Cypress Semiconductor Corporation

On Semiconductor Trading, Ltd.

Imec Vzw

Fillfactory

Aitek

Danny Scheffer

Giulio Sandini

Tom A Walschap

Paolo Questa

Described herein are methods that may improve yield of an image sensor. In one embodiment, a method that may improve yield of an image sensor includes generating output values of control logic associated with an array of light sensitive elements. The method further may include determining if the control logic has one or more faulty output values. The method further may include automatically correcting the one or more faulty output values. In another embodiment, a method that may improve yield of an image sensor includes providing light to an array of light sensitive elements. The method further may include generating an image based on the light sensitive elements and associated control logic. The method further may include disconnecting control lines from control logic that has one or more faulty output values based on viewing the image. The method further may include generating another image based on the control logic having no faulty output values.

Method for correcting image sensor control circuitry having faulty output values and structure therefor

Described herein are methods that may improve yield of an image sensor. In one embodiment, a method that may improve yield of an image sensor includes generating output values of control logic associated with an array of light sensitive elements. The method further may include determining if the control logic has one or more faulty output values. The method further may include automatically correcting the one or more faulty output values.

Image sensor and method

An apparatus for triggering image acquisition in radiography includes an interconnect, a detector to detect radiation and a switch coupled between the interconnect and the detector to charge the interconnect in response to the radiation while the switch is in an open-circuit state. The apparatus also includes control circuitry coupled to the interconnect to detect the charge on the interconnect and to generate a signal indicating presence of the radiation in response to the charge. A method for triggering image acquisition in radiography includes coupling a switch between an interconnect and a detector, then charging an interconnect with that switch in response to radiation incident upon the switch while the switch is in an open-circuit state. Next, the charge on the interconnect is monitored and a signal is generated indicating the presence of the radiation in response to that charge.

Method and apparatus for triggering image acquisition in radiography

In one embodiment, an image sensor for an x-ray imager includes a photodiode and a readout circuit. A deep well formed below the readout circuit may be configured as a diode to drain away parasitic electrons, which would otherwise induce noise in images. The parasitic electrons may be drained away to a power supply or a measuring circuit for dosimetrie purposes, for example.

Minimizing the effect of directly converted x-rays in x-ray imagers

A sensor array is described comprising a substantially constant resolution portion comprising a first series of first concentric closed rings, each first closed ring comprising a monodimensional array of equally spaced sensor element location sites, each location site including at aleast one sensor element; and a spatially variant portion comprising a second series of second concentric closed rings, the second series being concentric with the first series and each second closed ring comprising a monodimensional array of equally spaced sensor element location sites, each location site having at least one sensor element, the spatially variant portion surrounding or being surrounded by the substantially constant resolution portion, and the density of sensor element location sites continuously increasing or decreasing between the substantially constant resolution portion and the spatially variant portion.

Constant resolution and space variant sensor arrays

The present invention provides an active pixel including a semiconductor layer ( ) having dopants of a first conductivity type, wherein said semiconductor layer ( ) comprises a first region ( ) and a second region ( ) both having dopants of a second conductivity type, said first region ( ) and said second region ( ) being adapted for collecting charge carriers in said semiconductor layer ( ) generated by electromagnetic radiation, said first region ( ) having an area and a boundary of this area, said semiconductor layer ( ) further comprising a third region ( ) having dopants of the first conductivity type at a higher doping level than the semiconductor layer ( ), the third region ( ) forming a barrier for substantially impeding the diffusion of said charge carriers to said second region ( ). Over a part of its boundary, the first region ( ) is separated from the third region ( ) by a zone of the semiconductor layer ( ) for creation of a depletion zone ( ). The effect of the separation is to improve the gain of the device.

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Hulst, Netherlands

Danny Scheffer