Patent ID: 7492027
Filing Date: 2009-02-17
Classification: H01L

Abstract:
1. An image sensor comprising: a substrate formed over a base layer; a plurality of pixel cells formed within said substrate, each pixel cell comprising a photo-conversion device having a charge collection region of a second conductivity type for accumulating photo-generated charge formed in said substrate below a first layer of a first conductivity type; and a plurality of trenches, each trench being provided along a perimeter of a respective pixel cell, each trench extending at least to a surface of the base layer and below a lower level of said photo-conversion device, each trench having sidewalls, and being at least partially filled with a material that inhibits electrons from passing through said trench, wherein each of said plurality of trenches prevents diffusion of photo-generated charge generated by said photo-conversion device in one pixel cell to an adjacent pixel cell.