Solid-state image sensor and image-capturing device

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2023379597-A1
Application number	US-202318227112-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Jul 27, 2023
Priority date	Nov 18, 2013
Publication date	Nov 23, 2023
Grant date	—

Abstract

An image sensor includes a plurality of pixel blocks and a connection unit. The plurality of pixel blocks includes: a diffusion unit to which an electric charge resulting from photoelectric conversion is transferred; and a transistor containing a source electrically connected with the diffusion unit. The connection unit is electrically connected with a drain of the transistor included in each of the plurality of pixel blocks.

First claim

1 . An image sensor comprising:
a first pixel block that includes:
a first photoelectric conversion unit that converts light to an electric charge;
a first diffusion unit to which the electric charge converted at the first photoelectric conversion unit is transferred; and
a first transistor unit that electrically connects to the first diffusion unit; and
a second pixel block adjacent to the first pixel block and that includes:
a second photoelectric conversion unit that converts light to an electric charge;
a second diffusion unit to which the electric charge converted at the second photoelectric conversion unit is transferred; and
a second transistor unit that electrically connects to the second diffusion unit;
the first transistor unit and the second transistor unit being electrically connected to each other in series between the first diffusion unit and the second diffusion unit.

Assignees

• Nikon Corp

Inventors

• Komai Atsushi
• Watanabe Yoshiyuki
• Saruwatari Osamu

Classifications

• H04N25/78

  Readout circuits for addressed sensors, e.g. output amplifiers or A/D converters · CPC title

• H10F39/811

  Interconnections · CPC title

• H10F39/802 Primary

  Geometry or disposition of elements in pixels, e.g. address-lines or gate electrodes · CPC title

• H10F39/8037 Primary

  the integrated elements comprising a transistor · CPC title

• H10F39/813

  Electronic components shared by multiple pixels, e.g. one amplifier shared by two pixels · CPC title