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.

Date of Patent:
Dec. 12, 2017

Filed:

May. 20, 2016
Applicant:

Apple Inc., Cupertino, CA (US);

Inventors:

Xiaofeng Fan, Cupertino, CA (US);

Philip H. Li, Cupertino, CA (US);

Chung Chun Wan, Fremont, CA (US);

Anup K. Sharma, Cupertino, CA (US);

Xiangli Li, Cupertino, CA (US);

Assignee:

Apple Inc., Cupertino, CA (US);

Attorney:
Primary Examiner:
Int. Cl.
CPC ...
H01L 27/146 (2006.01);
U.S. Cl.
CPC ...
H01L 27/14623 (2013.01); H01L 27/1462 (2013.01); H01L 27/1464 (2013.01); H01L 27/14625 (2013.01); H01L 27/14638 (2013.01); H01L 27/14685 (2013.01);
Abstract

A pixel in an image sensor can include a photodetector and a storage region disposed in one substrate, or a photodetector disposed in one substrate and a storage region in another substrate. A buried light shield is disposed between the photodetector and the storage region. A sense region, such as a floating diffusion, can be adjacent to the storage region, with the buried light shield disposed between the photodetector and the storage and sense regions. When the photodetector and the storage region are disposed in separate substrates, a vertical gate can be formed through the buried light shield and used to initiate the transfer of charge from the photodetector and the storage region. A transfer channel formed adjacent to, or around the vertical gate provides a channel for the charge to transfer from the photodetector to the storage region.


Find Patent Forward Citations

Loading…