US5517031A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Solid state imager with opaque layer
Assignee: General Electric Co
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Filing: 1994-06-21
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Granted: 1996-05-14
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Expires: 2014-06-21
Abstract
Abstract A solid state radiation imager includes a photosensor array having a plurality of pixels disposed on a substrate, each pixel having a respective photosensor coupled to a thin film transistor (TFT). The photosensor array further includes an opaque passivation layer that is disposed over non-photodiode areas of the photosensor array, including the TFT and address lines in the array. The opaque passivation layer has an absorbance that is greater than 1, and typically that is greater than 2. The opaque passivation layer further is typically made of a thermally stable polymer mixed with a light absorbing material such as an organic dye (e.g., Sudan Black B), carbon black, or graphite.
Inventors
- 👤 Ching-Yeu Wei
- 👤 Robert F. Kwasnick
- 👤 Siegfried Aftergut
- 👤 Brian W. Giambattista
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 04:00
CPC Classifications
H; H10; H10F; H10F39/00; H10F39/80; H10F39/806; H10F39/803; H10F39/805; H10F39/8057
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
147 words
A solid state radiation imager comprising: a photosensor array disposed on a substrate, said photosensor array comprising a plurality of photosensors and thin film transistors (TFTs), each of said photosensors comprising a respective photosensitive island disposed over said substrate and electrically coupled to a respective one of said TFTs, respective ones of said photosensors and TFTs coupled together comprising respective pixels in said array, said array further comprising an optically transmissive common electrode disposed, said TFTs and said photosensor islands being disposed between said common electrode and said substrate; said photosensor array further comprising an opaque passivation layer disposed around said photosensor islands so as to cover non-photosensor island areas in each of said pixels and to overlie at least said TFTs, said common electrode being disposed over said opaque passivation layer; said opaque passivation layer comprising a thermally stable polymer mixed with a light absorbing material.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
147 words
A solid state radiation imager comprising: a photosensor array disposed on a substrate, said photosensor array comprising a plurality of photosensors and thin film transistors (TFTs), each of said photosensors comprising a respective photosensitive island disposed over said substrate and electrically coupled to a respective one of said TFTs, respective ones of said photosensors and TFTs coupled together comprising respective pixels in said array, said array further comprising an optically transmissive common electrode disposed, said TFTs and said photosensor islands being disposed between said common electrode and said substrate; said photosensor array further comprising an opaque passivation layer disposed around said photosensor islands so as to cover non-photosensor island areas in each of said pixels and to overlie at least said TFTs, said common electrode being disposed over said opaque passivation layer; said opaque passivation layer comprising a thermally stable polymer mixed with a light absorbing material.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
The imager of claim 1 wherein said opaque passivation layer has an absorbance value greater than 1.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
The imager of claim 2 wherein said opaque passivation layer has an absorbance value not less than 2.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
The imager of claim 2 wherein the thickness of said opaque passivation layer is in the range between about 0.5 μm and 3 μm.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
The imager of claim 1 wherein said thermally stable polymer comprises a polymer selected from the group consisting of polyamides, polyimides, polycarbonates, polyesters, polyphenylene ethers, acrylics, and blends prepared therefrom.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
The imager of claim 1 wherein said light absorbing material is selected from the group consisting of organic dyes, carbon black, and graphite.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
The imager of claim 1 wherein said opaque passivation layer is further disposed over the sidewalls of each of said photosensor islands.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
26 words
The imager of claim 1 wherein said opaque passivation layer is disposed over said array such that it abuts the respective sidewalls of said photosensor islands.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
22 words
The imager of claim 8 further comprising an optically transmissive dielectric layer disposed between said opaque passivation layer and said photosensor array.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
13 words
The imager of claim 9 wherein said optically transmissive dielectric layer comprises polyimide.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
18 words
The imager of claim 1 further comprising an inorganic dielectric layer disposed over each of said photosensor islands.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
24 words
The imager of claim 11 wherein said inorganic dielectric layer comprises a material selected from the group consisting of silicon nitride and silicon oxide.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
15 words
The imager of claim 1 wherein said photosensor and said TFT each comprises amorphous silicon.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
31 words
The imager of claim 1 wherein said opaque passivation layer comprises a material that is thermally stable at temperatures less than about 250° C. at times less than about 6 hours.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1999-05-14 | 1999-11-13 | 2000-05-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-05-14 | 2003-11-13 | 2004-05-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-05-14 | 2007-11-13 | 2008-05-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |