Image sensor with charge multiplication
View Patent ↗An image sensor includes an array of pixels arranged into two or more subarrays and each subarray captures charge; and an output charge-coupled device that receives charge from the array of pixels; wherein the output charge-coupled device is divided into substantially two equal first and second portions in which either one portion receives charge from only one subarray or both portions receive charge respectively from a subarray, and the first portion of the charge-coupled device is a charge-multiplying charge-coupled device in which charge is amplified, and the second portion of the charge-coupled device does not amplify charge.
1. An image sensor comprising:
(a) an array of pixels arranged into two or more subarrays and each subarray captures charge;
(b) an output charge-coupled device that receives charge from the array of pixels; wherein the output charge-coupled device is divided into substantially two equal first and second portions in which only one portion receives charge from a subarray, and the first portion of the charge-coupled device operates as a charge-multiplying charge-coupled device in which charge is amplified, and the second portion of the charge-coupled device does not amplify charge; and
(c) two or more fast dumps positioned between the array of pixels and the output charge-coupled device so that the dumps control which portion of the output charge-coupled device receive charge from the respective subarray.
2. The image sensor as in claim 1 further comprising a plurality of gates for the output charge-coupled device that is arranged as a pseudo-two phase charge-coupled device.
3. The image sensor as in claim 1 further comprising a plurality of gates for the output charge-coupled device that is arranged as a four phase charge-coupled device.
4. A camera comprising:
an image sensor comprising:
(a) an array of pixels arranged into two or more subarrays and each subarray captures charge;
(b) an output charge-coupled device that receives charge from the array of pixels; wherein the output charge-coupled device is divided into substantially two equal first and second portions in which only one portion receives charge from a subarray, and the first portion of the charge-coupled device operates as a charge-multiplying charge-coupled device in which charge is amplified, and the second portion of the charge-coupled device does not amplify charge
(c) two or more fast dumps positioned between the array of pixels and the output charge-coupled device so that the dumps control which portion of the output charge-coupled device receive charge from the respective subarray.
5. The camera as in claim 4 further comprising a plurality of gates for the output charge-coupled device that is arranged as a pseudo-two phase charge-coupled device.
6. The camera as in claim 4 further comprising a plurality of gates for the output charge-coupled device that is arranged as a four phase charge-coupled device.