Photoelectric Conversion Guard Ring Layout for Wire Crossing
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing photoelectric conversion devices face difficulties in easily forming routed wires that need to cross a guard ring, as both are typically formed using the same metal layer, leading to increased complexity and trouble in their integration.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating an intermediate layer containing the same semiconductor material as the photoelectric conversion layer within the guard ring, allowing the routed wires to be formed at a different layer, thus simplifying the crossing process and reducing the number of steps required.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the guard ring is formed using the same metal layer as the pixels, then moisture or gas entry is inhibited, but the routed wires cannot easily cross the guard ring
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediate layer between the first metal layer (containing routed wires) and the second metal layer (containing guard ring). This adds a dimensional solution by placing the intermediate layer at a different height level, allowing wires to cross the guard ring without direct contact or complex patterning in the same plane.
Solution Approach 2:
The intermediate layer acts as a mediator structure that facilitates the crossing of routed wires over the guard ring. It provides a physical bridge or pathway that enables wire connections while maintaining the integrity and barrier function of the guard ring structure.
2Ease of manufacture
If a new metal layer is patterned to form routed wires crossing the guard ring, then wire crossing is achieved, but the number of manufacturing steps increases
Solution Approach 1:
The intermediate layer is formed using the same semiconductor material and manufacturing process as the photoelectric conversion layer. This merging of material systems and processes allows the intermediate layer to be created without adding separate metal layer patterning steps, thus achieving wire crossing capability while minimizing increases in manufacturing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The intermediate layer serves multiple functions: it acts as a structural support for routed wires, provides a pathway for wire crossing over the guard ring, and is formed using the same material system as the photoelectric conversion layer. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional specialized layers or processes.
3Ease of manufacture
If the intermediate layer uses the same semiconductor material as the photoelectric conversion layer, then wire crossing is simplified, but the guard ring structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The intermediate layer is selectively formed only in the regions where routed wires need to cross the guard ring, rather than uniformly across the entire device. This local application maintains the simplicity of the guard ring structure in areas where it is not needed, while providing the necessary wire crossing functionality only where required.
Data Source
AI summary
A photoelectric conversion device includes a photoelectric conversion area in which photoelectric conversion elements each including a first electrode, a second electrode, and a photoelectric conversion layer, provided between the first electrode and the second electrode, that contains a semiconductor material are provided in a matrix and a guard ring surrounding a periphery of the photoelectric conversion area in a form of a frame. The guard ring has an intermediate layer containing the same semiconductor material as the photoelectric conversion layer.