Samsung patents image sensor layout with specific transistor doping
Samsung has filed a patent for an image sensor design that places a specific type of transistor, called a source follower, directly on the same substrate as the light-sensing area. This transistor uses different electrical materials, known as doping types, for its source, channel, and drain sections to manage the signal.
In the filing’s own words
An image sensor according to an embodiment may include a substrate comprising a photoelectric conversion area; and a source follower transistor on one side of the substrate, wherein the source follower transistor may include a source area, a channel area, and a drain area on the substrate. The source area may be doped a first conductivity type. The channel area and the drain area may be doped a second conductivity type. The second conductivity type may be different from the first conductivity type.
What exactly they claim (claim 1)
1. An image sensor comprising: a substrate comprising a photoelectric conversion area; and a source follower transistor on one side of the substrate, wherein the source follower transistor comprises a source area, a channel area, and a drain area on the substrate, the source area is doped a first conductivity type, the channel area and the drain area are doped a second conductivity type, and the second conductivity type is different from the first conductivity type.
Facts
- Company
- Samsung (Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.)
- Official title
- IMAGE SENSOR
- Publication number
- US20260314093A1
- Application number
- 19458173
- Filed
- Jan 23, 2026
- Published
- Oct 8, 2026
- Inventors
- 4
- Claims
- 20
Classified under
H10F 39/80377 Electricity & electronicsH10F 39/182 Electricity & electronicsH10F 39/809 Electricity & electronicsMore from Samsung in Chips & hardware
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Summaries are simplified from the filing’s own abstract and first claim. A patent filing is not a product announcement.
Patent data and drawings: U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Nebula is not affiliated with or endorsed by the USPTO.