Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Comp. Ltd.

Wen-Hau Wu

Keng-Yu Chou

Chun-Hao Chuang

Wei-Chieh Chiang

Kazuaki Hashimoto

Cheng Yu Huang

Chien-Hsien Tseng

Chih-Kung Chang

Jhy-Jyi Sze

Wen-Chien Yu

Ting-Cheng Chang

Chin-Chia Kuo

Hua-Mao Chen

Wei Chieh Chiang

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

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 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

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

In some embodiments, the present disclosure relates to an integrated chip structure. The integrated chip structure includes an image sensor disposed within a first substrate. A first band-pass filter and a second band-pass filter are disposed on the first substrate. A dielectric structure is disposed on the first substrate. The dielectric structure is laterally between the first band-pass filter and the second band-pass filter and laterally abuts the first band-pass filter and the second band-pass filter.

A BSI image sensor includes a substrate including a front side and a back side opposite to the front side, a pixel sensor disposed in the substrate, and a color filter disposed over the pixel sensor. The pixel sensor includes a plurality of first micro structures disposed over the back side of the substrate. The color filter includes a plurality of second micro structures disposed over the back side of the substrate. The first micro structures are arranged symmetrically to a first axial, and the second micro structures are arranged symmetrically to a second axial.

Semiconductor image sensor

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.

Growing community of inventors

Taipei, Taiwan

Wen-Hau Wu