An image-sensor device is provided. The image-sensor device includes a semiconductor substrate and a radiation-sensing region in the semiconductor substrate. The image-sensor device also includes a doped isolation region adjacent to the radiation-sensing region. The image-sensor device further includes a dielectric film extending into the doped isolation region from a surface of the semiconductor substrate. A portion of the doped isolation region is between the dielectric film and the radiation-sensing region.

A semiconductor device includes a substrate, a device layer, a composite grid structure, a passivation layer and color filters. The device layer overlies the substrate. The composite grid structure overlies the device layer. The composite grid structure includes cavities passing through the composite grid structure, and the composite grid structure includes a metal grid layer and a dielectric grid layer stacked on the metal grid layer. The passivation layer conformally covers the composite grid structure. The color filters respectively fill the cavities.

Visual and near infrared pixels may have deep photodiodes to ensure sufficient capture of light. The pixels may have a silicon layer that is etched to form a microlens for the pixel. The pixels may include an inversion layer formed over the silicon layer to prevent dark current. Additionally, the pixels may include a conductive layer formed over the inversion layer that further prevents dark current. The conductive layer may be coupled to a bias voltage supply line. The conductive layer may be biased during image acquisition to prevent dark current. During readout, the bias voltage may be pulsed at a lower voltage to ensure all of the collected charge is transferred out of the photodiode during charge transfer.

A backside illuminated (BSI) image sensor with a reflector is provided. A pixel sensor is arranged on a lower side of a semiconductor substrate, and comprises a photodetector arranged within the semiconductor substrate. An interconnect structure is arranged under the semiconductor substrate and the pixel sensor, and comprises an interconnect layer and a contact via extending from the interconnect layer to the pixel sensor. The reflector is arranged under the photodetector, between the interconnect layer and the photodetector, and is configured to reflect incident radiation towards the photodetector. A method for manufacturing the BSI image sensor is also provided.

In order to form a light receiving element having high reliability and a MOS transistor together on the same silicon substrate, after forming a gate electrode of the MOS transistor, a gate oxide film in a light receiving element forming region is removed. Then, a thermal oxide film is newly formed in the light receiving element forming region, and ion implantation is performed in the light receiving element forming region through the thermal oxide film such that a shallow pn junction is formed.

A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device includes bonding a first semiconductor wafer including a first substrate and a first insulating layer formed to contact one surface of the first substrate, and a second semiconductor wafer including a second substrate and a second insulating layer, forming a third insulating layer, performing etching so that the second insulating layer remains on a second wiring layer, forming a first connection hole, forming an insulating film on the first connection hole, performing etching of the second insulating layer and the insulating film, forming a second connection hole, and forming a first via formed in inner portions of the connection holes and connected to the second wiring layer, wherein a diameter of the first connection hole formed on the other surface of the first substrate is greater than a diameter of the first connection hole formed on the third insulating layer.

An image sensor includes a substrate having adjacent pixel regions and respective photodiode regions therein, and a pixel separation portion including a trench extending into the substrate between the adjacent pixel regions. The trench includes a conductive common bias line therein and an insulating device isolation layer between the common bias line and surfaces of the trench. A conductive interconnection is coupled to the common bias line and is configured to provide a negative voltage thereto. Related fabrication methods are also discussed.

To provide an imaging device equipped with a photodiode, which is capable of enhancing both of a capacity and sensitivity. In an area of a P-type well in which a photodiode is formed, a P-type impurity region is formed from the surface of the P-type well to a predetermined depth. Further, an N-type impurity region is formed to extend to a deeper position. N-type impurity regions and P-type impurity regions respectively extending in a gate width direction from a lower part of the N-type impurity region to a deeper position so as to contact the N-type impurity region are alternately arranged in a plural form along a gate length direction in a form to contact each other.

An image sensor includes a substrate including a light-receiving region and a light-shielding region, a device isolation pattern in the substrate of the light-receiving region to define active pixels, and a device isolation region in the substrate of the light-shielding region to define reference pixels. An isolation technique of the device isolation pattern is different from that of the device isolation region.

A semiconductor device includes a first semiconductor layer of a first conductivity type having a primary surface and having a sensor therein, a second semiconductor layer of a second conductivity type having a circuit element formed therein. The second semiconductor layer is formed at a same side of the primary surface of the first semiconductor layer. The device further includes an insulating layer formed between the first semiconductor layer and the second semiconductor layer. The insulating layer is disposed on the primary surface of the first semiconductor layer and surrounds the circuit element, and includes a charge-attracting semiconductor pattern of the first conductivity type that is disposed near the circuit element so as to attract electrical charges generated in the insulating layer.