Patent ID: 8119435

Claim:
A wafer level processing method for forming a plurality of image sensors each having a pixel array configured for backside illumination, the image sensors being formed utilizing an image sensor wafer, the image sensor wafer comprising a substrate, an oxide layer formed over the substrate, a sensor layer formed over the oxide layer, and one or more dielectric layers formed over the sensor layer, the sensor layer comprising photosensitive elements of the pixel arrays, the method comprising the steps of: attaching a temporary carrier wafer to a frontside surface of said at least one dielectric layer; removing the substrate to expose a backside surface of the oxide layer; forming color filter arrays on the backside surface of the oxide layer; attaching a transparent cover sheet comprising transparent covers overlying respective ones of the color filter arrays; removing the temporary carrier wafer; forming openings in said at least one dielectric layer to expose respective bond pad conductors; forming redistribution metal conductors in electrical contact with the respective bond pad conductors through the respective openings; forming a redistribution passivation layer over the redistribution metal conductors; forming openings in the redistribution passivation layer to expose portions of respective ones of the redistribution metal conductors; and forming contact metallizations in electrical contact with the respective redistribution metal conductors in respective ones of the openings in the redistribution passivation layer.