Hybrid Backside Illuminated CMOS Imager for High-End Applications

As compared to monolithic imagers, hybrid imagers are more costly but have more flexibility and focus typically towards high-end application like space Xray, medical diagnosis... By splitting up the processing of the detector array and the readout IC, each part can be separately optimized to the needs of the application. As such special substrates or epi layers can be chosen for introducing electrical field leading to a higher quantum efficiency (QE). Also pixel separating trenches (Figure 2) can be added for avoiding crosstalk.