Patent ID: 7054041

Claim:
A pixel element for sensing light impinging on the pixel element and providing a non-destructive readout representative of the amount of impinging light, comprising: a substrate capable of forming localized depletion regions in the presence of an applied voltage at the regions; an insulating layer formed on said substrate; a collection capacitor electrode in contact with said insulating layer and being electrically isolated from said substrate by said insulating layer, wherein said insulating layer and collection capacitor electrode are transparent to light; a transfer electrode located adjacent said collection capacitor electrode and being electrically isolated from said substrate by said insulating layer; a readout capacitor electrode located adjacent said transfer electrode and in contact with said insulating layer, said readout capacitor electrode being spaced from said collection capacitor electrode and being electrically isolated from said substrate by said insulating layer; and a readout transistor having an insulated gate connected to said readout capacitor electrode, with said transistor providing an output signal that is indicative of the quantity of charge stored in said substrate under said readout capacitor electrode, whereby said readout transistor provides a non-destructive readout of the stored charge.