Pixel Shield Wiring Mesh for Noise and Color Mixture Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing imaging apparatuses face issues with noise reduction and color mixture between adjacent pixels due to coupling of wiring lines, which affects dark current characteristics and image quality.
Innovation Solution
The imaging apparatus incorporates a semiconductor substrate with a wiring layer, pixel electrodes, a shield electrode, and a photoelectric conversion layer, featuring a mesh structure wiring line that overlaps with second wiring lines to reduce coupling and electric color mixture, while maintaining low resistance to minimize shading and noise.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If wiring lines are provided to connect pixel electrodes and shield electrodes, then electrical connection is achieved, but coupling between adjacent pixels occurs causing color mixture and noise
Solution Approach 1:
The first wiring line is divided into a mesh structure portion consisting of multiple segments arranged in a grid pattern. This segmentation allows the wiring to maintain electrical connectivity while creating spatial separation that reduces coupling between adjacent pixel electrodes, thereby suppressing color mixture and noise.
Solution Approach 2:
The mesh structure portion acts as an intermediary between the shield electrode and adjacent pixel electrodes. By positioning this mesh structure between adjacent pixels, it serves as a mediating element that reduces direct coupling and electromagnetic interference while maintaining the necessary electrical connection to the shield electrode.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If shield electrode is positioned between adjacent pixels, then color mixture is suppressed, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The shield electrode and the first wiring line are merged into a single integrated structure. The first wiring line simultaneously serves as both the electrical connection path and the shielding element, eliminating the need for separate shield electrode structures and reducing overall device complexity while maintaining color mixture suppression.
Solution Approach 2:
The first wiring line is designed to perform multiple functions: it provides electrical connection to the shield electrode, acts as a shielding structure to suppress color mixture, and its mesh structure portion reduces coupling between adjacent pixels. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for additional dedicated shield electrodes, simplifying the device structure.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This configuration effectively suppresses noise and color mixture, improving dark current characteristics and overall image quality by reducing potential fluctuations and coupling between adjacent pixels.
Implementation Method 1
a photoelectric conversion layer located between (A) the plurality of pixel electrodes and the shield electrode and (B) the counter electrode
Data Source
AI summary
An imaging apparatus includes a semiconductor substrate; a wiring layer located on the semiconductor substrate and including wiring lines; pixel electrodes each located on the wiring layer and having one-to-one correspondence to each of the pixels; a shield electrode located on the wiring layer and disposed between the pixel electrodes; a counter electrode located above the pixel electrodes and the shield electrode; and a photoelectric conversion layer located between the pixel electrodes and the shield electrode and the counter electrode. The wiring layer includes a shield wiring line, and FD wiring lines connected respectively to the pixel electrodes. There is a one-to-one correspondence between each of the FD wiring lines and each of the pixel electrodes. The shield wiring line is connected to the shield electrode. The shield wiring line includes openings each overlapping with at least one of the FD wiring lines in a plan view.