Patent ID: 7935994

Claim:
A CMOS image sensor comprising: a photo-sensitive element in a substrate, the photo-sensitive element being electrically coupled to CMOS circuitry; a plurality of dielectric layers formed over the substrate; and an electrically conductive material formed through the plurality of the dielectric layers, the electrically conductive material comprising at least a single plug formed through the plurality of dielectric layers such that the plurality of dielectric layers is adjacent opposing sides of the single plug such that the plurality of dielectric layers is positioned directly over the photo-sensitive element, the electrically conductive material being electrically isolated from CMOS circuitry adjacent to the photo-sensitive element, the single plug being positioned over a point between the photo-sensitive element and a lateral edge of the CMOS circuitry adjacent to the photo-sensitive element, the lateral edge being an edge of the CMOS circuitry nearest the photo-sensitive element.