US20010013577A1 - X-ray image sensor and method for fabricating the same - Google Patents
X-ray image sensor and method for fabricating the same Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20010013577A1 US20010013577A1 US09/750,244 US75024400A US2001013577A1 US 20010013577 A1 US20010013577 A1 US 20010013577A1 US 75024400 A US75024400 A US 75024400A US 2001013577 A1 US2001013577 A1 US 2001013577A1
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- insulation layer
- electrode
- contact hole
- ground line
- drain electrode
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Granted
Links
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 title claims description 38
- 238000009413 insulation Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 78
- 239000003990 capacitor Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 53
- 229910021417 amorphous silicon Inorganic materials 0.000 claims abstract description 38
- 239000004065 semiconductor Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 31
- 239000000758 substrate Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 27
- 239000010409 thin film Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 6
- 238000000059 patterning Methods 0.000 claims description 34
- 238000000151 deposition Methods 0.000 claims description 19
- 239000004020 conductor Substances 0.000 claims description 10
- UMIVXZPTRXBADB-UHFFFAOYSA-N benzocyclobutene Chemical compound C1=CC=C2CCC2=C1 UMIVXZPTRXBADB-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 8
- 239000007769 metal material Substances 0.000 claims description 8
- UBSJOWMHLJZVDJ-UHFFFAOYSA-N aluminum neodymium Chemical compound [Al].[Nd] UBSJOWMHLJZVDJ-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 6
- 229910052782 aluminium Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 4
- XAGFODPZIPBFFR-UHFFFAOYSA-N aluminium Chemical compound [Al] XAGFODPZIPBFFR-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 4
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 claims description 4
- AMGQUBHHOARCQH-UHFFFAOYSA-N indium;oxotin Chemical compound [In].[Sn]=O AMGQUBHHOARCQH-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 3
- YVTHLONGBIQYBO-UHFFFAOYSA-N zinc indium(3+) oxygen(2-) Chemical compound [O--].[Zn++].[In+3] YVTHLONGBIQYBO-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 3
- 239000010408 film Substances 0.000 description 26
- 238000003860 storage Methods 0.000 description 18
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 14
- 230000008901 benefit Effects 0.000 description 4
- 238000012545 processing Methods 0.000 description 4
- VYPSYNLAJGMNEJ-UHFFFAOYSA-N Silicium dioxide Chemical compound O=[Si]=O VYPSYNLAJGMNEJ-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 3
- 238000005229 chemical vapour deposition Methods 0.000 description 3
- WUPHOULIZUERAE-UHFFFAOYSA-N 3-(oxolan-2-yl)propanoic acid Chemical compound OC(=O)CCC1CCCO1 WUPHOULIZUERAE-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 229910000838 Al alloy Inorganic materials 0.000 description 2
- 229910004613 CdTe Inorganic materials 0.000 description 2
- VYZAMTAEIAYCRO-UHFFFAOYSA-N Chromium Chemical compound [Cr] VYZAMTAEIAYCRO-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 229910052581 Si3N4 Inorganic materials 0.000 description 2
- 229910004205 SiNX Inorganic materials 0.000 description 2
- 229910052980 cadmium sulfide Inorganic materials 0.000 description 2
- UHYPYGJEEGLRJD-UHFFFAOYSA-N cadmium(2+);selenium(2-) Chemical compound [Se-2].[Cd+2] UHYPYGJEEGLRJD-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 238000007796 conventional method Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000003247 decreasing effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 230000007547 defect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000001514 detection method Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000003745 diagnosis Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000010586 diagram Methods 0.000 description 2
- 239000012774 insulation material Substances 0.000 description 2
- YADSGOSSYOOKMP-UHFFFAOYSA-N lead dioxide Inorganic materials O=[Pb]=O YADSGOSSYOOKMP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- YFDLHELOZYVNJE-UHFFFAOYSA-L mercury diiodide Chemical compound I[Hg]I YFDLHELOZYVNJE-UHFFFAOYSA-L 0.000 description 2
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 2
- 229940065287 selenium compound Drugs 0.000 description 2
- 150000003343 selenium compounds Chemical class 0.000 description 2
- 230000035945 sensitivity Effects 0.000 description 2
- HQVNEWCFYHHQES-UHFFFAOYSA-N silicon nitride Chemical compound N12[Si]34N5[Si]62N3[Si]51N64 HQVNEWCFYHHQES-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 229910052814 silicon oxide Inorganic materials 0.000 description 2
- PGAPATLGJSQQBU-UHFFFAOYSA-M thallium(i) bromide Chemical compound [Tl]Br PGAPATLGJSQQBU-UHFFFAOYSA-M 0.000 description 2
- 229910000599 Cr alloy Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 230000002411 adverse Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000009286 beneficial effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000004140 cleaning Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000005530 etching Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000011521 glass Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000002347 injection Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000007924 injection Substances 0.000 description 1
- 150000002500 ions Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 230000008018 melting Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000002844 melting Methods 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
- H04N5/00—Details of television systems
- H04N5/30—Transforming light or analogous information into electric information
- H04N5/32—Transforming X-rays
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01L—SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES NOT COVERED BY CLASS H10
- H01L27/00—Devices consisting of a plurality of semiconductor or other solid-state components formed in or on a common substrate
- H01L27/14—Devices consisting of a plurality of semiconductor or other solid-state components formed in or on a common substrate including semiconductor components sensitive to infrared radiation, light, electromagnetic radiation of shorter wavelength or corpuscular radiation and specially adapted either for the conversion of the energy of such radiation into electrical energy or for the control of electrical energy by such radiation
- H01L27/144—Devices controlled by radiation
- H01L27/146—Imager structures
- H01L27/14665—Imagers using a photoconductor layer
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01L—SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES NOT COVERED BY CLASS H10
- H01L27/00—Devices consisting of a plurality of semiconductor or other solid-state components formed in or on a common substrate
- H01L27/14—Devices consisting of a plurality of semiconductor or other solid-state components formed in or on a common substrate including semiconductor components sensitive to infrared radiation, light, electromagnetic radiation of shorter wavelength or corpuscular radiation and specially adapted either for the conversion of the energy of such radiation into electrical energy or for the control of electrical energy by such radiation
- H01L27/144—Devices controlled by radiation
- H01L27/146—Imager structures
- H01L27/14683—Processes or apparatus peculiar to the manufacture or treatment of these devices or parts thereof
- H01L27/14696—The active layers comprising only AIIBVI compounds, e.g. CdS, ZnS, CdTe
Definitions
- the present invention relates to X-ray image sensors. More particularly, it relates to X-ray image sensors having a TFT (Thin Film Transistor) array, and to a method for fabricating the same.
- TFT Thin Film Transistor
- X-ray detection has been widely used for medical diagnosis.
- X-ray detection typically uses an X-ray film to produce a photograph. Therefore, some predetermined developing and printing procedures are required to produce the photograph.
- FIG. 1 is a schematic, cross-sectional view illustrating the structure and operation of an X-ray image sensing device 100 . Included are a lower substrate 1 , a thin film transistor 3 , a storage capacitor 10 , a pixel electrode 12 , a photoconductive film 2 , a protection film 20 , a conductive electrode 24 and a high voltage D.C. (direct current) power supply 26 .
- the photoconductive film 2 produces electron-hole pairs in proportion to the strength of external signals (such as incident electromagnetic waves or magnetic waves). That is, the photoconductive film 2 acts as a converter that converts external signals, particularly X-rays, into electric signals. Either the electrons or the holes are then gathered by the pixel electrode 12 as electric charges.
- the pixel electrode 12 is located beneath the photoconductive film 2 . Which electric charges that is gathered depends on the voltage (Ev) polarity that is applied to the conductive electrode 24 by the high voltage D.C. power supply 26 .
- the gathered electric charges are accumulated in the storage capacitor 10 , which is formed in connection with a grounding line. Charges in the storage capacitor 10 are then selectively transferred through the TFT 3 , which is controlled externally, to an external image display device that forms an X-ray image.
- Electric charges in the photoconductive film 2 are trapped and gathered not only on the pixel electrode 12 , but also over the channel region of the TFT 3 . Even during the OFF state, the electric charges trapped and gathered on the pixel electrode 12 and on the channel region of the TFT 3 induce a potential difference between the TFT 3 and the pixel electrode. This has a similar effect as the TFT 3 being in the ON state. This adversely affects the switching of the TFT 3 and increases the OFF state leakage current. Such can result in an undesired image.
- FIG. 2 is a plan view illustrating a pixel of the X-ray image sensor panel. Shown are the TFT 3 , a storage capacitor “S” and gate and data lines 30 and 40 .
- the gate line 30 is arranged in transverse direction and the data line 40 is arranged in perpendicular to the gate line 30 .
- the TFT 3 is formed near the cross point of the gate and data lines 30 and 40 .
- the TFT 3 includes a gate electrode 32 , which is formed by an elongation of a gate line 30 , and a source electrode 42 , which is formed by an elongation of a data line 40 .
- the TFT 3 also includes a drain electrode 44 that is spaced apart from the source electrode 42 .
- a ground line 52 is arranged in parallel to the data line 40 and in perpendicular to the gate line 30 .
- the ground line 52 crosses the storage capacitor area and acts as a common electrode that is shared by adjacent pixels.
- a ground line contact hole 54 is formed over the ground line 52 such that a capacitor electrode 46 contacts the ground line 52 through the ground line contact hole 54 .
- Two or more two ground line contact holes can be formed over the ground line 52 .
- the storage capacitor “S”, which stores the electric charges, is comprised of a capacitor electrode 46 , a pixel electrode 56 and a dielectric layer (not shown) interposed between the capacitor electrode 46 and a pixel electrode 56 .
- the pixel electrode 56 extends over the TFT 3 and acts as the other capacitor electrode.
- the pixel electrode 56 is electrically connected to a drain electrode 44 via a drain contact hole 50 and via an auxiliary drain electrode 48 .
- a gate pad 34 is formed at one end of the gate line 30 and a data pad 41 is formed at one end of the data line 40 .
- the data pad 41 includes the data pad connector 45 that contacts the data line 40 through the first data pad contact hole 43 . And so the data line 40 is electrically connected to the data pad 41 .
- the holes in the storage capacitor “S” are transferred to the source electrode 42 through the drain electrode 44 when the TFT 3 is turned ON, and the holes then arrive at an external image display device that forms an X-ray image.
- the ground line 52 removes the residual charges (holes) that are not transferred to the external image display device, i.e., that remain in the storage capacitor “S”.
- FIGS. 3A to 3 E are cross-sectional views, taken along line III-III of FIG. 2, that illustrate manufacturing processes of a X-ray image sensor panel.
- a gate electrode 32 , a data pad 41 and a data pad connector 45 are formed on a substrate 1 by depositing and patterning a low resistant metallic material such as Aluminum (Al) or Al-alloy (for example, AlNd) using the first mask.
- the substrate 1 is made of a glass substrate that is mainly used in a low temperature or of a quartz glass that has a high melting temperature.
- FIG. 3B shows a manufacturing step of forming a first insulation layer 60 and semiconductor layers 65 and 63 .
- the first insulation layer 60 is formed by a thickness of 4000 ⁇ by depositing an inorganic insulation material such as Silicon Nitride (SiN x ) or Silicon Oxide (SiO x ). Silicon Nitride (SiN x ) is beneficially used in a related art.
- the semiconductor layers are formed by depositing a pure amorphous silicon 62 and a doped amorphous silicon 64 in sequence.
- the CVD Chemical Vapor Deposition
- the Ion Injection Method is used to form a doped amorphous silicon layer 64 .
- the CVD is employed in this related art.
- a semiconductor layer 65 and an island-shaped semiconductor layer 63 are formed by patterning the pure amorphous silicon and the doped amorphous silicon using the second mask.
- the island-shaped semiconductor layer 63 acts as an auxiliary electrode of a ground line that will be formed later.
- a first data pad contact hole 43 is formed over the data pad connector 45 by patterning the first insulation layer 60 using the third mask. And then a data line 40 , a source electrode 42 , a drain electrode 44 and a ground line 52 are formed by depositing and patterning the second metallic material such as Chrome (Ch) or Cr-alloy. Source and drain electrodes 42 and 44 are formed by using the fourth mask. A data line 40 is simultaneously formed when forming the source and drain electrodes 42 and 44 . And so the data line 40 is electrically connected to the data pad 41 through the first data pad contact hole 43 . Moreover, a ground line 52 is simultaneously formed when forming the source and drain line 42 and 44 .
- a portion of the doped amorphous silicon layer 64 on the pure amorphous silicon layer 62 is etched to form a channel region “CH” using the source and drain electrodes 42 and 44 as masks.
- the TFT 3 (see FIG. 2) is completed as a switching element.
- a second insulation layer 66 is formed over the TFT, over the ground line 52 and on the first insulation layer 60 .
- a first drain contact hole 50 a is then formed to expose the portion of the drain electrode 44 and a ground line contact hole 54 is formed to expose the portion of the ground line 52 by simultaneously using the fifth mask.
- an auxiliary drain electrode 48 and a capacitor electrode 46 are formed by depositing and patterning the transparent conductive material using the sixth mask.
- the auxiliary drain electrode 48 contacts the drain electrode 44 via the first drain contact hole 50 a and the capacitor electrode 46 contacts the ground electrode 52 via the ground line contact hole 54 .
- the auxiliary drain electrode 48 and the capacitor electrode 46 are spaced apart from each other.
- a third insulation layer 68 is formed on the second insulation layer 66 , on the auxiliary drain electrode 48 and on the capacitor electrode 46 .
- a second drain contact hole 50 b is then formed to expose the portion of the auxiliary drain electrode 48 by patterning the third insulation layer 68 using the seventh mask.
- the transparent conductive material is deposited and patterned to form a pixel electrode 56 using the eighth mask.
- the pixel electrode 56 is electrically connected to the auxiliary drain electrode 48 .
- a second data pad contact hole 47 is formed to expose the data pad 41 by patterning the first, second and third insulation layers 60 , 66 and 68 using the ninth mask.
- the conventional X-ray image sensor is formed by a nine-masks process.
- the next step is the application of a photoconductive film. That material converts received external signals (X-rays) into electric charges.
- the photoconductive film is beneficially comprised of an amorphous selenium compound that is deposited in a thickness of 100 to 500 ⁇ m by an evaporator.
- other X-ray photoconductive film that having low dark conductivity and high sensitivity to external signals, for example HgI 2 , PbO 2 , CdTe, CdSe, Thallium bromide or Cadmium sulfide can also be used.
- HgI 2 , PbO 2 , CdTe, CdSe, Thallium bromide or Cadmium sulfide can also be used.
- a transparent conductive electrode that passes X-ray is formed.
- a voltage is applied to the transparent conductive electrode while X-rays are being irradiated, electron-hole pairs formed in the photoconductive film are separated into charges that are gathered to the pixel electrode and stored in the storage capacitor “S” (see FIG. 2).
- FIG. 4 a cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV, illustrates the gate pad 34 (see FIG. 2).
- the gate pad 34 is extended from the gate line 30 , and the gate pad contact hole 35 is formed to expose the portion of the gate pad 34 by patterning the first, second and third insulation layers 60 , 66 and 68 .
- the mask processes are performed nine times to fabricating the X-ray image sensor. Meanwhile, each mask process requires several steps such as a cleaning step, a depositing step, a baking step and an etching step. Therefore, if the number of mask processes is decreased by only one mask, the throughput and manufacturing yields can dramatically increase and the manufacturing costs and time can be reduced.
- the present invention is directed to an X-ray image sensor and to a method for fabricating the same and that substantially obviates one or more of the problems due to limitations and disadvantages of the related art.
- An object of the present invention is to provide an X-ray image sensor having simpler processing steps while forming a first data contact hole, a semiconductor layer and an island-shaped semiconductor layer.
- Another object of the present invention is to provide an X-ray image sensor having improved yields.
- a further object of the invention is to provide a method of forming an X-ray image sensor which can reduce processing error during production by preventing mis-alignment.
- the present invention provides an X-ray image sensor, including: a substrate having a pixel region and a switching region at one corner of the pixel region; a thin film transistor (TFT) formed on the switching region of the substrate, the TFT having a gate electrode, a first insulation layer, a pure amorphous silicon layer, a doped amorphous silicon layer and source and drain electrodes; an island-shaped first insulation layer and a island-shaped semiconductor layer formed over the substrate in the pixel region; a ground line formed on the island-shaped semiconductor layer; a second insulation layer formed on the TFT, on the substrate and on the ground line, the second insulation layer having a first drain contact hole, which expose the portion of the drain electrode, and a ground line contact hole, which expose the portion of the ground line; an auxiliary drain electrode formed on the second insulation layer and contacting the drain electrode through the first drain contact hole; a capacitor electrode formed on the second insulation layer and contacting the ground line through the ground line contact hole; a third insulation layer
- the pixel electrode extends over the source and drain electrodes.
- the auxiliary drain electrode and the capacitor electrode are made of the transparent conductive material, and the second insulation layer is made of BCB (benzocyclobutene).
- the invention also provides a method for fabricating an X-ray image sensor, including: providing a substrate that has a pixel region, a switching region at one corner of the pixel region and portions defined for data and gate lines; forming a gate electrode, a data pad connector and a data pad on the substrate by depositing and patterning the first metallic material using a first mask process; forming sequentially a first insulation layer, a pure amorphous silicon layer and a doped amorphous silicon layer, the first insulation layer covering the substrate, the gate electrode, the data pad connector and the data pad; forming a first data pad contact hole, a semiconductor layer and an island-shaped semiconductor layer by patterning the doped amorphous silicon layer, the pure amorphous silicon layer and the first insulation layer using a second mask process, the fist data contact hole exposing the portion of the data pad connector; forming a data line, a source electrode, a drain electrode and a ground line on the semiconductor layer and on the island-
- the invention also provides a method for fabricating an X-ray image sensor, further including: forming a channel region by removing the portion of the doped amorphous silicon layer over the pure amorphous silicon layer using the source and drain electrodes as masks after forming the source and drain electrodes.
- the auxiliary drain electrode, the capacitor electrode and the pixel electrode are formed from indium tin oxide (ITO) or indium zinc oxide (IZO), and the gate electrode, the data pad connector and the data pad are formed from the material selected from a group consisting of aluminum (Al) and aluminum-neodymium (AlNd).
- FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the principle of operation of an X-ray image sensor
- FIG. 2 is a plan view illustrating one pixel of an X-ray image sensor according to a conventional art
- FIGS. 3A to 3 F are processing diagrams corresponding to a cross-section of FIG. 2 (III-III) and sequentially illustrate the manufacture of an X-ray image sensor according to the conventional art;
- FIG. 4 is an cross-sectional view illustrating a gate pad taken along line IV-IV of FIG. 2;
- FIG. 5 a plan view illustrating one pixel of an X-ray image sensor according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention
- FIGS. 6A to 6 C are processing diagrams corresponding to a cross-section of FIG. 5 (VI-VI) and sequentially illustrate the manufacture of an X-ray image sensor according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 7 is a cross-section view taken along line VI-VI of FIG. 5 and illustrates the X-ray image sensor fabricated by the preferred embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 5 is a plan view of the X-ray image sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention and is similar to the plan view of conventional X-ray image sensor (see FIG. 2).
- the TFT “T”, a storage capacitor “C” and gate and data lines 200 and 210 are shown.
- the gate line 200 is arranged in transverse direction and the data line 210 is arranged in perpendicular to the gate line 200 .
- the TFT “T” is formed near the cross point of the gate and data lines 200 and 210 .
- the TFT “T” includes a gate electrode 202 , which is formed by an elongation of a gate line 200 , and a source electrode 212 , which is formed by an elongation of a data line 210 .
- the TFT “T” also includes a drain electrode 214 that is spaced apart from the source electrode 212 .
- a ground line 218 is arranged in parallel to the data line 210 and in perpendicular to the gate line 200 .
- the ground line 218 crosses the storage capacitor area and acts as a common electrode that is shared by adjacent pixels.
- a ground line contact hole 220 is formed over the ground line 218 such that a capacitor electrode 226 is connected to the ground line 218 through the ground line contact hole 220 .
- Two or more two ground line contact holes can be formed over the ground line 218 .
- An island-shaped semiconductor layer 222 is formed under the ground line 218 .
- the storage capacitor “C”, which stores the electric charges, is comprised of a capacitor electrode 226 , a pixel electrode 228 and a dielectric layer (not shown) interposed between the capacitor electrode 226 and the pixel electrode 228 .
- the pixel electrode 228 extends over the TFT “T” and acts as the other capacitor electrode.
- the pixel electrode 228 is electrically connected to a drain electrode 214 via a drain contact hole 216 .
- a gate pad 204 is formed at one end of the gate line 200 and a data pad 224 is formed at one end of the data line 210 .
- the data pad 224 includes the data pad connector 225 that is connected to the data line 210 through the first data pad contact hole 230 . And so the data line 210 is electrically connected to the data pad 224 .
- FIGS. 6A to 6 C are cross-sectional views, taken along line VI-VI of FIG. 2, that illustrate manufacturing processes of a X-ray image sensor panel.
- a gate electrode 202 , a data pad 224 and a data pad connector 225 are formed on a substrate 1 by depositing and patterning a low resistant metallic material such as Aluminum (Al) or Al-alloy (for example, AlNd) using the first mask.
- the data pad connector 225 is extended from the data pad 224 .
- FIG. 6B shows a manufacturing step of forming a first insulation layer 250 and semiconductor layers 253 and 222 .
- a first insulation material 250 , a pure amorphous silicon 252 and a doped amorphous silicon 254 are sequentially deposited over the substrate 1 , over the gate electrode 202 , over the data pad 224 and over the data pad connector 225 .
- a semiconductor layer 253 and an island-shaped semiconductor layer 222 are formed by patterning the first insulation layer 250 , the pure amorphous silicon layer 252 and the doped amorphous silicon layer 254 using the second mask.
- the island-shaped semiconductor layer 222 is formed in order to prevent a ground line, which will be formed in a later step, from the open circuit.
- the first data pad contact hole 230 is simultaneously formed by using the second mask.
- one mask process is omitted in this second mask process of the present invention.
- a data line 210 , a source electrode 212 , a drain electrode 214 and a ground line 218 are formed by depositing and patterning the second metallic material using the third mask.
- the data line 210 is electrically connected to the data pad connector 225 through the first data pad contact hole 230 .
- a ground line 52 is formed on the island-shaped semiconductor layer 222 , and a portion of the doped amorphous silicon layer 254 on the pure amorphous silicon layer 252 is etched to form a channel region “CH” using the source and drain electrodes 212 and 214 as masks.
- the TFT “T” (see FIG. 5) is completed as a switching element.
- the X-ray image sensor of the present invention is fabricated using only eight-masks, the throughput and manufacturing yields increase and the manufacturing costs and time is reduced. Moreover, due to the eight-masks process, misalignment defect caused by the numerous mask processes is reduced.
- FIG. 7 is a completed cross-sectional view of the X-ray image sensor according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.
- the data pad 224 , the data pad connector 225 and the gate electrode 202 are formed on the substrate 1 by depositing and patterning the first metallic layer. And then the first insulation layer 250 , the pure amorphous silicon layer 252 and the doped amorphous silicon layer 254 are sequentially formed over the substrate 1 and over the first metallic layer. By patterning the first insulation layer 250 , the pure amorphous silicon layer 252 and the doped amorphous silicon layer 254 , formed are the first drain contact hole 230 , the semiconductor layer 253 and the island-shaped semiconductor layer 222 .
- the source and drain electrodes 212 and 214 are formed on the semiconductor 253 by depositing and patterning the second metallic layer. And the ground line 218 is simultaneously formed on the island-shaped semiconductor layer 222 . At this time, the data line 210 , which is formed while forming the source and drain electrodes 212 and 214 , is connected to the data pad connector 225 .
- the second insulation layer 256 is formed on the second metallic layer and on the substrate 1 .
- the fist drain contact hole 216 a and the ground line contact hole 220 are formed to expose the portion of the drain electrode 214 and the portion of the ground line 218 , respectively, by patterning the second insulation layer 256 .
- auxiliary drain electrode 215 which contacts the drain electrode 214 through the first drain contact hole 216 a
- capacitor electrode 226 which contacts the ground line 218 through the ground line contact hole 220 .
- the auxiliary drain electrode 215 and the capacitor electrode 226 are made of the transparent conductive material such as Indium-Tin-Oxide (ITO) or Indium-Zinc-Oxide (IZO).
- ITO Indium-Tin-Oxide
- IZO Indium-Zinc-Oxide
- the auxiliary drain electrode 215 and the capacitor electrode 226 are spaced apart from each other.
- the second insulation layer 256 is made of BCB (Benzocyclobutene) that has a great planarizing ratio and a low dielectric permittivity.
- a third insulation layer 258 is formed on the second insulation layer 256 , on the auxiliary drain electrode 215 and on the capacitor electrode 226 . And then, a second drain contact hole 216 b is formed to expose the portion of the auxiliary drain electrode 215 by patterning the third insulation layer 258 .
- a pixel electrode 228 is formed on the third insulation layer 258 by depositing and patterning the transparent conductive material.
- the pixel electrode 228 contacts the auxiliary drain electrode 215 through the second drain contact hole 216 b .
- the third insulation layer 258 insulates the pixel electrode 228 against the capacitor electrode 226 .
- the second data pad contact hole 231 is formed to expose the portion of the data pad 224 by patterning the first, second and third insulation layer 250 , 256 and 258 and the pure and doped amorphous silicon layers 254 and 252 .
- the next step is the application of a photoconductive film. That material converts received external signals (X-rays) into electric charges.
- the photoconductive film is beneficially comprised of an amorphous selenium compound that is deposited in a thickness of 100 to 500 ⁇ m by an evaporator.
- other X-ray photoconductive film that having low dark conductivity and high sensitivity to external signals, for example HgI 2 , PbO 2 , CdTe, CdSe, Thallium bromide or Cadmium sulfide can also be used.
- HgI 2 , PbO 2 , CdTe, CdSe, Thallium bromide or Cadmium sulfide can also be used.
- a transparent conductive electrode that passes X-ray is formed.
- a voltage is applied to the transparent conductive electrode while X-rays are being irradiated, electron-hole pairs formed in the photoconductive film are separated into charges that are gathered to the pixel electrode and stored in the storage capacitor “C” (see FIG. 5).
- the photoconductive film produces electron-hole pairs in proportion to the strength of external signals (such as incident electromagnetic waves or magnetic waves). Either the electrons or the holes are then gathered by the pixel electrode 228 as electric charges. Which electric charges that is gathered depends on the voltage (Ev) polarity that is applied to the conductive electrode by the high voltage D.C. power supply. The gathered electric charges are accumulated in the storage capacitor, which is formed in connection with a grounding line.
- the ground line 218 acts as the reset switch.
- the photoconductive film and the transparent conductive electrode act as a photoelectric transducer which converts the X-ray to the electric signal.
- the storage capacitor acts as a means of storing the electric charges generated form the photoconductive film.
- the TFT acts as a switching element that transfers the electric charge to the external drive circuitry.
- the X-ray image sensor of the present invention is fabricated using only eight-masks, the throughput and manufacturing yields increase and the manufacturing costs and time is reduced. Moreover, due to the eight-masks process, the misalignment defect caused by the numerous mask processes is reduced.
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Power Engineering (AREA)
- Electromagnetism (AREA)
- Condensed Matter Physics & Semiconductors (AREA)
- General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Computer Hardware Design (AREA)
- Microelectronics & Electronic Packaging (AREA)
- Multimedia (AREA)
- Signal Processing (AREA)
- Solid State Image Pick-Up Elements (AREA)
Abstract
Description
- This application claims the benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 1999-67854, filed on Dec. 31, 1999, which is hereby incorporated by reference for all purposes as if fully set forth herein.
- 1. Field of the Invention
- The present invention relates to X-ray image sensors. More particularly, it relates to X-ray image sensors having a TFT (Thin Film Transistor) array, and to a method for fabricating the same.
- 2. Discussion of the Related Art
- X-ray detection has been widely used for medical diagnosis. X-ray detection typically uses an X-ray film to produce a photograph. Therefore, some predetermined developing and printing procedures are required to produce the photograph.
- However, digital X-ray image sensors that employ TFTs (Thin Film Transistors) have been developed. Such X-ray image sensors have the advantage that real time diagnosis can be obtained.
- FIG. 1 is a schematic, cross-sectional view illustrating the structure and operation of an X-ray
image sensing device 100. Included are alower substrate 1, athin film transistor 3, astorage capacitor 10, apixel electrode 12, aphotoconductive film 2, aprotection film 20, aconductive electrode 24 and a high voltage D.C. (direct current)power supply 26. - The
photoconductive film 2 produces electron-hole pairs in proportion to the strength of external signals (such as incident electromagnetic waves or magnetic waves). That is, thephotoconductive film 2 acts as a converter that converts external signals, particularly X-rays, into electric signals. Either the electrons or the holes are then gathered by thepixel electrode 12 as electric charges. Thepixel electrode 12 is located beneath thephotoconductive film 2. Which electric charges that is gathered depends on the voltage (Ev) polarity that is applied to theconductive electrode 24 by the high voltageD.C. power supply 26. The gathered electric charges are accumulated in thestorage capacitor 10, which is formed in connection with a grounding line. Charges in thestorage capacitor 10 are then selectively transferred through theTFT 3, which is controlled externally, to an external image display device that forms an X-ray image. - In such an X-ray image sensing device, to detect and convert weak X-ray signals into electric charges it is beneficial to decrease the trap state density (for the electric charge) in the
photoconductive film 2, and to decrease charge flow in non-vertical directions. Decreasing non-vertical charge flow is usually accomplished by applying a relatively high voltage between theconductive electrode 24 and thepixel electrode 12. - Electric charges in the
photoconductive film 2 are trapped and gathered not only on thepixel electrode 12, but also over the channel region of theTFT 3. Even during the OFF state, the electric charges trapped and gathered on thepixel electrode 12 and on the channel region of theTFT 3 induce a potential difference between theTFT 3 and the pixel electrode. This has a similar effect as theTFT 3 being in the ON state. This adversely affects the switching of theTFT 3 and increases the OFF state leakage current. Such can result in an undesired image. - FIG. 2 is a plan view illustrating a pixel of the X-ray image sensor panel. Shown are the
TFT 3, a storage capacitor “S” and gate anddata lines - The
gate line 30 is arranged in transverse direction and thedata line 40 is arranged in perpendicular to thegate line 30. And the TFT 3 is formed near the cross point of the gate anddata lines gate electrode 32, which is formed by an elongation of agate line 30, and asource electrode 42, which is formed by an elongation of adata line 40. The TFT 3 also includes adrain electrode 44 that is spaced apart from thesource electrode 42. - A
ground line 52 is arranged in parallel to thedata line 40 and in perpendicular to thegate line 30. Theground line 52 crosses the storage capacitor area and acts as a common electrode that is shared by adjacent pixels. A groundline contact hole 54 is formed over theground line 52 such that acapacitor electrode 46 contacts theground line 52 through the groundline contact hole 54. Two or more two ground line contact holes can be formed over theground line 52. - The storage capacitor “S”, which stores the electric charges, is comprised of a
capacitor electrode 46, apixel electrode 56 and a dielectric layer (not shown) interposed between thecapacitor electrode 46 and apixel electrode 56. Thepixel electrode 56 extends over theTFT 3 and acts as the other capacitor electrode. In order to couple the electrons (which come from the TFT “3”) with the holes (which are stored in the storage capacitor “S”), thepixel electrode 56 is electrically connected to adrain electrode 44 via adrain contact hole 50 and via anauxiliary drain electrode 48. - A
gate pad 34 is formed at one end of thegate line 30 and adata pad 41 is formed at one end of thedata line 40. Thedata pad 41 includes thedata pad connector 45 that contacts thedata line 40 through the first datapad contact hole 43. And so thedata line 40 is electrically connected to thedata pad 41. - The principle and the function of the X-ray image sensing device will be explained hereinafter.
- The holes (electric charges) generated from a photoconductive film (not shown) are accumulated in the
pixel electrode 56 and is stored in the storage capacitor “S” with thecapacitor electrode 46. - The holes in the storage capacitor “S” are transferred to the
source electrode 42 through thedrain electrode 44 when theTFT 3 is turned ON, and the holes then arrive at an external image display device that forms an X-ray image. At this time, theground line 52 removes the residual charges (holes) that are not transferred to the external image display device, i.e., that remain in the storage capacitor “S”. - FIGS. 3A to3E are cross-sectional views, taken along line III-III of FIG. 2, that illustrate manufacturing processes of a X-ray image sensor panel.
- Referring to FIG. 3A, a
gate electrode 32, adata pad 41 and adata pad connector 45 are formed on asubstrate 1 by depositing and patterning a low resistant metallic material such as Aluminum (Al) or Al-alloy (for example, AlNd) using the first mask. Thesubstrate 1 is made of a glass substrate that is mainly used in a low temperature or of a quartz glass that has a high melting temperature. - FIG. 3B shows a manufacturing step of forming a
first insulation layer 60 andsemiconductor layers first insulation layer 60 is formed by a thickness of 4000 Å by depositing an inorganic insulation material such as Silicon Nitride (SiNx) or Silicon Oxide (SiOx). Silicon Nitride (SiNx) is beneficially used in a related art. - After that, the semiconductor layers are formed by depositing a pure
amorphous silicon 62 and a dopedamorphous silicon 64 in sequence. The CVD (Chemical Vapor Deposition) or the Ion Injection Method is used to form a dopedamorphous silicon layer 64. The CVD is employed in this related art. - A
semiconductor layer 65 and an island-shaped semiconductor layer 63 are formed by patterning the pure amorphous silicon and the doped amorphous silicon using the second mask. The island-shaped semiconductor layer 63 acts as an auxiliary electrode of a ground line that will be formed later. - Referring to FIG. 3C, a first data
pad contact hole 43 is formed over thedata pad connector 45 by patterning thefirst insulation layer 60 using the third mask. And then adata line 40, asource electrode 42, adrain electrode 44 and aground line 52 are formed by depositing and patterning the second metallic material such as Chrome (Ch) or Cr-alloy. Source anddrain electrodes data line 40 is simultaneously formed when forming the source and drainelectrodes data line 40 is electrically connected to thedata pad 41 through the first datapad contact hole 43. Moreover, aground line 52 is simultaneously formed when forming the source and drainline amorphous silicon layer 64 on the pureamorphous silicon layer 62 is etched to form a channel region “CH” using the source and drainelectrodes - As shown in FIG. 3D, a
second insulation layer 66 is formed over the TFT, over theground line 52 and on thefirst insulation layer 60. A firstdrain contact hole 50 a is then formed to expose the portion of thedrain electrode 44 and a groundline contact hole 54 is formed to expose the portion of theground line 52 by simultaneously using the fifth mask. After that, anauxiliary drain electrode 48 and acapacitor electrode 46 are formed by depositing and patterning the transparent conductive material using the sixth mask. Theauxiliary drain electrode 48 contacts thedrain electrode 44 via the firstdrain contact hole 50 a and thecapacitor electrode 46 contacts theground electrode 52 via the groundline contact hole 54. Theauxiliary drain electrode 48 and thecapacitor electrode 46 are spaced apart from each other. - Referring to FIG. 3E, a
third insulation layer 68 is formed on thesecond insulation layer 66, on theauxiliary drain electrode 48 and on thecapacitor electrode 46. A seconddrain contact hole 50 b is then formed to expose the portion of theauxiliary drain electrode 48 by patterning thethird insulation layer 68 using the seventh mask. After that, the transparent conductive material is deposited and patterned to form apixel electrode 56 using the eighth mask. Thepixel electrode 56 is electrically connected to theauxiliary drain electrode 48. - Finally, a second data
pad contact hole 47 is formed to expose thedata pad 41 by patterning the first, second and third insulation layers 60, 66 and 68 using the ninth mask. - Therefore, as described above, the conventional X-ray image sensor is formed by a nine-masks process.
- Although not depicted, the next step is the application of a photoconductive film. That material converts received external signals (X-rays) into electric charges. The photoconductive film is beneficially comprised of an amorphous selenium compound that is deposited in a thickness of 100 to 500 μm by an evaporator. However, other X-ray photoconductive film that having low dark conductivity and high sensitivity to external signals, for example HgI2, PbO2, CdTe, CdSe, Thallium bromide or Cadmium sulfide can also be used. When the photoconductive film is exposed to X-rays, electron-hole pairs are produced in the photoconductive film in accordance with the strength of the x-rays.
- After the application of the X-ray photoconductive film, a transparent conductive electrode that passes X-ray is formed. When a voltage is applied to the transparent conductive electrode while X-rays are being irradiated, electron-hole pairs formed in the photoconductive film are separated into charges that are gathered to the pixel electrode and stored in the storage capacitor “S” (see FIG. 2).
- FIG. 4, a cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV, illustrates the gate pad34 (see FIG. 2). The
gate pad 34 is extended from thegate line 30, and the gatepad contact hole 35 is formed to expose the portion of thegate pad 34 by patterning the first, second and third insulation layers 60, 66 and 68. - As described above, according to the mentioned conventional X-ray image sensing device, however, the mask processes are performed nine times to fabricating the X-ray image sensor. Meanwhile, each mask process requires several steps such as a cleaning step, a depositing step, a baking step and an etching step. Therefore, if the number of mask processes is decreased by only one mask, the throughput and manufacturing yields can dramatically increase and the manufacturing costs and time can be reduced.
- Accordingly, the present invention is directed to an X-ray image sensor and to a method for fabricating the same and that substantially obviates one or more of the problems due to limitations and disadvantages of the related art.
- An object of the present invention is to provide an X-ray image sensor having simpler processing steps while forming a first data contact hole, a semiconductor layer and an island-shaped semiconductor layer.
- Another object of the present invention is to provide an X-ray image sensor having improved yields.
- A further object of the invention is to provide a method of forming an X-ray image sensor which can reduce processing error during production by preventing mis-alignment.
- Additional features and advantages of the invention will be set forth in the description which follows, and in part will be apparent from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. The objectives and other advantages of the invention will be realized and attained by the structure particularly pointed out in the written description and claims hereof as well as the appended drawings.
- To achieve the above objects, the present invention provides an X-ray image sensor, including: a substrate having a pixel region and a switching region at one corner of the pixel region; a thin film transistor (TFT) formed on the switching region of the substrate, the TFT having a gate electrode, a first insulation layer, a pure amorphous silicon layer, a doped amorphous silicon layer and source and drain electrodes; an island-shaped first insulation layer and a island-shaped semiconductor layer formed over the substrate in the pixel region; a ground line formed on the island-shaped semiconductor layer; a second insulation layer formed on the TFT, on the substrate and on the ground line, the second insulation layer having a first drain contact hole, which expose the portion of the drain electrode, and a ground line contact hole, which expose the portion of the ground line; an auxiliary drain electrode formed on the second insulation layer and contacting the drain electrode through the first drain contact hole; a capacitor electrode formed on the second insulation layer and contacting the ground line through the ground line contact hole; a third insulation layer formed on the second insulation layer, on the auxiliary drain electrode and on the capacitor electrode, the third insulation layer having the second drain contact hole which exposes the portion of the auxiliary drain electrode; and a pixel electrode formed on the third insulation layer and contacting the auxiliary drain electrode through the second drain contact hole.
- Beneficially, the pixel electrode extends over the source and drain electrodes.
- Beneficially, the auxiliary drain electrode and the capacitor electrode are made of the transparent conductive material, and the second insulation layer is made of BCB (benzocyclobutene).
- In order to achieve the above objects, the invention also provides a method for fabricating an X-ray image sensor, including: providing a substrate that has a pixel region, a switching region at one corner of the pixel region and portions defined for data and gate lines; forming a gate electrode, a data pad connector and a data pad on the substrate by depositing and patterning the first metallic material using a first mask process; forming sequentially a first insulation layer, a pure amorphous silicon layer and a doped amorphous silicon layer, the first insulation layer covering the substrate, the gate electrode, the data pad connector and the data pad; forming a first data pad contact hole, a semiconductor layer and an island-shaped semiconductor layer by patterning the doped amorphous silicon layer, the pure amorphous silicon layer and the first insulation layer using a second mask process, the fist data contact hole exposing the portion of the data pad connector; forming a data line, a source electrode, a drain electrode and a ground line on the semiconductor layer and on the island-shaped semiconductor layer by depositing and patterning a second metallic material using a third mask process, the data line contacting the data pad connector through the first data pad contact hole; forming a second insulation layer on the TFT, on the substrate and on the ground line; forming a first drain contact hole and a ground line contact hole by patterning the second insulation layer using a fourth mask process, the first drain contact hole exposing the portion of the drain electrode and the ground line contact hole exposing the portion of the ground line; forming an auxiliary drain electrode and a capacitor electrode on the second insulation layer by depositing and patterning the transparent conductive material using a fifth mask process, the auxiliary drain electrode contacting the drain electrode through the first drain contact hole and the capacitor electrode contacting the ground line through the ground line contact hole; forming the third insulation layer on the second insulation layer, on the auxiliary drain electrode and on the capacitor electrode; forming a second drain contact hole to expose the portion of the auxiliary drain electrode by patterning the third insulation layer using a sixth mask process; forming a pixel electrode on the third insulation layer by depositing and patterning the transparent conductive material using a seventh mask process, the pixel electrode contacting the auxiliary drain electrode through the second drain contact hole; and forming a second data pad contact hole to expose the data pad by patterning the first, second and third insulation layers and the pure and doped amorphous silicon layers.
- In order to achieve the above objects, the invention also provides a method for fabricating an X-ray image sensor, further including: forming a channel region by removing the portion of the doped amorphous silicon layer over the pure amorphous silicon layer using the source and drain electrodes as masks after forming the source and drain electrodes.
- Beneficially, the auxiliary drain electrode, the capacitor electrode and the pixel electrode are formed from indium tin oxide (ITO) or indium zinc oxide (IZO), and the gate electrode, the data pad connector and the data pad are formed from the material selected from a group consisting of aluminum (Al) and aluminum-neodymium (AlNd).
- It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory and are intended to provide further explanation of the invention as claimed.
- The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and together with the description serve to explain the principles of the invention.
- In the drawings:
- FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the principle of operation of an X-ray image sensor;
- FIG. 2 is a plan view illustrating one pixel of an X-ray image sensor according to a conventional art;
- FIGS. 3A to3F are processing diagrams corresponding to a cross-section of FIG. 2 (III-III) and sequentially illustrate the manufacture of an X-ray image sensor according to the conventional art;
- FIG. 4 is an cross-sectional view illustrating a gate pad taken along line IV-IV of FIG. 2;
- FIG. 5 a plan view illustrating one pixel of an X-ray image sensor according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;
- FIGS. 6A to6C are processing diagrams corresponding to a cross-section of FIG. 5 (VI-VI) and sequentially illustrate the manufacture of an X-ray image sensor according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention; and
- FIG. 7 is a cross-section view taken along line VI-VI of FIG. 5 and illustrates the X-ray image sensor fabricated by the preferred embodiment of the present invention.
- Reference will now be made in detail to an illustrated embodiment of the present invention, the example of which is shown in the accompanying drawings.
- FIG. 5 is a plan view of the X-ray image sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention and is similar to the plan view of conventional X-ray image sensor (see FIG. 2).
- Shown are the TFT “T”, a storage capacitor “C” and gate and
data lines gate line 200 is arranged in transverse direction and thedata line 210 is arranged in perpendicular to thegate line 200. And the TFT “T” is formed near the cross point of the gate anddata lines gate electrode 202, which is formed by an elongation of agate line 200, and asource electrode 212, which is formed by an elongation of adata line 210. The TFT “T” also includes adrain electrode 214 that is spaced apart from thesource electrode 212. - A
ground line 218 is arranged in parallel to thedata line 210 and in perpendicular to thegate line 200. Theground line 218 crosses the storage capacitor area and acts as a common electrode that is shared by adjacent pixels. A groundline contact hole 220 is formed over theground line 218 such that acapacitor electrode 226 is connected to theground line 218 through the groundline contact hole 220. Two or more two ground line contact holes can be formed over theground line 218. An island-shapedsemiconductor layer 222 is formed under theground line 218. - The storage capacitor “C”, which stores the electric charges, is comprised of a
capacitor electrode 226, apixel electrode 228 and a dielectric layer (not shown) interposed between thecapacitor electrode 226 and thepixel electrode 228. Thepixel electrode 228 extends over the TFT “T” and acts as the other capacitor electrode. Thepixel electrode 228 is electrically connected to adrain electrode 214 via adrain contact hole 216. - A
gate pad 204 is formed at one end of thegate line 200 and adata pad 224 is formed at one end of thedata line 210. Thedata pad 224 includes thedata pad connector 225 that is connected to thedata line 210 through the first datapad contact hole 230. And so thedata line 210 is electrically connected to thedata pad 224. - FIGS. 6A to6C are cross-sectional views, taken along line VI-VI of FIG. 2, that illustrate manufacturing processes of a X-ray image sensor panel.
- Referring to FIG. 6A, a
gate electrode 202, adata pad 224 and adata pad connector 225 are formed on asubstrate 1 by depositing and patterning a low resistant metallic material such as Aluminum (Al) or Al-alloy (for example, AlNd) using the first mask. Thedata pad connector 225 is extended from thedata pad 224. - FIG. 6B shows a manufacturing step of forming a
first insulation layer 250 andsemiconductor layers first insulation material 250, a pureamorphous silicon 252 and a dopedamorphous silicon 254 are sequentially deposited over thesubstrate 1, over thegate electrode 202, over thedata pad 224 and over thedata pad connector 225. And then, asemiconductor layer 253 and an island-shapedsemiconductor layer 222 are formed by patterning thefirst insulation layer 250, the pureamorphous silicon layer 252 and the dopedamorphous silicon layer 254 using the second mask. The island-shapedsemiconductor layer 222 is formed in order to prevent a ground line, which will be formed in a later step, from the open circuit. At this time, the first datapad contact hole 230 is simultaneously formed by using the second mask. As compared to the conventional method of fabricating the X-ray image sensor which uses the additional mask to form the first data pad contact hole, one mask process is omitted in this second mask process of the present invention. - Referring to FIG. 6C, a
data line 210, asource electrode 212, adrain electrode 214 and aground line 218 are formed by depositing and patterning the second metallic material using the third mask. At this time, thedata line 210 is electrically connected to thedata pad connector 225 through the first datapad contact hole 230. Moreover, aground line 52 is formed on the island-shapedsemiconductor layer 222, and a portion of the dopedamorphous silicon layer 254 on the pureamorphous silicon layer 252 is etched to form a channel region “CH” using the source and drainelectrodes - After that, since the later manufacturing steps are the same as the conventional method described in FIGS. 3D and 3E, the explanations are omitted hereinafter.
- As described above, since the X-ray image sensor of the present invention is fabricated using only eight-masks, the throughput and manufacturing yields increase and the manufacturing costs and time is reduced. Moreover, due to the eight-masks process, misalignment defect caused by the numerous mask processes is reduced.
- FIG. 7 is a completed cross-sectional view of the X-ray image sensor according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.
- The
data pad 224, thedata pad connector 225 and thegate electrode 202 are formed on thesubstrate 1 by depositing and patterning the first metallic layer. And then thefirst insulation layer 250, the pureamorphous silicon layer 252 and the dopedamorphous silicon layer 254 are sequentially formed over thesubstrate 1 and over the first metallic layer. By patterning thefirst insulation layer 250, the pureamorphous silicon layer 252 and the dopedamorphous silicon layer 254, formed are the firstdrain contact hole 230, thesemiconductor layer 253 and the island-shapedsemiconductor layer 222. - After that, the source and drain
electrodes semiconductor 253 by depositing and patterning the second metallic layer. And theground line 218 is simultaneously formed on the island-shapedsemiconductor layer 222. At this time, thedata line 210, which is formed while forming the source and drainelectrodes data pad connector 225. - The
second insulation layer 256 is formed on the second metallic layer and on thesubstrate 1. The fistdrain contact hole 216 a and the groundline contact hole 220 are formed to expose the portion of thedrain electrode 214 and the portion of theground line 218, respectively, by patterning thesecond insulation layer 256. - After that, formed are the
auxiliary drain electrode 215, which contacts thedrain electrode 214 through the firstdrain contact hole 216 a, and thecapacitor electrode 226, which contacts theground line 218 through the groundline contact hole 220. Theauxiliary drain electrode 215 and thecapacitor electrode 226 are made of the transparent conductive material such as Indium-Tin-Oxide (ITO) or Indium-Zinc-Oxide (IZO). Theauxiliary drain electrode 215 and thecapacitor electrode 226 are spaced apart from each other. Moreover, thesecond insulation layer 256 is made of BCB (Benzocyclobutene) that has a great planarizing ratio and a low dielectric permittivity. - A
third insulation layer 258 is formed on thesecond insulation layer 256, on theauxiliary drain electrode 215 and on thecapacitor electrode 226. And then, a seconddrain contact hole 216 b is formed to expose the portion of theauxiliary drain electrode 215 by patterning thethird insulation layer 258. - A
pixel electrode 228 is formed on thethird insulation layer 258 by depositing and patterning the transparent conductive material. Thepixel electrode 228 contacts theauxiliary drain electrode 215 through the seconddrain contact hole 216 b. At this time, thethird insulation layer 258 insulates thepixel electrode 228 against thecapacitor electrode 226. - And the second data
pad contact hole 231 is formed to expose the portion of thedata pad 224 by patterning the first, second andthird insulation layer - Although not depicted in FIG. 7, moreover, the next step is the application of a photoconductive film. That material converts received external signals (X-rays) into electric charges. The photoconductive film is beneficially comprised of an amorphous selenium compound that is deposited in a thickness of 100 to 500 μm by an evaporator. However, other X-ray photoconductive film that having low dark conductivity and high sensitivity to external signals, for example HgI2, PbO2, CdTe, CdSe, Thallium bromide or Cadmium sulfide can also be used. When the photoconductive film is exposed to X-rays, electron-hole pairs are produced in the photoconductive film in accordance with the strength of the X-rays.
- After the application of the X-ray photoconductive film, a transparent conductive electrode that passes X-ray is formed. When a voltage is applied to the transparent conductive electrode while X-rays are being irradiated, electron-hole pairs formed in the photoconductive film are separated into charges that are gathered to the pixel electrode and stored in the storage capacitor “C” (see FIG. 5).
- The principle of operation of the X-ray image sensor of the present invention will be explained hereinafter.
- The photoconductive film produces electron-hole pairs in proportion to the strength of external signals (such as incident electromagnetic waves or magnetic waves). Either the electrons or the holes are then gathered by the
pixel electrode 228 as electric charges. Which electric charges that is gathered depends on the voltage (Ev) polarity that is applied to the conductive electrode by the high voltage D.C. power supply. The gathered electric charges are accumulated in the storage capacitor, which is formed in connection with a grounding line. - When applying the signal to the
gate electrode 202 of the TFT, i.e., the switching operation, charges in the storage capacitor “C” (see FIG. 5) are then selectively transferred through the TFT to an external image display device that forms an X-ray image. - After stopping the mentioned switching operation, the residual charges are transferred to the
ground line 218. Therefore, theground line 218 acts as the reset switch. - The function of the individual element of the X-ray image sensor is as follows:
- First, the photoconductive film and the transparent conductive electrode act as a photoelectric transducer which converts the X-ray to the electric signal.
- Second, the storage capacitor acts as a means of storing the electric charges generated form the photoconductive film.
- Third, the TFT acts as a switching element that transfers the electric charge to the external drive circuitry.
- As described above, since the X-ray image sensor of the present invention is fabricated using only eight-masks, the throughput and manufacturing yields increase and the manufacturing costs and time is reduced. Moreover, due to the eight-masks process, the misalignment defect caused by the numerous mask processes is reduced.
- It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variation can be made in the present invention without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Thus, it is intended that the present invention cover the modifications and variations of this invention provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.
Claims (10)
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
KR99-67854 | 1999-12-31 | ||
KR1019990067854A KR100630880B1 (en) | 1999-12-31 | 1999-12-31 | X-ray image sensor and a method for fabricating the same |
KR1999-67854 | 1999-12-31 |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20010013577A1 true US20010013577A1 (en) | 2001-08-16 |
US6423973B2 US6423973B2 (en) | 2002-07-23 |
Family
ID=19634944
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US09/750,244 Expired - Lifetime US6423973B2 (en) | 1999-12-31 | 2000-12-29 | X-ray image sensor and method for fabricating the same |
Country Status (2)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US6423973B2 (en) |
KR (1) | KR100630880B1 (en) |
Cited By (10)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20030234364A1 (en) * | 2002-06-25 | 2003-12-25 | Hennessy William Andrew | Imaging array and method for manufacturing same |
KR20040032603A (en) * | 2002-10-10 | 2004-04-17 | 비오이 하이디스 테크놀로지 주식회사 | Digital x-ray detector |
US20080217718A1 (en) * | 2007-03-06 | 2008-09-11 | Micron Technology, Inc. | Method, apparatus, and system to reduce ground resistance in a pixel array |
US20090146147A1 (en) * | 2007-12-07 | 2009-06-11 | Ju-Han Kim | Digital x-ray detector and fabrication method thereof |
CN103367379A (en) * | 2012-04-04 | 2013-10-23 | 佳能株式会社 | Radiation detection apparatus, method of manufacturing radiation detection apparatus, and radiation imaging system |
US20140125907A1 (en) * | 2011-06-22 | 2014-05-08 | Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha | Tft substrate, method for producing same, and display device |
CN106328661A (en) * | 2015-06-29 | 2017-01-11 | 中国科学院微电子研究所 | X-ray sensor and manufacturing method thereof |
US9773938B2 (en) | 2012-06-18 | 2017-09-26 | Beijing Boe Optoelectronics Technology Co., Ltd. | Manufacturing method of an amorphous-silicon flat-panel X-ray sensor |
US20170315222A1 (en) * | 2015-01-21 | 2017-11-02 | Fujifilm Corporation | Method of manufacturing electronic device and electronic device |
US10782427B2 (en) * | 2016-07-11 | 2020-09-22 | Hamamatsu Photonix K.K. | Radiation detector having an alloyed electrode |
Families Citing this family (26)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
KR100642088B1 (en) * | 2000-02-16 | 2006-11-13 | 엘지.필립스 엘시디 주식회사 | X-ray image sensor and a method for fabricating the same |
TW458288U (en) * | 2001-03-08 | 2001-10-01 | Liau Guo Fu | X-ray image sensor |
KR100448448B1 (en) * | 2001-07-12 | 2004-09-13 | 주식회사 디알텍 | Switching element of X-ray panel and the same method |
KR100732877B1 (en) * | 2001-08-21 | 2007-06-27 | 엘지.필립스 엘시디 주식회사 | X-ray detecter and manufacturing method of the same |
US7474002B2 (en) * | 2001-10-30 | 2009-01-06 | Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd. | Semiconductor device having dielectric film having aperture portion |
KR20030053565A (en) * | 2001-12-22 | 2003-07-02 | 비오이 하이디스 테크놀로지 주식회사 | Appratus for x-ray detector and method for manufacturing the same |
KR100787813B1 (en) * | 2001-12-29 | 2007-12-21 | 엘지.필립스 엘시디 주식회사 | A X-ray detector and a method for fabricating thereof |
KR100852516B1 (en) * | 2001-12-31 | 2008-08-14 | 비오이 하이디스 테크놀로지 주식회사 | Method for manufacturing x-ray detector |
KR100787814B1 (en) * | 2001-12-31 | 2007-12-21 | 엘지.필립스 엘시디 주식회사 | A X-ray detector and a method for fabricating thereof |
KR100867473B1 (en) * | 2001-12-31 | 2008-11-06 | 하이디스 테크놀로지 주식회사 | method for fabricating digital X-ray detector |
JP2003250785A (en) * | 2002-02-28 | 2003-09-09 | Konica Corp | Radiation imaging apparatus, and imaging method by imaging apparatus |
KR20040006198A (en) * | 2002-07-11 | 2004-01-24 | 비오이 하이디스 테크놀로지 주식회사 | Method for manufacture x-ray detector |
TW540128B (en) * | 2002-07-12 | 2003-07-01 | Hannstar Display Corp | Manufacturing method of X-ray detector array |
EP1388740B1 (en) * | 2002-08-09 | 2014-11-05 | Canon Kabushiki Kaisha | Radiation imaging method and apparatus |
US7148487B2 (en) * | 2002-08-27 | 2006-12-12 | Canon Kabushiki Kaisha | Image sensing apparatus and method using radiation |
KR100463594B1 (en) * | 2002-11-09 | 2004-12-29 | 엘지.필립스 엘시디 주식회사 | A X-ray detector and a method for fabricating thereof |
KR100701087B1 (en) * | 2004-02-27 | 2007-03-29 | 비오이 하이디스 테크놀로지 주식회사 | X-ray detector |
US7309330B2 (en) | 2004-07-20 | 2007-12-18 | Medtronic, Inc. | Implantable cerebral spinal fluid drainage device and method of draining cerebral spinal fluid |
KR100661725B1 (en) * | 2004-12-30 | 2006-12-26 | 엘지.필립스 엘시디 주식회사 | TFT array substrate and the fabrication method thereof |
KR101133758B1 (en) * | 2005-01-19 | 2012-04-09 | 삼성전자주식회사 | Sensor and thin film transistor array panel including sensor |
JP4492528B2 (en) * | 2005-12-02 | 2010-06-30 | カシオ計算機株式会社 | Liquid crystal display |
KR101042048B1 (en) | 2010-05-31 | 2011-06-16 | 주식회사 디알텍 | Readout apparatus and digital x-ray detector using the same |
WO2012158950A1 (en) | 2011-05-17 | 2012-11-22 | Cross Match Technologies, Inc. | Fingerprint sensors |
US10024655B2 (en) | 2011-11-11 | 2018-07-17 | Cross Match Technologies, Inc. | Ambient light rejection for non-imaging contact sensors |
WO2013071312A1 (en) | 2011-11-12 | 2013-05-16 | Cross Match Technologies, Inc. | Ambient light illumination for non-imaging contact sensors |
CN111106134B (en) * | 2018-10-29 | 2023-08-08 | 夏普株式会社 | Active matrix substrate and X-ray imaging panel provided with same |
Family Cites Families (7)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
KR0156178B1 (en) * | 1995-10-20 | 1998-11-16 | 구자홍 | Method for producing lcd device |
CA1310924C (en) * | 1986-04-24 | 1992-12-01 | Francis P. Mccormick | Infective drug delivery system |
US5399884A (en) * | 1993-11-10 | 1995-03-21 | General Electric Company | Radiation imager with single passivation dielectric for transistor and diode |
KR0139346B1 (en) * | 1994-03-03 | 1998-06-15 | 김광호 | Manufacturing method of tft lcd |
GB9414639D0 (en) * | 1994-07-20 | 1994-09-07 | Philips Electronics Uk Ltd | An image detector |
JP3782194B2 (en) * | 1997-02-28 | 2006-06-07 | 株式会社東芝 | Active matrix liquid crystal display device |
US6060714A (en) * | 1998-01-23 | 2000-05-09 | Ois Optical Imaging Systems, Inc. | Large area imager with photo-imageable interface barrier layer |
-
1999
- 1999-12-31 KR KR1019990067854A patent/KR100630880B1/en not_active IP Right Cessation
-
2000
- 2000-12-29 US US09/750,244 patent/US6423973B2/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
Cited By (20)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20030234364A1 (en) * | 2002-06-25 | 2003-12-25 | Hennessy William Andrew | Imaging array and method for manufacturing same |
US6784434B2 (en) * | 2002-06-25 | 2004-08-31 | General Electric Company | Imaging array and method for manufacturing same |
KR20040032603A (en) * | 2002-10-10 | 2004-04-17 | 비오이 하이디스 테크놀로지 주식회사 | Digital x-ray detector |
US20080217718A1 (en) * | 2007-03-06 | 2008-09-11 | Micron Technology, Inc. | Method, apparatus, and system to reduce ground resistance in a pixel array |
US7459668B2 (en) * | 2007-03-06 | 2008-12-02 | Micron Technology, Inc. | Method, apparatus, and system to reduce ground resistance in a pixel array |
US20090067702A1 (en) * | 2007-03-06 | 2009-03-12 | Micron Technology, Inc. | Methods, devices, and systems related to pixel arrays |
US7728279B2 (en) | 2007-03-06 | 2010-06-01 | Aptina Imaging Corporation | Methods, devices, and systems related to pixel arrays |
US20090146147A1 (en) * | 2007-12-07 | 2009-06-11 | Ju-Han Kim | Digital x-ray detector and fabrication method thereof |
US7829861B2 (en) * | 2007-12-07 | 2010-11-09 | Display Co., Ltd. | Digital x-ray detector and fabrication method thereof |
US20140125907A1 (en) * | 2011-06-22 | 2014-05-08 | Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha | Tft substrate, method for producing same, and display device |
US9081243B2 (en) * | 2011-06-22 | 2015-07-14 | Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha | TFT substrate, method for producing same, and display device |
CN103367379A (en) * | 2012-04-04 | 2013-10-23 | 佳能株式会社 | Radiation detection apparatus, method of manufacturing radiation detection apparatus, and radiation imaging system |
US9773938B2 (en) | 2012-06-18 | 2017-09-26 | Beijing Boe Optoelectronics Technology Co., Ltd. | Manufacturing method of an amorphous-silicon flat-panel X-ray sensor |
US20170315222A1 (en) * | 2015-01-21 | 2017-11-02 | Fujifilm Corporation | Method of manufacturing electronic device and electronic device |
CN106328661A (en) * | 2015-06-29 | 2017-01-11 | 中国科学院微电子研究所 | X-ray sensor and manufacturing method thereof |
CN106328661B (en) * | 2015-06-29 | 2019-07-16 | 中国科学院微电子研究所 | X-ray sensor and manufacturing method thereof |
US10782427B2 (en) * | 2016-07-11 | 2020-09-22 | Hamamatsu Photonix K.K. | Radiation detector having an alloyed electrode |
US10859717B2 (en) | 2016-07-11 | 2020-12-08 | Hamamatsu Photonics K.K. | Radiation detector |
US11307315B2 (en) | 2016-07-11 | 2022-04-19 | Hamamatsu Photonics K.K. | Radiation detector |
US11555934B2 (en) | 2016-07-11 | 2023-01-17 | Hamamatsu Photonics K.K. | Radiation detector |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
KR100630880B1 (en) | 2006-10-02 |
KR20010066258A (en) | 2001-07-11 |
US6423973B2 (en) | 2002-07-23 |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
US6423973B2 (en) | X-ray image sensor and method for fabricating the same | |
US6909099B2 (en) | X-ray detector and method of fabricating therefore | |
US6797961B2 (en) | X-ray detector and method of fabricating the same | |
US6399962B1 (en) | X-ray image sensor and method for fabricating the same | |
US6392254B1 (en) | Corrosion resistant imager | |
US6607935B2 (en) | Method for fabricating array substrate for X-ray detector | |
US6407393B1 (en) | X-ray image sensor and method for fabricating the same | |
US6528819B2 (en) | Method of fabricating an array substrate for an x-ray detector | |
US6617584B2 (en) | X-ray detecting device and fabricating method thereof | |
US20090146147A1 (en) | Digital x-ray detector and fabrication method thereof | |
US6462344B1 (en) | X-ray image detector and a method for fabricating the same | |
KR100835970B1 (en) | A X-ray detector and a method for fabricating thereof | |
KR100642088B1 (en) | X-ray image sensor and a method for fabricating the same | |
KR100463594B1 (en) | A X-ray detector and a method for fabricating thereof | |
KR100628039B1 (en) | X-ray detecter and a method for fabricating the same | |
US20020154234A1 (en) | X-ray detecting device and fabricating method thereof | |
KR100971945B1 (en) | A X-ray detector and a method for fabricating thereof | |
KR20030058336A (en) | A X-ray detector and a method for fabricating thereof | |
KR20030058612A (en) | method for fabricating digital X-ray detector | |
KR20040006198A (en) | Method for manufacture x-ray detector | |
CA2247717A1 (en) | Corrosion resistant imager | |
KR20020016714A (en) | Detecting X-ray Device And Method of Fabricating The Same |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: LG.PHILIPS LCD CO., LTD., KOREA, REPUBLIC OF Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:CHOO, KYO-SEOP;PARK, JUNE-HO;REEL/FRAME:011642/0352 Effective date: 20010108 |
|
STCF | Information on status: patent grant |
Free format text: PATENTED CASE |
|
FPAY | Fee payment |
Year of fee payment: 4 |
|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: LG DISPLAY CO., LTD., KOREA, REPUBLIC OF Free format text: CHANGE OF NAME;ASSIGNOR:LG.PHILIPS LCD CO., LTD.;REEL/FRAME:021763/0177 Effective date: 20080304 Owner name: LG DISPLAY CO., LTD.,KOREA, REPUBLIC OF Free format text: CHANGE OF NAME;ASSIGNOR:LG.PHILIPS LCD CO., LTD.;REEL/FRAME:021763/0177 Effective date: 20080304 |
|
FEPP | Fee payment procedure |
Free format text: PAYOR NUMBER ASSIGNED (ORIGINAL EVENT CODE: ASPN); ENTITY STATUS OF PATENT OWNER: LARGE ENTITY Free format text: PAYER NUMBER DE-ASSIGNED (ORIGINAL EVENT CODE: RMPN); ENTITY STATUS OF PATENT OWNER: LARGE ENTITY |
|
FPAY | Fee payment |
Year of fee payment: 8 |
|
FPAY | Fee payment |
Year of fee payment: 12 |