Patent ID: 6171885
Filing Date: 2001-01-09
Classification: H01L

Abstract:
A microelectronic method of fabricating a solid-state color imaging device wherein microlens formation precedes color filter formation in an ordered process sequence 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 a first optically transparent planarizing encapsulant layer;forming upon the first optically transparent planarizing encapsulant layer a patterned microlens layer registered with the photodiode elements;forming upon the microlens layer a second optically transparent planarizing encapsulant layer providing an optical spacer;forming upon the optical spacer and planarizing layer a first color filter layer registered with the microlens elements and photodiode elements.