Patent ID: 7087900
Filing Date: 2006-08-08
Classification: H01L,H04N

Abstract:
1. A solid-state infrared imager comprising: a matrix array of infrared sensing pixels which are formed as an imaging area on a semiconductor substrate and each of which contains a pn-junction thermoelectric converter element to sense incident infrared radiation; a plurality of row selection lines each connected to said infrared sensing pixels of a corresponding row; a plurality of signal lines each connected to said infrared sensing pixels of a corresponding column; a row selection circuit which selects and drives one of said row selection lines; and a signal readout circuit which reads out signal currents output to said signal lines from said infrared sensing pixels corresponding to the row selection line driven by said row selection circuit; said signal readout circuit including a signal line potential stabilizer which stabilizes the potential of the signal line to a constant level, a current-voltage converter which converts the signal current flowing in the signal line to a signal voltage, and a current removal circuit which removes an undesired bias current component from the signal current; said signal line potential stabilizer including a potential stabilizing MOS transistor inserted in the signal line, and said current-voltage converter including an integration capacitor connected between said signal line and a ground terminal and a reset MOS transistor connected to said signal line.