IP Library Granted Patent US 7,163,834
Granted Patent B2
US 7,163,834 · App. 11/024,071 · Granted Jan 16, 2007

CMOS image sensor and method of fabricating the same

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,163,834
App. No.
11/024,071
Granted
Jan 16, 2007
Kind
B2
Abstract

A complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) image sensor and a method of fabricating the same are disclosed. In a complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) image sensor including a photodiode receiving irradiated light and generating electric charges, a plurality of conductive circuits each formed in different layers, a plurality of interlayer dielectrics insulating the conductive circuits, and a micro-lens formed of the interlayer dielectrics and focusing the irradiated light to the photodiode, the CMOS image sensor includes a lens formed in a dome shape on any one of the interlayer dielectrics and re-focusing the light focused by the micro-lens to the photodiode.

Claims (9)

1. In a method of fabricating a complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) image sensor, wherein the CMOS image sensor includes a photodiode receiving irradiated light and generating electric charges, a plurality of conductive circuits each formed in different layers, a plurality of interlayer dielectrics insulating the conductive circuits, and a micro-lens formed of the interlayer dielectrics and focusing the irradiated light to the photodiode, the method comprising:

forming a lens for re-focusing the light focused by the micro-lens to the photodiode, wherein the step of forming a lens comprises:

a first step of randomly forming one of the interlayer dielectrics and forming a nitride layer on an entire surface thereof;

a second step of depositing a photoresist layer on the nitride layer, and patterning the photoresist layer so that a set portion of photoresist remains in a corresponding area;

a third step of selectively removing the nitride layer by using the patterned photoresist layer as a mask, and removing the photoresist layer;

a fourth step of rounding corner portions of the selectively removed nitride layer by using a high frequency bias sputter etch process; and

a fifth step of forming the nitride layer in a dome shape by using a wet-etch process.

2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising, before the second step, a step of performing a reflow process on the patterned photoresist.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the fourth step comprises a radio frequency bias sputter etch process using helium (He) and a radio frequency bias sputter etch process using argon (Ar), which are performed simultaneously.

Assignments (2)
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Jul 13, 2006
From: DONGBUANAM SEMICONDUCTOR INC.
To: DONGBU ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
Reel/Frame 018099/0281 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Dec 29, 2004
From: LIM, BIO O
To: DONGBUANAM SEMICONDUCTOR INC.
Reel/Frame 016138/0300 →