Patent ID: 7405823

Claim:
A method for reducing signal noise from an array of pixels of a segmented detector configured to detect samples, wherein the signal noise comprises at least a dark current contribution and readout offset contribution, the method comprising: providing a substantially dark condition for the array of pixels, wherein the dark condition comprises being substantially free of light; providing a first output signal from a binned portion of the array of pixels by collecting charge for a first exposure duration, transferring the collected charge to an output register and reading out the output register, wherein transferring of the collected charge from the binned pixels comprises providing a gate voltage to a region near the binned pixels to move the collected charge from the binned pixels, and wherein the collected charge is transferred in a manner that causes the collected charge to be shifted to the output register; providing a second output signal from each pixel by collecting charge for a second exposure duration, transferring the collected charge to the output register, and reading out the output register; providing a third output signal by resetting and reading out the output register; and determining the dark current contribution and the readout offset contribution from the first output signal, the second output signal, and the third output signal.