Patent ID: 7169712

Claim:
A method for manufacturing a microlens formed on a semiconductor substrate, comprising the steps of: preparing said semiconductor substrate; forming an insulating film, which has high etching selectivity with said semiconductor substrate, on said semiconductor substrate; forming a first resist layer, which has an opening that exposes a part of said insulating film, on said insulating film; forming a lens forming portion by eliminating a part of said insulating film, using said first resist layer as a mask; forming a second resist layer, which has a roughly cylindrical shape, on said lens forming portion, said second resist layer surrounded by said insulating film; transforming said second resist layer into a third resist layer that has a roughly hemispheric shape by reflowing said second resist layer with a heat treatment; and forming a lens on said semiconductor substrate by etching said third resist layer, said semiconductor substrate, and said insulating film simultaneously with anisotropic etching.