Patent ID: 7888716
Filing Date: 2011-02-15
Classification: G01S,H01L,H04N

Abstract:
1. A pixel structure of a solid-state image sensor, which performs charge storage while distributing electrons generated by photoelectric conversion, said structure comprising: a plurality of photodiodes that generate electrons by photoelectric conversion; a plurality of charge-storage sections that store electrons generated in each of the plurality of photodiodes wherein at least two of said plurality of charge storage sections are arranged to store electrons generated by each photodiode; and a gate structure that is arranged adjacently between each photodiode and said plurality of charge-storage sections and controls transfer of electrons generated in said photodiode to said plurality of charge-storage sections, wherein said gate structure is made up of plural stages of gates, and said plural stages of gates comprise: a front stage gate that is arranged adjacent to said photodiode and controls readout of electrons generated in said photodiode; and a plurality of rear stage gates, each of which is arranged adjacent to each of said plurality of charge-storage sections on a rear side of said front stage gate, respectively, and performs control of distributing electrons read out by the front stage gate readout control to each of said plurality of charge-storage sections, respectively.