PHOTOELECTRIC CONVERSION DEVICE

Abstract: A photoelectric conversion device has a plurality of photo­ electric conversion cells, each cell having a semiconductor transistor comprising two main electrode regions (105, 109) made of one conductivity type semiconductor and a control electrode region (104) made of opposite conductivity type semiconductor, and a capacitor for controlling a potential of the control electrode region in a floating state, the potential at the control electrode region is a floating state being controlled by means of the capacitor so that carriers generated by light are stored in the control electrode region and the output of each cell is controlled in accordance with the storage voltage generated by the storage. In such a photoelectric conversion device, a plurality of points (17, 18) on the control electrode region constituting a light reception region for the photo­ electric conversion cell or on the main electrode region, are short-circuited by interconnections (16).

Description: BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a photoelectric conversion device having a charge storage region whose potential can be controlled capacitively. Related Background Art Fig. 1A is a schematic plan view showing a photoelectric conversion device described in the Official Gazette of an EPC laid-open publication No. 0132076, and Fig. 1B is a cross section along line I-I of Fig. 1A. In the figures, photosensor cells are formed disposed on an n⁺ silicon substrate 101, each photosensor cell being electrically insulated from adjacent cells by an element isolation region 102 made of, such as SiO₂, Si₃N₄, or polysilicon. Each photosensor cell is constructed as in the following: On an n⁻ region 103 of low impurity density which is formed by epitaxial technique or the like, there is formed a p region 104 by doping p-type impurities within which p region an n⁺ region 105 is formed by impurity diffusion technique or ion implantation technique. The p region 104 and n⁺ region 105 constitute the base and emitter of a bipolar transistor respectively. On the p region 104 and n⁺ region 105 formed on the n⁻ region 103, there is formed an oxidized film 106 on which a capacitor electrode 107 having a predetermined area is formed. The capacitor electrode 107 faces the p region 104, the oxidized film 106 being interposed therebetween. Thus, by applying a voltage pulse to the capacitor electrode 107, the potential of the p region 104 at a floating state can be controlled. In addition, there are formed an emitter electrode 108 connected to the n⁺ region 105, an interconnection 109 for reading a signal from the emitter electrode and outputting it to an external circuit, an interconnection 110 connected to the capacitor electrode 107, an n⁺ region 111 of high impurity density on the back of the substrate 101, and an electrode 112 for applying a potential to the collector of the bipolar transistor. Next, the fundamental operation of the above-described photosensor will be described. Assume that the p region 104 or base of the bipolar transistor is at an initial state biased to a negative potential. Light 113 is applied to the p region 104 or the base of the bipolar transistor to store the charge corresponding to light quantity in the p region 104 (storage operation). The base potential varies with the stored charge so that current flowing through the emitter and collector is controlled. By reading a potential change from the emitter electrode at a floating state, an electrical signal corresponding to the incident light quantity can be obtained (readout operation). To eliminate the stored charge in the p region 104, the emitter electrode 108 is grounded and the capacitor electrode 107 is applied with a positive pulse voltage. Since the p region 104 is forward-biased relative to the n⁺ region 105 by applying the positive pulse voltage, the stored charge is eliminated. As the positive pulse voltage or refreshing pulse falls, the p region 104 resumes the initial state biased to a negative potential (refreshing operation). The above operations, i.e., storage, readout and refreshment are repeated. In summary, according to the proposed method, the charge generated by incident light is stored in the p region 104 or base so that current flowing through the emitter electrode 108 and collector electrode 112 can be controlled. Thus, the stored charge is amplified at each cell and thereafter is read so that a high output and sensitivity as well as a low noise can be achieved. The base potential V p generated by the holes stored in the base through light excitation is given by Q/C, wherein Q represents the charge quantity of holes stored in the base, and C represents a capacitance connected to the base. As apparent from the above relationship, a high integration of the photosensor leads to a reduction in cell size as well as a reduction in values of Q and C, so that the potential V p generated through light excitation is maintained substantially constant. Consequently, the proposed method is considered also effective for high resolution of photosensors in future. However, it is necessary to dispose narrow and elongated photosensor arrays in a photoelectric conversion device if high integration and resolution are intended without lowering an output voltage. In this case, resistance in the longitudinal direction of the array becomes large so that a potential distribution is generated in the active region of a photosensor cell, resulting in some problems that the response speed reduces and an afterimage phenomenon occurs. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a photoelectric conversion device having a structure suitable for high resolution and high integration. According to the present invention there is provided a photoelectric conversion device as set out in claim 1. Optional features are set out in the remaining claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. 1A is a schematic plan view illustrating a conventional photoelectric conversion device, and Fig. 1B is a cross section along line I-I of Fig. 1A; Fig. 2A is a plan view showing an embodiment of a photoelectric conversion device according to the present invention, and Fig. 2B is a cross section along line A-A of Fig. 2A; Figs. 3A to 3H are views illustrating the manufacturing processes of the photoelectric conversion device of the embodiment; and Fig. 4A is a plan view showing another embodiment of the present invention, and Fig. 4B is a cross section along line B-B of Fig. 4A. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The embodiment of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Fig. 2A is a schematic plan view showing an embodiment of the photoelectric conversion device according to the present invention, and Fig. 2B is a cross section along line A-A of Fig. 2A. Referring to the figures, on an n-type silicon substrate 1, there is formed an n⁻ epitaxial layer 2 within which photosensor cells are disposed each electrically insulated by element isolation regions 6. In this example, the element isolation region 6 was formed by impurity diffusion technique, but the invention is not limited thereto. The element isolation region 6 may be formed instead by means of known technique, such as LOCOS method, impurity diffusion through an oxidized film formed by the LOCOS method, trench method (Bulk Etch) or the like. Each photosensor cell comprises: a p base region 3 and an n⁺ emitter region 5 of a bipolar transistor formed within the n⁻ epitaxial region 2; a polysilicon 4 of a capacitor electrode for applying a pulse to the p base region 3 via an oxidized film 13 interposed therebetween; an electrode 7 connected to the n⁺ emitter region 5; an electrode 15 connected to the polysilicon 4; an unrepresented collector electrode at the back of the substrate 1 for applying a potential to the collector of the bipolar transistor. The electrode region defined by the polysilicon 4 of the capacitor electrode and the emitter electrode 7, is covered with a light shielding layer 10. The region narrower than the electrode region, defined by the base region 3 and the n⁻ epitaxial layer 2, is a light receiving region. A plurality of contact holes 17 and 18 are formed on the base region 3. Interconnections 16 are connected at the contact holes to electrically connect the parts of the elongated base region 3 at the contact holes. Therefore, the internal resistance of the elongated base region 3 is reduced to accordingly prevent generating a potential distribution in the base region. In this case, the interconnections 16 are disposed above the element isolation region 6 so that the photoelectric conversion efficiency of the cells is not degraded. According to the fundamental operation of this embodiment, the p base region 3 at an initial state biased to a negative potential is first made into a floating state as described previously, and holes among pairs of electrons and holes generated by light excitation are stored in the p base region 3 (storage operation). Succeedingly, the emitter and base are forward-biased to control the emitter-collector current by the storage voltage generated by the stored holes and read from the emitter at a floating state a voltage corresponding to the storage voltage (readout operation). Then, by grounding the emitter and applying a positive pulse voltage to the polysilicon 4 of the capacitor electrode, the stored holes in the p base region 3 are eliminated via the emitter (refreshing operation). By eliminating the stored holes, the p base region 3 resumes an initial state biased to a negative potential when the refreshing positive pulse voltage falls. The photosensor cells constructed as above has a remarkably improved high density of light receiving region, because as shown in Fig. 2A the electrode region having a low photoelectric conversion efficiency is shielded by the light shielding layer 10, while the light receiving regions narrower than the electrode region and having a high photoelectric conversion efficiency are alternately disposed between the electrode regions. Next, the manufacturing processes of this embodiment will be described. Figs. 3A to 3H illustrate the manufacturing processes of this embodiment. First, as shown in Fig. 3A, at the back of an n type silicon substrate 1 having an impurity density of 1 x 10¹⁵ to 5 x 10¹⁸cm⁻³, an n⁺ layer 20 for ohmic contact having an impurity density of 1 x 10¹⁷ to 1 x 10²⁰cm⁻³ is formed by diffusing P, As or Sb. Next, on the n⁺ layer 20 an oxidized film 21 (e.g., SiO₂ film) having a thickness of 300 to 700 nm (3000 to 7000 Å) is formed by means of a CVD method. The oxidized film 21, which is called a back coat, is used for preventing impurity vapor from being generated during a heat treatment process of the substrate 1. Next, the surface of the substrate 1 is etched for about 1.5 minute under the condition of temperature at 1000°C, 2ℓ/min of HCℓ and 60ℓ/min of H₂. Thereafter, an n⁻ epitaxial layer 2 (hereinafter referred to as n⁻ layer 2) is formed under the condition of, for example, 1.2ℓ/min of source gas SiH₂Cl₂ (100%), 100 cm³/min flow of doping gas (20 PPM PH₃ diluted by H₂), growing temperature of 100°C and reduced pressure at 1.6 x 10⁴ to 2.4 x 10⁴ Pa (120 to 180 torr). The monocrystal growing rate is 0.5 µm/min, the thickness of the monocrystal is 2 to 10 µm. The impurity density is 1 x 10¹² to 10¹⁶cm⁻³, or preferably 10¹² to 10¹⁴cm⁻³ (Fig. 3B). Next, on the n⁻ layer 2 a pad oxidized film 22 of 50 to 150 nm (500 to 1500 Å) thickness is formed by means of pyrogenec oxidation (H₂ + O₂), wet oxidation (O₂ + H₂O), steam oxidation (N₂ + H₂O) or dry oxidation. To obtain a good oxidized film without lamination defects a high pressure oxidation at temperature of 800 to 1000°C is preferable. The oxidized film 22 is provided for preventing channeling and surface defects during the process for forming a base region through ion implantation. In the above process, the back coat oxidized film 21 is completely removed. Succeedingly, a resist 23 is coated, the part of which where the base region is formed is selectively removed (Fig. 3C). Next, B⁺ ions or BF₂⁺ ions produced using BF₃ as material gas are implanted into the wafer. The surface density thereof is 1 x 10¹⁵ to 5 x 10¹⁸cm⁻³, or preferably 1 ∼ 20 x 10¹⁶cm⁻³, while the doping amount of ions is 7 x 10¹¹ to 1 x 10¹⁵cm⁻², or preferably 1 x 10¹² to 1 x 10¹⁴cm⁻². After the ion-implantation and removal of the resist 23, the p base region 3 is formed down to a predetermined depth through heat diffusion under the condition of 1000 to 1100°C and N₂ atmosphere, and at the same time a thick oxidized film 24 is formed on the surface of the substrate 1. Then, the oxidized film 24 where the element isolation region 6 is formed is selectively removed (Fig. 3D). The depth of the p base region 3 is 0.6 to 1µm for example. An alternative method of forming the base region 3 is to deposit BSG on the wafer and diffuse impurity B down to a predetermined depth through heat treatment at 1100 to 1200°C. Next, to form the element isolation region 6, n⁺ diffusion is carried out through diffusion from POCℓ₃ or ion implantation at a preferable density of 10¹⁷ to 10²¹cm⁻³. Use of POCℓ₃ obtained a good result under the condition of furnace temperature at 850 to 1000°C, POCℓ₃ bubble carrier gas at 50 to 200 cm³/min, and process time at 10 to 40 minutes. After formation of the element isolation region 6 and the base region 3, a thick oxidized film 9 is deposited on the substrate 1 through oxidation process. Next, the parts of the oxidized film 9 are selectively removed where the capacitor electrode and the emitter region are formed. In the openings thus formed, a gate oxidized film 13 and an oxidized film 13' are formed to the thickness of 10 to 100 nm (100 to 1000 Å) (Fig. 3 E). Thereafter, polysilicon with As doped is deposited by means of a CVD method using (N₂ + SiH₄ + AsH₃) gas or (H₂ + SiH₄ + AsH₃) gas. The deposition temperature is about 550 to 900°C and the thickness is 200 to 700 nm (2000 to 7000 Å). Obviously, it is also possible to deposit non-doped polysilicon by means of a CVD method and thereafter diffuse As or P. The deposited polysilicon film is partially etched by means of a photolithography process to form a polysilicon 4 of the capacitor electrode. Next, impurity ions such as P or As are ion-implanted through the oxidized film 13' into the area where an emitter region is formed. After heat treatment, an n⁺ region 5 is formed (Fig. 3F). In this embodiment although the n⁺ emitter region 5 is formed by means of an ion implantation method, the emitter region 5 may be formed in such a way that the oxidized film 13' is removed, in the opening thus obtained, polysilicon is deposited at the process forming the polysilicon 4, and impurity such as P or As in the polysilicon is diffused into the p base region 3 through heat treatment to form the n⁺ emitter region 5. Next, a PSG film or SiO₂ film 8 is deposited by means of a CVD method using the above-described gas to the thickness of 300 to 700 nm (3000 to 7000 Å). Succeedingly, contact holes are formed on the polysilicon 4, the emitter region 5 and the base region 3 by mask alignment and etching process. Electrodes 7 and 15 and interconnections 16 (metal such as Al, Al-Si, Al-Cu-Si) are deposited in the contact holes by means of a vacuum evaporation or sputtering method (Fig. 3G). Succeedingly, an interlayer insulation film 12 such as PSG film or SiO₂ film is deposited to the thickness of 300 to 900 nm (3000 to 9000 Å) by means of a CVD method. In addition, the light shielding layer (e.g., Al and so on) is deposited to the thickness of 280 to 500 nm (2800 to 5000 Å), and the part of the layer where the light receiving region is formed is removed through etching. Lastly, a passivation film 11 (such as PSG film or Si₃N₄ film) is formed by means of a CVD method and thereafter, an unrepresented collector electrode (metal such as Al, Al-Si, Au) is formed at the back of the wafer. Thus, a photoelectric conversion device as shown in Figs. 2A and 2B can be manufactured. Fig. 4A is a plan view showing another embodiment of the present invention, and Fig. 4B is a cross section along line B-B of Fig. 4A. In the figures, the base region 3 is formed underneath the electrode region, while the light receiving region is constructed of only the n⁻ epitaxial layer 2. Also in this case, a plurality of contact holes 30 and 31 are formed on the n⁻ epitaxial layer 2, and inter-connections 32 such as metal are provided on the element isolation region 6. Therefore, the internal resistance of the n⁻ epitaxial layer 2 can be reduced. In the above embodiments, although an elongated and continuous base region or an n⁻ epitaxial layer is given a lower resistance using interconnections, the invention is not intended to be limited thereto. For instance, in case where an n⁻ epitaxial layer is divided into plural portions and a plurality of light receiving regions are formed in a single photosensor cell, respective n⁻ epitaxial layer portions may be connected to reduce the internal resistance. As seen from the foregoing detailed description of the photoelectric conversion device of the present emobodiments, since a plurality of points on the region constituting the light receiving region are connected by interconnections, the internal resistance is greatly reduced so that a high speed operation is possible and the afterimage phenomenon can be avoided. Further, miniaturization of the device is possible without deteriorating the photoelectric conversion characteristics.

Claims: A photoelectric conversion device having a plurality of photoelectric conversion cells, each cell having a bipolar semiconductor transistor comprising collector and emitter regions (2, 5) made of one conductivity type semiconductor and a base region (3) made of opposite conductivity type semiconductor, and an electrode (4) capacitively coupled to said base region (3) for controlling the potential of said base region (3) in a floating state, the potential at said base region (3) in a floating state being controlled by means of said capacitor electrode (4) so that carriers are stored in said base region in response to received light, the said base region (3) or the said collector region (2) providing a light reception region for the said received light, and the output of each cell is controlled in accordance with the storage voltage generated by said stored charge; characterised in that a plurality of points (17, 18; 30, 31) on the said light reception region are electrically interconnected by electric lead means (16; 32) to tend to suppress the generation of a potential distribution in the light reception region. A photoelectric conversion device according to claim 1, in which respective said photoelectric conversion cells are isolated by element isolation regions (6). A photoelectric conversion device according to claim 2, in which the said electric lead means (16; 32) overlies said element isolation regions (6). A photoelectric conversion device according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the light reception region is elongate. A photoelectric conversion device according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the light reception region comprises a part only of the said base region (3) or of the said collector region (2).

Inventors: MATSUMOTO, SHIGEYUKI
Applicants: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
Application year: 1986
Main classification: H01L27
IPC codes: H01L23, H01L27, H04N5