate, a sensor region and a peripheral circuit region are defined. The plurality of photoelectric conversion elements are formed in or on the substrate within the sensor region. The first to n-level metal wires are sequentially formed on the substrate. The n-level metal wires within the sensor region are of a thickness that is less than the n-level metal wires within the peripheral circuit region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2009
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Byung-jun Park
  • Patent number: 7592654
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2009
    Assignee: Aptina Imaging Corporation
    Inventors: Sandeep R. Bahl, Fredrick P. LaMaster, David W. Bigelow
  • Patent number: 7593049
    Abstract: In the pixel portions of the CMOS image sensor, a plurality of unit cells are arranged in the row and column directions at a predetermined pitch respectively in a two-dimensional plain forming a matrix. Each unit cell includes the first and second photodiodes PDa and PDb, the first and second transfer transistors Ta and Tb for transferring the stored charges of the photodiodes to their common floating junctions FJ, the reset transistors R for resetting the potential of the floating junctions FJ, the driver transistors D whose output potential is controlled by the potential of the floating junctions FJ, and the address transistors A for selectively driving the driver transistors D. With the arrangement of the elements and wires in the pixel portions, the integration can be increased and the resolution in the horizontal and vertical directions can be improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2009
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventor: Hirokazu Sekine
  • Patent number: 7579637
    Abstract: An image sensor and a method of fabricating the image sensor are provided. The image sensor includes a semiconductor substrate having a first conductivity type, a deep well having a second conductivity type. The deep well is formed at a predetermined depth in the semiconductor substrate to divide the semiconductor substrate into a first conductivity type upper substrate area and a lower substrate area. The image sensor further includes a plurality of unit pixels integrating charges corresponding to incident light and comprising first conductivity type ion-implantation areas. The first conductivity type ion-implantation areas are separated from one another. Moreover, at least one unit pixel among the plurality of unit pixels further comprises the first conductivity type upper substrate area that is positioned under a first conductivity type ion-implantation area included in the unit pixel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2009
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jung-Hyun Nam, Jong-Wan Jung
  • Publication number: 20090206237
    Abstract: A photo transistor has an active region (24) spaced from a source (28) by barrier (26). A drain (20) is laterally spaced from the active region (24). Light incident on the active region creates electron-hole pairs. Holes accumulate at the barrier and modulate the effective barrier height to electrons. A gate reset voltage then is applied to gate (4) which lower the barrier allowing the holes to escape.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2005
    Publication date: August 20, 2009
    Inventors: John M. Shannon, Stanley D. Brotherton
  • Patent number: 7554170
    Abstract: A photosensor includes a plurality of photosensitive regions including a first photosensitive region connected to a first voltage reference, and at least one additional photosensitive region. A signal collector is connected to the first photosensitive region. At least one switching device is for switching the at least one additional photosensitive region between the first voltage reference and a second voltage reference that is less than the first voltage reference, and for reversibly connecting the at least one additional photosensitive region to the signal collector so that the photosensor is variably responsive to different light levels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2009
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics (Research & Development) Limited
    Inventor: Jeffrey Raynor
  • Patent number: 7545423
    Abstract: A CMOS image sensor with improved sensitivity includes a main pixel array region of an active pixel array region formed on a semiconductor substrate. A passivation layer is formed over the sensor, and it is at least partially removed from the main pixel array region, such that incident light being detected by the main pixel array does not pass through the passivation layer. Optical absorption and refraction caused by the material of the passivation layer are eliminated, resulting in an image sensor with improved optical sensitivity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2009
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Young Hoon Park, Ki Hong Kim, Bum Suk Kim, Jeong Hoon Bae, Yu Jin Ahn, Jung Chak Ahn, Soo Cheol Lee, Yong Jei Lee, Sung In Hwang
  • Patent number: 7535042
    Abstract: A pixel cell with controlled leakage is formed by modifying the location and gate profile of a high dynamic range (HDR) transistor. The HDR transistor may have the gate profile of a transfer gate or a reset gate. The HDR transistor may be located on a side of the photodiode that is the same, opposite to, or perpendicular to the transfer gate. The leakage through the HDR transistor may be controlled by modifying the photodiode implants around the transistor. The photodiode implants at the HDR transistor may be placed similarly to the implants at the transfer gate. However, when the photodiode implants are moved away from the HDR transistor, leakage is reduced. When the photodiode implants are moved farther under the HDR transistor, leakage is increased to the extent desirable. The leakage through the HDR transistor may also be controlled by applying a voltage across the transistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2009
    Assignee: Aptina Imaging Corporation
    Inventor: Howard E. Rhodes
  • Patent number: 7531859
    Abstract: The solid-state imaging device in the present invention is a solid-state imaging device that includes plural pixel cells arranged on a semi-conductor substrate, and a driving unit installed on the semi-conductor substrate in order to drive each pixel cell, wherein each pixel cell includes: a photodiode which converts incident light into a signal charge; a transfer transistor which transfers the signal charge of the photodiode to a floating diffusion unit; the floating diffusion unit accumulates the transferred signal charge; and a control implantation layer which is positioned under a gate of the transfer transistor, and becomes a charge transfer path when the charge is transferred from the photodiode to the floating diffusion unit, wherein an impurity concentration of the control implantation layer is denser toward the bottom of the substrate than toward the surface of the semi-conductor substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2009
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventor: Syouzi Tanaka
  • Patent number: 7525131
    Abstract: Disclosed is a photoelectric surface including: a first group III nitride semiconductor layer that produces photoelectrons according to incidence of ultraviolet rays; and a second group III nitride semiconductor layer provided adjacent to the first group III nitride semiconductor layer and made of a thin-film crystal having c-axis orientation in a thickness direction, the second group III nitride semiconductor layer having an Al composition higher than that of the first group III nitride semiconductor layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2009
    Assignees: National University Corporation Shizuoka University, Hamamatsu Photonics K.K.
    Inventors: Masatomo Sumiya, Shunro Fuke, Tokuaki Nihashi, Minoru Hagino
  • Patent number: 7518170
    Abstract: A back illuminated imaging device 1 comprises a plurality charge blocking regions 19 which are arranged on a front surface 12 side, embedded in CCD charge transferring paths 21, and in which a first thickness T1 measured from the front surface 12 of first portions 19a extending along the CCD charge transferring paths 21 is larger than a first thickness T2 of second portions 19b extending along channel stops 20.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2009
    Assignees: Takeharu Etoh, Shimadzu Corporation
    Inventor: Takeharu Etoh
  • Patent number: 7508018
    Abstract: An image sensor includes a first conductivity type substrate with a trench formed in a predetermined portion thereof, a second conductivity type impurity region formed in the first conductivity type substrate below the trench and being a part of a photodiode, a second conductivity type first epitaxial layer filling the trench and being a part of the photodiode, and a first conductivity type second epitaxial layer formed over the second conductivity type first epitaxial layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2009
    Assignee: MagnaChip Semiconductor, Ltd.
    Inventor: Han-Seob Cha
  • Patent number: 7504680
    Abstract: A semiconductor device according to an aspect of the invention includes a semiconductor substrate, and a capacitor that is provided above the semiconductor substrate and is configured such that a dielectric film is sandwiched between a lower electrode and an upper electrode, the dielectric film being formed of an ABO3 perovskite-type oxide that includes at least one of Pb, Ba and Sr as an A-site element and at least one of Zr, Ti, Ta, Nb, Mg, W, Fe and Co as a B-site element, wherein a radius of curvature of a sidewall of the capacitor, when viewed from above or in a film thickness direction, is 250 [nm] or less, and a length of an arc with the radius of curvature is {250 [nm]×?/6 [rad]} or less.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2009
    Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Osamu Arisumi, Yoshinori Kumura, Kazuhiro Tomioka, Ulrich Egger, Haoran Zhuang, Bum-ki Moon
  • Patent number: 7498624
    Abstract: A solid-state imaging device comprises pixels including: a light receiving portion comprising intra-substrate photoelectric conversion portions, formed in a silicon substrate, that detect light rays of different color, an on-substrate photoelectric conversion portion, stacked above the intra-substrate photoelectric conversion portions, that detects light rays of a color differing from the colors detected by the intra-substrate photoelectric conversion portions; first and second signal read circuits that read signals corresponding to electric charges in the intra-substrate photoelectric conversion portions and signals corresponding to electric charges in the on-substrate photoelectric conversion portion, respectively. The electric charges in the intra-substrate photoelectric conversion portions are electrons, and the electric charges in the on-substrate photoelectric conversion portions are positive holes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2009
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventor: Nobuo Suzuki
  • Patent number: 7495206
    Abstract: A complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) device with a three dimensional integration structure and a method for fabricating the same are provided. An image sensor includes a first substrate in which a photo detection device is formed; a second substrate in which a peripheral circuit is formed, wherein the first substrate and the second substrate are bonded through a plurality of bonding pads formed on both the first substrate and the second substrate, and a back side of the first substrate is turned upside down; and a microlens formed on a top portion of the back side of the first substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2009
    Assignee: MagnaChip Semiconductor, Ltd.
    Inventor: Sang-Kyun Park
  • Patent number: 7479675
    Abstract: A solid-state image pickup device that can suppress the dark current with respect to the photo-electrons overflowing from the photodiode, as well as its manufacturing method. Each pixel has the following parts: photodiode, transfer transistor, floating diffusion, accumulating capacitive element, and accumulating transistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2009
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventor: Satoru Adachi
  • Patent number: 7459729
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a structure of package including: a substrate with a die receiving through hole, a connecting through hole structure and a first contact pad; a die having micro lens area disposed within the die receiving through hole; a transparent cover covers the micro lens area; a surrounding material formed under the die and filled in the gap between the die and sidewall of the die receiving though hole; a dielectric layer formed on the die and the substrate; a re-distribution layer (RDL) formed on the dielectric layer and coupled to the first contact pad; a protection layer formed over the RDL; and a second contact pad formed at the lower surface of the substrate and under the connecting through hole structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2008
    Assignee: Advanced Chip Engineering Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Wen-Kun Yang, Jui-Hsien Chang, Tung-chuan Wang
  • Patent number: 7446357
    Abstract: A pixel array architecture having multiple pixel cells arranged in a split trunk pixel layout and sharing common pixel cell components. The array architecture increases the fill factor, and in turn, the quantum efficiency of the pixel cells. The common pixel cell components may be shared by a number of pixels in the array, and may include several components that are associated with the storage and readout of a signal from the pixel cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2008
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Jeffrey A. McKee
  • Patent number: 7442973
    Abstract: By improving the embedding property of a light-transmissive material constituting a waveguide, light collection efficiency is improved, and reliability of a solid-state imaging device is ensured. In a solid-state imaging device including a light-receiving section (1) which performs photoelectric conversion in response to receipt of light and a waveguide (20) composed of a light-transmissive material formed in an insulating film 5 which covers a substrate provided with the light-receiving section (1), in which the waveguide (20) guides incident light from outside to the light-receiving section (1), the waveguide (20) is provided with a forward tapered portion in which the size of the planar shape viewed from the direction of incident light decreases from the light incident side surface toward the light-receiving section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2008
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Tetsuya Komoguchi, Yoshiyuki Enomoto
  • Patent number: 7432530
    Abstract: A solid-state imaging device includes: a substrate; a photo-receiving portion formed in the substrate; a wiring layer formed on the substrate and having a trench being formed on a region directly above the photo-receiving portion; and a light guiding member provided in the trench and made of organic material. An empty space is formed between a side wall of the trench and a side surface of the light guiding member. The side surface of the light guiding member is curved so that a central part of the side surface along a vertical direction is closer to a center axis of the trench than both end parts of the side surface along the vertical direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2008
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Atsuko Yamashita, Toshihiko Kitamura, Takashi Doi, Masaaki Ogawa, Takayuki Sakai
  • Patent number: 7420235
    Abstract: In the solid-state imaging device of the present invention having a photoelectric conversion section and a charge transfer section equipped with a charge transfer electrode for transferring an electric charge generated in the photoelectric conversion section, the charge transfer electrode has an alternate arrangement of a first layer electrode including a first layer electrically conducting film and a second layer electrode including a second layer electrically conducting film, which are formed on a gate oxide film including a laminate film consisting of a silicon oxide film and a metal oxide thin film, and the first layer electrode and the second layer electrode are separated by insulation with an interelectrode insulating film including a sidewall insulating film formed by a CVD process to cover the lateral wall of the first layer electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Assignee: Fujifilm Corporation
    Inventor: Maki Saito
  • Patent number: 7411233
    Abstract: An active pixel sensor for producing images from electron-hole producing radiation includes a crystalline semiconductor substrate having an array of electrically conductive diffusion regions, an interlayer dielectric (ILD) layer formed over the crystalline semiconductor substrate and comprising an array of contact electrodes, and an interconnect structure formed over the ILD layer, wherein the interconnect structure includes at least one layer comprising an array of conductive vias. An array of patterned metal pads is formed over the interconnect structure and are electrically connected to an array of charge collecting pixel electrodes. A radiation absorbing structure includes a photoconductive N-I-B-P photodiode layer formed over the interconnect structure, and a surface electrode layer establishes an electrical field across the radiation absorbing structure and between the surface electrode layer and each of the array of charge collecting pixel electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: e-Phocus, Inc
    Inventors: Calvin Chao, Tzu-Chiang Hsieh, Michael Engelmann, Milam Pender
  • Patent number: 7405437
    Abstract: A CMOS image sensor includes a first conductive type semiconductor substrate defined by a photodiode area and a transistor area, a trench formed in the semiconductor substrate corresponding to a transfer transistor of the transistor area, a gate electrode of the transfer transistor, formed in the trench, a second conductive type impurity ion area formed in the semiconductor substrate of the photodiode area, and a first conductive type impurity ion area formed on a surface of the second conductive type impurity ion area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2008
    Assignee: Dongbu Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hee Sung Shim, Tae Woo Kim