IP Library Granted Patent US 8,570,409
Granted Patent B2
US 8,570,409 · App. 12/909,948 · Granted Oct 29, 2013

Image sensors and methods of manufacturing image sensors

Inventors: Sang-Jun Choi (Yongin-si, KR); Yoon-Dong Park (Yongin-si, KR); Chris Hong (Los Angeles, CA); Dae-Lok Bae (Seoul, KR); Jung-Chak Ahn (Yongin-si, KR); Chang-Rok Moon (Seoul, KR); June-Mo Koo (Seoul, KR); Suk-Pil Kim (Yongin-si, KR); Hoon-Sang Oh (Seongnam-si, KR)
Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,570,409
App. No.
12/909,948
Granted
Oct 29, 2013
Kind
B2
Abstract

An image sensor includes a first substrate including a driving element, a first insulation layer on the first substrate and on the driving element, a second substrate including a photoelectric conversion element, and a second insulation layer on the second substrate and on the photoelectric conversion element. A surface of the second insulation layer is on an upper surface of the first insulation layer. The image sensor includes a conductive connector penetrating the second insulation layer and a portion of the first insulation layer. Methods of forming image sensors are also disclosed.

Claims (19)

1. An image sensor comprising:

a first substrate including a driving element;

a first insulation layer on the first substrate and on the driving element;

a second substrate including a photoelectric conversion element;

a second insulation layer on the second substrate and on the photoelectric conversion element, wherein a surface of the second insulation layer is on an upper surface of the first insulation layer;

a conductive connector penetrating the second substrate, the second insulation layer and a portion of the first insulation layer, wherein the conductive connector comprises a single plug;

a first wiring pattern between the first substrate and the first insulation layer;

a second wiring pattern between the second substrate and the second insulation layer; and

a floating diffusion region in the second substrate;

wherein the second wiring pattern is electrically connected to the floating diffusion region, and wherein the first wiring pattern is electrically connected to the second wiring pattern by the conductive connector, wherein each of the first and second wiring patterns are in direct contact with the conductive connector.

2. The image sensor of claim 1 , wherein the photoelectric conversion element comprises a photodiode, a transfer transistor and a floating diffusion region, wherein the floating diffusion region is electrically connected to a gate of a driving transistor by the conductive connector.

3. The image sensor of claim 2 , wherein the floating diffusion region is electrically connected to a reset transistor by the conductive connector.

4. The image sensor of claim 2 , wherein the photodiode comprises a first photodiode, wherein the transfer transistor comprises a first transfer transistor, wherein the photoelectric conversion element further comprises a second photodiode and a second transfer transistor, and wherein the floating diffusion region is coupled to the first transfer transistor and the second transfer transistor.

5. The image sensor of claim 2 , wherein the first substrate comprises an active pixel region in which the driving transistor are disposed and a logic region in which transistors of logic circuits are disposed, wherein a first conductive connector is formed on the active pixel region to electrically connect the gate of the driving transistor to the floating diffusion region and a second conductive connector is formed on the logic region to electrically connect the transistors of the logic circuits to a gate of the transfer transistor, wherein each of the first and second conductive connectors comprises a respective single plug.

6. The image sensor of claim 1 , wherein the driving element comprises a reset transistor and a driving transistor.

7. The image sensor of claim 6 , wherein the driving element further comprises a selection transistor.

8. The image sensor of claim 1 , wherein the first wiring pattern has a rectangular shape extending in a direction parallel to the first substrate and each side of the rectangular shape is longer than about 1.2 μm.

9. The image sensor of claim 1 , wherein the second substrate has a thickness less than about 7000 Å.

10. The image sensor of claim 1 , wherein a third insulation layer is formed on a sidewall of upper portions of the conductive connector.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Oct 26, 2010
From: CHOI, SANG JUN; PARK, YOON DONG; HONG, CHRIS; BAE, DAE LOK; OH, HOON SANG; AHN, JUNG CHAK; MOON, CHANG ROK; KOO, JUNE MO; KIM, SUK PIL
To: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
Reel/Frame 025193/0374 →
Priority Claims (1)
KR 10-2009-0100581 · Oct 22, 2009 · national
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20110096215A1 · Apr 28, 2011