The Hole Role in Solid-State Imagers

The importance of holes present in the pixels of solid-state image sensors is described by Theuwissen et al. (IEDM Tech. Dig. 2005, p. 817). Today´s success of digital imaging is based on the positive effect of an accumulation layer that reduces the interface-related dark current and dark current fixed-pattern noise. This superb imaging feature is applied in charge-coupled devices as well as in complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor devices, in consumer as well as in professional equipment. Holes are not only used to improve the dark performance of imagers; other examples of efficient use of holes are fixing electrostatic potentials, creating gate structures, draining photon-generated charges, and constructing antiblooming means