WORKSHOP PAPER
New Source of Random Telegraph Signal in CMOS Image Sensors
Abstract
This paper presents a new source of Random Telegraph Signal (RTS) due to meta-stable Shockley-Read-Hall (SRH) generation mechanism at depleted oxide interfaces in CMOS Image Sensors (CIS). The study investigates the nature of RTS, distinguishing between those caused by MOSFET conductance fluctuations (MOSFET-RTS) and those caused by discrete variations in the photodiode Dark Current (DC), termed DC-RTS. It identifies the STI depleted interfaces as the primary origin of the newly observed DC-RTSs, which significantly increase with exposure to ionizing radiation. This finding has implications for the operation of CISs in ionizing environments and may help in understanding similar RTS behavior in other devices.Keywords
CMOS Image Sensors, Random Telegraph Signal, Dark Current,References
1) C. Leyris, F. Martinez, M. Valenza, A. Hoffmann, J. Vildeuil, and F. Roy, "Impact of random telegraph signal in CMOS image sensors for low-light levels", Proc. ESSCIRC, 2006, 2006. https://doi.org/10.1109/esscir.2006.307609
2) M. J. Kirton and M. J. Uren, "Noise in solid-state microstructures: A new perspective on individual defects, interface states and low-frequency (1/f) noise", Adv. Phys., vol. 38, no. 4, 1989. https://doi.org/10.1080/00018738900101122
3) I. H. Hopkins and G. R. Hopkinson, "Random telegraph signals from proton-irradiated CCDs", IEEE Trans. Nucl. Sci., vol. 40, no. 6, 1993. https://doi.org/10.1109/23.273552
8) V. Goiffon, P. Magnan, P. Martin-Gonthier, C. Virmontois, and M. Gaillardin, "Evidence of a novel source of random telegraph signal in CMOS image sensors", IEEE Electron Device Lett., vol. 32, no. 6, 2011. https://doi.org/10.1109/led.2011.2125940
11) V. Goiffon, G. R. Hopkinson, P. Magnan, F. Bernard, G. Rolland, and O. Saint-Pe, "Multilevel RTS in proton irradiated CMOS image sensors manufactured in a deep submicron technology", IEEE Trans. Nucl. Sci., vol. 56, no. 4, 2009. https://doi.org/10.1109/tns.2009.2014759
12) G. R. Hopkinson, V. Goiffon, and A. Mohammadzadeh, "Random telegraph signals in proton irradiated CCDs and APS", IEEE Trans. Nucl. Sci., vol. 55, no. 4, 2008. https://doi.org/10.1109/tns.2008.2000764
