US 12,243,883 B2
Image sensor comprising a pixel array including first pixel groups and second pixel groups with corresponding microlenses of different sizes for autofocusing
Junghyung Pyo, Seoul (KR); Jungbin Yun, Hwaseong-si (KR); Kyungho Lee, Suwon-si (KR); Seungjoon Lee, Busan (KR); and Wooseok Choi, Suwon-si (KR)
Assigned to SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD., Suwon-si (KR)
Filed by SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD., Suwon-si (KR)
Filed on Jan. 10, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/572,180.
Claims priority of application No. 10-2021-0051595 (KR), filed on Apr. 21, 2021.
Prior Publication US 2022/0344389 A1, Oct. 27, 2022
Int. Cl. H01L 27/146 (2006.01); H04N 25/704 (2023.01)
CPC H01L 27/14605 (2013.01) [H01L 27/14621 (2013.01); H01L 27/14627 (2013.01); H01L 27/1463 (2013.01); H01L 27/1464 (2013.01); H01L 27/14645 (2013.01); H01L 27/14685 (2013.01); H01L 27/14689 (2013.01); H04N 25/704 (2023.01)] 15 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An image sensor comprising:
a substrate having a first surface and a second surface which faces the first surface;
a pixel array comprising a plurality of first pixel groups and a plurality of second pixel groups, each of the plurality of first pixel groups and each of the plurality of second pixel groups comprising a plurality of unit pixels arranged in 4×4 array that extends in a second direction and in a third direction, each of the plurality of unit pixels comprising a photodiode provided in the substrate, and the plurality of first pixel groups and the plurality of second pixel groups being alternately disposed in the second direction and in the third direction;
a logic circuit configured to acquire pixel signals from the plurality of unit pixels;
a plurality of first microlenses, each of which is provided on a corresponding unit pixel of the plurality of unit pixels included in the plurality of first pixel groups; and
a plurality of second microlenses, each of which is respectively provided on four corresponding unit pixels of the plurality of unit pixels included in the plurality of second pixel groups that are arranged in a 2×2 array,
wherein a first direction is perpendicular to the first surface of the substrate, the second direction is parallel to the first surface of the substrate, and the third direction is parallel to the first surface of the substrate and perpendicular to the second direction,
each of the plurality of first pixel groups and each of the plurality of second pixel groups comprises a device isolation layer provided between the plurality of unit pixels, and a color filter provided on the first surface,
each of the plurality of second pixel groups comprises an overflow region configured to move electrical charges between adjacent photodiodes, and
one of the plurality of first microlenses is adjacent a first one of the plurality of second microlenses in the second direction, and a second one of the plurality of second microlenses in the third direction.