Patent ID: 7476841
Filing Date: 2009-01-13
Classification: G01C,G01S,H01L,H04N

Abstract:
1. A photodetector comprising: a photoelectric converting portion configured to generate electrons and holes by irradiation of light; at least one electrode disposed on said photoelectric converting portion through an insulating layer; a first accumulation region, which is a potential well formed in said photoelectric converting portion by applying a voltage to said electrode to accumulate one of the electrons and holes generated in said photoelectric converting portion by irradiation of light; a second accumulation region formed in said photoelectric converting portion to accumulate the other of the electrons and holes generated in said photoelectric converting portion by irradiation of light; a control unit configured to control at least one of a timing of applying said voltage to said electrode and a polarity of said voltage; and an output unit configured to output at least one of remaining electrons and holes not recombined after the electrons and holes accumulated in the first and second accumulation regions are recombined by transferring the electrons and holes between the first and second accumulation regions.