Imager Including Structural Or Functional Details Of The Device (epo) Patents (Class 257/E27.13)

  • Publication number: 20110024854
    Abstract: A solid state imaging device includes a P-type semiconductor substrate 1A, a P-type epitaxial layer 1B grown on the semiconductor substrate 1A, an imaging region VR grown within the epitaxial layer 1B, and an N-type semiconductor region 1C grown within the epitaxial layer 1B. The solid state imaging device further includes a horizontal shift register HR that transmits a signal from the imaging region VR, and a P-type well region 1D formed within the epitaxial layer 1B. The N-type semiconductor region 1C extends in the well region 1D. A P-type impurity concentration in the well region 1D is higher than a P-type impurity concentration in the epitaxial layer 1B. A multiplication register EM that multiplies electrons from the horizontal shift register HR is formed in the well region 1D.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2010
    Publication date: February 3, 2011
    Inventors: Hisanori Suzuki, Yasuhito Yoneta, Shin-ihiro Takagi, Kentaro Maeta, Masaharu Muramatsu
  • Publication number: 20110024859
    Abstract: A photoelectric conversion device has a high S/N ratio and can increase the detection efficiency even under a low luminance. The photoelectric conversion device generates an increased electric charge by impact ionization in a photoelectric conversion unit formed from a chalcopyrite type semiconductor, so as to improve dark current characteristic.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2009
    Publication date: February 3, 2011
    Applicant: Rohm Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Kenichi Miyazaki, Osamu Matsushima, Shigeru Niki, Keiichiro Sakurai, Shogo Ishizuka
  • Publication number: 20110018088
    Abstract: A composition which comprises a conjugated polymer, a fullerene derivative, a first solvent, and a second solvent. When the sum of the weight of the first solvent and the weight of the second solvent is taken as 100, the weight of the first solvent is 70-97. The first solvent at 25° C. has a surface tension exceeding 25 mN/m, and the second solvent at 25° C. has a surface tension of 15-25 mN/m.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2009
    Publication date: January 27, 2011
    Applicant: SUMITOMO CHEMICAL COMPANY, LIMITED
    Inventor: Takahiro Seike
  • Publication number: 20110018041
    Abstract: To provide a semiconductor device and a driving method of the same that is capable of enlarging a signal amplitude value as well as increasing a range in which a linear input/output relationship operates while preventing a signal writing-in time from becoming long. The semiconductor device having an amplifying transistor and a biasing transistor and the driving method thereof, wherein an electric discharging transistor is provided and pre-discharge is performed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2010
    Publication date: January 27, 2011
    Inventor: Hajime Kimura
  • Publication number: 20110013067
    Abstract: A photoelectric conversion apparatus includes: a first semiconductor region forming a part of a photoelectric conversion element; a second semiconductor region stacked on the first semiconductor region, and forming a part of the photoelectric conversion element; a third semiconductor region to which a signal charge transferred from the photoelectric conversion element; a fourth semiconductor region of the first conductivity type having an higher impurity concentration, between the first and third semiconductor region and between the second and third semiconductor regions, closer to a main surface than the first semiconductor region, and connected to the first semiconductor region; a first gate electrode over the fourth semiconductor region, an insulating film on the main surface and between the first gate electrode and the fourth semiconductor region; and a second gate electrode between the third and fourth semiconductor regions, and over the insulating film.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2009
    Publication date: January 20, 2011
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Yuichiro Yamashita
  • Patent number: 7872262
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a pixel structure is provided. A first patterned conductive layer including a gate and a data line is formed on a substrate. A gate insulating layer is formed to cover the first patterned conductive layer and a semiconductor channel layer is formed on the gate insulating layer above the gate. A second patterned conductive layer including a scan line, a common line, a source and a drain is formed on the gate insulating layer and the semiconductor channel layer. The scan line is connected to the gate and the common line is located above the data line. The source and drain are located on the semiconductor channel layer, and the source is connected to the data line. A passivation layer is formed on the substrate to cover the second patterned conductive layer. A pixel electrode connected to the drain is formed on the passivation layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2011
    Assignee: Au Optronics Corporation
    Inventors: Hsiang-Lin Lin, Sung-Kao Liu
  • Publication number: 20110001039
    Abstract: Provided are a solid-state imaging device and A/D converter circuit comprising: series-connected capacitative elements; a voltage comparator circuit comparing the output of the capacitative element C1 with a threshold voltage; a first input circuit inputting an analog voltage signal to the node between the capacitative elements C1 and C2; a second input circuit inputting a first reference voltage, monotonously changing in a first conversion process for finding the upper-order bit value, to the node between the capacitative elements C2 and C3; a third input circuit inputting a second reference voltage, monotonously changing in a second conversion process for finding an unconverted bit value after the first conversion process, to the input terminal of the capacitative element C3; and a control circuit generating a control signal to hold the first reference voltage in the capacitative element C3 when the output of the voltage comparator circuit changes in the first conversion process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2009
    Publication date: January 6, 2011
    Applicant: SHARP KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Kozo Hoshino
  • Publication number: 20100327392
    Abstract: A back-illuminated image sensor includes a sensor layer of a first conductivity type having a frontside and a backside opposite the frontside. An insulating layer is disposed over the backside. A circuit layer is formed adjacent to the frontside such that the sensor layer is positioned between the circuit layer and the insulating layer. One or more frontside regions of a second conductivity type are formed in at least a portion of the frontside of the sensor layer. A backside region of the second conductivity type is formed in the backside of the sensor layer. A plurality of frontside photodetectors of the first conductivity type is disposed in the sensor layer. A distinct plurality of backside photodetectors of the first conductivity type separate from the plurality of frontside photodetectors is formed in the sensor layer contiguous to portions of the backside region of the second conductivity type.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2009
    Publication date: December 30, 2010
    Inventors: John P. McCarten, Cristian A. Tivarus, Joseph R. Summa
  • Publication number: 20100327391
    Abstract: A back-illuminated image sensor includes a sensor layer of a first conductivity type having a frontside and a backside opposite the frontside. One or more regions of a second conductivity type are formed in at least a portion of the sensor layer adjacent to the frontside. The one or more regions are connected to a voltage terminal for biasing these regions to a predetermined voltage. A backside well of the second conductivity type is formed in the sensor layer adjacent to the backside. The backside well is electrically connected to another voltage terminal for biasing the backside well at a second predetermined voltage that is different from the first predetermined voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2009
    Publication date: December 30, 2010
    Inventors: John P. McCarten, Cristian A. Tivarus, Joseph R. Summa
  • Publication number: 20100327386
    Abstract: A photodiode array includes a substrate of a common read-out control circuit; and a plurality of photodiodes arrayed on the substrate and each including an absorption layer, and a pair of a first conductive-side electrode and a second conductive-side electrode. In this photodiode array, each of the photodiodes is isolated from adjacent photodiodes, the first conductive-side electrodes are provided on first conductivity-type regions and electrically connected in common across all the photodiodes, and the second conductive-side electrodes are provided on second conductivity-type regions and individually electrically connected to read-out electrodes of the read-out control circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2009
    Publication date: December 30, 2010
    Applicant: Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Youichi Nagai, Yasuhiro Iguchi
  • Patent number: 7859604
    Abstract: A pad area and a method of fabricating the same, wherein the pad area is formed on a substrate to contact a chip on glass (COG) or a chip on flexible printed circuit (COF) with the substrate. Changing a lower structure of the pad area increases contact points between conductive balls and an interconnection layer or reduces a step difference between an interconnection layer and a passivation layer to enhance and ensure electrical connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2010
    Assignee: Samsung Mobile Display Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chang-Yong Jeong, Tae-Wook Kang, Won-Kyu Kwak
  • Patent number: 7858401
    Abstract: An image sensor includes: a light source that irradiates a light on an object; a lens body that converges a reflection of the light from the object; a plurality of IC chips that receive the reflection passed through the lens body; and a transparent member provided between the IC chips and the lens body. The transparent member includes a refractive index changing region provided at a portion opposite to a gap between adjacent IC chips. A refractive index in the refractive index changing region increases continuously or stepwise toward an inner portion of the transparent member from a surface of the transparent member on an IC chips side so that the refractive index changing region refracts a part of the reflection to be incident into the gap to the IC chips.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2010
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Takafumi Endo, Yohei Nokami
  • Patent number: 7847292
    Abstract: A flat panel display that can prevent a voltage drop of a driving power and, at the same time, minimizes the characteristic reduction of electronic devices located in a circuit region where various circuit devices are located includes: a substrate; an insulating film arranged on the substrate; a pixel region including at least one light emitting diode, the pixel region arranged on the insulating film and adapted to display an image; a circuit region arranged on the insulating film and including electronic devices adapted to control signals supplied to the pixel region; and a conductive film interposed between the substrate and the insulating film in a region corresponding to the pixel region and electrically connected to one electrode of the light emitting diode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Assignee: Samsung Mobile Display Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jae-Bon Koo, Jae-Kyeong Jeong, Hyun-Soo Shin, Yeon-Gon Mo
  • Patent number: 7842985
    Abstract: Disclosed is a CMOS image sensor including a gate electrode of a finger type transfer transistor for controlling the saturation state of a floating diffusion region according to the luminance level (i.e. low luminance or high luminance). The CMOS image sensor includes first and second photodiode regions for generating electrons in response to incident light, and a transfer transistor positioned between the first and second photodiodes for receiving the generated electrons transferred from the first and/or second photodiode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2010
    Assignee: Dongbu Hitek Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Keun Hyuk Lim
  • Patent number: 7842922
    Abstract: A thermopile infrared sensor array, comprises a sensor chip with a number of thermopile sensor elements, made from a semiconductor substrate and corresponding electronic components. The sensor chip is mounted on a support circuit board and enclosed by a cap in which a lens is arranged. The aim is the production of a monolithic infrared sensor array with a high thermal resolution capacity with a small chip size and which may be economically produced. The aim is achieved by arranging a thin membrane made from non-conducting material on the semiconductor substrate of the sensor chip on which the thermopile sensor elements are located in an array. Under each thermopile sensor element, the back side of the membrane is uncovered in a honeycomb pattern by etching and the electronic components are arranged in the boundary region of the sensor chip. An individual pre-amplifier with a subsequent low-pass filter may be provided for each column and each row of sensor elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2010
    Assignee: Heimann Sensor GmbH
    Inventors: Wilhelm Leneke, Marion Simon, Mischa Schulze, Karlheinz Storck, Joerg Schieferdecker
  • Publication number: 20100295143
    Abstract: A two-dimensional solid-state imaging device includes: pixel regions arranged in a two-dimensional matrix, wherein each pixel region has a plurality of subpixel regions, a metal layer with an opening of an opening size smaller than the wavelength of an incoming electromagnetic wave and a photoelectric conversion element are arranged with an insulating film interposed therebetween, at least one photoelectric conversion element is arranged in the opening provided at a portion of the metal layer in each subpixel region, a projection image of the opening is included in a light receiving region of the photoelectric conversion element, the opening is arrayed so as to cause a resonance state based on surface plasmon polariton excited by the incoming electromagnetic wave, and near-field light generated near the opening in the resonance state is converted to an electrical signal by the photoelectric conversion element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2010
    Publication date: November 25, 2010
    Applicant: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventor: Sozo Yokogawa
  • Publication number: 20100289034
    Abstract: A lens forming method according to the present invention for forming lenses capable of focusing light on a plurality of respective photoelectric conversion sections constituting of a semiconductor apparatus is described. The method includes a lens forming step of processing a lens forming material, in which an average gradient of a ? curve indicating a residual film thickness with respect to the amount of irradiation light is between ?15 and ?0.8 nm·cm2/mJ within the range of a residual film ratio of 10 to 50% or within the range of the amount of irradiation light of 55 to 137 mJ/cm2 into a lens surface shape, using a photomask with an optical transmittance that is varied according to a lens surface shape, as an exposure mask.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2010
    Publication date: November 18, 2010
    Applicant: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Junichi Nakai
  • Patent number: 7821092
    Abstract: An open portion is provided to an interlayer insulation film so as to correspond to a photoreceptor part of an optical detection device. A partition wall for surrounding the open portion (120) is formed by a metal material inside a wiring structure layer (90) along the boundary between the photoreceptor part (4) and a circuit part (6). The partition wall is formed by a contact structure having a multi-level structure with respect to a separation region (74) disposed on the external periphery of the photoreceptor part (4). The partition wall prevents moisture absorption and light penetration from the wall surface of the open portion, and suppresses wiring degradation or fluctuation of the characteristics of the circuit elements on the periphery of the photoreceptor part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2010
    Assignees: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd., Sanyo Semiconductor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Akihiro Hasegawa
  • Patent number: 7812382
    Abstract: An image sensing apparatus includes an image sensing region where a plurality of pixels are two-dimensionally arrayed. Each pixel includes a photoelectric conversion unit, and a semiconductor region arranged below an element isolation region having an insulation film to isolate the photoelectric conversion unit from an adjacent pixel. The semiconductor region includes a plurality of diffusion layers. The offset amount of at least one diffusion layer in the semiconductor region with respect to the normal line is larger in a pixel arranged at the peripheral portion of the image sensing region than a pixel arranged at the center of the image sensing region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Satoko Iida
  • Patent number: 7808066
    Abstract: An image sensor includes a semiconductor substrate including a pixel region and a peripheral circuit region; interlayer insulating films including metal wires arranged on the pixel region and the peripheral circuit region; and a photodiode and an upper electrode disposed on the interlayer insulating film of the pixel region. Further, the image sensor includes a protective layer disposed on the semiconductor substrate including the upper electrode and the interlayer insulating film of the peripheral circuit region and having a sloping portion in a region corresponding to the sidewall of the photodiode; via holes disposed on the protective layer so as to selectively expose the upper electrode and the metal wires of the peripheral circuit region; and upper wiring disposed on the protective layer including the via holes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2010
    Assignee: Dongbu HiTek Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kang-Hyun Lee
  • Publication number: 20100243906
    Abstract: A radiation-sensitive detector includes a first substrate 202 with first and second opposing sides. The first side detects incident radiation, and the first substrate 202 produces a signal indicative of the detected radiation. At least one electrical contact 204 is located on the first substrate 202. An electrically conductive material 214 is coupled to the at least one electrical contact 204. The electrically conductive material 214 has a melting point in a range of about seventy-two (72) degrees Celsius to about ninety-five (95) degrees Celsius.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2008
    Publication date: September 30, 2010
    Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS N.V.
    Inventors: Nicolaas Johannes Anthonius Van Veen, Rob Van Asselt
  • Publication number: 20100238331
    Abstract: A semiconductor device is provided as a back-illuminated solid-state imaging device. The device is manufactured by bonding a first semiconductor wafer with a pixel array in a half-finished product state and a second semiconductor wafer with a logic circuit in a half-finished product state together, making the first semiconductor wafer into a thin film, electrically connecting the pixel array and the logic circuit, making the pixel array and the logic circuit into a finished product state, and dividing the first semiconductor wafer and the second semiconductor being bonded together into microchips.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2010
    Publication date: September 23, 2010
    Applicant: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Taku Umebayashi, Hiroshi Takahashi, Reijiroh Shohji
  • Patent number: 7800146
    Abstract: A pixel cell array architecture having ion implant regions as isolation regions between adjacent active areas of pixels in the array. In one exemplary embodiment, the invention provides an ion-doped p-well region separating n-type photosensitive areas of neighboring pixel cells. The pixel cells have increased fill factor without encountering the disadvantages associated with conventional shallow trench isolation regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2010
    Assignee: Aptina Imaging Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffrey A. McKee, Richard A. Mauritzson
  • Patent number: 7795656
    Abstract: An image sensor device includes an optical black pixel region and an active pixel region. The image sensor device includes a light receiving unit including a plurality of light sensitive semiconductor devices that are configured to detect light incident thereon, a pixel metal wire layer including a transparent material on the light receiving unit and including a plurality of metal wires therein, and a filter unit on the pixel metal wire layer. The filter unit includes a plurality of filters that are configured to transmit light according to a wavelength thereof. The filters of the filter unit in the optical black pixel region of the image sensor device have a single color. The image sensor device further includes a light blocking layer in the optical black pixel region between the filter unit and the light receiving unit. The light blocking layer is configured to block light that passes through the filter unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chang-rok Moon
  • Patent number: 7791117
    Abstract: To fabricate an active matrix type display device integrated with an image sensor at a low cost and without complicating process, an image sensor laminated with TFT and a light receiving unit is formed on a light receiving matrix, a display matrix is arranged with TFT and pixel electrodes on a matrix and formed with an electrode layer functioning as a black matrix, a lower electrode of the light receiving unit is formed by a starting film the same as that of the black matrix, a terminal for fixing potential of an upper electrode is formed by starting films the same as those of a signal line, the electrode layer or pixel electrodes and the terminals function also as shield electrodes for a side face of the light receiving unit since potential thereof is fixed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hongyong Zhang, Masayuki Sakakura, Yurika Satou
  • Patent number: 7785915
    Abstract: A method is disclosed which includes providing an imager substrate comprised of at least one imager device, providing a transparent substrate, forming a plurality of standoff structures on one of the imager substrate and the transparent substrate, the standoff structures having a width, forming an adhesive material having an initial thickness on a surface on at least one of the standoff structures, the adhesive material having an initial width that is less than the width of the standoff structures, and urging one of the imager substrate and the transparent substrate toward the other until such time as the imager substrate and the transparent substrate are in proper focal position relative to one another, the urging causing the initial thickness of the adhesive material to be reduced to a final thickness that is less than the initial thickness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: Aptina Imaging Corporation
    Inventor: Warren Farnworth
  • Publication number: 20100201966
    Abstract: Two charge quantities (Q1,Q2) are output from respective pixels P (m,n) of the back-illuminated distance measuring sensor 1 as signals d?(m,n) having the distance information. Since the respective pixels P (m,n) output signals d?(m,n) responsive to the distance to an object H as micro distance measuring sensors, a distance image of the object can be obtained as an aggregate of distance information to respective points on the object H if reflection light from the object H is imaged on the pickup area 1B. If carriers generated at a deep portion in the semiconductor in response to incidence of near-infrared light for projection are led in a potential well provided in the vicinity of the carrier-generated position opposed to the light incident surface side, high-speed and accurate distance measurement is enabled.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2008
    Publication date: August 12, 2010
    Applicant: HAMAMATSU PHOTONICS K.K.
    Inventors: Mitsuhito Mase, Takashi Suzuki, Seiichiro Mizuno, Mitsutaka Takemura
  • Publication number: 20100194955
    Abstract: A pixel of a complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) image sensor includes a plurality of photodiodes for sensing light to thereby generate photoelectric charges in different regions; a plurality of transfer transistors for transferring photoelectric charges of corresponding photodiodes in response to a first control signal; a floating diffusion region for receiving photoelectric charges transferred by the plurality of transfer transistors; a rest transistor connected between a power supply voltage and the floating diffusion region for resetting the floating diffusion region by controlling a voltage loaded on the floating diffusion region in response to a second control signal; a drive transistor connected between the power supply voltage and the floating diffusion region to serve as a source follower buffer amplifier; and a select transistor connected between the drive transistor and a pixel output terminal for performing an addressing operation in response to a third control signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2009
    Publication date: August 5, 2010
    Inventor: Nan-Yi Lee
  • 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: 7768010
    Abstract: Provided are a poly crystalline silicon semiconductor device and a method of fabricating the same. Portions of a silicon layer except for gates are removed to reduce a parasitic capacitance caused from the silicon layer existing on gate bus lines. The silicon layer exists under the gates only, thus the parasitic capacitance is reduced and the deterioration and the delay of signals are prevented. Accordingly, the poly crystalline silicon semiconductor device, such as a thin film transistor, has excellent electric characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2010
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Do-young Kim, Takashi Noguchi
  • Patent number: 7768088
    Abstract: In a solid-state imaging device including an on-chip microlens and a light-receiving part to receive incident light condensed by the on-chip microlens, an optical waveguide extending from an undersurface part of the microlens to the light-receiving part and for guiding the incident light condensed by the microlens to the light-receiving part is formed to be integrated with the microlens. By this, since the incident light condensed by the microlens is incident on the light-receiving part with little loss, the sensitivity is improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2010
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventor: Toshiaki Fukunaga
  • Publication number: 20100187403
    Abstract: Disclosed is a solid-state image pickup apparatus including a photoelectric converter formed on a substrate, a wiring portion formed above the photoelectric converter and constituted of multilayer wirings, and an insulating portion in which the multilayer wirings of the wiring portion are embedded, the insulating portion having a refractive index larger than a silicon oxide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2010
    Publication date: July 29, 2010
    Applicant: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Koji Kikuchi
  • Patent number: 7763483
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing an array substrate for a liquid crystal display device includes forming a gate line, a gate pad and a gate electrode on a substrate through a first mask process, forming a data line, a data pad, a source electrode, a drain electrode and an active layer on the substrate including the gate line, the gate pad and the gate electrode through a second mask process, wherein the data line crosses the gate line to define a pixel region, the source electrode is extended from the data line, the drain electrode is spaced apart from the source electrode, and the active layer is disposed between the gate electrode and the source and drain electrodes, forming a passivation layer on an entire surface of the substrate including the data line, the source electrode and the drain electrode through a third mask process, the passivation layer being etched to expose the substrate in the pixel region, a part of the drain electrode, the gate pad and the data pad, and forming a pixel electrode, a gate pad ter
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2010
    Assignee: LG Display Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Youn-Gyoung Chang, Heung-Lyul Cho, Soon-Sung Yoo
  • Patent number: 7755122
    Abstract: A CMOS image sensor including a light-receiving element, at least one transistor, a first dielectric layer, a reflective layer, a second dielectric layer, a protective layer, a material layer, a transparent material layer, an optical filter, and a converging element is described. The light-receiving element and the transistor are disposed respectively inside the light sensing region and the transistor region. The first dielectric layer is disposed on the substrate, covering the transistor and the light-receiving element. The reflective layer is disposed on the first dielectric layer inside the light sensing region. The second dielectric layer is disposed on the first dielectric layer outside of the reflective layer. The material layer is disposed on the first dielectric layer inside of the reflective layer. The optical filter is disposed on the transparent material layer and the converging element is disposed on the optical filter inside the light sensing region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2010
    Assignee: United Microelectronics Corp.
    Inventor: Chiu-Te Lee
  • Publication number: 20100165161
    Abstract: A photoelectric conversion apparatus includes: a first photoelectric conversion element generating a current by photoelectric conversion; a first current amplifying element for amplifying the current generated by the first photoelectric conversion element; a first detecting unit for detecting a reverse bias voltage value of the first photoelectric conversion element; and a first setting unit for setting the reverse bias voltage value of the first photoelectric conversion element at a first normal value based on a result of the detection by the first detecting unit, wherein the first normal value is larger than a depleting voltage of the first photoelectric conversion element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2009
    Publication date: July 1, 2010
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hideo Kobayashi, Tomohisa Kinugasa
  • Publication number: 20100155867
    Abstract: A semiconductor device (1) includes a plurality of photodiodes (20) on a semiconductor substrate (11). Cathodes (22) and a common anode (21) of the plurality of photodiodes (20 (20a, 20b)) are formed so as to be electrically independent from the semiconductor substrate (11), the plurality of photodiodes (20) have the common anode (21) and the plurality of separate cathodes (22), and an output of the common anode (21) is considered to be equivalent to a sum of outputs of the plurality of separate photodiodes (20). Alternatively, the plurality of photodiodes have a common cathode and a plurality of separate anodes, and an output of the common cathode is considered to be equivalent to a sum of outputs of a plurality of separate photodiodes. By completely electrically isolating the anode and the cathode of the photodiodes from the substrate, the noise characteristic can be reduced, and crosstalk can be reduced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2006
    Publication date: June 24, 2010
    Applicant: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventor: Chihiro Arai
  • Publication number: 20100142782
    Abstract: There is disclosed an imaging system comprising: a first integrated circuit including a photodiode array comprising a plurality of integrating photodiode elements formed in an array of rows and columns, the integrated circuit providing a plurality of output signals corresponding to an output of each photodiode; and a second integrated circuit for receiving as inputs the plurality of output signals from the first integrated circuit and including a plurality of multiplexers corresponding to the number of columns in the array, the outputs signals from a respective column forming inputs to a respective multiplexer, each multiplexer for selectively connecting one of the output signals to a multiplexer output, wherein each multiplexer is selectively switched between the plurality of output signals by a plurality of control lines, the number of control lines corresponding to the number of rows in the array.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2007
    Publication date: June 10, 2010
    Applicant: DETECTION TECHNOLOGY OY
    Inventors: Mikko Juntunen, Iiro Hietenen
  • Patent number: 7732885
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure with dual isolation structures is disclosed. The semiconductor structure may include a protruding isolation structure in a pixel array region of a substrate and an embedded isolation structure in a peripheral device region of the same substrate. A region of the protruding isolation structure extends from an upper surface of the substrate, while another region of the protruding isolation structure may, optionally, be embedded within the substrate. The embedded isolation structure is formed within the substrate and includes an upper surface that is substantially coplanar with the upper surface of the substrate. A method of forming the semiconductor structure with dual isolation structure is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: Aptina Imaging Corporation
    Inventors: James M. Chapman, Salman Akram
  • Publication number: 20100133635
    Abstract: The image sensor and an image sensing system including the same are provided. The image sensor includes a semiconductor substrate, a pixel array formed at a pixel area located in the semiconductor substrate and comprising a plurality of photoelectric converts, a plurality of driver circuits formed at a circuit area defined in the semiconductor substrate. The image sensor includes at least one heat blocker or heat shield. The at least one heat blocker may be formed between the pixel area and the circuit area in the semiconductor substrate. The heat blocker or heat shield may block or dissipate heat generated at the circuit area from being transferred to the pixel area through the semiconductor substrate. The heat blocker or heat shield may be used in image sensors using a back-side illumination sensor (BIS) structure or image sensors using a silicon on insulator (SOI) semiconductor substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2009
    Publication date: June 3, 2010
    Inventors: Kyung Ho Lee, Dong-Yoon Jang, Jung Chak Ahn, Moo Sup Lim, Yong Jei Lee, Jong Eun Park
  • Patent number: 7728365
    Abstract: A CMOS image sensor (CIS) process is described. A semiconductor substrate is provided, and then a gate dielectric layer, a gate material layer and a thickening layer are sequentially formed on the substrate, wherein the thickening layer includes at least a hard mask layer. The thickening layer is defined to form a transfer-gate pattern, and then the transfer-gate pattern is used as an etching mask to pattern the gate material layer and form a transfer gate. Ion implantation is then conducted to form a PN diode in the substrate with the transfer-gate pattern and the transfer gate as a mask.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: United Microelectronics Corp.
    Inventor: Ching-Hung Kao
  • Publication number: 20100127279
    Abstract: A solid state radiation detector capable of improving the sharpness of obtained radiation images. The solid state radiation detector includes: two scintillator layers that convert irradiated radiation to light; and a solid state photodetector, disposed between the two scintillators, that detects the light converted by the two scintillator layers and converts the detected light to electrical signals. Here, the scattering length of each of the scintillators is not greater than 100 ?m for the light propagating in the direction parallel to the surface of the scintillator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2006
    Publication date: May 27, 2010
    Inventor: Kenji Takahashi
  • Patent number: 7718459
    Abstract: The exemplary embodiments provide an imager with dual conversion gain charge storage and thus, improved dynamic range. A dual conversion gain element (e.g., Schottky diode) is coupled between a floating diffusion region and a respective capacitor. The dual conversion gain element switches in the capacitance of the capacitor, in response to charge stored at the floating diffusion region, to change the conversion gain of the floating diffusion region from a first conversion gain to a second conversion gain. In an additional aspect, the exemplary embodiments provide an ohmic contact between the gate of a source follower transistor and the floating diffusion region which assists in the readout of the dual conversion gain output signal of a pixel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2010
    Assignee: Aptina Imaging Corporation
    Inventors: Inna Patrick, Sungkwon C. Hong, Jeffrey A. McKee
  • Publication number: 20100108861
    Abstract: The invention relates to a multispectral imaging device comprising a multiple-quantum-well structure operating on inter-sub-band transitions by absorbing radiation at a wavelength ? lying within a set of wavelengths to which said structure is sensitive, said structure comprising a matrix of individual detection pixels, characterized in that the matrix is organized in subsets (Eij) of four individual detection pixels, a first individual detection pixel (P?1) comprising a first diffraction grating (R?1) sensitive to a first subset of wavelengths, a second individual detection pixel (P?2) comprising a second diffraction grating (R?2) sensitive to a second subset of wavelengths, a third individual detection pixel (P?3) comprising a third diffraction grating (R?3) sensitive to a third subset of wavelengths and a fourth individual detection pixel (P??) not comprising a wavelength-selective diffraction grating, the first, second and third subsets of wavelengths belonging to the set of wavelengths to which said struc
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2009
    Publication date: May 6, 2010
    Applicant: Thales
    Inventors: Alexandru Nedelcu, Philippe Bois, Eric Costard
  • Publication number: 20100102206
    Abstract: A near infrared/color photodetector made in a monolithic form in a lightly-doped substrate of a first conductivity type covering a holder and comprising a face on the side opposed to the holder. The photodetector includes at least first and second photodiodes for the storage of electric charges photogenerated in the substrate, the second photodiode being adjacent to said face; and a first region extending at least between the second photodiode and the holder, preventing the passage of said charges between a first substrate portion being located between said region and the holder and a second substrate portion extending between said face and the first region, the first photodiode being adapted to store at least charges photogenerated in the first substrate portion and the second photodiode being adapted to store charges photogenerated in the second substrate portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2009
    Publication date: April 29, 2010
    Applicant: STMicroelectronics S.A.
    Inventors: Yvon Cazaux, Jérôme Vaillant
  • Publication number: 20100102409
    Abstract: An image sensor element is provided according to an embodiment which comprises image sensor element portions sensitive to at least partially different wavelength ranges.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2008
    Publication date: April 29, 2010
    Applicant: Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications AB
    Inventor: Bjorn Hansson
  • Patent number: 7705360
    Abstract: An array substrate includes a substrate, a data line formed on the substrate, a passivation layer formed on the data line, a gate line including a gate electrode and a capacitor line formed on the passivation layer, a gate insulation layer formed on the gate electrode and the capacitor line, a semiconductor layer formed on the gate insulation layer, a contact hole formed through the passivation layer and the gate insulation layer to expose the data line and a source electrode and a drain electrode formed on the semiconductor layer. The capacitor electrode is overlapped with the data line. The source electrode is connected to the data line through the contact hole and the source electrode and the drain electrode include a transparent conductive material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2010
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Young-Joon Cho
  • Publication number: 20100096718
    Abstract: A backside illuminated image sensor includes a substrate, a backside passivation layer disposed on backside of the substrate, and a transparent conductive layer disposed on the backside passivation layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2008
    Publication date: April 22, 2010
    Inventors: Jaroslav HYNECEK, Leonard Forbes, Homayoon Haddad, Thomas Joy
  • 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: 7687289
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a pixel structure is provided. A first patterned conductive layer including a gate and a data line is formed on a substrate. A gate insulating layer is formed to cover the first patterned conductive layer and a semiconductor channel layer is formed on the gate insulating layer above the gate. A second patterned conductive layer including a scan line, a common line, a source and a drain is formed on the gate insulating layer and the semiconductor channel layer. The scan line is connected to the gate and the common line is located above the data line. The source and drain are located on the semiconductor channel layer, and the source is connected to the data line. A passivation layer is formed on the substrate to cover the second patterned conductive layer. A pixel electrode connected to the drain is formed on the passivation layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2010
    Assignee: Au Optronics Corporation
    Inventors: Hsiang-Lin Lin, Sung-Kao Liu
  • Publication number: 20100045836
    Abstract: An image sensor includes a conductive well in a semiconductor substrate, a photo sensitive device (PSD) in the semiconductor substrate below the conductive well, the PSD and conductive well overlapping each other, and a charge transmission unit in the semiconductor substrate and adjacent to the conductive well, the charge transmission unit having a structure of a recessed gate and being positioned in a recess region of the semiconductor substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2009
    Publication date: February 25, 2010
    Inventors: Yong Jei Lee, Jung Chak Ahn, Jong Eun Park, Dong-Yoon Jang