IP Library Granted Patent US 7,714,402
Granted Patent B2
US 7,714,402 · App. 12/040,340 · Granted May 11, 2010

Solid-state imaging device and electronic apparatus using the same

Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,714,402
App. No.
12/040,340
Granted
May 11, 2010
Kind
B2
Abstract

A solid-state imaging device includes a semiconductor substrate, a first pixel with a green color filter, a second pixel with a blue color filter and a third pixel with a red color filter. The first pixel includes a first area for generating an electric signal by photoelectric conversion, disposed in a first trench that is formed on a surface of the semiconductor substrate, and a first transistor area that outputs the electric signal obtained from the first area. The second pixel includes a second area formed in a flat shape on the surface of the semiconductor substrate, and a second transistor area that outputs the electric signal obtained from the second area. The third pixel includes a third area formed in a flat shape on the surface of the semiconductor substrate, and a third transistor area that outputs the electric signal obtained from the third area.

Claims (41)

1. A solid-state imaging device comprising:

a semiconductor substrate;

a first pixel formed on the semiconductor substrate, the first pixel having a first color filter that exhibits higher transmissivity to a first visible light wavelength range of a green color than to other visible light wavelength ranges;

a second pixel formed on the semiconductor substrate, the second pixel having a second color filter that exhibits higher transmissivity to a second visible light wavelength range of a blue color than to other visible light wavelength ranges; and

a third pixel formed on the semiconductor substrate, the third pixel having a third color filter that exhibits higher transmissivity to a third visible light wavelength range of a red color than to other visible light wavelength ranges;

wherein the first pixel includes:

a first area disposed in a first trench that is formed on a surface of the semiconductor substrate, the first area configured to generate an electric signal by photoelectric conversion, and

a first transistor area that outputs the electric signal obtained from the first area as an output signal;

the second pixel includes:

a second area disposed in a second trench that is formed on a surface of the semiconductor substrate, the second area configured to generate an electric signal by photoelectric conversion, and

a second transistor area that outputs the electric signal obtained from the second area as an output signal; and

the third pixel includes:

a third area formed in a flat shape on the surface of the semiconductor substrate, the third area configured to generate an electric signal by photoelectric conversion, and

a third transistor area that outputs the electric signal obtained from the third area as an output signal.

2. The device according to claim 1 ,

wherein the first pixel further includes a first flat area formed in a flat shape on the semiconductor substrate, the first flat area configured to generate an electric signal by photoelectric conversion;

the first flat area is disposed in proximity to the first area so that the first flat area and the first area are integrally formed in the same layer; and

the first transistor area outputs the electric signal obtained in the first area and in the first flat are as the output signal.

3. The device according to claim 1 ,

wherein the second pixel further includes a second flat area formed in a flat shape on the semiconductor substrate, the second flat area configured to generate an electric signal by photoelectric conversion;

the second flat area is disposed in proximity to the second area so that the second flat area and the second area are integrally formed in the same layer; and

the second transistor area outputs the electric signal obtained in the second area and in the second flat area as the output signal.

4. The device according to claim 2 ,

wherein the first flat area has a peak value of a dopant concentration higher than the first area;

the first transistor area includes a transfer transistor disposed adjacently to the first flat area; and

the dopant concentration of the first flat area is determined to provide an electric potential that is lower than a channel potential achieved at the time of activation of the transfer transistor.

5. The device according to claim 3 ,

wherein the second flat area has a peak value of a dopant concentration higher than the second area;

the second transistor area includes a transfer transistor disposed adjacently to the second flat area; and

the dopant concentration of the second flat area is determined such that an electric potential of the second flat area is lower than a channel potential achieved at the time of activation of the transfer transistor.

6. The device according to claim 4 ,

wherein the first area and the first flat area include a multilayer structure having a first dopant diffusion layer of first conductivity type and a second dopant diffusion layer of second conductivity type provided underneath the first dopant diffusion layer.

7. The device according to claim 5 ,

wherein the second area and the second flat area include a multilayer structure having a third dopant diffusion layer of first conductivity type and a fourth dopant diffusion layer of second conductivity type provided underneath the third dopant diffusion layer.

8. The device according to claim 1 ,

wherein the first trench and the second trench has cross sections in a V-shape.

9. The device according to claim 1 ,

wherein the first trench and the second trench has cross sections having a stepped shape.

10. The device according to claim 1 ,

wherein the first pixel, the second pixel and the third pixel are arranged in a matrix pattern.

11. The device according to claim 1 , further comprising a fourth pixel formed on the semiconductor substrate, the fourth pixel having a transparent color filter.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Apr 30, 2008
From: IIDA, YOSHINORI
To: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
Reel/Frame 020875/0587 →
Priority Claims (1)
JP P2007-053356 · Mar 2, 2007 · national
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20080211047A1 · Sep 4, 2008