Integrated Image Sensor Charge Transfer for Fluorescence Noise Rejection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Integrated devices for massively-parallel sample analysis face challenges in efficiently collecting fluorescent emission charge carriers due to noise photons and charge carriers, particularly in large arrays where synchronized charge carrier collection and draining become complex, leading to noise in detected signals.
Innovation Solution
The integration of a photodetection region with an intrinsic electric field, a charge storage region, and a drain region, along with optically-directive structures and control signal configurations, enhances the transport rate of charge carriers, reduces noise, and improves the signal-to-noise ratio by directing incident photons effectively and controlling charge transfer periods.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If synchronized charge carrier collection and draining are implemented in large arrays, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pixel array is divided into multiple independently controllable banks or groups, each with its own charge storage region and draining control. This segmentation allows parallel processing of different regions, reducing the overall control complexity while maintaining high measurement precision through synchronized operation within each segment
Solution Approach 2:
Charge carriers are collected in dedicated charge storage regions before being drained to readout circuits. This preliminary collection action separates the detection phase from the readout phase, allowing synchronized collection across the entire array without requiring simultaneous complex draining operations, thus improving signal-to-noise ratio while managing device complexity
2Measurement precision
If charge carriers are collected from photodetection region, then measurement precision is improved, but noise from excitation photons increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary collection of charge carriers in dedicated charge storage regions during the fluorescent emission period, before excitation photons generate noise carriers. This timing separation ensures that the signal collection is completed before the noise becomes significant, improving measurement precision while minimizing excitation noise interference
Solution Approach 2:
Noise charge carriers generated by excitation photons are extracted and drained separately from the signal charge carriers collected during fluorescent emission. By providing independent draining paths and control for different time periods, the system separates signal and noise processing, improving signal-to-noise ratio while maintaining measurement precision
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach increases the rejection ratio of fluorescent emission signals to excitation noise, enabling more accurate measurement of fluorescent information and improving the efficiency of charge readouts in integrated devices for genetic sequencing and personalized medicine applications.
Implementation Method 1
the photodetection region is configured to induce an intrinsic electric field in a direction from the photodetection region to the one or more drain regions
Implementation Method 2
a photodetection region and a drain region electrically coupled to the photodetection region, wherein the photodetection region is configured to induce an intrinsic electric field
Data Source
AI summary
Aspects of the technology described herein relate to improved semiconductor-based image sensor designs. In some embodiments, an integrated circuit may comprise a photodetection region and a drain region electrically coupled to the photodetection region, and the photodetection region may be configured to induce an intrinsic electric field in a direction from the photodetection region to the drain region(s). In some embodiments, a charge storage region and the drain region may be positioned on a same side of the photodetection region. In some embodiments, at least one drain layer may be configured to receive incident photons and/or charge carriers via the photodetection region. In some embodiments, an integrated circuit may comprise a plurality of pixels and a control circuit configured to control a transfer of charge carriers in the plurality of pixels.