Transparent-channel thin-film transistor-based pixels for high-performance image sensors
AssigneeAptina Imaging Corporation
InventorChandra Mouli
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A pixel circuit, and method of forming a pixel circuit, an imager device, and a processing system include a photo-conversion device, a floating diffusion region for receiving and storing charge from the photo-conversion device, and a transparent transistor for use in operation of the pixel, wherein the transparent transistor is at least partially over the photo-conversion device, such that the photo-conversion device receives light passing through the transparent transistor.
Claims53
A pixel circuit comprising:
- a photo-conversion device;
- a floating diffusion region for receiving and storing charge from the photo-conversion device;
- and
- a transparent transistor for use in operation of the pixel,
- wherein the transparent transistor is at least partially over the photo-conversion device, such that the photo-conversion device receives light passing through the transparent transistor.
The pixel circuit of dam 2, further comprising:
- a reset transistor for resetting the floating diffusion region to a predetermined reset voltage state;
- a readout circuit for reading out a signal based on charges stored at the floating diffusion region and the first capacitance circuit;
- a source follower transistor coupled to the floating diffusion region;
- and
- a row select transistor acting as a switching device coupled to the source follower transistor.
A pixel circuit comprising:
- a photodiode;
- a floating diffusion region for receiving and storing charge from the photodiode;
- and
- a transparent transfer transistor for transferring charge from the photo-conversion device to the floating diffusion region,
- wherein the transparent transfer transistor is at least partially over the photodiode, such that the photodiode receives light passing through the transparent transistor.
An imager device comprising:
- an array of pixel circuits, at least some of the pixel circuits comprising:
- a photodiode;
- a floating diffusion region for receiving and storing charge from the photodiode;
- and
- a transparent transistor for use in operation of the pixel, the transparent transistor being at least partially over the photodiode, such that the photodiode receives light passing through the transparent transistor;
- and
- a readout circuit for reading out a signal based charges in the floating diffusion region.
A processing system comprising:
- a processor;
- and
- an imager device comprising:
- an array of pixel circuits, at least some of the pixel circuits comprising:
- a photodiode;
- a floating diffusion region for receiving and storing charge from the photodiode;
- and
- a transparent transistor for use in operation of the pixel, the transparent transistor being at least partially over the photodiode, such that the photodiode receives light passing through the transparent transistor;
- and
- a readout circuit for reading out a signal based charges in the floating diffusion region.
A pixel circuit comprising:
- a photo-conversion device;
- a floating diffusion region for receiving and storing charge from the photo-conversion device;
- and
- a transistor for use in operation of the pixel, the transistor having at least a portion which transmits light within visible wavelengths of light, with no more than 10% scattering,
- wherein the transistor is at least partially over the photo-conversion device, such that the photo-conversion device receives light passing through the transistor.
A pixel circuit comprising:
- a photo-conversion device;
- a floating diffusion region for receiving and storing charge from the photo-conversion device;
- and
- a transistor for use in operation of the pixel, the transistor having at least a portion which transmits light.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.