Patent ID: 7218347

Claim:
A photoelectric conversion element which is formed by alternately stacking first type regions of a first conductivity type and second type regions of a second conductivity type having a conductivity type opposite to the first conductivity type to form a multi-layered structure, in which the first type regions are formed to have depths suited to photoelectrically convert light in a plurality of different wavelength ranges, and which outputs signals for respective wavelength ranges, wherein the plurality of first type regions reach a surface, said photoelectric conversion element comprising: a plurality of charge accumulation portions of the first conductivity type, each of which is formed in a surface region of the first type region and has a higher impurity concentration than each first type region, for accumulating charges generated by photoelectric conversion in the first type regions; an output portion for converting charges transferred from the charge accumulation portions into electrical signals, and outputting the electrical signals, said output portion including an amplifier; and transfer gates for transferring charges respectively from the plurality of charge accumulation portions to said output portion.