Patent ID: 6545303
Filing Date: 2003-04-08
Classification: H01L

Abstract:
An active pixel including a semiconductor layer (5) having a surface (7), and having dopants of a first conductivity type, wherein said semiconductor layer (5) comprisesa first region (1, 4) having dopants of a second conductivity type and being adapted for collecting charge carriers generated in said semiconductor layer (5) by electromagnetic radiation, said first region (1, 4) having an area and a boundary of this area, and a second region (2) having dopants of a second conductivity type, said second region (2) being adapted for collecting charge carriers collected in the first region (1, 4), said semiconductor layer (5) further comprising a third region (3) having dopants of the first conductivity type at a higher doping level than the semiconductor layer (5), the third region (3) forming a barrier for substantially impeding the diffusion of said charge carriers from said semiconductor layer (5) to said second region (2), wherein over a part of its boundary, the first region (1, 4) is separated from the third region (3) by a zone of the semiconductor layer (5) having a diffusion layer at, or touching, the surface (7).