Patent ID: 8174014

Claim:
An apparatus, comprising: a first silicon layer having at least one of an associated passivation layer and barrier; a composite anti-reflection layer including a stack of layers each with a different thickness and refractive index, the composite anti-reflection layer disposed adjacent to the first silicon layer; and a second silicon layer disposed adjacent to the composite anti-reflection layer opposite the first silicon layer; wherein the first silicon layer, the composite anti-reflection layer, and the second silicon layer are components of a starting material that is adapted for use in the manufacture of an imager; wherein the apparatus is operable such that imager pixels and circuits are deposited on the first silicon layer using the starting material during the manufacturing of the imager; wherein the apparatus is operable such that inter-layer dielectrics and metals are deposited on the imager pixels and the circuits during the manufacturing of the imager to generate a structure; wherein during the manufacturing of the imager, the apparatus is operable such that the structure is deposited on a support substrate and the second silicon layer is etched off, wherein the etching is stopped at the composite anti-reflection layer for depositing a color filter and microlens on the composite anti-reflection layer.