Patent Document

[0001]    The disclosure of Japanese Patent Application No. 2009-223755 filed Sep. 29, 2009 including specification, drawings and claims is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
       TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to a solid-state imaging device and a manufacturing method for the same, and in particular to the structure of the pixel area of a MOS (Metal Oxide Semiconductor) solid-state imaging device. 
       BACKGROUND ART  
       [0003]    MOS solid-state imaging devices are commonly used in digital still cameras and digital video cameras. A semiconductor substrate of a MOS solid-state imaging device has a pixel area and a peripheral circuit area. The pixel area includes a plurality of pixels arranged in a matrix. The peripheral circuit area includes a peripheral circuit for reading signals from the pixels in the pixel area. In the MOS solid-state imaging device, a plurality of transistors are provided respectively for the pixels in the pixel area. The following describes the structure of the imaging device in detail, focusing only on one of the transistors in the pixel area. The pixel area of the semiconductor substrate is provided with source regions and drain regions. A wiring layer is formed over the semiconductor substrate so as to sandwich an insulating film therebetween. Also, a plurality of contact plugs penetrating the insulating film are formed. The contact plugs connect the wiring layer with each of the source and drain regions of the transistor in the pixel area. 
         [0004]    Next, procedures for forming the contact plugs are described. First, after the source and drain regions of the transistor are formed in the pixel area of the semiconductor substrate, a metal film is formed over the semiconductor substrate. After that, the semiconductor substrate is subjected to heat treatment, so that the surfaces of the source and drain regions of the transistor is silicided (Hereinafter, the silicided area is called “silicide film”). After the heat treatment, the residue of the metal film, which is left unsilicided, is removed, and then the insulating film is formed over the semiconductor substrate. Afterwards, contact holes are formed by removing the part of the insulating film that covers the source and drain regions of the transistor, specifically by an etching method. Finally, a conductive material is implanted in each contact hole, whereby the contact plugs are formed on the silicide film. 
         [0005]    As described above, in the procedures for forming the contract plugs, the source and drain regions of the transistor, which are to be in contact with one ends of the contact plugs, are silicide so that the contact resistance is reduced. This allows the MOS solid-state imaging device to operate at a high speed. As conventional technology relating to procedures for forming contract plugs, Patent Literature 1 discloses one technique. 
       CITATION LIST  
     Patent Literature  
     Patent Literature 1  
       [0006]    Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2003-22985 
       SUMMARY OF INVENTION  
     Technical Problem  
       [0007]    According to the procedures for forming as stated above, the silicide film is formed over the surfaces of the source and drain regions in advance to the formation of the contact hole, and the silicide film is formed to be wider than the contact hole. This is in view of possible variations through the manufacturing process. The silicide film is provided with a margin, in order that the contact hole can be surely formed on the silicide film even if misalignment of the contact holes occurs. 
         [0008]    Meanwhile, in line with the recent increase in the number of pixels in the pixel, the source and drain regions formed in the pixel area of the semiconductor substrate are decreasing in size. 
         [0009]    Thus, if a silicide film with a margin is formed by silicidation of the surface of an n-type source region formed in a p-type semiconductor substrate, the silicide film and the p-type semiconductor substrate, sandwiching the n-type source region, would be very close from each other. 
         [0010]    Here, in some cases, silicide spikes are formed in the formation of a silicide film. Note that the term “silicide spikes” refers to spike-shaped protrusions from the silicide film, formed through partial abnormal growth of the silicide film. 
         [0011]    If silicide spikes are formed in the case where a silicide film and a p-type semiconductor substrate are very close, there is a risk that the silicide spikes penetrate the n-type source region to reach the p-type semiconductor substrate. This increases leakage current from p-n junctions. The increase of the leakage current in the pixel area leads to deterioration of the image quality. For example, it can be a cause of misdetection of electrons when there is no light incident on the photodiode and thus no electron. Such a phenomenon is known as “white spots”. 
         [0012]    In the description above, only one of the transistors on the pixel area is explained. However, all the other transistors in the pixel area have the same problem, because with respect to all the other transistors, the silicide film is formed before the formation of the contact holes, on the source regions and the drain regions. 
         [0013]    The present invention aims to provide a solid-state imaging device that is capable of obtaining high-quality images while reducing the contact resistance in the pixel area. 
       Solution To Problem  
       [0014]    In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides a MOS solid-state imaging device comprising: a semiconductor substrate provided with a pair of source and drain regions in a pixel area thereof, the pair of source and drain regions constituting part of a transistor in the pixel area; an insulating film formed over the semiconductor substrate; a wiring layer formed over the insulating film; and a contact plug penetrating through the insulating film to connect either one of the pair of source and drain regions with the wiring layer, wherein a surface area of said one of the pair of source and drain regions is silicided, the surface area contacting with the contact plug, and a width of the surface area is equal to a width of the contact plug. 
       Advantageous Effects of Invention  
       [0015]    According to the present invention, the width of the silicided area that is on said one of the pair of source and drain regions and contacts with the contact plug, is the same as the width of the contact plug. Thus, the width of the silicided area can be minimized within the range maintaining the effect of the reduction of the contact resistance. 
         [0016]    Even if silicide spikes are formed in the silicided area, such a structure reduces the risk that the silicide spikes penetrate the side surface of the layer where the silicide spikes are formed. 
         [0017]    As a result, the increase of the leakage current in the pixel area is suppressed, resulting in a high image quality. 
         [0018]    As described above, the solid-state imaging device pertaining to an embodiment of the present invention suppresses the increase of the leakage current and the contact resistance in the pixel area, at the same time. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS  
         [0019]      FIG. 1  schematically shows the structure of a solid-state imaging device pertaining to the first embodiment. 
           [0020]      FIG. 2  is a circuit diagram showing part of the solid-state imaging device pertaining to the first embodiment. 
           [0021]      FIG. 3  schematically shows a cross section of the solid-state imaging device pertaining to the first embodiment. 
           [0022]      FIGS. 4A-4C  show steps of a manufacturing process of a solid-state imaging device. 
           [0023]      FIGS. 5A-5B  show steps of the manufacturing process of a solid-state imaging device, following the steps shown in  FIGS. 4A-4C . 
           [0024]      FIGS. 6A-6B  show steps of the manufacturing process of a solid-state imaging device, following the steps shown in  FIGS. 5A-5B . 
           [0025]      FIGS. 7A-7C  show steps of a manufacturing process of a solid-state imaging device pertaining to a modification example. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS  
     1. First Embodiment 
     1-1. Overall Structure of Solid-state Imaging Device 
       [0026]    The following describes a solid-state imaging device pertaining to the first embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 1  schematically shows the structure of a solid-state imaging device pertaining to the first embodiment. As shown in  FIG. 1 , a solid-state imaging device  10  is a MOS solid-state imaging device, and has a pixel area  11  and a peripheral circuit area disposed around the pixel area  11 . The peripheral circuit area includes column amplifiers  12 , noise cancellation circuits  13 , a multiplexer  14 , load circuits  15 , a horizontal scanning circuit  16 , an output amplifier  17 , a vertical scanning circuit  18 , a voltage generation circuit  19 , and a timing control unit  20 . 
         [0027]    The pixel area  11  includes a plurality of pixels  1  arranged in a matrix, and a column amplifier  2 , a noise cancellation circuit  3 , a switch element  4 , and a load circuit  5  are provided for each column of the pixel area  11 . 
         [0028]    The pixels  1  included in the pixel area  11  are reset, charged, and read row by row, by operations of the vertical scanning circuit  18 . Pixel signals read from each row of pixels are amplified by the column amplifiers  2  each provided for a different one of columns, and retained by the noise cancellation circuit  3  upon offset variation of the amplifiers being cancelled by the noise cancellation circuit  3 . The pixel signals corresponding to one row of pixels retained by the noise cancellation circuit  3  are sequentially outputted via the multiplexer  14  and the output amplifier  17  by operations of the horizontal scanning circuit  16 . 
         [0029]    The voltage generation circuit  19  generates various voltages necessary for circuits in the solid-state imaging device  10 . 
         [0030]    The timing control unit  20  synchronizes and drives the circuits in the solid-state imaging device  10 . 
       1-1-1. Circuit Structure of Solid-State Imaging Device 
       [0031]      FIG. 2  is a circuit diagram showing part of the solid-state imaging device pertaining to the first embodiment. Specifically, the figure shows a pixel  1 , a column amplifier  2 , and a noise cancellation circuit  3  in a given column. 
         [0032]    The pixel  1  includes a photodiode (PD), a floating diffusion (FD), a reset transistor M 11 , a transfer transistor M 12 , an amplification transistor M 13 , and a selection transistor M 14 . 
         [0033]    The column amplifier  2  includes an input capacitor C 1 , a load unit (load transistor) M 51 , a drive unit (drive transistor) M 52 , a reset unit (reset transistor) M 53  and a feedback capacitor C 2 . 
         [0034]    The noise cancellation circuit  3  includes a clamp capacitor Cc, a sample hold capacitor Cs, and a switch transistor M 31 . 
         [0035]    In the solid-state imaging device  10  as described above, both pixel area and peripheral circuit area include transistors. 
       1-1-2. Structure of Solid-State Imaging Device 
       [0036]      FIG. 3  schematically shows a cross section of the solid-state imaging device pertaining to the first embodiment. Specifically, the figure shows one of the pixels  1  included in the pixel area  11  and one of the transistors (i.e. the drive transistor M 52 ) included in the peripheral circuit area. 
         [0037]    As shown in  FIG. 3 , the solid-state imaging device  10  includes a low concentration p-type semiconductor substrate  101 , an insulating film  133  formed over the p-type semiconductor substrate  101 , and a wiring layer  134  formed over the insulating film  133 . 
         [0038]    In the p-type semiconductor substrate  101 , a high concentration p-type well region  101   a  is formed. In the pixel area of the p-type well region  101   a,  an n-type photoelectric conversion region  102 , an n-type FD region  106 , and n-type source drain regions  111 ,  114 ,  119  and  122  are formed to be separate from each other. On the n-type photoelectric conversion region  102 , a high concentration p-type injection region  103  is formed. 
         [0039]    Above the p-type channel area sandwiched between the n-type photoelectric conversion region  102  and the n-type FD region  106 , a gate electrode  105  is formed on a gate insulating film  104 . Here, the n-type photoelectric conversion region  102  serves as the source of the transfer transistor M 12 , the n-type FD region  106  serves as the drain of the transfer transistor M 12 , and the gate electrode  105  serves as the gate of the transfer transistor M 12 . 
         [0040]    Above the p-type channel area sandwiched between the n-type FD region  106  and the n-type source drain region  111 , a gate electrode  110  is formed on a gate insulating film  109 . Here, the n-type FD region  106  serves as the source of the reset transistor M 11 , the n-type source drain region  111  serves as the drain of the reset transistor M 11 , and the gate electrode  110  serves as the gate of the reset transistor M 11 . 
         [0041]    Above the p-type channel area sandwiched between the n-type source drain region  114  and the n-type source drain region  119 , a gate electrode  118  is formed on a gate insulating film  117 . Here, the n-type source drain region  119  serves as the source of the amplification transistor M 13 , the n-type source drain region  114  serves as the drain of the amplification transistor M 13 , and the gate electrode  118  serves as the gate of the amplification transistor M 13 . 
         [0042]    Above the p-type channel area sandwiched between the n-type source drain region  119  and the n-type source drain region  122 , a gate electrode  121  is formed on a gate insulating film  120 . Here, the n-type source drain region  122  serves as the source of the selection transistor M 14 , the n-type source drain region  119  serves as the drain of the selection transistor M 14 , and the gate electrode  121  serves as the gate of the selection transistor M 14 . 
         [0043]    A part of the surface of the n-type FD region  106  is silicided. This part (hereinafter called “silicide film  107 ”, which is a nickel silicide film, for example) is in contact with one end of a contact plug  108 , which penetrates the insulating film  133 . The other end of the contact plug  108  is in contact with the wiring layer  134  formed over the insulating film  133 . Here, the width of the silicide film  107  is the same as the width of the contact plug  108 . 
         [0044]    Similarly, parts of the respective surfaces of the n-type source drain regions  111 ,  114  and  122  are silicided. These parts (hereinafter called “silicide film  112 ”, “silicide film  115 ” and “silicide film  123 ”) are in contact with one ends of the corresponding contact plugs  113 ,  116  and  124 , which penetrate the insulating film  133 . The other ends of the contact plugs  113 ,  116  and  124  are in contact with the wiring layer  134  formed over the insulating film  133 . Here, the widths of the silicide films  112 ,  115 , and  123  are the same as the widths of the contact plugs  113 ,  116  and  124 , respectively. 
         [0045]    The widths of the silicide films formed over the parts of the surfaces the n-type photoelectric conversion region  102 , the n-type FD region  106  and the n-type source drain regions  111 ,  114  and  122  are within the range from 30 nm to 150 nm, preferably from 40 nm to 80 nm. The film thicknesses of the silicide films are within the range from 1 nm to 15 nm, preferably from 1 nm to 10 nm. 
         [0046]    In the peripheral circuit area of the p-type well region  101   a,  an n-type source drain region  125  and an n-type source drain region  130  are formed to be separate from each other. 
         [0047]    In the p-type channel area sandwiched between the n-type source drain region  125  and the n-type source drain region  130 , a gate electrode  129  is formed on a gate insulating film  128 . Here, the n-type source drain region  130  serves as the source of the drive transistor M 52 , the n-type source drain region  125  serves as the drain of the drive transistor M 52 , and the gate electrode  129  serves as the gate of the drive transistor M 52 . 
         [0048]    Parts of the surfaces of the n-type source drain regions  125  and  130  are silicided. These parts (hereinafter called “silicide film  126 ” and “silicide film  131 ”) are in contact with one ends of the corresponding contact plugs  127  and  132 , which penetrate the insulating film  133 . The other ends of the contact plugs  127  and  132  are in contact with the wiring layer  134  formed over the insulating film  133 . The widths of the silicide films  126  and  131  are grater than the widths of the contact plugs  127  and  132 , respectively. 
         [0049]    The minimum widths of the silicide films formed over the parts of the surfaces of the n-type source drain regions  125  and  130  included in the peripheral circuit area are values obtained by adding a value within the range from 16 nm to 80 nm to the widths of the contact plugs  127  and  132 , respectively. Here, the value within the range from 16 nm to 80 nm shows the accuracy of the superposing performed in the lithography process. The film thicknesses of the silicide films are within the range from 20 nm to 50 nm, preferably from 20 nm to 30 nm. 
         [0050]    As described above, the first feature of the solid-state imaging device  10  pertaining to this embodiment is that the widths of the silicide films formed over the parts of the surfaces of the n-type photoelectric conversion region  102 , the n-type FD region  106  and the n-type source drain regions  111 ,  114  and  122 , contained in the pixel  1 , are the same as the widths of the contact plugs formed on the silicide films, respectively. 
         [0051]    The second feature is that the film thicknesses of the silicide films formed over the parts of the surfaces of the n-type photoelectric conversion region  102 , the n-type FD region  106  and the n-type source drain regions  111 ,  114  and  122 , contained in the pixel  1 , are smaller than the film thicknesses of the silicide films formed over the parts of the surfaces of the n-type source drain regions  125  and  130 , contained in the peripheral circuit area. 
         [0052]    Due to these features of the solid-state imaging device  10 , the widths of the silicide films on the n-type photoelectric conversion region  102 , the n-type FD region  106  and the n-type source drain regions  111 ,  114  and  122  can be minimized within the range that maintains the effect of suppressing the contact resistance in the pixel area. 
         [0053]    With such a structure, even if a silicide spike is formed in a silicided area, there is only a reduced risk that the spike penetrates the layer where the spike is formed and reaches the p-type well region  101   a . As a result, the increase of the leakage current in the pixel area is suppressed, resulting in a high image quality. Meanwhile, when the contact resistance is high, the D range is narrow and it can be a cause of black spots, in the worst case. However, the stated structure reduces the contact resistance and the thermal noise, and thus it maintains the D range. 
         [0054]    As described above, the solid-state imaging device  10  suppresses the increase of the leakage current and the contact resistance in the pixel area, at the same time. 
         [0055]    In the description above, only one of the pixels  1  in the pixel area  11  is explained. However, note that the other pixels in the pixel area  11  have the same structure. Also, in the description above, only the drive transistor M 52  is explained as a representative of the transistors in the peripheral circuit area. However, note that the widths and the film thicknesses of the silicide films of the drive transistor M 52  apply to the other transistors in the peripheral circuit area. 
       1-2. Manufacturing Method For Solid-state Imaging Device 
       [0056]    Next, a manufacturing method for the solid-state imaging device is described.  FIGS. 4A-4C ,  5 A- 5 B and  6 A- 6 B show cross sections of the solid-state imaging device at different steps of the manufacturing method. The left side of each drawing shows the n-type source drain region  125 , which is a representative from the n-type source drain regions in the peripheral circuit area. The right side of each drawing shows the n-type source drain region  122 , which is a representative from the n-type photoelectric conversion region  102 , the n-type FD region  106  and the n-type source drain regions  111 ,  114  and  122  in the pixel  1  contained in the pixel area. 
         [0057]    First, the p-type well region  101   a  is formed in the p-type semiconductor substrate  101 , and then the n-type source drain region  122  and the n-type source drain region  125  are formed in the pixel area and the peripheral circuit area of the p-type well region  101   a,  respectively (This step is not illustrated). Next, as shown in  FIG. 4A , a silicide block film (e.g. silicone oxide film)  201  is formed over the n-type source drain region  122  in the pixel area, and then a first metal film (e.g. Ni film)  202  is formed over the silicide block film  201  and the n-type source drain region  125  in the peripheral circuit area. Here, the film thickness of the Ni film  202  is in the range from 5 nm to 15 nm, preferably from 8 nm to 13 nm. 
         [0058]    Next, the p-type semiconductor substrate  101  (not illustrated) is subjected to heat treatment. As a result, the surface of the n-type source drain region  125  in the peripheral circuit area is silicided as shown in  FIG. 4B  (The silicided surface is hereinafter called “Ni silicide film  126 ). On the other hand, the silicide block film  201  has been formed over the n-type source drain region  122  in the pixel area. This prevents Ni atoms from being dispersed to the n-type source drain region  122 . As a result, the n-type source drain region  122  in the pixel area is not silicided, and only the n-type source drain region  125  in the peripheral circuit area is silicided. Here, it is preferable that the film thickness of the Ni silicide film  126  to be formed is several tens of nanometers. 
         [0059]    Next, the residue of the Ni film  202 , which is left unreacted, and the silicide block film  201  are removed. After that, an insulating film  203 , which is made of silicon oxide film for example, is layered on the p-type semiconductor substrate  101  (not illustrated), as shown in  FIG. 4C . Specifically, the insulating film  203  is formed over the Ni silicide film  126  on the n-type source drain region  125  and the n-type source drain region  126 . Then, the surface of the insulating film  203  is planarized by CMP (Chemical Mechanical Polishing) method, for example. 
         [0060]    Next, as shown in  FIG. 5A , the insulating film  203  is partially removed by etching, and thus contact holes  204  are formed. After that, as shown in  FIG. 5B , a second metal film (e.g. Ni film)  205  is formed by sputtering method for example, such that the inside surfaces and the bottom surfaces of the contact holes  204  are covered with the films. Here, the film thickness of the second metal film  205  is in the range from 1 nm to 10 nm, preferably from 1 nm to 5 nm. 
         [0061]    Next, the p-type semiconductor substrate  101  (not illustrated) is subjected to heat treatment. As a result, the surface of the n-type source drain region  122 , which is exposed through the contact hole  122 , is silicided. At this step, the insulating film  203  functions as a mask. Thus, the Ni silicide film  123  is formed in a manner like a self-alignment process. Since the Ni film  205  has been formed only on the area that is exposed through the contact hole  204 , the width of the Ni silicide film  123  will be the same as the width of the contact hole  204 . Here, it is preferable that the film thickness of the Ni silicide film  123  to be formed is approximately 10 nm. 
         [0062]    Meanwhile, the surface of the n-type source drain region  125  exposed through the contact hole  204  has already been silicided. Thus, in comparison with the n-type source drain region  122 , the Ni film  205  does not cause a strong chemical reaction. 
         [0063]    After that, the residue of the Ni film  205 , which is left unreacted, is removed. The result is as shown in  FIG. 6A . 
         [0064]    Finally, as shown in  FIG. 6B , a Ti film and a TiN film are layered by the sputtering method and by the MOCVD method respectively, such that the inside surfaces and the bottom surfaces of the contact holes  204  are covered with the films. As a result, an adhesion layer  206 , which is made from the Ti film and the TiN film, is formed. After that, tungsten (i.e. a conductive material)  207  is implanted in the contact holes  204  by the CVD method. In this way, the contact plugs are formed. 
         [0065]    Through the steps described above, silicide films having the same width as the contact plugs are formed in the pixel area. 
         [0066]    Here, in the silicidation with a metal performed on the surfaces of the n-type photoelectric conversion region  102 , the n-type FD region  106  and the n-type source drain regions  111 ,  114  and  122  in the pixel area, some of the metal atoms disperse in the width (horizontal) direction of the regions to be silicided. Thus, the silicided film will practically be wider than the contact plug. Note that such a difference is ignored in this Description. Specifically, the width of the silicide film and the width of the contact plug are regarded as the same as long as their difference does not exceed 10 nm. 
         [0067]    Next, a description is given of the case of microfabrication, in which thin gate wires with a gate length of no greater than 80 nm are used, is adopted in the peripheral circuit area. In this case, the silicided thin gate wires might be broken when the heat treatment after the silicidation process is performed at 600° C. or higher. Thus, it is not preferable that Ti is used in the second metal film  205 . This is because Ti requires heating at 600° C. or higher to be silicided. 
         [0068]    In the case where microfabrication is adopted in the peripheral circuit area, it is preferable that Ni or NiPt is used in the second metal film  205  in the pixel area. This is because the second metal film  205  with such a structure requires heating at no higher than 300° C. to be silicided. This realizes silicidation of the second metal film  205  in the pixel area without breaking the silicided thin gate wires on the peripheral circuits. 
       Modification Examples  
       [0069]    The following describes a modification example of the manufacturing method. The steps shown from  FIG. 4A  to  FIG. 5B  are the same as the first embodiment. Thus, only the steps following them are described here.  FIGS. 7A to 7C  show cross sections of the solid-state imaging device at the steps following  FIG. 5B . According to the manufacturing method described above, after the Ni film  205  is formed in the step shown in  FIG. 5B , the p-type semiconductor substrate  101  is subjected to heat treatment in the step shown in  FIG. 6A . According to this modification example, however, after the Ni film  205  is formed, a TiN film  208  is further formed over the Ni film  205 , as shown in  FIG. 7A . 
         [0070]    After that, the p-type semiconductor substrate, which is not illustrated, is subjected to heat treatment. As a result, the surface of the n-type source drain region  122  exposed through the contact hole  204  is silicided, and thus the Ni silicide film  123  is formed as shown in  FIG. 7B . 
         [0071]    Finally, as shown in  FIG. 7C , tungsten (i.e. a conductive material)  207  is implanted in the contact holes  204  by the CVD method. In this way, the contact plugs are formed. The contact plugs are therefore formed over the adhesion layer made from the Ni film  205  and the TiN film  208  in the contact holes  204 . 
         [0072]    With the stated process, the step of removing the residue of the Ni film  205 , which is left unreacted, can be omitted. 
       Supplemental Descriptions  
       [0073]    The solid-state imaging device pertaining to the present invention is described above based on the embodiment. However, as a matter of course, the present invention is not limited to the embodiment. 
         [0074]    (1) According to the embodiment above, the Ni silicide film  126  and the Ni silicide film  123  are made from the same material. Alternatively, at least one of these films may be made from a different material. For example, an NiPt silicide film may be formed instead of the Ni Silicide film. If this is the case, an NiPt film is formed instead of the Ni film (i.e. the second metal film), on the inside surfaces and the bottom surfaces of the contact holes  204 . 
         [0075]    (2) According to the embodiment above, Ni silicide films are formed. Alternatively, a Co (i.e. cobalt) silicide film, a Fe (i.e. iron) silicide film, a Ti (i.e. titanium) silicide film, an Mg (i.e. magnesium) silicide film, a W (i.e. tungsten) silicide film, a Pd (i.e. palladium) silicide film, a Pt (i.e. platinum) silicide film, or the like may be formed instead of the Ni silicide film. 
         [0076]    (3) The circuit configurations shown in  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2  are only examples. Other configurations may be adopted. 
         [0077]    (4) According to the embodiment above, the p-type well region  101   a  is formed in the p-type semiconductor substrate  101 . However, instead of the p-type well region  101   a,  an n-type source drain region or the like may be formed in the p-type semiconductor substrate  101 . 
       INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY   
       [0078]    The present invention is applicable to various devices, such as digital cameras. 
       REFERENCE SIGNS LIST  
       [0079]      1  pixel 
         [0080]      2  column amplifier 
         [0081]      3  noise cancellation circuit 
         [0082]      4  switch element 
         [0083]      5  load circuit 
         [0084]      10  solid-state imaging device 
         [0085]      11  pixel area 
         [0086]      12  column amplifiers 
         [0087]      13  noise cancellation circuits 
         [0088]      14  multiplexer 
         [0089]      15  load circuits 
         [0090]      16  horizontal scanning circuit 
         [0091]      17  output amplifier 
         [0092]      18  vertical scanning circuit 
         [0093]      19  voltage generation circuit 
         [0094]      20  timing control unit

Technology Category: h