BACKSIDE ILLUMINATED IMAGE SENSOR HAVING BIASED CONDUCTIVE LAYER FOR INCREASED QUANTUM EFFICIENCY
First Claim
1. A method of forming an image sensor having a pixel array configured for backside illumination, the image sensor including a sensor layer comprising a plurality of photosensitive elements of the pixel array, and a circuit layer comprising circuitry associated with the pixel array, the method comprising the steps of:
- forming a conductive layer on a backside surface of the sensor layer; and
coupling the conductive layer through one or more conductive contacts to a bias source in the circuit layer.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A backside illuminated image sensor includes a sensor layer comprising a plurality of photosensitive elements of the pixel array, a circuit layer comprising circuitry associated with the pixel array, a conductive layer formed on a backside surface of the sensor layer, and one or more conductive contacts configured to couple the conductive layer to a bias source in the circuit layer. The biased conductive layer produces an electric field across the photosensitive elements of the pixel array that facilitates charge carrier collection and reduces crosstalk between adjacent photosensitive elements, thereby providing improved quantum efficiency in the image sensor. The image sensor may be implemented in a digital camera or other type of digital imaging device.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method of forming an image sensor having a pixel array configured for backside illumination, the image sensor including a sensor layer comprising a plurality of photosensitive elements of the pixel array, and a circuit layer comprising circuitry associated with the pixel array, the method comprising the steps of:
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forming a conductive layer on a backside surface of the sensor layer; and coupling the conductive layer through one or more conductive contacts to a bias source in the circuit layer. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. An image sensor having a pixel array configured for backside illumination, comprising:
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a sensor layer comprising a plurality of photosensitive elements of the pixel array; a circuit layer comprising circuitry associated with the pixel array; a conductive layer formed on a backside surface of the sensor layer; and one or more conductive contacts configured to couple the conductive layer to a bias source in the circuit layer. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A digital imaging device comprising:
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an image sensor having a pixel array configured for backside illumination; and one or more processing elements configured to process outputs of the image sensor to generate a digital image; wherein said image sensor comprises; a sensor layer comprising a plurality of photosensitive elements of the pixel array; a circuit layer comprising circuitry associated with the pixel array; a conductive layer formed on a backside surface of the sensor layer; and one or more conductive contacts configured to couple the conductive layer to a bias source in the circuit layer. - View Dependent Claims (20)
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Specification