A solid-state imaging device having a backside illuminated structure, includes: a pixel region in which pixels each having a photoelectric conversion portion and a plurality of pixel transistors are arranged in a two-dimensional matrix; an element isolation region isolating the pixels which is provided in the pixel region and which includes a semiconductor layer provided in a trench by an epitaxial growth; and a light receiving surface at a rear surface side of a semiconductor substrate which is opposite to a multilayer wiring layer.

A semiconductor optical sensor (1) is provided with: a substrate (2) integrating a plurality of photodetector active areas (4); and a CMOS layer stack (6) arranged on the substrate (2) and including a number of dielectric (6a) and conductive (6b) layers. UV conversion regions (10) are arranged above a number of first photodetector active areas (4) to convert UV light radiation into visible light radiation towards the first photodetector active areas (4), so that the first photodetector active areas (4) are designed to detect UV light radiation. In particular, the first photodetector active areas (4) are alternated to a number of second photodetector active areas (4), designed to detect visible light radiation, in an array (15) of photodetection units (16) of the optical sensor (1), defining a single image detection area (15′), sensitive to both UV and visible light radiation with a same spatial resolution.

A pixel includes a workpiece having a protrusion and a bulk, wherein the protrusion extends from an upper surface of the bulk. The pixel further includes a protrusion doping region in the protrusion. The pixel further includes a photosensitive device comprising a plurality of first regions, wherein each of the plurality of first regions is in the bulk and the protrusion.

Photosensors may be formed on a front side of a semiconductor substrate. An optical refraction layer having a first refractive index may be formed on a backside of the semiconductor substrate. A grid structure including openings is formed over the optical refraction layer. A masking material layer is formed over the grid structure and the optical refraction layer. The masking material layer may be anisotropically etched using an anisotropic etch process that collaterally etches a material of the optical refraction layer and forms non-planar distal surface portions including random protrusions on physically exposed portions of the optical refraction layer. An optically transparent layer having a second refractive index that is different from the first refractive index may be formed on the non-planar distal surface portions of the optical refraction layer. A refractive interface refracts incident light in random directions, and improves quantum efficiency of the photosensors.

A backside illuminated image sensor, including a semiconductor layer, a first gate structure, and a light sensing device, is provided. The semiconductor layer has a first surface and a second surface opposite to each other. The first gate structure is disposed on the second surface. The light sensing device is located in the semiconductor layer. The light sensing device extends from the first surface to the second surface.

A solid-state image capturing device according to the present disclosure includes an image capturing element, a light transmitting member, a support member, a sealing resin member, and a wall member. The image capturing element is mounted on a substrate. The support member is arranged in a part of an outer-peripheral portion of the image capturing element, the outer-peripheral portion surrounding a light receiving unit of the image capturing element. The light transmitting member is supported by the support member. The sealing resin member is arranged in a peripheral portion of the image capturing element. The wall member is provided between the sealing resin member and a part of the outer-peripheral portion of the image capturing element, the part excluding a part in which the support member is arranged.

An image pickup element includes: a semiconductor substrate including a photoelectric conversion section for each pixel; a pixel separation groove provided in the semiconductor substrate; and a fixed charge film provided on a light-receiving surface side of the semiconductor substrate, wherein the fixed charge film includes a first insulating film and a second insulating film, the first insulating film being provided contiguously from the light-receiving surface to a wall surface and a bottom surface of the pixel separation groove, and the second insulating film being provided on a part of the first insulating film, the part corresponding to at least the light-receiving surface.

A semiconductor device includes an image sensor structure and a periphery device structure. The image sensor structure includes a first semiconductor substrate, a first interconnect structure, a radiation device, a transfer gate transistor electrically coupled to the radiation device, a floating diffusion region electrically coupled to the transfer gate, and a first capacitor disposed in the first interconnect structure. The transfer gate transistor electrically interconnects and disconnects the radiation device and the floating diffusion region. The periphery device structure includes a second interconnect structure disposed on the first interconnect structure, a second semiconductor substrate disposed on the second interconnect structure, a plurality of logic devices disposed in the second semiconductor substrate, and a second capacitor disposed in the second interconnect structure. The first capacitor and the second capacitor are electrically coupled to the floating diffusion region.

A color filter is disposed on a substrate. An organic photodiode is disposed on the color filter. The organic photodiode includes an electrode insulating layer having a recess region on the substrate, a first electrode on the color filter, the first electrode filling the recess region of the electrode insulating layer, a second electrode on the first electrode, and an organic photoelectric conversion layer interposed between the first electrode and the second electrode. The first electrode includes a seam extending at a first angle from a side surface of the recess region of the electrode insulating layer.

Embodiments of a hybrid imaging sensor that optimizes a pixel array area on a substrate using a stacking scheme for placement of related circuitry with minimal vertical interconnects between stacked substrates and associated features are disclosed. Embodiments of maximized pixel array size/die size (area optimization) are disclosed, and an optimized imaging sensor providing improved image quality, improved functionality, and improved form factors for specific applications common to the industry of digital imaging are also disclosed.