Low transient effect switching device and method

Claim 1

An array image sensor responsive to sequentially applied control signals for converting an incident energy pattern into pulses electrical output energy substantially free of switching noise, comprising: an array of reversed biased energy responsive diodes which receive the incident pattern and accumulate electrical charge in response thereto; output means for outputting the pulses electrical output energy; a plurality of MOS transistor switching devices, one associated with each diode of the array, each switching device serially connected between the associated diode of the array and the output means, each switching device having: a substrate means with a source electrode means and drain electrode means formed in spaced relationship therein, the source electrode means connected to the associated diode and the drain electrode means connected to the output means; a first and second control gate means and an electric shield gate means formed over the substrate means in spaced relationship between the electrode means, the gate means being activated by the control signals for establishing electrical continuity within the substrate means between the electrode means; an insulative means formed between the electrode means and the gate means; the first control gate means positioned proximate the source electrode means between the source electrode means and the second control gate means for reducing the electrical capacitance from the second control gate means to the source electrode means, and being activated by control signals prior to activation of the second control gate means for charging the electrical capacitance from the first control gate means to source electrode means, and for establishing a field induced inversion region in conjunction with the accumulated charge within the substrate means proximate the source electrode means and the first control gate means; the shield gate means positioned proximate the drain electrode means between the drain electrode means and the second control means for reducing the electrical capacitance from the second control gate means to the drain electrode means, and being activated by the control signals prior to activation of the second control gate means for charging the electrical capacitance from the shield gate means to the drain electrode means, and for establishing a field induced depletion region within the substrate means proximate the drain electrode means and the shield gate means;