Patent ID: 7928529

Claim:
An apparatus comprising: a light-sensitive element area formed in a substrate; a circuit element area formed in the substrate; and a wiring area that includes: a first sidewall facing the light-sensitive element area; a second sidewall specifying the outer edge that is formed on the circuit element area; a first and a second metal wiring patterns electrically connected to the circuit elements in the circuit element area; an insulating layer formed on the first and second metal wiring patterns; a film that is made of at least one of tantalum and a tantalum compound, wherein the film is formed on the insulating layer such that it covers the gap between the first and second metal wiring patterns and extends onto the first and second sidewalls; and an opening formed in the film and at least a portion of the insulating layer under the film, wherein the at least one of the first and second metal wiring patterns is exposed in the opening for external connection.