Patent ID: 7030427

Claim:
A solid-state imaging device, comprising: a pixel array having a plurality of pixels arranged in a matrix; each of the pixels including: a photo diode that generates carriers depending on the intensity of incident light; an accumulation region that accumulates the generated carriers; an insulated-gate output transistor that outputs a signal according to a threshold voltage that changes depending on a number of the carriers accumulated in the accumulation region; and an insulated-gate clear transistor that discharges the carriers accumulated in the accumulation region, the accumulated carriers being discharged through a channel region of the clear transistor, and the pixels each further including: a pixel-forming region of a second conductivity type that is formed on a semiconductor substrate of a first conductivity type and where one of the pixels is formed; a buried region of a first conductivity type that is formed in the pixel-forming region and that includes a first partial buried region formed at a relatively deep position and having a relatively low impurity concentration and a second partial buried region formed at a relatively shallow position and having a relatively high impurity concentration, a junction region between the first partial buried region and the pixel-forming region forming the photo diode, the second partial buried region forming the accumulation region; and a discharging region of a first conductivity type that is formed in the pixel-forming region and into which carriers discharged from the accumulation region flow; an output transistor that includes a first gate electrode that is formed over the pixel-forming region above the accumulation region through an insulating film; and the clear transistor including a second gate electrode that is formed over the pixel-forming region between the buried region and the discharging region.