JP2001244447A - Solid-state image pick-up device and digital camera - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a solid-state image pick-up device which uses a sealing glass with an optical filter function and with less cracking. SOLUTION: The image pick-up device includes a solid-state image pick-up semiconductor chip having a photoelectric converter, a container for housing the chip, and a sealing glass with an optical filter function and with its one corner removed for sealing the container and for discriminating direction.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to a solid-state imaging device having an optical filter, and more particularly, to a solid-state imaging device using an optical filter as a sealing glass for a solid-state imaging device storage container.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing an optical path of a conventional integrated video camera or digital still camera (hereinafter referred to as a digital camera). As shown by the dotted line in the figure, the light beam emitted from the subject 31 is refracted by the lens 32, passes through the infrared light cut filter 33, and passes through the optical low-pass filter.

An optical low-pass filter 34 is incorporated in an incident light path for preventing generation of a false signal and improving color image quality, and is generally made of quartz (SiO ₂ ).
And a brittle material such as a birefringent crystal material such as LiNbO ₃ .

The light beam that has passed through the optical low-pass filter 34 passes through the sealing glass 39 of the package 35, and passes through the solid-state imaging device semiconductor chip 3 placed in the storage container 36.
Reach 7 The sealing glass 39 is fixed to the storage container 36 by a sealing adhesive 38.

In recent years, by adding the function of the optical low-pass filter 34 to the sealing glass 39, the individual optical low-pass filters 34 are removed from the above-described optical path, and the optical path is shortened. There is a movement to reduce the size and cost.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing an optical path of a digital camera using sealing glass with an optical low-pass filter function.

[0007] The light beam emitted from the subject 31 is refracted by the lens 32 a and then passes through the infrared light cut filter 33 as shown by the dotted line in the figure. The lens 32a is shown in FIG.
Has a shorter focal length than the lens 32 of FIG.

The light beam that has passed through the infrared light cut filter 33 passes through the sealing glass 49 with an optical low-pass filter function of the package 35 and reaches the solid-state image sensor semiconductor chip 37 disposed in the storage container 36. The sealing glass 49 with an optical low-pass filter function is a sealing adhesive 3
By 8, it is fixed to the storage container 36.

FIG. 7A shows a package 35 shown in FIG.
FIG. Components that are substantially the same as in FIG. 6 are given the same reference numerals.

The sealing glass 49 with an optical low-pass filter function separates light rays in a direction indicated by an arrow D (hereinafter, referred to as a light separation direction D). In order to determine the light beam separation direction D, sealing glass 49 with an optical low-pass filter function is used.
Is generally provided with a cutout portion (hereinafter referred to as a notch) at an intermediate portion of one side parallel to the direction D.

[0011]

Conventionally, an optical filter has been manufactured on the premise that it is provided independently in an optical path of a digital camera as shown in FIG. For this reason, fixing with an adhesive or the like was not performed, and there was no obstacle in a low-temperature or high-temperature environment.

However, when the sealing glass 49 with an optical low-pass filter function is used as the sealing glass for the package 35, the airtightness inside the package 35 must be maintained for the purpose of protecting the semiconductor chip 37 of the solid-state imaging device. It is necessary to perform sealing using a sealing adhesive 38 having a strong adhesive force.

The sealing glass 49 having an optical low-pass filter function adhered to the package 35 has a characteristic having a linear expansion coefficient difference in the crystal direction. Further, the linear expansion coefficient of the package 35 is determined by using the sealing glass
When stored in a low-temperature or high-temperature environment, stress is generated inside the sealing glass 49 with an optical low-pass filter function, and cracks are likely to occur.

In particular, as shown in FIG. 7B, the mechanically weak portion of the sealing glass 49 with the optical low-pass filter function near the bonding portion between the sealing glass 49 with the optical low-pass filter function and the storage container 36. There is a problem that a crack CR passing through a certain notch 40 occurs.

As a means for solving this problem, instead of forming the notch 40, marking with a dye or the like can be considered, but it is not preferable in consideration of contamination and other obstacles caused by washing with an organic solvent.

An object of the present invention is to provide a solid-state imaging device using a sealing glass with an optical low-pass filter function that is less likely to crack.

[0017]

According to one aspect of the present invention, a solid-state imaging device comprises: a solid-state imaging device semiconductor chip having a photoelectric conversion unit; a storage container for storing the solid-state imaging device semiconductor chip; And a sealing glass with an optical filter function from which one corner is removed so that the container can be sealed and the direction can be determined.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a solid-state imaging device comprises: a solid-state imaging device semiconductor chip having a photoelectric conversion unit; a storage container for storing the solid-state imaging device semiconductor chip; And a sealing glass with an optical filter function from which two adjacent corners are removed so that the direction can be determined.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a digital camera houses an optical lens for forming an image of a subject, a solid-state imaging device semiconductor chip having a photoelectric conversion unit, and the solid-state imaging device semiconductor chip. Storage container to be sealed, a sealing glass with an optical filter function in which the storage container is sealed and one corner is removed so that a direction can be determined, a processing unit for processing an image signal, and a memory for storing the image signal And a display device for displaying an image based on the image signal.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a digital camera houses an optical lens for forming an image of a subject, a solid-state imaging device semiconductor chip having a photoelectric conversion unit, and the solid-state imaging device semiconductor chip. A storage container to be sealed, a sealing glass with an optical filter function in which two adjacent corners are removed so that the storage container can be sealed and the direction can be determined, a processing unit that processes an image signal, and stores the image signal. And a display device for displaying an image based on the image signal.

[0021]

FIG. 1 shows the configuration of a digital camera according to a basic embodiment of the present invention.

The lens 2 has a focal length adjusted so that light from the subject 1 can be focused on the semiconductor chip 7 of the solid-state image sensor. An image is formed on the solid-state imaging device semiconductor chip 7 in the package 5 through the sealing glass 9 with an optical low-pass filter function, as shown by a dotted line in the figure.

The infrared light cut filter 3 is an optical filter that absorbs infrared light components in incident light.

The package 5 is a package in which a solid-state imaging device semiconductor chip 7 is fixed in a storage container 6 and sealed with a sealing glass 9 having an optical low-pass filter function. Storage container 6
Is formed of ceramic or the like, and houses the solid-state image sensor semiconductor chip 7. The sealing glass 9 with an optical low-pass filter function is bonded by the sealing adhesive 8. Storage container 6
Protects the semiconductor chip 7 of the solid-state imaging device and supports a sealing glass 9 with an optical low-pass filter function as a housing.

The solid-state image pickup device semiconductor chip 7 is, for example,
It includes a charge-coupled (CCD) solid-state imaging device, a MOS-type solid-state imaging device, and the like, and has at least a photoelectric conversion unit that generates electric charge according to the amount of incident light.

The sealing glass 9 with an optical low-pass filter function is formed of a birefringent crystal material such as quartz (SiO ₂ ) or LiNbO ₃ . The sealing glass 9 with an optical low-pass filter function has a function as an optical low-pass filter for preventing generation of false signals and improving color image quality, and also includes a solid-state imaging device semiconductor chip 7 and the like as a sealing glass for the storage container 6. It also has a role to protect from the outside.

The sealing glass 9 with the optical low-pass filter function is provided with a mark for discriminating the light beam separation direction so that the light beam separation direction can be easily discriminated, as described later.

The A / D conversion circuit 15 converts the electric charge transferred from the solid-state image sensor semiconductor chip 7 from an analog image signal to digital image data. The image memory 16 can temporarily store image data output from the A / D conversion circuit 15. It can also be used as a working area for various processes. Image memory 16
Outputs the image data to the processing unit and also outputs the image data to the D / A conversion circuit 19.

The processing section 17 reads out the image data stored in the image memory 16 and performs various processes to write the image data in the image memory, or compresses the image data and stores it in the storage medium 18. Further, it is also possible to perform processing of reading out and decoding the compressed image data stored in the storage medium 18.

The storage medium 18 is a medium for storing compressed image data, for example, a flash memory such as SmartMedia (trademark), and may be any medium capable of storing data in a digital format. Further, it is not always necessary to be built in the digital camera, and an external storage device may be used as the storage medium 18 using various interfaces.

The D / A conversion circuit 19 converts the digital image data sent from the image memory 16 into an analog image signal. The display 20 is a display device that displays an image signal converted into an analog format by the D / A conversion circuit 19, and is, for example, a liquid crystal display. The user can check the subject 1 by looking at the image displayed on the display 20. Further, the user can view image data stored in the storage medium 18.

FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the shape of a mark for discriminating a light beam separation direction according to a basic embodiment of the present invention. this is,
FIG. 2 is a view of the package 5 of FIG. 1 as viewed from above. In the figure, the storage container 6 is shown somewhat larger, but as is apparent from the cross-sectional view of the package 5 in FIG. 1, the storage container 6 and the sealing glass 9a with an optical low-pass filter function are almost flat. Are identical.

The sealing glass 9a with an optical low-pass filter function separates light rays in a direction indicated by an arrow D (hereinafter, referred to as a light separation direction D). In order to determine the light beam separation direction D, sealing glass 9a with an optical low-pass filter function is used.
A rectangular light separating direction discriminating mark 10a
Are formed.

The mark 10a for judging the beam separation direction is formed by laminating and fixing a plurality of sealing glasses 9a having an optical low-pass filter function, and then cutting or shaving them into a predetermined shape by machining.

As shown in FIG. 7B, cracks CR tend to occur at an angle of approximately 45 degrees with respect to the diagonal direction or the side of the optical low-pass filter. This is considered to be because a tensile stress acts in a direction substantially orthogonal to the crack CR. Since the notch 40 is formed near the left end of the lower side, the notch 4 is considered from the lower left corner to the upper right corner.
By 0, a constriction is formed in the filter surface. It is considered that cracks CR occur when stress is concentrated between the upper left corner of the notch 40 and the left side.

In the configuration shown in FIG. 2, the upper left corner of the mark notch is open, so that stress is less likely to concentrate. Therefore, it is considered that the occurrence of cracks can be effectively suppressed.

When a sample was actually made and tested,
Conventionally, about 10 to 20% of the cracks generated in the filter,
It could be reduced to about 2-3%.

By making the mark 10a for discriminating the light beam separation direction into a rectangle, not only the up, down, left, and right directions but also the front and back can be discriminated. In order to facilitate the determination of the light beam separation direction D, it is preferable that the light beam separation direction determination mark 10a is formed in a size that can be easily identified by the naked eye. For example, the mark 10a is a rectangle of about 0.2 mm × 0.5 mm.

In this way, the mark 10a for discriminating the direction of the light beam separation is changed to the sealing glass 9a having an optical low-pass filter function.
Formed at the corners of the optical glass, the mechanically weak portion of the sealing glass with optical low-pass filter function 9A can be eliminated, so that the linear expansion of the storage container 6 and the sealing glass with optical low-pass filter function 9a under a low or high temperature environment. Even if a stress is generated due to the difference in the rate, the sealing glass 9a with an optical low-pass filter function can be prevented from breaking.

The light separating direction can be easily determined by attaching the light separating direction determining mark 10a at the corner of the sealing glass 9a with an optical low-pass filter function.

FIG. 3A shows a first embodiment of the present invention.
It is a top view showing the shape of the mark for light beam separation direction determination by the modification of FIG. Except for the shape of the light beam separating direction discriminating mark 10b attached to the sealing glass 9b with an optical low-pass filter function, all are the same as the basic embodiment.

Here, the lower left corner of the sealing glass 9b with an optical low-pass filter function is cut into a triangular shape having a height different from that of the base, and a light beam separation direction discriminating mark 10b is formed to a size that can be confirmed with the naked eye. ing. By making the beam separation direction discrimination mark 10b a triangle having a different height from the base, not only the top, bottom, left and right directions but also the front and back can be discriminated.

Although the marks 10a and 10b for discriminating the light beam separation direction in the above-described basic embodiment and Modified Example 1 are both formed in the lower left corner, if the four corners are determined in advance, the optical marks can be used. It may be formed at any of the four corners of the sealing glass 9 with a low-pass filter function.

FIG. 3B shows a second embodiment of the basic embodiment of the present invention.
It is a top view showing the shape of the mark for light beam separation direction determination by the modification of FIG. Except for the shape and number of the light beam separation direction discriminating marks 10c attached to the sealing glass 9c with an optical low-pass filter function, all are the same as in the basic embodiment.

In this case, the lower left corner and the lower right corner of the sealing glass 9c with an optical low-pass filter function are cut out into quadrangular shapes, respectively, and the mark 10c for discriminating the light beam separating direction is formed to a size that can be confirmed with the naked eye. . Since the direction connecting the two marks indicates the light beam separation direction, the direction can be easily determined even if each mark is smaller.

FIG. 4A shows a third embodiment of the present invention.
It is a top view showing the shape of the mark for light beam separation direction determination by the modification of FIG. Except for the shape and number of the light beam separating direction discriminating marks 10d attached to the sealing glass 9d with an optical low-pass filter function, all are the same as in the basic embodiment.

Here, the lower left corner and the lower right corner of the sealing glass 9d with an optical low-pass filter function are cut into triangular shapes, respectively, and the light beam separation direction discriminating mark 10d is formed to a size that can be confirmed with the naked eye. .

The marks 10c and 10d for discriminating the light beam separation direction in the second and third modified examples are the lower two corners of the four corners of the sealing glass 9c or 9d with an optical low-pass filter function. However, if the adjacent two corners of the four corners where the mark is to be formed are determined in advance, they may be formed anywhere.

Further, in the above-mentioned modification, the two marks 10 for discriminating the direction of ray separation are formed in the same shape.
It is not necessary that they have the same shape. For example, the lower left end may be a quadrangle, and the lower right end may be a triangle. further,
Each size may be changed.

FIG. 4B shows a fourth embodiment of the present invention.
It is a top view showing the shape of the mark for light beam separation direction determination by the modification of FIG. Except for the shape and number of the light beam separating direction discriminating marks 10e attached to the sealing glass 9e with an optical low-pass filter function, all are the same as the basic embodiment.

The fourth modification is a sealing glass 9d with an optical low-pass filter function on which the light separation direction discrimination mark 10d of the third modification shown in FIG. 4A is formed.
Is a chamfered corner. Here, the lower left corner and the lower right corner of the sealing glass 9e with an optical low-pass filter function are each cut into a triangular shape, and thereafter are chamfered. The mark 10e for discriminating the direction of the light beam separation is formed to a size of the order.

By chamfering the corners of the sealing glass 9e with the optical low-pass filter function where the mark 10e for judging the light beam separation direction is formed, stress concentration can be suppressed, so that cracks are less likely to occur.

Although the case where the convex R is formed toward the outside has been described, the R may be formed toward the inside.

The present invention has been described in connection with the preferred embodiments.
The present invention is not limited to these. For example,
It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications, improvements, combinations, and the like can be made.

[0055]

As described above, according to the present invention,
By attaching a mark for light beam separation direction determination at a corner of the sealing glass with an optical low-pass filter function, the light beam separation direction of the sealing glass with an optical low-pass filter function can be easily determined.

Further, according to the present invention, even if stress occurs due to a difference in linear expansion coefficient between the storage container and the sealing glass with an optical low-pass filter under a low or high temperature environment, the sealing with an optical low-pass filter can be performed. It is possible to suppress breakage of the stop glass.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a basic configuration of a digital camera according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a plan view illustrating a shape of a light beam separation direction discriminating mark according to a basic embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a plan view showing the shape of a light beam separation direction discriminating mark according to a modification of the basic embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a plan view illustrating a shape of a light beam separation direction discriminating mark according to a modification of the basic embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating an optical path of a conventional integrated digital camera.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing an optical path of a digital camera using a conventional sealing glass with an optical low-pass filter function.

FIG. 7 is a plan view of the package and the sealing glass with an optical low-pass filter function shown in FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Subject, 2 ... Lens, 3 ... Infrared light cut filter, 5 ... Package, 6 ... Storage container, 7 ... Solid state image sensor semiconductor chip, 8 ... Sealing adhesive, 9 ... Sealing glass with optical low-pass filter function Reference numeral 10: mark for judging the beam separation direction, 15: A / D conversion circuit, 16: image memory, 17:
Processing unit, 18 storage medium, 19 D / A conversion circuit, 20
…display

Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat II (reference) // H04N 101: 00 H01L 27/14 D (72) Inventor Masatoshi Yasumatsu 1-6-6 Matsuzakadaira, Yamato-cho, Kurokawa-gun, Miyagi Prefecture F-term in Fujifilm Micro Devices Co., Ltd. (reference) 4M118 AA10 AB01 BA08 BA14 GC11 HA04 HA14 HA23 HA40 5C022 AA13 AB13 AB38 AB39 AC01 AC42 AC55 AC78 5C024 AX01 CY15 CY47 CY48 CY49 CY50 EX22 EX23 EX51 GY01 GY31

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A solid-state imaging device semiconductor chip having a photoelectric conversion unit, a storage container for storing the solid-state imaging device semiconductor chip, and a corner removed to seal the storage container and determine a direction. A solid-state imaging device having a sealing glass with an optical filter function. 2. A solid-state imaging device semiconductor chip having a photoelectric conversion unit, a storage container for storing the solid-state imaging device semiconductor chip, and two adjacent corners are removed so as to seal the storage container and determine a direction. Solid-state imaging device having a sealed glass with an optical filter function. 3. An optical lens for forming an image of a subject, a solid-state imaging device semiconductor chip having a photoelectric conversion unit, a storage container for storing the solid-state imaging device semiconductor chip, and a sealing direction for the storage container. A sealing glass with an optical filter function from which one corner has been removed so that the image signal can be determined, a processing unit for processing an image signal, a memory for storing the image signal, and a display device for displaying an image based on the image signal. Digital camera having a camera. 4. An optical lens for forming an image of a subject, a solid-state image pickup device semiconductor chip having a photoelectric conversion unit, a storage container for storing the solid-state image pickup device semiconductor chip, and sealing the storage container. Sealing glass with an optical filter function from which two adjacent corners have been removed so that the image signal can be determined, a processing unit for processing an image signal, a memory for storing the image signal, and a display for displaying an image based on the image signal A digital camera having a device.