From Sony Terushi Shimizu before: new: 2-layered transistor pixel: Because pixel transistors other than transfer gates (TRG), including reset transistors (RST), select transistors (SEL) and amp transistors (AMP), occupy a photodiode-free layer, the amp transistors can be increased in size. This will double the saturation signal level (Full well capacity), QE, widen dynamic range and noise reduction available from this new technology will prevent underexposure and overexposure in settings with a combination of bright and dim illumination (e.g., backlit settings) and enable high-quality, low-noise images even in low-light (e.g., indoor, nighttime) settings.’ From an engineering and manufacturing perspective, the 2-Layer Transistor Pixel design requires nanometer-level precision for arranging the photodiodes and pixel transistors. Sony adopted a 3D sequential integration process instead of conventional bonding of completed wafers. After the photodiode is formed,...