CMOS imager with storage capacitor
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A photosensor for use in a CMOS imaging device, said photosensor comprising:
- a doped layer of a first conductivity type formed in a substrate;
a charge collection region formed in said doped layer; and
a storage capacitor connected to said charge collection region to store charge accumulated by said charge collection region.
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Abstract
A CMOS imager having an improved signal to noise ratio and improved dynamic range is disclosed. The CMOS imager provides improved charge storage by fabricating a storage capacitor in parallel with the photocollection area of the imager. The storage capacitor may be a flat plate capacitor formed over the pixel, a stacked capacitor or a trench imager formed in the photosensor. The CMOS imager thus exhibits a better signal-to-noise ratio and improved dynamic range. Also disclosed are processes for forming the CMOS imager.
576 Citations
67 Claims
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1. A photosensor for use in a CMOS imaging device, said photosensor comprising:
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a doped layer of a first conductivity type formed in a substrate;
a charge collection region formed in said doped layer; and
a storage capacitor connected to said charge collection region to store charge accumulated by said charge collection region. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A photosensor for use in a n imaging device formed in a single integrated circuit, said photosensor comprising:
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a doped layer of a first conductivity type formed in a substrate;
a charge collection region formed in said doped layer;
a first doped region of a second conductivity type formed in said doped layer adjacent said charge collection region;
a storage capacitor; and
a contact connecting said first doped region to said storage capacitor. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46)
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47. A photosensor for use in an imaging device, said photosensor comprising:
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a doped layer of a first conductivity type formed in a substrate;
a charge collection region formed in said doped layer;
a first doped region of a second conductivity type formed in said doped layer adjacent said charge collection region; and
a trench storage capacitor formed in said substrate adjacent said first doped region and connected to said first doped region to store charge collected in said charge collection region. - View Dependent Claims (48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67)
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Specification