U.S. patent application number 17/305168 was filed with the patent office on 2021-10-21 for flexible interconnect sensing devices and related methods.
This patent application is currently assigned to SEMICONDUCTOR COMPONENTS INDUSTRIES, LLC. The applicant listed for this patent is SEMICONDUCTOR COMPONENTS INDUSTRIES, LLC. Invention is credited to Ross F. JATOU, Irfan RAHIM, Oswald L. SKEETE.
Application Number | 20210325252 17/305168 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000005692660 |
Filed Date | 2021-10-21 |
United States Patent
Application |
20210325252 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
RAHIM; Irfan ; et
al. |
October 21, 2021 |
FLEXIBLE INTERCONNECT SENSING DEVICES AND RELATED METHODS
Abstract
Implementations of sensing devices may include a plurality of
electromagnetic radiation sensing sections coupled to a flexible
interconnect and one or more digital sections coupled to the
flexible interconnect. The plurality of electromagnetic radiation
sensing sections may be self-aligned through the flexible
interconnect.
Inventors: |
RAHIM; Irfan; (Milpitas,
CA) ; SKEETE; Oswald L.; (Phoenix, AZ) ;
JATOU; Ross F.; (San Jose, CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
SEMICONDUCTOR COMPONENTS INDUSTRIES, LLC |
Phoenix |
AZ |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
SEMICONDUCTOR COMPONENTS
INDUSTRIES, LLC
Phoenix
AZ
|
Family ID: |
1000005692660 |
Appl. No.: |
17/305168 |
Filed: |
July 1, 2021 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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16202953 |
Nov 28, 2018 |
11079282 |
|
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17305168 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04N 5/33 20130101; H01L
27/14689 20130101; H01L 27/14636 20130101; H01L 27/14643 20130101;
G01J 5/20 20130101 |
International
Class: |
G01J 5/20 20060101
G01J005/20; H04N 5/33 20060101 H04N005/33; H01L 27/146 20060101
H01L027/146 |
Claims
1. A sensing device comprising: a plurality of electromagnetic
radiation (EMR) sensing sections coupled to a flexible
interconnect; and one or more digital sections coupled to the
flexible interconnect; wherein the plurality of EMR sensing
sections are self-aligned through the flexible interconnect.
2. The sensing device of claim 1, wherein the plurality of EMR
sensing sections comprise a plurality of image sensing
sections.
3. The sensing device of claim 2, wherein the plurality of EMR
sensing sections comprise a plurality of pixel arrays coupled an
analog circuit.
4. The sensing device of claim 1, wherein the one or more digital
sections is only one digital section.
5. An electromagnetic radiation (EMR) sensing device comprising: a
plurality of EMR sensing sections coupled to a flexible
interconnect comprising a piecewise linear curve; and at least one
digital section coupled to the flexible interconnect; wherein each
EMR sensing section of the plurality of EMR sensing sections is
coupled over a substantially straight portion of the flexible
interconnect; and wherein the flexible interconnect is bent only at
portions of the flexible interconnect between the substantially
straight portions of the flexible interconnect.
6. The sensing device of claim 5, wherein each EMR sensing section
is stacked over a corresponding digital section.
7. The sensing device of claim 5, wherein the EMR sensing section
comprises an analog section and a pixel array.
8. The sensing device of claim 7, wherein the pixel array is hybrid
bonded to the analog section.
9. The sensing device of claim 5, wherein the plurality of EMR
sensing sections are self-aligned through the flexible
interconnect.
10. The sensing device of claim 5, wherein the plurality of EMR
sensing sections form a concave surface.
11. The sensing device of claim 5, wherein the at least one digital
section comprises only one digital section.
12. A sensing device comprising: a plurality of electromagnetic
radiation (EMR) sensing sections coupled to a flexible
interconnect; one or more digital sections coupled to the flexible
interconnect; and one or more bends in the flexible interconnect
between the plurality of EMR sensing sections; wherein the
plurality of EMR sensing sections are self-aligned through the
flexible interconnect.
13. The sensing device of claim 12, wherein the plurality of EMR
sensing sections comprise a plurality of image sensing
sections.
14. The sensing device of claim 13, wherein the plurality of EMR
sensing sections comprise a plurality of pixel arrays coupled an
analog circuit.
15. The sensing device of claim 12, wherein the one or more digital
sections is only one digital section.
16. The sensing device of claim 12, wherein each EMR sensing
section is stacked over a corresponding digital section.
17. The sensing device of claim 12, wherein the EMR sensing section
comprises an analog section and a pixel array.
18. The sensing device of claim 17, wherein the pixel array is
hybrid bonded to the analog section.
19. The sensing device of claim 12, wherein the plurality of EMR
sensing sections form a concave surface.
20. The sensing device of claim 12, wherein the one or more digital
sections comprises only one digital section.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a divisional application of the earlier
U.S. Utility patent application to Rahim entitled "Flexible
Interconnect Sensing Devices and Related Methods," application Ser.
No. 16/202,953, filed Nov. 28, 2018, now pending, the disclosure of
which is hereby incorporated entirely herein by reference.
BACKGROUND
1. Technical Field
[0002] Aspects of this document relate generally to sensing
devices, such as an image sensor. More specific implementations
involve image sensors having a flexible interconnect.
2. Background
[0003] Various sensors convey information by communicating signals
in response to incident electromagnetic radiation, such as light.
Image sensors are a type of sensor and are used in a variety of
devices including smart phones, digital cameras, night vision
devices, medical imagers, and many others. Semiconductor imagers
utilizing charge-coupled device (CCD) and complementary metal-oxide
semiconductor (CMOS) architectures use semiconductor devices to
respond to incident radiation.
SUMMARY
[0004] Implementations of sensing devices may include a plurality
of electromagnetic radiation (EMR) sensing sections coupled to a
flexible interconnect and one or more digital sections coupled to
the flexible interconnect. The plurality of EMR sensing sections
may be self-aligned through the flexible interconnect.
[0005] Implementations of sensing devices may include one, all, or
any of the following:
[0006] The plurality of EMR sensing sections may include a
plurality of image sensing sections.
[0007] The plurality of image sensing sections may include a
plurality of pixel arrays coupled an analog circuit.
[0008] The one or more digital sections may be only one digital
section.
[0009] The flexible interconnect may be rolled back in contact with
itself.
[0010] Implementations of sensing devices may include a plurality
of EMR sensing sections coupled to a flexible interconnect
including a piecewise linear curve and at least one digital section
coupled to the flexible interconnect. Each EMR sensing section of
the plurality of EMR sensing sections may be coupled over a
substantially straight portion of the flexible interconnect. The
flexible interconnect may be bent only at portions of the flexible
interconnect between the substantially straight portions of the
flexible interconnect.
[0011] Implementations of sensing devices may include one, all, or
any of the following:
[0012] Each EMR sensing section may be stacked over a corresponding
digital section.
[0013] The EMR sensing section may include an analog section and a
pixel array.
[0014] The pixel array may be hybrid bonded to an analog
section.
[0015] The plurality of EMR sensing sections may be self-aligned
through the flexible interconnect.
[0016] The plurality of EMR sensing sections may form a concave
surface.
[0017] The at least one digital section may include only one
digital section.
[0018] Implementations of methods of forming EMR sensing devices
may include forming a plurality of EMR sensing die in a first side
of substrate and forming a trench partially through the substrate
from the first side of the substrate through removing a portion of
the substrate between two EMR sensing die of the plurality of EMR
sensing die. The method may also include coupling a support layer
to the first side of the substrate, singulating the plurality of
EMR sensing die through thinning a second side of the substrate
opposite the first side of the substrate, and coupling the second
side of the substrate to a flexible interconnect. The method may
also include removing at least a portion of the support layer to
fully singulate the plurality of EMR sensing die and bending the
flexible interconnect at portions of the flexible interconnect
corresponding with a location of the trench.
[0019] Implementations of methods for forming EMR sensing devices
may include one, all, or any of the following:
[0020] The substrate may include an EMR sensing layer hybrid bonded
to an analog layer. The first side of the substrate may include a
side of the EMR sensing layer and the second side of the substrate
may include a side of the analog layer.
[0021] The method may include forming a through-silicon-via at
least partially through the analog layer and exposing the
through-silicon-via when thinning the second side of the
substrate.
[0022] The method may include forming the trench through patterning
a photoresist layer over the first side of the substrate and
etching into the first side of the substrate.
[0023] The plurality of EMR sensing die each may include a
non-rectangular perimeter.
[0024] The method may include coupling a digital section to the
flexible interconnect.
[0025] The EMR sensing device may include a complimentary
metal-oxide semiconductor image sensor.
[0026] The method may include forming the flexible interconnect
into a tube shape.
[0027] The foregoing and other aspects, features, and advantages
will be apparent to those artisans of ordinary skill in the art
from the DESCRIPTION and DRAWINGS, and from the CLAIMS.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0028] Implementations will hereinafter be described in conjunction
with the appended drawings, where like designations denote like
elements, and:
[0029] FIG. 1 is a top view of a sensing system;
[0030] FIG. 2 is a side view of a piecewise linear curve;
[0031] FIG. 3 is a side view of the digital section of a sensing
system;
[0032] FIG. 4 is a side view of the sensing system of FIG. 1;
[0033] FIG. 5 is a view of another implementation of a portion of a
sensing system;
[0034] FIG. 6 is a side view of a plurality of sensing sections
coupled to a flexible interconnect;
[0035] FIG. 7 is a top view of another implementation of a
plurality of sensors in a sensing system;
[0036] FIG. 8 is a top view of another implementation of a
plurality of sensors in a sensing system;
[0037] FIG. 9 is a side view of a plurality of sensing die formed
in a substrate;
[0038] FIG. 10 is a side view of the substrate of FIG. 9 having a
trench formed therein;
[0039] FIG. 11 is a side view of the substrate of FIG. 10 having a
support layer coupled to the first side of the substrate;
[0040] FIG. 12 is a side view of the substrate of FIG. 11 having a
thinned second side of the substrate;
[0041] FIG. 13 is a side view of the substrate of FIG. 12 having a
plurality of contacts formed on the second side of the
substrate;
[0042] FIG. 14 is a side view of the substrate of FIG. 13 coupled
to a flexible interconnect;
[0043] FIG. 15 is a side view of the substrate of FIG. 14 having
the support layer removed; and
[0044] FIG. 16 is a side view of a plurality of sensing sections
coupled to a flexible interconnect.
DESCRIPTION
[0045] This disclosure, its aspects and implementations, are not
limited to the specific components, assembly procedures or method
elements disclosed herein. Many additional components, assembly
procedures and/or method elements known in the art consistent with
the intended sensing device will become apparent for use with
particular implementations from this disclosure. Accordingly, for
example, although particular implementations are disclosed, such
implementations and implementing components may comprise any shape,
size, style, type, model, version, measurement, concentration,
material, quantity, method element, step, and/or the like as is
known in the art for such sensing devices, and implementing
components and methods, consistent with the intended operation and
methods.
[0046] Referring to FIG. 1, a top view of a sensing system is
illustrated. The sensing system 2 includes a plurality of sensing
sections 4. The sensing sections may be electromagnetic radiation
(EMR) sensing sections. As used herein, EMR sensing sections are
sections configured to sense EMR including, by non-limiting
example, radio waves, microwaves, radar, light detection and
ranging (LIDAR) radiation, infrared light, ultra-violet light,
and/or visible light. Each sensing section may include a perimeter
which may be a variety of shapes, including, by non-limiting
example, a triangle, rectangle, square, circle, oval,
quadrilateral, pentagon, hexagon, heptagon, octagon, nonagon,
decagon, dodecahedron, or any other closed shape. Particular
implementations of sensing sections having different shapes are
illustrated in FIGS. 7-8. Each sensing section of the plurality of
sensing sections 4 may be a semiconductor die. In various
implementations, each sensing section may include an image sensor,
and in particular implementations, a complementary metal oxide
semiconductor (CMOS) image sensor (CIS).
[0047] In implementations including an image sensor, the image
sensor may be, by non-limiting example, a complimentary metal-oxide
semiconductor (CMOS) image sensor or a charge coupled device (CCD)
image sensor. Further, in implementations including image sensors,
such as is illustrated by FIG. 1, the image sensor may include a
pixel array 6 comprising rows and columns of pixels. The pixel
array 6 may be coupled over row and column circuitry 8. As
described later herein, the pixel array 6 may be hybrid bonded to
the column circuitry 8. In various implementations, the row and
column circuitry 8 may include an analog portion. In various
implementations, the analog portion may include digital components
in addition to the analog components. In particular
implementations, the analog portion may include a transducer. While
various implementations disclosed herein may include image sensors,
it is understood that other implementations of sensors may not
include an image sensor but may utilize another sensor type, such
as, by non-limiting example, a heat sensor, a humidity sensor, a
sound sensor, and any other sensor type. Furthermore, any
combination of different sensor types disclosed herein could be
coupled together on the same flexible interconnect. In various
implementations where different sensor types are coupled together
through the same flexible interconnect they may also be
self-aligned with one another through the flexible interconnect. In
some implementations, electromagnetic radiation emitting components
may be included on the same flexible interconnect as sensing
components allowing for greater accuracy of sensing because of the
self-alignment of the emitting and sensing components. In
implementations where the emitting and sensing components are on
the same flexible interconnect and arranged in a tubular, circular,
or spherical array, the effect of mechanically rotating an array
can be simulated by simply reading out sequentially/activating
sequentially each desired one or more sensing/emitting components
across the face of the array. The resulting data appears to rotate,
but the sensing array would not have to mechanically rotate. This
may be useful in LIDAR and RADAR applications.
[0048] Still referring to FIG. 1, the sensing device 2 includes a
flexible interconnect 10 physically and electrically coupled to the
plurality of sensing sections 4. In various implementations, the
entirety of a length and a width or other dimension of the flexible
interconnect 10 may be flexible. In other implementations, the
flexible interconnect may include non-flexible rigid portions as
well as flexible portions. The flexible interconnect 10 may be
flexible in a single direction or in multiple directions. In
particular implementations, the flexible interconnect 10 may be an
interconnect manufactured under the trade name of MINCO by Minco of
Minneapolis, Minn. In various implementations, the flexible
interconnect 10 may include a plurality of holes. The flexible
interconnect may include a stiffener. In various implementations,
the flexible interconnect 10 may be a silicon interconnect thinned
as to be flexible.
[0049] Referring to FIG. 2, a side view of a piecewise linear curve
12 is illustrated. In various implementations, the flexible
interconnect may be configured to form a piecewise linear curve
similar to curve 12. In such an implementation, the plurality of
sensing sections may be coupled to either side of the curve, thus
forming either a concave or convex sensing system. The flexible
interconnect may be configured to include any number of
bends/articulations with each bend being formed at various angles.
Referring back to FIG. 1, the flexible interconnect 10 may be
configured to form a piecewise linear curve and also be configured
to roll back in contact with itself, thus forming the flexible
interconnect 10 into a tube/roll shape. In various implementations,
and as illustrated by FIG. 1, each sensing section of the plurality
of sensing sections 4 is coupled over a substantially straight
portion 14 of the flexible interconnect 10. Likewise, in such
implementations, the flexible interconnect 10 is bent only at
portions 16 of the flexible interconnect between the substantially
straight portions 14 of the flexible interconnect. In
implementations where not an entire surface of the sensing section
is directly coupled to the flexible interconnect, a portion of a
sensing section of the plurality of sensing sections 4 may be
partially coupled over the bent portion 16 while the portions of
the sensing section directly coupled to the flexible interconnect
remain directly coupled to the substantially straight portions 14
(such as is illustrated by FIG. 6). In various implementations,
though not illustrated, a substrate may be coupled to the side 18
of the flexible interconnect 10 opposite the side 20 of the
flexible interconnect 10 coupled to the sensing sections 4. In such
implementations, the substrate may be sufficiently rigid in order
to help the flexible interconnect 10 maintain its shape.
[0050] Referring to FIG. 3, a side view of the digital section of a
sensing system is illustrated. As illustrated, the digital section
22 of FIG. 3 may be part of the same sensing system of FIG. 1. In
various implementations, though not illustrated by FIG. 1, the
sensing system may include one or more digital sections 22. In
particular implementations, the digital section may be, by
non-limiting example, a digital signal processor, a microprocessor,
a digital logic circuit, or any other device capable of converting
analog signals to digital and processing them. The digital section
22 may be physically and/or electrically coupled to the flexible
interconnect 10. In particular implementations, the one or more
digital sections 22 may be coupled over one or more substantially
straight portions 14 of the flexible interconnect 10. In various
implementations, and as illustrated by the sensing system of FIGS.
1 and 3-4, the one or more digital sections 22 are not
stacked/located below a surface of the plurality of sensing
sections 4. In other implementations, the sensing sections and
digital sections may be stacked, or each sensing section may be
directly coupled to and over a corresponding digital section, with
the digital section between the sensing section and the flexible
interconnect. In implementations where the digital section is not
stacked with a corresponding sensing section, the sensing system
may include more sensing sections than digital sections. In various
implementations the sensing system may include a ratio of sensing
sections to digital sections of, by non-limiting example, 2:1, 3:1,
6:1, 10:1, 100:1, or any other desired whole or fractional ratio.
In implementations having fewer digital sections than sensing
sections, as compared to implementations having a digital section
for every sensing section, the sensing system may require less
power as it requires the operation of fewer digital sections.
Further, the cost of the sensing system may decrease as a single
digital section may be used in conjunction with multiple sensing
sections rather than requiring multiple digital sections for
multiple sensing sections.
[0051] Referring to FIG. 4, a side view of the sensing system of
FIG. 1 is illustrated. In various implementations, the one or more
digital sections 22 may be coupled to a portion of the flexible
interconnect 10 which is curved away/extends away from the portions
of the flexible interconnect coupled to the sensing sections 4. As
is illustrated by FIGS. 1 and 4, the ratio of sensing sections to
digital sections may be 3:1. In such implementations, the curved
sensing system may produce a continuous image as all of the sensing
sections are adjacent to one another while the digital section is
separated from the sensing sections. Through the use of image
stitching methods, the images from each of the sensing sections can
be joined together to form a single continuous image.
[0052] Referring to FIG. 5, a view of another implementation of a
portion of a sensing system is illustrated. The sensing system 24,
as illustrated, includes at least one sensing section 26 which may
be the same as or similar to any sensing section disclosed herein.
While only a single sensing section 26 is illustrated, it is
understood that the sensing system 24 may include more than a
single sensing section 26. The sensing section 26 is coupled to a
flexible interconnect 28 which may the same as or similar to any
flexible interconnect disclosed herein. The sensing system 24 also
includes a digital section 30 coupled to the flexible interconnect
28. The digital section 30 may include any digital section
previously disclosed herein. As illustrated by FIG. 5, in various
implementations the flexible interconnect may include a bend 32 of
180 degrees. In other implementations, the flexible interconnect
may bend more or less than 180 degrees, including 90 degrees, 45
degrees, or any other angle. Further, the flexible interconnect may
bend in only a single direction, while in other implementations,
the flexible interconnect may bend and/or twist in multiple
directions.
[0053] Referring to FIG. 6, a side view of a plurality of sensing
sections coupled to a flexible interconnect is illustrated. As
illustrated, the sensing system 34 includes at least two sensing
sections 36. The sensing sections 36 may be the same as or similar
to any sensing section disclosed herein. More specifically, the
sensing sections 36 may be image sensing sections and each sensing
section may be a semiconductor die. As illustrated, each sensing
section 36 may include a pixel array 38. Each sensing section 36
may include an optically transmissive cover 40 coupled over the
pixel array 38. In particular implementations the optically
transmissive cover 40 may be glass, however, in other
implementations, the cover may be a wide variety of materials, such
as, by non-limiting example, plastic, polymers, silicon, ruby,
sapphire, and any other optically transmissive material. In some
implementations, the cover may be made of a material not
transmissive to visible light, but to non-visible light or other
wavelengths of electromagnetic radiation, such as, by non-limiting
example, infrared light, ultraviolet light, radar, microwave, radio
waves, or any other type of electromagnetic radiation. Other
implementations of sensing systems disclosed herein may include the
same or a similar optically transmissive cover. As illustrated, the
use of the flexible interconnect with the defined distance between
the sensors permits a precise angle between the pixel faces of the
sensors to be set. As a result, the image perceived by the two
sensors can be very accurately modeled and processed.
[0054] In various implementations, each sensing section 36 may
include an analog portion 42 coupled between the pixel array and
the flexible interconnect 44. While the implementations disclosed
herein discuss an analog portion, it is understood that in other
implementations the sensing system may include a digital portion in
place of the analog portion. Further, in various implementations
the analog portion may include digital elements. In various
implementations, the analog portion 42 may include an ASIC. As
illustrated, each pixel array 38 may be hybrid bonded to each
analog portion 42. In such implementations, the hybrid bond may
eliminate the need for a border of the analog portion extending
beyond the pixel array to provide electrical connectivity from the
pixel array to the analog portion, thus allowing the perimeter of
the analog portion 42 to be commensurate in size and shape to the
perimeter of the pixel array 38.
[0055] As illustrated by FIG. 6, each analog portion may include a
via 46 coupling the analog portion to one or more contacts 48. By
including a via 46 in each analog portion 42, each sensing section
36 need not include pads or wires to provide electrical
connectivity to the flexible interconnect 44. As illustrated by
FIG. 6, the one or more contacts 48 may include a plurality of
bumps. In other implementations, the contacts may include a
plurality of pads, pillars, pins, or any other electrical connector
type (including combinations of various electrical connectors). The
one or more contacts 48 may be coupled to one or more contacts 50
which are coupled to the flexible interconnect 44. In other
implementations, the one or more contacts 48 may be directly
coupled to the flexible interconnect 44. As illustrated by FIG. 6,
each of the one or more contacts 48 and each of the one or more
contacts 50 may be coupled over a substantially straight portion 52
of the flexible interconnect 44. The flexible interconnect 44 may
include a bend portion 54. The bend portion may be bent at any
angle. The flexible interconnect may be configured to bend only at
the portions in between the substantially straight portions 52. As
illustrated by FIG. 6, the bent portion 54 of the flexible
interconnect 44 may be bent to create a concave or substantially
concave sensing system (or form a concave surface), as illustrated
by sensing system 34. In other implementations, the flexible
interconnect may be bent to create a convex or substantially convex
sensing system (or form a convex surface, an example of which is
illustrated by FIG. 1). Though not illustrated, the sensing system
34 includes a digital section coupled to the sensing sections 36
through the flexible interconnect 44.
[0056] In various implementations, because the flexible
interconnect is only bent at the portions between the substantially
straight portions 52, and the sensing sections are only coupled to
the substantially straight portions through the one or more
contacts 48 and/or 50, the amount of strain on the sensing sections
36 (including the pixel array and any transistors) and the flexible
interconnect 44 may be reduced as compared to an implementation
having flexible interconnect continuously curved (rather than
piecewise) and having the sensing sections directly coupled to the
continuous curve through the one or more contacts 48 and/or 50. By
reducing the stress of the flexible interconnect 44 and/or the
sensing sections 36, the amount of dark current through the sensing
system 34 may be reduced and the dynamic range of the sensing
system may be correspondingly increased. By eliminating the stress
on the silicon, the system also prevents changes to the transistor
performance/characteristics of the pixel and/or other devices.
[0057] In various implementations, the sensing sections 36 may be
self-aligned through the flexible interconnect 44. Contrary to
having to align the sensing sections by picking and placing each
sensing section upon a curved flexible interconnect, the sensing
sections may be aligned through the bend in the flexible
interconnect 44 as the flexible interconnect is bent after the
sensing sections are already coupled to (or formed on) the flexible
interconnect. By having the sensing sections 36 self-aligned
(previously aligned through the flexible interconnect), each
sensing section may produce an image which may be more accurately
stitched with other images produced from other sensing sections in
order to produce a single continuous image. By self-aligning the
structure (distance between pixel arrays), the potential angles of
the pixel arrays relative to each other (when they are bent over a
surface as described herein) can be very precisely controlled
allowing for much simpler image stitching.
[0058] Referring to FIG. 7, a top view of another implementation of
a plurality of sensors in a sensing system is illustrated. As
illustrated by FIG. 7, the sensing system includes a plurality of
sensing sections 58 coupled to a flexible interconnect 60. The
flexible interconnect may be configured to bend in order to
substantially eliminate/close the gap 62 between the sensing
sections 58. In other implementations, while the gap 62 may not be
eliminated, the gap 62 may be of a consistent size between sensing
sections, facilitating the stitching of any resulting images. In
various implementations, the sensing system may be convex or
concave. Referring to FIG. 8, a top view of another implementation
of a plurality of sensors in a sensing system is illustrated. The
sensing system 64 is similar to the sensing system 56 in that it
includes a plurality of sensing sections 66 coupled to a flexible
interconnect 68. The flexible interconnect may be configured to
bend at portions of the flexible interconnect corresponding with
the gaps 70 between the plurality of sensing sections 66. As
illustrated by FIGS. 7-8, the plurality of sensing sections may
include perimeters having a variety of shapes. The flexible
interconnect may be bent based upon the shapes of the plurality of
sensing sections to form various shapes of sensing systems. As an
example, sensing section 64 of FIG. 8 may be bent according to the
plurality of hexagonal sensing sections 66 to form a sensing system
similar to a substantially semispherical or dome shape with the
sensing sections 66 either on the interior or exterior of the dome
shape. As can be seen in FIGS. 7-8, the die that contain the
sensors may have various perimeter shapes like those disclosed
herein and vary in size relative to one another.
[0059] While in some versions the flexible interconnect is fixedly
coupled to a fixed support to create a permanent shape to the
plurality of sensors, in other implementations, the flexible
interconnect may be releasably or adjustable coupled to a support
allowing position of the plurality of sensors to be adjusted as
desired. In some implementations the flexible interconnect may not
be coupled to a support but may be free to deflect under various
forces, such as, by non-limiting example, air pressure, water
pressure, vacuum, or other bulk forces. Such implementations permit
real-time or substantially real-time adjustment to the image being
detected by the array due to the mechanical movement of flexible
interconnect.
[0060] Referring to FIGS. 9-16, a method of forming the EMR sensing
device similar to or the same as the EMR sensing device of FIG. 6
is illustrated. Variations of this method may be employed for any
of the system implementations disclosed herein. Referring
specifically to FIG. 9, a side view of a plurality of sensing die
formed in a substrate is illustrated. In various implementations,
the method of forming an EMR sensing die may include forming a
plurality of EMR sensing die 72 in a first side 74 of a substrate
76. The EMR sensing die may be any type of EMR sensing die, and in
various implementations may include any type of image sensor
disclosed herein. The substrate may include an EMR sensing layer 78
configured to sense any form of EMR previously disclosed herein.
The EMR sensing layer 78 may include a plurality of pixel arrays 80
which may be part of the plurality of EMR sensing die 72. As
illustrated by FIG. 9, a space 84 may separate each EMR sensing die
72. In various implementations, the EMR sensing layer 78 may be
coupled to an analog layer 82. In such implementations, the first
side 74 of the substrate 76 may include a side of the EMR sensing
layer 78 and a second side 86 opposite the first side of the
substrate may include a side of the analog layer 82. In various
implementations, the analog layer 82 may include a plurality of
application specific integrated circuits (ASICs) which may form
part of each image sensing die 72. In various implementations, and
as illustrated by FIG. 9, the EMR sensing layer 78 may be hybrid
bonded to the analog layer 82. The hybrid bonding may be carried
out using any of a wide variety of bonding techniques and methods.
The method of forming an EMR sensing device may include forming a
plurality of through-silicon-vias 88 in the analog layer 82. The
vias 88 extend at least partially through the analog layer. In
various implementations, each EMR sensing die 72 may include a via
88. While the implementation disclosed by FIGS. 9-16 discuss an
analog layer, in other implementations a digital layer may be in
place of the analog layer 82. In still other implementations, the
analog layer may be coupled over the digital layer. The method may
also include coupling an optically transmissive cover 90 over the
first side 74 of the substrate 76. The optically transmissive cover
90 may include any type of cover disclosed herein.
[0061] Referring to FIG. 10, a side view of the substrate of FIG. 9
having a trench formed therein is illustrated. In various
implementations, the method for forming an EMR sensing device
includes forming a trench 92 partially through the substrate from
the first side of the substrate. The trench 92 may be formed
through removing a portion of the substrate between two EMR sensing
die of the plurality of EMR sensing die 72. In implementations
having an optically transmissive cover 90, the method may also
include forming the trench through the cover. The trench may be
formed through, by non-limiting example, a saw, a water jet, a
laser, a plasma etch, or a wet etch. In implementations forming the
trench 92 through an etch, the trench need not be formed as a
single straight line, which may ultimately result in perimeters of
sensing sections of the device having a non-quadrilateral and
non-triangular shape. In such implementations, the method may
include patterning a photoresist layer over the first side of the
substrate prior to etching. In particular implementations, the
method may include forming the trench through wet etching through
the EMR sensing layer and then depositing an oxide and plasma
etching the remainder of the trench into the analog layer. In
implementations using a wet etch, the wet etch may reduce damage to
the substrate. In particular implementations, the trench may be 150
micrometers deep, however, in other implementations the trench may
be deeper or shallower than 150 micrometers. The width of the
trench may be the same as the width of the other trenches formed in
the substrate. By controlling the width of the trenches formed, the
spacing between the EMR sensing die coupled to the flexible
interconnect may be consistent as the trenches formed become the
spacing between the EMR sensing die. The ability to control the
spacing between the die (or control the spacing of each trench)
coupled with the ability to bend the interconnect, as described
herein, allow for the die or sensing sections coupled to the
flexible interconnect to be self-aligned, as described herein.
[0062] While in the implementations illustrated in FIGS. 9-11 the
trench 92 is formed prior to applying the support layer to the
first side of the substrate, in other implementations, however, the
trench 92 may be formed after thinning of the second side of the
substrate after applying the support layer.
[0063] Referring to FIG. 11, a side view of the substrate of FIG.
10 having a support layer coupled to the first side of the
substrate is illustrated. In various implementations, the method of
forming the EMR sensing device may include coupling a support layer
94 to the first side of the substrate. In implementations having an
optically transmissive cover, the support layer 94 may be coupled
over the cover 90. In various implementations the support layer 94
may include glass, however, in other implementations the support
layer may include any other rigid material. In other
implementations, the support layer may be coupled over the front
side before the trench is formed and the trench may be formed
entirely through the substrate from the second side of the
substrate. In such implementations, the vias may be exposed through
the second side of the substrate. This may occur through the vias
being formed entirely through the analog layer (thus, the method
may not require that the substrate be thinned) or through thinning
the substrate to expose the vias before forming the trench.
[0064] Referring to FIG. 12, a side view of the substrate of FIG.
11 having a thinned second side of the substrate is illustrated. In
various implementations, the method may include singulating the
plurality of EMR sensing die 72 through thinning the second side 86
of the substrate 76 opposite the first side 74 of the substrate.
The substrate may be thinned until the channel 92 and the vias 88
are exposed from the second side 86 of the substrate. The second
side 86 of the substrate 76 may be thinned through a grinding
process, such as a backgrinding or a chemical-mechanical
polish.
[0065] Referring to FIG. 13, a side view of the substrate of FIG.
12 having a plurality of contacts formed on the second side of the
substrate is illustrated. In various implementations, the method of
forming an EMR sensing device may include forming a plurality of
contacts 96 on the second side 86 of the substrate 76. The
plurality of contacts 96 may include any type of contact disclosed
herein. In various implementations, the method may also include
forming a redistribution layer between the plurality of contacts 96
and the EMR sensing die 72.
[0066] Referring to FIG. 14, a side view of the substrate of FIG.
13 coupled to a flexible interconnect is illustrated. The method of
forming the EMR sensing device may include coupling the second side
86 of the substrate 76 to a flexible interconnect 98. In particular
implementations, the method may include coupling the second side 86
of the substrate to the flexible interconnect 98 through the
plurality of contacts 96 and/or the plurality of contacts 100. The
flexible interconnect may be any type of flexible interconnect
disclosed herein and the plurality of contacts 100 may be any type
of contacts disclosed herein. Though not illustrated, the method of
forming the EMR sensing device may include coupling a digital
section, including any type of section disclosed herein, to the
flexible interconnect. In various implementations, the digital
section may be electrically coupled to one or more EMR sensing die
72 through the flexible interconnect 98. Referring to FIG. 15, a
side view of the substrate of FIG. 14 having the support layer
removed is illustrated. In various implementations, the method of
forming the EMR sensing device may include removing at least a
portion of the support layer to more fully singulate the plurality
of EMR sensing die 72. In various implementations, and as
illustrated by FIG. 15, the entire support layer may be removed. In
other implementations, the support layer may also serve as the
optically transmissive cover. In such implementations, only
portions of the support layer (or cover) corresponding with the
trench 92 may be removed.
[0067] Referring to FIG. 16, a side view of a plurality of sensing
sections coupled to a flexible interconnect is illustrated. The
system illustrated by FIG. 16 may be the same as or similar to the
system illustrated by FIG. 6. In various implementations, the
method of forming the EMR sensing device may include bending the
flexible interconnect 98 at a portion 104 of the flexible
interconnect corresponding with the location of the trench 92. The
method may include bending the interconnect to either form a
concave (such as is illustrated by FIG. 16) or a convex surface of
the EMR sensing system. In particular implementations, the method
may include forming the flexible interconnect into a tube shape as
illustrated by FIG. 1. As illustrated by FIG. 16, the method may
include only bending the flexible interconnect at a portion 104
between the substantially straight portions 102 coupled to the
plurality of sensing die 72. In various implementations, and as
illustrated by FIG. 16, by bending the flexible interconnect 98
portions of the width of the trench 92 may decrease. Further,
because the plurality of sensing die 72 are formed on the flexible
interconnect, the plurality of sensing die may be self-aligned
through the flexible interconnect 98.
[0068] In places where the description above refers to particular
implementations of sensing devices and implementing components,
sub-components, methods and sub-methods, it should be readily
apparent that a number of modifications may be made without
departing from the spirit thereof and that these implementations,
implementing components, sub-components, methods and sub-methods
may be applied to other sensing devices.
* * * * *