WO2022210335A1 - 電圧制御システム - Google Patents
電圧制御システム Download PDFInfo
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- WO2022210335A1 WO2022210335A1 PCT/JP2022/014310 JP2022014310W WO2022210335A1 WO 2022210335 A1 WO2022210335 A1 WO 2022210335A1 JP 2022014310 W JP2022014310 W JP 2022014310W WO 2022210335 A1 WO2022210335 A1 WO 2022210335A1
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- 239000012141 concentrate Substances 0.000 description 2
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 2
- 239000004065 semiconductor Substances 0.000 description 2
- 230000032683 aging Effects 0.000 description 1
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- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01J—MEASUREMENT OF INTENSITY, VELOCITY, SPECTRAL CONTENT, POLARISATION, PHASE OR PULSE CHARACTERISTICS OF INFRARED, VISIBLE OR ULTRAVIOLET LIGHT; COLORIMETRY; RADIATION PYROMETRY
- G01J1/00—Photometry, e.g. photographic exposure meter
- G01J1/42—Photometry, e.g. photographic exposure meter using electric radiation detectors
- G01J1/44—Electric circuits
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01L—SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES NOT COVERED BY CLASS H10
- H01L31/00—Semiconductor devices 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; Processes or apparatus specially adapted for the manufacture or treatment thereof or of parts thereof; Details thereof
- H01L31/02—Details
- H01L31/02016—Circuit arrangements of general character for the devices
- H01L31/02019—Circuit arrangements of general character for the devices for devices characterised by at least one potential jump barrier or surface barrier
- H01L31/02027—Circuit arrangements of general character for the devices for devices characterised by at least one potential jump barrier or surface barrier for devices working in avalanche mode
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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
- H04N25/772—Pixel circuitry, e.g. memories, A/D converters, pixel amplifiers, shared circuits or shared components comprising A/D, V/T, V/F, I/T or I/F converters
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- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01J—MEASUREMENT OF INTENSITY, VELOCITY, SPECTRAL CONTENT, POLARISATION, PHASE OR PULSE CHARACTERISTICS OF INFRARED, VISIBLE OR ULTRAVIOLET LIGHT; COLORIMETRY; RADIATION PYROMETRY
- G01J1/00—Photometry, e.g. photographic exposure meter
- G01J1/42—Photometry, e.g. photographic exposure meter using electric radiation detectors
- G01J1/44—Electric circuits
- G01J2001/4446—Type of detector
- G01J2001/446—Photodiode
- G01J2001/4466—Avalanche
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- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01J—MEASUREMENT OF INTENSITY, VELOCITY, SPECTRAL CONTENT, POLARISATION, PHASE OR PULSE CHARACTERISTICS OF INFRARED, VISIBLE OR ULTRAVIOLET LIGHT; COLORIMETRY; RADIATION PYROMETRY
- G01J1/00—Photometry, e.g. photographic exposure meter
- G01J1/42—Photometry, e.g. photographic exposure meter using electric radiation detectors
- G01J1/44—Electric circuits
- G01J2001/4446—Type of detector
- G01J2001/448—Array [CCD]
Definitions
- the present disclosure relates to a voltage control system that controls bias voltage applied to light receiving elements.
- Patent Document 1 in a photodetector using an APD (avalanche photodiode), the ambient temperature of the APD is monitored by a temperature sensor, and a bias voltage set value that compensates for changes in the bias voltage with respect to the ambient temperature is stored as a storage means. A technique for reading from and setting is shown.
- APD active photodiode
- Patent Document 2 a conversion coefficient of a multiplied image is calculated using a luminance average value and a luminance variance average value, and an electron multiplication factor of a multiplied image is calculated using this conversion coefficient and a conversion coefficient in a reference electron multiplication factor.
- Patent Document 1 has a problem that it cannot cope with aging.
- Patent Document 2 requires the amount of incident light to be known in advance, and has a problem that it cannot be used for applications in which the amount of incident light is not known in advance.
- an appropriate bias voltage for the light receiving element according to the ambient temperature can be obtained without using illumination for calibration. for the purpose of supplying
- the array section includes a light receiving array section that receives incident light, and a light blocking mechanism that blocks the incident light to the light receiving element.
- a voltage application unit that applies a bias voltage to the anode terminal; and a multiplication state of the light shielding array unit is determined based on an output signal from the cathode of the light receiving element of the light shielding array unit. and a voltage setting unit configured to set the bias voltage output from the voltage application unit based on the determination result of the multiplication state determination unit.
- the light-receiving element can be appropriately adjusted according to the ambient temperature without using illumination for calibration.
- a bias voltage can be supplied.
- FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a voltage control system according to a first embodiment
- FIG. A plan view showing an example of an effective pixel area and a light shielding area.
- Flowchart showing an operation example of the voltage control system according to the first embodiment A diagram for explaining an example of multiplication determination (linear mode) by a multiplication state determination unit.
- FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining another example of multiplication determination by the multiplication state determination unit;
- FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining another example of multiplication determination by the multiplication state determination unit;
- FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining another example of multiplication determination by the multiplication state determination unit;
- FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining another example of multiplication determination by the multiplication state determination unit;
- FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining another example of multiplication determination by the multiplication state determination unit;
- Diagram showing an example of placement of temperature sensors Diagram showing other arrangement examples of temperature sensors
- Diagram showing other arrangement examples of temperature sensors Flowchart showing an operation example of the voltage control system according to the second embodiment
- Functional configuration diagram showing an example of introducing a voltage control system into an actual system
- FIG. 1 shows a configuration example of a voltage control system according to the first embodiment.
- a voltage control system 1 includes an array section 2 in which light receiving elements 30 are arranged in an array, a voltage application section 3 , a multiplication state determination section 4 , and a voltage setting section 5 .
- the array section 2 includes a light receiving array section 21 having a plurality of light receiving elements 30 arranged in an array in the effective pixel area AR1 and a light shielding area AR2 provided on the same plane as the effective pixel area AR1. and a light shielding array section 22 having a plurality of light receiving elements 30 .
- FIG. 2 shows an example in which a rectangular effective pixel area AR1 is provided in the center of a rectangular pixel area AR, and a light shielding area AR2 is provided so as to surround the effective pixel area AR1.
- the light shielding area AR2 is hatched upward to the right.
- the light shielding area includes areas AR21, AR22, and AR23, which will be described later.
- the light receiving element 30 arranged in the effective pixel area AR1 is called the first light receiving element 31, and the light receiving element 30 arranged in the light shielding area AR2 is called the second light receiving element 32.
- the configuration of the first light receiving element 31 and the configuration of the second light receiving element 32 are the same. However, the configuration of the first light receiving element 31 and the configuration of the second light receiving element 32 may be different from each other.
- the effective pixel area AR1 refers to an area configured so that incident light from the outside can be received by the first light receiving elements 31 arranged in the area.
- the light shielding area AR2 refers to an area in which the second light receiving element 32 arranged in the area is shielded from light by the light shielding mechanism.
- the configuration of the light shielding mechanism is not particularly limited as long as the second light receiving element 32 arranged in the light shielding area is shielded from light.
- Specific examples of the light shielding mechanism include a light shielding film formed to cover the surface of the light receiving element and a light shielding plate configured to cover the surface of the second light receiving element 32 .
- the shape of the light shielding area AR2 is not limited to that shown in FIG.
- an area AR21 adjacent to the effective pixel area AR1 in at least one of the vertical and horizontal directions may be set as the light shielding area AR2.
- the effective pixel area and the area AR21 with diagonal lines in FIG. 2 may be set as the effective pixel area AR1, and the four corner areas AR22 of the dot hatched pixel area AR may be set as the light shielding area AR2. good. Note that, as shown in the lower part of FIG.
- light is diffracted from the boundary of the light blocking mechanism in a region AR23 (for example, a region with a width of about several pixels) on the boundary with the effective pixel region AR1 in the light blocking region AR2. Since it may be entered, it may not be used for multiplication determination, which will be described later.
- a region AR23 for example, a region with a width of about several pixels
- Each first light receiving element 31 has a first photoelectric conversion portion that photoelectrically converts incident light received from the outside, and a PN junction that multiplies the signal of photoelectrons photoelectrically converted by the first photoelectric conversion portion.
- Each second light-receiving element 32 has a second photoelectric conversion section shielded by the above-described light shielding mechanism, and a PN junction for signal multiplication of noise electrons generated in the second photoelectric conversion section.
- the anodes of the plurality of first light receiving elements 31 forming the light receiving array section 21 and the anodes of the plurality of second light receiving elements 32 forming the light shielding array section 22 are both connected to a common anode terminal 26 . That is, the anodes of the plurality of first light receiving elements 31 are connected to a common signal line, and the common signal line is connected to the anode terminal 26 . Similarly, the anodes of the plurality of second light receiving elements 32 are connected to a common signal line, and the common signal line is connected to the anode terminal 26 .
- the cathodes of the plurality of first light receiving elements 31 are each connected to the readout circuit 8 via the first cathode terminals 27 .
- Cathodes of the plurality of second light receiving elements 32 are each connected to the input of the multiplication state determination section 4 via the second cathode terminal 28 .
- an APD (avalanche photodiode) can be suitably used for the first light receiving element 31 and the second light receiving element 32 .
- the first light receiving element 31 and the second light receiving element 32 are APDs.
- the voltage applying section 3 applies a bias voltage Vsub to the anode terminal 26 of the array section 2 .
- a conventionally known voltage application circuit can be applied to the configuration of the voltage application unit 3, and the specific configuration is not particularly limited.
- FIG. 12 shows an example of the voltage applying section 3. As shown in FIG. The voltage application section 3 shown in FIG. 12 is mounted on a bias board 35 and includes a bias voltage generation circuit 37 , a fine digital potentiometer 38 and a fixed resistor 39 .
- a bias voltage generation circuit 37 outputs a bias voltage Vsub that is output from the voltage application section 3 to the anode terminal 26 of the array section 2 (APD).
- the bias voltage generation circuit 37 is configured to output a bias voltage Vsub based on the resistance value of the resistor to be referenced. More specifically, the bias voltage generation circuit 37 is configured, for example, to output a predetermined voltage (eg, -25 [V]) corresponding to the resistance value R2 of the fixed resistor 39 in the initial state.
- the fine digital potentiometer 38 has a function of adjusting the bias voltage Vsub output from the bias voltage generation circuit 37. Specifically, for example, the fine digital potentiometer 38 sets the adjustment resistance value R1 based on the setting information from the voltage setting section 5 . As a result, the bias voltage generation circuit 37 outputs a bias voltage that takes into account the resistance value R2 of the fixed resistor 39 and the adjustment resistance value R1.
- the multiplication state determination section 4 determines the multiplication state of the light shielding array section 22 based on the output signal from the second cathode terminal 28 of the array section 2, that is, the output signal from the light shielding array section 22. judge. A method of determining the multiplication state in the multiplication state determination unit 4 will be described with a specific example in the following "Operation of the voltage control system".
- the voltage setting unit 5 sets the bias voltage output from the voltage applying unit 3 based on the determination result of the multiplication state determination unit 4 .
- the APD can multiply the electrons obtained by photoelectrically converting a single photon to a saturation value.
- the Geiger mode is suitable for detecting the presence or absence of light because the photodiode is easily saturated and noise is amplified. That is, when the array unit 2 is used as the APD sensor 20 (see FIG. 12), it is preferable to operate the array unit 2 in "Geiger mode". Therefore, the voltage setting section 5 sets the bias voltage Vsub output from the voltage applying section 3 so that the light receiving element 30 (particularly, the first light receiving element 31) of the array section 2 operates in the Geiger mode.
- the voltage setting unit 5 selects the voltage from the voltage application unit 3 based on the determination result of the multiplication state determination unit 4 .
- the bias voltage Vsub to be output is set so that its absolute value is larger than the previously set voltage. That is, a bias (a bias with a large absolute value) higher than the set voltage up to that point is applied.
- step S ⁇ b>11 the voltage setting unit 5 sets the initial value of the bias voltage Vsub output from the voltage applying unit 3 .
- the initial voltage value Vs1 of the bias voltage Vsub for example, a voltage that operates in the Geiger mode is set during inspection in the manufacturing process of the APD sensor 20 (see FIG. 12) on which the array section 2 is mounted.
- the voltage application unit 3 outputs the initial voltage value Vs1 to the anode terminal 26 as the bias voltage Vsub.
- the initial voltage value Vs1 is written into the non-volatile memory 25 (see FIG. 12) mounted on the APD sensor 20, for example, during inspection in the manufacturing process.
- the configuration of the nonvolatile memory 25 is not particularly limited.
- an e-fuse is used as the nonvolatile memory 25 .
- step S ⁇ b>12 the multiplication state determination section 4 determines the multiplication state of the light shielding array section 22 based on the output signal from the second cathode terminal 28 . That is, by measuring the multiplication noise output from the second light receiving element 32 in the light shielding area AR2, it is possible to determine whether signal multiplication has occurred in the noise electrons output from the second light receiving element 32 (whether the signal is in the multiplication state). ) is determined.
- FIGS. 4 to 7 (7A and 7B) show examples of the multiplication state determination of the light shielding array section 22 by the multiplication state determination section 4.
- FIG. 1 First, the flow of a series of operations when the determination method of FIG. 4 (4A, 4B) is used will be described with reference to FIG.
- FIGS. 4A and 4B show examples of histograms in which the horizontal axis represents the pixel output value of the light shielding array section 22 and the vertical axis represents the number of pixels corresponding to each pixel output value.
- the vertical axis is logarithmic.
- the histogram is such that the number of pixels concentrates on low pixel output values.
- the multiplication state determination unit 4 determines that the Geiger mode is set when the number of pixels whose pixel output values are equal to or greater than the predetermined threshold value Vth1 is equal to or greater than the predetermined threshold value Nth1. As a result, a YES determination is made in step S13 of FIG. 3, and the voltage setting unit 5 maintains the previous set value.
- the multiplication state determination unit 4 determines that the mode is the linear mode when the number of pixels whose pixel output values are equal to or greater than the predetermined threshold value Vth1 is less than the predetermined threshold value Nth1. As a result, a NO determination is made in step S13 of FIG. 3, and the flow proceeds to the next step S14.
- step S14 the voltage setting unit 5 changes the voltage setting to be output to the voltage applying unit 3 based on the determination result of the multiplication state determination unit 4.
- the voltage setting unit 5 outputs a voltage Vs2 obtained by adding a predetermined voltage to the value of the bias voltage Vsub at that time (the initial voltage value Vs1 in the initial state) as the set value of the bias voltage Vsub. That is, the voltage is set so that the absolute value is larger than the previously set voltage.
- step S12 the flow returns to step S12, and the processing from step S12 to step S14 is repeated until it is determined that the light shielding array section 22 is operating in the Geiger mode. That is, the process of increasing the bias voltage Vsub (increasing the absolute value) is performed until the number of pixels whose pixel output values are equal to or greater than the predetermined threshold value Vth1 becomes equal to or greater than the predetermined threshold value Nth1. If it is determined that the light shielding array section 22 is operating in the Geiger mode and YES is determined in step S13, the bias voltage Vsub at the time of determination is applied and the process ends.
- the series of processes shown in FIG. 3 are executed at predetermined time intervals (for example, at intervals of several seconds). It should be noted that when the process is restarted after the lapse of the predetermined time, the process after step S12 is executed using the set voltage set in the previous process. That is, in the post-restart processing, the processing from step S12 onwards is executed using the set voltage determined immediately before that multiplication will occur.
- step S12 the multiplication state determination unit 4 determines whether the multiplication state of the light shielding array unit 22 is such that the number of pixels whose pixel output values are equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold value Vth1 is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold value Nth1 and is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold value Nth2. (Nth1 ⁇ Nth2) When it is within the following predetermined range, YES determination may be made in step S13. In this case, when the number of pixels whose pixel output values are equal to or greater than the predetermined threshold value Vth1 exceeds the threshold value Nth2, the multiplication state determination unit 4 determines that the bias voltage is too large in the "overbias mode", and NO in step S13. be judged.
- the voltage setting section 5 changes the voltage setting based on the determination result of the multiplication state determination section 4 . Specifically, the voltage setting unit 5 outputs a voltage Vs3 obtained by subtracting a predetermined voltage from the bias voltage Vsub at that time as the set value of the bias voltage Vsub. That is, the voltage is set so that the absolute value is smaller than the previously set voltage.
- FIG. 5 Another example of determination of the multiplication state of the light shielding array section 22 by the multiplication state determination section 4 will be described below with reference to FIGS. 5 to 7.
- FIG. 5 Another example of determination of the multiplication state of the light shielding array section 22 by the multiplication state determination section 4 will be described below with reference to FIGS. 5 to 7.
- FIG. 5 shows an example of a histogram in which the horizontal axis represents the integrated pixel output value of the light shielding array section 22 and the vertical axis represents the number of pixels having each pixel output value.
- the vertical axis is logarithmic.
- the histogram is such that the number of pixels (number of occurrences) concentrates on low pixel output values.
- the multiplication state determination unit 4 determines the multiplication state of the light shielding array unit 22 by determining the number of pixels (the number of occurrences) of which the pixel output value is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold value Vth2. If it is equal to or greater than Ith, a YES determination is made. On the other hand, if the number of pixels (number of occurrences) of pixel output values equal to or greater than the predetermined threshold value Vth2 is less than the predetermined threshold value Ith, a No determination is made. Other processes are the same as those described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4A and 4B, and similar effects can be obtained.
- the place where the integration is performed is not particularly limited, and the integration may be performed inside the APD sensor 20 (see FIG. 12), or the multiplication state determination unit 4 may perform the integration. may
- step S12 of FIG. 3 for example, when either of the following patterns (1) and (2) occurs, the multiplication state determination section 4 determines that the light shielding array section 22 is in the multiplication state. Determine that there is. That is, (1) a multiplied pixel occurs in a cluster of several pixels, and/or (2) a multiplied pixel also occurs in peripheral pixels spaced apart by several pixels from a given multiplied pixel. If so, the multiplication state determination section 4 determines that the light shielding array section 22 is in the multiplication state, and the determination in step S13 of FIG. 3 is YES. Other processes are the same as those described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4A and 4B, and similar effects can be obtained.
- the voltage control system 1 of the present embodiment includes a first photoelectric conversion unit that photoelectrically converts received incident light and a PN junction that multiplies the signal of photoelectrons photoelectrically converted by the first photoelectric conversion unit.
- the light-receiving array portion 21 is arranged in an array, the second photoelectric conversion portion is shielded by the light-shielding mechanism, and the PN that multiplies the signal of noise electrons generated in the second photoelectric conversion portion.
- the anode of the first light receiving element 31 of the light receiving array section 21 and the anode of the second light receiving element 32 of the light blocking array section 22 are both arranged in an array.
- a voltage application unit 3 that applies a bias voltage Vsub to the connected anode terminal 26 , and a multiplication state determination unit 4 that determines the multiplication state based on the output signal from the cathode of the second light receiving element 32 of the light shielding array unit 22 . and a voltage setting unit 5 for setting the bias voltage Vsub output from the voltage applying unit 3 based on the determination result of the multiplication state determination unit 4 .
- the light shielding array section 22 is provided, and the voltage setting of the bias voltage Vsub is performed based on the multiplication state of the noise electrons generated in the second photoelectric conversion section of the second light receiving element 32 of the light shielding array section 22.
- the exposure time may be adjusted according to the frequency of noise electrons generated in the second photoelectric conversion units of the second light receiving elements 32 of the light shielding array unit 22 .
- the exposure time is set such that one noise electron is generated for each pixel of the photoelectric conversion section stochastically, the ratio of the multiplied pixels in the histogram of FIG. 4B is the multiplication probability of the photoelectric conversion section.
- the light shielding area AR2 used in each of the multiplication determination methods described above may be changed. For example, if multiplication occurs in a predetermined number or more of pixels in a specific area within the effective pixel area AR1, it becomes difficult to perform multiplication in neighboring pixels because the bias conditions fluctuate. Sometimes. Therefore, when multiplication occurs in a predetermined number or more of pixels in a specific area within the effective pixel area AR1, the light-shielding area AR2 located at a distance of a predetermined distance or more from that area is used for multiplication determination. use. For example, in an area 64 in FIG. 7A and an area 65 in FIG.
- a light-shielding area AR2 (a hatched area AR24 in FIG. 7A, a hatched area AR24 in FIG. 7B) on the opposite side area AR25) is used for multiplication determination.
- each of the multiplication determination methods described above may be executed independently, or a plurality of multiplication determination methods may be used together to comprehensively determine the multiplication state. may have been
- FIG. 8 shows a configuration example of the voltage control system 1 according to the second embodiment.
- the voltage control system 1 includes an array section 2 in which light receiving elements 30 are arranged in an array, a voltage application section 3, a multiplication state determination section 4, a voltage setting section 5, and a temperature sensor 6. , and a temperature-voltage table 7 .
- an array section 2 in which light receiving elements 30 are arranged in an array
- a voltage application section 3 in which light receiving elements 30 are arranged in an array
- a multiplication state determination section 4 a voltage setting section 5
- a temperature sensor 6. a temperature sensor 6.
- a temperature-voltage table 7 a temperature-voltage table 7 .
- This embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the voltage control system 1 includes a temperature sensor 6 and a temperature-voltage table 7 .
- the temperature sensor 6 measures the ambient temperature of the light receiving array section 21 and the light shielding array section 22 .
- FIG. 9 and 10 (10A, 10B) show examples of the arrangement of the temperature sensor 6.
- the light receiving array section 21 and the light blocking array section 22 are housed in the sensor package 29 of the APD sensor 20 (see FIG. 12).
- the temperature sensor 6 is provided close to the side wall of the sensor package 29 in either direction.
- the direction in which the temperature sensor 6 is provided in the sensor package 29 is not particularly limited.
- the environment in which the APD sensor 20 is placed causes the air to flow in the horizontal direction (horizontal direction in the drawing), it is desirable to have it close to the horizontal side wall of the sensor package 29 .
- the temperature sensor 6 when the sensor package 29 is mounted on the printed circuit board 35, the temperature sensor 6 may be arranged on the back surface of the printed circuit board 35 opposite to the sensor package 29 (see FIGS. 10A and 10B). See Figure 10A). Alternatively, the temperature sensor 6 may be embedded in the printed circuit board 35 so that the temperature sensor 6 is arranged on the back surface of the sensor package 29 (see FIG. 10B).
- the temperature sensor 6 used in FIGS. 9 and 10 (10A, 10B) is not particularly limited, and for example, a conventionally known thermistor or the like can be suitably used. By arranging the temperature sensor 6 close to the sensor package 29 in this way, it can be easily attached. Moreover, it is not necessary to consider the influence of the temperature sensor 6 when designing the array section 2 .
- the temperature sensor 6 may be embedded in the sensor package 29. That is, the temperature sensor 6 may be provided inside the sensor package 29 .
- the provision of the temperature sensor 6 in the sensor package 29 means (1) the case in which the temperature sensor 6 is provided in a sensor chip (not shown) on which the APD sensor 20 is mounted in the sensor package 29, and (2) This concept includes both the case where the temperature sensor 6 is provided inside the sensor package 29 and outside the sensor chip.
- a circuit for temperature measurement is designed and incorporated in accordance with the sensor chip, similarly to other semiconductor circuits.
- the temperature sensor 6 can be provided at a position closer to the array section 2, so that a measured value close to the actual temperature of the array section 2 can be obtained.
- the temperature-voltage table 7 stores a set value of a predetermined bias voltage Vsub associated with each measured temperature.
- the temperature-voltage table 7 receives the temperature measured by the temperature sensor 6 , reads the set value information of the bias voltage Vsub corresponding to the measured temperature, and outputs it to the voltage setting section 5 .
- the APD sensor 20 is equipped with a nonvolatile memory 25 (see FIG. 12).
- the non-volatile memory 25 the voltage that operates in the Geiger mode at each measurement temperature is written as initial setting information for the temperature-voltage table 7 during inspection in the manufacturing process.
- the configuration of the nonvolatile memory 25 is not particularly limited.
- an e-fuse is used as the nonvolatile memory 25 .
- the multiplication state determination section 4 multiplies the light shielding array section 22 based on the output signal from the second cathode terminal 28 of the array section 2, that is, the output signal from the light shielding array section 22. Determine double status.
- the method of determining the multiplication state in the multiplication state determination unit 4 is the same as that of the above-described first embodiment.
- the multiplication state determination section 4 updates the temperature-voltage table 7 based on the determination result of the multiplication state of the light shielding array section 22 . A specific example is described below in "Operation of the Voltage Control System".
- the voltage setting unit 5 sets the bias voltage Vsub output from the voltage applying unit 3 based on the set value information output from the temperature-voltage table 7 .
- a specific voltage setting example will be described below in "Operation of Voltage Control System".
- step S21 the voltage setting unit 5 sets the bias voltage Vsub output from the voltage applying unit 3 based on the set value information output from the temperature-voltage table 7.
- the above-mentioned initial setting information is read in advance from the non-volatile memory 25 to the temperature-voltage table 7, for example.
- an initial voltage value Vs4 based on the initial setting information is output from the voltage application unit 3 to the anode terminal 26 as the bias voltage Vsub.
- step S ⁇ b>22 the multiplication state determination section 4 determines the multiplication state of the light shielding array section 22 based on the output signal from the second cathode terminal 28 . More specifically, the multiplication state determination unit 4 measures the multiplication noise output from the second light receiving element 32 in the light shielding area AR2 to determine whether the noise electrons output from the second light receiving element 32 are signal multiplied. Determine whether it is happening (multiplication state or not), ie whether it is operating in Geiger mode. A method for determining the multiplication state is the same as in the first embodiment, and detailed description thereof is omitted here.
- the multiplication state determination unit 4 determines that the light shielding array unit 22 is operating in the Geiger mode (YES in step S23), the bias voltage Vsub at the time of determination is applied and the process ends. .
- step S24 the flow proceeds to the next step S24.
- step S24 the multiplication state determination unit 4 updates the voltage setting information in the temperature-voltage table 7 based on the multiplication state determination result. Specifically, for example, the set value information of the bias voltage Vsub corresponding to the measured temperature from the temperature sensor 6 is updated so that the absolute value of the set voltage becomes larger than the previous value. That is, the set value is updated so that a higher bias (bias with a larger absolute value) than the previous set voltage is applied. After the setting value information is updated, the flow returns to step S21.
- step S21 the voltage setting unit 5 sets the bias voltage Vsub output from the voltage applying unit 3 based on the set value information output from the temperature-voltage table 7.
- the voltage Vs5 (Vs5>Vs4) based on the updated set value information is output. If the temperature measured by the temperature sensor 6 has changed, the bias voltage Vsub based on the new measured temperature is set and output.
- step S21 to step S24 the processing from step S21 to step S24 is repeated until it is determined that the light shielding array section 22 is operating in the Geiger mode. Then, it is determined that the light shielding array section 22 is operating in the Geiger mode, a YES determination is made in step S23, the bias voltage Vsub at the time of the determination is applied, and the process ends.
- the series of processes in FIG. 11 are executed at predetermined time intervals (for example, at intervals of several seconds).
- the operation may be performed when the multiplication state determination unit 4 determines that the "overbias mode" is set. For example, in the present embodiment, if it is determined to be in the "overbias mode", in step S24, the multiplication state determination unit 4 determines the set value information of the bias voltage Vsub corresponding to the measured temperature from the temperature sensor 6. , the voltage is set so that the absolute value is smaller than the previously set voltage. That is, the set value is updated so that a bias lower than the set voltage up to that point (a bias with a small absolute value) is applied.
- the voltage control system 1 of the present embodiment has a first photoelectric conversion unit that photoelectrically converts received light and a PN junction that multiplies the signal of photoelectrons photoelectrically converted by the first photoelectric conversion unit.
- a light-receiving array section 21 in which the first light-receiving elements 31 are arranged in an array, a second photoelectric conversion section shielded by a light-shielding mechanism, and a PN junction that multiplies the signal of noise electrons generated in the second photoelectric conversion section. are arranged in an array, and the anode of the first light receiving element 31 of the light receiving array section 21 and the anode of the second light receiving element 32 of the light blocking array section 22 are connected together.
- a voltage application unit 3 that applies a bias voltage to the anode terminal 26, a temperature sensor 6 that measures the ambient temperature of the light receiving array unit 21 and the light shielding array unit 22, and a set value of a predetermined bias voltage Vsub corresponding to each measured temperature.
- a temperature-voltage table 7 for outputting set value information of the bias voltage Vsub in accordance with the temperature measured by the temperature sensor 6, and an output signal from the cathode of the second light receiving element 32 of the light shielding array section 22.
- Multiplication state determination unit 4 for determining the multiplication state based on the determination result and updating the temperature-voltage table 7 based on the determination result, and voltage application based on the set value information output from the temperature-voltage table 7 and a voltage setting unit 5 for setting the bias voltage Vsub output from the unit 3 .
- the temperature-voltage table 7 is updated based on the determination result of the multiplication state of the light shielding array section 22 by the multiplication state determination section 4, and the bias voltage Vsub is set based on the updated information. I have to.
- the bias voltage Vsub corresponding to the change over time can be applied to the anode terminal 26. can be done.
- FIG. 12 shows an example of introduction to a real system.
- the voltage control system 1 includes an APD sensor 20 equipped with the array unit 2 described above, a nonvolatile memory 25 (e-fuse), and a temperature sensor 6, an FPGA 82, a computer 70, and the voltage application unit described above. and a bias board on which the part 3 is mounted.
- FIG. 12 shows an example in which the temperature-voltage table 7 is stored in the computer 70 and the functions of the multiplication state determining section 4 and the voltage setting section 5 are implemented by the CPU 71 of the computer 70 .
- the FPGA 82 functions as an interface device between the APD sensor 20, the computer 70 and the bias board (voltage applying section 3).
- the voltage control system according to the present invention can supply an appropriate bias voltage to the light receiving element according to the ambient temperature without using illumination for calibration even if the light receiving element changes over time. It is extremely useful as a voltage control system for controlling the bias voltage applied to the
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Abstract
Description
図1は、第1実施形態に係る電圧制御システムの構成例を示している。
アレイ部2は、有効画素領域AR1にアレイ状に配置された複数の受光素子30を備える受光アレイ部21と、有効画素領域AR1と同じ平面上に設けられた遮光領域AR2にアレイ状に配置された複数の受光素子30を備える遮光アレイ部22とを備える。図2には、矩形状の画素領域ARの中央に矩形状の有効画素領域AR1を設け、その有効画素領域AR1の周囲を囲むように遮光領域AR2を設けた例を示している。図2上段では、遮光領域AR2に右上がりのハッチングを付している。図2の例では、遮光領域は、後述する領域AR21,AR22,AR23を含む。
電圧印加部3は、アレイ部2のアノード端子26にバイアス電圧Vsubを印加する。なお、電圧印加部3の構成は、従来から知られている電圧印加回路を適用することができ、具体的な構成は、特に限定されない。図12には、電圧印加部3の一例を示している。図12に示す電圧印加部3は、バイアスボード35に実装されており、バイアス電圧生成回路37と、ファイン・デジタルポテンショメータ38と、固定抵抗39とを備える。
図1に戻り、増倍状態判定部4は、アレイ部2の第2カソード端子28からの出力信号、すなわち、遮光アレイ部22からの出力信号に基づいて、遮光アレイ部22の増倍状態を判定する。増倍状態判定部4での増倍状態の判定方法については、以下の「電圧制御システムの動作」において具体例を示して説明する。
電圧設定部5は、増倍状態判定部4の判定結果に基づいて電圧印加部3から出力されるバイアス電圧の電圧設定を行う。
次に、図3のフローチャートを参照しつつ、本実施形態に係る電圧制御システム1の動作例について説明する。なお、以下の説明では、アレイ部2の受光素子30であるAPDに、ブレークダウン電圧以上の電圧をかけた状態を「ガイガーモード」と呼び、ブレークダウン電圧未満の電圧をかけた状態を「リニアモード」と呼ぶ。
ここでは、増倍状態の判定として、所定回数(例えば、N回)の露光を実行し、その画素ごとに所定回数分の画素出力値を積算し、その積算値に基づいて増倍状態を判定する例を示す。
ここでは、増倍状態の判定として、増倍が発生している受光素子が含まれる画素(以下、増倍画素という)のパターンに基づいて判定する例を示す。
図8は、第2実施形態に係る電圧制御システム1の構成例を示している。
温度センサ6は、受光アレイ部21及び遮光アレイ部22の周辺温度を測定する。
温度-電圧テーブル7には、測定温度ごとに所定のバイアス電圧Vsubの設定値が対応付けされて記憶されている。そして、温度-電圧テーブル7は、温度センサ6での測定温度を受信し、その測定温度に応じたバイアス電圧Vsubの設定値情報を読み出して、電圧設定部5に出力する。
増倍状態判定部4は、第1実施形態と同様に、アレイ部2の第2カソード端子28からの出力信号、すなわち、遮光アレイ部22からの出力信号に基づいて、遮光アレイ部22の増倍状態を判定する。増倍状態判定部4での増倍状態の判定方法については、前述の第1実施形態と同様である。さらに、本実施形態において、増倍状態判定部4は、遮光アレイ部22の増倍状態の判定結果に基づいて、温度-電圧テーブル7を更新する。具体的な例については、以下の「電圧制御システムの動作」において説明する。
本実施形態において、電圧設定部5は、温度-電圧テーブル7から出力された設定値情報に基づいて、電圧印加部3から出力されるバイアス電圧Vsubの電圧設定を行う。具体的な電圧の設定例について、以下の「電圧制御システムの動作」において説明する。
次に、図面を参照しつつ、電圧制御システム1の動作例について説明する。なお、ここでは第1実施形態との相違点を中心に説明する。
図12は、実システムへの導入例を示す。
3 電圧印加部
4 増倍状態判定部
5 電圧設定部
6 温度センサ
7 温度-電圧テーブル
21 受光アレイ部
22 遮光アレイ部
26 アノード端子
30 受光素子
Vsub バイアス電圧
Claims (9)
- 受光素子が複数配置され、かつ、共通のアノード端子に接続されたアレイ部を備える電圧制御システムであって、
前記アレイ部は、入射光を受光する受光アレイ部と、遮光機構により前記受光素子への前記入射光が遮光された遮光アレイ部と、を有し、
前記アノード端子にバイアス電圧を印加する電圧印加部と、
前記遮光アレイ部の受光素子のカソードからの出力信号に基づいて前記遮光アレイ部の増倍状態を判定する増倍状態判定部と、
前記増倍状態判定部の判定結果に基づいて前記電圧印加部から出力される前記バイアス電圧の電圧設定を行う電圧設定部と、を備える、
電圧制御システム。 - 前記増倍状態判定部は、所定の第1閾値以上の出力信号を出力する前記遮光アレイ部の受光素子の素子数が所定の第2閾値以上であった場合、前記遮光アレイ部が増倍状態であると判定し、
前記電圧設定部は、前記増倍状態判定部において、前記遮光アレイ部が増倍状態であると判定されなかった場合に、前記バイアス電圧の設定値をそれまでの設定電圧よりも電圧の絶対値が大きくなるように設定する、
請求項1に記載の電圧制御システム。 - 前記増倍状態判定部は、所定回数の露光が行われた場合において、前記受光素子ごとに前記所定回数分の出力信号を積算した信号が所定の第1閾値以上である前記受光素子の素子数が所定の第2閾値以上であった場合、前記遮光アレイ部が増倍状態であると判定し、
前記電圧設定部は、前記増倍状態判定部において、前記遮光アレイ部が増倍状態であると判定されされなかった場合に、前記バイアス電圧の設定値をそれまでの設定電圧よりも電圧の絶対値が大きくなるように設定する、
請求項1に記載の電圧制御システム。 - 前記増倍状態判定部は、複数の前記遮光アレイ部の受光素子の塊で増倍が発生している場合、及び/または、増倍された前記遮光アレイ部の受光素子に対して、所定の間隔をあけた周辺の前記受光素子においても増倍が発生している場合に、前記遮光アレイ部が増倍状態であると判定し、
前記電圧設定部は、前記増倍状態判定部において、前記遮光アレイ部が増倍状態であると判定されされなかった場合に、前記バイアス電圧の設定値をそれまでの設定電圧よりも電圧の絶対値が大きくなるように設定する、
請求項1に記載の電圧制御システム。 - 前記受光アレイ部のうちの特定の領域において、所定数以上の前記受光素子で増倍が発生している場合に、当該特定の領域から所定の距離以上離れた場所にある前記遮光アレイ部の受光素子を前記増倍状態判定部の増倍判定に使用する、
請求項1から4のいずれかに記載の電圧制御システム。 - 受光素子が複数配置され、かつ、共通のアノード端子に接続されたアレイ部を備える電圧制御システムであって、
前記アレイ部は、入射光を受光する受光アレイ部と、遮光機構により前記受光素子への前記入射光が遮光された遮光アレイ部と、を有し、
前記アノード端子にバイアス電圧を印加する電圧印加部と、
前記受光アレイ部及び前記遮光アレイ部の周辺温度を測定する温度センサと、
測定温度ごとに所定の前記バイアス電圧の設定値が対応付けされており、前記温度センサでの測定温度に応じた前記バイアス電圧の設定値情報を出力する温度-電圧テーブルと、
前記遮光アレイ部の受光素子のカソードからの出力信号に基づいて増倍状態を判定し、その判定結果に基づいて、前記温度-電圧テーブルを更新する増倍状態判定部と、
前記温度-電圧テーブルから出力された前記設定値情報に基づいて、前記電圧印加部から出力される前記バイアス電圧の電圧設定を行う電圧設定部とを備える、
電圧制御システム。 - 前記受光アレイ部及び前記遮光アレイ部は、センサパッケージ内に格納されており、
前記温度センサは、前記センサパッケージ内に設けられる、
請求項6に記載の電圧制御システム。 - 前記受光アレイ部及び前記遮光アレイ部は、センサパッケージ内に格納されており、
前記温度センサは、前記センサパッケージに近接するように設けられる、
請求項6に記載の電圧制御システム。 - 前記受光アレイ部及び前記遮光アレイ部は、不揮発性メモリが内蔵されたセンサパッケージ内に格納されており、
前記温度-電圧テーブルは、前記センサパッケージ内の不揮発性メモリから、前記測定温度ごとの前記バイアス電圧の初期設定値情報を取得する、
請求項6に記載の電圧制御システム。
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