Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Comp. Ltd.

Keng-Yu Chou

Wei-Chieh Chiang

Chun-Hao Chuang

Kazuaki Hashimoto

Wen-Hau Wu

Chien-Hsien Tseng

Jen-Cheng Liu

Cheng Yu Huang

Dun-Nian Yaung

Chih-Kung Chang

Chun-Chieh Chuang

Jhy-Jyi Sze

Wen-De Wang

Min-Feng Kao

Shuang-Ji Tsai

Yeur-Luen Tu

Tzu-Jui Wang

Ming-Chieh Hsu

Yuichiro Yamashita

Pao-Tung Chen

Ren-Jie Lin

Cheng-Yuan Tsai

Feng-Chi Hung

Cheng-Hsien Chou

Sheng-Chan Li

Wen-Chien Yu

Chen-Jong Wang

Chun-Yuan Chen

Shyh-Fann Ting

Yen-Ting Chiang

Wei Chuang Wu

Ming-Hsien Yang

Ting-Cheng Chang

Tzu-Hsuan Hsu

Wen-I Hsu

Chung Chien Wang

Jeng-Shyan Lin

Cheng-Ying Ho

Chin-Chia Kuo

Kai-Chun Hsu

Feng-Kuei Chang

Hua-Mao Chen

Wei Chieh Chiang

Pao-Tung Cheng

Ming-En Chen

Various embodiments of the present disclosure are directed towards an image sensor having a photodetector disposed within a semiconductor substrate. A dielectric structure is disposed on a first side of the semiconductor substrate. An isolation structure extends from the dielectric structure into the first side of the semiconductor substrate. The isolation structure laterally wraps around the photodetector and comprises an upper portion disposed above the first side of the semiconductor substrate and directly contacting sidewalls of the dielectric structure. The isolation structure comprises a first material different from a second material of the dielectric structure.

Isolation structure configured to reduce cross talk in image sensor

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, the present disclosure relates to an integrated chip structure. The integrated chip structure includes forming a first image sensor element within a first substrate and a second image sensor element within a second substrate. The first image sensor element is configured to generate electrical signals from electromagnetic radiation within a first range of wavelengths and the second image sensor element is configured to generate electrical signals from electromagnetic radiation within a second range of wavelengths. A plurality of deposition processes are performed to form a band-pass filter over the second substrate. The band-pass filter has a plurality of alternating layers of a first material having a first refractive index and a second material having a second refractive index that is less than the first refractive index. The first substrate is bonded to the band-pass filter.

Band-pass filter for stacked sensor

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

The present disclosure, in some embodiments, relates to an image sensor integrated chip. The image sensor integrated chip includes a substrate having a pixel region arranged between one or more trenches formed by sidewalls of the substrate. One or more dielectric materials are arranged along the sidewalls of the substrate forming the one or more trenches. A conductive material is disposed within the one or more trenches. The conductive material is electrically coupled to an interconnect disposed within a dielectric arranged on the substrate.

Image sensor scheme for optical and electrical improvement

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 application are directed to a narrow band filter with high transmission and an image sensor comprising the narrow band filter. In some embodiments, the filter comprises a first distributed Bragg reflector (DBR), a second DBR, a defect layer between the first and second DBRs, and a plurality of columnar structures. The columnar structures extend through the defect layer and have a refractive index different than a refractive index of the defect layer. The first and second DBRs define a low transmission band, and the defect layer defines a high transmission band dividing the low transmission band. The columnar structures shift the high transmission band towards lower or higher wavelengths depending upon a refractive index of the columnar structures and a fill factor of the columnar structures.

Narrow band filter with high transmission

Various embodiments of the present application are directed towards image sensors including composite backside illuminated (CBSI) structures to enhance performance. In some embodiments, a first trench isolation structure extends into a backside of a substrate to a first depth and comprises a pair of first trench isolation segments. A photodetector is in the substrate, between and bordering the first trench isolation segments. A second trench isolation structure is between the first trench isolation segments and extends into the backside of the substrate to a second depth less than the first depth. The second trench isolation structure comprises a pair of second trench isolation segments. An absorption enhancement structure overlies the photodetector, between the second trench isolation segments, and is recessed into the backside of the semiconductor substrate. The absorption enhancement structure and the second trench isolation structure collectively define a CBSI structure.

Composite BSI structure and method of manufacturing the same

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

A method for forming an image sensor package is provided. An image sensor chip is formed over a package substrate. A protection layer is formed overlying the image sensor chip. The protection layer has a planar top surface and a bottom surface lining and contacting structures under the protection layer. An opening is formed into the protection layer and spaced around a periphery of the image sensor chip. A light shielding material is filled in the opening to form an on-wafer shield structure having a sidewall directly contact the protection layer.

Wafer level image sensor package

The present disclosure, in some embodiments, relates to an image sensor integrated chip. The image sensor integrated chip includes a substrate having a first side and a second side opposing the first side. The substrate has one or more sidewalls defining a trench extending along opposing sides of a pixel region having a first width. An isolation structure including one or more dielectric materials is disposed within the trench. The isolation structure has a second width. An image sensing element and a focal region are disposed within the pixel region. The focal region is configured to receive incident radiation along the second side of the substrate. A ratio of the second width to the first width is in a range of between approximately 0.1 and approximately 0.2, so that the focal region is completely confined between interior sidewall of the isolation structure facing the image sensing element.

Trench isolation structure for scaled pixel region

The present disclosure relates to an integrated chip. The integrated chip includes an image sensing element disposed within a substrate. A gate structure is disposed along a front-side of the substrate. A back-side of the substrate includes one or more first angled surfaces defining a central diffuser disposed over the image sensing element. The back-side of the substrate further includes second angled surfaces defining a plurality of peripheral diffusers laterally surrounding the central diffuser. The plurality of peripheral diffusers are a smaller size than the central diffuser.

Enhanced design for image sensing technology

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

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Kaohsiung, Taiwan

Keng-Yu Chou