Light Source Controlled By Radiation-sensitive Semiconductor Device (e.g., Image Converter, Image Amplifier, Image Storage Device) (epo) Patents (Class 257/E31.097)
  • Patent number: 8138533
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate, a back side drawn electrode formed by embedding a first conductive material in a contact hole penetrating the semiconductor substrate through an insulating film formed to include a uniform thickness, used also as an alignment mark, and configured to draw out an electrode to the back side of the semiconductor substrate. The device further includes a pad provided on the back side of the semiconductor substrate, and connected to the back side drawn electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Hidetoshi Koike, Yusuke Kohyama
  • Publication number: 20120037967
    Abstract: CMOS pixel sensor cells with spacer transfer gates and methods of manufacture are provided herein. The method includes forming a middle gate structure on a gate dielectric. The method further includes forming insulation sidewalls on the middle gate structure. The method further includes forming spacer transfer gates on the gate dielectric on opposing sides of the middle gate, adjacent to the insulation sidewalls which isolate the middle gate structure from the spacer transfer gates. The method further includes forming a photo-diode region in electrical contact with one of the spacer transfer gates and a floating diffusion in electrical contact with another of the spacer transfer gates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2010
    Publication date: February 16, 2012
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: James W. ADKISSON, John J. ELLIS-MONAGHAN, Rajendran KRISHNASAMY, Solomon MULUGETA, Charles F. MUSANTE, Richard J. RASSEL
  • Publication number: 20120018787
    Abstract: A solid-state image pickup device includes a pixel array having a plurality of photodiodes that are disposed in a matrix, electric charge transfer gates, and a floating diffusion (FD), and further includes a reset transistor and an amplifier transistor each shared by the four adjacent photodiodes. In the solid-state image pickup device, the photodiodes include first to fourth photodiodes. In a state where the amplifier transistor is activated, electric charge transfer gates connected respectively to the first to fourth photodiodes are sequentially turned ON and electric charges accumulated in the photodiodes are sequentially read out through the FD. Accordingly, a readout blanking period can be minimized to and signal charges can be read out at high speed. Moreover, readout signal lines need only to be provided for every two columns of the photodiodes, so that openings of the photodiodes can be increased in size.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2010
    Publication date: January 26, 2012
    Applicant: ROSNES CORPORATION
    Inventor: Takahiro Iwasawa
  • Publication number: 20120007665
    Abstract: A CMOS image sensor includes a photodiode, a plurality of transistors for transferring charges accumulated at the photodiode to one column line, and a voltage dropping element connected to a gate electrode of at least one transistor among the plurality of transistors for expanding a saturation region of the transistor by dropping down a gate voltage inputted to the gate electrode of the at least one transistor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2011
    Publication date: January 12, 2012
    Applicant: Intellectual Ventures II LLC
    Inventor: Won-Ho Lee
  • Publication number: 20120007157
    Abstract: Solid-state image sensors, specifically image sensor pixels, which have three or four transistors, high sensitivity, low noise, and low dark current, are provided. The pixels have separate active regions for active components, row-shared photodiodes and may also contain a capacitor to adjust the sensitivity, signal-to-noise ratio and dynamic range. The low dark current is achieved by using pinned photodiodes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2011
    Publication date: January 12, 2012
    Applicant: Intellectual Ventures II LLC
    Inventor: Jaroslav Hynecek
  • Publication number: 20120009714
    Abstract: A pixel cell with a photo-conversion device and at least one structure includes a deuterated material adjacent the photo-conversion device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2011
    Publication date: January 12, 2012
    Inventor: Chandra Mouli
  • Publication number: 20110309236
    Abstract: A photodetector is described along with corresponding materials, systems, and methods. The photodetector comprises an integrated circuit and at least two optically sensitive layers. A first optically sensitive layer is over at least a portion of the integrated circuit, and a second optically sensitive layer is over the first optically sensitive layer. Each optically sensitive layer is interposed between two electrodes. The two electrodes include a respective first electrode and a respective second electrode. The integrated circuit selectively applies a bias to the electrodes and reads signals from the optically sensitive layers. The signal is related to the number of photons received by the respective optically sensitive layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2011
    Publication date: December 22, 2011
    Applicant: InVisage Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Hui Tian, Edward Sargemt
  • Publication number: 20110304000
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a solid-state image pickup device of a type wherein a pixel is configured to include a sensor unit capable of photoelectric conversion, the image pickup device including: a semiconductor substrate; a charge storage region of a first conduction type, which is formed in the semiconductor substrate and constitutes a sensor unit; a charge storage sub-region made of an impurity region of the first conduction type, which is formed, in plural layers, in the semiconductor substrate below the charge storage region serving as a main charge storage region and wherein at least one or more of the plural layers are formed entirely across a pixel; and a device isolation region that is formed in the semiconductor substrate, isolates pixels from one another, and is made of an impurity region of a second conduction type.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2011
    Publication date: December 15, 2011
    Applicant: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Norihiro Kubo, Hiroaki Ishiwata, Sanghoon Ha
  • Patent number: 8071415
    Abstract: There is provided a method of fabricating a semiconductor device having plural light receiving elements, and having an amplifying element, the method including: a) forming an active region on the semiconductor substrate for configuring the amplifying element; b) forming a light receiving element region on the semiconductor substrate for forming the plural light receiving elements, with the active region acting as a reference for positioning; c) implanting an impurity into the light receiving element region; d) repeating the process b) and the process c) a number of times that equals a number of diffusion layers in the light receiving element region; e) after implanting the impurity, performing a drive-in process to carry out drive in of the semiconductor substrate; and f) the process e), forming an amplifying element forming process by implanting an impurity in the active region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Lapis Semiconductor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tomohiro Okamura, Masao Okihara
  • Patent number: 8072041
    Abstract: In one example, an optoelectronic transducer includes a first contact, a second contact, a passivation layer, and a protection layer. The passivation layer is formed on top of the first contact and the second contact and is configured to substantially minimize dark current in the optoelectronic transducer. The protection layer is formed on top of the passivation layer and substantially covers the passivation layer. The protection layer is configured to protect the passivation layer from external factors and prevent degradation of the passivation layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Finisar Corporation
    Inventor: Roman Dimitrov
  • Publication number: 20110291216
    Abstract: In an image sensor 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of embedded photodiodes PD(m,n) are arrayed. Each of the embedded photodiodes PD(m,n) comprises a first semiconductor region 10 of a first conductivity type; a second semiconductor region 20 formed on the first semiconductor region 10 and having a low concentration of an impurity of a second conductivity type; a third semiconductor region 30 of the first conductivity type formed on the second semiconductor region 20 so as to cover a surface of the second semiconductor region 20; and a fourth semiconductor region 40 of the second conductivity type for extraction of charge from the second semiconductor region 20; the fourth semiconductor region 40 comprises a plurality of fourth semiconductor regions 40 arranged as separated, on the second semiconductor region 20.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2010
    Publication date: December 1, 2011
    Applicant: Hamamatsu Photonics K.K.
    Inventors: Keiichi Ota, Sadaharu Takimoto, Hiroshi Watanabe
  • Publication number: 20110278653
    Abstract: In a solid-state image pickup device according to this invention, because a photodiode 2 has a side close to a transfer transistor 3 is longer than an opposite side of the photodiode 2, the transfer transistor 3 can be increased in width. Therefore, it is possible to miniaturize the size of a pixel without causing deterioration in reading property. As a result, this invention can provide the solid-state image pickup device that achieves further miniaturization of pixels by applying an efficient layout of the pixels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2010
    Publication date: November 17, 2011
    Applicant: ROSNES CORPORATION
    Inventor: Sougo Ohta
  • Publication number: 20110278649
    Abstract: A non-uniform gate dielectric charge for pixel sensor cells, e.g., CMOS optical imagers, and methods of manufacturing are provided. The method includes forming a gate dielectric on a substrate. The substrate includes a source/drain region and a photo cell collector region. The method further includes forming a non-uniform fixed charge distribution in the gate dielectric. The method further includes forming a gate structure on the gate dielectric.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2010
    Publication date: November 17, 2011
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Brent A. ANDERSON, Andres BRYANT, William F. CLARK, JR., John J. ELLIS-MONAGHAN, Edward J. NOWAK
  • Publication number: 20110272560
    Abstract: A semiconductor imager device is arranged for receiving a series of charge packets. It comprises a charge-to-voltage conversion circuit for receiving the charge packets on a reception capacitance and has an interconnected arrangement of a floating diffusion, a first reset gate, a reset drain and a source follower for readout. In particular, the device has a series arrangement of at least the first reset gate as a proximate reset gate and furthermore a distal reset gate, wherein in a high-gain configuration the proximate reset gate is cyclically controlled and the distal reset gate is continuously on, thus limiting the reception capacitance to a relatively low value. Alternatively, in a low-gain configuration the proximate reset gate is continuously on, thus extending the capacitance to a relatively high value and the distal reset gate replaces the proximate reset gate as being cyclically controlled for conversion of the series of charge packets.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2010
    Publication date: November 10, 2011
    Inventor: Jan Theodoor Jozef Bosiers
  • Publication number: 20110272774
    Abstract: A semiconductor device which has a low-profile laminate structure including an interlayer insulating film and includes an easily formed alignment mark, and a method for manufacturing the semiconductor device. The semiconductor device includes a photoelectric transducer formed in a semiconductor substrate, a stopper film in a mark area, a first interlayer insulating film formed over the stopper film and photoelectric transducer, a first metal interconnect, and a second interlayer insulating film. A through hole which penetrates the first and second interlayer insulating films and reaches the stopper film is made and a first concave is made in the upper surface of a conductive layer in the through hole. A second concave to serve as an alignment mark is made in a second metal interconnect above the first concave.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2011
    Publication date: November 10, 2011
    Inventor: Keiichi ITAGAKI
  • Publication number: 20110249158
    Abstract: Image sensors having image sensor pixels with stacked photodiodes are provided. An image sensor pixel may include a shallow potential well located in a shallow implant region and a deep potential well located in a deep implant region. The shallow implant region and the deep implant region may be separated by a potential barrier. The image sensor pixel may have a given transfer gate to transfer charge from the shallow well to a floating diffusion node. The image sensor pixel may have an additional transfer gate to transfer charge from the deep well to the shallow well via a vertical transfer region located under the additional transfer gate. Image sensor pixels formed using this structure may exhibit higher pixel densities, higher image resolution, and higher sensitivity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2010
    Publication date: October 13, 2011
    Inventor: Jaroslav Hynecek
  • Patent number: 8035102
    Abstract: An improved display substrate is provided to reduce surface defects on insulating layers of organic thin film transistors. Related methods of manufacture are also provided. In one example, a display substrate includes a base, a plurality of data lines, a plurality of gate lines, a pixel defined by the data lines and the gate lines, an organic thin film transistor, and a pixel electrode. The data lines are on the base and are oriented in a first direction. The gate lines are oriented in a second direction that crosses the first direction. The organic thin film transistor includes a source electrode electrically connected to one of the data lines, a gate electrode electrically connected to one of the gate lines, and an organic semiconductor layer. The pixel electrode is disposed in the pixel and electrically connected to the organic thin film transistor. The pixel electrode comprises a transparent oxynitride.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Je-Hun Lee, Young-Min Kim, Bo-Sung Kim, Jun-Young Lee, Sung-Wook Kang
  • Publication number: 20110241151
    Abstract: An imaging device includes a plurality of lower electrodes, an upper electrode, an organic photoelectric conversion layer and a passivation layer. The plurality of lower electrodes are arranged in a two dimensional pattern above a substrate. The upper electrode is arranged above the plurality of lower electrodes so as to oppose the lower electrodes. The organic photoelectric conversion layer is sandwiched between the plurality of lower electrodes and the upper electrode. The passivation layer is provided above the upper electrode and covers the upper electrode. An angle which an end side surface of the lower electrode forms with respect to a surface of a lower layer supporting the lower electrode is 45-degree or more. The passivation layer is formed from a plurality of layers. Film stress of the entire passivation layer ranges from ?200 MPa to 250 MPa.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2011
    Publication date: October 6, 2011
    Applicant: FUJIFILM CORPORATION
    Inventors: Toshihiro NAKATANI, Yuuki IMADA, Takashi GOTO
  • Publication number: 20110210382
    Abstract: Method of manufacturing imaging arrays can include providing a silicon tile having a first surface and a second, opposite surface. A buried dielectric layer is formed in the silicon tile between the first and second surfaces to define a bottom silicon layer between the first surface and the dielectric layer. A separation boundary is formed in the silicon tile between the second surface and the dielectric layer to define a top silicon layer between the dielectric layer and the separation boundary and a removable silicon layer between the separation boundary and the second surface. An oxide layer formed on the first surface of the silicon tile and the silicon tile is bonded to a glass substrate at the oxide layer. The silicon tile is separated at the separation boundary to remove the removable silicon layer, exposing the top silicon layer. Semiconductive elements are formed using the exposed top silicon layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2011
    Publication date: September 1, 2011
    Inventors: Timothy J. Tredwell, Jackson Lai
  • Patent number: 7993953
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a photoelectric conversion device, comprises forming a first insulating film on a semiconductor substrate, forming a gate electrode by forming an electrically conductive layer on the first insulating film and patterning the electrically conductive layer, etching an exposed surface of the first insulating film, forming a charge accumulation region of a photoelectric converter by implanting impurity ions of a first conductivity type into the semiconductor substrate through a thinned portion of the first insulating film formed by the etching, removing the thinned portion, forming a second insulating film covering the semiconductor substrate and the gate electrode, and forming a surface region of the photoelectric converter by implanting impurity ions of a second conductivity type opposite to the first conductivity type into the semiconductor substrate through the second insulating film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Katsunori Hirota
  • Patent number: 7977141
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a solid-state image pickup device according to an embodiment includes forming first and second holes in a semiconductor substrate, forming insulating films on surfaces of the first and second holes, forming a contact and an alignment mark by embedding a conducting material in the first and second holes, forming a photodiode in the semiconductor substrate, forming a wiring layer including a connecting part for connecting to the contact and a wiring for connecting to the connecting part, bonding a supporting substrate on the wiring layer, exposing the contact and the alignment mark on the surface of the semiconductor substrate by reducing the semiconductor substrate in thickness, and forming a filter and a lens on the photodiode based on the alignment mark.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Tsubasa Harada, Atsushi Murakoshi
  • Patent number: 7977681
    Abstract: A photo sensor includes a light incidence unit including a plurality of light incidence layers, the light incidence unit having a varying light transmittance with respect to external light, and a photo sensing unit including a plurality of photo sensing elements, the photo sensing unit being configured to output electrical signals in accordance with an amount of light transmitted through the light incidence unit to determine intensity of the external light, each of the photo sensing elements being configured to output electrical signals in accordance with light transmitted through a respective light incidence layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: Samsung Mobile Display Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ki-Ju Im, Byong-Deog Choi, Won-Sik Kim, Hye-Hyang Park, Hui-Won Yang, Yun-Gyu Lee
  • Publication number: 20110163362
    Abstract: A method of fabricating an image sensor may include providing a substrate including light-receiving and non-light-receiving regions; forming a plurality of gates on the non-light-receiving region; ion-implanting a first-conductivity-type dopant into the light-receiving region to form a first dopant region of a pinned photodiode; primarily ion-implanting a second-conductivity-type dopant, different from the first-conductivity-type dopant, into an entire surface of the substrate, using the gates as a first mask; forming spacers on both side walls of the gates; and secondarily ion-implanting the second-conductivity-type dopant into the entire surface of the substrate, using the plurality of gates including the spacers as a second mask, to complete a second dopant region of the pinned photodiode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2011
    Publication date: July 7, 2011
    Inventors: Won-je Park, Chan Park, Young-hoon Park, Jae-ho Song, Jong-wook Hong, Keo-sung Park
  • Publication number: 20110156111
    Abstract: A back-illuminated type solid-state image pickup device (1041) includes read circuits (Tr1, Tr2) formed on one surface of a semiconductor substrate (1042) to read a signal from a photo-electric conversion element (PD) formed on the semiconductor substrate (1042), in which electric charges (e) generated in a photo-electric conversion region (1052c1) formed under at least one portion of the read circuits (Tr1, Tr2) are collected to an electric charge accumulation region (1052a) formed on one surface side of the semiconductor substrate (1042) of the photo-electric conversion element (PD) by electric field formed within the photo-electric conversion element (PD). Thus, the solid-state image pickup device and the camera are able to make the size of pixel become very small without lowering a saturation electric charge amount (Qs) and sensitivity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2011
    Publication date: June 30, 2011
    Applicant: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Shin Iwabuchi, Kazuhide Yokota, Takeshi Yanagita, Yasushi Maruyama
  • Patent number: 7968925
    Abstract: A double-face-cooled semiconductor module with an upper arm and a lower arm of an inverter circuit includes first and second heat dissipation members, each having a heat dissipation surface on one side and a conducting member formed on another side through an insulation member. On the conducting member on the first dissipation plate is provided with a fixing portion that fixes a collector surface of the semiconductor chip and a gate conductor connected to a gate terminal of the semiconductor module. The gate electrode terminal and the gate conductor are wire bonded. The conducting member on the second heat dissipation member is connected to an emitter surface of the semiconductor chip connected to the first heat dissipation member. The productivity and reliability are improved by most of formation operations for the upper and lower arms series circuit on one of the heat dissipation member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Takeshi Tokuyama, Kinya Nakatsu, Ryuichi Saito
  • Publication number: 20110147879
    Abstract: A wafer structure for an image sensor includes a substrate that has a given conductivity type, a given dopant concentration, and a given concentration of oxygen. An intermediate epitaxial layer is formed over the substrate. The intermediate epitaxial layer has the same conductivity type and the same, or substantially the same, dopant concentration as the substrate but a lower oxygen concentration than the substrate. A thickness of the intermediate epitaxial layer is greater than the diffusion length of a minority carrier in the intermediate layer. A device epitaxial layer is formed over the intermediate epitaxial layer. The device epitaxial layer has the same conductivity type but lower dopant and oxygen concentrations than the substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2009
    Publication date: June 23, 2011
    Inventor: Cristian A. Tivarus
  • Publication number: 20110139964
    Abstract: Systems, methods and sensors detect changes in incident optical radiation. Voltage is applied across one or more active areas of a detector while the incident optical radiation illuminates the active areas. Current is sensed across one or more of the active areas, a change in the current being indicative of the changes in incident optical radiation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2011
    Publication date: June 16, 2011
    Inventors: Elsa Garmire, Ashifi Gogo, Jonathan T. Bessette
  • Publication number: 20110133160
    Abstract: An embodiment relates to a device comprising a substrate, a nanowire and a doped epitaxial layer surrounding the nanowire, wherein the nanowire is configured to be both a channel to transmit wavelengths up to a selective wavelength and an active element to detect the wavelengths up to the selective wavelength transmitted through the nanowire. Another embodiment relates to a device comprising a substrate, a nanowire and one or more photogates surrounding the nanowire, wherein the nanowire is configured to be both a channel to transmit wavelengths up to a selective wavelength and an active element to detect the wavelengths up to the selective wavelength transmitted through the nanowire, and wherein the one or more photogates comprise an epitaxial layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2009
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Applicant: ZENA TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Young-June YU, Munib Wober
  • Publication number: 20110136288
    Abstract: An embodiment relates to a method of manufacturing a device comprising a substrate having a front side and a back-side, a nanowire disposed on the back-side and an image sensing circuit disposed on the front side, wherein the nanowire is configured to be both a channel to transmit wavelengths up to a selective wavelength and an active element to detect the wavelengths up to the selective wavelength transmitted through the nanowire.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2009
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Applicant: ZENA TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Peter DUANE, Young-June Yu, Munib Wober
  • Publication number: 20110133301
    Abstract: A wafer level optical imaging apparatus includes a covering substrate that covers an imaging unit. A top shading layer is formed on a top surface of the covering substrate, and a bottom shading layer is formed on a bottom surface of the covering substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2009
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Applicant: WISEPAL TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventor: NAI-YUAN TANG
  • Patent number: 7956381
    Abstract: A multi-layered semiconductor apparatus capable of producing at least 500 W of continuous power includes at least two device substrates arranged in a stack. Each of the at least two device substrates has a first side and a second side opposite to the first side, and each of the at least two device substrates is configured to produce an average power density higher than 100 W/cm2. A plurality of active devices are provided on the first side of each of the at least two device substrates. The plurality of active devices are radiatively coupled among the at least two device substrates. At least one of the at least two device substrates is structured to provide a plurality of cavities on its second side to receive corresponding ones of the plurality of active devices on the first side of an adjacent one of the at least two device substrates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Assignee: HRL Laboratories, LLC
    Inventors: Peter D. Brewer, Keith V. Guinn, Jonathan J. Lynch
  • Publication number: 20110121420
    Abstract: A reverse image sensor module includes first and second semiconductor chips, and first and second insulation layers. The first semiconductor chip includes a first semiconductor chip body having a first surface and a second surface facing away from the first surface, photodiodes disposed on the first surface, and a wiring layer disposed on the second surface and having wiring lines electrically connected to the photodiodes and bonding pads electrically connected to the wiring lines. The second semiconductor chip includes a second semiconductor chip body having a third surface facing the wiring layer, and through-electrodes electrically connected to the bonding pads and passing through the second semiconductor chip body. The first insulation layer is disposed on the wiring layer, and the second insulation layer is disposed on the third surface of the second semiconductor chip body facing the first insulation layer and is joined to the first insulation layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2009
    Publication date: May 26, 2011
    Applicant: HYNIX SEMICONDUCTOR INC.
    Inventor: Seung Taek YANG
  • Publication number: 20110121371
    Abstract: A solid-state imaging device includes a plurality of photoelectric conversion units configured to receive light and generate signal charge, the plurality of photoelectric conversion units being provided in such a manner as to correspond to a plurality of pixels in a pixel area of a semiconductor substrate; and pixel transistors configured to output the signal charge generated by the photoelectric conversion units as electrical signals. Each of the pixel transistors includes at least a transfer transistor that transfers the signal charge generated in the photoelectric conversion unit to a floating diffusion corresponding to a drain. A gate electrode of the transfer transistor is formed in such a manner as to extend with a gate insulating film in between from a channel formed area to a portion where the photoelectric conversion unit has been formed on the surface of the semiconductor substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2010
    Publication date: May 26, 2011
    Applicant: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yorito Sakano, Keiji Mabuchi
  • Publication number: 20110115957
    Abstract: A backside illuminated image sensor comprises a sensor layer implementing a plurality of photosensitive elements of a pixel array, and an oxide layer adjacent a backside surface of the sensor layer. The sensor layer comprises a seed layer and an epitaxial layer formed over the seed layer, with the seed layer having a cross-sectional doping profile in which a designated dopant is substantially confined to a pixel array area of the sensor layer. The doping profile advantageously reduces dark current generated at an interface between the sensor layer and the oxide layer. The image sensor may be implemented in a digital camera or other type of digital imaging device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2011
    Publication date: May 19, 2011
    Inventors: Frederick T. Brady, John P. McCarten
  • Publication number: 20110115002
    Abstract: A backside illuminated imaging sensor with reinforced pad structure includes a device layer, a metal stack, an opening and a frame. The device layer has an imaging array formed in a front side of the device layer and the imaging array is adapted to receive light from a back side of the device layer. The metal stack is coupled to the front side of the device layer where the metal stack includes at least one metal interconnect layer having a metal pad. The opening extends from the back side of the device layer to the metal pad to expose the metal pad for wire bonding. The frame is disposed within the opening to structurally reinforce the metal pad.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2009
    Publication date: May 19, 2011
    Applicant: OMNIVISION TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Hsin-Chih Tai, Howard E. Rhodes, Duli Mao, Vincent Venezia, Yin Qian
  • Publication number: 20110108939
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a back-side illuminated image sensor, including the steps of: forming, inside and on top of an SOI-type silicon layer, components for trapping and transferring photogenerated carriers and isolation regions; forming a stack of interconnection levels on the silicon layer and attaching, on the interconnect stack, a semiconductor handle; removing the semiconductor support; forming, in the insulating layer and the silicon layer, trenches reaching the isolation regions; depositing a doped amorphous silicon layer, more heavily doped than the silicon layer, at least on the walls and the bottom of the trenches and having the amorphous silicon layer crystallize; and filling the trenches with a reflective material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2010
    Publication date: May 12, 2011
    Applicants: STMicroelectronics (Crolles 2) SAS, STMicroelectronics SA
    Inventors: Michel Marty, François Leverd
  • Publication number: 20110068423
    Abstract: The disclosure relates generally to photodetectors and methods of forming the same, and more particularly to optical photodetectors. The photodetector includes a waveguide having a radius that controls the specific wavelength or specific range of wavelengths being detected. The disclosure also relates to a design structure of the aforementioned.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2009
    Publication date: March 24, 2011
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventor: John M. Aitken
  • Publication number: 20110068252
    Abstract: A photoelectric conversion apparatus of the present invention includes a first semiconductor region functioning as a barrier against signal charges between a first and a second photoelectric conversion element, and a second semiconductor region that has a width narrower than that of the first semiconductor region and functions as a barrier against signal charges between a first and the third photoelectric conversion element. A region with a low barrier is provided at least a part between the first and the second photoelectric conversion element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2010
    Publication date: March 24, 2011
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Kawabata, Hideaki Takada
  • Patent number: 7910965
    Abstract: An image sensor can include a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements arranged in a matrix. A plurality of floating diffusion regions can be shared by respective corresponding pairs of adjacent photoelectric conversion elements. A plurality of charge-transmission transistors can respectively correspond to the photoelectric conversion elements, where each of the charge-transmission transistors are connected between a corresponding one of the plurality of photoelectric conversion elements and a corresponding one of the plurality of floating diffusion regions. A plurality of charge-transmission lines can be commonly connected to gates of respective corresponding pairs of adjacent rows of charge-transmission transistors, where each of the respective corresponding pairs of adjacent rows of charge-transmission transistors can be connected to respective ones of the plurality of photoelectric conversion elements in different adjacent rows of floating diffusion regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Seok-Ha Lee, Chang-Rok Moon, Kang-Bok Lee
  • Publication number: 20110058062
    Abstract: A solid-state imaging device includes a substrate having a first surface and a second surface, light being incident on the second surface side; a wiring layer disposed on the first surface side; a photodetector formed in the substrate and including a first region of a first conductivity type; a transfer gate disposed on the first surface of the substrate and adjacent to the photodetector, the transfer gate transferring a signal charge accumulated in the photodetector; and at least one control gate disposed on the first surface of the substrate and superposed on the photodetector, the control gate controlling the potential of the photodetector in the vicinity of the first surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2010
    Publication date: March 10, 2011
    Applicant: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yasushi Maruyama, Tetsuji Yamaguchi, Takashi Ando, Susumu Hiyama, Yuko Ohgishi
  • Publication number: 20110049331
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a method of manufacturing a back-illuminated solid-state imaging device including forming a mask with apertures corresponding to a pixel pattern on the surface of a semiconductor layer, implanting second-conductivity-type impurity ions into the semiconductor layer from the front side of the layer to form second-conductivity-type photoelectric conversion parts and forming a part where no ion has been implanted into a pixel separation region, forming at the surface of the semiconductor layer a signal scanning circuit for reading light signals obtained at the photoelectric conversion parts after removing the mask, and removing the semiconductor substrate and a buried insulating layer from the semiconductor layer after causing a support substrate to adhere to the front side of the semiconductor layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2010
    Publication date: March 3, 2011
    Inventor: Hirofumi YAMASHITA
  • Publication number: 20110049492
    Abstract: A photoelectric conversion element includes, in the following order: a substrate; a lower electrode containing titanium nitride; an organic layer including a photoelectric conversion layer; and an upper electrode containing a transparent electrode material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2010
    Publication date: March 3, 2011
    Applicant: FUJIFILM CORPORATION
    Inventors: Daigo SAWAKI, Tetsuro MITSUI
  • Publication number: 20110049590
    Abstract: A solid-state imaging device that includes at least one pixel. The pixel includes a photodiode, a floating diffusion element in a region of the photodiode and a read out gate electrode at least partially surrounding the floating diffusion element in plan view.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2010
    Publication date: March 3, 2011
    Applicant: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventor: KAZUICHIRO ITONAGA
  • Publication number: 20110042723
    Abstract: A solid-state imaging device includes a photoelectric conversion unit that includes a first region of a first conductivity type and a second region of a second conductivity type between which a pn junction is formed, the first region and the second region being formed in a signal-readout surface of a semiconductor substrate, the second region being located at a position deeper than the first region; and a transfer transistor configured to transfer signal charges accumulated in the photoelectric conversion unit to a readout drain through a channel region that lies under a surface of the first region and horizontally adjacent to the photoelectric conversion unit, the transfer transistor being formed in the signal-readout surface. The transfer transistor includes a transfer gate electrode that extends from above the channel region with a gate insulating film therebetween to above the first region so as to extend across a step.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2010
    Publication date: February 24, 2011
    Applicant: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventor: Keiji Mabuchi
  • Publication number: 20110042552
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a solid-state imaging device with an array arrangement of unit pixels including photoelectric conversion parts configured to generate signal charges by photoelectric conversion and a signal scanning circuit part, the signal scanning circuit part being provided on a second semiconductor layer different from a first semiconductor layer including the photoelectric conversion parts, the second semiconductor layer being stacked above the front side of the first semiconductor layer via an insulating film, and the first semiconductor layer being so configured that a pixel separation insulating film is buried in pixel boundary parts and read transistors configured to read signal charges generated by the photoelectric conversion parts are formed at the front side of the first semiconductor layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2010
    Publication date: February 24, 2011
    Inventors: Shogo FURUYA, Hirofumi Yamashita, Yusuke Kohyama
  • Patent number: 7892880
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a photo-detector array device integrated with a read-out integrated circuit (ROIC) monolithically integrated for a laser-radar image signal. A detector array device, a photodiode and control devices for selecting and outputting a laser-radar image signal are simultaneously formed on an InP substrate. In addition, after the photodiode and the control devices are simultaneously formed on the InP substrate, the photodiode and the control devices are electrically separated from each other using a polyamide, whereby a PN junction surface of the photodiode is buried to reduce surface leakage current and improve electrical reliability, and the structure of the control devices can be simplified to improve image signal reception characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute
    Inventors: Eun Soo Nam, Myoung Sook Oh, Ho Young Kim, Young Jun Chong, Hyun Kyu Yu
  • Publication number: 20110037886
    Abstract: A disclosed method of manufacturing a camera module includes providing an optical assembly, providing an integrated circuit image capture device (ICD), fixing the optical assembly directly to the ICD, then forming a housing directly over the optical assembly. The method further includes forming the housing over the ICD and the optical assembly via transfer molding. The method further includes forming solder balls on the rear surface of the ICD so as to enable the camera module to be reflow soldered to a host device. In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the method includes providing a second ICD, providing a second optical assembly, providing a housing substrate, fixing the first optical assembly over the first ICD, fixing the second optical assembly over the second ICD, and forming the housing substrate over both the first and second optical assemblies.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2009
    Publication date: February 17, 2011
    Inventors: Harpuneet Singh, Dongkai Shangguan, Samuel Waising Tam
  • Publication number: 20110031542
    Abstract: Provided is a method for fabricating an image sensor device that includes providing a substrate having a front side and a back side; patterning a photoresist on the front side of the substrate to define an opening having a first width, the photoresist having a first thickness correlated to the first width; performing an implantation process through the opening using an implantation energy correlated to the first thickness thereby forming a first doped isolation feature; forming a light sensing feature adjacent to the first doped isolation feature, the light sensing feature having a second width; and thinning the substrate from the back side so that the substrate has a second thickness that does not exceed twice a depth of the first doped isolation feature. A pixel size is substantially equal to the first and second widths.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2010
    Publication date: February 10, 2011
    Applicant: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Tzu-Hsuan Hsu, Alex Hsu, Ching-Chun Wang
  • Publication number: 20110032405
    Abstract: An image sensor pixel includes a photosensitive element, a floating diffusion region and a transfer transistor channel region. The transfer transistor channel region is disposed between the photosensitive region and the floating diffusion region. The transfer transistor channel region includes a first channel sub-region having a first doping concentration and a second channel sub-region having a second doping concentration that is different from the first doping concentration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2010
    Publication date: February 10, 2011
    Applicant: OMNIVISION TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Hidetoshi Nozaki, Tiejun Dai
  • Publication number: 20110033968
    Abstract: A solid-state image pickup device includes an element isolation insulating film electrically isolating pixels on the surface of a well region; a first isolation diffusion layer electrically isolating the pixels under the element isolation insulating film; and a second isolation diffusion layer electrically isolating the pixels under the first isolation diffusion layer, wherein a charge accumulation region is disposed in the well region surrounded by the first and second isolation diffusion layers, the inner peripheral part of the first isolation diffusion layer forms a projecting region, an impurity having a conductivity type of the first isolation diffusion layer and an impurity having a conductivity type of the charge accumulation region are mixed in the projecting region, and a part of the charge accumulation region between the charge accumulation region and the second isolation diffusion layer is abutted or close to the second isolation diffusion layer under the projecting region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2010
    Publication date: February 10, 2011
    Applicant: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Keiji TATANI, Hideshi ABE, Masanori OHASHI, Atsushi MASAGAKI, Atsuhiko YAMAMOTO, Masakazu FURUKAWA