Imaging apparatus, imaging method, manufacturing apparatus, manufacturing method, and electronic apparatus
View Patent ↗There is provided an imaging apparatus that includes a photoelectric conversion section, a retention section, and first and second gates. The photoelectric conversion section is configured to convert a received light into charge. The retention section is configured to retain the charge provided by the photoelectric conversion section. The first and second gates are provided between the photoelectric conversion section and the retention section, the first and second gates being turned ON for transferring the charge from the photoelectric conversion section to the retention section, and the second gate being turned OFF after the first gate is turned OFF.
1. An imaging apparatus, comprising:
a photoelectric conversion section configured to convert received light into charge;
a retention section configured to retain the charge provided by the photoelectric conversion section;
a floating diffusion region configured to accumulate the charge from the retention section;
first and second gates provided between the photoelectric conversion section and the retention section, the first and second gates being turned ON for transferring the charge from the photoelectric conversion section to the retention section, and the second gate being turned OFF after the first gate is turned OFF; and
a third gate provided between the retention section and the floating diffusion region,
wherein after the first and second gates are turned OFF, the third gate is turned ON, and a transfer of charge is started from the retention section to the floating diffusion region.
2. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the first gate accumulates the charge.
3. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the first gate prevents a backflow of the charge from the retention section to the photoelectric conversion section.
4. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the first gate is disposed to be in contact with the photoelectric conversion section, and the second gate is disposed in the vicinity of the retention section.
5. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the first and second gates are disposed next to each other above the photoelectric conversion section.
6. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the second gate is disposed in the vicinity of another photoelectric conversion section, the other photoelectric conversion section being adjacent to the photoelectric conversion section provided with the first gate.
7. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the first and second gates are formed in a same size ratio.
8. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein one of the first and second gates is formed larger than the other.
9. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the first and second gates are each in a polygon shape.
10. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the first and second gates are each formed with a segment of a circle.
11. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the third gate is disposed not to be in contact with the first and second gates.
12. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the first gate is configured by a plurality of pieces.
13. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the second gate is configured by a plurality of pieces.
14. An imaging method in an imaging apparatus comprising:
a photoelectric conversion section configured to convert received light into charge;
a retention section configured to retain the charge provided by the photoelectric conversion section;
a floating diffusion region configured to accumulate the charge from the retention section;
first and second gates provided between the photoelectric conversion section and the retention section; and
a third gate provided between the retention section and the floating diffusion region, the imaging method comprising:
turning ON the first and second gates for transferring the charge from the photoelectric conversion section to the retention section;
turning OFF the second gate after turning OFF the first gate; and
after the first and second gates are turned OFF, turning ON the third gate and starting a transfer of charge from the retention section to the floating diffusion region.
15. A manufacturing apparatus for manufacturing an imaging apparatus comprising:
a photoelectric conversion section configured to convert received light into charge;
a retention section configured to retain the charge provided by the photoelectric conversion section;
a floating diffusion region configured to accumulate the charge from the retention section;
first and second gates provided between the photoelectric conversion section and the retention section;
a third gate provided between the retention section and the floating diffusion region; and
a processing section configured to turn ON the first and second gates for transferring the charge from the photoelectric conversion section to the retention section, to turn OFF the second gate after turning OFF the first gate, and to turn ON the third gate after the first and second gates have been turned OFF to start a transfer of charge from the retention section to the floating diffusion region.
16. The manufacturing apparatus according to claim 15 , wherein
the photoelectric conversion section and the retention section are formed in a substrate, and
the first and second gates are formed on the substrate.
17. A manufacturing method for manufacturing an imaging apparatus comprising:
a photoelectric conversion section configured to convert received light into charge;
a retention section configured to retain the charge provided by the photoelectric conversion section;
a floating diffusion region configured to accumulate the charge from the retention section;
first and second gates provided between the photoelectric conversion section and the retention section;
a third gate provided between the retention section and the floating diffusion region; and
a processing section configured to turn ON the first and second gates for transferring the charge from the photoelectric conversion section to the retention section, to turn OFF the second gate after turning OFF the first gate, and to turn ON the third gate after the first and second gates have been turned OFF to start a transfer of charge from the retention section to the floating diffusion region.
18. The manufacturing method according to claim 17 , further comprising:
forming the photoelectric conversion section and the retention section in a substrate; and
forming the first and second gates on the substrate.
19. An electronic apparatus, comprising:
an imaging apparatus including:
a photoelectric conversion section configured to convert received light into charge;
a retention section configured to retain the charge provided by the photoelectric conversion section;
a floating diffusion region configured to accumulate the charge from the retention section;
first and second gates provided between the photoelectric conversion section and the retention section, the first and second gates being turned ON for transferring the charge from the photoelectric conversion section to the retention section, and the second gate being turned OFF after the first gate is turned OFF; and
a third gate provided between the retention section and the floating diffusion region, wherein after the first and second gates are turned OFF, the third gate is turned ON, and transfer of charge is started from the retention section to the floating diffusion region; and
a signal processing section configured to perform signal processing on a pixel signal coming from the photoelectric conversion section.