Abstract

CMOS pixel sensors with a small collection electrode combine the advantages of a small sensor capacitance with the advantages of a fully monolithic design. The small sensor capacitance results in a large ratio of signal-to-noise and a low analogue power consumption, while the monolithic design reduces the material budget, cost and production effort. However, the low electric field in the pixel corners of such sensors results in an increased charge collection time, that makes a fully efficient operation after irradiation and a timing resolution in the order of nanoseconds challenging for pixel sizes larger than approximately forty micrometers. This paper presents the development of concepts of CMOS sensors with a small collection electrode to overcome these limitations, using three-dimensional Technology Computer Aided Design simulations. The studied design uses a 0.18 μm process implemented on a high-resistivity epitaxial layer.

Highlights

  • This paper presents the development of concepts of CMOS sensors with a small collection electrode to overcome these limitations, using three-dimensional Technology Computer Aided Design simulations

  • In this standard process, it is difficult to make the depletion layer extend from the junction around the small collection electrode laterally in the epitaxial layer between deep p-well and substrate, especially if the readout circuitry occupies a large fraction of the pixel area

  • By combining the advantages of a small sensor capacitance and a fully monolithic technology, CMOS pixel sensors with a small collection electrode address the requirements of future experiments

Read more

Summary

Standard and modified process

A 0.18 μm CMOS imaging process with a small collection electrode has been studied, as sketched in figure 1. All implants are placed on a high resistivity epitaxial layer that is grown on a low resistivity backside substrate to maximise the depleted region in the sensor. In this standard process (see left side of figure 1), it is difficult to make the depletion layer extend from the junction around the small collection electrode laterally in the epitaxial layer between deep p-well and substrate, especially if the readout circuitry occupies a large fraction of the pixel area. The concept of moving the junction from a small area around the collection electrode to a larger area deeper in the sensor has been pursued in developments to combine full depletion with a small collection electrode in monolithic sensors, both for bulk or epitaxial layer technologies [13, 14], as well as for Silicon on Insulator (SOI) technologies [15]

Low electric field sensor regions
Transient three-dimensional TCAD simulations
Pixel modifications
Pixel size
Sensor reverse bias
Summary

Talk to us

Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have

Schedule a call

Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.