Patent ID: 8716822

Claim:
A solid-state imaging device comprising: a first semiconductor layer of a first conductivity type; a plurality of pixels arranged in a matrix form on a first face of the first semiconductor layer, each of the pixels including a photoelectric conversion element that converts light entering through a second face of the first semiconductor layer on the opposite side from the first face into a signal charge, the photoelectric conversion element storing the signal charge, the photoelectric conversion element having a pn junction formed with a first semiconductor region formed on the first face of the first semiconductor layer and a second semiconductor region formed on a surface of the first semiconductor region, the first semiconductor region being of a second conductivity type different from the first conductivity type, the second semiconductor region being of the first conductivity type; pixel separating regions separating the pixels from one another, the pixel separating regions being formed between the pixels, each of the pixel separating regions including a second semiconductor layer of the first conductivity type covering faces in contact with the photoelectric conversion elements, and an insulating film with a lower refractive index than a refractive index of the second semiconductor layer to cover the second semiconductor layer, each of the pixel separating regions having a tapered shape with a cross-sectional area that becomes smaller toward a face of the first semiconductor region on the opposite side from the first semiconductor layer, from the first face of the first semiconductor layer; transistors formed in the second semiconductor regions of the respective pixels, the transistors reading the signal charges from the pixels; an insulating layer covering the plurality of pixels, the pixel separating regions, and the transistors; wiring layers that are formed in the insulating layer and drive the plurality of pixels; and a supporting substrate bonded to a face of the insulating layer on the opposite side from the plurality of pixels.