Publication

Compact Modeling of Charge Transfer in Pinned Photodiodes for CMOS Image Sensors

Abstract

In this paper, we propose a physics-based compact model of the pinned photodiode (PPD) combined with the transfer gate. A set of analytical expressions is derived for the 2-D electrostatic profile, the PPD capacitance, and the charge transfer current. The proposed model relies on the thermionic emission current mechanism, the barrier modulation, and the full-depletion approximation to obtain the charge transfer current. The proposed physics-based model is fully validated with technology computer-aided design simulations, i.e., stationary and optoelectrical simulations. The development of such a compact model for PPD represents an essential step toward the design, simulation, and optimization of PPD-based pixels in CMOS image sensors.

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Related concepts (33)
Active-pixel sensor
An active-pixel sensor (APS) is an , which was invented by Peter J.W. Noble in 1968, where each pixel sensor unit cell has a photodetector (typically a pinned photodiode) and one or more active transistors. In a metal–oxide–semiconductor (MOS) active-pixel sensor, MOS field-effect transistors (MOSFETs) are used as amplifiers. There are different types of APS, including the early NMOS APS and the now much more common complementary MOS (CMOS) APS, also known as the CMOS sensor.
Image sensor
An image sensor or imager is a sensor that detects and conveys information used to form an . It does so by converting the variable attenuation of light waves (as they pass through or reflect off objects) into signals, small bursts of current that convey the information. The waves can be light or other electromagnetic radiation. Image sensors are used in electronic imaging devices of both analog and digital types, which include digital cameras, camera modules, camera phones, optical mouse devices, medical imaging equipment, night vision equipment such as thermal imaging devices, radar, sonar, and others.
Photodiode
A photodiode is a light-sensitive semiconductor diode. It produces current when it absorbs photons. The package of a photodiode allows light (or infrared or ultraviolet radiation, or X-rays) to reach the sensitive part of the device. The package may include lenses or optical filters. Devices designed for use specially as a photodiode use a PIN junction rather than a p–n junction, to increase the speed of response. Photodiodes usually have a slower response time as their surface area increases.
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