Image sensor

Abstract

To provide an image sensor with improved image quality in which a read noise in a pixel circuit is reduced.SOLUTION: An image sensor according to the present invention includes a semiconductor substrate including a first surface and a second surface that face each other, a semiconductor pattern disposed on the first surface of the semiconductor substrate, an embedded transmission gate electrode disposed in a transmission gate trench that extends to the inside of the semiconductor substrate from the first surface of the semiconductor substrate, a first gate electrode whose horizontal section has a ring shape that partially surrounds at least a side wall of the semiconductor pattern.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an image sensor, and more particularly to an image sensor including a photodiode.

Background Art

[0002] An image sensor is a device that converts an optical image signal into an electrical signal. An image sensor has a plurality of pixels, and each pixel receives incident light, converts it into an electrical signal, and includes a photodiode region and a pixel circuit that outputs a pixel signal using the charge generated in the photodiode region.

[0003] However, as the integration degree of the image sensor increases, the size of each pixel decreases, and the size of each component of the pixel circuit also decreases. As a result, leakage current occurs through the pixel circuit, and there is a problem that the quality of the image sensor deteriorates.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the problems in the above conventional image sensor, and an object of the present invention is to provide an image sensor having reduced lead noise in a pixel circuit and improved image quality.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] To achieve the above objective, the present invention provides an image sensor comprising: a semiconductor substrate including a first surface and a second surface facing each other; a semiconductor pattern disposed on the first surface of the semiconductor substrate; an embedded transmission gate electrode disposed in a transmission gate trench extending from the first surface of the semiconductor substrate into the interior of the semiconductor substrate; and a first gate electrode that at least partially surrounds the side wall of the semiconductor pattern and has a ring-shaped horizontal cross-section. The semiconductor pattern further comprises a first source / drain region located inside the semiconductor substrate below the semiconductor pattern, and a second source / drain region located above the semiconductor pattern. It is characterized by the following:

[0007] Furthermore, the image sensor according to the present invention, made to achieve the above objective, comprises a semiconductor substrate including a first surface and a second surface facing each other; an embedded transmission gate electrode disposed in a transmission gate trench extending from the first surface of the semiconductor substrate into the interior of the semiconductor substrate; a semiconductor pattern disposed on the first surface of the semiconductor substrate; and a first gate electrode disposed on the side wall of the semiconductor pattern, wherein the first gate electrode includes a main electrode portion extending in a first direction perpendicular to the first surface and an extension portion connected to the main electrode portion and extending onto the first surface of the semiconductor substrate. The semiconductor further comprises a first source / drain region located inside the semiconductor substrate below the semiconductor pattern, and a second source / drain region located above the semiconductor pattern. It is characterized by the following:

[0008] Furthermore, an image sensor according to the present invention, made to achieve the above objective, is characterized by comprising: a semiconductor substrate including a first surface and a second surface facing each other; a semiconductor pattern disposed on the first surface of the semiconductor substrate; an element isolation film provided on the first surface of the semiconductor substrate and defining an active region; an embedded transmission gate electrode disposed in a transmission gate trench extending into the interior of the semiconductor substrate, spaced apart from the semiconductor pattern in a second direction parallel to the first surface of the semiconductor substrate; a first gate insulating layer at least partially surrounding the side wall of the semiconductor pattern; a first gate electrode on the first gate insulating layer, at least partially surrounding the side wall of the semiconductor pattern and including a main electrode portion having a ring-shaped horizontal cross-section; a first source / drain region disposed inside the semiconductor substrate below the semiconductor pattern; and a second source / drain region disposed above the semiconductor pattern. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] The image sensor according to the present invention has a gate-all-around structure in which the semiconductor pattern is extended vertically and the first gate electrode surrounds the side wall of the semiconductor pattern at least partially, thereby reducing leakage current in the pixel circuit and preventing the generation of lead noise. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0010] [Figure 1] This is a layout diagram showing the schematic configuration of an image sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] This is an enlarged layout diagram of section II in Figure 1. [Figure 3] This is a cross-sectional view taken along lines A1-A1' and A2-A2' in Figure 2. [Figure 4] This is an enlarged view of the CX2 portion in Figure 3. [Figure 5A] This is a schematic layout diagram of the first gate electrode according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5B] This is a schematic layout diagram of the first gate electrode according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] This is a pixel equivalent circuit diagram of an image sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] This is a partial layout diagram showing the schematic configuration of an image sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] This is a partial layout diagram showing the schematic configuration of an image sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] This is a cross-sectional view taken along the lines A1-A1' and A2-A2' in Figure 8. [Figure 10] This is a partial layout diagram showing the schematic configuration of an image sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11] This is a partial layout diagram showing the schematic configuration of an image sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 12]It is a partial layout diagram showing a schematic configuration of an image sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 13] It is a partial layout diagram showing a schematic configuration of an image sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 14] It is a cross-sectional view taken along the line A3 - A3' of FIG. 13. [Figure 15] It is a partial layout diagram showing a schematic configuration of an image sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 16] It is a cross-sectional view taken along the line A2 - A2' of an image sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 8. [Figure 17] It is a cross-sectional view taken along the line A2 - A2' of an image sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 8. [Figure 18] It is a cross-sectional view taken along the line A2 - A2' of an image sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 8. [Figure 19] It is a perspective view showing a schematic structure of an image sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 20] It is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an image sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0011] Next, specific examples of embodiments for implementing the image sensor according to the present invention will be described while referring to the drawings.

[0012] FIG. 1 is a layout diagram showing a schematic configuration of an image sensor 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is an enlarged layout of the II part of FIG. 1, FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the lines A1 - A1' and A2 - A2' of FIG. 2, FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of the CX2 part of FIG. 3, and FIGS. 5A and 5B are schematic layout diagrams of a first gate electrode 150 according to an embodiment of the present invention. In FIGS. 1 and 2, for convenience, only a partial configuration of the image sensor 100 is shown in the figures.

[0013] Referring to Figures 1 to 5B, the image sensor 100 includes an active pixel region (APR), a peripheral circuit region (PCR), and a pad region (PDR) formed on the semiconductor substrate 110. The active pixel region (APR) is located in the center of the semiconductor substrate 110, and peripheral circuit regions (PCRs) are located on both sides of the active pixel region (APR). Pad areas (PDRs) are placed on the edges of the semiconductor substrate 110. The active pixel region (APR) includes multiple pixels (PX), and within each of the multiple pixels (PX), multiple photoelectric conversion regions (120) are arranged. In the active pixel region (APR), multiple pixels PX are arranged in a matrix-like manner, forming columns and rows along a first direction (X) parallel to the upper surface of the semiconductor substrate 110 and a second direction (Y) perpendicular to the first direction and parallel to the upper surface of the semiconductor substrate 110.

[0014] The peripheral circuit region PCR is shown exemplarily in the figure as being positioned on both sides of the active pixel region APR in a planar manner, but is not limited to this arrangement; it can also be positioned to surround, at least partially, the entire active pixel region APR. Alternatively, as shown in Figure 19, the peripheral circuit region PCR may be formed on another substrate and connected in a stacked configuration to the substrate on which the active pixel region APR is formed. The conductive pad PAD is placed in the pad area PDR. The conductive pad PAD is placed on the edge portion of the semiconductor substrate 110.

[0015] The semiconductor substrate 110 includes a first surface 110F1 and a second surface 110F2 that face each other. For convenience, the surface of the semiconductor substrate 110 on which the color filter 186 is placed at the top is referred to as the second surface 110F2, and the surface opposite the second surface 110F2 is referred to as the first surface 110F1. However, the technical concept of the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0016] In embodiments of the present invention, the semiconductor substrate 110 includes a p-type semiconductor substrate. For example, the semiconductor substrate 110 may include one of the following: Si, Ge, SiGe, SiC, GaAs, InAs, and InP. For example, the semiconductor substrate 110 is made of a p-type silicon substrate. In one embodiment, the semiconductor substrate 110 includes a p-type bulk substrate and a p-type or n-type epitaxial layer grown thereon. In other embodiments, the semiconductor substrate 110 may include an n-type bulk substrate and a p-type or n-type epitaxial layer grown thereon. Alternatively, the semiconductor substrate 110 may also be made of an organic plastic substrate. A well region 114 is located inside the semiconductor substrate 110 adjacent to the first surface 110F1 of the semiconductor substrate 110. Well region 114 is the region doped with p-type impurities.

[0017] In the active pixel region (APR), multiple pixels PX are arranged in a matrix within the semiconductor substrate 110. Multiple photoelectric conversion regions 120 are arranged within each of the multiple pixels PX. The multiple photoelectric conversion regions 120 are regions where light incident from the second surface 110F2 of the semiconductor substrate 110 is converted into an electrical signal. In the active pixel region (APR), a pixel element isolation film 130 is placed within the semiconductor substrate 110, and multiple pixels PX are defined by the pixel element isolation film 130.

[0018] The pixel element isolation film 130 is placed between one of the multiple photoelectric conversion regions 120 and an adjacent photoelectric conversion region 120. One photoelectric conversion region 120 and another adjacent photoelectric conversion region 120 are physically and electrically separated by a pixel element isolation film 130. The pixel element isolation film 130 is positioned between each of the multiple photoelectric conversion regions 120 arranged in a matrix, and has a grid or mesh shape in a plan view. The pixel element isolation film 130 is also formed inside the pixel trench 130T that penetrates the semiconductor substrate 110, from the first surface 110F1 to the second surface 110F2 of the semiconductor substrate 110.

[0019] The pixel element isolation film 130 includes an insulating layer 132 conformally formed on the side wall of the pixel trench 130T, a conductive layer 134 filling the inside of the pixel trench 130T on the insulating layer 132, and an upper insulating layer 136. The upper insulating layer 136 is positioned within a portion of the pixel trench 130T adjacent to the first surface 110F1 of the semiconductor substrate 110. In one embodiment, the upper insulating layer 136 can also be formed by etching back a portion of the insulating layer 132 and conductive layer 134 located at the entrance of the pixel trench 130T and filling the remaining space with an insulating material.

[0020] In one embodiment, the insulating layer 132 contains a metal oxide such as hafnium oxide, aluminum oxide, or tantalum oxide. In such cases, the insulating layer 132 acts as a negative fixed charge layer, but the technical concept of the present invention is not limited to this. In other embodiments, the insulating layer 132 may include an insulating material such as silicon oxide, silicon nitride, or silicon oxynitride. The conductive layer 134 may contain at least one of doped polysilicon, metal, metal silicide, metal nitride, or metal-containing film.

[0021] In Figure 3, the pixel element isolation film 130 is shown exemplarily to extend through the semiconductor substrate 110 from the first surface 110F1 to the second surface 110F2. However, in other embodiments, unlike in Figure 3, the pixel element isolation film 130 may extend from the second surface 110F2 of the semiconductor substrate 110 toward the interior of the semiconductor substrate 110 and may not be exposed on the first surface 110F1 of the semiconductor substrate 110. In such cases, a barrier doping region (not shown) is formed between the first surface 110F1 of the semiconductor substrate 110 and one end of the adjacent pixel element isolation film 130, and the first surface 110F1. The barrier doping region is a region doped with a high concentration of p-type impurities.

[0022] As illustrated in Figure 3, an element isolation film 112 that defines an active region (not shown) is formed on the first surface 110F1 of the semiconductor substrate 110. The element isolation film 112 is placed in an element isolation trench (not shown) formed to a predetermined depth on the first surface 110F1 of the semiconductor substrate 110, and contains an insulating material. The element isolation film 112 is positioned to at least partially surround the upper sidewall of the pixel element isolation film 130 (for example, the sidewall of the upper insulating layer 136).

[0023] Transistors constituting a pixel circuit (not shown) are arranged on the active region. The active region is also a part of the semiconductor substrate 110 on which the transmission gate TG, source follower gate SF, selection gate SEL, and reset gate RG are located. For example, the active region includes a ground region (GND), a floating diffusion region (FD), and a first source / drain region (SD1). The ground region GND, the floating diffusion region FD, and the first source / drain region SD1 are separated from each other by the element isolation film 112.

[0024] In one embodiment, as shown in Figure 2, a first pixel (PX-1), a second pixel (PX-2), a third pixel (PX-3), and a fourth pixel (PX-4) are arranged in a matrix, and the first pixel (PX-1) and the third pixel (PX-3), which are arranged side by side in the second direction (Y), have a mirror-symmetric shape with respect to each other, and the first pixel (PX-1) and the second pixel (PX-2), which are arranged side by side in the first direction (X), also have a mirror-symmetric shape with respect to each other. In one embodiment, the first pixel (PX-1) and the second pixel (PX-2) include a transmission gate TG and a source follower gate SF, the third pixel (PX-3) includes a transmission gate TG and a reset gate RG, and the fourth pixel (PX-4) includes a transmission gate TG and a selection gate SEL. However, the layout shown in Figure 2 is a transistor layout according to one embodiment, and the transistor layout or the shape of the active region ACT is not limited thereto.

[0025] In one embodiment, the transmission gate TG constitutes a transmission transistor TX (Figure 6), and the transmission transistor TX is configured to transmit the charge generated in the photoelectric conversion region 120 to the floating diffusion region FD. The reset gate RG constitutes the reset transistor RX (Figure 6), which is configured to periodically reset the charge stored in the floating diffusion region FD. The source follower gate SF constitutes the drive transistor DX (Figure 6), which acts as a source follower buffer amplifier, configured to buffer the signal due to the charge stored in the floating diffusion region. The selection gate SEL constitutes the selection transistor SX (Figure 6), which performs the switching and addressing roles for selecting pixel PX.

[0026] As illustrated in Figure 3, the transmission gate TG is referred to as the embedded transmission gate electrode 140, and the embedded transmission gate electrode 140 is located inside a transmission gate trench 140T that extends from the first surface 110F1 of the semiconductor substrate 110 into the interior of the semiconductor substrate 110. A transmission gate insulating layer 142 is conformally arranged on the inner wall of the transmission gate trench 140T, and the embedded transmission gate electrode 140 fills the inside of the transmission gate trench 140T on the transmission gate insulating layer 142. For example, the upper surface of the embedded transmission gate electrode 140 is positioned higher than the first surface 110F1 of the semiconductor substrate 110, and a transmission gate spacer 144 is positioned on the side wall of the embedded transmission gate electrode 140.

[0027] In one embodiment, the embedded transmission gate electrode 140 may contain at least one of doped polysilicon, metal, metal silicide, metal nitride, or metal-containing film. The transmission gate insulating layer 142 may contain silicon oxide or metal oxide, and the transmission gate spacer 144 may contain silicon nitride, silicon oxynitride, or silicon oxide. The reset gate RG, source follower gate SF, and selection gate SEL are referred to as the first gate electrode 150, and the first gate electrode 150 is positioned to surround the side wall APS of the semiconductor pattern AP which is placed on the first surface 110F1 of the semiconductor substrate 110.

[0028] The semiconductor pattern AP and the first gate electrode 150 surrounding it constitute a gate-all-around type transistor. The semiconductor pattern AP extends vertically (Z) from the first surface 110F1 of the semiconductor substrate 110. For example, a semiconductor pattern AP may include one of the following: Si, Ge, SiGe, SiC, GaAs, InAs, and InP. In one embodiment, the semiconductor pattern AP includes a material layer epitaxially grown using the first surface 110F1 of the semiconductor substrate 110 as a seed layer. In another embodiment, the semiconductor pattern AP is a portion of the semiconductor substrate 110, formed by etching the semiconductor substrate 110 to a predetermined thickness after forming a mask pattern (not shown) on the first surface 110F1 of the semiconductor substrate 110, and remaining as a portion of the semiconductor substrate 110 that protrudes perpendicularly (Z) from the first surface of the semiconductor substrate 110.

[0029] For example, the second surface 110F2 of the semiconductor substrate 110 is placed on the first vertical level LV1, and the first surface 110F1 of the semiconductor substrate 110 is placed on the second vertical level LV2. When using the first vertical level LV1 as a reference, the upper surface of the semiconductor pattern AP is positioned at the third vertical level LV3, which is even higher than the second vertical level LV2. For example, the distance from the top surface of the semiconductor pattern AP to the second surface 110F2 of the semiconductor substrate 110 becomes even greater than the distance from the first surface 110F1 of the semiconductor substrate 110 to the second surface 110F2 of the semiconductor substrate 110 (i.e., the height of the semiconductor substrate 110).

[0030] As shown in Figure 4, the semiconductor pattern AP has a first height h11 along the vertical direction (Z), and the first height h11 is in the range of approximately 10 to 500 nm, but is not limited to that range. In Figure 4, the semiconductor pattern AP is shown exemplarily as having a side wall APS perpendicular to the first surface 110F1 of the semiconductor substrate 110, and having a substantially uniform width along the first direction (X) over a first height h11. However, the inclination of the sidewalls of the semiconductor pattern AP may differ depending on the semiconductor pattern AP formation process.

[0031] For example, a mold layer (not shown) having an opening (not shown) can be formed on the first surface 110F1 of the semiconductor substrate 110, and a semiconductor pattern AP can be formed within the mold layer by an epitaxial process. In such a case, the upper width of the semiconductor pattern AP becomes even wider than the lower width of the semiconductor pattern AP. Conversely, when a predetermined thickness is etched from the first surface 110F1 of the semiconductor pattern AP to form the semiconductor pattern AP, the top width of the semiconductor pattern AP becomes even narrower than the bottom width of the semiconductor pattern AP.

[0032] In Figure 2, the semiconductor pattern AP is shown to have a substantially circular horizontal cross-section. However, in other embodiments, as shown in Figure 5A, the semiconductor pattern AP may also have an elliptical horizontal cross-section, for example, where the width along the first direction (X) is wider than the width along the second direction (Y) (or, conversely, where the width along the first direction (X) is narrower than the width along the second direction (Y)). In other embodiments, as shown in Figure 5B, the semiconductor pattern AP may have a rectangular horizontal cross-section, but the horizontal cross-sectional shape of the semiconductor pattern AP is not limited to these.

[0033] The first gate electrode 150 at least partially surrounds the side wall APS of the semiconductor pattern AP on the first surface 110F1 of the semiconductor substrate 110. For example, the first gate electrode 150 includes a main electrode portion MP that at least partially surrounds the side wall APS of the semiconductor pattern AP, and an extension portion EXP that extends horizontally from the main electrode portion MP and is positioned on the first surface 110F1 of the semiconductor substrate 110. For example, the main electrode section MP extends vertically (Z) on the side wall APS of the semiconductor pattern AP down to a third vertical level LV3 that is lower than the upper surface of the semiconductor pattern AP. The third vertical level LV3 may be lower than the upper surface of the second source / drain region SD2 (fourth vertical level LV4). In the plan view, the main electrode section MP has a ring shape and at least partially covers the entire side wall APS of the main electrode section MP.

[0034] The extension EXP is formed on the first surface 110F1 of the semiconductor substrate 110, having a flat upper surface level and a predetermined width. A contact 162 (for example, a second contact CA2) is located on the upper part of the extension EXP, thereby applying an electrical signal to the first gate electrode 150 via the contact 162. By including an extension EXP having a flat upper surface that extends from the main electrode MP, the first gate electrode 150 can prevent process defects in forming the contact 162 with respect to the first gate electrode 150. In one embodiment, the upper surface of the extension EXP is positioned at the same level (height) as the upper surface of the embedded transmission gate electrode 140, but is not limited to this.

[0035] The first gate insulating layer 152 is interposed between the semiconductor pattern AP and the first gate electrode 150, and at least partially surrounds the side wall APS of the semiconductor pattern AP. The first gate insulating layer 152 extends from the side wall APS of the semiconductor pattern AP onto the first surface 110F1 of the semiconductor substrate 110, but is not limited to this. The first gate insulating layer 152 extends into the interior of the transmission gate trench 140T and is formed as a continuous material layer connected to the transmission gate insulating layer 142. In contrast, the first gate insulating layer 152 extends onto the first surface 110F1 of the semiconductor substrate 110, but does not extend into the transmission gate trench 140T, and can be formed as a separate material layer from the transmission gate insulating layer 142.

[0036] The semiconductor pattern AP is placed on the first source / drain region SD1, and the upper side of the semiconductor pattern AP is not covered by the main electrode region MP. The second source / drain region SD2 is placed above the semiconductor pattern AP. The first source / drain region SD1 and the second source / drain region SD2 are regions doped with high concentrations of impurities. For example, the semiconductor pattern AP, the main electrode portion MP of the first gate electrode 150, the first source / drain region SD1, and the second source / drain region SD2 constitute a gate-all-around type transistor. In one embodiment, the first gate electrode 150 may contain at least one of doped polysilicon, metal, metal silicide, metal nitride, or metal-containing film. The first gate insulating layer 152 may contain, but is not limited to, silicon oxide or metal oxide.

[0037] An embedded insulating layer 160 is placed on the first surface 110F1 of the semiconductor substrate 110. The embedded insulating layer 160 covers the ground region GND, the floating diffusion region FD, the element isolation film 112, the embedded transmission gate electrode 140, the semiconductor pattern AP, and the first gate electrode 150. The embedded insulating layer 160 is formed to a height sufficient to cover the upper surfaces of the semiconductor pattern AP and the first gate electrode 150. In one embodiment, the embedded insulating layer 160 may include silicon nitride and silicon oxynitride. In some examples, the embedded insulating layer 160 is formed in a laminated structure of a first insulating layer (not shown) and a second insulating layer (not shown). As another example, an etching stop layer (not shown) may be interposed between the embedded insulating layer 160 and the first surface 110F1 of the semiconductor substrate 110, and the etching stop layer contains a material having an etching selectivity ratio with respect to the embedded insulating layer 160.

[0038] A contact 162 is positioned on the first surface 110F1 of the semiconductor substrate 110, penetrating the embedded insulating layer 160. For example, contact 162 penetrates the embedded insulating layer 160 and is electrically connected to the active region (not shown), the embedded transmission gate electrode 140, and the first gate electrode 150. Contact 162 includes a first contact CA1, a second contact CA2, and a third contact CA3. The first contact CA1 is positioned within the first contact hole CA1H, which penetrates the embedded insulating layer 160. The first contact hole CA1H exposes the upper surface of the first surface 110F1 of the semiconductor substrate 110, and exposes, for example, the ground region GND and the floating diffusion region FD. The first contact CA1 fills the inside of the first contact hole CA1H and is connected to the ground region GND and the floating diffusion region FD.

[0039] The second contact CA2 is located within the second contact hole CA2H, which penetrates the embedded insulating layer 160. The second contact hole CA2H exposes the upper surface of the embedded transmission gate electrode 140 and the upper surface of the first gate electrode 150. For example, the second contact hole CA2H exposes the upper surface of the extension EXP of the first gate electrode 150. The second contact CA2 fills the inside of the second contact hole CA2H and is connected to the upper surface of the embedded transmission gate electrode 140 and the upper surface of the extension EXP of the first gate electrode 150. The third contact CA3 is located within the third contact hole CA3H, which penetrates the embedded insulating layer 160. The third contact hole CA3H exposes the upper surface of the semiconductor pattern AP or the upper surface of the second source / drain region SD2. The third contact CA3 fills the interior of the third contact hole CA3H and connects to the second source / drain region SD2.

[0040] An upper wiring structure 170 is placed on top of the embedded insulating layer 160. The upper wiring structure 170 is formed in a multi-layered structure. The upper wiring structure 170 includes a wiring layer 172 and an insulating layer 174 that at least partially surrounds the wiring layer 172. The wiring layer 172 may contain at least one of the following: polysilicon, metal, metal silicide, metal nitride, or metal-containing film, either doped with impurities or undoped. For example, the wiring layer 172 may contain tungsten, aluminum, copper, tungsten silicide, titanium silicide, tungsten nitride, titanium nitride, doped polysilicon, and the like. The insulating layer 174 may contain insulating materials such as silicon oxide, silicon nitride, or silicon oxynitride.

[0041] A back insulating layer 182 is placed on the second surface 110F2 of the semiconductor substrate 110. The back insulating layer 182 is positioned on substantially the entire surface area of ​​the second surface 110F2 of the semiconductor substrate 110, and the back insulating layer 182 is in contact with the upper surface of the pixel element isolation film 130, which is positioned at the same level (height) as the second surface 110F2 of the semiconductor substrate 110. In one embodiment, the back insulating layer 182 may contain a metal oxide such as hafnium oxide, aluminum oxide, or tantalum oxide. In other embodiments, the back insulating layer 182 may include an insulating material such as silicon oxide, silicon nitride, silicon oxynitride, or a low dielectric constant material.

[0042] A passivation layer 184 is placed on the back insulating layer 182, and a color filter 186 and a microlens 188 are placed on the passivation layer 184. Optionally, a support substrate (not shown) may be further placed on the first surface 110F1 of the semiconductor substrate 110.

[0043] Generally, pixel circuits such as the reset gate RG, selection gate SEL, and source follower gate SF, which are located in a pixel PX, are arranged horizontally within the pixel and spaced apart from each other. As the integration density of image sensors increases, the size of the unit pixels decreases, and the size of each component of the pixel circuit also decreases. This leads to problems such as leakage current through the pixel circuit or read noise in the pixel circuit, which degrades the quality of the image sensor.

[0044] However, according to embodiments of the present invention, the semiconductor pattern AP is extended in the vertical direction (Z), and the first gate electrode 150 has a gate-all-around structure in which it at least partially surrounds the side wall of the semiconductor pattern AP. This reduces leakage current in pixel circuits such as the reset gate RG, selection gate SEL, and source follower gate SF, preventing the generation of read noise. Therefore, the image sensor 100 has excellent image quality. Furthermore, by extending the semiconductor pattern AP and the first gate electrode 150 in the vertical direction (Z), the area of ​​a unit pixel is reduced, thereby enabling miniaturization of the image sensor 100.

[0045] Figure 6 is an equivalent circuit diagram of a pixel PX of an image sensor 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to Figure 6, multiple pixels PX are arranged in a matrix. Each of the multiple pixels PX includes a transmission transistor TX and a logic transistor. Here, the logic transistors include a reset transistor RX, a selection transistor SX, and a drive transistor DX (or a source follower transistor). The reset transistor RX includes the reset gate RG, the selection transistor SX includes the selection gate SEL, the drive transistor DX includes the source follower gate SF, and the transmission transistor TX includes the transmission gate TG.

[0046] Each of the multiple pixels PX further includes a photoelectric conversion element PD and a floating diffusion region FD. The photoelectric conversion element PD corresponds to the photoelectric conversion region 120 described in Figures 1 to 4. Photoelectric conversion elements (PDs) generate and store photocharge proportional to the amount of light incident from an external source. Photodiodes, phototransistors, photogates, pinned photodiodes (PPDs), and combinations thereof can be used.

[0047] The transmission gate TG transmits the charge generated by the photoelectric conversion element to the floating diffusion region FD. The floating diffusion region (FD) is where the charge generated by the photoelectric conversion element (PD) is transmitted, accumulated, and stored. The amount of photocharge accumulated in the floating diffusion region FD controls the drive transistor DX.

[0048] The reset transistor RX periodically resets the charge accumulated in the floating diffusion region FD. The drain electrode of the reset transistor RX is connected to the floating diffusion region FD, and the source electrode is connected to the power supply voltage V. DD1 It connects to the network. When the reset transistor RX is turned on, the power supply voltage VDD1 connected to the source electrode of the reset transistor RX is transmitted to the floating diffusion region FD. When the reset transistor RX is turned on, the charge accumulated in the floating diffusion region FD is discharged, and the floating diffusion region FD is reset.

[0049] The drive transistor DX is connected to multiple current sources (not shown) located outside of the pixels PX, and functions as a source follower buffer amplifier, amplifying the potential change in the floating diffusion region FD and outputting it to the output line V OUT Output to [this location]. The selection transistor SX selects multiple pixels PX on a row-by-row basis, and when the selection transistor SX turns on, the power supply voltage V DD2 This is transmitted to the source electrode of the drive transistor DX.

[0050] Figure 7 is a partial layout diagram showing the schematic configuration of an image sensor 100A according to an embodiment of the present invention. In Figure 7, the same reference numerals as in Figures 1 to 6 represent the same components. Referring to Figure 7, the image sensor 100A includes a transmission gate TG having a dual-gate structure. In Figure 7, instead of the embedded transmission gate electrode 140 (Figure 2), a pair of embedded transmission gate electrodes 140A may be included, and the pair of embedded transmission gate electrodes 140A are spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance and are arranged adjacent to the floating diffusion region FD.

[0051] Figure 8 is a partial layout diagram showing the schematic configuration of the image sensor 100B according to an embodiment of the present invention, and Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along the lines A1-A1' and A2-A2' of Figure 8. In Figures 8 and 9, the same reference numerals as in Figures 1 to 7 refer to the same components. Referring to Figure 8, the image sensor 100B includes a transmission gate TG having a ring-shaped gate structure.

[0052] The transmission gate trench 140TB is positioned to at least partially surround the floating diffusion region FD and has a ring shape in the plan view. The embedded transmission gate electrode 140B is positioned within the transmission gate trench 140TB and is positioned to at least partially surround the floating diffusion region FD. In one embodiment, the embedded transmission gate electrode 140B includes a main electrode portion 140MP and an extension portion 140EX, the main electrode portion 140MP being located within the transmission gate trench 140TB and having a ring shape in the plan view. The extension 140EX extends from the main electrode section 140MP onto the first surface 110F1 of the semiconductor substrate 110. A contact 162 (for example, a second contact CA2) is placed on the extension 140EX, and an electrical signal is applied to the embedded transmission gate electrode 140B via the contact 162.

[0053] The embedded transmission gate electrode 140B includes an extension 140EX having a flat upper surface that extends from the main electrode portion 140MP, thereby preventing defects in the process of forming the contact 162 to the embedded transmission gate electrode 140B. In one embodiment, the upper surface of the extension 140EX is positioned at the same level (height) as the upper surface of the extension EXP of the first gate electrode 150, but is not limited to this. According to one embodiment, the embedded transmission gate electrode 140B is positioned to at least partially surround the floating diffusion region FD, thereby forming a charge transfer path along a direction perpendicular to the first surface 110F1 of the semiconductor substrate 110. Therefore, the shape of the embedded transmission gate electrode 140B improves the low-light characteristic sensitivity, which can easily degrade, and the image sensor 100B can have excellent quality.

[0054] Figure 10 is a partial layout diagram showing the schematic configuration of an image sensor 100C according to an embodiment of the present invention. In Figure 10, the same reference numerals as in Figures 1 to 9 represent the same components. Referring to Figure 10, the image sensor 100C includes two spaced semiconductor patterns AP within each pixel (PX-1, PX-2, PX-3, PX-4), and a first gate electrode 150C1 and a second gate electrode 150C2 are arranged on the side wall of each semiconductor pattern AP.

[0055] For example, the first gate electrode 150C1 and the second gate electrode 150C2 each include a main electrode portion MP and an extension portion EXP. In some examples, the first gate electrode 150C1 is also a source follower gate SF (Figure 6), and the second gate electrode 150C2 is also a selection gate SEL (Figure 6). As another example, the first gate electrode 150C1 is also the reset gate RG (Figure 6), and the second gate electrode 150C2 is also the selection gate SEL. As another example, the first gate electrode 150C1 is also the reset gate RG, and the second gate electrode 150C2 is also the source follower gate SF.

[0056] Figure 10 illustrates that the first pixel (PX-1), second pixel (PX-2), third pixel (PX-3), and fourth pixel (PX-4) all include a first gate electrode 150C1 and a second gate electrode 150C2. However, contrary to this, in at least one of the first pixel (PX-1), second pixel (PX-2), third pixel (PX-3), and fourth pixel (PX-4), either the first gate electrode 150C1 or the second gate electrode 150C2 may be omitted.

[0057] Figure 11 is a partial layout diagram showing the schematic configuration of an image sensor 200 according to an embodiment of the present invention. In Figure 11, the same reference numerals as in Figures 1 to 10 represent the same components. Referring to Figure 11, in the plan view, the pixel element isolation film 130A is not positioned to completely surround each of the pixels (PX-1, PX-2, PX-3, PX-4).

[0058] The portion of the semiconductor substrate 110 that is not surrounded by the pixel element isolation film 130A is referred to as the shared region 130XE. Within the shared area 130XE, a ground area GNDA is located, which may be shared by the first pixel (PX-1) and the second pixel (PX-2), or by the third pixel (PX-3) and the fourth pixel (PX-4). Figure 11 shows an embedded transmission gate electrode 140B having a ring-shaped horizontal cross-section, but instead of the embedded transmission gate electrode 140B, an embedded transmission gate electrode 140 (Figures 1 to 4) or an embedded transmission gate electrode 140A (Figure 7) may be provided.

[0059] Figure 12 is a partial layout diagram showing the schematic configuration of an image sensor 200A according to an embodiment of the present invention. In Figure 12, the same reference numerals as in Figures 1 to 11 represent the same components. Referring to Figure 12, in the plan view, the pixel element isolation film 130A is not positioned to completely surround each of the pixels (PX-1, PX-2, PX-3, PX-4).

[0060] The portion of the semiconductor substrate 110 that is not surrounded by the pixel element isolation film 130A is referred to as the shared region 130XE. For example, each pixel (PX-1, PX-2, PX-3, PX-4) is connected to two shared regions 130XE, with a ground region GNDA located within one shared region 130XE and a floating diffusion region FDA located within the other shared region 130XE. For example, a floating diffusion region FDA is placed within the region of the semiconductor substrate 110 where the first pixel (PX-1), second pixel (PX-2), third pixel (PX-3), and fourth pixel (PX-4) meet, and embedded transmission gate electrodes 140 are placed within the first pixel (PX-1), second pixel (PX-2), third pixel (PX-3), and fourth pixel (PX-4) so ​​as to be adjacent to the floating diffusion region FDA. The floating diffusion area FDA is shared by the first pixel (PX-1), the second pixel (PX-2), the third pixel (PX-3), and the fourth pixel (PX-4).

[0061] Figure 13 is a partial layout diagram showing the schematic configuration of an image sensor 300 according to an embodiment of the present invention, and Figure 14 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line A3-A3' in Figure 13. In Figures 13 and 14, the same reference numerals as in Figures 1 to 11 refer to the same components. Referring to Figures 12 and 13, the image sensor 300 includes pixels (PX-1, PX-2, PX-3, PX-4) for implementing the autofocus (AF) function.

[0062] For example, the first pixel (PX-1), the second pixel (PX-2), the third pixel (PX-3), and the fourth pixel (PX-4) are covered by a single microlens 188A. The first pixel (PX-1), second pixel (PX-2), third pixel (PX-3), and fourth pixel (PX-4) are phase detection pixels that generate phase signals used to calculate the phase difference between images. The first pixel (PX-1), second pixel (PX-2), third pixel (PX-3), and fourth pixel (PX-4) are used to focus on the object, the phase signal contains information related to the position of the image linked to the image sensor 300, and the phase signal is also used to calculate the phase difference between images. Based on the calculated phase difference, the lens focal position of the electronic device equipped with the image sensor 300 is calculated.

[0063] Figure 15 is a partial layout diagram showing the schematic configuration of an image sensor 300A according to an embodiment of the present invention. In Figure 15, the same reference numerals as in Figures 1 to 14 represent the same components. Referring to Figure 15, the image sensor 300A includes pixels (PX-1, PX-2) for implementing the autofocus (AF) function. The first pixel (PX-1) includes a transmission gate TG and a reset gate RG, the second pixel (PX-2) includes a transmission gate TG and a selection gate SEL, and the reset gate RG and selection gate SEL include a first gate electrode 150. The first pixel (PX-1) and the second pixel (PX-2) are covered by a single microlens 188A.

[0064] In the plan view, the pixel element isolation film 130A is located in a shared region 130XE that does not completely surround the first pixel (PX-1) and the second pixel (PX-2), and an overflow region 310 is located within the shared region 130XE. The overflow region 310 is located within the semiconductor substrate 110 adjacent to the first surface 110F1 of the semiconductor substrate 110, and provides a path for the photocharge to move to an adjacent pixel via the overflow region 310 when the intensity of the photocharge incident on either the first pixel (PX-1) or the second pixel (PX-2) is relatively strong.

[0065] Figure 16 is a cross-sectional view of an image sensor 400 according to an embodiment of the present invention, taken along the line A2-A2' in Figure 8. In Figure 16, the same reference numerals as in Figures 1 to 15 represent the same components. Referring to Figure 16, the image sensor 400 includes an embedded transmission gate electrode 440 and a first gate electrode 450A, a second gate electrode 450B, and a third gate electrode 450C, which are arranged on the side wall of the semiconductor pattern AP, spaced apart from each other in the vertical direction (Z).

[0066] The transmission gate trench 440T extends from the first surface 110F1 of the semiconductor substrate 110 into the interior of the semiconductor substrate 110, and the embedded transmission gate electrode 440 is positioned within the transmission gate trench 440T. A transmission gate insulating layer 442 is further arranged on the inner wall of the transmission gate trench 440T, and an embedded transmission gate electrode 440 fills the inside of the transmission gate trench 440T on the transmission gate insulating layer 442. A floating diffusion region (FD) is positioned inside the semiconductor substrate 110 adjacent to the embedded transmission gate electrode 440. The semiconductor pattern AP is positioned horizontally (for example, in the X direction) away from the embedded transmission gate electrode 440. On the side wall of the semiconductor pattern AP, a first gate electrode 450A, a second gate electrode 450B, and a third gate electrode 450C are sequentially arranged at different vertical levels (heights).

[0067] The first gate electrode 450A, the second gate electrode 450B, and the third gate electrode 450C each have a ring-shaped horizontal cross-section and overlap each other perpendicularly. A first gate insulating layer 452A is placed between the first gate electrode 450A and the semiconductor pattern AP, a second gate insulating layer 452B is placed between the second gate electrode 450B and the semiconductor pattern AP, and a third gate insulating layer 452C is placed between the third gate electrode 450C and the semiconductor pattern AP. In another embodiment, the first gate insulating layer 452A, the first gate insulating layer 452B, and the third gate insulating layer 452C are connected to each other to completely cover the entire sidewall of the semiconductor pattern AP.

[0068] An embedded transmission gate electrode 440, a semiconductor pattern AP, and an upper wiring structure 470 covering the first gate electrode 450A, the second gate electrode 450B, and the third gate electrode 450C are arranged on the first surface 110F1 of the semiconductor substrate 110. The upper wiring structure 470 includes a wiring layer 472, an insulating layer 474 that at least partially surrounds the wiring layer 472, and via contacts 476 that penetrate the insulating layer 474 and extend vertically (Z). The floating diffusion region FD and the second gate electrode 450B are electrically connected to each other by the jumper structure FDJP. For example, the jumper structure FDJP provides an electrical connection between the floating diffusion region FD and the second gate electrode 450B via the wiring layer 472 and via contact 476. Although not shown in the diagram, a further jumper structure FDJP may be arranged to electrically connect the first gate electrode 450A to the floating diffusion region FD and / or the third gate electrode 450C to the floating diffusion region FD.

[0069] In one embodiment, the first gate electrode 450A is also a reset gate RG, the second gate electrode 450B is also a source follower gate SF, and the third gate electrode 450C is also a selection gate SEL. However, the first gate electrode 450A, the second gate electrode 450B, and the third gate electrode 450C are not limited to these. In one embodiment, contacts 460 and wiring layers 472 are arranged on the upper surface and side walls of the semiconductor pattern AP, providing the electrical connections necessary for realizing the pixel circuit of the image sensor 400. For example, if the first gate electrode 450A is also a reset gate RG, the second gate electrode 450B is also a source follower gate SF, and the third gate electrode 450C is a selection gate SEL, then an output signal Vout is provided to the source / drain region SD2 located above the semiconductor pattern AP, and an input signal Vpix is ​​provided to the portion of the semiconductor pattern AP between the source follower gate SF and the reset gate RG.

[0070] According to one embodiment, a first gate electrode 450A, a second gate electrode 450B, and a third gate electrode 450C are arranged vertically spaced apart on the side wall of a semiconductor pattern AP extending in the vertical direction (Z), and the first gate electrode 450A, the second gate electrode 450B, and the third gate electrode 450C have a gate-all-around structure. This reduces leakage current in pixel circuits such as the reset gate RG, selection gate SEL, and source follower gate SF, preventing the generation of read noise. Therefore, the image sensor 400 has excellent image quality. Furthermore, since the pixel circuits are stacked and arranged in the vertical direction (Z), the area of ​​each unit pixel is reduced, which can lead to a miniaturization of the image sensor 400.

[0071] Figure 17 is a cross-sectional view of an image sensor 400A according to an embodiment of the present invention, taken along the line A2-A2' in Figure 8. In Figure 17, the same reference numerals as in Figures 1 to 16 represent the same components. Referring to Figure 17, the transmission gate trench 440TA extends from the first surface 110F1 of the semiconductor substrate 110 into the interior of the semiconductor substrate 110, and the embedded transmission gate electrode 440A is positioned within the transmission gate trench 440TA.

[0072] The embedded transmission gate electrode 440A is positioned to cover the lower sidewall of the semiconductor pattern AP, and at least a portion of the embedded transmission gate electrode 440A is positioned to vertically overlap the first gate electrode 450A, the second gate electrode 450B, and the third gate electrode 450C. The embedded transmission gate electrode 440A may have a horizontal cross-section such as a square, rectangular, circular, or elliptical shape. As shown in Figure 17, the floating diffusion region FD is located within a portion of the semiconductor pattern AP, for example, at a vertical level (height) lower than the bottom surface of the first gate electrode 450A and higher than the top surface of the embedded transmission gate electrode 440A.

[0073] Figure 18 is a cross-sectional view of an image sensor 400B according to an embodiment of the present invention, taken along the line A2-A2' in Figure 8. In Figure 18, the same reference numerals as in Figures 1 to 17 represent the same components. Referring to Figure 18, the transmission gate trench 440TB has a ring-shaped horizontal cross-section, and the lower sidewall of the semiconductor pattern AP extends to the inner wall of the transmission gate trench 440TB.

[0074] For example, the embedded transmission gate electrode 440B is positioned within the transmission gate trench 440TB so as to cover the lower sidewall of the semiconductor pattern AP. The embedded transmission gate electrode 440B is positioned to vertically overlap the first gate electrode 450A, the second gate electrode 450B, and the third gate electrode 450C. As shown in Figure 18, the floating diffusion region FD is located within a portion of the semiconductor pattern AP, for example, at a vertical level (height) lower than the bottom surface of the first gate electrode 450A and higher than the top surface of the embedded transmission gate electrode 440B.

[0075] Figure 19 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of an image sensor 500 according to one embodiment of the present invention. Referring to Figure 19, the image sensor 500 is a stacked image sensor including a first chip C1 and a second chip C2 stacked vertically. The first chip C1 includes an active pixel region APR and a first pad region PDR1, and the second chip C2 includes a peripheral circuit region PCR and a second pad region PDR2.

[0076] Multiple first pads PAD1 in the first pad area PDR1 are configured to send and receive electrical signals with external devices and the like. The peripheral circuit region PCR may include a logic circuit block LC and may include multiple CMOS transistors. The peripheral circuit region PCR provides a constant signal to each active pixel PX in the active pixel region APR, or controls the output signal from each active pixel PX. The first pad PAD1 in the first pad region PDR1 is electrically connected to the second pad PAD2 in the second pad region PDR2 by a via structure VS.

[0077] Figure 20 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the image sensor 1100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to Figure 20, the image sensor 1100 includes a pixel array 1110, a controller 1130, a row driver 1120, and a pixel signal processing unit 1140. The image sensor 1100 includes at least one of the image sensors (100, 100A, 100B, 100C, 200, 200A, 300, 300A, 400, 400A, 400B, 500) described in Figures 1 to 19.

[0078] The pixel array 1110 includes a plurality of unit pixels arranged in two dimensions, and each unit pixel includes an organic photoelectric conversion element. The photoelectric conversion element absorbs light to generate an electric charge, and the resulting electrical signal (output voltage) is provided to the pixel signal processing unit 1140 via a vertical signal line. Each unit pixel in the pixel array 1110 provides an output voltage one at a time in row units, thereby activating all unit pixels belonging to a single row of the pixel array 1110 simultaneously by a selection signal output by the row driver 1120. The unit pixels belonging to the selected row provide the output voltage from the absorbed light to the output line of the corresponding column.

[0079] The controller 1130 controls the low driver 1120 to cause the pixel array 1110 to absorb light and accumulate charge, or to temporarily store the accumulated charge, and to output an electrical signal from the stored charge to the outside of the pixel array 1110. Furthermore, the controller 1130 controls the pixel signal processing unit 1140 to measure the output voltage provided by the pixel array 1110.

[0080] The pixel signal processing unit 1140 includes a correlated duplex sampler (CDS) 1142, an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) 1144, and a buffer 1146. The correlated dual sampler 1142 samples and holds the output voltage provided from the pixel array 1110. The correlated dual sampler 1142 samples a specific noise level and the level generated by the output voltage twice, and outputs the level corresponding to the difference between them. Furthermore, the correlated dual sampler 1142 receives the ramp signals generated by the ramp signal generator 1148, compares them with each other, and outputs the comparison result. The analog-to-digital converter 1144 converts the analog signal corresponding to the level received from the correlated duplex sampler 1142 into a digital signal. The buffer 1146 latches the digital signal, and sequentially outputs the latched signal to the outside of the image sensor 1100 and also transmits it to the image processor (not shown).

[0081] Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above. It can be modified and implemented in various ways without departing from the technical scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0082] 100 Image Sensors 110 Semiconductor substrates 112 Element Separation Membrane 114 well area 120 Photoelectric Conversion Region 130 Pixel Element Isolation Film 132 Insulating layer 134 Conductive layer 136 Upper insulating layer 140 Embedded Transmission Terminal 140T Transmission Gate Trench 142 Transmission gate insulating layer 144 Transmission Gate Spacer 150 First Gate 152 First gate insulating layer 160 Embedded insulating layer 162 Contacts 170 Upper wiring structure 172 Wiring layer 174 Insulating layer 182 Back insulation layer 184 Passivation Layer 186 Color Filters 188 Microlenses CA1, CA2, CA3 (1st to 3rd) Contacts CA1H, CA2H, CA3H (1st to 3rd) contact holes

Claims

1. A semiconductor substrate including a first surface and a second surface facing each other, A semiconductor pattern arranged on the first surface of the semiconductor substrate, An embedded transmission gate electrode is disposed in a transmission gate trench that extends from the first surface of the semiconductor substrate into the interior of the semiconductor substrate, The semiconductor pattern has a first gate electrode that at least partially surrounds the side wall and has a ring-shaped horizontal cross-section, A first source / drain region is disposed inside the semiconductor substrate below the semiconductor pattern, An image sensor further comprising a second source / drain region disposed above the semiconductor pattern.

2. The image sensor according to claim 1, characterized in that the first gate electrode is arranged at a distance from the embedded transmission gate electrode in a second direction parallel to the first surface.

3. The first gate electrode has a main electrode portion that extends in a first direction perpendicular to the first surface on the side wall of the semiconductor pattern, The image sensor according to claim 1, characterized in that it includes an extension portion disposed on the first surface of the semiconductor substrate and extending horizontally from the main electrode portion.

4. A first contact is disposed on the first surface of the semiconductor substrate and electrically connected to the first source / drain region, A second contact is disposed on the extension of the first gate electrode, The image sensor according to claim 3, further comprising a third contact disposed on the upper surface of the semiconductor pattern and electrically connected to the second source / drain region.

5. The semiconductor substrate further comprises a floating diffusion region located adjacent to the transmission gate trench, The image sensor according to claim 1, characterized in that the transmission gate trench has a ring-shaped horizontal cross-section and at least partially surrounds the floating diffusion region.

6. The image sensor according to claim 1, characterized in that the upper surface of the semiconductor pattern is positioned higher than the upper surface of the embedded transmission gate electrode.

7. The image sensor according to claim 1, further comprising a second gate electrode that at least partially surrounds the side wall of the semiconductor pattern and is disposed at a distance from the first gate electrode in a first direction perpendicular to the first surface.

8. The first gate electrode and the second gate electrode have a ring-shaped horizontal cross-section. The image sensor according to claim 7, characterized in that the first gate electrode and the second gate electrode overlap each other in a direction perpendicular to each other.

9. The transmission gate trench has a ring-shaped horizontal cross-section, The image sensor according to claim 7, characterized in that the lower side of the side wall of the semiconductor pattern extends to the inner wall of the transmission gate trench.

10. The image sensor according to claim 7, further comprising a floating diffusion region disposed within the semiconductor pattern, positioned lower than the bottom surface of the first gate electrode and higher than the top surface of the embedded transmission gate electrode.

11. A semiconductor substrate including a first surface and a second surface facing each other, An embedded transmission gate electrode is disposed in a transmission gate trench that extends from the first surface of the semiconductor substrate into the interior of the semiconductor substrate, A semiconductor pattern arranged on the first surface of the semiconductor substrate, The semiconductor pattern is disposed on the side wall and has a first gate electrode, The first gate electrode includes a main electrode portion extending in a first direction perpendicular to the first surface, and an extension portion connected to the main electrode portion and extending on the first surface of the semiconductor substrate. A first source / drain region is disposed inside the semiconductor substrate below the semiconductor pattern, An image sensor further comprising a second source / drain region disposed above the semiconductor pattern.

12. A first contact disposed on the first surface of the semiconductor substrate and electrically connected to the first source / drain region, A second contact is disposed on the extension of the first gate electrode, The image sensor according to claim 11, further comprising a third contact disposed on the upper surface of the semiconductor pattern and electrically connected to the second source / drain region.

13. The semiconductor substrate further comprises a floating diffusion region located adjacent to the transmission gate trench, The image sensor according to claim 11, characterized in that the first gate electrode is arranged at a distance from the embedded transmission gate electrode in a second direction parallel to the first surface.

14. The image sensor according to claim 13, characterized in that the transmission gate trench has a ring-shaped horizontal cross-section and at least partially surrounds the floating diffusion region.

15. A second gate electrode is provided which at least partially surrounds the side wall of the semiconductor pattern and is positioned away from the first gate electrode in the first direction, The image sensor according to claim 11, further comprising a third gate electrode that at least partially surrounds the side wall of the semiconductor pattern and is positioned away from the second gate electrode in the first direction.

16. The second gate electrode and the third gate electrode have a ring-shaped horizontal cross-section. The image sensor according to claim 15, characterized in that the first gate electrode, the second gate electrode, and the third gate electrode overlap each other in a direction perpendicular to each other.

17. The image sensor according to claim 11, further comprising a floating diffusion region disposed within the semiconductor pattern and positioned lower than the bottom surface of the first gate electrode and higher than the top surface of the embedded transmission gate electrode.

18. The transmission gate trench has a ring-shaped horizontal cross-section, The image sensor according to claim 11, characterized in that the lower side of the side wall of the semiconductor pattern extends to the inner wall of the transmission gate trench.

19. A semiconductor substrate including a first surface and a second surface facing each other, A semiconductor pattern arranged on the first surface of the semiconductor substrate, A device isolation film provided on the first surface of the semiconductor substrate, which defines an active region, An embedded transmission gate electrode is positioned in a transmission gate trench that extends into the semiconductor substrate, and is located in a second direction parallel to the first surface of the semiconductor substrate, spaced apart from the semiconductor pattern, and is located within the semiconductor substrate. A first gate insulating layer that at least partially surrounds the side wall of the semiconductor pattern, On the first gate insulating layer, a first gate electrode portion includes a main electrode portion having a ring-shaped horizontal cross-section and at least partially surrounding the side wall of the semiconductor pattern, A first source / drain region is disposed inside the semiconductor substrate below the semiconductor pattern, An image sensor characterized by having a second source / drain region disposed above the semiconductor pattern.

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