Samsung patents image sensor using trenches to fit capacitors
Samsung has filed a patent for an image sensor design that places a capacitor inside a trench in the sensor's base material. This setup connects the capacitor between two transistors to help manage the electrical signals captured by the sensor.
In the filing’s own words
An image sensor includes a floating diffusion region in a substrate, a first transistor connected to the floating diffusion region and a second transistor connected to the first transistor, and a capacitor connected between the first transistor and the second transistor. The capacitor includes a first electrode and a second electrode that overlap with an insulating layer interposed therebetween. The substrate has a trench, and at least a portion of the first electrode is located in the trench and at least a first portion of the second electrode is located on the substrate.
What exactly they claim (claim 1)
1. An image sensor, comprising: a floating diffusion region in a substrate; a first transistor connected to the floating diffusion region and a second transistor connected to the first transistor; and a capacitor connected between the first transistor and the second transistor, wherein the capacitor includes a first electrode and a second electrode that overlap with an insulating layer interposed therebetween, wherein the substrate has a trench, and wherein at least a portion of the first electrode is located in the trench and at least a first portion of the second electrode is located on the substrate.
Facts
- Company
- Samsung (Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.)
- Official title
- IMAGE SENSOR
- Publication number
- US20260333919A1
- Application number
- 19649256
- Filed
- Apr 16, 2026
- Published
- Oct 22, 2026
- Inventors
- 3
- Claims
- 20
Classified under
H10F 39/807 Electricity & electronicsH10F 39/8037 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.