Patent ID: 8183657

Claim:
A solid state imaging device, comprising: a sensor cell array having a plurality of sensor cells arranged in a matrix on a substrate having a first conductivity type, each sensor cell including: a photoelectric transducer provided in the substrate and generating photo-generated electric charges according to an incident light; a transfer gate formed on the substrate with a gate insulating layer therebetween; a charge retention region having a second conductivity type formed under the gate insulating layer and storing the photo-generated electric charges that are transferred from the photoelectric transducer by applying a predetermined potential to the transfer gate; a buried layer having the first conductivity type formed under the gate insulating layer and directly above and in direct contact with the charge retention region such that the buried layer is arranged between the charge retention region and the gate insulating layer; and a floating diffusion having the second conductivity type storing the photo-generated electric charges that are transferred from the charge retention region by applying a predetermined potential to the transfer gate, wherein at least a part of a top surface of the charge retention region is covered with the buried layer.