Patent ID: 7294524

Claim:
A method for fabricating an image sensor comprising a first region, which is a light receiving region, and a second region, which is a pad region, the method comprising: forming a metal line in the second region over a substrate structure comprising a photodiode; forming a passivation layer over the substrate structure; selectively etching the passivation layer to form an opening exposing the metal line where a pad contact is to be formed; forming a first over coating layer (OCL 1 ) in the first region while forming an over coating layer (OCL) plug over the opening in the second region; forming color filters, a second over coating layer (OCL 2 ), and micro lenses in sequential order over the OCL 1 in the first region; forming a photoresist pattern exposing the OCL plug; performing an etch-back process to remove the OCL plug; and removing the photoresist pattern.