Patent ID: 8129765

Claim:
An image sensor comprising: a logic region; and an APS region including: a first gate electrode formed entirely in the APS region over a semiconductor substrate; a photo-detector formed to a first side of the first gate electrode within the semiconductor substrate; a first drain/source region formed to a second side of the first gate electrode within the semiconductor substrate; a first protecting layer formed over the first gate electrode, the photo-detector, and the first drain/source region; first spacers formed over the first protecting layer to the sides of the first gate electrode; and a second protecting layer formed over the first protecting layer and the spacers, wherein the first and second protecting layers prevent a contaminant from reaching the photo-detector, and wherein the first and second protecting layers are formed over the first gate electrode and the first drain/source region to prevent formation of silicide on any portion of the first gate electrode and on any portion of said first drain/source region, and wherein the logic region includes: a second gate electrode formed over the semiconductor substrate; second spacers formed toward sidewalls of the second gate electrode; second drain/source regions formed to sides of the second gate electrode within the semiconductor substrate; a gate silicide formed on the second gate electrode; and drain/source silicides formed on the second drain/source regions, wherein the first and second protecting layers are not in the logic region.