Patent ID: 6455836
Filing Date: 2002-09-24
Classification: H01L,Y02E,Y02P

Abstract:
An array of photo detectors within an integrated circuit, the array comprising:a collection of pixel elements each electrically coupled to a corresponding measurement circuit; a layer of doped material that is coextensive with the collection of pixel elements and that forms therewith an array of light sensitive semiconductors; a layer of transparent conductor upon and coextensive with the layer of doped material and serving as a return path for photo currents flowing within individual light sensitive semiconductors; the array of light sensitive semiconductors having a physical perimeter adjacent to which is a boundary region containing some of the light sensitive semiconductors; and a layer of optically opaque metal upon a portion of the layer of transparent conductor which is proximate the physical perimeter, the layer of optically opaque metal extending onto a central region of the layer of transparent conductor to form an optical perimeter enclosing a region having a light sensitive conductors responsive to incident light while obscuring from incident light the light sensitive conductors in the boundary region, and also extending away from the central region to make electrical contact with at least one terminal that carries return path photo current.