Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Comp. Ltd.

Chih-Kung Chang

Keng-Yu Chou

Chun-Hao Chuang

Cheng Yu Huang

Wen-Hau Wu

Wei-Chieh Chiang

Kazuaki Hashimoto

Yu-Kung Hsiao

Fu-Tien Weng

Hung-Jen Hsu

Bii-Junq Chang

Chien-Hsien Tseng

Chin Chen Kuo

Sheng-Liang Pan

Te-Fu Tseng

Kuo-Liang Lu

Chung-Sheng Hsiung

Wen-Chien Yu

Jack Deng

Jhy-Jyi Sze

Yi-Ming Dai

Fu-Tien Wong

Chin-Chen Kuo

Ting-Cheng Chang

Ming-Chang Kao

Chin-Chia Kuo

Kuang-Peng Lin

Hua-Mao Chen

Wei Chieh Chiang

Sheng-Liang Pang

Sung-Yung Yang

Chiung-Yuan Chang

Po-Wen Lin

Bii-Jung Chang

Chung Sheng Hsiung

Sheng Liang Pan

Some embodiments relate to a CMOS image sensor disposed on a substrate. A plurality of pixel regions comprising a plurality of photodiodes, respectively, are configured to receive radiation that enters a back-side of the substrate. A boundary deep trench isolation (BDTI) structure is disposed at boundary regions of the pixel regions, and includes a first set of BDTI segments extending in a first direction and a second set of BDTI segments extending in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction to laterally surround the photodiode. The BDTI structure comprises a first material. A pixel deep trench isolation (PDTI) structure is disposed within the BDTI structure and overlies the photodiode. The PDTI structure comprises a second material that differs from the first material, and includes a first PDTI segment extending in the first direction such that the first PDTI segment is surrounded by the BDTI structure.

Deep trench isolation for cross-talk reduction

In some embodiments, an image sensor is provided. The image sensor includes a photodetector disposed in a semiconductor substrate. A wave guide filter having a substantially planar upper surface is disposed over the photodetector. The wave guide filter includes a light filter disposed in a light filter grid structure. The light filter includes a first material that is translucent and has a first refractive index. The light filter grid structure includes a second material that is translucent and has a second refractive index less than the first refractive index.

Wave guide filter for semiconductor imaging devices

The present disclosure relates to an integrated chip including a substrate and a pixel. The pixel includes a photodetector. The photodetector is in the substrate. The integrated chip further includes a first inner trench isolation structure and an outer trench isolation structure that extend into the substrate. The first inner trench isolation structure laterally surrounds the photodetector in a first closed loop. The outer trench isolation structure laterally surrounds the first inner trench isolation structure along a boundary of the pixel in a second closed loop and is laterally separated from the first inner trench isolation structure. Further, the integrated chip includes a scattering structure that is defined, at least in part, by the first inner trench isolation structure and that is configured to increase an angle at which radiation impinges on the outer trench isolation structure.

Image sensor with scattering structure

Various embodiments of the present application are directed towards an image sensor including a wavelength tunable narrow band filter, as well as methods for forming the image sensor. In some embodiments, the image sensor includes a substrate, a first photodetector, a second photodetector, and a filter. The first and second photodetectors neighbor in the substrate. The filter overlies the first and second photodetectors and includes a first distributed Bragg reflector (DBR), a second DBR, and a first interlayer between the first and second DBRs. A thickness of the first interlayer has a first thickness value overlying the first photodetector and a second thickness value overlying the second photodetector. In some embodiments, the filter is limited to a single interlayer. In other embodiments the filter further includes a second interlayer defining columnar structures embedded in the first interlayer and having a different refractive index than the first interlayer.

Wavelength tunable narrow band filter

Various embodiments of the present disclosure are directed towards an image sensor device including a first image sensor element and a second image sensor element disposed within a substrate. An interconnect structure is disposed along a front-side surface of the substrate and comprises a plurality of conductive wires, a plurality of conductive vias, and a first absorption structure. The first image sensor element is configured to generate electrical signals from electromagnetic radiation within a first range of wavelengths. The second image sensor element is configured to generate electrical signals from the electromagnetic radiation within a second range of wavelengths that is different than the first range of wavelengths. The second image sensor element is laterally adjacent to the first image sensor element. Further, the first image sensor element overlies the first absorption structure and is spaced laterally between opposing sidewalls of the first absorption structure.

Reduced cross-talk in color and infrared image sensor

Various embodiments of the present disclosure are directed towards an integrated chip. The integrated chip includes a first photodetector disposed in a first pixel region of a semiconductor substrate and a second photodetector disposed in a second pixel region of the semiconductor substrate. The second photodetector is laterally separated from the first photodetector. A first diffuser is disposed along a back-side of the semiconductor substrate and over the first photodetector. A second diffuser is disposed along the back-side of the semiconductor substrate and over the second photodetector. A first midline of the first pixel region and a second midline of the second pixel region are both disposed laterally between the first diffuser and the second diffuser.

Image sensor with improved near-infrared (NIR) radiation phase-detection autofocus (PDAF) performance

Various embodiments of the present disclosure are directed towards an image sensor, and a method for forming the image sensor, in which an inter-pixel trench isolation structure is defined by a low-transmission layer. In some embodiments, the image sensor comprises an array of pixels and the inter-pixel trench isolation structure. The array of pixels is on a substrate, and the pixels of the array comprise individual photodetectors in the substrate. The inter-pixel trench isolation structure is in the substrate. Further, the inter-pixel trench isolation structure extends along boundaries of the pixels, and individually surrounds the photodetectors, to separate the photodetectors from each other. The inter-pixel trench isolation structure is defined by a low-transmission layer with low transmission for incident radiation, such that the inter-pixel trench isolation structure has low transmission for incident radiation. The low-transmission layer may, for example, be or comprise metal and/or some other suitable material(s).

Trench isolation structure for image sensors

Various embodiments of the present disclosure are directed towards an integrated chip (IC). The IC comprises a first phase detection autofocus (PDAF) photodetector and a second PDAF photodetector in a substrate. A first electromagnetic radiation (EMR) diffuser is disposed along a back-side of the substrate and within a perimeter of the first PDAF photodetector. The first EMR diffuser is spaced a first distance from a first side of the first PDAF photodetector and a second distance less than the first distance from a second side of the first PDAF photodetector. A second EMR diffuser is disposed along the back-side of the substrate and within a perimeter of the second PDAF photodetector. The second EMR diffuser is spaced a third distance from a first side of the second PDAF photodetector and a fourth distance less than the third distance from a second side of the second PDAF photodetector.

The present disclosure, in some embodiments, relates to an integrated chip. The integrated chip has an image sensor within a substrate. A first dielectric has an upper surface that extends over a first side of the substrate and over one or more trenches within the first side of the substrate. The one or more trenches laterally surround the image sensor. An internal reflection structure arranged over the upper surface of the first dielectric. The internal reflection structure is configured to reflect radiation exiting from the substrate back into the substrate.

Semiconductor image sensor

In some embodiments, the present disclosure relates to an image sensor integrated chip. The integrated chip has an image sensing element arranged within a substrate. A first dielectric is disposed in one or more trenches within a first side of the substrate. The one or more trenches laterally surround the image sensing element. The substrate includes a recessed portion arranged along the first side of the substrate and defined by second sidewalls of the substrate directly over the image sensing element. The second sidewalls of the substrate are angled to meet at a point disposed along a horizontal plane that intersects the first dielectric within the one or more trenches.

In some embodiments, the present disclosure relates to an image sensor integrated chip. The integrated chip has an image sensing element arranged within a pixel region of a substrate. A first dielectric is disposed in trenches within a first side of the substrate. The trenches are defined by first sidewalls disposed on opposing sides of the pixel region. An internal reflection enhancement structure is arranged along the first side of the substrate and is configured to reflect radiation exiting from the substrate back into the substrate.

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Hsin-Chu, Taiwan

Chih-Kung Chang