Image sensors with phase detection auto-focus pixels

    公开(公告)号:US11323608B2

    公开(公告)日:2022-05-03

    申请号:US16597901

    申请日:2019-10-10

    Abstract: An image sensor pixel array comprises a plurality of image pixel units to gather image information and a plurality of phase detection auto-focus (PDAF) pixel units to gather phase information. Each of the PDAF pixel units includes two of first image sensor pixels covered by two micro-lenses, respectively. Each of the image pixel units includes four of second image sensor pixels adjacent to each other, wherein each of the second image sensor pixels is covered by an individual micro-lens. A coating layer is disposed on the micro-lenses and forms a flattened surface across the whole image sensor pixel array. A PDAF micro-lens is formed on the coating layer to cover the first image sensor pixels.

    Image sensor having a source follower transistor with a multi-thickness gate dielectric

    公开(公告)号:US10964738B2

    公开(公告)日:2021-03-30

    申请号:US16149544

    申请日:2018-10-02

    Abstract: An image sensor includes one or more photodiodes disposed in a semiconductor material to receive image light and generate image charge, and a floating diffusion to receive the image charge from the one or more photodiodes. One or more transfer transistors is coupled to transfer image charge in the one or more photodiodes to the floating diffusion, and a source follower transistor is coupled to amplify the image charge in the floating diffusion. The source follower includes a gate electrode (coupled to the floating diffusion), source and drain electrodes, and an active region disposed in the semiconductor material between the source and drain electrodes. A dielectric material is disposed between the gate electrode and the active region and has a first thickness and a second thickness. The second thickness is greater than the first thickness, and the second thickness is disposed closer to the drain electrode than the first thickness.

    Vertical overflow drain combined with vertical transistor

    公开(公告)号:US10734434B2

    公开(公告)日:2020-08-04

    申请号:US15984136

    申请日:2018-05-18

    Abstract: An image sensor pixel includes a photodiode disposed in a semiconductor material to generate image charge in response to light incident on a backside of the semiconductor material, and a pinning layer disposed in the semiconducting material and coupled to the photodiode. The pixel also includes a vertical overflow drain disposed in the semiconductor material and coupled to the pinning layer such that the pinning layer is disposed between the vertical overflow drain and the photodiode. A floating diffusion disposed in the semiconductor material proximate to the photodiode, and a vertical transfer transistor is disposed in part in the semiconductor material and coupled to the photodiode to transfer the image charge from the photodiode to the floating diffusion in response to a transfer signal applied to the gate terminal of the vertical transfer transistor.

    Image Sensors with Phase Detection Auto-Focus Pixels

    公开(公告)号:US20200045223A1

    公开(公告)日:2020-02-06

    申请号:US16597901

    申请日:2019-10-10

    Abstract: An image sensor pixel array comprises a plurality of image pixel units to gather image information and a plurality of phase detection auto-focus (PDAF) pixel units to gather phase information. Each of the PDAF pixel units includes two of first image sensor pixels covered by two micro-lenses, respectively. Each of the image pixel units includes four of second image sensor pixels adjacent to each other, wherein each of the second image sensor pixels is covered by an individual micro-lens. A coating layer is disposed on the micro-lenses and forms a flattened surface across the whole image sensor pixel array. A PDAF micro-lens is formed on the coating layer to cover the first image sensor pixels.

    IMAGE SENSORS WITH PHASE DETECTION AUTO-FOCUS PIXELS

    公开(公告)号:US20190394389A1

    公开(公告)日:2019-12-26

    申请号:US16017566

    申请日:2018-06-25

    Abstract: An image sensor pixel array comprises a plurality of image pixel units to gather image information and a plurality of phase detection auto-focus (PDAF) pixel units to gather phase information. Each of the PDAF pixel units includes two of first image sensor pixels covered by a shared micro-lens. Each of the image pixel units includes four of second image sensor pixels adjacent to each other, wherein each of the second image sensor pixels is covered by an individual micro-lens. A coating layer is disposed on the micro-lenses and forms a flattened surface across the whole image sensor pixel array to receive incident light.

    Source follower device for enhanced image sensor performance

    公开(公告)号:US10304882B1

    公开(公告)日:2019-05-28

    申请号:US15828217

    申请日:2017-11-30

    Abstract: An image sensor includes a photodiode disposed in a semiconductor material to generate image charge in response to incident light, and a floating diffusion disposed in the semiconductor material proximate to the photodiode. A transfer transistor is coupled to the photodiode to transfer the image charge from the photodiode into the floating diffusion in response to a transfer signal applied to a transfer gate of the transfer transistor. A source follower transistor is coupled to the floating diffusion to amplify a charge on the floating diffusion. The source follower transistor includes a gate electrode including a semiconductor material having a first dopant type; a source electrode, having a second dopant type, disposed in the semiconductor material; a drain electrode, having the second dopant type, disposed in the semiconductor material; and a channel, having the second dopant type, disposed between the source electrode and the drain electrode.

    Chip Scale Package for An Image Sensor
    17.
    发明申请

    公开(公告)号:US20190140005A1

    公开(公告)日:2019-05-09

    申请号:US15806522

    申请日:2017-11-08

    Abstract: A chip scale package (CSP) structure for an image sensor comprises an image sensor chip, wherein the image sensor chip comprises a semiconductor substrate having a top surface to receive light, a plurality of color filters disposed over the top surface, and a plurality of micro lenses disposed on the plurality of color filters. A low refractive index material is disposed over the image sensor chip, wherein the low refractive index material covers the plurality of micro lenses, and wherein a refractive index of the low refractive index material is lower than a refractive index of the plurality of micro lenses. A cover glass is disposed directly on the low refractive index material, wherein no air gap is between the cover glass and the low refractive index material, and between the low refractive index material and the image sensor chip. Therefore, the cover glass is fully supported by the low refractive index material without any dams.

    Image sensor with dielectric charge trapping device
    19.
    发明授权
    Image sensor with dielectric charge trapping device 有权
    具有介电电荷俘获装置的图像传感器

    公开(公告)号:US09312299B2

    公开(公告)日:2016-04-12

    申请号:US14250192

    申请日:2014-04-10

    Abstract: An image sensor pixel includes a photosensitive element, a floating diffusion region, a transfer gate, a dielectric charge trapping region, and a first metal contact. The photosensitive element is disposed in a semiconductor layer to receive electromagnetic radiation along a vertical axis. The floating diffusion region is disposed in the semiconductor layer, while the transfer gate is disposed on the semiconductor layer to control a flow of charge produced in the photosensitive element to the floating diffusion region. The dielectric charge trapping device is disposed on the semiconductor layer to receive electromagnetic radiation along the vertical axis and to trap charges in response thereto. The dielectric charge trapping device is further configured to induce charge in the photosensitive element in response to the trapped charges. The first metal contact is coupled to the dielectric charge trapping device to provide a first bias voltage to the dielectric charge trapping device.

    Abstract translation: 图像传感器像素包括感光元件,浮动扩散区域,传输栅极,介电电荷俘获区域和第一金属触点。 感光元件设置在半导体层中以沿垂直轴接收电磁辐射。 浮动扩散区域设置在半导体层中,而传输栅极设置在半导体层上,以控制在感光元件中产生的电荷流向浮动扩散区域。 电介质电荷俘获装置设置在半导体层上以沿垂直轴接收电磁辐射并响应于此捕获电荷。 介电电荷俘获装置还被配置为响应于被捕获的电荷而在感光元件中感应电荷。 第一金属触点耦合到介电电荷俘获装置,以向介电电荷俘获装置提供第一偏置电压。

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