Abstract: A pixel image sensor has a high shutter rejection ratio that prevents substrate charge leakage to a floating diffusion storage node of the pixel image sensor and prevents generation of photoelectrons within the floating diffusion storage node and storage node control transistor switches of the pixel image sensor. The pixel image sensor that prevents substrate charge leakage of photoelectrons from pixel image sensor adjacent to the pixel image sensor. The pixel image sensor is fabricated on a substrate with an isolation barrier and a carrier conduction well. The isolation barrier formed underneath the floating diffusion storage node allows effective isolation by draining away the stray carriers and preventing them from reaching the floating diffusion storage node. The carrier conduction well in combination with the deep N-well isolation barrier separates the pinned photodiode region from the deep N-well isolation barrier that is underneath the floating diffusion storage node.

Abstract: A photoelectric conversion device is provided which is capable of improving the light condensation efficiency without substantially decreasing the sensitivity. The photoelectric conversion device has a first pattern provided above an element isolation region formed between adjacent two photoelectric conversion elements, a second pattern provided above the element isolation region and above the first pattern, and microlenses provided above the photoelectric conversion elements with the first and the second patterns provided therebetween. The photoelectric conversion device further has convex-shaped interlayer lenses in optical paths between the photoelectric conversion elements and the microlenses, the peak of each convex shape projecting in the direction from the electro-optical element to the microlens.

Abstract: A photosensitive device having at least an insulator layer including a plurality of photoreceiving regions disposed on a substrate. A plurality of conductive patterns is disposed on the insulator layer without covering the photoreceiving regions. A flattened dielectric layer is disposed on the conductive patterns and the insulator layer, wherein a surface of the dielectric layer is higher than a surface of the conductive patterns in a range between 2000 ? to 4000 ?.

Abstract: A semiconductor photodetecting device is provided for enabling a solid-state image sensor to meet the requirements of higher quality imaging and more reduction in cost. The photodetecting device of the present invention includes: a semiconductor substrate; and an epitaxial layer formed on the semiconductor substrate by epitaxial growth. The epitaxial layer has a multilayer structure including: a first pn junction layer; a first insulating layer; a second pn junction layer; a second insulating layer; and a third pn junction layer. The first insulating layer and the second insulating layer have openings, and the first pn junction layer and the second pn junction layer are adjacent to each other through the openings of the first insulating layer which is placed in between these pn junction layers, and the second pn junction layer and the third pn junction layer are adjacent to each other through the openings of the second insulating layer which is placed in between these pn junction layers.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a CMOS image sensor is provided, in which a trapezoidal microlens pattern profile is formed to facilitate reflowing the microlens pattern and by which a curvature of the microlens may be enhanced to raise its light-condensing efficiency. The method includes forming a plurality of photodiodes on a semiconductor substrate; forming an insulating interlayer on the semiconductor substrate including the photodiodes; forming a protective layer on the insulating interlayer; forming a plurality of color filters corresponding to the photodiodes; forming a top coating layer on the color filters; forming a microlens pattern on the top coating layer; and forming a plurality of microlenses by reflowing the microlens pattern.

Abstract: A CMOS image sensor and method for fabricating the same is disclosed that reconditions, repairs and/or protects a surface of a photodiode area and improves characteristics of the image sensor. The method includes forming a photodiode area and a plurality of transistors, implanting a predetermined ion into a surface of the photodiode area, and forming a surface oxide film on the surface of the photodiode area by oxidation. Therefore, it is possible to recover or repair the photodiode surface damaged during various fabrication processes, reduce or minimize surface leakage of the photodiode during subsequent processes, and improve image sensor characteristics by increasing incident light on the photodiode.

Abstract: In order to provide a filter device capable of maintaining stable optical characteristics for an extended period of time and to provide also a photosensor using the filter device, a photosensor having a filter function includes a filter device having a colored glass filter and configured for permitting transmission of light of a predetermined wavelength range including a detection target wavelength range and a light receiving device for receiving the light transmitted through the filter device. The filter device includes a first interference filter structure comprised of a plurality of light transmitting layers stacked on each other, the first interference filter structure being deposited on a face of the colored glass filter. The light receiving device includes a semiconductor photodetector structure having one or more semiconductor layers, a light receiving area being formed in the one or more semiconductor layers within the semiconductor photodetector structure.

Abstract: A charge-coupled device includes a photosensitive region for collecting charge in response to incident light; a first and third gate electrode made of a transmissive material spanning at least a portion of the photosensitive region; and a second gate electrode made of a transmissive material that is less transmissive than the first and third gates and spans at least a portion of the photosensitive region; wherein the first, second and third gates are arranged symmetrically within an area that spans the photosensitive region.

Abstract: A semiconductor light receiving device is disclosed which is capable of receiving a first wavelength band light beam and a second wavelength band light beam having a shorter wavelength than that of the first wavelength band light beam. The device has a light absorbing layer of a first conductivity type formed on a semiconductor surface region of the semiconductor substrate the light absorbing layer absorbs the first and second wavelength band light beams. A cap layer of the first conductivity type is formed on the light absorbing layer. In the cap layer, a region of a second conductivity type is formed which transmits the second wavelength band light beam. A light collecting layer is formed on the semiconductor surface region and adjacently to the cap layer and the light absorbing layer. The light collecting layer has a convex shape with curvature to collect the second wavelength band light beam.

Abstract: Provided are a semiconductor integrated device and a method for fabricating the same. The semiconductor integrated circuit includes a semiconductor substrate including a first dopant, a first conductive layer pattern formed on the semiconductor substrate, an interlayer dielectric layer formed on the first conductive layer pattern, a second conductive layer pattern formed on the interlayer dielectric layer, and a first vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) blocking layer which blocks a VUV ray radiated to the semiconductor substrate.

Abstract: The present invention creates an optical sensor assemblage, in particular a thermopile sensor assemblage, comprising a sensor chip assemblage (10; 10?) having an optically transparent irradiation region (OB; OB?), a mounting region (RB; RB?) surrounding the latter, and a wire-bond region (BB); an optically isolating mounting frame (MLF; MLF?) having a chip receiving region (DP; DP?) and a plurality of connector elements (AB-AB??); and an optically isolating packaging device (MV-MV??); the sensor chip assemblage (10; 10?) being joined in the mounting region (RB; RB?) to the chip receiving region (LB; LB?), and in the wire-bond region (BB) to one or more of the connector elements (AB-AB??); the chip receiving region (DP, DP?) having a window (F; F?) disposed in such a way that at least a portion of the optical irradiation region (OB; OB?) is not covered by the chip receiving region (DP; DP?); and the packaging device (MV-MV??) surrounding the sensor chip assemblage (10; 10?) and the mounting frame (MLF; MLF?) i

Abstract: A method for fabricating an image sensor including a first region, which is a light receiving region, and a second region, which is a pad region, includes forming a metal line in the second region over a substrate structure comprising a photodiode, forming a passivation layer over the substrate structure, selectively etching the passivation layer to form an opening exposing the metal line where a pad contact is to be formed, forming a first over coating layer (OCL1) in the first region while forming an over coating layer (OCL) plug over the opening in the second region, forming color filters, a second over coating layer (OCL2), and micro lenses in sequential order over the OCL1 in the first region, forming a photoresist pattern exposing the OCL plug, performing an etch-back process to remove the OCL plug, and removing the photoresist pattern.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor element that is set up on a semiconductor layer, a light shielding wall that is set up around the semiconductor element, a hole that is set up on the light shielding wall, and a wiring layer that is electrically connected to the semiconductor element and is drawn out through the hole to the outside of the light shielding wall. The wiring layer has a pattern including a first part that is located within the hole and a second part that is located on the outside of the hole and has a larger width compared to the width of the first part, the width of the second part being the same with or larger than the width of the hole.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor element that is set up on a semiconductor layer, a light shielding wall that is set up around the semiconductor element, a hole that is set up on the light shielding wall, and a wiring layer that is electrically connected to the semiconductor element and is drawn out through the hole to the outside of the light shielding wall. The wiring layer has a pattern including a first part that is located within the hole and a second part that is located on the outside of the hole and has a larger width compared to the width of the first part, the width of the second part being the same with or larger than the width of the hole.

Abstract: A method of a microlens of a CMOS image sensor eliminates a flattened gap between the curvatures of adjacent microlenses. A plurality of color filter layers is formed on a semiconductor substrate on which a photodiode region, a gate electrode, an interlayer insulating layer, and a metal interconnection are formed. An overcoating layer is formed on the plurality of color filter layers. Microlenses are formed on the overcoating layer. The overcoating layer exposed by a gap between the microlenses is etched to form a gap at the boundary between the color filter layers in the overcoating layer. A flow process is performed such that curves of the microlenses extend to the gap.

Abstract: The invention relates to wavelength-selective and tunable optical filters for transmitting the light in a narrow optical spectral band, centered around an adjustable wavelength, and for blocking the transmission of wavelengths lying outside of this band. In a micromachined monolithic structure containing the optical filter proper, the component comprises a low-absorption light detection element used for slaving the tuning control of the filter to a wavelength received by the filter, this element transmitting the majority of the radiation at this wavelength. The filter is a Fabry-Pérot interferometric filter, the cavity (C) of which is tuned to a value that maximizes the power detected by the light detection element. The filter is preferably based on layers of indium phosphide and air gaps. The detection element preferably comprises a layer of gallium-indium arsenide 74 suitable for detection of the intended wavelength band.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a complementary metal oxide semiconductor image sensor is capable of protecting a low temperature oxide from delaminating a passivation layer. The method includes the steps of: forming a passivation layer on a pad metal; exposing a predetermined part of the pad metal by patterning the passivation layer using a first pad mask; forming an oxide layer on the exposed pad metal and the passivation layer formed around the pad open region; forming a color filter, a planarization layer and a microlens, sequentially; forming a low temperature oxide layer on the above structure to protect the microlens; and opening the pad metal by selectively etching the low temperature oxide layer and the oxide layer formed around the pad open region by a second pad mask.

Abstract: A CMOS image sensor and a method for fabricating the same are provided. The CMOS Image sensor includes a semiconductor substrate having a photodiode and transistors. An interlayer insulating layer is formed on the entire surface of the semiconductor substrate. First, second, and third color filter layers are formed at regular intervals on the interlayer insulator. First, second, and third microlenses are formed on the first, second, and third color filter layers, respectively. The microlenses have at least two different curvatures.

Abstract: A photoelectric conversion device comprising a photo-electric conversion part including a first electrode layer, a second electrode layer and a photoelectric conversion layer provided between the first electrode layer and the second electrode layer, wherein light is made incident from an upper part of the second electrode layer into the photoelectric conversion layer; the photoelectric conversion layer generates a charge containing an electron and a hole corresponding to the incident light from the upper part of the second electrode layer; and the first electrode layer works as an electrode for extracting the hole.

Abstract: A photoelectric conversion layer comprising a compound represented by the following formula (1): wherein R1 to R10 each independently represents a hydrogen atom or a substituent; L represents a monovalent group or a divalent or polyvalent connecting group; m is 0 or 1; and n represents an integer of from 1 to 4.

Abstract: Provided are a CMOS image sensor and a method for fabricating the same. The CMOS image sensor including: a metal pad formed on a pad region of a substrate; an insulation layer formed on the entire surface of the substrate, and having a metal pad opening part to expose a predetermined portion of the surface of the metal pad; a plurality of first microlenses formed a predetermined distance from each other above the insulation layer in a unit pixel region of the substrate; and a plurality of second microlenses formed on the entire surface of the unit pixel region including the first microlenses.

Abstract: In a solid-state imaging apparatus, a plurality of pixel units are arranged, the pixel units including (i) a photoelectric conversion element formed above a semiconductor substrate and (ii) a color filter layer formed above the photoelectric conversion element. In each color filter layer, the central part is formed thicker than the peripheral part.

Abstract: A method for fabricating an image sensor including a first region, which is a light receiving region, and a second region, which is a pad region, includes forming a metal line in the second region over a substrate structure comprising a photodiode, forming a passivation layer over the substrate structure, selectively etching the passivation layer to form an opening exposing the metal line where a pad contact is to be formed, forming a first over coating layer (OCL1) in the first region while forming an over coating layer (OCL) plug over the opening in the second region, forming color filters, a second over coating layer (OCL2), and micro lenses in sequential order over the OCL1 in the first region, forming a photoresist pattern exposing the OCL plug, performing an etch-back process to remove the OCL plug, and removing the photoresist pattern.

Abstract: A vertical color filter sensor group formed on a substrate (preferably a semiconductor substrate) and including at least two vertically stacked, photosensitive sensors, and an array of such sensor groups. In some embodiments, a carrier-collection element of at least one sensor of the group has substantially larger area, projected in a plane perpendicular to a normal axis defined by a top surface of a top sensor of the group, than does each minimum-sized carrier-collection element of the group. In some embodiments, the array includes at least two sensor groups that share at least one carrier-collection element. Optionally, the sensor group includes at least one filter positioned relative to the sensors such that radiation that has propagated through or reflected from the filter will propagate into at least one sensor of the group.

Abstract: Described are a device and a method for determining a wavelength of light incident on a device having an upper photodiode vertically disposed on a lower photodiode. Currents generated by the upper and lower photodiodes in response to the incident light are measured. The wavelength of the light is determined in response to the measured currents and a predetermined correspondence between the currents from the photodiodes as a function of wavelength. In one embodiment, bias voltages applied to the photodiodes are changed and modified currents are measured. The wavelength is determined in response to the measured currents and a predetermined correspondence between the currents from the two photodiodes as a function of wavelength and bias voltage.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a color filter substrate for a liquid crystal display device having a RGBW pixel structure, wherein a white sub-color filter layer is formed during a process of forming a planarization layer with a step, and a spacer pattern is formed on the white sub-color filter layer for compensating for the step of the planarization layer.

Abstract: An interline transfer type image sensing device that can be operated at high speed and with low image smear is described. The device incorporates a refractory metal layer which is used for both a light shield over the vertical charge transfer region and as a wiring layer for low resistance strapping of poly crystalline silicon (polysilicon) gate electrodes for the vertical charge transfer region. Plugs provided by a separate metallization layer connect the refractory light shield to the polysilicon gate electrode. These plugs allow high temperature processing after refractory light shield patterning for improved sensor performance without degradation of the polysilicon gate electrode or the refractory lightshield layer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a CMOS-type solid-state imaging device and a method for manufacturing thereof, and provides a solid-state imaging device capable of optimally condensing light by a single intra-layer lens and a manufacturing method capable of forming an intra-layer lens with high precision. The solid-state imaging device according to the present invention includes a plurality of wirings and a plurality of lenses above a light-receiving portion, in which at least one of the plurality of lenses is formed of a single intra-layer lens. The method for manufacturing the solid-state imaging device according to the present invention includes the processes of forming a concave surface or convex surface onto a first insulation layer with a first refractive index using a selective etching method and forming a second insulation layer with a second refractive index onto the concave surface or convex surface to form the intra-layer lens corresponding to the light-receiving portion.

Abstract: A CMOS image sensor and method for fabricating the same improve image characteristics by eliminating the thickness of a planarization layer.

Abstract: A solid-state image sensor of the present invention is a solid-state image sensor in which pixel cells are arranged on a semiconductor substrate, wherein each of the pixel cells includes: a photoelectric conversion unit that performs photoelectric conversion of incident light; and a microlens formed above the photoelectric conversion unit, the microlens corresponding to the photoelectric conversion unit, wherein the microlens includes a transparent layer and a color filter layer.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor element that is set up on a semiconductor layer, a light shielding wall that is set up around the semiconductor element, a hole that is set up on the light shielding wall, and a wiring layer that is electrically connected to the semiconductor element and is drawn out through the hole to the outside of the light shielding wall. The wiring layer has a pattern including a first part that is located within the hole and a second part that is located on the outside of the hole and has a larger width compared to the width of the first part, the width of the second part being the same with or larger than the width of the hole.

Abstract: A photodetector is integrated on a single semiconductor chip with bipolar transistors including a high speed poly-emitter vertical NPN transistor. The photodetector includes a silicon nitride layer serving as an anti-reflective film. The silicon nitride layer and oxide layers on opposite sides thereof insulate edges of a polysilicon emitter from the underlying transistor regions, minimizing the parasitic capacitance between the NPN transistor's emitter and achieving a high frequency response. The method of manufacture is compatible with existing BiCMOS process technology, the silicon nitride layer of the anti-reflective film being formed over the photodetector as well as regions of the chip that include the vertical NPN transistor and other circuit elements.