A laser designator system using modulated CW laser diodes and a conventional high pixel count image sensor array, such as CCD or CMOS array. These two technologies, diode lasers and imaging sensor arrays are reliable, widely used and inexpensive technologies, as compared with prior art pulsed laser systems. These systems are distinguished from the prior art systems in that they filter the laser signal spatially, by collecting light over a comparatively long period of time from a very few pixels out of the entire field of view of the image sensor array. This is in contrast to the prior art systems where the laser signal is filtered temporarily, over a very short time span, but over a large fraction of the field of view. By spatially filtering the signal outputs of the individual pixels, it becomes possible to subtract the background illumination from the illuminated laser spot.

Various embodiments of the present disclosure are directed towards a semiconductor structure including a first substrate comprising a first semiconductor material. A first light sensor is disposed within the first substrate. The first light sensor is configured to absorb electromagnetic radiation within a first wavelength range. A second light sensor is disposed within an absorption structure underlying the first substrate. The second light sensor is configured to absorb electromagnetic radiation within a second wavelength range different from the first wavelength range. The absorption structure underlies the first light sensor and comprises a second semiconductor material different from the first semiconductor material.

A pixel array uses two sets of pixels to provide accurate exposure control. One set of pixels provide continuous output signals for automatic light control (ALC) as the other set integrates and captures an image. ALC pixels allow monitoring of multiple pixels of an array to obtain sample data indicating the amount of light reaching the array, while allowing the other pixels to provide proper image data. A small percentage of the pixels in an array is replaced with ALC pixels and the array has two reset lines for each row; one line controls the reset for the image capture pixels while the other line controls the reset for the ALC pixels. In the columns, at least one extra control signal is used for the sampling of the reset level for the ALC pixels, which happens later than the sampling of the reset level for the image capture pixels.

A pixel cell, and a method of use thereof, the pixel cell including: an output, a photosensor configured to generate a first measuring current in a first measurement cycle and a second measuring current in a second measurement cycle as a function of radiation, an output node, a power storage device configured so that in a first operating mode a current can be injected by the power storage device as a function of the first measuring current, and so that in a second operating mode the power storage device is configured to hold the injected current so that the injected current can be detected at the output node, and a switching unit configured to form a difference between the injected current and the second measuring current at the output node in a reading cycle and to couple the output node to the output.

An image sensor pixel includes a semiconductor layer, a photosensitive region to accumulate photo-generated charge, a floating node, a trench, and an entrenched transfer gate. The photosensitive region and the trench are disposed within the semiconductor layer. The trench extends into the semiconductor layer between the photosensitive region and the floating node and the entrenched transfer gate is disposed within the trench to control transfer of the photo-generated charge from the photosensitive region to the floating node.

Provided are a color separation element and an image sensor including the same. The color separation element includes a spacer layer; and a color separation lens array, which includes at least one nano-post arranged in the spacer layer and is configured to form a phase distribution for splitting and focusing incident light according to wavelengths, wherein periodic regions in which color separation lens arrays are repeatedly arranged are provided, and the color separation lens array is configured to interrupt phase distribution at the boundary of the periodic regions.

An image sensor includes a first substrate. A photoelectric conversion region is in the first substrate. A first interlayer insulating layer is on the first substrate. A transistor includes a bonding insulating layer on the first interlayer insulating layer, a semiconductor layer on the bonding insulating layer, and a first gate on the semiconductor layer. A bias pad is spaced apart from the semiconductor layer by the bonding insulating layer. The bias pad overlaps the first gate in a planar view. A second interlayer insulating layer covers the transistor.

A semiconductor device miniaturizes a semiconductor element and reduces manufacturing cost, and eliminates a failure caused by detachment at an interface between resins.

A semiconductor device includes: a substrate; a semiconductor element that is provided on the substrate; a connection member that electrically connects the substrate and the semiconductor element; a transparent member that is provided on an opposite side to a side of the substrate with respect to the semiconductor element; and a sealing resin portion that supports the transparent member with respect to the substrate, seals surroundings between the substrate and the transparent member, and forms a cavity between the semiconductor element and the transparent member together with the semiconductor element and the transparent member, and the semiconductor element includes, on a front side, a resin restriction portion that restricts intrusion of a resin material for forming the sealing resin portion into an inside of the semiconductor element.

Various embodiments of the present disclosure are directed towards an integrated chip comprising a first photodetector arranged in a first substrate. The first photodetector absorbs light in a first wavelength range. A second substrate underlies the first substrate. A second photodetector is arranged on the second substrate. The second photodetector absorbs light in a second wavelength range different from the first wavelength range. A dielectric structure is arranged between a first surface of the first substrate and a first surface of the second substrate.

Provided are a color separation element and an image sensor including the same. The color separation element includes a spacer layer; and a color separation lens array, which includes at least one nano-post arranged in the spacer layer and is configured to form a phase distribution for splitting and focusing incident light according to wavelengths, wherein periodic regions in which color separation lens arrays are repeatedly arranged are provided, and the color separation lens array is configured to interrupt phase distribution at the boundary of the periodic regions.