Abstract:
The present invention is a structure for a fast-dump gate (FDG) and a fast-dump drain (FDD) for a charge coupled device. It is envisioned that the charge coupled device be a horizontal readout register of a solid-state image sensor. This structure uses a third layer of polysilicon (or other suitable gate material) to form the fast-dump gate which is in addition to the other two layers of gate material used to form the gates in the horizontal readout register. This allows the channel region under the fast-dump gate (FDG) to form without the use of highly-doped channel stop regions thereby eliminating any potential wells or barriers that may result in transfer inefficiency often time found with other structures.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This is a division of application Ser. No. U.S. 09/533,050, filed Mar. 22, 2000, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,507,056 which is also related to U.S. application Ser. No. 09/533,051, filed Mar. 22, 2000, by Eric G. Stevens and William F. DesJardin, and entiled “FAST-DUMP STRUCTURE FOR FULL-FRAME IMAGE SENSORS WITH LOD ANTIBLOOMING STRUCTURES”. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to charge coupled devices, and more particularly to fast-dump gate formed within charge coupled devices. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The charge coupled device (CCD) art is replete with teachings for selectively removing charges in a predetermined manner. Fast-dump gates are typically used within prior art devices in the area of a horizontal CCD (HCCD) shift register to: (1) read out data from the horizontal CCD; or (2) selectively dump lines of data from the horizontal shift register in sub-sampling modes. 
     A conventional prior art device employing fast-dump gate structure is shown in FIG. 1 with two levels of polysilicon used to form the CCD electrodes. The two levels of polysilicon are indicated as H 1  for the first level of polysilicon and H 2  for the second level of polysilicon. Boron implants are used to form the two-phase CCD barrier regions in FIG.  1  and are indicated as BR 1 A for H 1  and BR 2 A for H 2 . Each of the H 1 , H 2  electrodes has an n-type buried channel beneath the poly 1 , poly 2  electrodes in the prior art device shown in FIG.  1 . The problem with these prior art devices is that CCD cell of the horizontal shift register which is to be connected to the fast-dump gate (shown as H 1 ) has an effective width W 2  that increases as the H 1  cell of the horizontal shift register approaches the FDG along the length L 2 , yielding a well. Other prior art devices have an effective width W 2  that decreases as it approaches the FDG along the length L 2  creating a barrier. 
     FIG. 2 a  is a cross sectional view of FIG. 1 along the line AA with associated potential diagrams  2   b  and  2   c  for cases where the effective channel width decreases as it approaches the fast-dump gate and the effective channel width increases as it approaches the fast-dump gate. The actual width W 2  is drawn larger than W 1  to compensate for the encroachment of an implanted boron channel stop so that W 2   eff =W 1   eff . However, if W 2   eff &gt;W 1   eff , a well is formed which is illustrated in FIG. 2 c , and if W 2   eff &lt;W 1   eff , a barrier is formed which is illustrated in FIG. 2 b . The length L 2  is a requirement that is dictated and determined by two level polysilicon space design rules to prevent H 2  and FDG from shorting together. When W 2   eff &lt;W 1   eff , a barrier exists which inhibits charge flow into FDD during fast-dump operation as shown in FIG. 2 b . When W 2   eff &gt;W 1   eff , no barrier exists in “L 2 ” region and fast-dump operation works fine, but when FDG is off, a potential well exists in this region which can trap charge during HCCD readout as shown in FIG. 2 c.    
     FIG. 2 d  is a diagram illustrating the narrow width effect that is cured by the present invention. As the width increases, the potential shown as φ (v) increases and then eventually flattens out. 
     Referring to FIG. 3, which is a cross sectional view of FIG. 1 along the line BB parallel to and through HCCD showing width W 1 . The two levels of polysilicon are indicated as poly 1  and poly 2  for H 1  and H 2 , respectively. The boron implants that form the barrier regions are indicated as BR 1 A for H 1  and BR 2 A for H 2 . Each of the H 1 , H 2  electrodes has an n-type buried channel beneath the poly 1  poly 2  electrodes. 
     Referring to FIG. 4, which is a cross-sectional view of FIG.  1  through the line CC and parallel to HCCD through the bottom part of H 1  showing second width, W 2 . The boron implants resulting in p+ channel stops are illustrated as the identifying feature for W 2 . The p+ channel stops and Local Oxidized Silicon (LOCOS) provide channel isolation. FIG. 4 taken in conjunction with FIG. 1, illustrates that the width W 2  increases to compensate for the narrowing effect of the boron implants used to create channel stops, resulting in the barriers and wells as previously discussed. 
     It should be readily apparent from the foregoing discussion that there remains a need within the art for a fast-dump gate structure that does not have the likelihood of creating barriers and wells that exist with currently available devices. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention solves many of the aforementioned problems within the prior art by providing a structure that comprises a fast-dump gate (FDG) and a fast-dump drain (FDD) that is connected to a horizontal readout register of a solid-state image sensor. Selectively, lines of the captured image (in the form of charge in the readout register) may be cleared or dumped into the FDD through the channel region below the FDG. This feature can be used, for example, to subsample the image or to read a frame out more quickly by throwing away selected lines. This structure uses a third layer of polysilicon (or other suitable gate material) to form the fast-dump gate which is in addition to the other two layers of gate material used to form the gates in the horizontal readout register. This allows the channel region under the FDG to form without the use of highly doped channel stop regions thereby eliminating the narrow-channel effect and any potential wells or barriers that may result in transfer inefficiency often times found with other structures. 
     Accordingly the present invention provides a solution to the problems within the prior art by providing a charge coupled device having a fast-dump gate (FDG) and a fast-dump drain (FDD) comprising: a charge coupled device having a first and a second level of polysilicon layers used to form electrodes on the charge coupled device; a third level polysilicon layer used to formed the fast-dump gate adjacent to at least one of the cells of the charge coupled device; and a drain that forms the fast-dump drain being operatively connected to the fast-dump gate. 
     ADVANTAGEOUS EFFECT OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention advantages of not creating potential wells and barriers within fast-dump gate structures. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a top view of a prior art fast-dump gate device illustrating the change in the channel width typically associated with prior art fast-dump gates; 
     FIG. 2 a  is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 1 along the line AA; 
     FIG. 2 b  is the associated potential diagram for FIG. 2 a  in the case where channel width decreases as it approaches the fast-dump gate; 
     FIG. 2 c  is a diagram of the associated potential diagrams for FIG. 2 a  in the case where channel width increases as it approaches the fast-dump gate; 
     FIG. 2 d  is a potential diagram illustrating the narrow width effects; 
     FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 1 along the line BB; 
     FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 1 along the line CC; 
     FIG. 5 is a top view of the present invention illustrating the channel width within the fast-dump gate area; 
     FIG. 6 a  is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 5 along the line AA; 
     FIG. 6 b  is the associated potential diagram for FIG. 6 a  for the fast-dump gate; and 
     FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 5 along the line BB. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring to FIG. 5, which illustrates a fast-dump structure on a charge-coupled device (CCD) as envisioned by the present invention wherein the fast-dump gate (FDG) is fabricated by use of a third level polysilicon. Comparing the present invention as seen in FIG. 5 with the prior art device shown in FIG. 1, the present invention employs a third level of polysilicon which allows the FDG to be placed directly against the electrodes into the horizontal shift register area where the width is still W 1 , thereby, not incurring the potential barriers or wells that occur with increasing width W 2  within the length L 2  that are found in the prior art devices such as those shown in FIG.  1 . The reasons for this is that the length L 2  has been eliminated 
     The fast-dump gate is an area within a charge-coupled device for removing charge from the charge-coupled device to a drain area. The present invention envisions employing a series of first level and second level polysilicon electrodes H 1 , H 2  used within a horizontal charge-coupled device (HCCD) to form a two-phase device in a manner as shown in the prior art device of FIG.  1 . However, the present invention envisions that the fast-dump gate be connected to the selected cells within the HCCD via implementation of a third level polysilicon such that the third level polysilicon can overlap the first and second levels of polysilicon electrodes H 1 , H 2  without shorting them together. A drain is formed on the opposite side of the fast-dump gate that functions as the output node for charges that are to be dumped from the HCCD via the fast-dump gate connection. 
     Prior art, fast-dump gates are typically used in the area of a horizontal CCD shift register to: (1) read out selected data from the horizontal CCD in a windowing function; or (2) selectively dump lines of data from the horizontal shift register in sub-sampling modes. Prior art devices employ structures as shown in FIG. 1 with two levels of polysilicon to create the electrodes within the horizontal CCD. FIG. 2 a  is a cross sectional view of FIG. 1 along the line AA with associated potential diagrams for cases where the effective channel width decreases as it approaches the fast-dump gate and the effective channel width increases as it approaches the fast-dump gate. The problem with these prior art devices is that as the effective W 2  increases, or decreases, the horizontal shift register approaches the fast-dump gate (FDG) yielding in many cases either a barrier (FIG. 2 b ) or a well (FIG. 2 c ) along the length L 2 . 
     Referring to FIG. 4, which is a cross-sectional view of FIG.  1  through the line CC and parallel to HCCD through bottom part of H 1  showing second width, W 2 . The boron implants resulting in p+ channel stops are illustrated as the identifying features for W 2 . The p+ channel stops and the LOCOS confine charge to the channel region of width W 2  existing between them. As clearly seen in FIG. 4 taken in conjunction with FIG. 1, the drawn width W 2  increases to compensate for the narrowing effect of the boron implants used to create channel stops possibly resulting in the potential barriers and wells as previously discussed. 
     Referring again to FIG. 5, which is a top view of the present invention, a third level polysilicon (Poly 3 ) used in fabricating the fast-dump gate (FDG) eliminates the problem of matching effective channel widths to minimize wells or barriers at exit end of the H 1  cell of the horizontal charge-coupled device. It should be noted that there is no structure that is equivalent to the L 2 /W 2  region of FIG.  1 . This is an important element within the context of the present invention. The effective channel length of the third level of polysilicon FDG gate is typically on the order of a couple of microns. Its effective width is virtually infinite since it typically extends along the entire length of the HCCD. It will readily apparent to those skilled within the relevant arts that the FDG could also be formed from a different polysilicon layer as long as there are three polysilicon layers. For example, the FDG layer could be made from poly 1  and the electrodes for H 1  and H 2  created by using poly 2  and poly 3  layers. 
     Referring to FIG. 5, there is no equivalent structure to that shown in FIG. 1 which results in the L 2 /W 2  region as seen in FIG. 1 (i.e., W 1  is constant along the entire “length” of H 1 ), therefore there are no wells or barriers to impede charge flow during either fast-dump or HCCD-readout operation. 
     Referring to FIG. 6 a , which is a cross-section of FIG.  5  through line AA parallel to HCCD through the fast-dump gate (FDG) with an accompanying potential diagram as shown in FIG. 6 b . The cross section shown in FIG. 6 a  appears similar to that shown in prior art device of FIG. 2 a . Looking at the potential diagram in FIG. 6 b , however, compared to those of FIG. 2 b  and FIG. 2 c , it is readily apparent that the barriers of FIG. 2 b  and wells of FIG. 2 c  do not exist in the potential diagram seen in FIG. 6 b  for the present invention. 
     This is because the present invention does not have an equivalent L 2 -W 2  region and therefore, channel stops are not required. This (by eliminating the L 2 -W 2  region) is how the present invention eliminates the problems of potential wells and barriers of the prior art device. The region shown in FIG. 7 is not equivalent to the L 2 -W 2  region of the prior art. It is equivalent to the BR 2 A region under FDG as shown (from the top) in FIG.  1 . This BR 2 A region under FDG of FIG. 1 is not shown in cross section by any of the drawings. There are no confining LOCOS/p+ channel stop regions in the present invention, as shown FIG. 7, since they are not necessary. Once charge enters the channel region under the FDG for the HCCD (in a fast-dump mode where the FDG would be “on”), it is destined to be drained off into the fast-dump drain, FDD. Alternatively, when the FDG is sufficiently “off” during the HCCD readout, the potential under the FDG is brought sufficiently low so as to completely isolate the charge in the HCCD from the drain. Introducing channel stops within this region would only result in the same problems developing in the prior art. 
     FIG. 7 is a cross section of FIG. 5 taken along line BB. For all intensive purposes, the FDG has a virtually infinite width. It should be noted, that there are no confining implants such as channel stops in prior art. A BR 2 A, or similar implant, is not a requirement in this region for the present invention, but may be desirable depending on the clock voltages used. That is, it was used to shift the channel potential to a more desirable level for a given clock voltage to insure that the FDG region is truly “off” relative to the potentials under the HCCD phases so that charge does not inadvertently transfer into the FDG during HCCD readout. 
     The invention has been described in detail with particular reference to certain preferred embodiments thereof, but it will be understood that variations and modifications can be effected within the spirit and scope of the invention. 
     
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
               
                 PARTS LIST 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 BR1A 
                 Boron doped implant 
               
               
                   
                 BR2A 
                 Boron doped implant 
               
               
                   
                 CCD 
                 horizontal shift register 
               
               
                   
                 H1 
                 first level polysilicon electrodes 
               
               
                   
                 H2 
                 second level polysilicon electrodes 
               
               
                   
                 FDD 
                 fast-dump drain 
               
               
                   
                 FDG 
                 fast-dump gate 
               
               
                   
                 HCCD 
                 horizontal charge-coupled device 
               
               
                   
                 L2 
                 length 
               
               
                   
                 LOCOS 
                 local oxidized silicon 
               
               
                   
                 n-BCH 
                 n-type buried channel 
               
               
                   
                 Poly1 
                 first level of polysilicon 
               
               
                   
                 Poly2 
                 second level of polysilicon 
               
               
                   
                 Poly3 
                 third level of polysilicon 
               
               
                   
                 W1 
                 width 
               
               
                   
                 W2 
                 width