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

  • Publication number: 20100038740
    Abstract: The invention relates to image sensors produced on a thinned silicon substrate. To limit the optical crosstalk between adjacent filters and, notably filters of different colors, the invention proposes positioning, between the adjacent filters of different colors (FR, FB, FV), a wall (20) of a material tending to reflect the light so that the light arriving obliquely on a determined filter corresponding to a first pixel does not tend to pass toward an adjacent filter or toward a photosensitive zone corresponding to an adjacent pixel but is returned by the wall to the first filter or the photosensitive zone corresponding to the first pixel. The wall is preferably made of a material with a high reflection coefficient such as aluminium and it is sunk depthwise into the thinned semiconductor layer (16), preferably in p+ diffusions formed in the layer if it is of p-type.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2007
    Publication date: February 18, 2010
    Applicant: E2V Semiconductors
    Inventor: Pierre Fereyre
  • Patent number: 7663165
    Abstract: A pixel circuit, and method of forming a pixel circuit, an imager device, and a processing system include a photo-conversion device, a floating diffusion region for receiving and storing charge from the photo-conversion device, and a transparent transistor for use in operation of the pixel, wherein the transparent transistor is at least partially over the photo-conversion device, such that the photo-conversion device receives light passing through the transparent transistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2010
    Assignee: Aptina Imaging Corporation
    Inventor: Chandra Mouli
  • Publication number: 20100032736
    Abstract: In a CMOS image sensor, an N-type semiconductor layer is formed on a P-type semiconductor substrate. P-type semiconductor regions are formed in one part of the semiconductor layer over the entire length of the thickness direction of the semiconductor layer in a lattice-like shape as viewed from above to compartment the semiconductor layer into a plurality of regions. Furthermore, a red filter, a green filter and a blue filter are provided in a red picture element, a green picture element and a blue picture element, respectively. Moreover, an N-type buried semiconductor layer being in contact with the semiconductor layer is formed in an immediately lower region of the red filter in an upper layer part of the semiconductor substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2009
    Publication date: February 11, 2010
    Applicant: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventor: Gaku SUDO
  • Patent number: 7659499
    Abstract: A photoelectric conversion device including: a first electrode; a photoelectric conversion layer; and a second electrode, in this order, wherein the photoelectric conversion device further includes: a deterioration factor adsorptive and/or reactive layer which covers the first electrode, the photoelectric conversion layer and the second electrode and which has at least one of adsorptivity of adsorbing a deterioration factor and reactivity of reacting with the deterioration factor; and a passivation layer which covers the deterioration factor adsorptive and/or reactive layer to protect the first electrode, the photoelectric conversion layer and the second electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2010
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventor: Yoshiki Maehara
  • Patent number: 7655494
    Abstract: A trench photosensor for use in a CMOS imager having an improved charge capacity. The trench photosensor may be either a photogate or photodiode structure. The trench shape of the photosensor provides the photosensitive element with an increased surface area compared to a flat photosensor occupying a comparable area on a substrate. The trench photosensor also exhibits a higher charge capacity, improved dynamic range, and a better signal-to-noise ratio. Also disclosed are processes for forming the trench photosensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2010
    Assignee: Aptina Imaging Corporation
    Inventor: Howard E. Rhodes
  • Patent number: 7652291
    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: May 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2010
    Assignee: Samsung Mobile Display Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jae-Bon Koo, Jae-Kyeong Jeong, Hyun-Soo Shin, Yeon-Gon Mo
  • Publication number: 20100013039
    Abstract: The disclosure describes embodiments of a process comprising forming a pixel on a frontside of a substrate, the substrate having a frontside, a backside, and a thickness substantially equal to a distance between the frontside and the backside. The thickness of the substrate is reduced by removing material from the backside of the substrate to allow for backside illumination of the pixel, and the backside of the substrate is treated with a hydrogen plasma to passivate the backside. The disclosure also describes embodiments of an apparatus comprising a semiconductor wafer having a frontside, a backside, and a thickness substantially equal to a distance between the frontside and the backside, and a pixel formed on the frontside, wherein the thickness of the wafer is selected and adjusted to allow for illumination of the pixel through the backside of the wafer, and wherein the backside is treated with a hydrogen plasma to passivate the backside.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2008
    Publication date: January 21, 2010
    Applicant: OMNIVISION TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Yin Qian, Hsin-Chih Tai, Vincent Venezia, Duli Mao, Howard E. Rhodes
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20090294890
    Abstract: A sensor element (1, 20, 21, 22) capable of sensing more than one spectral band of electromagnetic radiation with the same (x-y) spatial location, especially where the dimensions x-y-z form a set of Cartesian coordinates with z parallel to the direction of incident electromagnetic radiation, is characterized in that the element consists of a stack of sub-elements (3, 5, 7) each capable of sensing different spectral bands of electromagnetic radiation. These sub-elements (3, 5, 7) each contain a non-silicon semiconductor where the non-silicon semiconductor in each sub-element (3, 5, 7) is sensitive to and/or has been sensitized to be sensitive to different spectral bands of electromagnetic radiation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2005
    Publication date: December 3, 2009
    Applicant: ETeCH AG
    Inventors: Michael Graetzel, Gordon Edge, Richard John Artley, Udo Bach
  • Publication number: 20090283845
    Abstract: A sensing apparatus includes a holding substrate, a sensing chip and a protection layer. The sensing chip is mounted on the holding substrate and electrically connected to the holding substrate. The sensing chip has a sensing region and a non-sensing region other than the sensing region. The sensing region senses image data of an object and thus generates a sensed signal outputted to the holding substrate. The protection layer is formed by a packaging material and is simultaneously processed and integrally formed to cover the sensing region and the non-sensing region of the sensing chip and the holding substrate. The protection layer has an exposed upper surface, which has one portion serving as a sensing surface in contact with the object. The entire protection layer is composed of the same material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2009
    Publication date: November 19, 2009
    Inventor: Bruce C.S. CHOU
  • Patent number: 7612425
    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: October 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2009
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Takafumi Endo, Yohei Nokami
  • Patent number: 7608903
    Abstract: An imager pixel utilizing a silicon-on-insulator substrate, a photodiode in said substrate below the buried oxide, and a dual contact to said photodiode and methods of forming said imager pixel. The photodiode has an increased fill factor due to its increased size relative to the pixel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2009
    Assignee: Aptina Imaging Corporation
    Inventor: Chandra Mouli
  • Publication number: 20090261235
    Abstract: A CMOS image sensor in which each pixel includes a conventional pinned diode (photodiode), a Wide Dynamic Range (WDR) detection (e.g., a simplified time-to-saturation (TTS)) circuit, a correlated double sampling (CDS) circuit, and a single output chain that is shared by both the CDS and WDR circuits. The pinned diode is used in the conversion of photons into charge in each pixel. In one embodiment, light received by the photodiode is processed using a TTS operation during the CDS integration phase, and the resulting TTS output signal is used to determine whether the photodiode is saturated. When the photodiode is saturated, the TTS output signal is processed to determine the amount of light received by the photodiode. When the photodiode is not saturated, the amount of light received by the photodiode is determined using signals generated by the readout phase of the CDS operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2009
    Publication date: October 22, 2009
    Applicant: Tower Semiconductor Ltd.
    Inventors: Assaf Lahav, Amos Fenigstein
  • Publication number: 20090256231
    Abstract: A photo-detector with a reduced G-R noise comprises two n-type narrow bandgap layers surrounding a middle barrier layer having an energy bandgap at least equal to the sum of the bandgaps of the two narrow bandgap layers. Under the flat band conditions the conduction band edge of each narrow bandgap layer lies below the conduction band edge of the barrier layer by at least the bandgap energy of the other narrow bandgap layer. When biased with an externally applied voltage, the more negatively biased narrow bandgap layer is the contact layer and the more positively biased narrow bandgap layer is the photon absorbing layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2007
    Publication date: October 15, 2009
    Applicant: Semi-Conductor Devices-An Elbit Systems-Rafael Partnership
    Inventor: Philip Klipstein
  • Publication number: 20090242939
    Abstract: A wafer for backside illumination type solid imaging device has a plurality of pixels inclusive of a photoelectric conversion device and a charge transfer transistor at its front surface side and a light receiving surface at its back surface side, wherein said wafer is a SOI wafer obtained by forming a given active layer on a support substrate made of C-containing n-type or p-type semiconductor material through an insulating layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2009
    Publication date: October 1, 2009
    Applicant: SUMCO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kazunari KURITA, Shuichi Omote
  • Publication number: 20090236498
    Abstract: A light sensor cell includes a photosensitive element, a floating diffusion region, and a gate oxide disposed between the photosensitive element and the floating diffusion region. The gate oxide has a non-uniform thickness, with a greater thickness near the photosensitive element and a lesser thickness near the floating diffusion region. A transfer gate is disposed on the gate oxide. The transfer gate has a non-uniform threshold voltage, with a greater threshold voltage near the photosensitive element and a lesser threshold voltage near the floating diffusion region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2008
    Publication date: September 24, 2009
    Applicant: OMNIVISION TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Satyadev Nagaraja, Hidetoshi Nozaki
  • Patent number: 7585691
    Abstract: In a solid-state imaging device, a light-shielding film 10a is formed of at least one of a high melting point metal film or a high melting point metal compound film. The surface of the light-shielding film 10a is constituted by an amorphous silicon film 13. Instead of the amorphous silicon film 13, the surface of the light-shielding film may be covered with any one of a high melting point metal film containing silicon, a high melting point metal silicide film and an oxide film. Thus, the adherence between the light-shielding film 10a and the resist can be increased and the resist can be prevented from being peeled from the light-shielding film, and thus a solid-state imaging device with a high yield even with small pixels and a method for producing the same can be provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2009
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Toshihiko Yano, Hitoshi Doi, Naoto Niisoe
  • Patent number: 7582944
    Abstract: An optical apparatus includes an optical device (LED device or semiconductor imaging device) having a photoreceptor/light-emitting region, a peripheral circuit region and an electrode region, a transparent member having a larger light passing through region than the optical device and including, on one surface thereof, protruding electrodes for connection to the optical device, external connection electrodes for connection to a mounting substrate, conductive interconnects for connecting the protruding electrodes and the external connection electrodes, and a transparent adhesive provided between the optical device and the transparent member. In the optical apparatus, one surface of the optical device in which the photoreceptor/light-emitting region is formed and one surface of the transparent member are arrange so as to face to each other and electrodes of the optical device and the protruding electrodes of the transparent member are electrically connected and also adhered by the transparent adhesive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2009
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Toshiyuki Fukuda, Yoshiki Takayama, Masanori Minamio, Tetsushi Nishio, Yutaka Harada
  • Publication number: 20090200624
    Abstract: A backside illuminated (“BSI”) imaging sensor pixel includes a photodiode region and pixel circuitry. The photodiode region is disposed within a semiconductor die for accumulating an image charge in response to light incident upon a backside of the BSI imaging sensor pixel. The pixel circuitry includes transistor pixel circuitry disposed within the semiconductor die between a frontside of the semiconductor die and the photodiode region. At least a portion of the pixel circuitry overlaps the photodiode region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2008
    Publication date: August 13, 2009
    Applicant: OMNIVISION TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Tiejun Dai, Hsin-Chih Tai, Sohei Manabe, Hidetoshi Nozaki, Howard E. Rhodes
  • Publication number: 20090200633
    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: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2008
    Publication date: August 13, 2009
    Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: James M. Chapman, Salman Akram
  • Publication number: 20090200632
    Abstract: One embodiment exemplarily described herein can be characterized as an image sensor including a substrate having a front surface and a rear surface; a photoelectric converting portion on the front surface of the substrate; a through via extending through the substrate, wherein the through via is electrically connected to the photoelectric converting portion; an external connection terminal on the rear surface of the substrate, wherein the external connection terminal is connected to the through via; and a light shading layer formed on a portion of the rear surface of the substrate, wherein the light shading layer is substantially opaque with respect to an external light. In some embodiments, the portion of the rear surface of the substrate on which the light shading layer is formed is not overlapped by the through via or the external connection terminal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2009
    Publication date: August 13, 2009
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hyuek-Jae LEE, Tae-Je CHO, Yong-Hwan KWON, Un-Byoung KANG, Chung-Sun LEE, Woon-Seong KWON, Hyung-Sun JANG
  • Publication number: 20090200629
    Abstract: A semiconductor device which includes a semiconductor chip formed with a light-reception area, a spacer, and a transparent substrate. The spacer is bonded to the semiconductor chip via a first adhesive and surrounding the light-reception area. The transparent substrate is bonded to the spacer via a second adhesive and disposed above the light-reception area. A first projection having a predetermined height is formed on a surface of the spacer which is on a side of the semiconductor chip, and the first projection abuts on the semiconductor chip.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2009
    Publication date: August 13, 2009
    Applicant: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiroshi Asami, Yoshihiro Nabe, Akihiro Morimoto
  • Patent number: 7566597
    Abstract: A thin film transistor array substrate and a manufacturing method thereof are provided. Wherein, scan lines and data lines are disposed on a substrate to define a plurality of pixel regions. Thin film transistors are disposed in the pixel regions correspondingly and driven by the scan lines and the data lines. Pixel electrodes are disposed in the pixel regions respectively and electrically connected to the corresponding thin film transistors. In addition, a gate insulating layer is disposed on the substrate to cover the scan lines and gates of the thin film transistors. A patterned leaning layer is disposed on the gate insulating layer and forms a plurality of non-continuous patterns under the data lines. The non-continuous patterns expose portions of the gate insulating layer under the data lines to which a portion of each data line can be directly attached.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2009
    Assignee: Chunghwa Picture Tubes, Ltd.
    Inventors: Meng-Chi Liou, Hsiao-Fen Chen
  • Publication number: 20090174017
    Abstract: A solid-state image sensor and a method for manufacturing thereof and a semiconductor device and a method for manufacturing thereof are provided. A semiconductor substrate is made to be the thin film without using an SOI substrate and cost is reduced. An edge detection portion having hardness larger than that of a semiconductor substrate is formed in the thickness direction of the semiconductor substrate; the semiconductor substrate is made to be the thin film until a position where the edge detection portion is exposed by chemical mechanical polishing from the rear surface; and means Tr1 for reading out a signal from a photoelectric conversion element PD formed in the substrate are formed on the front surface of the semiconductor substrate, where incident light is acquired from the rear surface of the semiconductor substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2009
    Publication date: July 9, 2009
    Applicant: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventor: Hirofumi Sumi
  • Patent number: 7538373
    Abstract: An imaging circuit, an imaging sensor, and a method of imaging. The imaging cell circuit including one or more imaging cell circuits, each imaging cell circuit comprising: a transistor having a floating body for holding charge generated in the floating body in response to exposure of the floating body to electromagnetic radiation; means for biasing the transistor wherein an output of the transistor is responsive to the electromagnetic radiation; and means for selectively connecting the floating body to a reset voltage supply.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2009
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: John J. Ellis-Monaghan, Mark D. Jaffe, Alain Loiseau
  • Patent number: 7528020
    Abstract: A method for forming a pattern is provided. First, a substrate is provided. Then, a discontinuous film is formed on the substrate so as to reduce the stress of the film. After that, the discontinuous film is patterned to form a pattern. Besides, a method for manufacturing a thin film transistor (TFT) is also provided. First, a substrate is provided. Then, a poly silicon island is formed on the substrate. After that, a gate insulating layer is formed to cover the poly silicon island. Then, a gate is formed on the gate insulating layer. After that, a source/drain is formed in the poly silicon island below one side and the other side of the gate respectively, and a channel layer is formed between the source/drain. At least one of the poly silicon island and the gate is formed according to the above mentioned method for forming the pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2009
    Assignee: Chungwa Picture Tubes, Ltd.
    Inventor: Hsi-Ming Chang
  • Patent number: 7514715
    Abstract: A trench isolation having a sidewall and bottom implanted region located within a substrate of a first conductivity type is disclosed. The sidewall and bottom implanted region is formed by an angled implant, a 90 degree implant, or a combination of an angled implant and a 90 degree implant, of dopants of the first conductivity type. The sidewall and bottom implanted region located adjacent the trench isolation reduces surface leakage and dark current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2009
    Assignee: Aptina Imaging Corporation
    Inventors: Howard Rhodes, Chandra Mouli
  • Publication number: 20090085138
    Abstract: The present invention is to reduce a manufacturing cost and improve productivity by manufacturing a small module in comparison with a conventional module and simplifying a process. In order to achieve the object, the present invention provides a glass cap molding package including a substrate with an external connection terminal formed on a peripheral region of a top surface; an image sensor mounted on the top surface of the substrate; a transparent member installed on an upper part of the image sensor; and a molding unit formed to seal the image sensor and the transparent member and exposing the external connection terminal of the substrate to a lateral surface of the substrate, a manufacturing method thereof and a camera module including the same.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2008
    Publication date: April 2, 2009
    Applicant: Samsung Electro-Mechanics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jin Mun RYU, Jung Seok Lee, Hyung Kyu Park, Bo Kyoung Kim, Yun Seok Woo, Jung Jin Kim
  • Publication number: 20090035888
    Abstract: An image sensor includes a substrate of a first conductivity type having an image area with a plurality of photosensitive sites, wherein a portion of the charge generated in response to light is collected in the pixel; and a subcollector of a second conductivity spanning the image area that collects another portion of the generated charge that would have otherwise diffused to adjacent photosensitive sites.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2008
    Publication date: February 5, 2009
    Inventors: James P. Lavine, Eric G. Stevens
  • Patent number: 7479657
    Abstract: There is provided a combination of doping process and use of side walls which allows the source and drain of a thin film transistor of an active matrix circuit to be doped with only one of N-type and P-type impurities and which allows the source and drain of a thin film transistor used in a peripheral circuit of the same conductivity type as that of the thin film transistor of the active matrix circuit to include both of N-type and P-type impurities. Also, a thin film transistor in an active matrix circuit has offset regions by using side walls, and another thin film transistor in a peripheral circuit has a lightly doped region by using side walls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2009
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hideomi Suzawa
  • Publication number: 20090008540
    Abstract: In a camera device of the present invention, a camera module 2 is mounted on a substrate 1 provided in the camera device by use of contact pins 3 for connecting first terminals provided on a backside of the camera module 2 to second terminals provided on the substrate 1. The contact pins 3 have first and second ends, and the first ends are soldered to ones of the first and second terminals and the second ends have contact with the other ones of the first and second terminals, respectively, so that the camera module 2 is electrically connected to the substrate 1, and the contact pins 3 are provided independently. This decreases restrictions on mounting the camera module 2 on the substrate 1, and also makes it possible to provide a camera device, in which the camera module 2 can be easily mounted on the substrate 1.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2008
    Publication date: January 8, 2009
    Applicant: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yoshinori Tanida
  • Publication number: 20090001433
    Abstract: Provided are an image sensor and a method of fabricating the same. The image sensor includes a substrate having an active area and a device isolation area; a well implantation area in the active area; a threshold voltage implantation area in the well implantation area; and a transistor gate on the threshold voltage implantation area, wherein the threshold voltage implantation has a width greater than a width of the transistor gate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2008
    Publication date: January 1, 2009
    Inventor: Joo Hyun LEE
  • Publication number: 20080296642
    Abstract: The present invention provides a photodiode comprising a first silicon semiconductor layer formed over an insulating layer, a second silicon semiconductor layer formed over the insulating layer, having a thickness ranging from greater than or equal to 3 nm to less than or equal to 36 nm, a low-concentration diffusion layer which is formed in the second silicon semiconductor layer and in which an impurity of either one of a P type and an N type is diffused in a low concentration, a P-type high-concentration diffusion layer which is formed in the first silicon semiconductor layer and in which the P-type impurity is diffused in a high concentration, and an N-type high-concentration diffusion layer which is opposite to the P-type high-concentration diffusion layer with the low-concentration diffusion layer interposed therebetween and in which the N-type impurity is diffused in a high concentration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2008
    Publication date: December 4, 2008
    Applicant: Oki Electric Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Noriyuki Miura
  • Patent number: 7456453
    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: June 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2008
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Shunsuke Inoue
  • Publication number: 20080251698
    Abstract: There is provided a semiconductor optical receiver module that performs efficient heat dissipation, without incurring an increase in cost. The semiconductor optical receiver module includes a substrate provided on a package, a semiconductor photodetector provided on the substrate, a chip capacitor provided on the substrate, and a preamp IC provided on the package, without the intermediation of the substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2007
    Publication date: October 16, 2008
    Applicant: NEC ELECTRONICS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yusuke KURIHARA, Kazuhiro MITAMURA
  • Publication number: 20080213939
    Abstract: In a solid-state imaging device, a light-shielding film 10a is formed of at least one of a high melting point metal film or a high melting point metal compound film. The surface of the light-shielding film 10a is constituted by an amorphous silicon film 13. Instead of the amorphous silicon film 13, the surface of the light-shielding film may be covered with any one of a high melting point metal film containing silicon, a high melting point metal silicide film and an oxide film. Thus, the adherence between the light-shielding film 10a and the resist can be increased and the resist can be prevented from being peeled from the light-shielding film, and thus a solid-state imaging device with a high yield even with small pixels and a method for producing the same can be provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2008
    Publication date: September 4, 2008
    Applicant: MATSUSHITA ELECTRIC INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Toshihiko Yano, Hitoshi Doi, Naoto Niisoe
  • Publication number: 20080210947
    Abstract: A solid-state imaging device having an arrangement in which well contact is achieved for each pixel is provided. In the solid-state imaging device, a well contact part is formed in an activation region of a photoelectric conversion portion. The well contact part fixes a well in which the photoelectric conversion portion and transistors of the pixel are provided at a predetermined potential.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2007
    Publication date: September 4, 2008
    Inventors: Takashi Abe, Ryoji Suzuki, Keiji Mabuchi, Testuya Iizuka, Takahisa Ueno, Tsutomu Haruta
  • Publication number: 20080210996
    Abstract: A frame shutter type device provides a separated well in which the storage node is located. The storage node is also shielded by a light shield to prevent photoelectric conversion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2008
    Publication date: September 4, 2008
    Inventors: Eric R. Fossum, Sandor L. Barna
  • Publication number: 20080191300
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a camera module. The camera module includes a circuit panel having a top side, a bottom side and transparent region, the circuit panel having conductors. The module further includes sensor unit disposed on the bottom side of the circuit panel, and the sensor unit includes a semiconductor chip having a front surface including an imaging area facing in a forward direction in alignment with the transparent region and an imaging circuit adapted to generate signals representative of an optical image impinging on the imaging area. The module further includes posts protruding from the bottom side of the circuit panel, wherein at least some of the posts being engagement posts having bottom surfaces, and at least some of the bottom surfaces abutting an engagement surface of the sensor unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2007
    Publication date: August 14, 2008
    Applicant: Tessera, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael J. Nystrom, David B. Tuckerman, Belgacem Haba, Giles Humpston, Jesse Burl Thompson
  • Publication number: 20080179633
    Abstract: The solid image pickup device of the present invention comprises a photoelectric conversion part, a charge-voltage conversion part for converting electric charges from the photoelectric conversion part to voltage signals, a signal amplifier for amplifying the voltage signals generated in the charge-voltage conversion part, charge transfer means for transferring photo-electric charges from the photoelectric conversion part to the charge-voltage conversion part, and means for applying a certain voltage to a charge-voltage conversion part, wherein at least two readout operations for reading out the photo-electric charges accumulated during a period of accumulating photo-electric charges in the photoelectric conversion part via a signal amplifier.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2007
    Publication date: July 31, 2008
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Toru Koizumi
  • Publication number: 20080179599
    Abstract: A salicide process is conducted to a thin film integrated circuit without worrying about damages to a glass substrate, and thus, high-speed operation of a circuit can be achieved. A base metal film, an oxide and a base insulating film are formed over a glass substrate. A TFT having a sidewall is formed over the base insulating film, and a metal film is formed to cover the TFT. Annealing is conducted by RTA or the like at such a temperature that does not cause shrinkage of the substrate, and a high-resistant metal silicide layer is formed in source and drain regions. After removing an unreacted metal film, laser irradiation is conducted for the second annealing; therefore a silicide reaction proceeds and the high-resistant metal silicide layer becomes a low-resistant metal silicide layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2007
    Publication date: July 31, 2008
    Applicant: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tetsuji YAMAGUCHI, Atsuo Isobe, Satoru Saito
  • Publication number: 20080157134
    Abstract: A CMOS image sensor and method the same are disclosed. The method comprises forming an insulating interlayer including a plurality of photodiodes on a semiconductor substrate, forming a plurality of metal lines within the insulating interlayer, sequentially forming an oxide layer and a passivation layer on the insulating interlayer, forming a TEOS layer on the passivation layer, forming a planarization layer on a portion of the TEOS layer, and forming a microlens on the planarization layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2007
    Publication date: July 3, 2008
    Applicant: DONGBU HITEK CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Chang Eun LEE
  • Publication number: 20080157255
    Abstract: A semiconductor radiation detector and a radiation detection equipment capable of suitably preventing the deterioration of the detection characteristics are disclosed. The semiconductor radiation detector 1 includes a semiconductor crystal 11a formed of at least one of CdTe, CdZnTe, GaAs and TlBr held between the electrodes of a cathode C and an anode A. At least one of the electrodes is a stack structure including a plurality of metals. The first layer is formed of Pt or Au, and the second layer is formed of a metal lower in hardness than Pt or Au, as the case may be, of the first layer. The second layer of In, for example, is formed by the electroless plating method. Also, a metal may be further stacked on the second layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2007
    Publication date: July 3, 2008
    Inventors: Shinya Kominami, Tomoyuki Seino
  • Patent number: 7390687
    Abstract: Microelectronic imagers with shaped image sensors and methods for manufacturing curved image sensors. In one embodiment, a microelectronic imager device comprises an imaging die having a substrate, a curved microelectronic image sensor having a face with a convex and/or concave portion at one side of the substrate, and integrated circuitry in the substrate operatively coupled to the image sensor. The imaging die can further include external contacts electrically coupled to the integrated circuitry and a cover over the curved image sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2008
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Ulrich C. Boettiger, Jin Li, Steven D. Oliver
  • Patent number: 7378693
    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: February 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2008
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Young-Hoon Park
  • Publication number: 20080116537
    Abstract: A CMOS image sensor array and method of fabrication. The CMOS imager sensor array comprises a substrate; an array of light receiving pixel structures formed above the substrate, the array having formed therein “m” levels of conductive structures, each level formed in a corresponding interlevel dielectric material layer; a dense logic wiring region formed adjacent to the array of light receiving pixel structures having “n” levels of conductive structures, each level formed in a corresponding interlevel dielectric material layer, where n>m. A microlens array having microlenses and color filters formed above the interlevel dielectric material layer, a microlens and respective color filter in alignment with a respective light receiving structure formed at a surface of the substrate. A top surface of the interlevel dielectric material layer beneath the microlens array is recessed from a top surface of the interlevel dielectric material layers of the dense logic wiring region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2006
    Publication date: May 22, 2008
    Inventors: James W. Adkisson, Jeffrey P. Gambino, Zhong-Xiang He, Mark D. Jaffe, Robert K. Leidy, Stephen E. Luce, Richard J. Rassel, Edmund J. Sprogis
  • Patent number: 7335958
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a method of forming a pixel cell and the resultant pixel cell a photo-conversion device formed at a surface of a substrate and a transistor adjacent to the photo-conversion device. The transistor comprises a gate overlying a channel region. The gate comprises at least one gate region having a work-function greater than a work-function of n+ polysilicon. The channel region comprises respective portions below each gate region. A dopant concentration in at least one portion of the channel region is determined at least in part by the work-function of the respective gate region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Chandra Mouli
  • Patent number: 7332368
    Abstract: A new method to form an image sensor device is achieved. The method comprises forming an image sensing array in a substrate comprising a plurality of light detecting diodes with spaces between the diodes. A first dielectric layer is formed overlying the diodes but not the spaces. The first dielectric layer has a first refractive index. A second dielectric layer is formed overlying the spaces but not the diodes. The second dielectric layer has a second refractive index that is larger than the first refractive index. A new image sensor device is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2008
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Dun-Nian Yaung, Shou-Gwo Wuu, Ho-Ching Chien, Chien-Hsien Tseng
  • Publication number: 20070272829
    Abstract: A solid-state imaging device includes: a plurality of light-receiving parts arranged in an array in a substrate and performing photoelectric conversion on incident light; and a plurality of color separators each provided for adjacent four of the light-receiving parts arranged in two rows and two columns. In each of the color separators, absorption color filters and transmission color filters are combined.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2007
    Publication date: November 29, 2007
    Inventors: Atsuo Nakagawa, Mamoru Honjo, Yoshiaki Nishi
  • Patent number: RE40162
    Abstract: A thin film transistor substrate for a liquid crystal display includes an insulating substrate, and a gate line assembly formed on the substrate. The gate line assembly has a double-layered structure with a lower layer exhibiting good contact characteristics with respect to indium tin oxide, and an upper layer exhibiting low resistance characteristics. A gate insulating layer, a semiconductor layer, a contact layer, and first and second data line layers are sequentially deposited onto the substrate with the gate line assembly. The first and second data line layers are patterned to form a data line assembly, and the contact layer is etched through the pattern of the data line assembly such that the contact layer has the same pattern as the data line assembly. A passivation layer is deposited onto the data line assembly, and a photoresist pattern is formed on the passivation layer by using a mask of different light transmissties mainly at a display area and a peripheral area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2008
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Woon-Yong Park, Jong-Soo Yoon, Chang-Oh Jeong