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EP0507456A2 Expired / Lapsed EP ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Solid-state imaging device and method of manufacturing the same

Assignee: Panasonic Holdings Corp
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Filing: 1992-03-06
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2012-03-06
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Abstract

Abstract In the solid-state imaging device and its manufacturing method according to the invention, an etching resistant material layer is formed on a filter layer formed on a solid-state imaging device substrate, and a transparent material layer is formed thereon, and this transparent material layer is etched to form a thin film, then microlenses are formed on corresponding light sensing parts after flattening. Hence, the distance from the microlenses to the light sensing parts is shorter than in the prior art. As a result, even if microlenses of a smaller radius or curvature than conventional microlenses are formed, the focus of the focused light can be adjusted to the light sensing parts. Besides, the light of high focusing density enters the light sensing parts, the light sensitivity may be enhanced. In other solid-state imaging device and its manufacturing method according to the invention, a transparent material layer and a photosensitive material layer are laminated at corresponding positions of the light sensing parts on a color filter layer, and microlenses are formed continuously in a substantial hemisphere shape, so as to contact the lower periphery with each other. Accordingly, the light can be focused efficiently on the light sensing parts of the solid-state imaging device substrate, and by using the transparent material layer of the lower layer as a part of the microlenses, the microlenses are present continuously by eliminating the spaces, and hence ineffective light is reduced and the light sensitivity is enhanced. Besides, because of light focusing, the solid-state imaging device free from light scattering or mixture among adjacent light sensing parts may be realized.

Inventors

  • 👤 Toru Nomura

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction EP
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-02 21:15
CPC Classifications
H; H10; H10F; H10F39/00; H10F39/011; H10F39/024; H10F39/80; H10F39/806; H10F39/8063; H10F39/805; H10F39/8053; H10F39/8057

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim 50 words
A solid-state imaging device comprising an etching resistant material layer formed on a filter layer on a solid-state imaging device substrate, a thin-film transparent material layer with a flat surface formed on the etching resistant material layer, and microlenses of a substantial hemisphere shape formed on the transparent material layer.
Claim 2
Independent Claim 76 words
A method of manufacturing solid-state imagine device comprising a step of forming an etching resistant layer on a filter layer formed on a solid-state imaging device substrate, a step of forming a transparent material layer by applying a transparent material on the etching resistant material layer, a step of etching the transparent material layer, and a step of forming a microlens layer of a substantial hemisphere shape on the transparent material layer after the etching process.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 50 words
A solid-state imaging device comprising a plurality of microlenses formed continuously on a filter layer on a solid-state imaging device, being composed of transparent material layer and photosensitive material layer, in a substantial hemisphere shape so as to contact the lower periphery with the lower periphery of the adjacent microlens.
Claim 4
Independent Claim 105 words
A method of manufacturing solid-state imaging device comprising a step of forming a first layer by forming a transparent material layer on a filter layer formed on a solid-state imaging device substrate, a step of forming a second layer of a photosensitive material layer on the first layer, and selectively exposing to pattern, a step of fully exposing the patterned photosensitive material layer, a step of forming microlens patterns by heating the patterned photosensitive material layer after full exposure, and a step of forming a V-groove in the sectional direction by removing the first layer made of transparent material layer existing between adjacent microlens patterns.

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