Abstract:
An integrated circuit system includes a first device wafer bonded to a second device wafer at a bonding interface of dielectrics. Each wafer includes a plurality of dies, where each die includes a device, a metal stack, and a seal ring that is formed at an edge region of the die. Seal rings included in dies of the second device wafer each include a first conductive path provided with metal formed in a first opening that extends from a backside of the second device wafer, through the second device wafer, and through the bonding interface to the seal ring of a corresponding die in the first device wafer.
Abstract:
A backside illuminated image sensor includes a semiconductor layer having a back-side surface and a front-side surface. The semiconductor layer includes a pixel array region including a plurality of photodiodes configured to receive image light through the back-side surface of the semiconductor layer. The semiconductor layer also includes a peripheral circuit region including peripheral circuit elements for operating the plurality of photodiodes that borders the pixel array region. The peripheral circuit elements emit photons. The peripheral circuit region also includes a doped semiconductor region positioned to absorb the photons emitted by the peripheral circuit elements to prevent the plurality of photodiodes from receiving the photons.
Abstract:
A color image sensor includes a pixel array including a CFA overlaying an array of photo-sensors for acquiring a color image. The CFA includes first color filter elements of a first color overlaying a first group of the photo-sensors, second color filter elements of a second color overlaying a second group of the photo-sensors, and a plurality of filter stacks overlaying a third group of the photo-sensors. The first group generates first color signals of a first color channel and the second group generates second color signals of a second color channel. Each of the filter stacks includes a first stacked filter of the first color and a second stacked filter of the second color. A sensitivity of the filter stacks equals a product of sensitivities of the first and the second stacked filters and the filter stacks generate a third color channel.
Abstract:
An image sensor includes a photodiode array and a color filter array optically aligned with the photodiode array. The photodiode array includes a plurality of photodiodes disposed within respective portions of a semiconductor material. The color filter array includes a plurality of color filters arranged to form a plurality of tiled minimal repeating units. Each minimal repeating unit includes at least a first color filter with a red spectral photoresponse, a second color filter with a yellow spectral photoresponse, and a third color filter with a panchromatic spectral photoresponse.
Abstract:
A reflective semiconductor device includes integrated circuitry disposed in a semiconductor layer. A first plurality of mirrors is formed in a mirror layer over the semiconductor layer, and each of the first plurality of mirrors is spaced apart from one another by at least a uniform width. A thin dielectric film layer covers sidewalls of the first plurality of mirrors and the semiconductor layer in the regions between the spaced apart first plurality of mirrors. A second plurality of mirrors are formed in the mirror layer between the thin dielectric film layer covered sidewalls of the first plurality of mirrors and over the thin dielectric film layer covering the semiconductor layer. Each one of the first and second plurality of mirrors has the uniform width, and is coupled to the integrated circuitry disposed in the semiconductor layer.
Abstract:
A liquid crystal display includes a display area and a border area at least partially surrounding the display area, where the display area displays images for viewing and the border area displays display-protection images, which are used to control ion migration in the liquid crystal layer. In a more particular embodiment, the border area displays a series of checkerboard pattern(s), where the checkerboard patterns can alternate between initial and inverted values. The display-protection images protect the liquid crystal display from migrating ions accumulating in particular regions of the pixel array and causing permanent defects in the display area. A liquid crystal display that includes a liquid crystal alignment layer having a plurality of liquid crystal alignment directions is also disclosed. The customized liquid crystal alignment director(s) over the border area promote ion migration away from the display area.
Abstract:
A method of image sensor package fabrication includes providing an image sensor, including a pixel array disposed in a semiconductor material, and a transparent shield adhered to the semiconductor material. The pixel array is disposed between the semiconductor material and the transparent shield. The method further includes removing portions of the transparent shield to form recessed regions in the transparent shield, where lateral bounds of the transparent shield extend beyond lateral bounds of the pixel array, and wherein the recessed regions are disposed in portions of the transparent shield that extend beyond the lateral bounds of the pixel array. The recessed regions are filled with a light blocking layer.
Abstract:
A PDAF imaging system includes an image sensor and an image data processing unit. The image sensor has an asymmetric-microlens PDAF detector that includes: (a) a plurality of pixels forming a sub-array having at least two rows and two columns, and (b) a microlens located above each of the plurality of pixels and being rotationally asymmetric about an axis perpendicular to the sub-array. The axis intersects a local extremum of a top surface of the microlens. The image data processing unit is capable of receiving electrical signals from each of the plurality of pixels and generating a PDAF signal from the received electrical signals. A method for forming a gull-wing microlens includes forming, on a substrate, a plate having a hole therein. The method also includes reflowing the plate.
Abstract:
A liquid crystal display includes a display area and a border area at least partially surrounding the display area, where the display area displays images for viewing and the border area displays display-protection images, which are used to control ion migration in the liquid crystal layer. In a more particular embodiment, the border area displays a series of checkerboard pattern(s), where the checkerboard patterns can alternate between initial and inverted values. The display-protection images protect the liquid crystal display from migrating ions accumulating in particular regions of the pixel array and causing permanent defects in the display area. A liquid crystal display that includes a liquid crystal alignment layer having a plurality of liquid crystal alignment directions is also disclosed. The customized liquid crystal alignment director(s) over the border area promote ion migration away from the display area.
Abstract:
A liquid crystal display includes a display area and a border area at least partially surrounding the display area, where the display area displays images for viewing and the border area displays display-protection images, which are used to control ion migration in the liquid crystal layer. In a more particular embodiment, the border area displays a series of checkerboard pattern(s), where the checkerboard patterns can alternate between initial and inverted values. The display-protection images protect the liquid crystal display from migrating ions accumulating in particular regions of the pixel array and causing permanent defects in the display area. A liquid crystal display that includes a liquid crystal alignment layer having a plurality of liquid crystal alignment directions is also disclosed. The customized liquid crystal alignment director(s) over the border area promote ion migration away from the display area.