Patent ID: 6252218
Filing Date: 2001-06-26
Classification: H01L,H04N

Abstract:
An image sensor, comprising:a semiconductor substrate defining a readout layer, the readout layer having a plurality of readout cells formed therein, each of the readout cells having a signal input, the readout cells disposed in rows, each row having readout cells offset in position with respect to the readout cells in an adjacent row;a dielectric material formed on the readout layer defining a sensing layer, the sensing layer having a plurality of cavities formed therein, a portion of each of the cavities having an opening in communication with the signal input of one of the readout cells, the cavities arranged in a hexagonal grid layout and positioned in opposing relation to the readout cells;an intrinsic amorphous silicon P-I-N photodiode formed in each cavity and operative to generate an output signal indicative of light incident on that P-I-N photodiode;an interconnect disposed in the opening of each cavity, the interconnect operative to electrically communicate the output signal from the P-I-N photodiode to the signal input of the readout cell; anda biased optically transparent electrode disposed on the P-I-N photodiode, the electrode operative to bias the P-I-N photodiode and to allow light incident on the electrode to be imaged onto the P-I-N photodiode,the P-I-N photodiode and the transparent electrode together defining a subpixel.