Patent ID: 7193289

Claim:
An image sensor including an array of pixels, each pixel comprising: a top layer comprising a pixel microlens for receiving light; a semiconductor substrate including a light sensitive element formed therein for receiving light incident to said pixel microlens; a structure of dielectric material including sidewalls provided in an optical path between said top layer and said light sensitive element formed in said substrate, a multi-layer stack of light refractive material formed on said pixel sidewalls defining said optical path to achieve particular dielectric constant, and refractive index values for the multi-layer stack which is independent of incident light wavelength over an optical range, and a stack of interlevel dielectric material layers having two or more levels of Cu metallization formed therebetween with each said metallization level including a Cu metal wire structure formed adjacent said dielectric material structure of said pixel, each said Cu metal wire structure including a barrier material layer formed thereon, wherein said dielectric material structure is formed as part of a dielectric refill process after etching an opening in said pixel to define said optical path.