Solid-state imaging device, imaging apparatus, and method for controlling solid-state imaging device

Abstract

Provided is a solid-state imaging element in which exposure is performed by all pixels simultaneously, the solid-state imaging element having improved PLS resistance. A preliminary transfer transistor transfers charge from a photoelectric conversion element to a preliminary charge holding region and a subsequent charge holding region having different capacitances. A subsequent transfer transistor transfers charge from the subsequent charge holding region to a floating diffusion region. An intermediate transfer transistor transfers charge that remains in the preliminary charge holding region after charge is transferred from the subsequent charge holding region to the floating diffusion region, to the floating diffusion region via the preliminary charge holding region.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present technology relates to a solid-state imaging element, and more particularly to a solid-state imaging element that performs analog-to-digital (AD) conversion for each column, an imaging device, and a method for controlling the solid-state imaging element. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, in solid-state imaging devices, in order to miniaturize pixels, a column ADC (Analog to Digital Converter) method has been used in which an ADC is arranged for each column outside the pixel array section and pixel signals are read out row by row. In this column ADC method, if exposure is performed using a rolling shutter method in which exposure is started row by row, there is a risk of rolling shutter distortion occurring. Therefore, in order to realize a global shutter method in which exposure is started simultaneously for all pixels, a solid-state imaging device has been proposed in which a charge storage section and a transfer transistor that transfers charge to the charge storage section are added to each pixel (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2019-169668 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the above-mentioned conventional technology, when the exposure of all pixels is completed, each pixel holds a charge corresponding to the amount of exposure in the charge storage section, and the ADC for each column sequentially reads out a signal corresponding to the amount of charge, thereby realizing a global shutter method. However, in the above-mentioned solid-state imaging device, light leaking from the photoelectric conversion element to the charge storage section may cause undesirable image artifacts. Resistance to this phenomenon is called PLS (Parasitic Light Sensitivity) resistance. In the above-mentioned solid-state imaging device, a measure is taken to shield the charge storage section with a light-shielding layer such as metal wiring, but the charge of the photoelectric conversion element needs to be transferred to the charge storage section via a transfer transistor. For this reason, the charge storage section must be arranged next to the photoelectric conversion element, making it difficult to prevent light leakage from the photoelectric conversion element to the charge storage section.

[0005] This technology was developed in light of these circumstances, and aims to improve PLS resistance in solid-state imaging elements in which all pixels are exposed simultaneously. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The present technology has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and a first aspect of the present technology is a solid-state imaging device including a photoelectric conversion element, a front-stage charge holding region, a rear-stage charge holding region having a different capacity from the front-stage charge holding region, a front-stage transfer transistor for transferring charges from the photoelectric conversion element to the front-stage charge holding region and the rear-stage charge holding region, a rear-stage transfer transistor for transferring charges from the rear-stage charge holding region to a floating diffusion region, an intermediate transfer transistor for transferring charges remaining in the front-stage charge holding region after the charges are transferred from the rear-stage charge holding region to the floating diffusion region through the front-stage charge holding region, and a light shielding wall for preventing leakage of charges from the photoelectric conversion element to the rear-stage charge holding region, and a control method thereof. This brings about an effect that a pixel signal at high illuminance and a pixel signal at low illuminance are generated.

[0007] Also, in this first aspect, each of the preceding stage charge holding region and the subsequent stage charge holding region may be an impurity diffusion region having the same polarity, and a predetermined impurity diffusion region having a polarity different from that of both the preceding stage charge holding region and the subsequent stage charge holding region may be disposed between the preceding stage charge holding region and the subsequent stage charge holding region.

[0008] In the first aspect, the front-stage charge retention region and the rear-stage charge retention region may be formed in the same impurity diffusion region, thereby providing an effect of reducing the impurity diffusion region.

[0009] In the first aspect, the impurity concentration of a region between the front charge retention region and the rear charge retention region in the impurity diffusion region may be different from that of the surrounding area of ​​the region, thereby providing an effect of increasing the potential barrier.

[0010] In addition, in the first aspect, an adjustment transistor that adjusts the height of a potential barrier between the front-stage charge retention region and the rear-stage charge retention region may be further provided, thereby providing an effect of adjusting the height of the potential barrier.

[0011] In addition, in the first aspect, the present invention may further include a vertical scanning circuit that controls each of the front-stage transfer transistor, the rear-stage transfer transistor, and the intermediate transfer transistor to either an on state or an off state, and the vertical scanning circuit may set the rear-stage transfer transistor and the intermediate transfer transistor to an on state while setting the rear-stage transfer transistor to an off state, and transfer charges to the front-stage charge holding region and the rear-stage charge holding region, set the front-stage transfer transistor and the intermediate transfer transistor to an off state, and transfer charges from the rear-stage charge holding region to the floating diffusion region while setting the front-stage transfer transistor and the intermediate transfer transistor to an off state, and transfer charges from the front-stage charge holding region to the floating diffusion region, and set the intermediate transfer transistor and the rear-stage transfer transistor to an on state, and transfer charges from the front-stage charge holding region to the floating diffusion region. This brings about an effect that charges are transferred in order from each of the front-stage charge holding region and the photoelectric charge holding region.

[0012] In addition, in the first aspect, the display device may further include a signal processing circuit that performs processing to compare a first pixel signal corresponding to the charge amount of the rear-stage charge holding region and a second pixel signal corresponding to the charge amount of the front-stage charge holding region with a predetermined threshold and select one of the first and second pixel signals based on a comparison result, thereby reducing the PLS of a low illuminance signal.

[0013] In the first aspect, the photoelectric conversion element may be formed on one of the two surfaces of a predetermined semiconductor substrate, the one surface being provided with wiring. This brings about an effect of improving image quality in a front-illuminated solid-state imaging element.

[0014] In the first aspect, the photoelectric conversion element may be formed on a back surface of a predetermined semiconductor substrate opposite to a front surface on which wiring is performed, thereby improving image quality in a back-illuminated solid-state imaging element.

[0015] In addition, in the first aspect, the photoelectric conversion element may include a first and a second photoelectric conversion element, the preceding charge holding region may include a first and a second preceding charge holding region, the subsequent charge holding region may include a first and a second subsequent charge holding region, the preceding stage transfer transistor may include a first and a second preceding stage transfer transistor, the intermediate transfer transistor may include a first and a second intermediate transfer transistor, and the subsequent stage transfer transistor may include a first and a second subsequent stage transfer transistor. This provides an effect of improving image quality in a solid-state imaging device in which a plurality of pixels share a floating diffusion region.

[0016] In addition, in the first aspect, the pixel may further include a charge drain transistor for draining charges from the photoelectric conversion element, a reset transistor for initializing the floating diffusion layer, an amplification transistor for amplifying a signal corresponding to the amount of charges transferred to the floating diffusion region, and a selection transistor for outputting the amplified signal as a pixel signal in accordance with a predetermined selection signal, thereby providing the effect of reading out pixel signals on a row-by-row basis.

[0017] In addition, a second aspect of the present technology is an imaging device including a photoelectric conversion element, a front-stage charge holding region, a rear-stage charge holding region having a different capacity from the front-stage charge holding region, a front-stage transfer transistor that transfers charges from the photoelectric conversion element to the front-stage charge holding region and the rear-stage charge holding region, a rear-stage transfer transistor that transfers charges from the rear-stage charge holding region to a floating diffusion region, an intermediate transfer transistor that transfers charges remaining in the front-stage charge holding region to the floating diffusion region via the front-stage charge holding region after the charges are transferred from the rear-stage charge holding region to the floating diffusion region, a light shielding wall that prevents leakage of charges from the photoelectric conversion element to the rear-stage charge holding region, and a signal processing circuit that processes a pixel signal according to the amount of charges transferred to the floating diffusion region. This provides an effect of processing pixel signals at high illuminance and pixel signals at low illuminance. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0018] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram showing an example of a configuration of an imaging device according to a first embodiment of the present technology. [Diagram 2] 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a solid-state imaging element according to a first embodiment of the present technology. [Diagram 3] 1 is a circuit diagram showing a configuration example of a pixel according to a first embodiment of the present technology. [Figure 4] 1 is an example of a cross-sectional view of a pixel according to a first embodiment of the present technology. [Diagram 5] 3 is an example of a potential diagram of a pixel according to the first embodiment of the present technology; [Figure 6] 1 is a plan view showing an example of a layout of elements in a pixel according to a first embodiment of the present technology. [Figure 7] 1 is an example of a cross-sectional view taken along line AB in a first embodiment of the present technology. [Figure 8] 2 is an example of a cross-sectional view taken along line CD in the first embodiment of the present technology. [Figure 9] 1 is an example of a cross-sectional view taken along line EF in a first embodiment of the present technology. [Figure 10] 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a load MOS circuit block and a column signal processing circuit according to a first embodiment of the present technology; [Figure 11] 4 is a timing chart showing an example of a global shutter operation of the solid-state imaging element according to the first embodiment of the present technology. [Figure 12] FIG. 11 is an example of a potential diagram until ST reset when illuminance is low according to the first embodiment of the present technology. [Figure 13] 4 is an example of a potential diagram up to separation of a charge retention region when illuminance is low in the first embodiment of the present technology. [Figure 14] FIG. 11 is an example of a potential diagram up to ST reset when illuminance is high according to the first embodiment of the present technology. [Figure 15]4 is an example of a potential diagram up to separation of a charge retention region when illuminance is high in the first embodiment of the present technology. [Figure 16] 11 is a timing chart showing an example of an operation of reading out one row when illuminance is low according to the first embodiment of the present technology. [Figure 17] 4 is an example of a potential diagram at the time of readout when illuminance is low in the first embodiment of the present technology. [Figure 18] 11 is a timing chart showing an example of an operation of reading out one row when illuminance is high according to the first embodiment of the present technology. [Figure 19] 4 is an example of a potential diagram at the time of readout when illuminance is high in the first embodiment of the present technology. [Figure 20] 5 is a flowchart showing an example of an operation of the solid-state imaging element according to the first embodiment of the present technology. [Figure 21] 1 is an example of a cross-sectional view taken along line AB in a first modified example of the first embodiment of the present technology. [Figure 22] 1 is an example of a cross-sectional view taken along line CD in a first modified example of the first embodiment of the present technology. [Diagram 23] 1 is an example of a cross-sectional view taken along line EF in a first modified example of the first embodiment of the present technology. [Figure 24] 11 is a circuit diagram showing a configuration example of a pixel block in a second modified example of the first embodiment of the present technology. FIG. [Diagram 25] 11 is a plan view showing an example of a layout of elements in a pixel block according to a second modified example of the first embodiment of the present technology. FIG. [Figure 26] FIG. 11 is a circuit diagram showing a configuration example of a pixel according to a second embodiment of the present technology. [Figure 27] 13 is an example of a cross-sectional view of a pixel according to a second embodiment of the present technology. [Figure 28] 13 is an example of a potential diagram of a pixel according to a second embodiment of the present technology. [Figure 29]FIG. 13 is a circuit diagram showing a configuration example of a pixel according to a third embodiment of the present technology. [Diagram 30] 13 is an example of a cross-sectional view of a pixel according to a third embodiment of the present technology. [Diagram 31] 13 is an example of a potential diagram of a pixel according to a third embodiment of the present technology. [Diagram 32] 13 is a timing chart showing an example of a global shutter operation of a solid-state imaging element according to a third embodiment of the present technology. [Diagram 33] 13 is a timing chart showing an example of an operation of reading out one row when illuminance is low according to the third embodiment of the present technology. [Diagram 34] 13 is an example of a potential diagram at the time of readout when illuminance is low in the third embodiment of the present technology. [Diagram 35] 13 is a timing chart showing an example of an operation of reading out one row when illuminance is high according to the third embodiment of the present technology. [Diagram 36] 13 is an example of a potential diagram at the time of readout when illuminance is high in the third embodiment of the present technology. [Figure 37] 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration example of a vehicle control system; [Figure 38] FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of an installation position of an imaging unit. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0019] Hereinafter, modes for carrying out the present technology (hereinafter, referred to as embodiments) will be described. The description will be made in the following order. 1. First embodiment (example of transferring charges to a pair of charge holding regions) 2. Second embodiment (example of sharing a floating diffusion region and transferring charges to a pair of charge retention regions) 3. Third embodiment (Example of adjusting the height of the potential barrier and transferring charges to a pair of charge retention regions) 4. Mobile application examples

[0020] <1. First embodiment> [Example of imaging device configuration] 1 is a block diagram showing an example of a configuration of an imaging device 100 according to a first embodiment of the present technology. The imaging device 100 is a device that captures image data, and includes an imaging lens 110, a solid-state imaging element 200, a recording unit 120, and an imaging control unit 130. The imaging device 100 may be a digital camera or an electronic device with an imaging function (such as a smartphone or a personal computer).

[0021] The solid-state imaging element 200 captures image data under the control of the imaging control unit 130. The solid-state imaging element 200 supplies the image data to the recording unit 120 via a signal line 209.

[0022] The imaging lens 110 collects light and guides it to the solid-state imaging element 200. The imaging control unit 130 controls the solid-state imaging element 200 to capture image data. The imaging control unit 130 supplies an imaging control signal including, for example, a vertical synchronization signal VSYNC to the solid-state imaging element 200 via a signal line 139. The recording unit 120 records the image data.

[0023] Here, the vertical synchronization signal VSYNC is a signal that indicates the timing of imaging, and a periodic signal with a constant frequency (such as 60 Hz) is used as the vertical synchronization signal VSYNC.

[0024] It should be noted that although the imaging device 100 records image data, the image data may be transmitted to the outside of the imaging device 100. In this case, an external interface for transmitting the image data is further provided. Alternatively, the imaging device 100 may further display the image data. In this case, a display unit is further provided.

[0025] [Example of the configuration of a solid-state imaging element] 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a solid-state imaging device 200 according to the first embodiment of the present technology. The solid-state imaging device 200 includes a vertical scanning circuit 211, a pixel array section 212, a timing control circuit 213, a DAC (Digital to Analog Converter) 214, a load MOS circuit block 250, and a column signal processing circuit 260. In the pixel array section 212, a plurality of pixels 220 are arranged in a two-dimensional lattice pattern.

[0026] Hereinafter, a set of pixels 220 arranged in the horizontal direction will be referred to as a "row", and a set of pixels 220 arranged in a direction perpendicular to the rows will be referred to as a "column".

[0027] The timing control circuit 213 controls the operation timing of the vertical scanning circuit 211, the DAC 214, and the column signal processing circuit 260 in synchronization with a vertical synchronization signal VSYNC from the imaging control unit .

[0028] The DAC 214 generates an analog reference signal that varies over time by DA (Digital to Analog) conversion. For example, a sawtooth ramp signal is used as the reference signal. The DAC 214 supplies the generated reference signal to the column signal processing circuit 260.

[0029] The vertical scanning circuit 211 sequentially selects and drives rows to output analog pixel signals. The pixels 220 photoelectrically convert incident light to generate analog pixel signals. The pixels 220 supply pixel signals to a column signal processing circuit 260 via a load MOS circuit block 250.

[0030] In the load MOS circuit block 250, MOS transistors that supply a constant current are provided for each column.

[0031] The column signal processing circuit 260 performs signal processing such as AD conversion processing and HDR (High-Dynamic-Range) synthesis on pixel signals for each column. The column signal processing circuit 260 supplies image data consisting of the processed signals to the recording unit 120. The column signal processing circuit 260 is an example of a signal processing circuit described in the claims.

[0032] [Pixel configuration example] 3 is a circuit diagram showing a configuration example of a pixel 220 according to the first embodiment of the present technology. The pixel 220 includes a charge discharging transistor 221, a photoelectric conversion element 222, transfer transistors 223, 225, and 227, charge retention regions 224 and 226, and a floating diffusion region 228. The pixel 220 further includes a reset transistor 231, an amplification transistor 232, and a selection transistor 233.

[0033] The capacitances of the charge retention regions 224 and 226 are different. For example, the capacitance of the charge retention region 224 is larger than that of the charge retention region 226. Note that the charge retention region 224 is an example of a front-stage charge retention region as defined in the claims, and the charge retention region 226 is an example of a rear-stage charge retention region as defined in the claims.

[0034] The transfer transistors 223, 225, and 227 are connected in series between the photoelectric conversion element 222 and the floating diffusion region 228. In addition, a charge holding region 224 is inserted between the connection node of the transfer transistors 223 and 225 and the ground node, and a charge holding region 226 is inserted between the connection node of the transfer transistors 225 and 227 and the ground node.

[0035] The charge discharging transistor 221 discharges electric charges from the photoelectric conversion element 222 in accordance with a control signal OFG from the vertical scanning circuit 211. This operation is hereinafter referred to as "PD (Photo Diode) reset."

[0036] Here, the vertical scanning circuit 211 turns off the transfer transistor 223 for all pixels at the start of exposure, and turns on the transfer transistors 225 and 227 and the reset transistor 231 at the end of exposure. This initializes the charge retention regions 224 and 226 and the floating diffusion region 228. This operation is hereinafter referred to as "ST (STorage) reset." Immediately after the ST reset, the vertical scanning circuit 211 turns off the transfer transistor 227 and the reset transistor 231, and turns on the transfer transistors 223 and 225. This transfers charges from the photoelectric conversion element 222 to the charge retention regions 224 and 226.

[0037] Immediately after the charge is transferred from the photoelectric conversion element 222 to the charge holding regions 224 and 226, the vertical scanning circuit 211 turns off the transfer transistors 223 and 225. This separates the charge holding region 224 from the charge holding region 226. After this separation, the vertical scanning circuit 211 turns on the transfer transistor 227. This transfers the charge from the charge holding region 226 to the floating diffusion region 228, and the analog pixel signal corresponding to the amount of charge in the charge holding region 226 is AD converted. Then, the vertical scanning circuit 211 turns on the transfer transistors 225 and 227. This allows the analog pixel signal corresponding to the amount of charge in the charge holding regions 224 and 226 to be AD converted.

[0038] The photoelectric conversion element 222 generates electric charges (electrons, etc.) by photoelectric conversion of incident light.

[0039] The transfer transistor 223 transfers charges from the photoelectric conversion element 222 to the charge holding regions 224 and 226 in accordance with a transfer signal TX1 from the vertical scanning circuit 211. The transfer transistor 223 is an example of a front-stage transfer transistor as defined in the claims.

[0040] The transfer transistor 225 transfers charges from the charge holding region 224 to the charge holding region 226 in accordance with a transfer signal TX2 from the vertical scanning circuit 211. As described above, the vertical scanning circuit 211 turns on the transfer transistors 225 and 227 after transferring charges from the charge holding region 226 to the floating diffusion region 228. Therefore, the charges remaining in the charge holding region 224 are transferred to the floating diffusion region 228 via the charge holding region 226 and the transfer transistor 227 in the on state. The transfer transistor 225 is an example of an intermediate transfer transistor as defined in the claims.

[0041] The transfer transistor 227 transfers charges from the charge holding region 226 to the floating diffusion region 228 in accordance with a transfer signal TG from the vertical scanning circuit 211. The transfer transistor 227 is an example of a subsequent stage transfer transistor as defined in the claims.

[0042] The reset transistor 231 extracts charge from the floating diffusion region 228 to initialize it in accordance with a reset signal RST from the vertical scanning circuit 211. The vertical scanning circuit 211 can initialize only the floating diffusion region 228 by turning on the reset transistor 231 while turning off the transfer transistors 225 and 227. Hereinafter, this operation is referred to as "FD (Floating Diffusion) reset."

[0043] The amplification transistor 232 amplifies an analog signal corresponding to the amount of charge in the floating diffusion region 228. The selection transistor 233 outputs the amplified analog signal as a pixel signal to a vertical signal line 239 in accordance with a selection signal SEL from the vertical scanning circuit 211.

[0044] 4 is an example of a cross-sectional view of a pixel 220 according to the first embodiment of the present technology. A p-type semiconductor substrate 320 in which p-type impurities are diffused is laminated on an n-type semiconductor substrate 310. + Layers 331, 335 and 336, and p +Layers 337, 338 and 339 are formed. + Under the layers 337, 338 and 339, n-layers 332, 333 and 334, which are n-type impurity diffusion regions, are formed. + The layers 337, 338 and 339 function as pinning layers, filling incomplete bonds between atoms at the silicon interface with holes to improve the dark current and to fix the interface potential.

[0045] In addition, on the surface of the p-type semiconductor substrate 320, + Layer 331 and p + A gate electrode 341 is provided on the region spanning the layer 337 via an oxide film. + Layer 337 and p + A gate electrode 342 is provided on the region spanning the layer 338 via an oxide film. + Layer 338 and p + A gate electrode 343 is provided on the region spanning the layer 339 via an oxide film. + Layer 339 and n + A gate electrode 344 is provided on the region spanning the layer 335 via an oxide film. + Layer 335 and n + A gate electrode 345 is provided across the layer 336 via an oxide film.

[0046] A control signal OFG, a transfer signal TX1, a transfer signal TX2, a transfer signal TG, and a reset signal RST are input to the gate electrodes 341, 342, 343, 344, and 345, respectively. + Layers 331 and 336 are connected to a node of the power supply voltage VDD.

[0047] n + layer 331, a p-type semiconductor substrate 320, + Layer 337 and gate electrode 341 function as charge draining transistor 221. Similarly, gate electrodes 342, 343, 344 and 345 function as transfer transistor 223, transfer transistor 225, transfer transistor 227 and reset transistor 231, respectively, with the semiconductor regions underneath.

[0048] N-layer 332 functions as photoelectric conversion element 222. N-layers 333 and 334 function as charge retention regions 224 and 226. As illustrated in the figure, region 321 between n-layer 333 (charge retention region 224) and n-layer 334 (charge retention region 226) is a diffusion region of p-type impurities having a polarity different from those of n-layer 333 (charge retention region 224) and n-layer 334 (charge retention region 226) (in other words, p-type semiconductor substrate 320).

[0049] The voltage level applied to the gate of each transistor, such as the charge discharge transistor 221, and the control timing thereof can be set independently. When a particular transistor is turned on, the vertical scanning circuit 211 applies a positive voltage to the gate of that transistor to lower the potential under the gate. When a transistor is turned off, the vertical scanning circuit 211 applies a ground or negative voltage to that transistor. When the voltage applied to the gate is negative, holes are attracted to the electric field under the gate and gather at the silicon interface, resulting in an effect similar to that of the pinning layer described above.

[0050] FIG. 5 is an example of a potential diagram of the pixel 220 in the first embodiment of the present technology. The solid lines in the figure indicate the potential when the charge discharge transistor 221, the transfer transistors 223, 225, and 227, and the reset transistor 231 are in the off state. The fine dotted lines indicate the potential when the charge discharge transistor 221 and the transfer transistor 223 are in the on state. The dashed line indicates the potential when the transfer transistor 225 is in the on state. The rough dotted line indicates the potential when the transfer transistor 227 is in the on state. ST1 in the figure indicates the charge retention region 224, and ST2 in the figure indicates the charge retention region 226. FD indicates the floating diffusion region 228.

[0051] As illustrated in the figure, when the transfer transistor 223 is in an off state, a potential barrier is generated between the photoelectric conversion element 222 and the charge holding region 224. When the transfer transistor 225 is in an off state, a potential barrier is generated between the charge holding region 224 and the charge holding region 226, and when the transfer transistor 227 is in an off state, a potential barrier is generated between the charge holding region 226 and the floating diffusion region 228. As illustrated in Fig. 4, since there is a p-type region 321 between the n-type charge holding region 224 and the n-type charge holding region 226, a potential barrier is formed between the charge holding region 224 and the charge holding region 226 due to this npn structure, as illustrated in Fig. 5.

[0052] The potential of the charge holding region 224 (ST1) and the charge holding region 226 (ST2) is designed to satisfy the following two conditions. The first condition is that the potential of ST2 is lower than that of ST1 when transferring charges from the photoelectric conversion element 222 to ST1 and ST2. The second condition is that there is a potential barrier between ST1 and ST2 during charge holding after the charge transfer from the photoelectric conversion element 222 to ST1 and ST2. These two conditions can be satisfied by adjusting the impurity concentration of the well that forms the potential of ST1 or ST2 during manufacturing. Alternatively, the two conditions can be satisfied by adjusting the voltage level and timing applied to the gate of the transistor or polysilicon arranged on or around ST1 or ST2. Alternatively, the conditions can be satisfied by both the adjustment of the impurity concentration and the adjustment of the voltage level and timing.

[0053] Furthermore, if the amount of charge that can be held by ST2 alone is Qh, then this Qh is a value proportional to the product of the height of the potential barrier in the second condition and the capacitance of ST2.

[0054] When the illuminance is low enough that the amount of charge transferred from the photoelectric conversion element 222 to ST1 and ST2 is equal to or less than Qh, all of the charge transferred passes through ST1 and moves to ST2 due to the first condition. As a result, ST1 becomes empty. And, due to the second condition, the charge that entered ST2 remains in ST2 and is held there due to the potential barrier. Even if photoelectric conversion occurs due to light leakage in ST1 while the charge is being held, the charge in ST1 remains in ST1 and does not enter ST2 due to the potential barrier. On the other hand, when the illuminance is high enough that the amount of charge transferred from the photoelectric conversion element 222 to ST1 and ST2 is greater than Qh, the charge is distributed to and held in both ST1 and ST2.

[0055] 6 is a plan view showing an example of the layout of elements in a pixel 220 in the first embodiment of the present technology. Hereinafter, the optical axis is defined as the Z axis, and a certain axis perpendicular to the Z axis is defined as the X axis. An axis perpendicular to the X axis and the Z axis is defined as the Y axis. This figure shows the layout as seen from the optical axis (Z axis) direction.

[0056] As illustrated in the figure, a charge discharging transistor 221, transfer transistors 223, 225, and 227, and a transistor arrangement region 230 are arranged around a photoelectric conversion element 222. In the transistor arrangement region 230, a reset transistor 231, an amplification transistor 232, and a selection transistor 233 are arranged.

[0057] Fig. 7 is an example of a cross-sectional view taken along line AB in Fig. 6 according to the first embodiment of the present technology. Of both sides of p-type semiconductor substrate 320, the surface on which wiring layer 414 is formed is set as the surface, and photoelectric conversion element 222 and charge retention region 224 (ST1) are formed on the surface. Solid-state imaging element 200 having photoelectric conversion element 222 formed on the surface in this manner is generally called a front-illuminated solid-state imaging element.

[0058] The upper part of the photoelectric conversion element 222 is opened, and the upper part of the charge retention region 224 (ST1) is planarly light-shielded by the metal of the wiring layer 414. Light-shielding walls 411 and 412 are formed around the pixel 220 by DTI (Deep Trench Isolation). In addition, since it is necessary to form a charge transfer channel 413 between the photoelectric conversion element 222 and ST1, it is not possible to place a light-shielding wall, and there is a possibility that light rays such as incident light 415 may leak into ST1. This leaked light causes undesirable image artifacts. Resistance to this phenomenon is called PLS resistance.

[0059] Fig. 8 is an example of a cross-sectional view taken along line CD in Fig. 6 according to the first embodiment of the present technology. The upper part of the charge retention region 226 (ST2) is also light-shielded by metal. Unlike the charge retention region 224 (ST1), a light-shielding wall 416 is formed between the photoelectric conversion element 222 and ST2. This makes it possible to prevent leakage of charges from the photoelectric conversion element 222 to ST2, and makes the PLS resistance of ST2 stronger than that of ST1.

[0060] Fig. 9 is an example of a cross-sectional view taken along line EF in Fig. 6 according to the first embodiment of the present technology. A light-shielding wall 417 is formed around the pixel 220, and the upper parts of the charge retention region 224 (ST1) and the charge retention region 226 (ST2) are shielded from light by the metal of the wiring layer 414.

[0061] 7 to 9, for convenience of illustration, the color filters and on-chip lenses above the photoelectric conversion elements 222 are omitted.

[0062] [Column signal processing circuit configuration example] FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the load MOS circuit block 250 and the column signal processing circuit 260 according to the first embodiment of the present technology.

[0063] A vertical signal line 239 is wired for each column in the load MOS circuit block 250. If the number of columns is I (I is an integer), then I vertical signal lines 239 are wired. In addition, a load MOS transistor 251 that supplies a constant current is connected to each vertical signal line 239.

[0064] The column signal processing circuit 260 includes a plurality of ADCs 261 and a digital signal processor 262. The ADCs 261 are arranged for each column. If the number of columns is I, then I ADCs 261 are arranged.

[0065] The ADC 261 converts an analog pixel signal from a corresponding column into a digital signal by using a reference signal (such as a ramp signal Rmp) from the DAC 214. The ADC 261 supplies the digital signal to the digital signal processor 262.

[0066] The digital signal processing unit 262 performs predetermined signal processing such as CDS (Correlated Double Sampling) processing and HDR synthesis processing on each of the digital signals for each column. The digital signal processing unit 262 supplies image data made up of the processed digital signals to the recording unit 120.

[0067] [Example of operation of solid-state imaging device] 11 is a timing chart showing an example of a global shutter operation of the solid-state imaging device 200 according to the first embodiment of the present technology. The vertical scanning circuit 211 supplies a control signal OFG to all pixels from timing T0 immediately before the start of exposure to timing T1 when exposure starts, and turns on the charge discharging transistor 221 to perform PD reset. Hereinafter, the number of rows is N (N is an integer), and the control signal to the pixel in the nth row (n is an integer from 1 to N) is OFG_[n]. The same applies to the reset signal RST and the transfer signals TX1, TX2, and TG.

[0068] During the exposure period from timing T1 to T2, the photoelectric conversion elements 222 of all pixels perform photoelectric conversion. This control of exposing all pixels simultaneously is called a global shutter method. The amount of charge generated varies depending on the illuminance of the incident light. At timing T2 when exposure ends, the vertical scanning circuit 211 turns on the reset transistors 231 and transfer transistors 225 and 227 of all pixels using the reset signal RST, transfer signal TX2, and TG signal. This resets the charge retention regions 224 and 226 and the floating diffusion region 228 of all pixels (ST reset).

[0069] Then, at timing T3, the vertical scanning circuit 211 turns off the transfer transistors 225 of all pixels with the transfer signal TX2, and immediately thereafter, at timing T4, turns off the transfer transistors 227 of all pixels with the transfer signal TG. At timing T5 immediately after timing T4, the vertical scanning circuit 211 turns off the reset transistors 231 of all pixels with the reset signal RST. In this manner, the vertical scanning circuit 211 turns off the transfer transistors 225, the transfer transistors 227, and the reset transistor 231 in this order. This control makes it possible to maintain a state in which the potential decreases from the charge retention region 224 (ST1) toward the floating diffusion region 228, and to completely reset ST1 and ST2 of all pixels.

[0070] At timing T6 immediately after ST reset, the vertical scanning circuit 211 turns on the transfer transistors 223 and 225 of all pixels using transfer signals TX1 and TX2 to transfer the charge of the photoelectric conversion element 222 to the charge holding regions 224 and 226. At this time, the potential of the photoelectric conversion element 222 is higher than that of the charge holding region 224 (ST1), and the potential of ST1 is higher than that of the charge holding region 226 (ST2). This magnitude relationship of the potentials is realized by adjusting the implant concentration during manufacturing and by adjusting the on-voltage level applied to the gates of the transfer transistors 223 and 225.

[0071] Then, at timing T7, the vertical scanning circuit 211 turns off the transfer transistors 223 of all pixels with the transfer signal TX1, and immediately thereafter at timing T8, turns off the transfer transistors 225 of all pixels with the transfer signal TX2. By turning off the transfer transistors 223 and 225 in this order, the charge in ST2 at low illuminance does not flow back to ST1. In the case of low illuminance, the charge is held only in ST2. On the other hand, in the case of high illuminance, the charge is held in both ST1 and ST2.

[0072] 12 is an example of a potential diagram up to ST reset when the illuminance is low in the first embodiment of the present technology. In the figure, a is an example of a potential diagram at the time of PD reset, and in the figure, b is an example of a potential diagram during exposure accumulation. In the figure, c is an example of a potential diagram at the time of ST reset.

[0073] As shown in FIG. 13A, the vertical scanning circuit 211 turns on only the charge discharging transistor 221 while turning off the transfer transistors 223, 225, and 227 and the reset transistor 231, thereby performing a PD reset. Then, as shown in FIG. 13B, the vertical scanning circuit 211 turns off the charge discharging transistor 221, thereby executing exposure accumulation. Next, as shown in FIG. 13C, the vertical scanning circuit 211 turns on the transfer transistors 225 and 227 and the reset transistor 231, thereby performing an ST reset.

[0074] 13 is an example of a potential diagram until the charge retention region is separated when the illuminance is low in the first embodiment of the present technology. In the figure, a is an example of a potential diagram during charge transfer to the charge retention regions 224 and 226. In the figure, b is an example of a potential diagram when the charge retention region 224 is separated from the charge retention region 226.

[0075] As shown in FIG. 13A, the vertical scanning circuit 211 turns on the transfer transistors 223 and 225 while keeping the transfer transistor 227 and the reset transistor 231 in the off state. This causes charges to be transferred from the photoelectric conversion element 222 to the charge holding regions 224 and 226. In the case of low illuminance, charges are held only in ST2.

[0076] Then, as illustrated in FIG. 1B, the vertical scanning circuit 211 separates the charge holding region 224 from the charge holding region 226 by turning off the transfer transistors 223 and 225.

[0077] FIG. 14 is an example of a potential diagram up to ST reset when the illuminance is high in the first embodiment of the present technology. In the figure, a is an example of a potential diagram at the time of PD reset, and in the figure, b is an example of a potential diagram during exposure accumulation. In the figure, c is an example of a potential diagram at the time of ST reset. These potential diagrams are similar to those illustrated in FIG. 12 except that the charge amount is different.

[0078] FIG. 15 is an example of a potential diagram until the charge holding region is separated when the illuminance is high in the first embodiment of the present technology. In the figure, a is an example of a potential diagram when charge is transferred to the charge holding regions 224 and 226. In the figure, b is an example of a potential diagram when the charge holding region 224 is separated from the charge holding region 226. These potential diagrams are similar to those illustrated in FIG. 13 except that the charge amount is different. As illustrated in FIG. 15, in the case of high illuminance, the charge is held in both ST1 and ST2.

[0079] 16 is a timing chart showing an example of an operation of reading out one row when the illuminance is low according to the first embodiment of the present technology. The readout operation in the figure is performed sequentially for each row after the global shutter illustrated in FIG.

[0080] For example, at timings T11 and T16, the horizontal synchronization signal XHS is supplied to the column signal processing circuit 260 by the timing control circuit 213. The vertical scanning circuit 211 supplies a selection signal SEL in synchronization with the horizontal synchronization signal XHS. For example, when selecting the first row during the period from timing T11 to T16, the selection signal SEL_[1] is supplied.

[0081] At timing T11, the vertical scanning circuit 211 supplies a reset signal RST for a pulse period to turn on the reset transistor 231 and perform an FD reset. In the period up to timing T12, a reset level at the time of the FD reset is output to the vertical signal line 239 via the amplification transistor 232 and the selection transistor 233, and is AD converted by the column signal processing circuit 260. This reset level is also called a P-phase level. The P-phase level after AD conversion is designated as Vp.

[0082] Then, at timing T12, the vertical scanning circuit 211 supplies a transfer signal TG for a pulse period to turn on the transfer transistor 227 and transfers the charge in the charge holding region 226 (ST2) to the floating diffusion region 228. The charges in the charge holding region 224 (ST1) and the charge holding region 226 (ST2) are signal charges generated by photoelectric conversion, and a signal level according to the amount of this signal charge is called a D-phase level. In the period until timing T13, this D-phase level is AD-converted by the column signal processing circuit 260. The D-phase level after the first AD conversion is designated as Vd1.

[0083] Next, at timing T13, the vertical scanning circuit 211 supplies transfer signals TG and TX2 to turn on the transfer transistors 225 and 227, and transfers the charge in the charge holding region 224 (ST1) to the floating diffusion region 228. The vertical scanning circuit 211 also turns off the transfer transistor 225 at timing T14, and turns off the transfer transistor 227 immediately thereafter at timing T15. By turning off the transfer transistors 225 and 227 in that order, the potential of ST2 can be maintained higher than the floating diffusion region 228, and the signal charge of ST1 can be completely transferred to the floating diffusion region 228.

[0084] In the period up to timing T13, the D phase level is AD converted by the column signal processing circuit 260. The D phase level after the second AD conversion is set to Vd2. In the second conversion, the charge transferred from the charge holding region 224 to the floating diffusion region 228 is added to the charge transferred from the charge holding region 226 in the first conversion. Therefore, the second D phase level becomes a level according to the sum of the amounts of charge held in the charge holding regions 224 and 226.

[0085] The column signal processing circuit 260 performs the following calculation in CDS processing: The CDS processing can cancel the reset noise of the floating diffusion region 228 and the noise offset of the circuit. Δ1=Vd1-Vp Δ2=Vd2-Vp

[0086] The column signal processing circuit 260 compares the difference Δ1 with a predetermined threshold Δth and judges whether the difference Δ1 is equal to or smaller than the threshold Δth. Here, the threshold Δth is the amount of charge that ST2 can safely hold by itself, and is proportional to the product of the capacitance of ST2, the potential barrier between ST1 and ST2, and the charge-voltage conversion efficiency of the floating diffusion region 228.

[0087] As shown in the figure, when the difference Δ1 is equal to or smaller than the threshold Δth, the column signal processing circuit 260 determines that the illuminance is relatively low and outputs the difference Δ1 as the final pixel signal. On the other hand, when the difference Δ1 is greater than the threshold Δth, the column signal processing circuit 260 determines that the illuminance is relatively high and outputs the difference Δ2 as the final pixel signal.

[0088] In this way, by outputting the difference Δ1 in the low illuminance pixel and outputting the difference Δ2 in the high illuminance pixel, the PLS of the low illuminance signal can be reduced.

[0089] In addition, since ST2 can secure a wider gap between itself and the opened photoelectric conversion element 222 than ST1, leakage light is less likely to reach ST2. Furthermore, since ST2 only needs to receive a portion of the full range of signal charges, the capacitance of ST2 can be small. Due to these two effects, light leakage occurring in ST2 can be effectively suppressed.

[0090] Here, in image data, artifacts that occur in low-illuminance signals are generally particularly noticeable. The reason for this is that high-illuminance signals tend to contain a lot of optical shot noise, and even if there are artifacts, they are buried in the optical shot noise and are difficult to notice. In the solid-state imaging device 200, the effects of light leakage are reduced by storing low-illuminance charge signals, where artifacts are easily noticeable, in ST2, which is less susceptible to light leakage as described above.

[0091] 17 is an example of a potential diagram when reading out when the illuminance is low in the first embodiment of the present technology. When the illuminance is low, as shown in the figure, when the first D phase level is read out, no signal charge remains in ST1. The potential diagram when the second D phase level is read out is the same as the first one.

[0092] Fig. 18 is a timing chart showing an example of an operation of reading out one row when the illuminance is high in the first embodiment of the present technology. The readout control in the figure is the same as the control illustrated in Fig. 16. As illustrated in the figure, when the illuminance is high, the difference Δ1 becomes larger than the threshold value Δth. In this case, the column signal processing circuit 260 outputs the difference Δ2 as the final pixel signal.

[0093] 19 is an example of a potential diagram when reading out when the illuminance is high in the first embodiment of the present technology. In the figure, a is an example of a potential diagram when reading out the first D phase level, and in the figure, b is an example of a potential diagram when reading out the second D phase level.

[0094] As shown in Fig. 1A, when the illuminance is high, a signal level remains in ST1 when the first D-phase level is read out. As shown in Fig. 1B, the signal charge remaining in ST1 is transferred to the floating diffusion region 228, added to the first charge amount, and read out as the second D-phase level.

[0095] 20 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the solid-state imaging device 200 according to the first embodiment of the present technology. This operation is started, for example, when a predetermined application for generating an HDR image is executed.

[0096] The vertical scanning circuit 211 in the solid-state imaging device 200 resets the PD for all pixels (step S901), and exposes and accumulates the charges (step S902). After the exposure is completed, the vertical scanning circuit 211 resets the ST for all pixels (step S903), and transfers the charges to the charge holding regions 224 and 226 (step S904). The vertical scanning circuit 211 separates the charge holding regions 224 and 226 (step S905).

[0097] The vertical scanning circuit 211 selects a row, and the column signal processing circuit 260 calculates the differences Δ1 and Δ2 for each column by CDS processing (step S906). The column signal processing circuit 260 determines whether the difference Δ1 is equal to or smaller than a threshold for each column (step S907). If the difference Δ1 is equal to or smaller than the threshold (step S907: Yes), the column signal processing circuit 260 selects the difference Δ1 and outputs it as a pixel signal (step S908). On the other hand, if the difference Δ1 is greater than the threshold (step S907: No), the column signal processing circuit 260 selects the difference Δ2 and outputs it as a pixel signal (step S909). Note that the processing of steps S906 to S909 is performed for each column in the selected row, but for convenience of illustration, the processing of columns other than one is omitted in the figure.

[0098] After step S908 or S909, the solid-state imaging element 200 determines whether or not the readout of all rows is complete (step S910). If the readout of all rows is not complete (step S910: No), the solid-state imaging element 200 repeatedly executes step S906 and subsequent steps. If the readout of all rows is complete (step S910: Yes), the solid-state imaging element 200 ends the operation for generating an HDR image.

[0099] Note that, when multiple HDR images are generated continuously, the processes of steps S901 to S910 are repeatedly executed in synchronization with a vertical synchronization signal.

[0100] In this way, in the first embodiment of the present technology, the light-shielding wall prevents leakage of charges from the photoelectric conversion element 222 to the downstream charge holding region 226, improving PLS resistance. Also, the transfer transistor 223 transfers charges to the charge holding regions 224 and 226, and the transfer transistors 225 and 227 sequentially transfer the charges held therein to the floating diffusion region 228. As a result, the column signal processing circuit 260 outputs either a low-illuminance signal or a high-illuminance signal for each pixel, and can reduce the PLS of the low-illuminance signal to improve image quality.

[0101] [First Modification] In the above-described first embodiment, a front-illuminated solid-state imaging element 200 is used, but in the front-illuminated type, it is necessary to guide incident light to the photoelectric conversion element 222 while avoiding the wiring layer 414, and there is a risk of insufficient sensitivity. The solid-state imaging element 200 of the first modified example of the first embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that it is a back-illuminated type.

[0102] The layout of the solid-state imaging device 200 according to the first modified example of the first embodiment as viewed from the Z-axis direction is similar to that of the first embodiment illustrated in FIG.

[0103] 21 is an example of a cross-sectional view taken along line AB in the first modified example of the first embodiment of the present technology. As illustrated in the figure, the surface on which the wiring layer 414 is formed of both sides of a p-type semiconductor substrate 320 is defined as the front surface, and the photoelectric conversion element 222 is formed on the back surface opposite to the front surface. On the back surface, the upper part of the charge retention region 224 (ST1) is light-shielded by a metal 421. In addition, light-shielding walls 411 and 412 are formed around the pixel 220 by DTI. As illustrated in the figure, the solid-state imaging element 200 having the photoelectric conversion element 222 formed on the back surface is called a back-illuminated solid-state imaging element.

[0104] 22 is an example of a cross-sectional view cut along line CD in the first modified example of the first embodiment of the present technology. On the back surface, the upper part of the charge retention region 226 (ST2) is light-shielded by metal 421. In addition, a light-shielding wall 416 is formed between the photoelectric conversion element 222 and ST2. The light-shielding walls 416 and 412 around ST2 extend from the wiring layer 414 along the Z-axis direction, penetrate the p-type semiconductor substrate 320, and are connected to the metal 421. This can increase the light-shielding resistance of ST2.

[0105] 23 is an example of a cross-sectional view taken along line EF in the first modified example of the first embodiment of the present technology. A light-shielding wall 417 is formed around the pixel 220, and the upper parts of the charge retention region 224 (ST1) and the charge retention region 226 (ST2) on the back surface are light-shielded by a metal 421.

[0106] In this manner, in the modified example of the first embodiment of the present technology, the photoelectric conversion element 222 is formed on the back side of the substrate opposite to the front side on which the wiring layer 414 is formed, so that it is not necessary to guide the incident light around the wiring layer 414, and the sensitivity can be improved compared to the front-illuminated type.

[0107] [Second modified example] In the above-described first embodiment, a floating diffusion region 228 is provided for each pixel, but this configuration makes it difficult to reduce the circuit scale of the pixel array section 212. The solid-state imaging device 200 of the second modified example of the first embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that a floating diffusion region 228 is shared by multiple pixels.

[0108] 24 is a circuit diagram showing a configuration example of a pixel block 240 in a second modified example of the first embodiment of the present technology. In this second modified example of the first embodiment, a plurality of pixel blocks 240 are arranged in a pixel array section 212. Each of the pixel blocks 240 includes charge discharge transistors 221 and 241, photoelectric conversion elements 222 and 242, and transfer transistors 223, 225, 227, 243, 245, and 247. Furthermore, the pixel block 240 includes charge retention regions 224, 226, 244, and 246, a floating diffusion region 228, a reset transistor 231, an amplification transistor 232, and a selection transistor 233.

[0109] In the second embodiment, the connection configuration of the charge discharge transistor 221, the photoelectric conversion element 222, the transfer transistors 223, 225, and 227, the charge retention regions 224 and 226, and the floating diffusion region 228 is the same as that of the first embodiment. The connection configuration of the charge discharge transistor 241, the photoelectric conversion element 242, the transfer transistors 243, 245, and 247, and the charge retention regions 244 and 246 is the same as that of the corresponding elements in the first embodiment. The connection configuration of the reset transistor 231, the amplification transistor 232, and the selection transistor 233 is the same as that of the first embodiment.

[0110] Moreover, the transfer transistors 243, 245, and 247 of the second embodiment are connected in series between the connection node of the charge discharge transistor 241 and the photoelectric conversion element 242 and the floating diffusion region 228. With the configuration illustrated in the figure, the pixel block 240 functions as two pixels, and these pixels share one floating diffusion region 228. Since a plurality of pixels share one floating diffusion region 228 in this way, the number of elements per pixel can be reduced, and the circuit scale of the pixel array unit 212 can be reduced, compared to the first embodiment in which no sharing is performed.

[0111] The photoelectric conversion elements 221 and 241 are examples of the first and second photoelectric conversion elements described in the claims. The transfer transistors 223 and 243 are examples of the first and second front-stage transfer transistors described in the claims. The transfer transistors 225 and 245 are examples of the first and second intermediate transfer transistors described in the claims. The transfer transistors 227 and 247 are examples of the first and second rear-stage transfer transistors described in the claims. The charge retention regions 224 and 244 are examples of the first and second front-stage charge retention regions described in the claims. The charge retention regions 226 and 246 are examples of the first and second rear-stage charge retention regions described in the claims.

[0112] 25 is a plan view showing an example of the layout of elements in a pixel block 240 in the second modified example of the first embodiment of the present technology. As illustrated in the figure, on the left side, a charge discharge transistor 221, a photoelectric conversion element 222, and transfer transistors 223, 225, and 227 are arranged in the same layout as in the first embodiment. On the right side, a charge discharge transistor 241, a photoelectric conversion element 242, and transfer transistors 243, 245, and 247 are arranged in a layout symmetrical to the left side. A floating diffusion region 228 is arranged between the transfer transistors 227 and 247, and a transistor arrangement region 230 is arranged between the photoelectric conversion elements 222 and 242.

[0113] 24 and 25, the number of pixels sharing the floating diffusion region 228 is two, but it is also possible to configure three or more pixels to share the floating diffusion region 228. Also, the first modified example of the first embodiment can be applied to the second modified example of the first embodiment.

[0114] In this manner, in the second modified example of the first embodiment of the present technology, multiple pixels share one floating diffusion region 228, and therefore the number of elements per pixel can be reduced compared to a case in which the floating diffusion region is not shared.

[0115] <2. Second embodiment> In the above-described first embodiment, two independent n-layers are provided as charge retention regions 224 and 226, but since two n-layers are required for each pixel, the area of ​​pixel 220 becomes large and miniaturization becomes difficult. Solid-state imaging element 200 of the second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that charge retention regions 224 and 226 are formed within one n-layer.

[0116] 26 is a circuit diagram showing a configuration example of a pixel 220 according to a second embodiment of the present technology. The pixel 220 according to the second embodiment differs from the pixel 220 according to the first embodiment in that transfer transistors 223 and 225 share the same n-layer. Charge retention regions 224 and 226 are formed in the n-layer.

[0117] 27 is an example of a cross-sectional view of a pixel 220 according to the second embodiment of the present technology. In the pixel 220 according to the second embodiment, the n layer 334 and the p + The layer 339 is not formed, and the n layer 333 and the p +Gate electrodes 342 and 343 are formed on the top of layer 338. In n-layer 333, the left side of region 321 below the gap between gate electrodes 342 and 343 is used as charge retention region 224 (ST1), and the right side is used as charge retention region 226 (ST2). In this manner, ST1 and ST2 are formed in the same n-layer 333. As a result, one n-layer is not required compared to the case where two independent n-layers are provided for ST1 and ST2, and therefore the area of ​​pixel 220 can be reduced.

[0118] The electric field from the gate electrode is weaker in the region 321 than in the regions directly below the gate electrodes 342 and 343. Therefore, when the transfer transistors 223 and 225 are in the off state, the potential of the region 321 is higher than that of the regions directly below the gate electrodes, and a potential barrier is generated in the region 321 between ST1 and ST2.

[0119] Furthermore, during manufacturing, it is also possible to adjust the potential barrier by adjusting the implantation concentration of impurities in the region 321. In this case, for example, the impurity concentration in the region 321 is adjusted to be lower than the surrounding area.

[0120] 28 is an example of a potential diagram of the pixel 220 in the second embodiment of the present technology. The diagram shows the potential when the charge discharge transistor 221, the transfer transistors 223, 225, and 227, and the reset transistor 231 are in the off state. As illustrated in the diagram, ST1 and ST2 are formed in the same n-layer 333, so that the potential barrier between them in the off state is lower than that in the first embodiment.

[0121] It should be noted that the first and second modifications of the first embodiment can be applied to the second embodiment.

[0122] In this manner, in the second embodiment of the present technology, the charge retention region 224 and the charge retention region 226 are formed within the same n-layer 333, so that the number of n-layers can be reduced compared to the case where two independent n-layers are provided.

[0123] <3. Third embodiment> In the second embodiment described above, charge retention region 224 and charge retention region 226 are formed in the same n layer 333, but this configuration may cause the height of the potential barrier between them to be insufficient. Solid-state imaging element 200 of the third embodiment differs from the second embodiment in that it is provided with a transistor that adjusts the height of the potential barrier.

[0124] 29 is a circuit diagram showing a configuration example of a pixel 220 according to a third embodiment of the present technology. The pixel 220 according to the third embodiment differs from the pixel 220 according to the second embodiment in that an adjustment transistor 229 is further provided.

[0125] The adjustment transistor 229 adjusts the potential barrier between the charge holding region 224 and the charge holding region 226 in accordance with a control signal TXc from the vertical scanning circuit 211 .

[0126] 30 is an example of a cross-sectional view of a pixel 220 according to the third embodiment of the present technology. The pixel 220 according to the third embodiment differs from the pixel 220 according to the second embodiment in that a gate electrode 346 is further provided.

[0127] Similarly to the second embodiment, in n-layer 333, a region immediately below gate electrode 342 is used as charge retention region 224 (ST1), and a region immediately below gate electrode 343 is used as charge retention region 226 (ST2).

[0128] The gate electrode 346 is disposed between the gate electrode 342 and the gate electrode 343 (in other words, directly above the potential barrier), and a control signal TXc is input to the gate electrode 346. The gate electrode 346 and the semiconductor region thereunder function as the adjustment transistor 229.

[0129] The vertical scanning circuit 211 applies a positive voltage to the gate of the adjustment transistor 229 to lower the potential below the gate. Furthermore, when turning it off, the vertical scanning circuit 211 applies a ground or negative voltage to the adjustment transistor 229. The vertical scanning circuit 211 can adjust the potential barrier by adjusting the voltage applied to the gate of the adjustment transistor 229. If the voltage applied to the gate of the adjustment transistor 229 when it is off (when charge is being held in ST1, etc.) is set lower than the voltages of the transfer transistors 223 and 225 on either side of it, the potential barrier directly below it becomes higher than the surrounding area.

[0130] 31 is an example of a potential diagram of the pixel 220 in the second embodiment of the present technology. The diagram shows the potential when the charge discharge transistor 221, the transfer transistors 223, 225, and 227, the adjustment transistor 229, and the reset transistor 231 are in an off state. As illustrated in the diagram, the addition of the adjustment transistor 229 makes it possible to make the potential barrier higher than that of the second embodiment.

[0131] 32 is a timing chart showing an example of a global shutter operation of a solid-state imaging device according to the third embodiment of the present technology. In the third embodiment, the PD reset and exposure accumulation control are the same as those in the first and second embodiments. At timing T2, the vertical scanning circuit 211 turns on the reset transistor 231, the transfer transistors 225 and 227, and the adjustment transistor 229 of all pixels using the reset signal RST, the transfer signal TX2, the TG signal, and the control signal TXc. This causes the ST reset to be performed.

[0132] Furthermore, the vertical scanning circuit 211 turns off the adjustment transistor 229 by a control signal TXc at timing T3, and turns off the transfer transistor 225 by a transfer signal TX2 at timing T4.

[0133] Then, the vertical scanning circuit 211 turns off the transfer transistor 227 with a transfer signal TG at timing T5, and turns off the reset transistor 231 with a reset signal RST at timing T6.

[0134] Next, at timing T7 immediately after ST reset, the vertical scanning circuit 211 turns on the transfer transistors 223 and 227 and the adjustment transistor 229 of all pixels using the transfer signals TX1 and TX2 and the control signal TXc to transfer the charges.

[0135] Then, at timing T8, the vertical scanning circuit 211 turns off the transfer transistor 223 with a transfer signal TX1, and immediately thereafter, at timing T9, turns off the adjustment transistor 229 with a control signal TXc. Immediately thereafter, at timing T10, the vertical scanning circuit 211 turns off the transfer transistor 225 with a transfer signal TX2.

[0136] 33 is a timing chart showing an example of an operation of reading out one row when the illuminance is low according to the third embodiment of the present technology. The control up to immediately before timing T23 is similar to that in the first and second embodiments.

[0137] At timing T23, the vertical scanning circuit 211 supplies transfer signals TG and TX2 and a control signal TXc to turn on the transfer transistors 225 and 227 and the adjustment transistor 229, and transfers the charge to the floating diffusion region 228. The vertical scanning circuit 211 also turns off the adjustment transistor 229 by the control signal TXc at timing T24, and turns off the transfer transistor 225 by the transfer signal TX2 at timing T25 immediately thereafter. At timing T26 immediately thereafter, the vertical scanning circuit 211 turns off the transfer transistor 227 by the transfer signal TG.

[0138] 34 is an example of a potential diagram when reading out when the illuminance is low in the third embodiment of the present technology. When the illuminance is low, as shown in the figure, when the first D phase level is read out, no signal charge remains in ST1. The potential diagram when the second D phase level is read out is the same as the first one.

[0139] 35 is a timing chart showing an example of an operation of reading out one row when the illuminance is high according to the third embodiment of the present technology. The readout control in the figure is similar to the control illustrated in FIG.

[0140] 36 is an example of a potential diagram when reading out when the illuminance is high in the third embodiment of the present technology. In the figure, a is an example of a potential diagram when reading out the D phase level for the first time, and b is an example of a potential diagram when reading out the D phase level for the second time.

[0141] It should be noted that the first and second modifications of the first embodiment can be applied to the third embodiment.

[0142] In this way, according to the third embodiment of the present technology, since the transistor that adjusts the height of the potential barrier is provided, it is possible to eliminate a shortage of the height of the potential barrier.

[0143] <4. Application examples for mobile objects> The technology according to the present disclosure (the present technology) can be applied to various products. For example, the technology according to the present disclosure may be realized as a device mounted on any type of moving body such as an automobile, an electric vehicle, a hybrid electric vehicle, a motorcycle, a bicycle, a personal mobility device, an airplane, a drone, a ship, a robot, etc.

[0144] FIG. 37 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration example of a vehicle control system, which is an example of a moving object control system to which the technology according to the present disclosure can be applied.

[0145] The vehicle control system 12000 includes a plurality of electronic control units connected via a communication network 12001. In the example shown in Fig. 37, the vehicle control system 12000 includes a drive system control unit 12010, a body system control unit 12020, an outside-vehicle information detection unit 12030, an inside-vehicle information detection unit 12040, and an integrated control unit 12050. Also, as functional configurations of the integrated control unit 12050, a microcomputer 12051, an audio / video output unit 12052, and an in-vehicle network I / F (interface) 12053 are illustrated.

[0146] The drivetrain control unit 12010 controls the operation of devices related to the drivetrain of the vehicle in accordance with various programs. For example, the drivetrain control unit 12010 functions as a control device for a drive force generating device for generating a drive force of the vehicle, such as an internal combustion engine or a drive motor, a drive force transmission mechanism for transmitting the drive force to the wheels, a steering mechanism for adjusting the steering angle of the vehicle, and a braking device for generating a braking force of the vehicle.

[0147] The body system control unit 12020 controls the operation of various devices mounted on the vehicle body according to various programs. For example, the body system control unit 12020 functions as a control device for a keyless entry system, a smart key system, a power window device, or various lamps such as head lamps, back lamps, brake lamps, turn signals, and fog lamps. In this case, radio waves or signals of various switches transmitted from a portable device that replaces a key may be input to the body system control unit 12020. The body system control unit 12020 receives the input of these radio waves or signals and controls the door lock device, power window device, lamps, and the like of the vehicle.

[0148] The outside-vehicle information detection unit 12030 detects information outside the vehicle equipped with the vehicle control system 12000. For example, an imaging unit 12031 is connected to the outside-vehicle information detection unit 12030. The outside-vehicle information detection unit 12030 causes the imaging unit 12031 to capture an image outside the vehicle and receives the captured image. The outside-vehicle information detection unit 12030 may perform object detection processing or distance detection processing for a person, a car, an obstacle, a sign, or characters on a road surface, based on the received image.

[0149] The imaging unit 12031 is an optical sensor that receives light and outputs an electrical signal according to the amount of light received. The imaging unit 12031 can output the electrical signal as an image, or as distance measurement information. The light received by the imaging unit 12031 may be visible light or invisible light such as infrared light.

[0150] The in-vehicle information detection unit 12040 detects information inside the vehicle. For example, a driver state detection unit 12041 that detects the state of the driver is connected to the in-vehicle information detection unit 12040. The driver state detection unit 12041 includes, for example, a camera that captures an image of the driver, and the in-vehicle information detection unit 12040 may calculate the degree of fatigue or concentration of the driver based on the detection information input from the driver state detection unit 12041, or may determine whether the driver is dozing.

[0151] The microcomputer 12051 can calculate control target values ​​for the driving force generating device, the steering mechanism, or the braking device based on the information inside and outside the vehicle acquired by the outside-of-vehicle information detection unit 12030 or the inside-vehicle information detection unit 12040, and output a control command to the drive system control unit 12010. For example, the microcomputer 12051 can perform cooperative control aimed at realizing the functions of an ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance System), including vehicle collision avoidance or impact mitigation, following driving based on the inter-vehicle distance, vehicle speed maintenance driving, vehicle collision warning, vehicle lane departure warning, etc.

[0152] In addition, the microcomputer 12051 can perform cooperative control for the purpose of autonomous driving, which allows the vehicle to travel autonomously without relying on the driver's operation, by controlling the driving force generating device, steering mechanism, braking device, etc. based on information about the surroundings of the vehicle acquired by the outside vehicle information detection unit 12030 or the inside vehicle information detection unit 12040.

[0153] Furthermore, the microcomputer 12051 can output a control command to the body system control unit 12020 based on the information outside the vehicle acquired by the outside-vehicle information detection unit 12030. For example, the microcomputer 12051 can control the headlamps according to the position of a preceding vehicle or an oncoming vehicle detected by the outside-vehicle information detection unit 12030, and perform cooperative control for the purpose of preventing glare, such as switching from high beams to low beams.

[0154] The audio / video output unit 12052 transmits at least one output signal of audio and image to an output device capable of visually or audibly notifying information to passengers in the vehicle or the outside of the vehicle. In the example of Fig. 37, an audio speaker 12061, a display unit 12062, and an instrument panel 12063 are exemplified as the output device. The display unit 12062 may include at least one of an on-board display and a head-up display, for example.

[0155] FIG. 38 is a diagram showing an example of the installation position of the imaging unit 12031.

[0156] In FIG. 38, the imaging unit 12031 includes imaging units 12101, 12102, 12103, 12104, and 12105.

[0157] The imaging units 12101, 12102, 12103, 12104, and 12105 are provided at positions such as the front nose, side mirrors, rear bumper, back door, and the upper part of the windshield inside the vehicle cabin of the vehicle 12100. The imaging unit 12101 provided at the front nose and the imaging unit 12105 provided at the upper part of the windshield inside the vehicle cabin mainly acquire images of the front of the vehicle 12100. The imaging units 12102 and 12103 provided at the side mirrors mainly acquire images of the sides of the vehicle 12100. The imaging unit 12104 provided at the rear bumper or back door mainly acquires images of the rear of the vehicle 12100. The imaging unit 12105 provided at the upper part of the windshield inside the vehicle cabin is mainly used to detect a preceding vehicle, a pedestrian, an obstacle, a traffic light, a traffic sign, a lane, or the like.

[0158] 38 shows an example of the imaging ranges of the imaging units 12101 to 12104. Imaging range 12111 indicates the imaging range of the imaging unit 12101 provided on the front nose, imaging ranges 12112 and 12113 indicate the imaging ranges of the imaging units 12102 and 12103 provided on the side mirrors, respectively, and imaging range 12114 indicates the imaging range of the imaging unit 12104 provided on the rear bumper or back door. For example, an overhead image of the vehicle 12100 viewed from above is obtained by superimposing the image data captured by the imaging units 12101 to 12104.

[0159] At least one of the imaging units 12101 to 12104 may have a function of acquiring distance information. For example, at least one of the imaging units 12101 to 12104 may be a stereo camera made up of a plurality of imaging elements, or may be an imaging element having pixels for detecting a phase difference.

[0160] For example, the microcomputer 12051 can extract, as a preceding vehicle, a three-dimensional object that is the closest three-dimensional object on the travel path of the vehicle 12100 and travels at a predetermined speed (for example, 0 km / h or more) in approximately the same direction as the vehicle 12100, by calculating the distance to each three-dimensional object in the imaging ranges 12111 to 12114 and the change over time of this distance (relative speed with respect to the vehicle 12100) based on the distance information obtained from the imaging units 12101 to 12104. Furthermore, the microcomputer 12051 can set a vehicle distance to be secured in advance in front of the preceding vehicle, and perform automatic brake control (including follow-up stop control) and automatic acceleration control (including follow-up start control). In this way, cooperative control can be performed for the purpose of automatic driving that travels autonomously without relying on the driver's operation.

[0161] For example, the microcomputer 12051 classifies and extracts three-dimensional object data on three-dimensional objects into two-wheeled vehicles, ordinary vehicles, large vehicles, pedestrians, utility poles, and other three-dimensional objects based on distance information obtained from the imaging units 12101 to 12104, and can use the data for automatic obstacle avoidance. For example, the microcomputer 12051 distinguishes obstacles around the vehicle 12100 into obstacles that are visible to the driver of the vehicle 12100 and obstacles that are difficult to see. Then, the microcomputer 12051 determines a collision risk indicating the risk of collision with each obstacle, and when the collision risk is equal to or greater than a set value and a collision is possible, the microcomputer 12051 can provide driving assistance for collision avoidance by outputting an alarm to the driver via the audio speaker 12061 or the display unit 12062, or by performing forced deceleration or avoidance steering via the drive system control unit 12010.

[0162] At least one of the imaging units 12101 to 12104 may be an infrared camera that detects infrared rays. For example, the microcomputer 12051 can recognize a pedestrian by determining whether or not a pedestrian is present in the captured images of the imaging units 12101 to 12104. The recognition of such a pedestrian is performed, for example, by a procedure of extracting feature points in the captured images of the imaging units 12101 to 12104 as infrared cameras, and a procedure of performing pattern matching processing on a series of feature points that indicate the contour of an object to determine whether or not the object is a pedestrian. When the microcomputer 12051 determines that a pedestrian is present in the captured images of the imaging units 12101 to 12104 and recognizes the pedestrian, the audio / image output unit 12052 controls the display unit 12062 to superimpose a rectangular contour line for emphasis on the recognized pedestrian. The audio / image output unit 12052 may also control the display unit 12062 to display an icon or the like indicating a pedestrian at a desired position.

[0163] An example of a vehicle control system to which the technology according to the present disclosure can be applied has been described above. The technology according to the present disclosure can be applied to, for example, the imaging unit 12031 among the configurations described above. Specifically, the imaging device 100 of FIG. 1 can be applied to the imaging unit 12031. By applying the technology according to the present disclosure to the imaging unit 12031, it is possible to improve PLS resistance and obtain a captured image that is easier to see, thereby reducing driver fatigue.

[0164] The above-mentioned embodiment shows an example for realizing the present technology, and the matters in the embodiment and the matters specified in the claims correspond to each other. Similarly, the matters specified in the claims and the matters in the embodiment of the present technology having the same name correspond to each other. However, the present technology is not limited to the embodiment, and can be realized by applying various modifications to the embodiment within the scope of the gist of the technology.

[0165] It should be noted that the effects described in this specification are merely examples and are not limiting, and other effects may also be obtained.

[0166] The present technology can also be configured as follows. (1) a photoelectric conversion element; A front-stage charge retention region; a rear charge holding region having a capacity different from that of the front charge holding region; a front-stage transfer transistor that transfers charges from the photoelectric conversion element to the front-stage charge holding region and the rear-stage charge holding region; a downstream transfer transistor for transferring charges from the downstream charge retention region to a floating diffusion region; an intermediate transfer transistor that transfers charges remaining in the previous-stage charge holding region after the charges have been transferred from the subsequent-stage charge holding region to the floating diffusion region via the previous-stage charge holding region; A light-shielding wall that prevents leakage of electric charges from the photoelectric conversion element to the subsequent charge holding region. A solid-state imaging device comprising: (2) the front-stage charge retention region and the rear-stage charge retention region are impurity diffusion regions having the same polarity; Between the front-stage charge holding region and the rear-stage charge holding region, a predetermined impurity diffusion region having a polarity different from that of both the front-stage charge holding region and the rear-stage charge holding region is disposed. The solid-state imaging device according to (1) above. (3) The preceding charge retention region and the succeeding charge retention region are formed in the same impurity diffusion region. The solid-state imaging device according to (1) above. (4) The impurity concentration of the region between the front-stage charge retention region and the rear-stage charge retention region in the impurity diffusion region is different from that of the surrounding area of ​​the region. The solid-state imaging device according to (3) above. (5) further comprising an adjustment transistor for adjusting the height of a potential barrier between the front-stage charge holding region and the rear-stage charge holding region; The solid-state imaging device according to (3) above. (6) further comprising a vertical scanning circuit that controls each of the front-stage transfer transistor, the rear-stage transfer transistor, and the intermediate transfer transistor to either an on state or an off state; The vertical scanning circuit turns on the previous stage transfer transistor and the intermediate transfer transistor while turning off the subsequent stage transfer transistor to transfer charges to the previous stage charge holding region and the subsequent stage charge holding region, turns on the subsequent stage transfer transistor while turning off the previous stage transfer transistor and the intermediate transfer transistor to transfer charges from the subsequent stage charge holding region to the floating diffusion region, and turns on the intermediate transfer transistor and the subsequent stage transfer transistor to transfer charges from the previous stage charge holding region to the floating diffusion region. The solid-state imaging device according to any one of (1) to (5). (7) The present invention further includes a signal processing circuit for performing a process of comparing a first pixel signal corresponding to the amount of charge in the rear-stage charge holding region and a second pixel signal corresponding to the amount of charge in the front-stage charge holding region with a predetermined threshold and selecting one of the first and second pixel signals based on a comparison result. The solid-state imaging device according to any one of (1) to (6). (8) The photoelectric conversion element is formed on one of the two surfaces of a predetermined semiconductor substrate, the surface being wired. The solid-state imaging device according to any one of (1) to (7). (9) The photoelectric conversion element is formed on one of the two surfaces of a predetermined semiconductor substrate, the other surface being opposite to the surface on which wiring is performed. The solid-state imaging device according to any one of (1) to (7). (10) The photoelectric conversion element includes a first photoelectric conversion element and a second photoelectric conversion element, the pre-stage charge retention region includes first and second pre-stage charge retention regions; the rear charge retention region includes first and second rear charge retention regions, the front-stage transfer transistors include first and second front-stage transfer transistors, the intermediate transfer transistors include first and second intermediate transfer transistors; The post-stage transfer transistor includes first and second post-stage transfer transistors. The solid-state imaging device according to any one of (1) to (9). (11) a charge drain transistor that drains charges from the photoelectric conversion element; a reset transistor for initializing the floating diffusion region; an amplifying transistor that amplifies a signal corresponding to the amount of charge transferred to the floating diffusion region; a selection transistor that outputs the amplified signal as a pixel signal in accordance with a predetermined selection signal; The solid-state imaging device according to any one of (1) to (10), further comprising: (12) a photoelectric conversion element; A front-stage charge retention region; a rear charge holding region having a capacity different from that of the front charge holding region; a front-stage transfer transistor that transfers charges from the photoelectric conversion element to the front-stage charge holding region and the rear-stage charge holding region; a downstream transfer transistor for transferring charges from the downstream charge retention region to a floating diffusion region; an intermediate transfer transistor that transfers charges remaining in the previous-stage charge holding region after the charges have been transferred from the subsequent-stage charge holding region to the floating diffusion region via the previous-stage charge holding region; a light-shielding wall for preventing leakage of electric charges from the photoelectric conversion element to the subsequent charge holding region; a signal processing circuit that processes a pixel signal according to the amount of charge transferred to the floating diffusion region; An imaging device comprising: (13) a front-stage transfer step of transferring charges from the photoelectric conversion element to a front-stage charge holding region and a rear-stage charge holding region having different capacitances; a downstream transfer step of transferring charges from the downstream charge holding region, in which leakage of charges to the photoelectric conversion element is prevented by a light shielding wall, to a floating diffusion region; an intermediate transfer step of transferring charges remaining in the previous-stage charge holding region after the charges have been transferred from the subsequent-stage charge holding region to the floating diffusion region via the previous-stage charge holding region; A method for controlling a solid-state imaging device comprising the steps of: [Explanation of symbols]

[0167] 100 Imaging device 110 Imaging lens 120 Recording Section 130 Imaging control section 200 Solid-state image sensor 211 Vertical scanning circuit 212 Pixel array section 213 Timing control circuit 214DAC 220 pixels 221, 241 Charge drain transistor 222, 242 Photoelectric conversion element 223, 225, 227, 243, 245, 247 Transfer transistor 224, 226, 244, 246 charge retention region 228 Floating Diffusion Region 229 Regulating Transistor 230 Transistor placement area 231 Reset Transistor 232 Amplifying transistor 233 Selection transistor 240 pixel block 250 Load MOS circuit block 251 Load MOS transistor 260 Column signal processing circuit 261 ADC 262 Digital Signal Processing Unit 310 n-type semiconductor substrate 320 p-type semiconductor substrate 331, 335, 336 n + layer 332, 333, 334 n-layer 337~339 p + layer 341~346 Gate electrode 411, 412, 416, 417 Shading wall 413 Charge Transfer Channel 414 Wiring layer 421 Metal 12031 Imaging unit

Claims

1. A photoelectric conversion element; A front-stage charge retention region; a rear charge holding region having a capacity different from that of the front charge holding region; a front-stage transfer transistor that transfers charges from the photoelectric conversion element to the front-stage charge holding region and the rear-stage charge holding region; a downstream transfer transistor for transferring charges from the downstream charge retention region to a floating diffusion region; an intermediate transfer transistor that transfers charges remaining in the previous-stage charge holding region after the charges have been transferred from the subsequent-stage charge holding region to the floating diffusion region via the previous-stage charge holding region; a light-shielding wall that prevents leakage of electric charges from the photoelectric conversion element to the rear-stage charge holding region; Equipped with The light-shielding wall is disposed between the photoelectric conversion element and the rear-stage charge holding region. Solid-state imaging element.

2. the front-stage charge retention region and the rear-stage charge retention region are impurity diffusion regions having the same polarity, Between the front-stage charge holding region and the rear-stage charge holding region, a predetermined impurity diffusion region having a polarity different from that of both the front-stage charge holding region and the rear-stage charge holding region is disposed.

2. The solid-state imaging device according to claim 1.

3. The front-stage charge holding region and the rear-stage charge holding region are formed in the same impurity diffusion region.

2. The solid-state imaging device according to claim 1.

4. The impurity concentration of the region between the front-stage charge retention region and the rear-stage charge retention region in the impurity diffusion region is different from that of the surrounding area of ​​the region.

4. The solid-state imaging device according to claim 3.

5. The charge storage device further includes an adjustment transistor for adjusting a height of a potential barrier between the front-stage charge storage region and the rear-stage charge storage region.

4. The solid-state imaging device according to claim 3.

6. a vertical scanning circuit that controls each of the front-stage transfer transistor, the rear-stage transfer transistor, and the intermediate transfer transistor to either an on state or an off state; The vertical scanning circuit turns on the previous stage transfer transistor and the intermediate transfer transistor while turning off the subsequent stage transfer transistor to transfer charges to the previous stage charge holding region and the subsequent stage charge holding region, turns on the subsequent stage transfer transistor while turning off the previous stage transfer transistor and the intermediate transfer transistor to transfer charges from the subsequent stage charge holding region to the floating diffusion region, and turns on the intermediate transfer transistor and the subsequent stage transfer transistor to transfer charges from the previous stage charge holding region to the floating diffusion region.

2. The solid-state imaging device according to claim 1.

7. The present invention further includes a signal processing circuit that performs processing for comparing a first pixel signal corresponding to the amount of charge transferred from the rear-stage charge holding region and a second pixel signal corresponding to the amounts of charge transferred from the front-stage charge holding region and the rear-stage charge holding region with a predetermined threshold and selecting either the first or second pixel signal based on a comparison result.

2. The solid-state imaging device according to claim 1.

8. The photoelectric conversion element is formed on one of the two surfaces of a predetermined semiconductor substrate, the surface being wired.

2. The solid-state imaging device according to claim 1.

9. The photoelectric conversion element is formed on one of the two surfaces of a predetermined semiconductor substrate, the other surface being opposite to the surface on which wiring is performed.

2. The solid-state imaging device according to claim 1.

10. the photoelectric conversion element includes a first photoelectric conversion element and a second photoelectric conversion element, the preceding charge holding region includes first and second preceding charge holding regions, the rear charge retention region includes first and second rear charge retention regions, the front-stage transfer transistors include first and second front-stage transfer transistors, the intermediate transfer transistors include first and second intermediate transfer transistors; The post-stage transfer transistors include first and second post-stage transfer transistors.

2. The solid-state imaging device according to claim 1.

11. a charge draining transistor that drains charges from the photoelectric conversion element; a reset transistor for initializing the floating diffusion region; an amplifying transistor that amplifies a signal corresponding to the amount of charge transferred to the floating diffusion region; a selection transistor that outputs the amplified signal as a pixel signal in accordance with a predetermined selection signal; 2. The solid-state imaging device according to claim 1, further comprising:

12. A photoelectric conversion element; A front-stage charge retention region; a rear charge holding region having a capacity different from that of the front charge holding region; a front-stage transfer transistor that transfers charges from the photoelectric conversion element to the front-stage charge holding region and the rear-stage charge holding region; a downstream transfer transistor for transferring charges from the downstream charge retention region to a floating diffusion region; an intermediate transfer transistor that transfers charges remaining in the previous-stage charge holding region after the charges have been transferred from the subsequent-stage charge holding region to the floating diffusion region via the previous-stage charge holding region; a light-shielding wall that prevents leakage of electric charges from the photoelectric conversion element to the rear-stage charge holding region; a signal processing circuit that processes a pixel signal according to the amount of charge transferred to the floating diffusion region; Equipped with The light-shielding wall is disposed between the photoelectric conversion element and the rear-stage charge holding region. Imaging device.

13. a front-stage transfer step of transferring charges from the photoelectric conversion element to a front-stage charge holding region and a rear-stage charge holding region having different capacitances; a downstream transfer step of transferring charges from the downstream charge holding region, in which leakage of charges to the photoelectric conversion element is prevented by a light shielding wall, to a floating diffusion region; an intermediate transfer step of transferring charges remaining in the previous-stage charge holding region after the charges have been transferred from the subsequent-stage charge holding region to the floating diffusion region via the previous-stage charge holding region; Equipped with The light-shielding wall is disposed between the photoelectric conversion element and the rear-stage charge holding region. A method for controlling a solid-state imaging device.

Images