Patent ID: 6100551
Filing Date: 2000-08-08
Classification: H01L

Abstract:
An active pixel sensor having at least one pinned photodiode formed on a major surface comprising:a semiconductor material of a first conductivity type formed at the surface having a series of masking layers including at least one conductive layer, and at least one charge sensing means;at least one transfer gate formed on the surface and a series of local interconnections upon the conductive layer;a first set of regions made from a second conductivity type that is opposite the first conductivity type, the first set of regions functioning as sources and drains for a first set of transistors, including at least one drain for each of the transfer gates;at least one image sensing area adjacent to the transfer gate formed from the second conductivity type to create a photodiode, with a pinning layer comprising a material of the first conductivity type on top of the photodiode;a second set of regions used as sources and drains for a second set of transistors made from regions of the first conductivity type, the second set of transistors being formed in conjunction with any of the first set of transistors that were not used to create image sensors to form a CMOS control circuit coupled to the image sensor by the local connection; anda predetermined set of contacts on said first and said second set of source and drains.