Patent ID: 7579594
Filing Date: 2009-08-25
Classification: G01J,H01L

Abstract:
1. A pixel for use in a detector array of a focal plane array imager, the pixel comprising: a plurality of minority charge collectors arranged in an array having at least four rows and at least four columns, a first metal trace electrically connecting a first plurality of non-adjacent collectors in a first of the rows to a first plurality of non-adjacent collectors in a third of the rows to define a first interdigitzed sub-detector; a second metal trace electrically connecting a first plurality of non-adjacent collectors in a second of the rows to first plurality of non-adjacent collectors in a fourth of the rows to define a second interdigitzed sub-detector; a third metal trace electrically connecting a second plurality of non-adjacent collectors in the first row to a second plurality of collectors in the third row to define a third interdigitzed sub-detector; and a fourth metal trace electrically connecting a second plurality of non-adjacent collectors in the second row to a second plurality of collectors in the fourth row to define a fourth interdigitzed sub-detector; wherein each of the minority charge collectors is included in no more than a single one of the sub-detectors, each of the sub-detectors is selectively operable (i) in a selected mode to collect minority charges and (ii) in a deselected mode to act as an open circuit, and wherein the sub-detectors are interdigitated in the pixel such that, if one of the sub-detectors is deselected, the remaining sub-detectors in the pixel, when selected, collect approximately 91 percent or more of minority charges generated in the pixel resulting from absorption of optical energy in the pixel that would have been collected if each of the sub-detectors had been selected.