WO2022153857A1 - 撮像装置 - Google Patents
撮像装置 Download PDFInfo
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- WO2022153857A1 WO2022153857A1 PCT/JP2021/048521 JP2021048521W WO2022153857A1 WO 2022153857 A1 WO2022153857 A1 WO 2022153857A1 JP 2021048521 W JP2021048521 W JP 2021048521W WO 2022153857 A1 WO2022153857 A1 WO 2022153857A1
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- 238000003384 imaging method Methods 0.000 title claims abstract description 54
- 238000006243 chemical reaction Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 68
- 239000004065 semiconductor Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 49
- 230000003321 amplification Effects 0.000 claims description 20
- 238000003199 nucleic acid amplification method Methods 0.000 claims description 20
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- 239000003990 capacitor Substances 0.000 abstract 1
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- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 description 10
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- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 2
- 239000012535 impurity Substances 0.000 description 2
- 230000001629 suppression Effects 0.000 description 2
- 230000002730 additional effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000000295 complement effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000002596 correlated effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000003247 decreasing effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000009792 diffusion process Methods 0.000 description 1
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- 239000007924 injection Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000002265 prevention Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000005070 sampling Methods 0.000 description 1
- 229920006395 saturated elastomer Polymers 0.000 description 1
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
- H04N25/00—Circuitry of solid-state image sensors [SSIS]; Control thereof
- H04N25/70—SSIS architectures; Circuits associated therewith
- H04N25/76—Addressed sensors, e.g. MOS or CMOS sensors
- H04N25/77—Pixel circuitry, e.g. memories, A/D converters, pixel amplifiers, shared circuits or shared components
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01L—SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES NOT COVERED BY CLASS H10
- H01L27/00—Devices consisting of a plurality of semiconductor or other solid-state components formed in or on a common substrate
- H01L27/14—Devices consisting of a plurality of semiconductor or other solid-state components formed in or on a common substrate including semiconductor components sensitive to infrared radiation, light, electromagnetic radiation of shorter wavelength or corpuscular radiation and specially adapted either for the conversion of the energy of such radiation into electrical energy or for the control of electrical energy by such radiation
- H01L27/144—Devices controlled by radiation
- H01L27/146—Imager structures
- H01L27/14601—Structural or functional details thereof
- H01L27/14609—Pixel-elements with integrated switching, control, storage or amplification elements
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01L—SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES NOT COVERED BY CLASS H10
- H01L27/00—Devices consisting of a plurality of semiconductor or other solid-state components formed in or on a common substrate
- H01L27/14—Devices consisting of a plurality of semiconductor or other solid-state components formed in or on a common substrate including semiconductor components sensitive to infrared radiation, light, electromagnetic radiation of shorter wavelength or corpuscular radiation and specially adapted either for the conversion of the energy of such radiation into electrical energy or for the control of electrical energy by such radiation
- H01L27/144—Devices controlled by radiation
- H01L27/146—Imager structures
- H01L27/14665—Imagers using a photoconductor layer
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
- H04N25/00—Circuitry of solid-state image sensors [SSIS]; Control thereof
- H04N25/50—Control of the SSIS exposure
- H04N25/57—Control of the dynamic range
- H04N25/571—Control of the dynamic range involving a non-linear response
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
- H04N25/00—Circuitry of solid-state image sensors [SSIS]; Control thereof
- H04N25/50—Control of the SSIS exposure
- H04N25/57—Control of the dynamic range
- H04N25/59—Control of the dynamic range by controlling the amount of charge storable in the pixel, e.g. modification of the charge conversion ratio of the floating node capacitance
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
- H04N25/00—Circuitry of solid-state image sensors [SSIS]; Control thereof
- H04N25/60—Noise processing, e.g. detecting, correcting, reducing or removing noise
- H04N25/63—Noise processing, e.g. detecting, correcting, reducing or removing noise applied to dark current
Definitions
- This disclosure relates to an imaging device.
- Image sensors are used in digital cameras, etc.
- Examples of the image sensor include a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) image sensor and a CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) image sensor.
- CCD Charge Coupled Device
- CMOS Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor
- a photodiode is provided on the semiconductor substrate.
- Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2 describe a stacked image pickup apparatus.
- signal charges are generated by photoelectric conversion.
- the generated charge is accumulated in the charge storage unit.
- a signal corresponding to the amount of charge stored in the charge storage unit is read out via a CCD circuit or a CMOS circuit formed on the semiconductor substrate.
- the present disclosure provides a technique suitable for realizing a wide dynamic range while ensuring a signal-to-noise (S / N) ratio in intermediate illuminance.
- a photoelectric conversion unit that generates an electric charge by photoelectric conversion
- the charge storage unit where the charge is stored and the charge storage unit It comprises a first terminal, a second terminal, a gate, an oxide layer, and a metal-oxide-semiconductor capacity that includes at least one semiconductor region.
- the first terminal is electrically connected to the charge storage portion.
- the gate is electrically connected to the first terminal and
- the at least one semiconductor region is electrically connected to the second terminal.
- the oxide layer provides an imaging device located between the gate and the at least one semiconductor region.
- the technique according to the present disclosure is suitable for realizing a wide dynamic range while ensuring an S / N ratio in intermediate illuminance.
- FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a circuit configuration of an image pickup apparatus according to a first embodiment.
- FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram of pixels according to the first embodiment.
- FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram of a photoelectric conversion unit according to the first embodiment.
- FIG. 4 is a graph showing the relationship of the capacitance value with respect to the voltage between terminals of the MOS capacitance according to the first embodiment.
- FIG. 5 is a graph showing the relationship of the S / N ratio with respect to the illuminance.
- FIG. 6 is a graph showing the relationship of the capacitance value with respect to the voltage between terminals of the MOS capacitance according to the second embodiment.
- FIG. 7 is a circuit diagram of pixels according to the third embodiment.
- the imaging apparatus is A photoelectric conversion unit that generates an electric charge by photoelectric conversion, and The charge storage unit where the charge is stored and the charge storage unit It comprises a first terminal, a second terminal, a gate, an oxide layer, and a metal-oxide-semiconductor capacity that includes at least one semiconductor region.
- the first terminal is electrically connected to the charge storage portion.
- the gate is electrically connected to the first terminal and The at least one semiconductor region is electrically connected to the second terminal.
- the oxide layer is located between the gate and the at least one semiconductor region.
- the technique according to the first aspect is suitable for realizing a wide dynamic range while ensuring an S / N ratio in intermediate illuminance.
- the capacitance value of the MOS capacitance may continuously change according to the potential of the charge storage unit.
- the technique according to the second aspect is suitable for realizing a wide dynamic range while ensuring an S / N ratio in intermediate illuminance.
- the CV characteristic defined as the relationship of the capacitance value of the MOS capacitance with respect to the voltage between terminals, which is the voltage between the first terminal and the second terminal, may have an inflection point.
- the potential of the charge storage unit changes continuously, the voltage between terminals and the capacitance value may continuously change across the inflection point.
- the capacitance value of the MOS capacity can be easily changed greatly according to the change in the potential of the charge storage portion.
- the image pickup apparatus further includes a setting device that sets the range in which the potential of the charge storage unit changes from the first potential to the second potential.
- the CV characteristic may include a first band having the inflection point.
- the fourth aspect is an example of one configuration of the imaging device.
- a first DC potential is applied to the second terminal so that the capacitance value of the MOS capacity continuously changes according to the voltage between terminals, which is the voltage between the first terminal and the second terminal. May be good.
- the imaging device can have a simple structure.
- the CV characteristic defined as the relationship of the capacitance value of the MOS capacitance with respect to the terminal voltage, which is the voltage between the first terminal and the second terminal includes the first band and the second band.
- the capacitance value in the second band is smaller than the capacitance value in the first band.
- the absolute value of the ratio of the change in the capacitance value to the change in the voltage between the terminals in the second band is larger than the absolute value of the ratio of the change in the capacitance value to the change in the voltage between the terminals in the first band.
- the photographing mode of the imaging device may include a first mode and a second mode.
- the potential may be applied to the second terminal so that the voltage between the terminals changes within the first band when the potential of the charge storage unit changes.
- the potential may be applied to the second terminal so that the voltage between the terminals changes within the second band when the potential of the charge storage unit changes.
- the second mode of the sixth aspect it is easy to suppress at least one selected from noise variation and signal variation.
- the charge may be a positive charge, and the potential of the second terminal in the second mode may be higher than the potential of the second terminal in the first mode. Further, the electric charge may be a negative charge, and the potential of the second terminal in the second mode may be lower than the potential of the second terminal in the first mode.
- the CV characteristic defined as the relationship of the capacitance value of the MOS capacitance with respect to the voltage between terminals, which is the voltage between the first terminal and the second terminal, even if the first band and the third band are provided.
- the capacitance value in the third band is larger than the capacitance value in the first band.
- the absolute value of the ratio of the change in the capacitance value to the change in the voltage between the terminals in the third band is larger than the absolute value of the ratio of the change in the capacitance value to the change in the voltage between the terminals in the first band.
- the photographing mode of the imaging device may include a first mode and a third mode.
- the potential may be applied to the second terminal so that the voltage between the terminals changes within the first band when the potential of the charge storage unit changes.
- the potential may be applied to the second terminal so that the voltage between the terminals changes within the third band when the potential of the charge storage unit changes.
- the third mode of the seventh aspect it is easy to suppress at least one selected from noise variation and signal variation.
- the charge may be a positive charge, and the potential of the second terminal in the third mode may be lower than the potential of the second terminal in the first mode. Further, the electric charge may be a negative charge, and the potential of the second terminal in the third mode may be higher than the potential of the second terminal in the first mode.
- the image pickup apparatus is An amplification transistor that outputs an output signal corresponding to the potential of the charge storage unit may be further provided.
- the imaging device may switch the potential applied to the second terminal according to the output signal.
- the shooting mode can be switched.
- the imaging device may further include a voltage source for applying a potential to the second terminal.
- the ninth aspect is an example of one configuration of the imaging device.
- the image pickup apparatus may further include a semiconductor substrate including the at least one semiconductor region.
- the photoelectric conversion unit may be located at a position away from the semiconductor substrate.
- the photoelectric conversion unit is less likely to affect the capacitance value of the MOS capacity as compared with the configuration in which the photoelectric conversion unit is a photodiode provided on the semiconductor substrate.
- the imaging apparatus is A charge storage unit that stores the charge generated by photoelectric conversion, and A transistor having a source region and a drain region electrically connected to each other is provided.
- the transistor functions as a MOS capacitance including a first terminal electrically connected to the charge storage unit during exposure.
- the technique according to the eleventh aspect is suitable for realizing a wide dynamic range while ensuring an S / N ratio in an intermediate illuminance.
- the imaging apparatus according to the twelfth aspect of the present disclosure is A charge storage unit that stores the charge generated by photoelectric conversion, and It comprises a first terminal electrically connected to the charge storage during exposure, an oxide layer, and a metal-oxide-semiconductor capacity that includes a source / drain region.
- adjustment of each element due to the difference in the positive and negative of the signal charge such as changing the conductive type of the impurity region, can be appropriately performed.
- the replacement of terms due to the difference in the positive and negative of the signal charge can be performed as appropriate.
- the charge storage unit is electrically connected to the element X.
- the above expression can be used even when the charge storage unit is composed of a part or all of the element X. Therefore, the above expression should be interpreted as an expression including the case where the charge storage part is composed of a part or all of the element X.
- the charge storage unit and other elements such as "having / including the charge storage unit and the element X”. Specifically, in the following embodiments, such a list can be performed even when the charge storage unit is composed of a part or all of the element X.
- one of the source and drain of the overflow transistor may constitute a charge storage unit.
- One of the source and drain of the reset transistor may form a charge storage unit.
- the photoelectric conversion unit may form a charge storage unit.
- the ordinal numbers 1st, 2nd, 3rd ... may be used. If an element has an ordinal number, it is not essential that a younger element of the same type exists. For example, the term third mode is not used with the intention that a second mode always exists with the third mode. In addition, the ordinal numbers can be changed, the ordinal numbers can be deleted, and the ordinal numbers can be added as needed.
- FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a circuit configuration of the image pickup apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment.
- the image pickup device 1 is a stacked solid-state image pickup device.
- the image pickup apparatus 1 includes a plurality of pixels 14, a drive circuit unit, a photoelectric conversion control line 16, a plurality of vertical signal lines 17, a plurality of power supply wirings 62, a power supply wiring 21, a voltage line 75, and a plurality of feedback lines 23.
- the plurality of pixels 14 are arranged two-dimensionally on the semiconductor substrate 9. Specifically, the plurality of pixels 14 are arranged in the row direction and the column direction. The plurality of pixels 14 constitute a photosensitive region. The photosensitive area is also referred to as a pixel area.
- the image pickup apparatus 1 may be a line sensor. In that case, the plurality of pixels 14 can be arranged one-dimensionally.
- the drive circuit unit sequentially drives a plurality of pixels 14 and reads out a signal obtained by photoelectric conversion.
- the drive circuit unit includes a vertical scanning unit 15, a horizontal signal reading unit 20, a plurality of column signal processing units 19, a plurality of load units 18, and a plurality of differential amplifiers 22.
- the vertical scanning unit 15 is also referred to as a row scanning circuit.
- the horizontal signal reading unit 20 is also referred to as a column scanning circuit.
- the column signal processing unit 19 is also referred to as a row signal storage unit.
- the differential amplifier 22 is also referred to as a feedback amplifier.
- Each pixel 14 has a photoelectric conversion unit 10, an amplification transistor 11, a reset transistor 12, an address transistor 13, an overflow transistor 60, and a MOS (Metal Oxide Semiconductor) capacity 70.
- the address transistor 13 is also referred to as a row selection transistor.
- the overflow transistor 60 is also referred to as a seizure prevention transistor.
- the transistors 11, 12, 13 and 60 are MOSFETs (Metal Oxide Semiconductor Field Effect Transistors). Specifically, in the present embodiment, the transistors 11, 12, 13 and 60 are N-type MOSFETs. However, the transistors 11, 12, 13 and 60 may be P-type MOSFETs. Transistors 11, 12, 13 and 60 may be transistors of a type different from MOSFET, such as bipolar transistors. These points are the same for the band control transistor 56 in the third embodiment.
- MOSFETs Metal Oxide Semiconductor Field Effect Transistors
- the power supply wiring 21 is a wiring for a source follower power supply.
- the power supply wiring 21 supplies a predetermined power supply voltage to each pixel 14.
- a signal line is provided for each line of the pixel 14.
- the pixels 14 in each row are electrically connected to the vertical scanning section 15 via the corresponding signal lines.
- a vertical signal line 17 is provided for each row of pixels 14.
- the pixels 14 in each row are electrically connected to the corresponding vertical signal lines 17.
- a load unit 18 is provided for each vertical signal line 17. Each load unit 18 is electrically connected to the corresponding vertical signal line 17. The load unit 18 cooperates with the amplification transistor 11 to form a source follower circuit.
- a column signal processing unit 19 is provided for each vertical signal line 17. Each column signal processing unit 19 is electrically connected to the corresponding vertical signal line 17. These column signal processing units 19 are electrically connected to the horizontal signal reading unit 20. These column signal processing units 19 are arranged in the horizontal direction, that is, in the row direction.
- a differential amplifier 22 is provided for each vertical signal line 17.
- the negative input terminal of the differential amplifier 22 is electrically connected to the corresponding vertical signal line 17.
- a predetermined potential is applied to the input terminal on the positive side of the differential amplifier 22.
- the output terminals of the differential amplifier 22 are electrically connected to the pixels 14 via feedback lines 23 corresponding to each row.
- FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram of the pixel 14 according to the first embodiment.
- the photoelectric conversion unit 10 includes one of the source and drain of the reset transistor 12, one of the source and drain of the overflow transistor 60, the first terminal Cv of the MOS (Metal Oxide Semiconductor) capacity 70, and the gate electrode of the amplification transistor 11. Is electrically connected to.
- One of the source and drain of the amplification transistor 11 is electrically connected to the power supply wiring 21.
- the other of the source and drain of the amplification transistor 11 is electrically connected to one of the source and drain of the address transistor 13.
- the other of the source and drain of the address transistor 13 is electrically connected to the vertical signal line 17.
- the other of the source and drain of the reset transistor 12 is electrically connected to the feedback line 23.
- the photoelectric conversion unit 10 converts light into electric charges. In this way, the photoelectric conversion unit 10 generates an electric charge according to the illuminance of the incident light.
- the electric charge generated by the photoelectric conversion in the photoelectric conversion unit 10 in this way is referred to as a signal charge.
- the signal charge is a positive charge.
- the signal charge may be a negative charge.
- FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram of the photoelectric conversion unit 10 according to the first embodiment.
- the photoelectric conversion unit 10 is provided above the semiconductor substrate 9.
- the photoelectric conversion unit 10 has a photoelectric conversion layer 10a, a pixel electrode 10b, and a counter electrode 10c.
- the photoelectric conversion layer 10a is arranged between the pixel electrode 10b and the counter electrode 10c.
- the photoelectric conversion layer 10a generates an electric charge by photoelectric conversion.
- the pixel electrode 10b collects this charge.
- the electric charge generated by the photoelectric conversion is accumulated in the electric charge storage unit 24.
- the charge generated by the photoelectric conversion unit 10 is stored in the charge storage unit 24.
- the potential of the charge storage unit 24 changes according to the amount of charge stored in the charge storage unit 24.
- the charge storage unit 24 is a diffusion region provided on the semiconductor substrate 9.
- the counter electrodes 10c in the plurality of pixels 14 form a connected electrode. Further, the photoelectric conversion layer 10a of the plurality of pixels 14 constitutes a continuous film.
- the MOS capacity 70 has a first terminal Cv and a second terminal TT.
- the first terminal Cv is electrically connected to the charge storage unit 24. Since the MOS capacity 70 and the charge storage unit 24 are electrically connected, the charge accumulation by the MOS capacity 70 and the charge storage unit 24 can be smoothly shared for each pixel without disturbance. Specifically, the first terminal Cv and the charge storage unit 24 are connected to each other without using a switch such as a switching element.
- the MOS capacity 70 is a variable capacity. Specifically, the capacitance value of the MOS capacitance 70 changes according to the potential difference between the first terminal Cv and the second terminal TT.
- the imaging device 1 includes a voltage source 77.
- the voltage source 77 applies a potential to the second terminal TT. Specifically, the voltage source 77 applies a potential to the second terminal TT via the voltage line 75.
- the voltage source 77 may be included in the drive circuit section.
- the photoelectric conversion unit 10 During the exposure, the photoelectric conversion unit 10, the charge storage unit 24, and the first terminal Cv are electrically connected. In this configuration, it is not necessary to arrange transistors between them. This is advantageous from the viewpoint of suppressing variations in output characteristics for each pixel 14.
- the photoelectric conversion unit 10 has a photoelectric conversion layer 10a, a pixel electrode 10b, and a counter electrode 10c, "exposure" can be realized by applying a voltage to the counter electrode 10c.
- the MOS capacity 70 is provided on the semiconductor substrate 9.
- the photoelectric conversion unit 10 is located at a position away from the semiconductor substrate 9. According to this configuration, the photoelectric conversion unit 10 is less likely to affect the capacitance value of the MOS capacity 70 as compared with the configuration in which the photoelectric conversion unit 10 is a photodiode provided on the semiconductor substrate 9.
- the amplification transistor 11 outputs an output signal according to the potential of the charge storage unit 24.
- the output signal is specifically a signal voltage.
- the address transistor 13 selectively outputs the output signal from the amplification transistor 11. In this way, the output signal is read from the vertical signal line 17 from the amplification transistor 11 via the address transistor 13.
- the reset transistor 12 resets the potential of the charge storage unit 24. It can be said that the reset transistor 12 resets the signal charge stored in the charge storage unit 24.
- the overflow transistor 60 is turned on (turn-on) when the potential of the charge storage unit 24 reaches the threshold potential.
- the overflow transistor 60 is turned on, the excess charge accumulated in the charge storage unit 24 is released to the power supply wiring 62 via the overflow transistor 60. As a result, failures such as seizure can be prevented.
- the threshold potential is, for example, the power supply potential VDD.
- the setting device 65 is configured in the present embodiment.
- the setting device 65 sets the range in which the potential of the charge storage unit 24 changes from the first potential to the second potential.
- the setter 65 may include a reset transistor 12.
- the reset transistor 12 can reset the potential of the charge storage unit 24 to the first potential.
- the setter 65 may include an overflow transistor 60.
- the overflow transistor 60 can discharge the charge accumulated in the charge storage unit 24 when the potential of the charge storage unit 24 reaches the second potential.
- the setting device 65 may include a photoelectric conversion unit 10. In this case, a second potential can be applied to the counter electrode 10c.
- the difference between the first potential and the second potential is 0 V or more and 6 V or less in one example, and 0.5 V or more and 4 V or less in one specific example.
- the absolute value of the first potential is smaller than the absolute value of the second potential. If the signal charge is positive, the second potential can be higher than the first potential. In this case, for example, the first potential is 0 V or more and 1 V or less, and the second potential is 3 V or more and 6 V or less. If the signal charge is negative, the overflow transistor 60 can be omitted.
- the charge storage unit 24 is one of the source and drain of the reset transistor 12. Further, the charge storage unit 24 is one of the source and drain of the overflow transistor 60. That is, the charge storage unit 24 has a function of accumulating signal charges, a function of one of the source and drain of the reset transistor 12, and a function of one of the source and drain of the overflow transistor 60.
- the vertical scanning unit 15 applies a row selection signal to the gate electrode of the address transistor 13.
- the row selection signal controls the on and off of the address transistor 13.
- the row selection signal scans the row to be read in the vertical direction, that is, in the column direction, and selects the row to be read.
- the output signal is read from the pixel 14 in the selected line to the vertical signal line 17.
- the vertical scanning unit 15 applies a reset signal to the gate electrode of the reset transistor 12.
- the reset signal controls the on and off of the reset transistor 12.
- the reset signal selects the row of pixels 14 that is the target of the reset operation.
- the photoelectric conversion control line 16 is electrically connected to all the pixels 14.
- the same constant voltage is applied to all the photoelectric conversion units 10 in the image pickup apparatus 1 by the photoelectric conversion control line 16.
- the counter electrodes 10c in the plurality of pixels form a connected electrode.
- a constant voltage is applied to the connected electrodes by the photoelectric conversion control line 16. In this embodiment, this constant voltage is a positive constant voltage.
- the vertical signal line 17 is electrically connected to the other of the source and drain of the address transistor 13 in the pixel 14 of the corresponding row.
- the vertical signal line 17 transmits the output signal read from the pixel 14 in the column direction, that is, in the vertical direction.
- the column signal processing unit 19 performs noise suppression signal processing, analog-to-digital conversion (AD conversion), and the like.
- the noise suppression signal processing is, for example, correlated double sampling.
- the horizontal signal reading unit 20 sequentially reads signals from a plurality of column signal processing units 19 to a horizontal common signal line (not shown).
- the power supply wiring 21 is wired in the vertical direction of the pixel 14 in the photosensitive region.
- the vertical direction is the vertical direction on the paper surface of FIG.
- the reason for wiring in the vertical direction is as follows. That is, the pixels 14 are selected row by row. Therefore, if the power supply wiring 21 is wired in the row direction, all the pixel drive currents in one row flow in one wiring, and the voltage drop becomes large. By wiring in the vertical direction, such a situation can be avoided.
- a common source follower power supply voltage is applied to the amplification transistors 11 of all the pixels 14 by the power supply wiring 21.
- the output signal of the address transistor 13 is supplied to the negative input terminal of the differential amplifier 22 when the address transistor 13 and the reset transistor 12 are in a conductive state.
- the differential amplifier 22 performs a feedback operation so that the gate potential of the amplification transistor 11 becomes a predetermined feedback voltage.
- the feedback voltage is the output voltage of the differential amplifier 22.
- the output voltage of the differential amplifier 22 is a positive voltage.
- one line of pixels 14 selected by the vertical scanning unit 15 is selected.
- the signal charge photoelectrically converted by the photoelectric conversion unit 10 in the selected pixel 14 is amplified by the amplification transistor 11.
- the output signal corresponding to the signal charge is output from the amplification transistor 11 to the vertical signal line 17 via the address transistor 13. After that, the output signal is input to the horizontal signal reading unit 20 via the column signal processing unit 19, and is selected and output by the horizontal signal reading unit 20.
- the signal charge in the pixel 14 is discharged by turning on the reset transistor 12. At that time, thermal noise called kTC noise is generated from the reset transistor 12. This thermal noise remains even when the reset transistor 12 is turned off and the signal charge accumulation in the charge storage unit 24 is started.
- the vertical signal line 17 is electrically connected to the negative input terminal of the differential amplifier 22.
- the voltage of the vertical signal line 17, that is, the input voltage to the negative input terminal is inverting and amplified by the differential amplifier 22.
- the inverting amplified voltage is fed back to the other of the source and drain of the reset transistor 12 via the feedback line 23.
- the thermal noise generated in the reset transistor 12 can be suppressed by the negative feedback control.
- the AC component of thermal noise can be fed back to the other of the source and drain of the reset transistor 12.
- the DC component is 0 V or more and 1 V or less as described above.
- FIG. 4 is a graph showing the relationship between the capacitance values of the MOS capacitance 70 according to the first embodiment with respect to the voltage between terminals.
- the horizontal axis is the voltage between terminals of the MOS capacity 70.
- the voltage between terminals is, in detail, the difference between the potential of the first terminal Cv and the potential of the second terminal TT.
- the unit on the horizontal axis is a volt (V).
- the vertical axis is the capacity value of the MOS capacity 70.
- the unit on the vertical axis is an arbitrary unit (au). These points are the same in FIG. 6 described later.
- the voltage between terminals of the MOS capacity 70 may be referred to as the voltage between Cv and TT.
- the capacity value of the MOS capacity 70 may be referred to as a capacity value C.
- the relationship of the capacitance value C with respect to the voltage between Cv and TT may be referred to as a CV characteristic. As can be seen from FIG. 4, the capacitance value C can change depending on the voltage between Cv and TT.
- the MOS capacity 70 is a variable capacity due to such CV characteristics.
- the capacitance value C continuously changes according to the voltage between Cv and TT. Specifically, when the voltage between Cv and TT changes continuously, the capacitance value C changes continuously.
- intermediate illuminance means an illuminance that is greater than the minimum illuminance that the image pickup apparatus 1 exhibits sensitivity to and lower than the maximum illuminance that the image pickup apparatus 1 exhibits sensitivity to. The reason why such an advantage can be obtained will be described below.
- FIG. 5 is a graph showing the relationship of the S / N ratio with respect to the illuminance.
- the horizontal axis is the illuminance.
- the unit on the horizontal axis is lux.
- the vertical axis is the S / N ratio.
- the solid line shows the relationship of the S / N ratio with respect to the illuminance with respect to the image pickup apparatus 1 of the present embodiment.
- the dotted line shows the relationship of the S / N ratio with respect to the illuminance of the conventional 1-pixel 2-cell type image pickup apparatus.
- the one-pixel, two-cell type imaging device is described in, for example, Patent Document 2.
- a first imaging cell and a second imaging cell are configured in one pixel.
- the first imaging cell is a cell used when the illuminance is low, and has high sensitivity and low saturation.
- the second imaging cell is a cell used when the illuminance is high, and has low sensitivity and high saturation.
- a wide dynamic range is realized by using the first imaging cell and the second imaging cell.
- the 1-pixel 2-cell method has a problem that the S / N ratio becomes low under intermediate illuminance and the image quality tends to deteriorate.
- the data based on the signal derived from the first imaging cell for when the illuminance is low and the data based on the signal derived from the second imaging cell for when the illuminance is high have intermediate illuminance. It is connected by software at the illuminance corresponding to.
- the S / N ratio for the signal derived from the first imaging cell is high, while the S / N ratio for the signal derived from the second imaging cell is low.
- the S / N ratio drops sharply at intermediate illuminance.
- the capacitance value C can be continuously increased as the illuminance increases. This makes it possible to achieve a wide dynamic range while achieving a "seamless" S / N ratio without a sharp drop in the S / N ratio at intermediate illuminance.
- the charge accumulated in the charge storage unit cannot be completely transferred. Therefore, a configuration in which noise is canceled by a feedback loop may be adopted. If the capacitance value of the charge storage unit is reduced, it is easy to secure the efficiency of noise cancellation. Further, if the capacitance value of the charge storage unit is reduced, it is easy to secure the conversion gain.
- the configuration in which the capacitance value of the charge storage unit is small is suitable for imaging in a dark scene. On the other hand, if the capacitance value of the charge storage unit is increased, the change in the potential of the charge storage unit can be made gentle with respect to the change in the amount of signal charge stored in the charge storage unit. This means that the imaging device is highly saturated.
- the configuration in which the capacitance value of the charge storage unit is large is suitable for imaging in a bright scene. It can be said that a configuration having a large capacitance value of the charge storage unit makes it possible to realize a wide dynamic range. As described above, there are advantages and disadvantages in the configuration in which the capacitance value of the charge storage portion is small and in the configuration in which the capacity value is large.
- the capacitance value C of the MOS capacitance 70 can be reduced when the feedback operation is performed.
- the conversion gain can be secured by reducing the capacitance value C.
- the saturation level of the imaging device 1 can be increased by increasing the capacitance value C.
- the image pickup apparatus 1 having such an advantage can be realized. Specifically, by continuously changing the capacitance value C of the MOS capacitance 70, a wide dynamic range can be realized while suppressing the influence of noise.
- the capacitance value C continuously changes according to the potential of the charge storage unit 24. Specifically, when the potential of the charge storage unit 24 changes continuously, the capacitance value C changes continuously.
- the potential is applied to the second terminal TT so that the capacitance value C continuously changes according to the potential of the charge storage unit 24.
- the potential is applied to the second terminal TT so that the capacitance value C continuously changes when the potential of the charge storage unit 24 changes continuously.
- the CV characteristic of the MOS capacity 70 has an inflection point IP.
- the potential of the charge storage unit 24 changes continuously, the voltage between Cv and TT and the capacitance value C continuously change across the inflection point IP.
- the capacitance value C of the MOS capacitance 70 can be easily changed significantly according to the change in the potential of the charge storage unit 24.
- the potential is applied to the second terminal TT so that the Cv-TT voltage and the capacitance value C continuously change across the inflection point IP when the potential of the charge storage unit 24 changes continuously. Will be done.
- the inflection point IP is a point at which the sign of the value obtained by second-order differentializing the capacitance value C with the Cv-TT voltage changes.
- the CV characteristic of the MOS capacity 70 includes the first band B1.
- the first band B1 has an inflection point IP.
- the Cv-TT voltage and the capacitance value C change from the value at one end to the value at the other end of the first band B1.
- the Cv-TT voltage and the capacitance value C change from the value at one end to the value at the other end of the first band B1.
- a potential is applied to the second terminal TT.
- the first DC potential is applied to the second terminal TT so that the capacitance value C continuously changes according to the voltage between Cv and TT.
- the first DC potential is, for example, 0 V or more and 2 V or less.
- the first DC potential is applied to the second terminal TT so that the capacitance value C continuously changes when the potential of the charge storage unit 24 changes continuously.
- the capacitance value C continuously and monotonically changes as the voltage between Cv and TT increases.
- monotonous change means always increasing or always decreasing.
- the first band B1 may be referred to as a variable capacitance band.
- the capacitance value C continuously and monotonically increases as the Cv-TT voltage increases.
- the first potential is 1 V.
- the second potential is 3V.
- the potential applied to the second terminal TT is 0V.
- the variable capacitance band is a band in which the Cv-TT voltage is 1 V or more and less than 3 V.
- the image pickup apparatus 1 includes a specific transistor 80.
- the specific transistor 80 is typically a MOSFET that includes a gate, an oxide layer, and at least one semiconductor region.
- the MOS capacity 70 is configured by using the specific transistor 80.
- the source region and drain region of the specific transistor 80 are electrically connected to each other. Electrically connecting the source region and the drain region of the specific transistor 80 is suitable for realizing the CV characteristic of the MOS capacity 70 shown in FIG.
- the source region and drain region of the specific transistor 80 can be electrically connected by wiring or the like.
- the specific transistor 80 may include a source / drain region which is a single semiconductor region in which the source region and the drain region are integrated, instead of the source region and the drain region.
- one of the first terminal Cv and the second terminal TT is electrically connected to the source and drain of the specific transistor 80.
- the other of the first terminal Cv and the second terminal TT is electrically connected to the gate electrode of the specific transistor 80.
- the second terminal TT is electrically connected to the source and drain of the specific transistor 80.
- the first terminal Cv is electrically connected to the gate electrode of the specific transistor 80.
- the specific transistor 80 may be provided on the semiconductor substrate 9.
- the shooting mode of the imaging device 1 includes a first mode.
- the first mode when the potential of the charge storage unit 24 changes continuously, the capacitance value C of the MOS capacitance 70 continuously changes.
- the potential is applied to the second terminal TT so that the capacitance value C of the MOS capacitance 70 continuously changes when the potential of the charge storage unit 24 changes continuously.
- the circuit configurations shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 can be used as in the first embodiment.
- the photographing mode of the imaging device 1 includes a second mode and a third mode in addition to the first mode.
- FIG. 6 is a graph showing the relationship between the capacitance values of the MOS capacitance 70 according to the second embodiment with respect to the voltage between terminals.
- the CV characteristic includes a second band B2 and a third band B3 in addition to the first band B1.
- the second band B2 is a band in which the Cv-TT voltage is lower than that of the first band B1.
- the third band B3 is a band in which the Cv-TT voltage is higher than that of the first band B1.
- the second band B2 is connected to the first band B1.
- the third band B3 is connected to the first band B1.
- the second band B2 may be separated from the first band B1.
- the third band B3 may be separated from the first band B1.
- the potential is applied to the second terminal TT so that the voltage between Cv and TT changes within the first band B1 when the potential of the charge storage unit 24 changes.
- the potential is applied to the second terminal TT so that the voltage between Cv and TT changes within the second band B2 when the potential of the charge storage unit 24 changes.
- the potential is applied to the second terminal TT so that the voltage between Cv and TT changes within the third band B3 when the potential of the charge storage unit 24 changes.
- the capacity value C is smaller than that in the first band B1. Further, in the second band B2, the absolute value of the ratio of the change in the capacitance value C to the change in the voltage between Cv and TT is smaller than that in the first band B1. Therefore, in the second mode, high-sensitivity and low-saturation imaging can be easily performed while suppressing at least one selected from noise variation and signal variation.
- the ratio of the change in the capacitance value C to the change in the voltage between Cv and TT is, in detail, a value obtained by differentiating the capacitance value C by the voltage between Cv and TT.
- the capacity value C is larger than that in the first band B1. Further, in the third band B3, the absolute value of the ratio of the change in the capacitance value C to the change in the voltage between Cv and TT is smaller than that in the first band B1. Therefore, according to the third mode, it is easy to perform low-sensitivity and high-saturation imaging while suppressing at least one selected from noise variation and signal variation.
- the charge accumulated in the charge storage unit 24 is a positive charge.
- the potential of the second terminal TT in the second mode is higher than the potential of the second terminal TT in the first mode.
- the potential of the second terminal TT in the third mode is lower than the potential of the second terminal TT in the first mode.
- the charge accumulated in the charge storage unit 24 is a negative charge.
- the potential of the second terminal TT in the second mode is lower than the potential of the second terminal TT in the first mode.
- the potential of the second terminal TT in the third mode is higher than the potential of the second terminal TT in the first mode.
- the first DC potential is applied to the second terminal TT so that the voltage between Cv and TT changes within the first band B1 when the potential of the charge storage unit 24 changes.
- a second DC potential is applied to the second terminal TT so that the voltage between Cv and TT changes within the second band B2 when the potential of the charge storage unit 24 changes.
- a third DC potential is applied to the second terminal TT so that the Cv-TT voltage changes within the third band B3 when the potential of the charge storage unit 24 changes.
- the capacitance value C continuously and monotonically changes as the voltage between Cv and TT increases.
- the first band B1 may be referred to as a variable capacitance band.
- the capacitance value C continuously and monotonically increases as the Cv-TT voltage increases.
- the second band B2 can be referred to as a low capacity stable band.
- the third band B3 can be referred to as a high capacity stable band.
- the Cv-TT voltage corresponding to the first band B1 in the second embodiment is different from the Cv-TT voltage corresponding to the first band B1 in the first embodiment.
- the Cv-TT voltage corresponding to the first band B1 can be adjusted by adjusting the injection amount of impurities into the MOS capacity 70 or the like. The same applies to the Cv-TT voltage corresponding to the second band B2 and the Cv-TT voltage corresponding to the third band B3.
- the Cv-TT voltage corresponding to the first band B1 in the second embodiment may be the same as the Cv-TT voltage corresponding to the first band B1 in the first embodiment.
- the first DC potential is, for example, 1 V or more and 3 V or less.
- the second DC potential is, for example, 3 V or more and 5 V or less.
- the third DC potential is, for example, 0 V or more and 1 V or less.
- the first potential is 1 V.
- the second potential is 3V.
- the potential applied to the second terminal TT in the first mode is 2V.
- the potential applied to the second terminal TT in the second mode is 4V.
- the potential applied to the second terminal TT in the third mode is 0V.
- the variable capacitance band is a band in which the Cv-TT voltage is -1 V or more and less than 1 V.
- the low capacitance stable band is a band in which the Cv-TT voltage is -3V or more and less than -1V.
- the high capacity stable band is a band in which the Cv-TT voltage is 1 V or more and less than 3 V.
- the image pickup apparatus 1 switches the potential applied to the second terminal TT according to the output signal output from the amplification transistor 11. In this way, the image pickup apparatus 1 switches the shooting mode.
- the CV characteristic changes due to the back bias effect of the MOS capacity 70 according to the potential applied to the second terminal TT.
- the CV characteristic curve of FIG. 6 shifts to the right as a whole.
- the photosensitive area is divided into a plurality of areas.
- the common potential applied to the second terminal TT of the MOS capacity 70 of the plurality of pixels 14 belonging to a certain area and the common potential applied to the second terminal TT of the MOS capacity 70 of the plurality of pixels 14 belonging to another area. Can be set independently of each other.
- the first common potential is applied to the second terminal TT of the MOS capacity 70 of the plurality of pixels 14 belonging to the first area.
- a second common potential is applied to the second terminal TT of the MOS capacity 70 of the plurality of pixels 14 belonging to the second area.
- a third common potential is applied to the second terminal TT of the MOS capacity 70 of the plurality of pixels 14 belonging to the third area.
- the first common potential, the second common potential, and the third common potential can be set independently of each other. According to this configuration, it is possible to set which band of the CV characteristic of the MOS capacity 70 is used for each area.
- the image pickup apparatus 1 can be operated so that the first band B1 is used in the first area, the second band B2 is used in the second area, and the third band B3 is used in the third area. ..
- a common potential is applied to the second terminal TT of the MOS capacity 70 of the plurality of pixels 14 belonging to each area.
- the sensitivity and saturation level can be adjusted for each region while avoiding excessive control complexity.
- FIG. 7 is a circuit diagram of the pixel 94 according to the third embodiment.
- the pixel 94 further includes a band control transistor 56, a first capacitance element 51, and a second capacitance element 52 in addition to the amplification transistor 11, the address transistor 13, the reset transistor 12, and the overflow transistor 60.
- the gate electrode of the amplification transistor 11, the charge storage unit 24, the first terminal Cv of the MOS capacity 70, the photoelectric conversion unit 10, and one end of the first capacitance element 51 are electrically connected.
- One of the source and drain of the amplification transistor 11 is electrically connected to the power supply wiring 21.
- the charge storage unit 24 is one of the source and drain of the reset transistor 12 and one of the source and drain of the overflow transistor 60.
- the other of the source and drain of the reset transistor 12, one of the source and drain of the band control transistor 56, the other end of the first capacitance element 51, and one end of the second capacitance element 52 are electrically connected. ..
- a DC potential is applied to the other end of the second capacitance element 52.
- the other of the source and drain of the amplification transistor 11, one of the source and drain of the address transistor 13, and the other of the source and drain of the bandwidth control transistor 56 are electrically connected.
- the other of the source and drain of the address transistor 13 is electrically connected to the vertical signal line 17.
- the band control transistor 56, the first capacitance element 51, and the second capacitance element 52 are used in order to suppress the kTC noise generated when the reset transistor 12 is turned off.
- the technique for suppressing kTC noise refer to Patent Document 2 and the like.
- the CV characteristics of the MOS capacity 70 of the third embodiment are the same as the CV characteristics of the MOS capacity 70 of the second embodiment described with reference to FIG.
- the electric potential can be applied to the second terminal TT as in the second embodiment.
- the MOS capacity 70 may be used according to the first embodiment.
- the overflow transistor 60 may be omitted.
- the photoelectric conversion unit 10 may be a photodiode provided on the semiconductor substrate 9.
- the image pickup apparatus 1 may have a transfer transistor.
- the charge storage unit 24 described with reference to FIGS. 1, 2 and 7 may correspond to the charge storage unit according to this expression.
- the photoelectric conversion unit 10 is a photodiode
- the photodiode can accumulate the electric charge generated by the photoelectric conversion. Therefore, in this embodiment, the photodiode which is the photoelectric conversion unit 10 can correspond to the charge storage unit according to the above expression.
- the first terminal Cv of the MOS capacity 70 can be electrically connected to this photodiode.
- the relationship of the capacitance value C of the MOS capacitance 70 with respect to the potential of the charge storage unit 24 is defined as the CE characteristic.
- the expression “the capacitance value C changes continuously according to the potential of the charge storage unit 24" will be described. This expression means that in the above CE characteristics, the capacitance value C of the MOS capacitance 70 continuously changes according to the potential of the charge storage unit 24. This expression is not intended to require that the potential of the photoelectric conversion unit 10 continuously changes with time as the photoelectric conversion in the photoelectric conversion unit 10 progresses.
- the photoelectric conversion unit 10 and the charge storage unit 24 are connected via a transfer transistor, and when the transfer transistor is turned on (turn-on), the charge of the photoelectric conversion unit 10 is transferred to the charge storage unit 24, and the charge storage unit is charged.
- the transfer transistor is turned on (turn-on)
- the charge of the photoelectric conversion unit 10 is transferred to the charge storage unit 24, and the charge storage unit is charged.
- Capacity value C continuously changes according to the potential of the charge storage unit 24 will be further described. This expression means that, in at least a part of the CE characteristics, the capacitance value C changes continuously according to the potential of the charge storage unit 24. The same applies to the expression “when the potential of the charge storage unit 24 changes continuously, the capacitance value C changes continuously”.
- Capacity value C changes continuously according to the voltage between Cv and TT will be explained. This expression means that, in at least a part of the CV characteristic of the MOS capacity 70, the capacity value C changes continuously according to the voltage between Cv and TT. The same applies to the expression “when the voltage between Cv and TT changes continuously, the capacitance value C changes continuously”.
- the imaging device of the present disclosure is useful for, for example, an image sensor, a digital camera, or the like.
- the imaging device of the present disclosure can be used for medical cameras, robot cameras, security cameras, cameras mounted on vehicles, and the like.
- Imaging device 9 Semiconductor substrate 10 Photoelectric conversion unit 10a Photoelectric conversion layer 10b Pixel electrode 10c Opposite electrode 11 Amplification transistor 12 Reset transistor 13 Address transistor 14,94 pixels 15 Vertical scanning unit 16 Photoelectric conversion control line 17 Vertical signal line 18 Load unit 19 Column signal processing unit 20 Horizontal signal reading unit 21 Power supply wiring 22 Differential amplifier 23 Feedback line 24 Charge storage unit 51 First capacitance element 52 Second capacitance element 56 Band control transistor 60 Overflow transistor 62 Power supply wiring 65 Setter 70 MOS capacity Cv 1st terminal TT 2nd terminal 75 Voltage line 77 Voltage source 80 Specific transistor B1 1st band B2 2nd band B3 3rd band IP change point
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Abstract
Description
光電変換により電荷を生成する光電変換部と、
前記電荷が蓄積される電荷蓄積部と、
第1端子、第2端子、ゲート、酸化物層、及び少なくとも1つの半導体領域を含む金属-酸化物-半導体容量と、を備え、
露光中において、前記第1端子は前記電荷蓄積部に電気的に接続され、
前記ゲートは前記第1端子に電気的に接続され、
前記少なくとも1つの半導体領域は前記第2端子に電気的に接続され、
前記酸化物層は、前記ゲートと前記少なくとも1つの半導体領域との間に位置する、撮像装置を提供する。
本開示の第1態様に係る撮像装置は、
光電変換により電荷を生成する光電変換部と、
前記電荷が蓄積される電荷蓄積部と、
第1端子、第2端子、ゲート、酸化物層、及び少なくとも1つの半導体領域を含む金属-酸化物-半導体容量と、を備える。露光中において、前記第1端子は前記電荷蓄積部に電気的に接続され、
前記ゲートは前記第1端子に電気的に接続され、
前記少なくとも1つの半導体領域は前記第2端子に電気的に接続され、
前記酸化物層は、前記ゲートと前記少なくとも1つの半導体領域との間に位置する。
前記MOS容量の容量値は、前記電荷蓄積部の電位に応じて連続的に変化してもよい。
前記第1端子と前記第2端子との間の電圧である端子間電圧に対する前記MOS容量の容量値の関係として定義されるC-V特性は変曲点を有していてもよく、
前記電荷蓄積部の電位が連続的に変化すると、前記端子間電圧及び前記容量値が前記変曲点を跨いで連続的に変化してもよい。
前記C-V特性は、前記変曲点を有する第1帯域を含んでいてもよく、
前記電荷蓄積部の電位が前記第1電位から前記第2電位まで変化すると、前記端子間電圧及び前記容量値が、前記第1帯域の一端における前記端子間電圧及び前記容量値から、前記第1帯域の他端における前記端子間電圧及び前記容量値まで変化してもよい。
前記MOS容量の容量値が前記第1端子と前記第2端子との間の電圧である端子間電圧に応じて連続的に変化するように、前記第2端子に第1直流電位が印加されてもよい。
前記第1端子と前記第2端子との間の電圧である端子間電圧に対する前記MOS容量の容量値の関係として定義されるC-V特性は、第1帯域及び第2帯域を含んでいてもよく、
前記第2帯域における前記容量値は、前記第1帯域における前記容量値よりも小さく、
前記第2帯域における、前記端子間電圧の変化に対する前記容量値の変化の比率の絶対値は、前記第1帯域における、前記端子間電圧の変化に対する前記容量値の変化の比率の絶対値よりも小さくてもよく、
前記撮像装置の撮影モードは、第1モード及び第2モードを含んでいてもよく、
前記第1モードでは、前記電荷蓄積部の電位が変化すると前記端子間電圧が前記第1帯域内で変化するように、前記第2端子に電位が印加されてもよく、
前記第2モードでは、前記電荷蓄積部の電位が変化すると前記端子間電圧が前記第2帯域内で変化するように、前記第2端子に電位が印加されてもよい。
前記第1端子と前記第2端子との間の電圧である端子間電圧に対する前記MOS容量の容量値の関係として定義されるC-V特性は、第1帯域及び第3帯域を備えていてもよく、
前記第3帯域における前記容量値は、前記第1帯域における前記容量値よりも大きく、
前記第3帯域における、前記端子間電圧の変化に対する前記容量値の変化の比率の絶対値は、前記第1帯域における、前記端子間電圧の変化に対する前記容量値の変化の比率の絶対値よりも小さくてもよく、
前記撮像装置の撮影モードは、第1モード及び第3モードを含んでいてもよく、
前記第1モードでは、前記電荷蓄積部の電位が変化すると前記端子間電圧が前記第1帯域内で変化するように、前記第2端子に電位が印加されてもよく、
前記第3モードでは、前記電荷蓄積部の電位が変化すると前記端子間電圧が前記第3帯域内で変化するように、前記第2端子に電位が印加されてもよい。
前記電荷蓄積部の電位に応じた出力信号を出力する増幅トランジスタをさらに備えていてもよく、
前記撮像装置は、前記出力信号に応じて前記第2端子に印加される電位を切り替えてもよい。
前記光電変換部は、前記半導体基板から離れた位置にあってもよい。
光電変換により生成された電荷が蓄積される電荷蓄積部と、
互いに電気的に接続されたソース領域及びドレイン領域を有するトランジスタと、を備える。前記トランジスタは、露光中において前記電荷蓄積部に電気的に接続された第1端子を含むMOS容量として機能する。
本開示の第12態様に係る撮像装置は、
光電変換により生成された電荷が蓄積される電荷蓄積部と、
露光中において前記電荷蓄積部に電気的に接続された第1端子、酸化物層、及びソース/ドレイン領域を含む金属-酸化物-半導体容量、を備える。
図1は、第1の実施形態に係る撮像装置1の回路構成を示す模式図である。
第2の実施形態では、実施の形態1と同様、図1及び図2に示す回路構成が用いられうる。第2の実施形態では、撮像装置1の撮影モードは、第1モードの他、第2モード及び第3モードを備える。
図7は、第3の実施形態に係る画素94の回路図である。画素94は、増幅トランジスタ11、アドレストランジスタ13、リセットトランジスタ12及びオーバーフロートランジスタ60に加えて、帯域制御トランジスタ56、第1容量素子51及び第2容量素子52をさらに有する。
9 半導体基板
10 光電変換部
10a 光電変換層
10b 画素電極
10c 対向電極
11 増幅トランジスタ
12 リセットトランジスタ
13 アドレストランジスタ
14,94 画素
15 垂直走査部
16 光電変換制御線
17 垂直信号線
18 負荷部
19 カラム信号処理部
20 水平信号読み出し部
21 電源配線
22 差動増幅器
23 フィードバック線
24 電荷蓄積部
51 第1容量素子
52 第2容量素子
56 帯域制御トランジスタ
60 オーバーフロートランジスタ
62 電源配線
65 設定器
70 MOS容量
Cv 第1端子
TT 第2端子
75 電圧線
77 電圧源
80 特定トランジスタ
B1 第1帯域
B2 第2帯域
B3 第3帯域
IP 変曲点
Claims (12)
- 光電変換により電荷を生成する光電変換部と、
前記電荷が蓄積される電荷蓄積部と、
第1端子、第2端子、ゲート、酸化物層、及び少なくとも1つの半導体領域を含む金属-酸化物-半導体容量と、を備え、
露光中において、前記第1端子は前記電荷蓄積部に電気的に接続され、
前記ゲートは前記第1端子に電気的に接続され、
前記少なくとも1つの半導体領域は前記第2端子に電気的に接続され、
前記酸化物層は、前記ゲートと前記少なくとも1つの半導体領域との間に位置する、
撮像装置。 - 前記金属-酸化物-半導体容量の容量値は、前記電荷蓄積部の電位に応じて連続的に変化する、
請求項1に記載の撮像装置。 - 前記第1端子と前記第2端子との間の電圧である端子間電圧に対する前記金属-酸化物-半導体容量の容量値の関係として定義されるC-V特性は変曲点を有し、
前記電荷蓄積部の電位が連続的に変化すると、前記端子間電圧及び前記容量値が前記変曲点を跨いで連続的に変化する、
請求項1又は2に記載の撮像装置。 - 前記電荷蓄積部の電位が変化する範囲を第1電位から第2電位までの範囲に設定する設定器をさらに備え、
前記C-V特性は、前記変曲点を有する第1帯域を含み、
前記電荷蓄積部の電位が前記第1電位から前記第2電位まで変化すると、前記端子間電圧及び前記容量値が、前記第1帯域の一端における前記端子間電圧及び前記容量値から、前記第1帯域の他端における前記端子間電圧及び前記容量値まで変化する、
請求項3に記載の撮像装置。 - 前記金属-酸化物-半導体容量の容量値が、前記第1端子と前記第2端子との間の電圧である端子間電圧に応じて連続的に変化するように、前記第2端子に第1直流電位が印加される、
請求項1から4のいずれか一項に記載の撮像装置。 - 前記第1端子と前記第2端子との間の電圧である端子間電圧に対する前記金属-酸化物-半導体容量の容量値の関係として定義されるC-V特性は、第1帯域及び第2帯域を含み、
前記第2帯域における前記容量値は、前記第1帯域における前記容量値よりも小さく、
前記第2帯域における、前記端子間電圧の変化に対する前記容量値の変化の比率の絶対値は、前記第1帯域における、前記端子間電圧の変化に対する前記容量値の変化の比率の絶対値よりも小さく、
前記撮像装置の撮影モードは、第1モード及び第2モードを含み、
前記第1モードでは、前記電荷蓄積部の電位が変化すると前記端子間電圧が前記第1帯域内で変化するように、前記第2端子に電位が印加され、
前記第2モードでは、前記電荷蓄積部の電位が変化すると前記端子間電圧が前記第2帯域内で変化するように、前記第2端子に電位が印加される、
請求項1又は2に記載の撮像装置。 - 前記第1端子と前記第2端子との間の電圧である端子間電圧に対する前記金属-酸化物-半導体容量の容量値の関係として定義されるC-V特性は、第1帯域及び第3帯域を含み、
前記第3帯域における前記容量値は、前記第1帯域における前記容量値よりも大きく、
前記第3帯域における、前記端子間電圧の変化に対する前記容量値の変化の比率の絶対値は、前記第1帯域における、前記端子間電圧の変化に対する前記容量値の変化の比率の絶対値よりも小さく、
前記撮像装置の撮影モードは、第1モード及び第3モードを含み、
前記第1モードでは、前記電荷蓄積部の電位が変化すると前記端子間電圧が前記第1帯域内で変化するように、前記第2端子に電位が印加され、
前記第3モードでは、前記電荷蓄積部の電位が変化すると前記端子間電圧が前記第3帯域内で変化するように、前記第2端子に電位が印加される、
請求項1又は2に記載の撮像装置。 - 前記電荷蓄積部の電位に応じた出力信号を出力する増幅トランジスタをさらに備え、
前記撮像装置は、前記出力信号に応じて前記第2端子に印加される電位を切り替える、
請求項1から7のいずれか一項に記載の撮像装置。 - 前記第2端子に電位を印加する電圧源をさらに備える、
請求項1から8のいずれか一項に記載の撮像装置。 - 前記少なくとも1つの半導体領域を含む半導体基板をさらに備え、
前記光電変換部は、前記半導体基板から離れている、
請求項1から9のいずれか一項に記載の撮像装置。 - 光電変換により生成された電荷が蓄積される電荷蓄積部と、
互いに電気的に接続されたソース領域及びドレイン領域を有するトランジスタと、を備え、
前記トランジスタは、露光中において前記電荷蓄積部に電気的に接続された第1端子を含む金属-酸化物-半導体容量として機能する、
撮像装置。 - 光電変換により生成された電荷が蓄積される電荷蓄積部と、
露光中において前記電荷蓄積部に電気的に接続された第1端子、酸化物層、及びソース/ドレイン領域を含む金属-酸化物-半導体容量、を備える、
撮像装置。
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JP2010171439A (ja) | 2002-06-27 | 2010-08-05 | Canon Inc | 固体撮像装置 |
JP2018117347A (ja) | 2017-01-19 | 2018-07-26 | パナソニックIpマネジメント株式会社 | 撮像装置 |
WO2020144910A1 (ja) * | 2019-01-08 | 2020-07-16 | パナソニックIpマネジメント株式会社 | 撮像装置 |
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JP2018117347A (ja) | 2017-01-19 | 2018-07-26 | パナソニックIpマネジメント株式会社 | 撮像装置 |
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