Patent ID: 9053998
Filing Date: 2015-06-09
Classification: G01S,H01L

Abstract:
1. A range sensor having a plurality of pixel regions, each pixel region comprising: a charge generating region configured such that outer peripheries thereof extend to sides of a polygonal pixel region except for corner portions of the pixel region, and configured to generate charges in response to incident light; a signal charge collecting region disposed at a center portion of the pixel region and inside the charge generating region so as to be surrounded by the charge generating region, and configured to collect the signal charges from the charge generating region; a corner charge collecting region disposed in a corner portion of the pixel region and outside the charge generating region, and configured to collect charges from a peripheral region of the charge generating region; a photogate electrode disposed on the charge generating region; a transfer electrode disposed between the signal charge collecting region and the charge generating region, and configured to cause the signal charges from the charge generating region to flow into the signal charge collecting region in response to an input signal; a corner charge collecting gate electrode disposed between the corner charge collecting region and the charge generating region, and configured to cause charges from the charge generating region to flow into the corner charge collecting region in response to an input signal; and a readout circuit for reading out a signal corresponding to a charge quantity accumulated in the signal charge collecting region, the readout circuit located in one corner portion of the pixel region, wherein the charge generating regions of the plurality of pixel regions are formed integrally and continuous with each other, and wherein the photogate electrodes of the plurality of pixel regions are formed integrally and continuous with each other.