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US4733286A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Semiconductor photoelectric converting device

Assignee: Olympus Corp
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Filing: 1987-06-16
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Granted: 1988-03-22
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Expires: 2007-06-16
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Abstract

Abstract A semiconductor photoelectric converting device for use in a solid state image sensor includes an insulating substrate, an n - epitaxial layer formed on the substrate, n + source and drain regions formed by diffusing n type impurities into the surface of the epitaxial layer, a p + gate region formed by diffusing p type impurities into the surface of epitaxial layer between the source and drain regions, and an n - channel region formed between the source and drain regions. Photocarriers induced in the channel region are stored in the gate region and a source-drain current having an amplitude corresponding to an amount of stored photocarriers flows through the channel region in parallel with the surface of the epitaxial layer. Thus the photoelectric converting device is formed by a lateral type static induction transistor.

Inventors

  • 👤 Kazuya Matsumoto

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-04 20:31
CPC Classifications
H; H10; H10F; H10F30/00; H10F30/20; H10F30/21; H10F30/28; H10F30/282; H10F30/285; H10F30/2863; H10F39/00; H10F39/10; H10F39/12; H10F39/196

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim 139 words
In a semiconductor photoelectric converting device including a lateral static induction transistor, said lateral static induction transistor comprising: a substrate having a high resistance; a semiconductor layer of a first conductivity type applied on a surface of said substrate, said semiconductor layer having a surface; a source region of said first conductivity type formed in the surface of said semiconductor layer; a drain region of said first conductivity type formed in the surface of said semiconductor layer; and gate means, formed in the surface of said semiconductor layer between said source and drain regions, for storing photocarriers generated by a light excitation, and for controlling a source-drain current flowing in parallel with the surface of said semiconductor layer, a magnitude of said source-drain current being substantially proportional to an amount of said stored photocarriers multiplied by an amplification factor.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 139 words
In a semiconductor photoelectric converting device including a lateral static induction transistor, said lateral static induction transistor comprising: a substrate having a high resistance; a semiconductor layer of a first conductivity type applied on a surface of said substrate, said semiconductor layer having a surface; a source region of said first conductivity type formed in the surface of said semiconductor layer; a drain region of said first conductivity type formed in the surface of said semiconductor layer; and gate means, formed in the surface of said semiconductor layer between said source and drain regions, for storing photocarriers generated by a light excitation, and for controlling a source-drain current flowing in parallel with the surface of said semiconductor layer, a magnitude of said source-drain current being substantially proportional to an amount of said stored photocarriers multiplied by an amplification factor.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 37 words
In a device according to claim 1, wherein said gate means comprises a gate region of a second conductivity type formed in the surface of said semiconductor layer and a gate electrode connected to said gate region.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 32 words
In a device according to claim 1, wherein said gate means comprises an insulating film formed on the surface of said semiconductor layer and a gate electrode applied on the insulating film.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 82 words
In a device according to claim 1, wherein said lateral static induction transistor further comprises an isolation region formed in the surface of said semiconductor layer and surrounding said source and drain regions and said gate means, and wherein said gate means comprises a gate region extending from the surface of said semiconductor layer to the surface of said substrate and a gate electrode connected to the gate region, whereby the source-drain current flows between the gate region and the isolation region.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 52 words
In a device according to claim 1, wherein said gate means comprises a plurality of gate regions each extending from the surface of said semiconductor layer to the surface of said substrate and a plurality of gate electrodes connected to the gate regions, whereby the source-drain current flows between adjacent gate regions.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 21 words
In a device according to claim 1, wherein said semiconductor layer is formed by an epitaxial layer formed on the substrate.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 16 words
In a device according to claim 1, wherein said substrate is formed by an insulating material.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 17 words
In a device according to claim 1, wherein said substrate is formed by an intrinsic semiconductor material.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 23 words
In a device according to claim 1, wherein said substrate is formed by a high resistive semiconductor material of a second conductivity type.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 20 words
In a device according to claim 3, wherein said insulating film is formed by an oxide of the semiconductor layer.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim 20 words
In a device according to claim 3, wherein said insulating film is formed by a nitride of the semiconductor layer.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

JPS5372471A Cited
US4333224A Cited
US4377817A Cited
US4241358A Cited
JPS55166965A Cited
US4381517A Cited
US4485392A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1991-03-22 1991-09-21 1992-03-22 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1995-03-22 1995-09-21 1996-03-22 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 1999-03-22 1999-09-21 2000-03-22 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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