The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Oct. 24, 2000
Filed:
Aug. 07, 1997
Richard B Merrill, San Mateo, CA (US);
Foveonics, Inc., Cupertino, CA (US);
Abstract
A pixel cell structure having a nonsilicided photodiode overcomes problems associated with the absorption of incident light by silicided surfaces. Furthermore, a photodiode access transistor having a partially silicided gate is interposed between the photodiode and the pixel cell transistors performing reset and row select functions, thereby allowing isolation of the photodiode from leakage associated with silicided junctions. Selective application of voltage to the transistors of the pixel structure according to a clocking sequence permits interaction of the photodiode and the MOS transistors making up the pixel cell, while minimizing exposure of the photodiode to leakage and stress associated with these silicided MOS transistors.