公开(公告)号：US08440490B2

公开(公告)日：2013-05-14

申请号：US13288686

申请日：2011-11-03

Applicant: James W. Adkisson ,  John J. Ellis-Monaghan ,  Mark D. Jaffe ,  Dale J. Pearson ,  Dennis L. Rogers

Inventor： James W. Adkisson ,  John J. Ellis-Monaghan ,  Mark D. Jaffe ,  Dale J. Pearson ,  Dennis L. Rogers

IPC: H01L31/18

CPC classification number: H01L27/14643 ,  H01L27/1463 ,  H01L27/14689 ,  H01L31/035281

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a pixel sensor cell that includes a photosensitive element having a non-laterally disposed charge collection region. The method includes forming a trench recess in a substrate of a first conductivity type material, and filling the trench recess with a material having second conductivity type material. The second conductivity type material is then diffused out of the filled trench material to the substrate region surrounding the trench to form the non-laterally disposed charge collection region. The filled trench material is removed to provide a trench recess, and the trench recess is filled with a material having a first conductivity type material. A surface implant layer is formed at either side of the trench having a first conductivity type material. A collection region of a trench-type photosensitive element is formed of the outdiffused second conductivity type material and is isolated from the substrate surface.

Abstract translation: 一种制造像素传感器单元的方法，该像素传感器单元包括具有非横向放置的电荷收集区域的感光元件。 该方法包括在第一导电类型材料的衬底中形成沟槽凹槽，并用具有第二导电类型材料的材料填充沟槽凹槽。 然后将第二导电类型材料从填充的沟槽材料扩散到围绕沟槽的衬底区域，以形成非横向布置的电荷收集区域。 去除填充的沟槽材料以提供沟槽凹槽，并且用具有第一导电类型材料的材料填充沟槽凹槽。 表面注入层形成在具有第一导电类型材料的沟槽的任一侧。 沟槽型感光元件的收集区域由向外扩散的第二导电型材料形成，并与衬底表面隔离。

公开(公告)号：US20090268063A1

公开(公告)日：2009-10-29

申请号：US12107825

申请日：2008-04-23

Applicant: John J. Ellis-Monaghan ,  Mark D. Jaffe

Inventor： John J. Ellis-Monaghan ,  Mark D. Jaffe

IPC: H04N9/64 ,  H04N5/335

CPC classification number: H04N5/361 ,  H04N5/359

Abstract: The image quality of an image frame from a CMOS image sensor array operated in global shutter mode may be enhanced by dispersing or randomizing the noise introduced by leakage currents from floating drains among the rows of the image frame. Further, the image quality may be improved by accounting for time dependent changes in the output of dark pixels in dark pixel rows or dark pixel columns. In addition, voltage and time dependent changes in the output of dark pixels may also be measured to provide an accurate estimate of the noise introduced to the charge held in the floating drains. Such methods may be employed individually or in combination to improve the quality of the image.

Abstract translation: 来自在全球快门模式下操作的CMOS图像传感器阵列的图像帧的图像质量可以通过将来自浮动排水口的泄漏电流引入的噪声分散或随机化在图像帧的行中来增强。 此外，通过考虑暗像素行或暗像素列中的暗像素的输出中的时间依赖性变化，可以提高图像质量。 此外，还可以测量暗像素的输出中的电压和时间相关的变化，以提供引入到浮动排水管中的电荷的噪声的准确估计。 这样的方法可以单独使用或组合使用以提高图像的质量。

公开(公告)号：US20090236644A1

公开(公告)日：2009-09-24

申请号：US12050967

申请日：2008-03-19

Applicant: James W. Adkisson ,  John J. Ellis-Monaghan ,  Mark D. Jaffe ,  Charles F. Musante ,  Richard J. Rassel

Inventor： James W. Adkisson ,  John J. Ellis-Monaghan ,  Mark D. Jaffe ,  Charles F. Musante ,  Richard J. Rassel

IPC: H01L31/113 ,  H04N5/335 ,  G06F17/50

CPC classification number: H04N5/361 ,  G06F17/5063 ,  H04N5/359 ,  H04N5/3745

Abstract: A global shutter compatible pixel circuit comprising a reset gate (RG) transistor is provided in which a dynamic voltage is applied to the drain of the reset gate transistor in order to reduce a floating diffusion (FD) leakage therethrough during signal hold time. The drain voltage of the reset gate transistor is held at a lower voltage than a circuit supply voltage to minimize the off-state leakage through the RG transistor, thus reducing the change in the voltage at the floating diffusion during the signal hold time. In addition, a design structure for such a circuit providing a dynamic voltage to the drain of a reset gate of a pixel circuit is also provided.

Abstract translation: 提供了包括复位栅极（RG）晶体管的全局快门兼容像素电路，其中动态电压被施加到复位栅极晶体管的漏极，以便减少在信号保持时间期间通过其的浮动扩散（FD）泄漏。 复位栅极晶体管的漏极电压保持在比电路电源电压更低的电压，以最小化通过RG晶体管的截止状态泄漏，从而减少在信号保持时间期间浮动扩散时的电压变化。 此外，还提供了用于向像素电路的复位栅极的漏极提供动态电压的这种电路的设计结构。

公开(公告)号：US07563636B2

公开(公告)日：2009-07-21

申请号：US12172304

申请日：2008-07-14

Applicant: James W. Adkisson ,  Andres Bryant ,  John J. Ellis-Monaghan ,  Mark D. Jaffe ,  Jeffrey B. Johnson ,  Alain Loiseau

Inventor： James W. Adkisson ,  Andres Bryant ,  John J. Ellis-Monaghan ,  Mark D. Jaffe ,  Jeffrey B. Johnson ,  Alain Loiseau

IPC: H01L21/00

CPC classification number: H01L27/14603 ,  H01L27/14609 ,  H01L27/14689 ,  H01L31/035281

Abstract: The present invention is a pixel sensor cell and method of making the same. The pixel sensor cell approximately doubles the available signal for a given quanta of light. The device of the present invention utilizes the holes produced by impinging photons in a pixel sensor cell circuit. A pixel sensor cell having reduced complexity includes an n-type collection well region formed beneath a surface of a substrate for collecting electrons generated by electromagnetic radiation impinging on the pixel sensor cell and a p-type collection well region formed beneath the surface of the substrate for collecting holes generated by the impinging photons. A circuit structure having a first input is coupled to the n-type collection well region and a second input is coupled to the p-type collection well region, wherein an output signal of the pixel sensor cell is the magnitude of the difference of a signal of the first input and a signal of the second input.

Abstract translation: 本发明是像素传感器单元及其制造方法。 像素传感器单元对于给定的光量大约使可用信号加倍。 本发明的器件利用通过在像素传感器单元电路中照射光子而产生的空穴。 具有降低的复杂度的像素传感器单元包括形成在基板的表面下面的n型收集阱区域，用于收集由电子辐射照射在像素传感器单元上​​产生的电子以及形成在基板表面下方的p型收集阱区域 用于收集由撞击光子产生的孔。 具有第一输入的电路结构耦合到n型收集阱区域，而第二输入端耦合到p型收集阱区域，其中像素传感器单元的输出信号是信号的差值的大小 的第一输入和第二输入的信号。

公开(公告)号：US20080296476A1

公开(公告)日：2008-12-04

申请号：US12172306

申请日：2008-07-14

Applicant: James W. Adkisson ,  Andres Bryant ,  John J. Ellis-Monaghan ,  Mark D. Jaffe ,  Jeffrey B. Johnson ,  Alain Lolseau

Inventor： James W. Adkisson ,  Andres Bryant ,  John J. Ellis-Monaghan ,  Mark D. Jaffe ,  Jeffrey B. Johnson ,  Alain Lolseau

IPC: H01L27/146

CPC classification number: H01L27/14603 ,  H01L27/14609 ,  H01L27/14689 ,  H01L31/035281

Abstract: The present invention is a pixel sensor cell and method of making the same. The pixel sensor cell approximately doubles the available signal for a given quanta of light. The device of the present invention utilizes the holes produced by impinging photons in a pixel sensor cell circuit. A pixel sensor cell having reduced complexity includes an n-type collection well region formed beneath a surface of a substrate for collecting electrons generated by electromagnetic radiation impinging on the pixel sensor cell and a p-type collection well region formed beneath the surface of the substrate for collecting holes generated by the impinging photons. A circuit structure having a first input is coupled to the n-type collection well region and a second input is coupled to the p-type collection well region, wherein an output signal of the pixel sensor cell is the magnitude of the difference of a signal of the first input and a signal of the second input.

Abstract translation: 本发明是像素传感器单元及其制造方法。 像素传感器单元对于给定的光量大约使可用信号加倍。 本发明的器件利用通过在像素传感器单元电路中照射光子而产生的空穴。 具有降低的复杂度的像素传感器单元包括形成在基板的表面下面的n型收集阱区域，用于收集由电子辐射照射在像素传感器单元上​​产生的电子以及形成在基板表面下方的p型收集阱区域 用于收集由撞击光子产生的孔。 具有第一输入的电路结构耦合到n型收集阱区域，而第二输入端耦合到p型收集阱区域，其中像素传感器单元的输出信号是信号的差值的大小 的第一输入和第二输入的信号。

公开(公告)号：US20080274578A1

公开(公告)日：2008-11-06

申请号：US12172304

申请日：2008-07-14

Applicant: James W. Adkisson ,  Andres Bryant ,  John J. Ellis-Monaghan ,  Mark D. Jaffe ,  Jeffrey B. Johnson ,  Alain Loiseau

Inventor： James W. Adkisson ,  Andres Bryant ,  John J. Ellis-Monaghan ,  Mark D. Jaffe ,  Jeffrey B. Johnson ,  Alain Loiseau

IPC: H01L21/00

CPC classification number: H01L27/14603 ,  H01L27/14609 ,  H01L27/14689 ,  H01L31/035281

Abstract: The present invention is a pixel sensor cell and method of making the same. The pixel sensor cell approximately doubles the available signal for a given quanta of light. The device of the present invention utilizes the holes produced by impinging photons in a pixel sensor cell circuit. A pixel sensor cell having reduced complexity includes an n-type collection well region formed beneath a surface of a substrate for collecting electrons generated by electromagnetic radiation impinging on the pixel sensor cell and a p-type collection well region formed beneath the surface of the substrate for collecting holes generated by the impinging photons. A circuit structure having a first input is coupled to the n-type collection well region and a second input is coupled to the p-type collection well region, wherein an output signal of the pixel sensor cell is the magnitude of the difference of a signal of the first input and a signal of the second input.

Abstract translation: 本发明是像素传感器单元及其制造方法。 像素传感器单元对于给定的光量大约使可用信号加倍。 本发明的器件利用通过在像素传感器单元电路中照射光子而产生的空穴。 具有降低的复杂度的像素传感器单元包括形成在基板的表面下面的n型收集阱区域，用于收集由电子辐射照射在像素传感器单元上​​产生的电子以及形成在基板表面下方的p型收集阱区域 用于收集由撞击光子产生的孔。 具有第一输入的电路结构耦合到n型收集阱区域，而第二输入端耦合到p型收集阱区域，其中像素传感器单元的输出信号是信号的差值的大小 的第一输入和第二输入的信号。

公开(公告)号：US07439561B2

公开(公告)日：2008-10-21

申请号：US11161535

申请日：2005-08-08

Applicant: James W. Adkisson ,  Andres Bryant ,  John J. Ellis-Monaghan ,  Mark D. Jaffe ,  Jeffrey B. Johnson ,  Alain Loiseau

Inventor： James W. Adkisson ,  Andres Bryant ,  John J. Ellis-Monaghan ,  Mark D. Jaffe ,  Jeffrey B. Johnson ,  Alain Loiseau

IPC: H01L27/148 ,  H01L31/062

CPC classification number: H01L27/14603 ,  H01L27/14609 ,  H01L27/14689 ,  H01L31/035281

Abstract: The present invention is a pixel sensor cell and method of making the same. The pixel sensor cell approximately doubles the available signal for a given quanta of light. The device of the present invention utilizes the holes produced by impinging photons in a pixel sensor cell circuit. A pixel sensor cell having reduced complexity includes an n-type collection well region formed beneath a surface of a substrate for collecting electrons generated by electromagnetic radiation impinging on the pixel sensor cell and a p-type collection well region formed beneath the surface of the substrate for collecting holes generated by the impinging photons. A circuit structure having a first input is coupled to the n-type collection well region and a second input is coupled to the p-type collection well region, wherein an output signal of the pixel sensor cell is the magnitude of the difference of a signal of the first input and a signal of the second input.

Abstract translation: 本发明是像素传感器单元及其制造方法。 像素传感器单元对于给定的光量大约使可用信号加倍。 本发明的器件利用通过在像素传感器单元电路中照射光子而产生的空穴。 具有降低的复杂度的像素传感器单元包括形成在基板的表面下面的n型收集阱区域，用于收集由电子辐射照射在像素传感器单元上​​产生的电子以及形成在基板表面下方的p型收集阱区域 用于收集由撞击光子产生的孔。 具有第一输入的电路结构耦合到n型收集阱区域，而第二输入端耦合到p型收集阱区域，其中像素传感器单元的输出信号是信号的差值的大小 的第一输入和第二输入的信号。

公开(公告)号：US07276748B2

公开(公告)日：2007-10-02

申请号：US10906625

申请日：2005-02-28

Applicant: John J. Ellis-Monaghan ,  Mark D. Jaffe ,  Alain Loiseau

Inventor： John J. Ellis-Monaghan ,  Mark D. Jaffe ,  Alain Loiseau

IPC: H01L31/062 ,  H01L31/113

CPC classification number: H01L27/14643 ,  H01L27/14603 ,  H01L27/14609 ,  H01L27/14679

Abstract: An imaging circuit, an imaging sensor, and a method of imaging. The imaging cell circuit including one or more imaging cell circuits, each imaging cell circuit comprising: a transistor having a floating body for holding charge generated in the floating body in response to exposure of the floating body to electromagnetic radiation; means for biasing the transistor wherein an output of the transistor is responsive to the electromagnetic radiation; and means for selectively connecting the floating body to a reset voltage supply.

Abstract translation: 成像电路，成像传感器和成像方法。 所述成像单元电路包括一个或多个成像单元电路，每个成像单元电路包括：晶体管，具有浮动体，用于响应于浮体暴露于电磁辐射而保持在浮体中产生的电荷; 用于偏置晶体管的装置，其中晶体管的输出响应于电磁辐射; 以及用于选择性地将浮动体连接到复位电压源的装置。

公开(公告)号：US08158453B2

公开(公告)日：2012-04-17

申请号：US12699419

申请日：2010-02-03

Applicant: James W. Adkisson ,  John J. Ellis-Monaghan ,  R. Michael Guidash ,  Mark D. Jaffe ,  Edward T. Nelson ,  Richard J. Rassel ,  Charles V. Stancampiano

Inventor： James W. Adkisson ,  John J. Ellis-Monaghan ,  R. Michael Guidash ,  Mark D. Jaffe ,  Edward T. Nelson ,  Richard J. Rassel ,  Charles V. Stancampiano

IPC: H01L21/336

CPC classification number: H01L27/14609 ,  H01L27/14643 ,  H01L27/14689

Abstract: A CMOS active pixel sensor (APS) cell structure having dual workfunction transfer gate device and method of fabrication. The transfer gate device comprises a dielectric layer formed on a substrate and a dual workfunction gate conductor layer formed on the dielectric layer comprising a first conductivity type doped region and an abutting second conductivity type doped region. The transfer gate device defines a channel region where charge accumulated by a photosensing device is transferred to a diffusion region. A silicide structure is formed atop the dual workfunction gate conductor layer for electrically coupling the first and second conductivity type doped regions. In one embodiment, the silicide contact is smaller in area dimension than an area dimension of said dual workfunction gate conductor layer. Presence of the silicide strap prevents the diodic behavior from allowing one or the other side of the gate to float to an indeterminate voltage.

Abstract translation: 具有双功能转移栅极器件和制造方法的CMOS有源像素传感器（APS）单元结构。 传输栅极器件包括形成在衬底上的电介质层和形成在包括第一导电类型掺杂区和邻接第二导电类型掺杂区的电介质层上的双功函数栅导体层。 传输门装置限定了由光敏装置累积的电荷被传送到扩散区的沟道区。 在双功函数栅极导体层顶部形成硅化物结构，用于电耦合第一和第二导电类型掺杂区域。 在一个实施例中，硅化物接触面积尺寸小于所述双功函数栅极导体层的面积尺寸。 硅化物带的存在防止了双极性行为允许栅极的一侧或另一侧浮动到不确定的电压。

公开(公告)号：US07915056B2

公开(公告)日：2011-03-29

申请号：US12051868

申请日：2008-03-20

Applicant: John J. Ellis-Monaghan ,  Mark D. Jaffe ,  Sambasivan Narayan ,  Anthony J. Perri ,  Richard J. Rassel ,  Tian Xia

Inventor： John J. Ellis-Monaghan ,  Mark D. Jaffe ,  Sambasivan Narayan ,  Anthony J. Perri ,  Richard J. Rassel ,  Tian Xia

IPC: G01R31/26

CPC classification number: H01L22/34 ,  G01R31/2884 ,  H01L2924/0002 ,  H01L2924/00

Abstract: A semiconductor die including a semiconductor chip and a test structure, located in a scribe area, is designed and manufactured. The test structure includes an array of complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) image sensors that are of the same type as CMOS image sensors employed in another array in the semiconductor chip and having a larger array size. Such a test structure is provided in a design phase by providing a design structure in which the orientations of the CMOS image sensors match between the two arrays. The test structure provides effective and accurate monitoring of manufacturing processes through in-line testing before a final test on the semiconductor chip.

Abstract translation: 设计并制造了包括位于划线区域中的半导体芯片和测试结构的半导体管芯。 测试结构包括互补金属氧化物半导体（CMOS）图像传感器的阵列，其与在半导体芯片中的另一阵列中使用并具有较大阵列尺寸的CMOS图像传感器具有相同的类型。 通过提供CMOS图像传感器的取向在两个阵列之间匹配的设计结构，在设计阶段提供了这种测试结构。 测试结构通过在半导体芯片上的最终测试之前的在线测试来提供对制造工艺的有效和准确的监控。