Patent ID: 7906826
Filing Date: 2011-03-15
Classification: G03F,H01L,H04N

Abstract:
1. A CMOS image sensor comprising: A) a plurality of pixel arrays lithographically stitched together on a substrate without discontinuities to provide a continuous pixel array of at least 20 million pixels, each pixel in said pixel array comprising at least three transistor circuits and a pixel electrode, B) a plurality of readout circuits lithographically fabricated on said substrate and adapted to permit readout of signals collected by pixels of said continuous pixel array, C) an entire continuous planar photodiode layer of charge generating material completely overlaps said continuous pixel array of at least 20 million pixels for converting electromagnetic radiation into electrical charges, said entire continuous planar photodiode layer defining at least an n-layer, and i-layer and a p-layer, wherein said i-layer comprises microcrystalline germanium material; D) a surface electrode in the form of a grid or thin transparent layer located above said continuous layer of charge generating material and E) a plurality of reset circuits lithographically fabricated on said substrate and adapted to reset said at least 20 million pixels of said continuous pixel array after each readout of signals and to provide electrical potentials between said pixel electrodes and said surface electrode.