Patent ID: 7910964
Filing Date: 2011-03-22
Classification: G01C,G01S,H01L

Abstract:
1. A semiconductor range-finding element, comprising: a semiconductor photoelectric conversion element comprising: first and second transfer gate electrodes configured to electrostatically control potentials of first and second transfer channels implemented by another part of the surface buried region adjacent to the part of the surface buried region directly over the charge generation region, through insulating films formed on the first and second transfer channels, respectively, and configured to alternately transfer the signal charges through the first and second transfer channels; and first and second floating drain regions configured to accumulate the signal charges transferred by the first and second transfer gate electrodes, sequentially and respectively, having the second conductivity type and a higher impurity concentration than the surface buried region, wherein, by sequentially applying pulse signals to the first and second transfer gate electrodes in synchronization with the optical pulse so as to operate the first and second transfer gate electrodes, a range to the target sample is measured, in accordance with a distribution ratio between the charges accumulated in the first and second floating drain regions.