ANTIBLOOMING IMAGING APPARATUS, SYSTEMS, AND METHODS
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method comprising:
- converting photons to electrons in a first potential energy region at a predetermined rate;
storing the electrons in the first potential energy region during an integration time; and
adjusting a first barrier energy relative to at least one of a second barrier energy or a third barrier energy to reduce the transfer of electrons from the second potential energy region to the first potential energy region during the integration time.
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Abstract
Apparatus, systems, and methods are described to assist in reducing dark current in an active pixel sensor. In various embodiments, a potential barrier arrangement is configured to block the flow of charge carriers generated outside a photosensitive region. In various embodiments, a potential well-potential barrier arrangement is formed to direct charge carriers away from the photosensitive region during an integration time.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method comprising:
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converting photons to electrons in a first potential energy region at a predetermined rate; storing the electrons in the first potential energy region during an integration time; and adjusting a first barrier energy relative to at least one of a second barrier energy or a third barrier energy to reduce the transfer of electrons from the second potential energy region to the first potential energy region during the integration time. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method comprising:
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converting photons to electrons in a first potential energy region in a photosensitive region at a predetermined rate; storing the electrons in the first potential energy region during an integration time prior to transferring the electrons to a diffusion region for an associated read-out operation; and adjusting a barrier energy between the diffusion region and a reset gate region directly adjacent the diffusion region to reduce the transfer of electrons from a second potential energy region to the first potential energy region during the integration time, the second potential energy region corresponding to the diffusion region. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A method comprising:
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converting photons to electrons in a first potential energy region in a photosensitive region at a predetermined rate; storing the electrons in the first potential energy region during an integration time prior to transferring the electrons to a diffusion region for an associated read-out operation; and adjusting a barrier energy between the photosensitive region and a transfer gate region directly adjacent the photosensitive region relative to one or more barrier energies associated with a reset gate region directly adjacent the diffusion region, the adjustment to reduce the transfer of electrons from a second potential energy region to the first potential energy region during the integration time, the second potential energy region corresponding to the diffusion region. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification