Semiconductor device manufacturing: process – Making device or circuit responsive to nonelectrical signal – Responsive to electromagnetic radiation
Reexamination Certificate
2007-08-07
2007-08-07
Smoot, Stephen W. (Department: 2813)
Semiconductor device manufacturing: process
Making device or circuit responsive to nonelectrical signal
Responsive to electromagnetic radiation
Reexamination Certificate
active
10984485
ABSTRACT:
A semiconductor detector of electromagnetic radiation which utilizes a dual-purpose electrode which extends significantly beyond the edge of a photodiode. This configuration reduces the sensitivity of device performance on small misalignments between manufacturing steps while reducing dark currents, kTC noise, and “ghost” images. The collection-mode potential of the dual-purpose electrode can be adjusted to achieve charge confinement and enhanced collection efficiency, reducing or eliminating the need for an additional pinning layer. Finally, the present invention enhances the fill factor of the photodiode by shielding the photon-created charge carriers formed in the substrate from the potential wells of the surrounding circuitry.
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Blakely , Sokoloff, Taylor & Zafman LLP
Cypress Semiconductor Corporation (Belgium) BVBA
Smoot Stephen W.
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