Including Integrally Formed Optical Element (e.g., Reflective Layer, Luminescent Layer, Etc.) Patents (Class 438/69)
  • Patent number: 8835203
    Abstract: An organic light emitting diode (OLED) display and a method for manufacturing the same are provided. The OLED display includes a substrate, an active layer and a capacitor lower electrode positioned on the substrate, a gate insulating layer positioned on the active layer and the capacitor lower electrode, a gate electrode positioned on the gate insulating layer at a location corresponding to the active layer, a capacitor upper electrode positioned on the gate insulating layer at a location corresponding to the capacitor lower electrode, a first electrode positioned to be separated from the gate electrode and the capacitor upper electrode, an interlayer insulating layer positioned on the gate electrode, the capacitor upper electrode, and the first electrode, a source electrode and a drain electrode positioned on the interlayer insulating layer, and a bank layer positioned on the source and drain electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: LG Display Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hyunho Kim, Seokwoo Lee, Heedong Choi, Sangjin Lee, Seongmoh Seo
  • Patent number: 8835209
    Abstract: When forming sophisticated semiconductor devices including complementary transistors having a reduced gate length, the individual transistor characteristics may be adjusted on the basis of individually provided semiconductor alloys, such as a silicon/germanium alloy for P-channel transistors and a silicon/phosphorous semiconductor alloy for N-channel transistors. To this end, a superior hard mask patterning regime may be applied in order to provide compatibility with sophisticated replacement gate approaches, while avoiding undue process non-uniformities, in particular with respect to the removal of a dielectric cap layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: GLOBALFOUNDRIES Inc.
    Inventors: Stephan Kronholz, Gunda Beernink, Markus Lenski
  • Publication number: 20140254998
    Abstract: A semiconductor optical waveguide device includes a substrate having a first area and a second area, and first, second, and semiconductor mesas on the substrate. The first semiconductor mesa includes a cladding layer and a first mesa portion on the second area, the first mesa portion including first and second portions. The second semiconductor mesa includes an intermediate layer, a first core layer, and first and second mesa portions on the first and second area, respectively. The third semiconductor mesa includes a second core layer, and first and second mesa portions having a greater width than that of the second semiconductor mesa. The first portion of the first semiconductor mesa has a substantially the same width as the second mesa portion of the second semiconductor mesa. The first core layer is optically coupled to the second core layer through the intermediate layer disposed between the first and second core layers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2014
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Applicant: SUMITOMO ELECTRIC INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Akira FURUYA, Takamitsu KITAMURA, Hideki YAGI, Naoya KONO
  • Publication number: 20140252389
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a method for manufacturing a semiconductor light emitting device is disclosed. The method can include applying a resin liquid onto a first major surface of a workpiece. The workpiece has the first major surface and includes a plurality of element units and a resin layer holding the plurality of element units. The method causes the particles in the resin liquid to sink and forms a first region on a surface side of the resin liquid and a second region provided between the first region and the workpiece. The method raises a temperature of the workpiece to a second temperature higher than the first temperature to cure the resin liquid to form an optical layer including a first portion and a second portion. In addition, the method divides the optical layer and the resin layer for the plurality of element units.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2013
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
    Inventors: Hiroshi KOIZUMI, Tomomichi NAKA
  • Publication number: 20140252521
    Abstract: Provided is a semiconductor image sensor device. The image sensor device includes a semiconductor substrate having a first side and a second side opposite the first side. The semiconductor substrate contains a radiation-sensing region configured to sense radiation projected toward the substrate from the second side. A first layer is disposed over the second side of the semiconductor substrate. The first layer has a first energy band gap. A second layer is disposed over the first layer. The second layer has a second energy band gap. A third layer is disposed over the second layer. The third layer has a third energy band gap. The second energy band gap is smaller than the first energy band gap and the third energy band gap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2013
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Inventors: Min-Feng Kao, Dun-Nian Yaung, Jen-Cheng Liu, Feng-Chi Hung, Shuang-Ji Tsai, Jeng-Shyan Lin, Chun-Chieh Chuang
  • Publication number: 20140252411
    Abstract: A low voltage APD is disposed at an end of a waveguide extending laterally within a silicon device layer of a PIC chip. The APD is disposed over an inverted re-entrant mirror co-located at the end of the waveguide to couple light by internal reflection from the waveguide to an under side of the APD. In exemplary embodiments, a 45°-55° facet is formed in the silicon device layer by crystallographic etch. In embodiments, the APD includes a silicon multiplication layer, a germanium absorption layer over the multiplication layer, and a plurality of ohmic contacts disposed over the absorption layer. An overlying optically reflective metal film interconnects the plurality of ohmic contacts and returns light transmitted around the ohmic contacts to the absorption layer for greater detector responsivity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2013
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Inventors: Yimin Kang, Han-Din D. Liu, Ansheng Liu
  • Patent number: 8828779
    Abstract: A backside illumination (BSI) CMOS image sensing process includes the following steps. A substrate having an active side is provided. A curving process is performed to curve the active side. A reflective layer is formed on the active side, so that at least a curved mirror is formed on the active side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: United Microelectronics Corp.
    Inventor: Xin Zhao
  • Patent number: 8829527
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for manufacturing a highly reliable display device at a low cost with high yield. According to the present invention, a step due to an opening in a contact is covered with an insulating layer to reduce the step, and is processed into a gentle shape. A wiring or the like is formed to be in contact with the insulating layer and thus the coverage of the wiring or the like is enhanced. In addition, deterioration of a light-emitting element due to contaminants such as water can be prevented by sealing a layer including an organic material that has water permeability in a display device with a sealing material. Since the sealing material is formed in a portion of a driver circuit region in the display device, the frame margin of the display device can be narrowed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shunpei Yamazaki, Satoshi Murakami, Motomu Kurata, Hiroyuki Hata, Mitsuhiro Ichijo, Takashi Ohtsuki, Aya Anzai, Masayuki Sakakura
  • Publication number: 20140246714
    Abstract: An image sensor and method of manufacturing the same are provided. The image sensor can include a pixel array region having an active pixel area and a dark pixel area surrounding the active pixel area. A dark shield can be formed in the dark pixel area to inhibit light. Dark pixels can be provided under the dark shield. The dark shield can include a thin film including silicon chromium (SiCr).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Publication date: September 4, 2014
    Applicant: DONGBU HITEK CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Chang Eun LEE
  • Publication number: 20140246089
    Abstract: A solar cell module according to the embodiment includes a back electrode layer formed on a top surface of a support substrate and including a first groove; a light absorbing layer formed on the back electrode layer and including a third groove; a front electrode layer formed on the light absorbing layer and including the third groove; and a wavelength conversion material formed in at least one of the first and third grooves.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2012
    Publication date: September 4, 2014
    Applicant: LG INNOTEK CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Dong Keun Lee
  • Patent number: 8823009
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for manufacturing a highly reliable display device at a low cost with high yield. According to the present invention, a step due to an opening in a contact is covered with an insulating layer to reduce the step, and is processed into a gentle shape. A wiring or the like is formed to be in contact with the insulating layer and thus the coverage of the wiring or the like is enhanced. In addition, deterioration of a light-emitting element due to contaminants such as water can be prevented by sealing a layer including an organic material that has water permeability in a display device with a sealing material. Since the sealing material is formed in a portion of a driver circuit region in the display device, the frame margin of the display device can be narrowed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shunpei Yamazaki, Satoshi Murakami, Motomu Kurata, Hiroyuki Hata, Mitsuhiro Ichijo, Takashi Ohtsuki, Aya Anzai, Masayuki Sakakura
  • Patent number: 8822998
    Abstract: An organic light emitting display device includes a substrate, a plurality of sub-pixels on the substrate, each sub-pixel including a first region configured to emit light and a second region configured to transmit external light, a plurality of thin film transistors disposed in the first region of the each sub-pixel, a plurality of first electrodes disposed in the first region of each sub-pixel and electrically connected to the thin film transistors, a first insulating layer on at least a portion of the first region of each sub-pixel to cover a portion of the first electrode, an organic emission layer on the first electrode, a second insulating layer on at least a portion of the second region of each sub-pixel, the second insulating layer including a plurality of openings therein, and a second electrode covering the organic emission layer, the first insulating layer, and the second insulating layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung Display Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Seong-Min Kim, Jun-Ho Choi, Jin-Koo Chung
  • Publication number: 20140239330
    Abstract: An optical communication module includes an optical semiconductor element. The element includes an optical functional region having a light receiving function or a light emitting function, a first transmission layer transmissive to light emitted from the optical functional region or light received by the optical functional region, and a wiring layer stacked on the first transmission layer and constituting a conduction path to the optical functional region. The communication module also includes a second transmission layer transmissive to the light and disposed to cover the optical semiconductor element, and a first resin member stacked on the second transmission layer. The communication module is formed with a fixing hole for fixing an optical fiber. The fixing hole includes a bottom face provided by the second transmission layer, and an opening formed in an outer surface of the first resin member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2014
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Applicant: ROHM CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Akira OBIKA
  • Publication number: 20140242743
    Abstract: An entry slit panel for a push-broom hyperspectral camera is formed at least partly from a silicon wafer on which at least one companion sensor is fabricated, whereby the companion sensor is co-planar with the slit and detects light imaged on the panel but not on the slit. In embodiments, the companion sensor is a panchromatic sensor or a sensor that detects light outside the wavelength range of the camera. At least a region of the wafer is back-thinned to a thickness appropriate for a diffraction slit. The slit can be etched or laser cut through the thinned region, or formed between the wafer and another wafer or a conventional blade. The wafer can be back-coated or metalized to ensure its opacity across the camera's wavelength range. The companion sensor can be located relative to the slit to detect scene features immediately before or after the hyperspectral camera.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2014
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Applicant: BAE Systems Information and Electronic Systems Integration Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas H. Wallace
  • Patent number: 8815629
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing an optical reflector including an alternating stack of at least one first layer of complex refraction index n1 and at least one second layer of complex refraction index n2, in which the first layer includes semiconductor nanocrystals, including the following steps: calculation of the total number of layers of the stack, of the thicknesses of each of the layers and of the values of complex refraction indices n1 and n2 on the basis of the characteristics of a desired spectral reflectivity window of the optical reflector, including the use of an optical transfer matrices calculation method; calculation of deposition and annealing parameters of the layers on the basis of the total number of layers and of the values of previously calculated complex refraction indices n1 and n2; deposition and annealing of the layers in accordance with the previously calculated parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Commissariat a l'energie atomique et aux energies alternatives
    Inventors: Kavita Surana, Mathieu Baudrit, Pierre Mur, Philippe Thony
  • Patent number: 8815630
    Abstract: Back side illumination (BSI) sensors, manufacturing methods thereof, and semiconductor device manufacturing methods are disclosed. In some embodiments, a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device includes providing a workpiece having a front side and a back side opposite the front side. An integrated circuit is formed on the workpiece, and a first insulating material is formed on the back side of the workpiece. A second insulating material is formed over the first insulating material. The second insulating material is patterned to form a grid on the back side of the workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Shiu-Ko JangJian, Chin-Nan Wu, Chun Che Lin, Yu-Ku Lin
  • Publication number: 20140230896
    Abstract: Disclosed are a solar cell and a method of fabricating the same. The solar cell includes a back electrode layer, a light absorbing layer on the back electrode layer, a front electrode layer on the light absorbing layer, and a plurality of light path changing particles in the front electrode layer or between the light absorbing layer and the front electrode layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2012
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Applicant: LG INNOTEK CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Chin Woo Lim
  • Patent number: 8809101
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a semiconductor light emitting device includes: first and second semiconductor layers, a light emitting part, and an In-containing layer. The first semiconductor layer is formed on a silicon substrate via a foundation layer. The light emitting part is provided on the first semiconductor layer, and includes barrier layers and a well layer provided between the barrier layers including Ga1?z1Inz1N (0<z1?1). The second semiconductor layer is provided on the light emitting part. The In-containing layer is provided at at least one of first and second positions. The first position is between the first semiconductor layer and the light emitting part. The second position is between the second semiconductor layer and the light emitting part. The In-containing layer includes In with a composition ratio different from the In composition ratio z1 and has a thickness 10 nm to 1000 nm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Jongil Hwang, Tomonari Shioda, Hung Hung, Naoharu Sugiyama, Shinya Nunoue
  • Patent number: 8809676
    Abstract: A thin film solar cell includes a first substrate, a transparent conductive layer on an inner surface of the first substrate, the transparent conductive layer having an uneven top surface and including through-holes, a light-absorbing layer on the transparent conductive layer, a reflection electrode on the light-absorbing layer, a second substrate facing and attached with the first substrate, and a polymeric material layer on an inner surface of the second substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: LG Display Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Won-Seo Park, Jeong-Woo Lee, Seong-Kee Park, Kyung-Jin Shim, Tae-Youn Kim, Yi-Yin Yu
  • Patent number: 8810765
    Abstract: An electroluminescence element includes an electroluminescence substrate including a thin film transistor substrate, and a light-emitting layer provided over the thin film transistor substrate and divided by picture-element separating portions so as to correspond to unit picture elements; and a sealing substrate arranged to hermetically seal the light-emitting layer of the electroluminescence substrate. At least one of the electroluminescence substrate and the sealing substrate is a flexible substrate. Spacers are provided between the electroluminescence substrate and the sealing substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tohru Okabe, Hirohiko Nishiki
  • Patent number: 8802481
    Abstract: Apparatuses capable of and techniques for detecting the visible light spectrum are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: University of Seoul Industry Cooperation Foundation
    Inventor: Doyeol Ahn
  • Publication number: 20140217486
    Abstract: There is provided a back-illuminated type solid-state image pickup unit, in which a pad wiring line is provided on a light reception surface, capable of improving light reception characteristics in a photoelectric conversion section by thinning an insulating film in the back-illuminated type solid-state image pickup unit. A solid-state image pickup unit according to the present technology to accomplish such a purpose includes a sensor substrate having a pixel region in which photoelectric conversion sections are formed in an array, and a drive circuit is provided on a surface opposed to a light reception surface for the photoelectric conversion sections of the sensor substrate. Moreover, a through hole via reaching the drive circuit from the light reception surface of the sensor substrate is provided in a peripheral region located outside the pixel region. Further, a pad wiring line directly laminated on the through hole via is provided on the light reception surface in the peripheral region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2012
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Kentaro Akiyama
  • Publication number: 20140220725
    Abstract: An integrated die-level camera system and method of making the camera system include a first die-level camera formed at least partially in a die. A second die level camera is also formed at least partially in the die. Baffling is formed to block stray light between the first and second die-level cameras.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2014
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: OmniVision Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Dennis Gallagher, Adam Douglas Greengard, Paulo E.X. Silveira, Chris Linnen, Vlad V. Chumanchenko, Jungwon Aldinger
  • Publication number: 20140220724
    Abstract: A method for producing a film, the method comprising melting a layer of precursor particles on a substrate until at least a portion of the melted particles are planarized and merged to produce the film. The invention is also directed to a method for producing a photovoltaic film, the method comprising depositing particles having a photovoltaic or other property onto a substrate, and affixing the particles to the substrate, wherein the particles may or may not be subsequently melted. Also described herein are films produced by these methods, methods for producing a patterned film on a substrate, and methods for producing a multilayer structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2012
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: UT-BATTELLE, LLC
    Inventors: Chad E. Duty, Charlee JC Bennett, Ji-Won Moom, Tommy J. Phelps, Craig A. Blue, Quanqin Dai, Michael Z. Hu, Ilia N. Ivanov, Gerald E. Jellison, JR., Lonnie J. Love, Ronald D. Ott, Chad M. Parish, Steven Walker
  • Patent number: 8796715
    Abstract: There is provided a phosphor blend for an LED light source comprising from about 25 to about 35 weight percent of a cerium-activated yttrium aluminum garnet phosphor, from about 5 to about 10 weight percent of a europium-activated strontium calcium silicon nitride phosphor, and from about 50 to about 75 weight percent of a europium-activated calcium magnesium chlorosilicate phosphor. An LED light source in accordance with this invention has a B:G:R ratio for a 5500 K daylight balanced color film of X:Y:Z when directly exposed through a nominal photographic lens, wherein X, Y and Z each have a value from 0.90 to 1.10.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Osram Sylvania Inc.
    Inventors: John Selverian, Robert E. Levin
  • Patent number: 8796799
    Abstract: An image sensor includes: a substrate having a plurality of unit pixel region; a light receiving element formed in the substrate at the unit pixel region; an interlayer dielectric layer formed over the substrate; a lightguide formed in the interlayer dielectric layer for the light receiving element; a light focusing pattern formed over the interlayer dielectric layer at the pixel region; a planarization layer formed over the substrate and covering the light focusing pattern; and a lens formed over the planarization layer at the pixel region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Hynix Semiconductor Inc.
    Inventor: Youn-Sub Lim
  • Publication number: 20140210033
    Abstract: In a pixel unit of a solid-state imaging device, a semiconductor substrate is provided with a plurality of photodiodes, a first insulating film includes a recess in a portion above each of the photodiodes, a second insulating film embeds the recess, a plurality of color filters is formed on the second insulating film, the color filters each corresponding to one of the photodiodes, a partition is provided between adjacent ones of the color filters, the partition being a part of a third insulating film, and in an area outside of the pixel unit, (i) a conductive film at least partially covered by the third insulating film is formed on the second insulating film, and (ii) the third insulating film formed on the conductive film and on the second insulating film near the conductive film has a film thickness smaller than a film thickness of the partition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2014
    Publication date: July 31, 2014
    Applicant: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Hisashi YANO, Shigeru SUZUKI, Gen OKAZAKI, Akira OODAIRA, Motonari KATSUNO, Tetsuya NAKAMURA
  • Publication number: 20140211298
    Abstract: A tunable metamaterial has a two dimensional array of resonant annular ring elements; and a plurality of voltage controllable electrical tuning elements disposed in or adjacent openings in each of said ring elements, each of said voltage controllable electrical tuning element ohmically contacting portions of only one of said ring elements. The voltage controllable electrical tuning elements may comprise highly doped semiconductor tunnel diodes, or the charge accumulation layer at the semiconductor/insulator interface of a metal-insulator-semiconductor structure, or nanoelectromechanical (NEMs) capacitors. The tunable metamaterial may be used, for example, in an optical beam steering device using the aforementioned tunable optical metamaterial in which a free-space optical beam is coupled into a receiving portion of a plane of the optical metamaterial and is steered out of a transmitter portion of the plane of the optical metamaterial in controllable azimuthal and elevational directions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2013
    Publication date: July 31, 2014
    Applicant: HRL LABORATORIES, LLC
    Inventors: Keyvan Sayyah, James H. Schaffner, Pamela R. Patterson
  • Publication number: 20140213012
    Abstract: A method for forming image sensors includes providing a substrate and forming a plurality of photo diode regions, each of the photo diode regions being spatially disposed on the substrate. The method also includes forming an interlayer dielectric layer overlying the plurality of photo diode regions, forming a shielding layer formed overlying the interlayer dielectric layer, and applying a silicon dioxide bearing material overlying the shielding layer. The method further includes etching portions of the silicon dioxide bearing material to form a plurality of first lens structures, and continuing to form each of the plurality of first lens structures to provide a plurality of finished lens structures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2014
    Publication date: July 31, 2014
    Applicants: Semiconductor Manufacturing International (Beijing) Corporation, Semiconductor Manufacturing International (Shanghai) Corporation
    Inventors: HERB HE HUANG, MIENO FUMITAKE
  • Publication number: 20140212999
    Abstract: A photoelectric conversion device includes a plurality of photoelectric conversion regions disposed over a substrate, and a colored region disposed among the photoelectric conversion regions over the substrate, the colored region forming an image over the substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2014
    Publication date: July 31, 2014
    Applicant: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hideki TANAKA, Ichio YUDASAKA, Masahiro FURUSAWA, Tsutomu MIYAMOTO, Tatsuya SHIMODA
  • Publication number: 20140209154
    Abstract: Devices and methods for enhancing optical absorbance and photovoltaics are disclosed. In some embodiments, a light absorbing device comprises a light absorbing material having a front surface and a back surface, and a planar array of nanostructures embedded within the light absorbing material between the front surface and the back surface of the light absorbing material. The nanostructures may be formed from a metallic material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2012
    Publication date: July 31, 2014
    Inventors: Michael J. Naughton, Michael J. Burns, Fan Ye
  • Publication number: 20140209160
    Abstract: The systems, methods, and devices of the various embodiments provide a photovoltaic cell made up of an array of photovoltaic bristles. The photovoltaic bristles may be configured individually and in an array to have a high probability of photon absorption. The high probability of photon absorption may result in high light energy conversion efficiency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2013
    Publication date: July 31, 2014
    Applicant: Q1 NANOSYSTEMS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Mark R. SCHROEDER, Robert M. SMITH
  • Patent number: 8790952
    Abstract: A manufacturing method forms a photoelectric conversion device having a photoreceiving portion provided in a substrate and an interlayer film arranged over the substrate. The method includes forming a layer of a lower etching rate rather than the interlayer film so that the layer of the lower etching rate covers a whole surface of the photoreceiving portion, forming the interlayer film over the layer of the lower etching rate, etching a portion of the interlayer film corresponding to the photoreceiving portion to form a hole penetrating through the interlayer film and reaching the layer of the lower etching rate, and disposing in the hole a material of a higher refractive index rather than the interlayer film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Sakae Hashimoto
  • Publication number: 20140202528
    Abstract: A thin film solar cell includes a first substrate, a first electrode on the first substrate, and divided by a first dividing groove, a light absorbing layer disposed on the first electrode, and divided by a second dividing groove parallel with the first dividing groove, a second electrode disposed on the light absorbing layer, divided by a third dividing groove that parallel with the first and second dividing grooves, a second substrate disposed on the second electrode, facing the first substrate, and a metal foil attached to the first substrate and the second substrate to encapsulate a gap between the first substrate and the second substrate, a first end portion of the metal foil being attached to a first surface of the first substrate using a metal material, and a second end portion of the metal foil being attached to the second substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2013
    Publication date: July 24, 2014
    Applicant: SAMSUNG SDI CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jung-Yup YANG, Young-Kyoung AHN, Bong-Kyoung PARK, Yury LEBEDEV
  • Publication number: 20140203388
    Abstract: An optical sensor includes a semiconductor substrate having a first conductive type. The optical sensor further includes a photodiode disposed on the semiconductor substrate and a metal layer. The photodiode includes a first semiconductor layer having the first conductive type and a second semiconductor layer, formed on the first semiconductor layer, including a plurality of cathodes having a second conductive type. The first semiconductor layer is configured to collect photocurrent upon reception of incident light. The cathodes are configured to be electrically connected to the first semiconductor layer and the second semiconductor layer is configured to, based on the collected photocurrent, to track the incident light.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2014
    Publication date: July 24, 2014
    Applicant: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: James BECKER, Henry Litzmann EDWARDS
  • Publication number: 20140203171
    Abstract: A photoelectric conversion device comprises a high-refractive-index portion at a position close to a photoelectric conversion element therein. And, the high-refractive-index portion has first and second horizontal cross-section surfaces. The first cross-section surface is at a position closer to the photoelectric conversion element rather than the second cross-section surface, and is larger than an area of the second cross-section surface, so as to guide an incident light into the photoelectric conversion element without reflection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2014
    Publication date: July 24, 2014
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Masatsugu Itahashi
  • Patent number: 8785992
    Abstract: An example embodiment relates to a light-guiding structure. The light-guiding structure may include a bottom surface and a sidewall defined by a first, a second, and a third insulating layer disposed on a semiconductor substrate. The bottom surface may be parallel to a main surface of the semiconductor substrate and may be disposed in the first insulating layer. The sidewall may penetrate the second and third insulating layers to extend to the first insulating layer, and the sidewall may be tapered with respect to the main surface of semiconductor substrate. The light-guiding structure may be included in a image sensor. The image sensor may be included in a processor-based system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kang-Hyun Baek, Sang-Il Jung, Jin-Ho Kim, Jeong-Ho Lee, Jeong-Bin Kim
  • Patent number: 8785234
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a plurality of chips comprises the step of providing a wafer comprising a plurality of chip areas separated by one or more dicing lines, wherein the chip areas are arranged on a first main surface, the step of providing a laser absorption layer on a second main surface opposite to the first main surface and the step of providing a backside metal stack on the laser absorption layer. After that a laser light is applied to the laser absorption layer along the dicing lines before the chips are singulated along the dicing lines by using stealth dicing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Gunther Mackh, Adolf Koller
  • Publication number: 20140197305
    Abstract: There is provided an optical apparatus including a substrate, a light emitting device, a light sensitive device and a plurality of micro-lenses. The light emitting device is disposed on the substrate and adapted to provide a light beam. The light sensitive device is disposed on the substrate and adapted to receive a light beam reflected from an object, wherein the light sensitive device has a plurality of photosensitive units arranged in matrix. The micro-lenses are disposed above the light sensitive device and respectively opposite to the associated photosensitive units. There is further provided a light sensitive device with micro-lens and a manufacturing method thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2013
    Publication date: July 17, 2014
    Applicant: PIXART IMAGING INC.
    Inventors: EN-FENG HSU, CHIA-YU LIU, CHING-WEI CHEN
  • Publication number: 20140197507
    Abstract: A method of forming an integrated photonic semiconductor structure having a photodetector and a CMOS device may include forming the CMOS device on a first silicon-on-insulator region, forming a silicon optical waveguide on a second silicon-on-insulator region, and forming a shallow trench isolation (STI) region surrounding the silicon optical waveguide such that the shallow trench isolation electrically isolating the first and second silicon-on-insulator region. Within a first region of the STI region, a first germanium material is deposited adjacent a first side wall of the semiconductor optical waveguide. Within a second region of the STI region, a second germanium material is deposited adjacent a second side wall of the semiconductor optical waveguide, whereby the second side wall opposes the first side wall. The first and second germanium material form an active region that evanescently receives propagating optical signals from the first and second side wall of the semiconductor optical waveguide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2013
    Publication date: July 17, 2014
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: SOLOMON ASSEFA, WILLIAM M. GREEN, STEVEN M. SHANK, YURII A. VLASOV
  • Patent number: 8779281
    Abstract: A solar cell includes a semi-conductive substrate, a doping layer, an anti-reflection layer, an electrode, a passivation stacked layer and a contact layer. The semi-conductive substrate has a front and a back surface. The doping layer is disposed on the front surface. The anti-reflection layer is disposed on the doping layer. The electrode is disposed on the anti-reflection layer and electrically connected to the doping layer. The passivation stacked layer is disposed on the back surface and has a first dielectric layer, a second dielectric layer and a middle dielectric layer sandwiched between the first and the second dielectric layer. The dielectric constant of the middle dielectric layer is substantially lower than the dielectric constant of the first dielectric layer and the dielectric constant of the second dielectric layer. The contact layer covers the passivation stacked layer and electrically contacts with the back surface of the semi-conductive substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Au Optronics Corporation
    Inventors: Yen-Cheng Hu, Peng Chen, Tsung-Pao Chen, Shuo-Wei Liang, Zhen-Cheng Wu, Chien-Jen Chen
  • Patent number: 8772072
    Abstract: A backside illuminated image sensor includes a light receiving element disposed in a first substrate, an interlayer insulation layer disposed on the first substrate having the light receiving element, an align key spaced apart from the light receiving element and passing through the interlayer insulation layer and the first substrate, a plurality of interconnection layers disposed on the interlayer insulation layer in a multi-layered structure, wherein the backside of the lowermost interconnection layer is connected to the align key, a passivation layer covering the interconnection layers, a pad locally disposed on the backside of the first substrate and connected to the backside of the align key, a light anti-scattering layer disposed on the backside of the substrate having the pad, and a color filter and a microlens disposed on the light anti-scattering layer to face the light receiving element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Intellectual Ventures II LLC
    Inventor: Sung-Gyu Pyo
  • Patent number: 8772844
    Abstract: Capacitance between a detection capacitor and a reset transistor is the largest among the capacitances between the detection capacitor and transistors placed around the detection capacitor. In order to reduce this capacitance, it is effective to reduce the channel width of the reset transistor. It is possible to reduce the effective channel width by distributing, in the vicinity of the channel of the reset transistor and the boundary line between an active region and an element isolation region, ions which enhance the generation of carriers of an opposite polarity to the channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Wi Lan, Inc.
    Inventors: Motonari Katsuno, Ryouhei Miyagawa, Masayuki Matsunaga
  • Patent number: 8772819
    Abstract: A multi-layer array type LED device is provided, which includes a substrate, an encapsulation body, two lead frames, a plurality of LED dices, and a set of optical lens. The outer circumferential edge and the upper and lower periphery of the substrate are completely encapsulated by the encapsulation body so that the multi-layer array type LED device can be tightly packaged. In the present invention, a fluorescent layer is disposed between an optical grease layer and a silica gel protection layer, and thereby the fluorescent layer is protected, and is capable of preventing moisture from permeating therein. On the other hand, in the present invention, the reflection coefficient of the optical grease layer is at least larger than a certain value so that the probability of the light emitted out of the optical chamber can be increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Gem Weltronics TWN Corporation
    Inventors: Jon-Fwu Hwu, Yung-Fu Wu, Kui-Chiang Liu
  • Patent number: 8772898
    Abstract: A backside illuminated image sensor includes a semiconductor layer and a trench disposed in the semiconductor layer. The semiconductor layer has a frontside surface and a backside surface. The semiconductor layer includes a light sensing element of a pixel array disposed in a sensor array region of the semiconductor layer. The pixel array is positioned to receive external incoming light through the backside surface of the semiconductor layer. The semiconductor layer also includes a light emitting element disposed in a periphery circuit region of the semiconductor layer external to the sensor array region. The trench is disposed in the semiconductor layer between the light sensing element and the light emitting element. The trench is positioned to impede a light path between the light emitting element and the light sensing element when the light path is internal to the semiconductor layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: OmniVision Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Duli Mao, Hsin-Chih Tai, Vincent Venezia, Yin Qian, Gang Chen, Howard E. Rhodes
  • Patent number: 8773559
    Abstract: A solid-state imaging device includes: a semiconductor substrate; and a plurality of pixels arrayed two-dimensionally in the semiconductor substrate, each of the pixels having a photoelectric conversion element that performs photoelectric conversion, the photoelectric conversion element having a first impurity region, formed in the semiconductor substrate, containing an impurity of a first conductivity type; a second impurity region formed in the semiconductor substrate so as to be in contact with the first impurity region, containing an impurity of a second conductivity type different from the first conductivity type; and a PN junction portion in which the first impurity region and the second impurity region are in contact with each other, formed in a protruding shape projecting toward a surface side of the semiconductor substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Satoe Miyata
  • Patent number: 8772071
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing thin film solar cells, includes forming a light permeable first electrode layer in the back light surface of a glass substrate, and formed in the first electrode layer a plurality of first openings for exposing a part of the back light surface therefrom; forming a photoelectric conversion layer on the first electrode layer and the exposed back light surface, and forming a plurality of second openings in the photoelectric conversion layer for exposing a part of the first electrode layer therefrom; and forming a glistening second electrode layer having a plurality of third openings formed therein, wherein the second electrode layer comprises a conductive colloid comprised of non-diffractive fillings and polymeric base material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Industrial Technology Research Institute
    Inventors: Jun-Chin Liu, Yu-Hung Chen, Chien-Liang Wu, Yu-Ru Chen, Yu-Ming Wang
  • Patent number: 8772069
    Abstract: A method and apparatus used for forming a lens and spacer combination, and imager module employing the spacer and lens combination. The apparatus includes a mold having a base, spacer section, and mold feature. The method includes using the mold with a blank to create a spacer that includes an integral lens. The spacer and lens combination and imager modules can be formed on a wafer level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Rick Lake, Jacques Duparre
  • Publication number: 20140182656
    Abstract: An electromagnetic energy concentrator uses a prism and waveguide with a gap layer of uniform thickness disposed between the prism and a first surface of waveguide. Energy detectors, which may be photovoltaics or miniaturized antenna elements are disposed adjacent to and co-extensive with a second surface of the waveguide. The detectors operate in each of at least two bands; a distance between detectors operating in a given band depends on a wavelength in the given band.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2013
    Publication date: July 3, 2014
    Applicant: AMI Research & Development, LLC
    Inventors: Patricia Bodan, John T. Apostolos, Benjamin McMahon, William Mouyos
  • Publication number: 20140183585
    Abstract: Fabricating a wafer-scale spacer/optics structure includes replicating optical replication elements and spacer replication sections directly onto an optics wafer (or other wafer) using a single replication tool. The replicated optical elements and spacer elements can be composed of the same or different materials.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 26, 2013
    Publication date: July 3, 2014
    Applicant: Heptagon Micro Optics Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: Simon Gubser, Hakan Karpuz