Patent ID: 6482669
Filing Date: 2002-11-19
Classification: H01L

Abstract:
A microelectronic method of fabricating a solid-state color imaging device in an ordered sequence in which a high transmittance planarizing encapsulant overcoat layer having an index of refraction approximating the index of refraction of the color filter layer(s) comprised of red (R), blue (B), green (G) optimizes light collection through integrated color filters to the underlying photodiode elements (color pixels) without employment of conventional microlenses, in a process comprising:a semiconductor substrate having a matrix of photodiode elements formed thereon: depositing a passivation coating encapsulating a metal photoshield layer, wherein the metal photoshield elements are periodically spaced to cover the areas between the photodiode elements; forming upon the patterned and encapsulated metal photoshield layer an optional first optically transparent planarizing encapsulant layer; forming upon the optional first optically transparent planarizing encapsulant layer or optionally directly and conformably on the photodiode passivation and shielding coatings a first patterned color filter layer registered with a subset of the photodiode elements (color pixels); forming upon the first color filter layer a second patterned color filter layer in mutual registration with the first color filter layer and a second complementary subset of photodiode elements (color pixels); forming upon the second color filter layer, a third patterned color filter layer in mutual registration with the first and second color filter layers and a third complementary subset of photodiode elements (color pixels); forming upon the color filter layer(s) a high transmittance overcoat layer with a planar (flat) top surface having an index of refraction approximating the index of refraction of the color filter layer(s) comprised of red (R), blue (B), green (G).