Patent ID: 6873025

Claim:
A photodiode, comprising: one of a first conductivity type semiconductor substrate and a first conductivity type semiconductor layer; a second conductivity type semiconductor layer provided on the one of the first conductivity type semiconductor substrate and the first conductivity type semiconductor layer; an anti-reflection film provided in a light receiving area; a first conductive layer provided in an area in the vicinity of the light receiving area, the conductive layer being provided over the first and/or second conductivity type semiconductor layer; and a passivation layer provided over at least a portion of the first conductive layer, wherein: light incident on the photodiode is detected by a junction of the one of the first conductivity type semiconductor substrate and the first conductivity type semiconductor layer, and the second conductivity type semiconductor layer, the first conductive layer is divided into a first portion and a second portion insulated therefrom by a gap or aperture defined in the first conductive layer, wherein the first portion of the first conductive layer acts as a signal line of the photodiode and the second portion of the first conductive layer does not act as a signal line for the photodiode but rather is for removing electrostatic discharge; and the area in the vicinity of the light receiving area includes a window area having an opening in the passivation layer for partially exposing the second portion of the first conductive layer for removing electrostatic charge via the window, said window being spaced apart from, and not located in, the light receiving area.