Single metal pixel array for light valve utilizing lateral sublithographic spacer isolation
First Claim
1. An apparatus including an array of pixel cells for a light valve, the apparatus comprising:
- an array of pixel cells arranged in a checkerboard pattern having a first set of squares alternating with a second set of squares, such that pixel cells in the first set of squares are diagonally adjacent pixel cells in the second set of squares, diagonally adjacent pixel cells having a gap formed therebetween, the gap including a first edge defined by a pixel cell from the first set of squares and a second edge defined by a pixel cell from the second set of squares, the first and second edges being parallel; and
dielectric spacer structures intervening in the gaps between the first set of squares and the second set of squares, the dielectric spacer structures being approximately 0.05 μ
m thick.
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Abstract
A pixel cell array of a light valve does not rely upon photolithography to define inter-pixel spacing. Instead, adjacent pixels of the array are electronically insulated from one another by spacers formed by etching a dielectric layer conforming to sidewalls of a patterned sacrificial layer. Removal of the sacrificial layer, followed by formation of a metal layer over the dielectric spacer structures and chemical-mechanical polishing of the metal layer, completes fabrication of the array. The thickness of the spacer sidewalls, and hence inter-pixel spacing, is determined by the rate of formation of the conforming dielectric layer. This rate can be precisely controlled to produce spacer structures having a thickness of less than the minimum linewidth of a given photolithography system. In this manner, pixel arrays having significantly reduced inter-pixel spacing and correspondingly higher cell densities can be created. Arrays with even greater pixel densities can be created with low-k dielectric materials used to form the dielectric layer and the resulting spacer structures.
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Citations
6 Claims
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1. An apparatus including an array of pixel cells for a light valve, the apparatus comprising:
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an array of pixel cells arranged in a checkerboard pattern having a first set of squares alternating with a second set of squares, such that pixel cells in the first set of squares are diagonally adjacent pixel cells in the second set of squares, diagonally adjacent pixel cells having a gap formed therebetween, the gap including a first edge defined by a pixel cell from the first set of squares and a second edge defined by a pixel cell from the second set of squares, the first and second edges being parallel; and
dielectric spacer structures intervening in the gaps between the first set of squares and the second set of squares, the dielectric spacer structures being approximately 0.05 μ
m thick.- View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. An apparatus including an array of pixel cells for a light valve, the apparatus comprising:
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an array of pixel cells arranged in a checkerboard pattern having a first set of squares alternating with a second set of squares, such that pixel cells in the first set of squares are diagonally adjacent pixel cells in the second set of squares, diagonally adjacent pixel cells having a gap formed therebetween, the gap including a first edge defined by a pixel cell from the first set of squares and a second edge defined by a pixel cell from the second set of squares, the first and second edges being parallel; and
dielectric spacer structures intervening in the gaps between the first set of squares and the second set of squares, the dielectric spacer structures having a lower portion and a curved upper portion. - View Dependent Claims (6)
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Specification