Barrier regions for image sensors
AssigneeAptina Imaging Corporation
InventorsHoward Rhodes, Richard Mauritzson, William Quinlin
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Embodiments of the invention provide a barrier region for isolating devices of an image sensor. The barrier region comprises a charge accumulation region of a particular conductivity type in a substrate electrically connected to a voltage source terminal. The charge accumulation region is adjacent to at least one pixel cell of a pixel array. The charge accumulation region accumulates charge and prevents charge transference from a pixel cell or peripheral circuitry on one side of the barrier region to a pixel cell on another side of the barrier region.
Claims43
1-53. (canceled)
A method of forming a barrier region for isolating devices of an image sensor, the method comprising:
- forming a charge accumulation region having a particular conductivity type in a substrate adjacent to at least one pixel cell;
- and
- electrically connecting the charge accumulation region to a voltage source terminal.
A method of forming an image sensor, the method comprising:
- providing a substrate;
- providing an array of pixel cells on the substrate;
- and
- forming at least one barrier region adjacent to at least one pixel cell by forming a charge accumulation region of a particular conductivity type on the substrate and electrically connecting the charge accumulation region to a voltage source terminal.
A method of forming an image sensor, the method comprising:
- providing an array of pixel cells on a substrate;
- providing peripheral circuitry adjacent to the array;
- and
- forming a plurality of barrier regions by forming a plurality of n-type charge accumulation regions on the substrate and electrically connecting each of the charge accumulation regions to a positive voltage source terminal, each barrier region being formed adjacent to at least one pixel cell.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.