Patent ID: 7297916
Filing Date: 2007-11-20
Classification: H01L

Abstract:
1. A sensor die comprising: a sensing portion including a plurality of pixels, each of the plurality of pixels having a first set of layers and a microlens; a non-sensing portion around an outside border of the plurality of pixels having a second set of layers, the second set of layers having a different number of layers than the first set of layers and wherein a thickness of the second set of layers is larger than a thickness of the first set of layers to reduce size of the sensor die, wherein the sensing and non-sensing portions are formed on a substrate having a plurality of passive components; and wherein the first set of layers includes: a photodiode partially embedded on the substrate; a first insulating layer on top of the photodiode and the substrate; a plurality of metal layers on top of the first insulating layer, the photodiode and the plurality of passive components coupled to at least one of the plurality of metal layers; a plurality of middle insulating layers, each of the plurality of metal layers sandwiched by corresponding two of the plurality of middle insulating layers; a passivation layer on top of the plurality of middle insulating layers; a color filter; and a planar layer on top of the color filter, wherein an optical axis of the microlens and an optical axis of the color filter are shifted with respect to an optical axis of the photodiode and wherein the microlens is configured to direct incoming light to the photodiode.