Patent ID: 8022349
Filing Date: 2011-09-20
Classification: G01J,H01L,H04N

Abstract:
1. A method for analyzing light, characterized by a spectrum, with time resolution, the method comprising: (a) illuminating a one-dimensional array of charge-transfer device light-sensitive pixel cells with the spectrum, such that each light-sensitive cell is illuminated by a different portion of the spectrum, thereby creating electric charges in one set of the light-sensitive cells; (b) non-destructively copying the charges in the light-sensitive cells to a first set of respective storage cells co-located with the light-sensitive cells in an integrated circuit, wherein the non-destructive copying is performed without moving the charges in the light-sensitive cells to another site; (c) periodically repeating (b) with respect to a different set of storage cells in the integrated circuit; and (d) providing information about the charges stored in at least some of the storage cells to a component external to the integrated circuit.