Patent ID: 8759934

Claim:
An image sensor, comprising: an epitaxial layer; an array of pixels each including a photosensitive region disposed within the epitaxial layer, the photosensitive region positioned to collect an image charge in response to light incident through a first side of the epitaxial layer; and a first stress adjusting layer disposed over the first side of the epitaxial layer establishing a first stress characteristic on the epitaxial layer to encourage photo-generated charge carriers to migrate towards a second side of the epitaxial layer opposite of the first side, wherein the first stress adjusting layer is disposed on the epitaxial layer to apply a patterned stress characteristic to the epitaxial layer such that the first stress adjusting layer applies the first stress characteristic to a first portion of a given pixel on the first side of the epitaxial layer while substantially not applying the first stress characteristic to a second portion of the given pixel on the first side of the epitaxial layer.