BSI CMOS image sensors are replacing current Front Side Illumination (FSI) technology and the market expected to reach $800m in 2013, according to Jerome Baron, principal analyst at Yole Developpement who notes  the market will be mainly driven by digital cameras and cell-phone applications, but high performance imaging applications, medical, industrial and autovision sensors are important segment. "We estimate the market for high-end BSI image sensors to reach $120m in the same time frame," he said.

The TowerJazz BSI CIS offering will leverage the foundry's extensive expertise and leadership in CIS technology and will integrate SOI substrates and Soitec's new Smart Stacking circuit layer transfer technology, customized for the TowerJazz fabrication process. This collaboration will enable a rapid ramp to a complete BSI foundry solution that can be transparently used by TowerJazz customers.

Backside illumination is gaining traction in the image sensor market for higher resolution, smaller pixels that capture far more light, higher quantum efficiency, and improved performance. It allows 100% fill factor of pixels maximising photon collection without any shading of metals, providing very high light sensitivity in high-end applications.

"This is a unique offering in the foundry area and we will be the first to offer such technology to customers as a foundry service," said Dr. Avi Strum, VP and GM TowerJazz Specialty Business Unit. "Our collaboration ... will allow fabless designers to create new generations of ultra-sensitive image sensors - which in turn will enable exciting new applications for cinematography, DSLR cameras, space cameras, and high-end medical cameras, among others."