Sony Corporation Develops Innovative Image Sensor Technology

Strategic Insights -

In a bid to improve image quality, Sony Corporation has been working on a novel image sensor technology. According to a patent application filed on February 1, 2013, the company has developed an image sensor that can further enlarge a charge accumulation region, thereby increasing the amount of accumulated charge and suppressing image quality degradation.

The new image sensor technology involves forming a channel portion of a readout transistor and a floating diffusion in a form that overlies each other at least partly. This allows for an increase in the size of the charge accumulation region, which in turn enhances the amount of accumulated charge. The floating diffusion and the channel portion can be formed in various ways, including in a column on the surface of a photodiode or within a region of the photodiode.

The manufacturing apparatus for the new image sensor technology includes a channel forming unit, a floating diffusion forming unit, and a photodiode forming unit. The manufacturing process involves forming the channel portion and the floating diffusion so that they are overlaid with each other at least partly. The image sensor can be formed on a single chip or multiple chips, with the latter configuration allowing for more flexibility in terms of manufacturing.

Key Takeaways:

  • The new image sensor technology develops a pixel structure that enables the enlargement of a charge accumulation region, increasing the amount of accumulated charge.
  • The channel portion and the floating diffusion of the readout transistor are formed to be overlaid with each other at least partly.
  • The manufacturing apparatus for the image sensor includes a channel forming unit, a floating diffusion forming unit, and a photodiode forming unit.
  • The manufacturing process involves forming the channel portion and the floating diffusion so that they are overlaid with each other at least partly.
  • The image sensor can be formed on a single chip or multiple chips, with the latter configuration allowing for more flexibility in terms of manufacturing.
  • Sony Corporation-filed a patent application on February 1, 2013, under the title "Image Sensor, Manufacturing Apparatus and Method, and Imaging Apparatus."

Statistics:

  • The patent application filed on February 1, 2013, was published on February 5, 2015.
  • Sony Corporation has developed an innovative image sensor technology that can enhance image quality.
  • The new technology involves forming a channel portion and a floating diffusion in a pixel structure to enlarge a charge accumulation region.
  • The manufacturing apparatus for the image sensor technology includes multiple units, such as a channel forming unit and a floating diffusion forming unit.
  • The image sensor can be formed on a single chip or multiple chips, allowing for increased manufacturing flexibility.
  • The new image sensor technology has the potential to be used in various imaging applications, including cameras and imaging systems.

Sources:

  • Kitano, Yoshiaki. Image Sensor, Manufacturing Apparatus and Method, and Imaging Apparatus. Filed February 1, 2013 and posted February 5, 2015. Patent URL: http://appft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO2&Sect2=HITOFF&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsearch-adv.html&r=4054&p=82&f=G&l=50&d=PG01&S1=20150129.PD.&OS=PD/20150129&RS=PD/20150129