IP Library Granted Patent US 9,053,994
Granted Patent B2
US 9,053,994 · App. 13/864,631 · Granted Jun 9, 2015

Image pickup unit and image pickup display system

View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,053,994
App. No.
13/864,631
Granted
Jun 9, 2015
Kind
B2
Abstract

A device for image sensing includes a photoelectric conversion unit and at least one transistor. The photoelectric conversion unit is configured to convert incident electromagnetic radiation into an electric signal. The at least one transistor includes a first gate electrode and a second gate electrode above the first gate electrode. The first gate electrode and the second gate electrode do not overlap each other within a non-overlapping region.

Claims (43)

1. A device for image sensing comprising a plurality of pixels, each of which comprises:

a photoelectric conversion unit configured to convert incident electromagnetic radiation into an electric signal;

at least one transistor comprising (a) a first gate electrode and a second gate electrode above the first gate electrode and (b) a semiconductor layer between the first gate electrode and the second gate electrode;

a source electrode electrically coupled to a first end of the semiconductor layer;

a drain electrode electrically coupled to a second end of the semiconductor layer, and

a channel layer having a first end toward the source electrode and a second end toward the drain electrode,

wherein,

the first gate electrode and the second gate electrode do not overlap each other horizontally within a first non-overlapping region and a second non-overlapping region,

the first end of the channel layer is within the first non-overlapping region, and

the second end of the channel layer is within the second non-overlapping region.

2. The device of claim 1 , wherein:

the first end of the channel layer is not overlapped by one of the first gate electrode and the second gate electrode in the first non-overlapping region; and

the second end of the channel layer is not overlapped by one of the first gate electrode and the second gate electrode in the second non-overlapping region.

3. The device of claim 1 , wherein a capacitance between the first gate electrode and the channel layer is equal to or larger than a capacitance between the second gate electrode and the channel layer.

4. The device of claim 1 , wherein the semiconductor layer further comprises:

a first active layer at the first end of the semiconductor layer and that is electrically coupled to the source electrode;

a second active layer at the second end of the semiconductor layer and that is electrically coupled to the drain electrode; and

a lightly-doped drain (LDD) layer between the channel layer and the second active layer.

5. The device of claim 4 , wherein the first active layer is a first N+ layer and the second active layer is a second N+ layer.

6. The device of claim 1 , wherein the at least one transistor further comprises:

a first gate insulating film between the first gate electrode and the semiconductor layer; and

a second gate insulating film between the second gate electrode and the semiconductor layer,

wherein,

the thickness of the first gate insulating film is smaller than the thickness of the second gate insulating film.

7. The device of claim 1 , wherein the at least one transistor comprises a first transistor and a second transistor that are electrically connected serially.

8. The device of claim 1 , wherein the electromagnetic radiation includes at least one of light in the x-ray spectrum and light in the visible spectrum.

9. A system for display comprising:

a display unit configured to display an image based on a signal obtained by an image sensing device; and

the image sensing device comprising a plurality of pixels, each of which comprises (a) a photoelectric conversion unit (b) at least one transistor comprising a first gate electrode and a second gate electrode above the first gate electrode, (c) a semiconductor layer between the first gate electrode and the second gate electrode, (d) a source electrode electrically coupled to a first end of the semiconductor layer, (e) a drain electrode electrically coupled to a second end of the semiconductor layer, and (f) a channel layer having a first end toward the source electrode and a second end toward the drain electrode,

wherein,

the first gate electrode and the second gate electrode do not overlap each other horizontally within a first non-overlapping region and a second non-overlapping region,

the first end of the channel layer is within the first non-overlapping region, and

the second end of the channel layer is within the second non-overlapping region.

10. A device for sensing radiation rays, the device comprising a plurality of pixels, each of which comprises:

a photoelectric conversion unit configured to convert incident x-ray radiation into an electric signal; and

at least one transistor comprising (a) a first gate electrode and a second gate electrode above the first gate electrode, and (b) a semiconductor layer between the first gate electrode and the second gate electrode;

a source electrode electrically coupled to a first end of the semiconductor layer;

a drain electrode electrically coupled to a second end of the semiconductor layer, and

a channel layer having a first end toward the source electrode and a second end toward the drain electrode,

wherein,

the first gate electrode and the second gate electrode do not overlap each other horizontally within a first non-overlapping region and a second non-overlapping region,

the first end of the channel layer is within the first non-overlapping region, and

the second end of the channel layer is within the second non-overlapping region.

Assignments (2)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Oct 19, 2016
From: SONY CORPORATION
To: SONY SEMICONDUCTOR SOLUTIONS CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 040419/0001 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Apr 17, 2013
From: YAMADA, YASUHIRO; TAKATOKU, MAKOTO
To: SONY CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 030234/0795 →